The Plumbline

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (I Peter 1:9-10) Do we really understand that whatever we have is given to us by God? We might be rich or successful, but those riches and all that success comes from God enabling us to gain the riches and accomplish the tasks that have made us successful. It is quite easy to get a bit too prideful about what we have or what we have gained, but we must never cease to give God the glory, remembering to use what we have been given for Him. All we are, all we own, all we can do is a result of his goodness and grace in our lives. We are chosen to be a holy people - God's hands and feet to a hurting world. Now more than ever, we need God's protection over our country, his guidance over our leadership, an...

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.  (Epictetus) I cannot help but find this quote a little 'practical' today. Isn't this what all these debates on each side of an argument do to us? They disturb something within us - not because the ideal is wrong, but the view we take of the ideal might be less than 'right' in somebody's view. It amazes me that a Greek philosopher from the first century actually might remind us of something so profound. We are 'disturbed' more by the 'side' we assume than by the 'thing' we are debating! Are you also aware that Epictetus said, "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid"? Maybe some of us just need to take our stand, but stop debating the 'views' of all the others who think us foolish and stupid! But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the ...

Chosen - selected from several, sometimes for the uniqueness of the object, but always because the one choosing wants to make that which is chosen their own.  This abundantly describes the "selection" God makes when "choosing" each of us as his own dear children. We are the object of his desire - selected specifically because there is something in each of us which he uniquely desires and has "use for" in his Kingdom.  The specific purpose God has in mind for you may differ from what he has in mind for me, but as long as we understand clearly that he has selected us BECAUSE he has a purpose for each of, then we are on the same path! But you are a chosen people, set aside to be a royal order of priests, a holy nation, God’s own; so that you may proclaim the wondrous acts of the One who called you out of inky darkness into shimmering light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have receiv...

Chosen:  the action of selection, often as a means of indicating preference for a specific object chosen.  Most of the time, we go through life making all kinds of choices without much thought - simply because things have become so familiar to us, we just do it by habit.  We reach for the salt or pepper at the table simply because we have done this for years.  We drive a particular path to work without much thought to the winding path, sometimes not even aware of the things we pass by simply because they are so familiar to us because of the sheer frequency of the path we travel.  We gravitate to the same place at the table, in the living room furniture, etc. - it is "our" space.  We have indicated a "preference" for a certain route, spot, or type of activity - it is now our method of conducting our affairs. But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and spe...

30  Even young people become worn out and get tired.   Even the best of them trip and fall.   31  But those who trust in the Lord  will receive new strength.     They will fly as high as eagles.  They will run and not get tired.        They will walk and not grow weak. (Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV) I wonder how much we know about the United States Marine Corp's emblem.  I listened to a mother on the radio yesterday describing her son's pursuit for the coveted emblem of honor - showing he had completed his grueling basic training as a new U.S. Marine recruit.  She was so alone in her loneliness, not knowing the status of her son's latest achievements, his struggles, or the state of his health.  As she drove to work (an hour long commute in the Michigan area), she was overwhelmed by the "God moment" she experienced - so much so that she had to pull over to the shoulder and just revel i...