Christine's Blog (2,677)

At sundown of that same day, thirteen men met to celebrate the Passover in a great gray hall, in an upper room in a house on Mount Zion, in the northeast corner of Jerusalem. In the tall-roofed chamber, with heavy beams holding up the ceiling, the only furnishings were rattan divans and a long oaken table, on which tall candles were burning.  The flickering flames played upon the sturdy…

It is Passover time, so the city is teeming with people.  All Jewish males over the age of 12 are required to come for the festival, which is followed by a seven-day celebration called the Festival of Unleavened Bread—two celebrations.  [Jews from all over the Roman Empire converge on Jerusalem to celebrate these most important…

Just before we turn the page, take a look in your rearview mirror, at some of the great things we have learned from James’ inspiration:

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God is good . . . all the time.  James 5.13 – 20.

James concludes his letter discussing the power of prayer, and prompting believers to go after those who have walked away from the truths of God.  Take a look:

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy?…

Do you feel it?  Do you sense it?  The end is near . . . of the book of James, I mean.  He sure packed his letter with wisdom for the first-century Jewish converts to Christianity, but it has such terrific application for our lives two thousand years later.  So remarkable!  God’s Word does not go out of style because people…

Jesus is coming soon.   James 5.7-9

With the stroke of the pen, James switches his attention back to the Jewish Christians scattered abroad~  Pay attention as these three short verses have much to say to us.  "Be patient, then, brothers [and…

Don’t be talking about my money, James.  James 5.1-6

Googled “tis a difficult saying, who can abide it?” because that is the only way I could think to start today’s Morning Briefing . . . funny thing that— ‘guess what came up?  Try it -…

The Inner Struggle  -  James 4.17

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.…

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  As…

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…