Grains of Sand

Pixabay This is not a post I enjoyed writing, but then again pilgrimage is not always pleasant. Dealing with the experiences triggered as I looked at 1 Peter 5:1-4 has been a reminder to fix my eyes once again on watching my step in the "here-and-now," putting behind me the "then-and-there," and focussing on the "coming-soon-to-an-eternity-near-you."  Peter now addresses the possibility of abuse of spiritual authority among those to whom he is writing. Such abuse can take many forms. Here is one scenario. It begins with a promise, seemingly heart-felt, to ensure that you will be valued as you deserve to be valued. That sounds good until you realize that there is a price attached—unquestioning obedience and a blind eye to evil. That's manipulation. When you are told to do something or ignore something that you know is wrong, and begin to ask questions, you are met with threats. You are to do what you are told, or else. They are the lead...

Google Images Most of us loved to be stroked. We appreciate people who agree with our opinions, do what we ask of them, and don’t challenge us. When faced by some real or imaginary threat, we follow the old western model and “circle the wagons” with the “good guys” (the ones who stroke us) gathered around us ready to repel the “bad guys” (the ones who challenge us). It’s not a good plan, certainly not a Biblical one. And in spiritual leaders it’s a heinous crime, an affront to all that Jesus taught. Paul, preaching to the believers in Ephesus, remarked: “ Keep watch over yourselves and all of the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood ” (Acts 20:28, NIV). He then goes on to say that it is the wolves who come in and destroy the sheep, and distort the truth (20:29). But it is Paul’s statement in verse 28 that needs to be etched in the minds and on the hearts of all those who would call themselves ov...

Dr. R. E. Baxter, former pastor The aged prophet has just delivered a stinging rebuke. He was against the request that Israel had made to imitate their neighbours and have a king. But God had directed him to do as the people had asked. Samuel did as he was told, albeit reluctantly. Now, after the fact, he reminds Israel that they have made a big mistake. Oddly enough, and despite the fact that Saul has just had a decisive victory against the Ammonites, the people realize what they hadn’t understood earlier—they had made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Some are bigger than others and bring corresponding consequences.We often gloat a little (or a lot) when others get caught. We wiggle on the end of our own hook when we get caught, ably assisted by those who twist the line a little as they gloat over our mistakes. We might have expected Samuel to gloat a little at a remorseful Israel, but he doesn’t.While he doesn’t excuse them, he does offer them words of encouragement (1 Samuel 12:...