Yesterday the daily reading in I Samuel described that moment when the people asked Samuel (and God) to give them a king. Up until this time, Israel had been governed by judges. Samuel is the last of these charismatic leaders who were really a combination of judge, priest, and ruler. The really telling words appear after Samuel warns them of all the negative aspects of having a king. They do not heed his warnings. I Samuel 8:19-20 "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations..." Friends, it is always dangerous when the people of God decide they want to be like everybody else. The people of God are not suppose to be like all those around them. We are supposed to be different. Would the people you spend your days with notice the difference in you? Keep reading. Pastor Jan