Tag: James

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Lights, Camera, Faith and Action

Yesterday I was given the chance to teach some junior high boys about the story of Rahab.  It’s good to talk to boys about spy stories and Bond girls! Especially when you get to show them cool movie trailers about the whole Jericho thing like this one.

JERICHO from Rob McLellan on Vimeo.

So on to Rahab, the main character of the story.  It’s pretty amazing to see how God uses a person of ill repute, and calls them out as a great person of faith.  We see this a lot with our Lord.  He calls out the people that we would consider trash, or sinful, and creates a wonderful story of redemption, forgiveness and triumph.  From the bible, in 5 seconds, I can think, of the women at the well, Zacchaeus, Moses, and Paul, to name just a few.

That’s pretty good for us to know, on two accounts.  First, there is always hope for us.  God loves to offer forgiveness!  And Second, we should let God do the judging of people, and we should look for ways to lift all people up – no matter what we think about them.

We love, love love the first!  We like the second… on paper. But not as much in practice.  Today, think about that a little.  Think about how you are treating those around you and put the second idea into practice.  You may be amazed to see what a little bit of faith and action can do.

 

24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:24-26 New International Version (NIV)

 

 

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Selfish Shellfish

My oh my,  these day’s just keep coming.  I can’t figure out who creates these things, but they are great fodder for thoughts.  Evidently today is “International Tongue Twister Day”.  I guess that means I should write about Peter and his pickles or some girl on the beach, or a certain wood chuck.  Evidently the world’s toughest English tongue twister according to Guinness is

“The sixth sick sheikh’s sixth sheep’s sick.”

But I actually think the world’s toughest tongue twister is actually found in the book of James – which incidentally I find so difficult that I occasionally just tear it out of my Bible.

 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  James 3:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

I had read this lots of times, but a few years ago I read it again, and then  I realized how much I use my tongue to praise the creator, and to tear down his creation.  I think I am not alone in that struggle.   That my friends is quite a tongue twister!

So, get out there and impress your companions with your vocal talents as you tell tales of witches and their wishes and sailors who set out to sea.  And if you need to test yourself today, you can find tons of international tongue twisters here and here.  But at the same time, be reminded of how you are using that twisted tongue when you address those who are created by the same God you praise!

 

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A Carry Over From Yesterday

Just following up with one more thought about numbering days and living wisely.  I think these words of James may say it better than me..

 

 13-16Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. James 3:13 The Message (MSG)

 

Let us live well today!!

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Comments Please

Well, I discovered yesterday that my comment sub system on this blog may not have worked.  I was wondering why no one ever posted anything.  I assumed it was either because no one really reads any of this, or you stop reading before you get to my question at the end. Either way, it’s working now!  So prove my assumptions incorrect and comment away.

Oh, I also have received a suggestion to put a comment button in the email distribution that many of your receive ( you can subscribe yourself on the right hand side of the site ( www.butcherville.com/dailybuffet).  I did not do that yet, but I am looking for a way to add that to the email.  Maybe that will help with some more active comments.

Can you see I am dying for attention today!!

Seriously, I do receive a lot of feedback from you, the reader via email, and I always appreciate the comments and the encouragement.  It “keeps me singing as I go“.

Well, on today’s thought, which by the way this is going appears quite elusive.  It is Friday once again, and of course Friday usually means a simple thought, plus my friend Mr Jones has me schedule for an 8am meeting which will keep me busy for most of the morning.

So, back to the idea of comments and providing feedback.  Wouldn’t it be great if the creator of the world would stop by the blog you call your life and leave a comment every so often.  Something that would confirm and correct.  Something that would help you keep going in the right direction.

Well, I think he may have.  Well I know he has provided so much all ready.  But I think he has provided a feedback mechanism.  Look at these verses from James

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

He tells us to listen and look with intent and the answers are there.  Hm.. the feedback is right in front of us, is it up to us to make sure our comment section is working?

I dunno?  What do you think about this?

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A Weird Morning of Singing

I woke up this morning to the George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” on US 101.  I can’t say I really like this song or the entire message of the song, but one part of the chorus as been in my head all morning.  ( that was up until I starting singing the old hymn “Jesus is Coming Soon” at the top of my lungs!)

Moving on.

Those few words in the chorus  “I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time” has been floating around in my head all day.  I was quickly reminded of these two verses.

14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 New International Version (NIV)

So with that knowledge in hand, we need to learn from George – no not ‘the bring on the moonshine’ part, more on the whole I am am going to make this short time mean something part.  Maybe something like this from Ephesians, where we are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity

 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:15-20 New International Version (NIV)

So sing along!

you can pick from either song.

George:

“.. when I’m gone let it be known I left nothing behind….”

Or the old hymn:

“..rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye….”