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In a "me" world, we tend to think of ourselves as the author of our own greatness. By our hard work, through luck and planning, and even our up bringing, we think that "we" have arrived. The control of our life in in our own hands. Hum. How presumptuous we are. The accolades that come through success must be going to our head. The self, along with the ability to become ego-centric, can lead us further and further from the life we are called to live, from the person we are called to be, and the promises we have been given.

Hear the Good News, everything that we have and need for a FULFILLED comes to us from God. Simon Peter, in this passage speaks of everything that God gives us to support our faith. To grow, to be fruitful and effective in not only your life but in the sharing of your life and faith. Without these gifts and attributes, goodness, self-control and love, all girded up with the knowledge of each, we can get caught up in the world and lose to the self. The self can be such a dangerous thing. I want that, I am this. Me, me, me. It seems to me, that when we come to understand what it is that God has given to us, when we embrace and experience these things, knowledge of self-control, love and goodness, it is then that we see a whole new world that is before us. As for me, I choose life that is accept and confirm this call and this life. But then again, you know, chasing the Jones', it offers so much . . ..

Gracious Father, gird my faith with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For I believe with these things I will be effective and fruitful in all that You have called me to be and in all that You have called me to do. The life You promise is the life I desire. Thank you Father, for all Amen.