So be truly glad...

1 Peter 1:6-7 says -
"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

I've been staring at these words for a while now. Some key phrases pop out at me:
EVEN THOUGH - in spite of, regardless - so , be glad not because things will make you happy but because you have hope
HAVE TO - not may have to, but have to - no getting around it, this is pretty much a guarantee that we will suffer
MANY TRIALS - many. Ugghh.

So verse six can be discouraging if you focus on the have to and the many trials, but we're supposed to focus on the first part, the glad part which comes from earlier in the chapter about what Jesus has done for us. So, this is supposed to be encouraging - not sugar-coated, but hopeful. Cool.

And then there's verse seven. What stands out to me in this verse is what it doesn't say. It doesn't say "all trials are tests from God". However, it does say "trials will show your faith is genuine". So this doesn't really answer why we go through trials, just that we have a responsibility to endure for God's sake. For God's sake! It's interesting that the why is not answered (the question we always ask).

Now the part I don't get - apparently enduring and remaining faithful through many trials will bring personal glory. Isn't that what it says? "It will bring you much praise and honor and glory" - I find that odd. I mean really, it isn't supposed to be about our glory but Christ's glory, right? I'm almost embarrassed at the idea of gaining personal glory from being faithful to Him. He has changed my life; I owe Him everything; He should get the glory. But what it says is I will get the glory. Hmmm.

Moving On

Well, we were at my folks place for 10 days until we got notified that my office had power and there was work to be done. So we came home. No power at our place, though. It was five more days before our power came on and another five more days before we had hot water (we're on a community boiler). Other than that, we survived without a scratch. Pretty amazing really, when you see the damage others are having to deal with. There are still piles and piles of tree limbs and other debris along every street, just waiting for crews to get time to pick them up.

Mike's ministry basically came to a standstill, as everything he does depends on his access to electricity and his computer (special software), so there hasn't been a new "Rock Shop" since September 13. He's working on it as I write this, though. So, be prepared!

In the midst of all this, Mike got a new job -- he's now in training to be a Missions Briefing Officer at the Space Center. The MBO does the presentations (at the visitor's center) that explain how the astronauts live in space and what the current missions are. Very interesting stuff, and Mike's having a blast.

In a new twist, my brother has moved into our front room for a few weeks or however long. We stayed with him for 6 - 8 weeks when we first came to the Houston area, and we're happy to be able to return the favor. If anyone knows of a job opening for a talented video editor and graphics guy, let me know!

I continue to be amazed at God's provision. We don't have a lot, but He always makes sure we have what we need.