Genesis 39:1-6 (NIV)

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

2 The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Reflection:

There was a theme in the Old Testament that the most concrete proof of God’s favor over one’s life was prosperity, security, and health. Although this was not always the case (as shown in the book of Job), the Lord does provide us with material and nonmaterial blessings. We can look upon our own jobs, houses, and various relationships as a sign of blessing and favor from Him.

Response:

Let’s reflect on all the blessings that we have already received from the Lord and thank Him because of His favor and faithfulness in our lives. May we go one step further and trust with a bold faith that God will bless our workplaces, schools, and other organizations because we belong to them, just as He blesses Potiphar’s household because of Joseph.

Photo courtesy of the New York Times.

How would you feel if a friend withheld  $800 million from you?

A little grumpy?

Our kinda-sorta friend and ally Pakistan is likely to get more than a little grumpy. This because of a financial slap on the wrist in the form of suspended and cancelled military aid.

It seems the Obama administration doesn’t think the Pakistanis are being good “Friends”.

While relations between Pakistan and the U.S. have never been quite peachy keen, tensions have only increased following the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.

Among the diplomatic faux pas currently peeving the Obama administration are the recent claims the Pakistani military still cultivates militant groups.

And that’s not all (isn’t that enough?) The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has suggested the Pakistani government  sanctioned the killing of a Pakistani journalist, and the expulsion of US military trainers sent to help with the fight against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton explained, “When it comes to our military aid we are not prepared to continue providing that at the pace we were providing it unless and until we see certain steps taken.”

We certainly hope the two nations can kiss and make up… but it doesn’t look likely anytime soon. Perhaps flowers are in order?

This blogateer was swimming in the lovely Lakes of Michigan (okay, a swimming pool at a hotel in Michigan) when she got the news of Mrs. Ford’s death yesterday at the age of 93.

This news came, curiously, just a short time after a visit to the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, MI.  It is clear to any visitor to the center that Mrs. Ford was an inspiring and courageous woman.

Betty Ford was born in Chicago but grew up in Grand Rapids.  As a young woman, she spent several years studying modern dance under Martha Graham in New York City.

She eventually returned home to Michigan and worked as a part-time dance teacher and fashion coordinator at a department store.

She then met Jerry Ford, an up-and-coming attorney, returned from World War II.  They married in 1948 – just two years before Ford was elected to his first term as a US Representative.

Betty followed her husband to Washington D.C. as Representative, Minority Leader, Vice President, and eventually President, raising their four children Michael, Jack, Steve, and Susan.

When Betty Ford became First Lady, she brought both candor, courage, and a sense of normalcy to the position.

Shortly into her husband’s term, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Her struggle with the disease and her mastectomy  became a public concern. She became a symbol of hope for cancer victims across the nation. A courageous act at a time when pink ribbons weren’t the ubiquitous symbols they are today.

Later in her life, she also discussed publicly her struggle with drug and alcohol abuse and founded the Betty Ford Center, a well-regarded treatment facility initially founded to focus specifically on the addiction needs of women.

Betty Ford was also outspoken about many taboo topics of the day, including pre-marital sex, marijuana use, sharing a bed with her husband in the White House, and seeing a psychiatrist.  Check out her famous 60 Minutes interview to see Betty in action.

Politically, First Lady Ford was a champion for women’s rights – advocating across the country for the Equal Rights Amendment, supporting legal abortion, expressing how she wished her husband would be able to appoint a woman to the Supreme Court, and encouraging him to make more appointments of women and minorities.

She may have only been First Lady for 896 days, but Betty Ford’s openness with the American people carved her a place in the public’s heart.

Long after she and President Ford left the White House, Betty Ford remained an admired woman and will be remembered for her courage and spunk for many, many years.

Welcome to the club!  South Sudan becomes the newest nation.

Bigger isn’t always better.  New unemployment numbers are out…and not looking good.

What do porn, “quickie divorces,” and Islamic law have in common?  Michele Bachmann has the answer.

A Washington Post columnist asks, if Caylee Anthony was black, would we have heard about her case?

And remember OctoMom?  Well, after this interview, we’re sure Ann Curry always will.