No one likes to be deceived. Deceivers come in all forms; to your front door, in your mailbox, computer. . . and sometimes at the end of your pew. I have been scammed on at least one occasion that I will admit to. My weakness—I am too nice.

Jesus calls us to love all people, doesn’t He?

The story of Joseph’s life seemed to revolve around the fact that he was frequently in the middle of a storm or another one was lurking on the horizon. Again, his coat would be the launch of another storm. This time it would catapult him from the palace to the prison.

It is clear that Joseph depended on God every step of the way.

Each one of us can probably remember a time when we felt overlooked or forgotten. It’s a crushing blow when we realize we have been passed over. It is especially hard when people turn their backs on us after we have gone out of our way to help them.

Sadly this is what happened to Joseph.

Our earthly knowledge just does not cut it. Human reason and wisdom along cannot reveal the secrets of God’s purpose for our lives. It requires process, patience and perseverance to understand God’s ways with us.

I am astounded at Joseph’s tenacity.

We all have bad dreams from time to time, but some are more terrifying than others. For the king of Egypt, his dreams were frightening indeed. We can only imagine what the “skinny, ugly,” and “terrible looking” cows must have been like: so thin their bones were showing through, and, in Pharaoh’s dream, changing from docile vegetarians into wild carnivores, attacking and destroying members of their own species.

Though only thirty years old, Joseph had already endured much suffering: slavery, betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment. Now, he is governor of all Egypt! He has a wife and two sons. He names his first son, Manasseh, which means, “God has let me forget all my troubles and my family back home.” And he names his second son, Ephraim, which means, “God has made me a success in the land where I suffered.”

From the soothing trickling of a tranquil mountain stream to the tumultuous violent sounds of a volcanic explosion, nature is God’s signature statement. God is the awesome creator of the universe.

Nature delivers a message not spoken with words.