Grains of Sand

Genesis 37-39 This is a riches to rags story. Joseph, the favoured son of privilege, ends up as a slave. Hated and betrayed by his brothers, he loses everything he had: home, family, security, inheritance. In the house of his first master, Potiphar, the Lord blesses him. But that rank and a new kind of privilege as a trusted servant in the household are not his for long. That too is stolen from him by a slighted woman. Joseph loses everything again and ends up in jail for a crime he did not commit. He goes about his assigned work and gains the trust of the keeper of the jail. If it can be said that one can be privileged in prison, Joseph is that one. “ The Lord was with him ” (Genesis 39:2, 21). Some might say that the Lord had abandoned Joseph. I wonder if Joseph clung to the dreams he had had as a young man back in his father’s house (Genesis 37:5-9)? The promise of God that one day everything would turn out as God wanted it might have been the only thing Joseph could keep that no on...

There are more than a few skeptics out there who accuse Christians of being exclusive. Bankrupt of soul, running on empty? Chained by the past and condemned to repeat it in the future? Fumbling in the darkness, not seeing a path before you? Heavyhearted, depressed, sad, burdened by things you are not even sure you can put a name to? No one at hand to take your hand? Help is at hand. Jesus said: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" —Luke 4:18, 19. No exceptions here. Except, of course, if you don't want to admit you need Him. The first step an addict takes to recovery is an admission of his problem. Just say it: "My name is _______________, and I am a sinner in need of God's grace." The good news has your name on it. Forgiveness is only exclu...