1 Peter

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God…

Is joyful suffering even possible? After 25 years, Jesus took my love and my best friend home with him. Now, mowing the lawn is back on my chore list. I was doing the first seasonal mow. Naturally, I thought about Kevin. At that moment, painful memories became a deluge through the corridors of my soul. Sorrow gripped my heart. I questioned God’s fairness. The afternoon sun dipped beyond the trees. Then, over the noise of the mower and my selfish…

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 I’m sure you’ve heard it: “I don’t go to church because churches are full of hypocrites”It seems unfair that…

The second chapter of 1st Peter is so rich with information about who we are and who this God we serve is; a mere blog could never do it justice. It covers a handful of major doctrines in a way that is so encouraging and at the same time is overwhelming. The letter is timely in that Peter is writing to an audience that is both confused and persecuted. They need answers! The good news is Peter literally serves as…

I saw it again on a bumper sticker some time ago: “The worst day fishing is better than the best day at work.” I used to think that was a cool little saying until I went fishing one day and a blinding snowstorm came up. I ended up soaking wet, putting metal chains on the tires of a truck and trying to pull a boat out of the water in several inches of snow and ice. I’ve had better days at…

Many years ago I worked in a warehouse in North Carolina. The man who was the boss was a member of the church where I pastored and so I went into this job, as I have with every job I’ve held, with an understanding I would need to represent the Lord and my boss well in order to maintain my witness. What I soon discovered was rather amazing. Throughout the whole operation, there was an attitude by the workers that…