I like it when the scriptures are not fluffy. When the Word of God is clear and pointed. It keeps me from rationalizing myself right into the pit of complacency.  In the 17 verses of James chapter 3, I can clearly see the “no fluff zone.”

James talks of words and wisdom. I don’t hear condemnation, only a clear reminder that words and where I get my wisdom matter.

Living in the suburbs, there are some experiences which help me put the agricultural terms in perspective:

The movie Black Beauty comes to mind when I read, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.” What are the “bits” of influence that turn my tongue to healing or to harm?

I remember the movie Titanic when I read, “Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot wants to go.”  Lord, please remove that “bit of cynicism” that lets me think I have permission to live jaded and entitled.

Verse 5 reads, “…Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark” The May of my junior year in high school, our South Louisiana home burned to the ground. Thanks to a spark from a W.T. Grant TV located in my parent’s bedroom, we lost everything…except our Corelleware dishes and our bibles. The only memory of my childhood that I can hold in my hand is a black, zippered, KJV bible.  Praise you, God, for a lifetime of bringing beauty from ashes in this Jesus Girl’s life.

I feel I have burned hundreds of calories wrestling with chapter 2 of James: Mercy Triumphs. One of the best parts of the audio CDs given to me by Baby Girl and #2 Son for Christmas is the CD I have in my car. The author recites the Book of James from memory. All of it. Every word. Every paragraph. And with energy. I listen to it before anything else goes into the car CD player every time I get in which is at least twice daily to go and to come home.

I can’t tell you how many times I hit pause after she recites the end of chapter 2. It starts with “What good is it?” Then she says it again, “What good is it?”

“What good is it my brothers (and sisters) if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?” Is my faith, my belief system, my heart’s desire to wear my “Jesus Girl” hat good for anything? Is it only good for me? Is it only good for my Man? Is it only good for my kids? Is it only good for my …?

James challenges me to demonstrate my faith. But what does that look like?

– a closet full of Christian message tshirts?
– Christian radio in my car?
– Christan CDs in my CD player?
– bookshelves upon bookshelves of Christian lit?
– bags upon bags with Christian messages?
– surround myself with Christian friends?

Good grief, this hurts.

Baby Girl and #2 Son gave me the audio cds for Beth Moore’s latest Bible Study: James-Mercy Triumphs for Christmas. When the package arrived in the mailbox from LifeWay, I was thrilled. Following the directions I was given, I placed the package under the Christmas tree, but ran to the local LifeWay store to pick up the workbook and threw it under the tree, too.

It’s difficult for me to take 8 actual weeks of Bible Study, so it suits me best to dive into the deep end of the pool of an 8 week study for about 10-14 days.  I take a deep breath, hold my nose, and dive in all the way.  I’ve had to come up for air several times to catch my breath from wrestling sessions, crying sessions, and the frequent sessions that just take my breath away.

James, an unbeliever until Jesus appears to him post resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4-7), rushes to the front of the influence line among the Christian Jews in Jerusalem.  Knowing my own brothers, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Jesus shows up to his unbelieving brother.  Jesus being human as well as God, I wonder if he would have taken the shot of “I tried to tell ya?”  Makes me laugh, just thinking about it.

So far I have washed myself in the words through week 5 and continue to ask myself, “Am I living the faith I believe?”  “Is my world any better because I am a follower of Jesus?”  James’ words are pointed directly to the believers, so I can’t count myself out.  He must have been a practical guy, and one who was unafraid to hit the big struggles.  No ‘namby-pamby’ to do list, but accountability wrapped in barbed-wire.

Being the beginning of a new year, the Sunday paper is filled with ads for workout equipment and apparel.  I think I’ll save us some money and try to wear the words of James as 2012 begins:

Consider it pure joy when I face trials “of many kinds.”

If I lack wisdom, I should ask God (and not Google, or my friends, or the latest newscast, or an app on my IPhone).

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”  (I am my own worst enemy in more ways than one.)

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.  (Oh, for goodness sakes!)

And that’s just the first chapter of James.

The 3rd session of the new bible study James: Mercy Triumphs stopped me in my tracks. Moore presents the biblical relationship between JOY (Greek: chara) and ANGUISH (Greek: thilipsis). She shares that Joy and Anguish can co-exist and both are experienced through relationships. I couldn’t agree more.

Each year I take the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day to reflect on this new year transition. If ever there was a time when anguish and joy co-existed, it has been in my head and heart this week. I grieve the passing of what I know will never be again. I reflect, but I really grieve. I need to do this in order to reset my hard drive to make resolutions for the new year. It’s not a sad time, but certainly a time of not so few tears.

This I know…

1. Baby Girl will never know life just for herself ever again. In the new year she will give birth to her first child. This is when you get to know what it feels like to hold your very heart outside your body. Friends often ask, “Are you ready to be a Grandmother?”  I can’t say that I am.  Because I am in Mama-Mode.  I know that neither her body nor her heart will ever be the same.  How do you prepare your very “heart-outside-your-body” for such a time?

2.  We serve a God of the resurrection and He is still resurrecting dead places in our hearts if we’ll let Him.  Having experienced too often, and for too long, the wounds of  bullies, I now know what makes me such a target.  It doesn’t help that my vocation is one where selflessness, forgiveness, compassion, and restoration are at the forefront of our calling.  #1 Son says I say “I’m sorry” too much.  Maybe it’s because I think others need to hear it as much as I do.  One of the first things we teach preschoolers is to say, “I’m sorry,” when others are hurt.  I think this and taking a nap would make for a world and a church of less hurtful and less hurting people.

3.  When we are in the habit of being obedient with our finances of giving, saving, and sharing, God multiplies that which makes no sense at all.  Like everyone else in the country, we have been affected by economic instability.  Our Dave Ramsey DVDs and CDs have made their rounds this year in the Bull-Reilly-Peaden clan as reminders.  Speaking engagements, workshops, and the generosity of others have blessed our socks off.  Moderate weather has kept the power bills low and the answered prayer of “Lord, don’t let us need nor want anything today,” remind me that He is interested in numbers, too.

4.  It has been a Philippians year:

“For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”  1:19

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”  1:27

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” 2:1

“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”  3:18

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” 4:8

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.”  4:20