Prayables - Peter 1:5-7 - Scripture

Reflection: Improving

Walk around any book store and you'll see rows and rows of self-help books. But the secret to improving your character can't be found in the latest fad philosophy. In fact the advice you really need comes from faith - plain and simple.

Peter 1:5-7 is about digging deep in your soul to bring your faith out in the open where you can add to it. Goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, kindness, and love is a roster of character traits that you can improve upon. Take it one holy quality at a time, and you'll see a better you, emerge.

"For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."
Peter 1:5-7

Blog: Un-Holy Smokes

My new friend Katie tells me she’s a chickatarian. No red meat, only chicken breast— for the protein.

The two of us went to my favorite salad place for dinner. It’s buffet style, and dessert is a hot fruit cobbler with fat-free frozen yogurt. As I’m raising a yummy spoonful to my mouth, Katie says; “Do you know how much sugar you’re eating? It’s so unhealthy.” Buzz-kill.

When we were through with dinner, we walk into the parking lot. Katie opens her purse, takes out a cigarette and lights up. YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Who’s the one with unhealthy habits here?

I’m well aware that too much sugar can be bad. But cigarette smoking kills. We are all caretakers, rather than owners of our bodies. Out of respect for the One who made the loan of our humanly form, we should resolve to do all that we can to eliminate deadly habits that endanger life. There is nothing holy about smokes.

- Susan Diamond