Then Abraham got up from mourning his dead wife and spoke to the
Hittites: "I know I’m only an outsider here among you, but sell me a
burial plot so that I can bury my dead decently. The Hittites responded, "Why, you’re no mere outsider here with us,
you’re a prince of God! Bury your dead wife in the best of our burial
sites. None of us will refuse you a place for burial." Genesis 23:3-6 (TM)

What was it about Abraham that commanded so much respect from his neighbors? It may have been his wealth, but I don’t think that wealth alone would cause them to call Abraham "a prince of God" (seriously, we wouldn’t call Donald Trump "prince of God" would we?). Abraham must have lived in such a way that all those around respected him – and his faith.

Would my neighbors say the same of me, even those who don’t want anything to do with my faith?

This story of Abraham reminded me of one of my life verses, I Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV):

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

May it ever and increasingly be so in my life.

The angel of God spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: "I swear—God‘s
sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not
refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I’ll bless you—oh,
how I’ll bless you! Genesis 22:15 (TM)

There is a economic principle in God’s Kingdom that is, in it’s simplest form, "give and you’ll receive". There’s a reciprocal relationship between giving and receiving that God has set up. I’m not talking about the perversion of this principal the televangelists use to bilk money out of fools’ pockets – but a real principle. The more we understand that everything is His – the more willing we are to faith-fully empty ourselves and give it all freely up to Him – the more capable we are of receiving more of His blessing – however God chooses to bless in His infinte wisdom.

What am I holding on to, hording as my own, trying to control?
What is it keeping me from?

Sarah said, "God has blessed me with laughter" Genesis 21:6a (TM)

It’s amazing to me that, through the ages, laughter has been frowned upon by the church and religious people. in the middle ages some religious orders considered laughter a sin. I don’t know where we get the idea that being godly means being all sour and serious. I’ve even heard some religious sour-pusses make the point that the Bible never records Jesus laughing. Are you serious?

Put thirteen guys together on an extended campout like Jesus and his followers – and you’re going to have a lot of laughter. I’m just sayin’.