Christine's Blog (2,628)

What does God speak to you…

from these next few verses in James?

 Pray with me, Friends—“Dear Lord, it is…

Good Day.

“Don't speak evil against one another, my brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God's law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it.…

Grammar classes were always my favorite . . . I liked diagramming sentences--breaking the parts of speech into little branches and trees.  Later, as an English teacher, I liked teaching my students to diagram sentences, so that they too would better understand the rules of language grammar. Today's lesson: verbs.    …

Good Day to you.

Keep in mind – “All Scripture is God-breathed,”¹ penned by “holy men of God,”² as we read James’ next shocking words—written to the Jewish converts he was teaching . . .…

The Power of THE Name.  Take-off on James 4.2 - You do not have because you do not ask God.…

A Story that will Inspire you to Pray!  James 4.2 – You do not have because you do not ask God.

Greetings! 

It is no secret…

So, it was almost five o’clock in the afternoon, and I was driving northbound on the “Five” to meet my daughter for dinner.   I rounded the highway bend that boasted the Pacific Ocean’s drama on my left . . . and then immediately on my right, came upon a sight I shall carry with me forever.  Twas a bright, yes, I dare say even, dark-banded rainbow stretched right before me,…

Why don't people pray?    James 4.2

You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4, verse 2                        …

Contentment seems elusive these days.  We live in a world that makes us feel constantly harried, a bit like the woeful creature in the arcade game, ‘Whack-a-mole’.   Sometimes though, we just need to hit the ‘reset’ button. 

“Please, I have to meet with you…

After writing on humility – specifically saying that, “Humility . . . so much to think about, but first we must value it, we must esteem it, and desire to be about it ourselves so that we will be teachable, quietly confident, patient, teachable, good…

Why DO people fight, anyway?  We have just discussed various facets of peace, and we would all agree that living in peace is a much better way to go, and yet . . . well, pick up the newspaper--what do you see?  Turn on the radio--what do you hear?  Go for a road trip with your kids in the backseat--how long do you drive before there is a…

Oh what a beautiful verse . . . what a brilliant piece of writing, bridging humility and the richness of peace.  James writes, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”…

Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.1 True humility comes from a place of strength and inner security. Genuinely humble people who have a desire to seek the well-being of others are generally very secure people. They are fully aware of their gifts, their training, their experience, and all the attributes that make them successful at whatever they do. That security--that honest, healthy self-assessment--results in more than healthy self-assessment--results in…

The definition of humility is far from the definition of pride . . . or is it?   The common dictionary's first entry for pride is: a sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.  The key word was proper; when pride moves toward arrogance, we have issues.  Consider once again with…

How does one measure the difference between worldly wisdom and the wisdom of God? Let us consider James’ words: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from Heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and…

Thought 

The Proper Care and Feeding of our Hearts. (spinoff Jas. 3 still)

Yesterday afternoon I spent some glorious time in my back garden . . . it came at the end of a rather tedious day, which included a lengthy medical appointment, a funeral, and another standby while my automobile oil was…

What’s in your Heart? (segue from James 3—the heart that drives the tongue)

Little girls practice drawing hearts, have you ever noticed that?  I am not sure why it is not something boys do . . . but there…

We consume a lot of fruit in my home – though by far, the most sought-after fruit by all of us is the apple.  Danny likes the Gala, while Dean, Dylan and I usually prefer the Fuji.  I have been thinking about it--do we even know if it was an apple that Eve plucked, took a bite of, and gave to her gullible partner, Adam?  No matter, it seems so innocuous,…