Grains of Sand

Pixabay On the cusp of a new decade and a new year who isn't thinking about loving life and seeing good days. I wonder if the pilgrims that Peter was writing to thought much about the possibility, however remote, that life would get better for them, that soon being a follower of Jesus wouldn't be so dangerous, that they would be able to settle down and enjoy peace and prosperity once more without wondering when they might have to pack up and run again.  Sometimes I spend more time thinking about what might be coming than what  IS  at this moment. Dwelling too much on the uncertainties of the future can be paralyzing and counter-productive. Truth be told, I only have this moment—one that hopefully will stretch into a new year of other moments to be lived, but only God knows what tomorrow might bring. Peter has told his readers not to get caught up in the problems of today and lose sight of the promise of tomorrow. But at the same time, he knows that these beli...

I recently searched local church websites looking for Christmas Eve services. Feeling a little like I was playing the role of the Grinch, I wanted to find services that didn't involve some kind of performance with children, or for them. An odd thing to do when all the world knows that Christmas is for kids, right? Please don't misunderstand. I was the little girl in the red velvet dress who recited her parts in every Christmas pageant. I loved it—and I still enjoy seeing the kids participate in their Christmas programs. But, if memory serves, our Kids' Christmas programs were never on Christmas Eve. That moment was dedicated to THE Kid—the Holy Child. That was my goal in my website search—find a traditional Christmas Eve service whose focus is strictly on one Child rather than on the cuteness of other children. Because Christmas is about one Child. " The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and on...

Pixabay They are referred to, and not always very kindly, as "ambulance-chasers"—you know, the lawyers who offer to get you a big payout when you  feel you have been mistreated, or misrepresented, in some way.  "Sue" is a three-letter word that lights up the eyes of lawyers, raises the hopes of victims, real or imaginary, and is a thorn in the flesh to those on its receiving end. Peter weighs in on victimology, specifically in the case of those who work for others, in 1 Peter 2:18-23. In his day that meant "slaves"—those who were obligated to work without compensation and often under harsh conditions. Many modern-day employees, rightly or wrongly, think of themselves in the same terms as the real slaves of Peter's day would have thought of themselves.—underpaid, overworked, abused, unappreciated, overlooked. For the believers to whom Peter is addressing his letter there might have been another item added to that list—persecuted for the...