The book of James

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings
James 1:1


There is so much packed in this one little verse!  A handful of words with a truckload of meaning.  I am reading through James with some twenty-somethings this summer and here's what we unpacked from James 1:1....



James - the author of this book is the (half)brother of Jesus.  He didn't become a Christ-follower until later in his life -- possibly after the resurrection of Jesus.  But he went on to become the leader of the NT church, known for his prayer life.  Can you imagine growing up with Jesus as your older brother?  Talk about pressure of having a perfect older sib!!!


James describes himself as a bond-servant.  What is that?  Does that conflict with Jesus saying "I no longer call you servants but rather friends"?  Of course Scripture does not conflict with itself so we need to find out what a bond-servant is to understand why James uses that term.  The Old Testament explains it to us in Exodus 21:1-6.  The Law given to Moses established that slaves were to be set free after six years.  (I'm not going to debate  the Bible's stand on slavery in this post -- this is just to explain why James called himself a "bond servant").  If, however, after serving for six years, the slave freely decided that he would rather remain in the service of his master, then he would receive a piercing of his ear which distinguished him as being bonded to his master for life.  Obviously, that would have to be a remarkable master to entice him to serve rather than to be free!  In his epistle, James is making that claim -- that serving Jesus is so far preferable than being without Him, that he chooses to bond himself to his Master for life.  What a tribute to Christ...what a testimony to the world.


"To the twelve tribes" - this is a reference to the nation of Israel and specifically to those who have been spiritually adopted into the family of Abraham.  James's epistle is written to believers; it is not an appeal to the unconverted Jew.


"Who are dispersed abroad".  Some translations use the word "scattered" instead of "dispersed". When I think of the word "scattered", it brings up images of my floor of my closet or the legos in the playroom or some other disorder.  "Dispersed" is a much better term! The Greek word is "diasporo" which means "to sow as seed".  It is an agricultural term that conveys the idea of deliberate placing of seed in a chosen place so as to produce optimal results.  What a choice of words for God's people!  At the time of James's writing, they were being persecuted for following Christ. Attempting to find safety, the believers often moved from one area to another.  James is encouraging them that their locations are not by chance but rather intentional placement by God to further the progress of the Gospel as well as to achieve His transformation of them into the likeness of Christ. 


"Greetings" -  This Greek word, "chairo", is more than a simple salutation.  It conveys a desire for blessing on the recipient and carries the meaning of joy....but not any ole joy - rather joy as a result of God's grace.  What a great segue for the next section of the letter!


A handful of words.  One little verse.  Lots to chew on for the next few days. 


Does my life testify to the world that my Master is so incredibly awesome that He is worth giving up my life for?  Do I acknowledge that every single place He plants me - regardless of whether I would have chosen it myself - is a deliberate placement on His part?  One that He intends to grow me into His likeness and show the world the fruit of His labor?  And, can I embrace the life-giving truth that real joy is a result NOT of my circumstances or my desires being met or people behaving like I want them to....but rather, only because of His grace?


Thank you, dear James.  You said an awful lot in a little bit.  Thank you.

If you'd like to try some great bread......

I love bread.  I.Love.Bread.  And, apparently bread loves me even more because it chooses to stick around on my hips after I've been eating a bunch.


I know a lot of diet-ers think bread is evil.  I don't.  I mean, really, would Jesus have described Himself as "The Bread of Life" if we were supposed to do without it???


That said, I do have to be carb-conscious.  Not carb-eliminating, like I tried for awhile.  ugh.  Not a good thing. I'll spare you the details.  Just know it didn't work for me.  At all.  But carb-conscious, or low-glycemic is proving to be a good approach for me.  Disclaimer - I am not a nutritionist or a physician or anything close.  But I am trying to age gracefully and relatively healthfully and ward off Type II diabetes.  So I'm careful on the carbs.


That said, I do not want to do without bread!!!  And I don't think I should - not just because I don't want to :) but because I think bread can add to health and happiness.  SO, I want to share a bread recipe - it's easy-peasy I promise -- that I love.   It feels so cool to bake bread and then eat the whole thing, I mean, serve it to your family!


Check out this link and let me know if you love it as much as I do!  Again, I promise, this thing is EASY.  (there are references in there to an approach of eating called "Trim Healthy Mama" - it's very interesting, too, but the main thing I am sharing is this bread!!)


http://www.gwens-nest.com/family-favorite-recipes/easy-bread-recipe/
 http://www.gwens-nest.com/family-favorite-recipes/easy-bread-recipe/

Hi, Y'all!

For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 84:10


I got to be a "greeter" at my church on Easter.  I think that's the absolute greatest job ever.  I mean, think about it - I am told it is my duty to smile and wave, to hug folks, to meet new ones and help them find their place, to chat it up with friends. For real!!  I was only "assigned" to one session but I had so much fun I just kept doing it through the next two services.  It was fabulous.  Even got a new Tshirt for the job.  Maybe somebody thinks this is a "little" thing, but, not me.  I think it's the 2nd  most important job at church. Just after nursery workers.  Loving on folks, making them feel welcome, being glad that they came. It's the best.




As I was grinning my way through the day, I thought about this verse and wondered if maybe, just maybe, I'll get this assignment in glory.  I would really really really love to stand at that gate made of one gigantic pearl and hug everybody as they come in.  Don't you think that would be fun? 

To all the Mommies

If you are a Mom - of three weeks or three decades - you have to see the new movie "Mom's Night Out".  I am not a big movie goer but this one is an absolute must.


Grab a couple of girlfriends - or just go by yourself!!  You will split your sides laughing and bawl your eyes out crying.  It will deliver comedy, encouragement, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. 


GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When God's plans are different than ours - Guest post

Today's guest post is from a treasured friend of mine, a woman whom I saw walk through years of infertility.  Years filled with hope and disappointment, years of pain and promise, years where she could have turned bitter but she didn't.  This woman graciously agreed to share her story for God's glory.  I wish you could sit across the table from her and share a cup of coffee.  She is so dear to me, and to many others.  She's my hero.  Here's her story......

Several weeks ago, my sweet friend asked me to write a blog about my struggle with infertility.  Honestly, this has been challenging for me and it’s probably not for reasons you may think.  I am happy to share my story with others when Jesus leads me to share.  My struggle is that I simply can’t remember all the details.  God has truly erased so much of the details from my memory.  Perhaps it’s the exact thing that happens with women who forget the pains associated with childbirth.  Here’s what I do feel led to share and my prayer is that my story will reach the hearts of those who are currently struggling with infertility. 

When I think back to my “infertility years,” I vaguely remember the countless medical exams, procedures, blood work, shots, ultrasounds, surgeries, etc.  At the time, I thought I’d never forget a single detail but in God’s goodness, He lessens those memories more and more every year.  Sometimes I think of it as a “graduation present” from Him.  He certainly allows seasons of trials in our lives and I believe He rewards us once we are where He wants usJ  What will always be part of me is the loss my husband and I went through.  We miscarried many, many times.  Some babies were farther along than others.  Some had heartbeats and I’d get so excited, but could tell from the doctor’s face that the heartbeat wasn’t fast enough or strong enough.  Sure enough, I’d miscarry a few days later.   I believe God allows those memories to stay with me as a gift….through the strength of Jesus, I am not only able to empathize and sympathize with ladies in similar situations, but I can truly relate to all their emotions as they go through their journey.  

God changed me though my infertility years.  I learned to be patient and content.  I learned that He makes the plans, not me.  I learned to seek Him, not medical experts.  I learned that He loves to surprise us when we least expect it.  I learned that He forgives and keeps after us even when we don’t deserve his mercy or grace.  Blogs are intended to be short so I won’t give examples for all of those, but I sure have a list of examples if Suzanne ever wants me to write on one of thoseJ  At the time, I was young in my walk with the Lord and you couldn’t have convinced me that God meant my infertility years for good, but He did.  He used every second to mold me into a more Christ-like person. I also believe He used every tear, every heartache, and every detail to prepare my heart for how he would grow my family. 

God grew our family through adoption twice and through a gestational carrier.  There was a time when we thought we may not have children and now we have three.   He blessed us with more than we ever thought possible.   I know some of you reading this are thinking, “That’s easy for you to say because it all worked out!” Please know this, it didn’t work out….not how WE planned it.  God had something bigger, greater than we ever could have imagined.  Our family worked out because God’s planned prevailed!  Glory to His name!  Praise Him for loving us so much that he didn’t allow our plans to work.  We are so thankful that God, in His perfect timing, put up roadblocks when needed so that we could not veer from His perfect plans for our lives. 

Lastly, I leave you with this.  I will never understand the “whys” but what I did learn along the way is that it’s not ok for me to ever question our Heavenly Father.   Some things will not be revealed to us this side of heaven.   As believers and daughters of the King, we must accept that and not dwell on it.  We must accept it knowing that our Heavenly Father only does what is good for us.  As hard as it is and as sad as loss can make our hearts, we need to stay strong and find peace knowing that we will meet and get to know our unborn children in Glory.  There are days when I can hardly wait!