text: The Nature of God’s Instruction Draws Disciples Ever Closer (v. 144) – I can think of no better way to end this stanza than our psalmist has already done. The first line of this verse repeats a now familiar reality; just as God is righteous forever, so too are His testimonies. That is the summary statement of this entire stanza. But from that summary comes an urgent request to be given understanding.
  There is an interesting note here. Our psalmist never asks for more revelation, but only for a deeper understanding of the revelation he has been given. Rather than asking for signs and wonders, he humbly beseeches God to make him understand and discern the wonderous reality of His Word. If God grants him this request, then he will most certainly live; i.e. fulfill the purpose for which he was created – to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
  This must be the firm ground on which we stand. This must be our first thought in the morning and the last thought when we lay our heads upon our pillows. This stance is proactive rather than reactive. A mature Christian is not one who quickly runs their emotions through a biblical grid (vv. 139-141). That’s simply an obedient Christian. Reacting to our thoughts and emotions with Scripture keeps us from sin. But a mature Christian begins here with the assumption that God is righteous, His Word is truth, and then acts upon that assumption. The first uses Scripture to react and/or correct their thought process. The second begins with Scripture to form their thought process.
  The truth of this stanza carries many implications and applications, yet I will leave room for God the Holy Spirit and give the reader only two. First, what we really think about God is perfectly illustrated by how we treat His Word. Hunger for His Word is hunger for Him. Time spent in His Word is time spent listening to His voice. Conformity to His Word is conformity to His nature, character, person, and will. But the opposite is also true. Do not despair, dear reader. Repent and believe.
  Second, while it is good to run our thoughts and actions through the grid of Scripture to determine whether or not we are thinking and behaving in a righteous manner, it is better to begin with Scripture and then conform our lives to it.
  As Paul wrote to the church in Rome – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:16-17) – the Word of God reveals His perfect righteousness. Our psalmist understands this. The question to us is: do we?
  
  Michael J. Hoffart, 96 of Georgia and formerly of Rugby died Thursday, November 21, 2019 in Baldwin County, Georgia. He was born on March 3, 1923 to Eli and Magdalena (Kraft) Hoffart on their homestead in Silva, Pierce County, North Dakota.
  Michael attended school in Silva and assisted his parents on the farm until he was drafted during WWII in 1943. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned home to help on the farm. He was united in marriage to Tekla Tuchscherer in 1949 at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby. The couple moved to Washington state, where they worked at the Boeing Aircraft plant. Mike went on to work at the shipyard in Washington building Liberty Ships. Once they had their first child in 1950, they moved back to North Dakota. The couple lived between Washington State and North Dakota for a period of years be-
  fore purchasing a farm in Silva, North Dakota and began farming. They continued farming until 1978 and in the latter part of that year they moved to Georgia. They worked at the papermills in that area. In 1981, Mike and Tekla moved back to Rugby where they owned and operated the Hideout Bar for 7 years, at which time they retired. Mike lost his wife of 61 years, Tekla in September of 2010.
  Michael is survived by his children, Elias (Carol) and Sheila (William) Boyd; grandchildren, great grandchildren; a sister, Evangeline (Wayne) Gerig; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.
  He was preceded in death by his daughters, Sandra and Michele; brothers, Andrew, Alex and John; sisters, Magdalena Axtman, Katherine Modahl, Margaret Haverstraw and Elizabeth Hager; 2 infants and his
  
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  Neat and complete. This tidy one bedroom apartment in Old Newborough is great value for money. The unit offers a generous sized bedroom with built in robes, neat modern kitchen, combined bathroom and laundry, polished floorboards throughout, gas heating, cooking and hot water, car space and small enclosed rear yard.	
  
  The rainy days have already started, and what comfort food better fits the bill? I say a hot bowl of freshly-cooked ramen! So with a good friend in tow, we headed to the newly-opened Miso-Ten in Robinsons Magnolia to sample the miso ramen and tendon (tempura rice bowl) goodies this new ramen and tempura destination graciously offers.
  Located at the second floor of Robinsons Magnolia's Veranda, Miso-Ten is a specialized casual dining Japanese restaurant from the same company behind Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Grill House, Tokyo Café, Stackers Burger Cafe, Kogi Bulgogi and Parmigiano Pizzeria Ristorante. And since I've loved the restaurants I've tried from IFoods Inc., I was sure excited to give their new ramen and tendon venture a try.
  Like the other restaurants in the mall's Veranda, Miso-Ten offers not just indoor dining, but also an al fresco area. However, since it was quite sunny when Stacy and I visited, we opted to get seated inside where wooden furniture and fixtures were aplenty. And while the restaurant's interior is generally simple, I like its laid-back and refreshing feel.
  Unlike most ramen shops in the Metro, Miso-Ten is thankfully on the more inexpensive side of the spectrum. For P275 a bowl, you can get a good miso-based ramen. You can even mix and match it to your liking by getting a Miso-Ten Order Form and ticking which options you want in your hot noodle soup bowl. If you're not so sure about the customization though, you can play it safe and choose straight from Miso-Ten's menu.