The Story of James, Not James

The church recognizes James the apostle (not James the brother of Jesus, writer of the book of James)today.  So James, not James.  If you are a Protestant, evangelical, Pentecost(like myself), along with whatever other label you would like to add, you did not know this.  But, I have been follwing the historic church calendar lately and have really enjoyed it.  Well today is the day the universal church recognizes one of the 12 disciples, James.

James was the brother of John.  Their nicknames were the Sons of Thunder, I guess they had a temper.  These brothers had their mama ask Jesus about being Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury when Jesus became the new president of Jerusalem.  She didn't understand that Jesus was going to become the ruler of the world, but it came through the cross.  James and John thought they could go through what Jesus was going to go through, and it turns out they would.

James is the first of the 12 to lay down his life for the name of Jesus Christ.  King Herod, the king of the Jews, did not like the fact that James was saying Jesus is the real king of the Jews.  Herod had James put to death which was a popular move among his constituents.

James went from wanting to be in position of power to being someone who was willing to give up all power.  James was willing to die because he served Jesus who was willing to die.  He did not fear death because Jesus overcame death and James believed he would as well by putting his faith in his living Savior.

So we recognize James today.  May we humble ourselves from any prideful position.  May we have the faith of James no matter the cost.

What are your thoughts about James?  

  

How Dare You Wear Those Shoes

Empathy can be difficult.  I am dealing with my own stuff and don't have time to think about others.  That person that is dealing with their stuff is different from me, so why should I care about their stuff.

It's hard to look at the world from their perspective.  Because they are "other."  They are "them."

I have my own shoes that I bought, paid for, took care of and I don't want to walk in their shoes.  They have let their shoes get run down, they are old, and muddy.  Serves them right for having a hard time walking, look at their shoes.

Do all the rules apply to us?  Well one rule applies to us all, the Golden Rule.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  That rule is connected to the narrow way.  So, I am not following the straight and narrow way, if I am not keeping the golden rule.

So the next time someone is going through their stuff, I should stop and ask myself, "How would I feel if it was me."  I treat myself good when I am going through my own stuff, maybe I should do unto others when they are going through their stuff.

Give Me One More Shot

I am not big Alabama fan.  In fact I disliked them back in the early 90's when I listened to country music.  But on my way to church yesterday we had on one of those stations that play worship and inspirational music(what's that all about?).  And this song, "One More Shot" came on.  I had never really paid attention to the song.  But part of my sermon was about giving it all you got as unto the Lord.  So this song inspired me.  I am  happy to say, and still a little ashamed to say, I now have an Alabama song on my itunes list.

Life ain't all that easy I can testify to that.  Life is hard with many challenges and disappointments along the way. 

Give me one more shot I'll give it all I've got. Let me open my eyes to a new sunrise I pray.  I got today.  I got one more chance to live again.  Will I give all today.

Well I'm satisfied just being alive give me one more day.  Lord help me to learn to be content with little or much.

We're only here for awhile so why not smile hey living ain't all that bad.

When I look around there's lots of folks worse off than me. So I just thank the good Lord and ask him please.  So give me one more shot I'll give it all I've got.  Let me open my eyes to a new sunrise I pray