Saturday Morning Devotions - James 3, Psalm 3

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? James 3:8-11 (NASB95)

I wonder what a difference it would make if we could just get this figured out? That is... to make sure that the same fountain (our mouths) only spews forth good water, and not bitter. Just being able to get a filter on the brain/mouth thing.

Friday Morning Community - James 2, Psalm 2

For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? James 2:2-4 (NASB95)

It's so difficult to treat everyone the same because of the way we view the world. How many of our relationships are bringing us some return? That is to say, how often are we thinking in terms of "what I can get" from the relationship rather than what I have to give. 90% of the relationship conflicts I work with people through boil down to expectations vs. reality in interpersonal relationship. Marriage is certainly that way... but I think that's what James is saying in this text. When you say to the wealthy person - "sit here in this comfortable chair" and the person without much - "sit here on the floor by my feet" we're recognizing, even at a sub-conscious level that there is more to gain from the one who has little than from the one who has much! James says that those are "evil motives."

If we spent more of our time asking the question, "How can I be responsible for someone else's success?" I think we would be generally happier. When we expect others to meet our needs and further our progress we're rarely, if ever, satisfied that they've done all they can do.

Perhaps we could spend more time working on the "royal law" which is to "love your neighbor as yourself." We can be self-absorbed (which may not always really be "loving ourselves") and forget that our call is to serve, to love, to give... not live in relationships waiting to get.

Thursday Morning Community, Psalm 1 - James 1

I am intrigued that though we chose James to read, and started at Psalm 1 (ok that's not a big surprise to start at Psalm 1) they have some similar content.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3 (NASB95)

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 (NASB95)

The word of God is both the seed and the water... God uses it in our lives to bear fruit. We were talking last night about the necessity of being in God's presence... even for Jesus! Think about how deeply connected Christ was also to the written word... quoting it often... clearly well versed in it. He lived in it when "not on the spot" so that his life was shaped for the times when he "was on the spot!" May it grow up and bear fruit!

MLCC Student Ministry Community Devotional Challenge

Hey Guys (anyone else can join us also... but the MLCC student ministry group{Jr. High & Sr. High... I really love these guys} are reading scripture together apart from 6:20 - 6:40 AM each day for a week), here is the plan for the week.

Remember that Bonhoeffer said that part of community is sharing the morning together in worship, the word, and prayer. So we're going to be reading the same passages together from 6:20 -6:40 for the next week. Saturday and Sunday we'll just say it's going to be morning since I know some of you are lazy and won't get up early those days... wait... did I say lazy?

Please feel free... and in fact invited... to share through comments... on the reading for the day.

Thursday, September 25: Psalm 1; James 1
Friday, September 26: Psalm 2; James 2
Saturday, September 27: Psalm 3
Sunday, September 28: Psalm 4
Monday, September 29: Psalm 5; James 3
Tuesday, September 30: Psalm 6; James 4
Wednesday, October 1: Psalm 7, James 5

I love this plan... hope you can join us for the week!
John

The Struggle for Power

As we're in the throes of the political campaigning season I can't help myself... I'm just cynical about the real political motivations of those seeking office. One of things that I genuinely appreciate about John McCain is his history of sacrifice and service to the US. He has served a very long time, and given much. Having said that he isn't a compelling candidate overall. Not sure what to think about Obama. I truly don't see any real experience. When his own campaign is citing running for office as an example of his executive experience that's weird. To say, "I'm qualified to be President of the USA because I've run a large Presidential campaign seems something like circular reasoning.

What's the motivation when it's all said and done, for each party? I think it's power and the thrill of being in power. It causes us to completely lose our objectivity. I don't see political parties - or candidates - spending much time truly seeking the welfare of those they serve. I don't see them being faithful to their pledges. I just got a flyer from the Doc Hastings campaign last night. He ran on the "term limits" platform. Now he's been in office... continues to run for office... long after the "time's up" on the limits he was espousing. Why doesn't he get out of the race and throw his hat in with someone he can support? He likes power - and somewhere deep down he probably thinks he can help more in office than out - but he likes power. (Someone please correct me if it wasn't Hastings who ran on that platform - I'll gladly retract).

I was reading this morning in the gospel of John chapter three. Jesus and his disciples, along with John and his disciples are baptizing in the land of Judea (v.22ff) because there was much water there. In a discussion between John's disciples and a Jew they asked John a question, "What do you think about this Jesus guy baptizing too?" Are they asking John how he feels about someone stealing his thunder? "Hey! We're the popular baptizing guys... what's he doing horning in on our territory?" I love John's answer -

"You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready. The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom's friend, his 'best man'—that's me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? "That's why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. "The One who comes from above is head and shoulders over other messengers from God. The earthborn is earthbound and speaks earth language; the heavenborn is in a league of his own." John 3:28-31 (MSG)

John effectively says, "Hey guys, this thing is not about me, and I don't need the popularity. The point is Jesus, let's not lose focus." He isn't consumed by power. When John's in prison seeing the handwriting on the wall and his head soon on the platter only has one concern... did I bet on the right horse. He doesn't seem overly concerned about his own welfare - he just wants to know, and sends his disciples to ask, "Are you the one or should we look for another?"

It's refreshing to see that heart and it challenges me to have that heart. My power an success are immaterial in the whole scope of things. It's not about me - or you either if you're reading this I guess.

Out of the Loop

To anyone who actually comes and reads this once in a while, particularly if you were looking for the next Prayer for Beginners installment, sorry I've been away.

Prayer for Beginners: Chapter Two- Part VI

Prayer is Delightful

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience (Brother Andrew – Letter 5).” No one who has ever tried it has given it a lesser rating than that. For even though our prayer-contact with God may be almost infinitely poor, the God we thus contact is infinitely rich! Therefore “we are to be pitied who content ourselves with so little. God has infinite treasure to bestow” (Letter 4).
Delight is a subjective reason for praying, but it’s a valid one. God accepts the more “selfish” and subjective and natural motive of our own delight and preace and joy and happiness as perfectly proper, for God appeals to this motive throughout scripture. He is not an elitist; he stoops to conquer. He stoops down even into the spiritual nursery and carefully watches over spiritual infants like us.