Lively Stones

Ye also, as lively stones , are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)




Today, Kelley and I toured Bob's Red Mill, where we learned about traditional milling processes of corns, grains and seeds.  (http://www.bobsredmill.com/)

Bob Moore, the founder and president, greeted us and talked with us about his passion for traditional, small batch milling of whole grain foods.

Bob's Red Mill still uses stone grinders, from mill stones quarried in the same French quarries that have produced these massive marble stones since the days of the Roman Empire.

As we were able to handle one if the old stones that has been retired, we learned that about once a year, the mill stones which have grooves over which the grains must pass to make into flours and meal, the friction wears (or "polishes") the stones, so they are taken out of service to have their grooves sharpened.

Do you know what this sharpening process is called? The sharpening of a mill stone is said to be "livened". A sharpened mill stone is called a "lively stone."

So, think about 1 Peter 2:5 in light of a milling term. Here believers are called "lively stones." The thought is that stones that have been quarried, or carried from a river bed, are first fashioned by the hammer and chisel of the mason to make a perfect fit. They are "sharpened" to serve the master's purpose.

So, when the trials of life come, remember that just as the mill stone is "livened" to grind more effectively, so too, our Lord, the Master Builder, uses the tests and trials of life to "sharpen" us for His service.

Oh, and the next time you are in the store and purchase some Bob's Red Mill stone ground products, I hope you will remember the thought of "lively stones."

And, if you are in the Portland area, take the mill tour, and then have lunch at the mill store and visitor's center. (I recommend the hot pastrami on their homemade rye, a bowl of vegetable beef with homemade 10 grain rolls, or their fabulous multi-grain pancakes with real maple syrup!)