Yep, I hate ’em.

Don’t ever consider sending me one.

Even the ones that seem really nice.

Like the ones with beautiful pictures of nature or cute puppies or kittens.

The fact that:

1. I’m being taken away from my work to do something I don’t believe in.
2. I’m being coerced by virtue of my friendship with the sender of the letter.
3. I’m being threatened—bad things might happen—in a nice way.
4. And that, if I send to other friends,  it’s a tacit agreement that these chain letter tactics are all right with me.

Don’t send me one. EVER!

There are  different types of chain letters that I do appreciate.

When the Christian faith was just getting started, the Apostles wrote letters that were intended for churches—most of them in Asia Minor. These letters were passed around so that smaller groups of people could read and be educated about Christ’s instructions (doctrine) for the church and for individuals.

Ancient chain letters. Filled with instructions, admonishments, encouragements, and yes, even warnings. But the words in these chain letters were essential. Of utmost value. Not esoteric, but meant for all people to read and digest.

How I appreciate the Sender of these letters! It wasn’t for His own amusement or His sense of importance that He sent them out.

No. Jesus cared—and cares—for each of us with an immense Fatherly love. He leaves us in a dangerous, hostile and deceived world so that He can bring about the working of God’s eternal plan.

Shouldn’t we have Words that help us negotiate this kind of world?

Roman, Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, and the others: Thanks be to God for sending these chain letters.

“After this letter has been read to you, see to it that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.” (Col. 4:16 NIV Bible)