To James With Love

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I spent the first three months of this year on a long, leisurely stroll through the book of James. I have to say, he wore me out a little bit. There are 54 commands in 108 verses. James gave me a lot to think about. And a lot to put into practice. As the Bible Project video puts it, “The goal of James isn’t to teach theology. It’s to get in your business and challenge how you live.” Ouch!

I found that James also had his own unique way of putting things among the Bible writers. He used 54 words in his letter that aren’t used anywhere else in scripture. (Yes, I looked up all 1745 Greek words in James. I’m a nerd.)

I couldn’t help but wonder if James finished his letter with a hint of an autobiographical sketch. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, little brother James had wandered from the truth, not believing in Jesus as the Messiah. The end of his letter seems abrupt, perhaps because the words were so close to his heart.

“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20

James’ “someone” was Jesus Himself, appearing to James after the resurrection. Jesus brought James back and he would always remember the day that he, a sinner, was turned away from his error. James would never forget the day he was saved from death and his multitude of sins was covered over by the blood of his brother, his Savior, Jesus.

As I close my notebook on James, I thought I’d end with a short note of thanks.

Dear James,
Thank you for your letter, full of practical guidance. I appreciate your spirit of humility which comes from wisdom. You could have made yourself into a bit of a celebrity, having lived with Jesus all those years. You could have written a “tell-all” best seller about what He was really like. But instead, you kept the spotlight on Jesus and gave us instructions on how to live in order to give Him the most glory. You loved the church – that poor church in Jerusalem that struggled so much. You never quit, even in the face of persecution from the power-center in the Jerusalem temple. Well done.
Good-bye for now, but your words will continue to take root and hopefully produce good fruit. I have hidden many of your words in my heart and will continue to meditate on them.
I’m looking forward to meeting you one day, James.
With Love,
Dinah

Comeback

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It has been said that Resurrection morning
is the greatest comeback of all time.

Greater than a Hail Mary touchdown pass into the end zone
with no time left on the clock.

Greater than a half-court shot swishing through the hoop
as the buzzer sounds.

Greater than a walk-off home run with two outs
in the bottom of the ninth.

It may seem to us like the resurrection
was the greatest comeback victory in the history of the world.

Except it wasn’t.

The Resurrection was not a surprise finish,
an unlikely upset,
a come-from-behind rally.

This was in the playbook all along.

“The Lamb was slain from the creation of the world.”
Rev. 13:8

“He chose us in Him before the creation of the world.”
Eph. 1:4

“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.”
Matt. 25:34

So, if we could go back before Genesis 1:1,
before the creation of the world,
there we would find the place and time set:
Resurrection Day — Jerusalem,
33 A. D., early in the morning,
Joseph’s tomb.

God doesn’t make comebacks because He’s always way ahead.

There is another date set:
The Great and Glorious Day of Messiah’s Final Come Back,
Mount of Olives,
date and time unknown.
Of course, we don’t know the date,
but we know God knows.
He’s known from the creation of the world.

Don’t miss it.

Dayenu

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This year, the Jewish Passover runs from April 5-13, which also coincides with the Christian Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. The timing is perfect to learn a new Hebrew word: Dayenu.

Dayenu is a song of gratitude that is sung during the Passover Seder meal. It rehearses all the things God did for the Israelites during their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Here are a few of the 14 verses.

If He had smitten their first-born, and had not given us their wealth,
Dayenu, it would have been enough!

If He had given us their wealth, and had not split the sea for us,
Dayenu, it would have been enough!

If He had split the sea for us, and had not taken us through it on dry land,
Dayenu, it would have been enough!

If He had taken us through the sea on dry land, and had not drowned our oppressors in it,
Dayenu, it would have been enough!

If He had drowned our oppressors in it, and had not supplied our needs in the desert for forty years,
Dayenu, it would have been enough!

If He had supplied our needs in the desert for forty years, and had not fed us the manna, 
Dayenu, it would have been enough!

You get the idea.
Dayenu means
“It would have been enough!”

During this Holy Week,
I’m singing my own version of Dayenu, with a twist.

If He had sweat drops of blood in the Garden, but had not taken the cup,
it wouldn’t have been enough.

If He had taken the cup, but had not allowed the soldiers to arrest Him,
it wouldn’t have been enough.

If He had allowed the soldiers to arrest Him, but had not worn the crown of thorns,
it wouldn’t have been enough.

If He had worn the crown of thorns, but had not endured the whipping,
it wouldn’t have been enough.

If He had endured the whipping, but had not been nailed to the tree,
it wouldn’t have been enough.

If He had been nailed to the tree, but had not bled and died,
it wouldn’t have been enough.

If He had bled and died, but had not risen on the third day,
it wouldn’t have been enough.


But,
He wore the crown,
He drank the cup,
Death took Him down,
God raised Him up.
And it is more than enough.
Dayenu!

Plan for Joy

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Do you know anyone who is happy-go-lucky?
Someone who is in a good mood all of the time?
An eternal optimist who always looks on the bright side?
A person who might say to you, “Let’s turn that frown upside down”?

Me neither.
If I did know someone like that,
I’d probably be annoyed.

Joy doesn’t come naturally.

Instead,
for believers in Christ,
joy comes supernaturally,
through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and according to my Bible Reading Plan for 2023, a word study on JOY is coming up next.

Let’s start with a working definition:

“Biblical joy is more than a happy feeling. It’s a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill His promises.” (bibleproject.com)

Here is my 12 week plan to study a few of the scriptures in the Bible that are about joy. You are welcome to join me! Let’s plan for some joy!

April 10-14 — Psalm 126
April 17-21 — John 16:20-24
April 24-28 — Philippians 1:3-6, 2:1-2
May 1-5 — Psalm 92:1-5, 12-15
May 8-12 — 1 Peter 1:3-9
May 15-19 — 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8
May 22-26 — 2 Corinthians 7:2-7
May 29-June 2 — 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
June 5-9 — Psalm 47
June 12-16 — 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
June 19-23 — 3 John 1-4
June 26-30 — Psalm 98

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
~Henry van Dyke~

The Undoing of Doers

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PB often addresses the dynamic of faith + works by using the illustration of a man in a rowboat. One paddle is called “faith” the other paddle is called “works”. What happens when he uses only one paddle? He goes in circles, of course. The two oars must work in tandem to get anywhere.

There’s a danger in encouraging believers to start doing.
They might overdo it.
They might become undone.

There’s great temptation to jump into all manner of good activities, worthy causes, and virtuous projects. Because there are so many needs in this world, we have no shortage of options. Deserving programs and service organizations are longing for people to step up and contribute. So why do intentions that begin with enthusiasm and energy often fizzle out? Is it possible to have so many irons in the fire, that we’re putting out the fire?

Three questions come to mind as I read James’ exhortation to “be doers”.

  1. Every good idea is probably a good idea, but is every good idea a God idea? Am I concocting a noble list of good deeds and then sallying forth with the words, “Come along with me, God. I hope You can keep up!”?
  2. Is swinging like a pendulum between periods of great faith and seasons of good deeds effective? Am I just changing paddles and the direction of my circle? Is it possible to strike a balance of doing good deeds with great faith?
  3. Am I confusing the command to “be a doer of the Word” with “being a doer”? In the book of James alone, there are 54 imperatives, or commands. For example:
  • “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19) Am I being a doer of those words?
  • “Look after orphans and widows in their distress.” (James 1:27)
    Do I know any lonely children or widows I could help out?
  • “Don’t criticize and speak evil about each other.” (James 4:11)
    Are my words honoring my brothers and sisters in Christ?

I don’t need to join a club or create an Excel spreadsheet or work myself into a tizzy of activity. I need to listen for the voice of my Good Shepherd saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” And then walk in it.

So many questions. And here is one more from former U. S. Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall:

“I wonder what would happen if we all agreed to read one of the Gospels until we came to a place that told us to do something, then went out to do it, and only after we had done it, began reading again?”

Perhaps James is saying,
“Yes, let’s be doers.
Let’s just make sure
we’re doing
what God wants,
at God’s pace,
in God’s strength.”



Doers Get More Done

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The management team at Home Depot must have read the book of James.
Their advertising slogan sounds downright Biblical.

James had a lot on his mind when he sat down to write a letter to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Suddenly free from the burden of Mosaic law, the new Christian community still needed some guidance on how to live this redeemed life in Christ. Brother James put down into succinct words a handbook of sorts: “How to Live Like a Christian”. Or maybe he was preaching to himself.

James kicked off his letter with a section on unbelief and doubt, testing and trials, and temptation. Were these topics top-of-mind because he had firsthand experience with them? Did James struggle with anger, an uncontrolled tongue, selfish ambition? Was he a good religious Jewish boy who went through the motions, but found religion worthless?

These were the things on James’ mind as he composed his letter.
The remedy?

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

Yes, we need to hear the Word, read the Word, sing the Word, pray the Word, preach the Word, memorize the Word, and meditate on the Word. But the way to inject real vitality into our spiritual lives is to be a doer of the Word.

Another James — James Moffat, Scottish Bible scholar — had something to say about this pithy, convicting verse.

When the sermon is done, it is not done;
something remains to be done by the hearers.

Perhaps this should be painted on the inside frame of our church doors, making it the last thing we see as we leave.

When the Word has been read,
and the sermon has been said,
and the songs have been sung,
the doing isn’t done, it’s begun.

Sweet Baby James

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Back in 1970, James Taylor wanted to give his newborn nephew and namesake something special, so he wrote the babe a lullaby. That song, “Sweet Baby James” was the title track for the album that catapulted Taylor to fame and fortune. He still sings the song at the end of almost all his concerts. “Sweet Baby James” ended up being pretty sweet for Uncle James.

I’ve been humming that song because my Bible Reading Plan for 2023 kicked off with a stroll through the book of James. Before diving into the first chapter, I had to stop and think about the writer of this letter. Who was he? Why did he write it? To whom did he write?

The book of James was written by Jesus’ half-brother. No other book of the Bible was written by someone who knew Jesus as a child or who lived in the same house as teenagers.* The two boys grew up together, played together, did chores together. They probably shared a bedroom, or bed, or mat. Three more brothers were added to the family and at least two sisters. (Mark 6:3) That had to have been one lively household.

We are not given a peek into the early home life of Joseph and Mary’s family, so we are left with conjecture and holy imagination. However, it couldn’t have been easy for James to follow Jesus, the Son of God, in birth order. Having the sinless one as an older brother might have been challenging.

None of Jesus’ younger half-siblings were part of His earthly ministry. They are rarely mentioned in the gospels and when they are, it isn’t in the best light. “When his (Jesus’) family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.'” (Mark 3:21)

It appears that not one of Jesus’ brothers or sisters were at the execution of their oldest sibling. From the cross, Jesus entrusted his mother Mary into the care of John, the disciple.

Then, in Acts 1:14, there’s a breakthrough. “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” His brothers! James even got a one-on-one encounter with his brother after the resurrection. (1 Cor. 15:7)

By the time James wrote his handbook on how to live like a Christian, he had fully accepted Jesus’ Messiahship, calling Him “our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (James 2:1) . Not once did James portray Jesus as anything less than Lord. There were no old childhood memories dredged up. The division in the family over Jesus’ ministry was not mentioned. The words “Mom always loved you best,” were never recorded. James saw the glory and he became a believer and leader of the early church.

James’ death is not recorded in the New Testament, but historians believe he was either stoned to death or beaten to death with a club. All for love of his Brother, the Savior.

Are you reading along with me?
What has James been teaching you?

*I stand corrected. James is not the only book of the Bible that was written by someone who knew Jesus as a child or who lived in the same house as teenagers. The short book of Jude was also penned by a half-brother of Jesus. I’m so grateful for someone who not only reads, but also checks up on me! Thanks, friend!

Regular Church

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There are over 45,000 church denominations worldwide.*
Here in America, we have 33,000.*
Within the denomination of my childhood,
there are 44 different branches.
I have no idea why we got chopped up into
so
many
pieces.

When I was a kid, I went to a little Methodist church in a small midwestern town. It wasn’t a mega-church, or a seeker-friendly church, or a church with a cool name. The pastor wasn’t exactly dynamic. We sang hymns and prayed The Lord’s Prayer together. Nobody was concerned with cultural trends or the latest technology or staying relevant. We were as common as they come.

All I knew was that I loved going to Sunday school, where I put a sticker on the attendance chart every week. I enjoyed singing while Mrs. B exuberantly pounded out “The B-I-B-L-E” on the old upright piano. I adored Blondie, my teacher, who always gave out Juicy Fruit gum. I liked sitting with my parents on the red padded pews in the sanctuary. I drew pictures on the bulletin, played with the veins in mom’s hands, and elbowed dad when he started to nod off. Somehow, despite the ordinariness of that quotidian congregation, I learned to love Jesus and my Bible.

While PB and I were driving through North Carolina last month, something caught my eye. It made me laugh out loud and I told PB to turn around. Then I felt a little longing rise up inside.

Sometimes I just want an old, regular church that leads me to Canaan’s Shore. Yep, give me an old, regular church with humble worship and good ol’ gospel preaching.

Oh, and services streaming on Facebook.

(*According to Wikipedia)

PB and Andy

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My mother used to say that February wasn’t good for anything but reading a good long book. I’ve adopted her philosophy with a twist. February isn’t good for anything but reading a good long book on a beach.

PB and I headed south for a couple weeks and came home when February was just about over. We enjoyed sunny skies and warm sand in our toes. We saw some sights and spent time with some lovely people along the way.

Our last stop was Mount Airy, North Carolina, the hometown of Andy Griffith, and the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry.

During the early days of the pandemic, everybody had an opinion they were happy to share. Those in a leadership position of any kind during that time know how stressful it was to maintain peace and harmony. In the midst of chaos and criticism, uncertainty and unpleasantness, PB and I escaped to Mayberry every night after supper.

A half hour with Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee and Goober lowered our blood pressure. We laughed a little, we learned a lesson, and we whistled the theme song. For a few moments, we harkened back to our own childhoods (like Opie’s) in small towns (like Mayberry). The TV show provided a sacred thirty minutes of simple joy and warm community, things that were sadly lacking in the world at the time.

When we made plans to take off this February and visit family in North Carolina, it was a no-brainer. PB booked a night in Andy Griffith’s boyhood home and one of the kids set us up with a ride in Barney’s squad car. We went to the Andy Griffith Museum, had lunch at Snappy Diner, and stopped in at Floyd’s Barbershop. We sat in the sheriff’s chair at the courthouse and bought a souvenir at Wally’s service station. It was a walk back in time.

Watching the Andy Griffith Show
(even if you’ve seen all 249 episodes)
while sitting in Andy’s living room
would make you smile, too.

Clusters

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I have a confession to make. I sample the grapes in the grocery store before I buy them. I usually swipe just one, to make sure they aren’t sour or soft. I suppose that counts as stealing, but I did the math — at $1.49 per pound (Aldi price this week), one grape costs 3/10th of 1 cent. It’s ok, right?

PB pruned our little row of grapevines this week, so I’ve been thinking about grapes a lot lately. Grapevines, vineyards, vines and branches are a big theme in the Bible. Jesus talked about them frequently. He told several stories about vineyards and on the night of His arrest, Jesus told His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

I have another confession to make. Sometimes I dump out all the grapes at the bottom of the bag — the ones that didn’t hang on to the vine — and put the nice tight bunches back in the bag. Certainly the store figures in the inevitable loss of a handful of grapes. That’s ok, right?

Here’s the thing.
I’ve never gone into a grocery store to buy one grape.
They come in bunches.

And PB didn’t plant one solitary vine.
There is a whole row of vines that twist around each other.
They grow together, supporting each other.

One single grape
won’t make more than a few drops of juice.
A healthy vineyard
can produce barrels of wine.

What is the lesson here?

I think we are meant to be people who are twisted up and entangled with each other’s lives. It seems we’re supposed to bump up against each other and encourage each other to hold on to the vine. Certainly, we are intended to be an offering, poured out and fragrant to a world longing for a taste of goodness.

Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
Apart from each other, we can do very little.
Find yourself a cluster and hang on.