Odd, I know.  When I talk about Faith and all the stuff believers have a strong understanding I have to take it outside the Christian bubble of “Church Language”.  The greatest mistake anyone makes is going out there to make someone convert to Jesus.  Can’t be done.  You can show them the way and give them the idea.  Planting a seed works.  Yet the choice rests with them.  And it is a big decision.

All through high school I would never outwardly preach my faith.  I would walk as closely as I could to God and did retain the nickname as a “Jesus Freak” for a few years.  My car even was labeled, “The Jesus Mobile”.  One friend even went so far as to suggest that I mount a big ole’ wooden cross on the front hood to make a bigger point.  Of course he was laughing when he said this and I laughed along with him but it brought us together.  It gave me something to have with him in those moments.  We could have conversations about faith, about mine and his.  And it was never a bible thumping spirit drilling ordeal.

Which brings me to James Chapter Two. Throughout The Bible there are many constant words and phrases that pass from pen to paper from prophets and disciples.  One is Mercy.  Another is judgment.  Those two words are very hot buttons with people outside The Church (and even inside at times).  You see many people on the outside are oft to proclaim us all miserable hypocrites and miscreants judging from a high cliff of superiority.  Well, given experiences I and others have had at the hands of my fellow Brothers & Sisters In Christ, I would agree on all points.

The trouble begins when this generalization is spread to all believers and followers of Christ.  Which is a logical fallacy (been waiting to use that phrase) and just bone brain dumb (made that one up).  It’s the same argument of, “If everyone did it, would you?”.  The reality is that it is our humanity coming out from within our skin and making what amounts to a crass judgment…something we as Christians are accused of daily.

You see?  The logic is like the movie, “Groundhog Day”.  It’s just the same accusation they lay at our feet…could be delivered (or thrown depending on the mood) right back at them.  But that would not be…wait for it…the Christian Thing To do.

And this first part of chapter two urges us to follow God’s commands.  Love the poor.  Follow the laws of God and commands given to us.  Love your neighbor and that n word can mean down the way, across the state line and even halfway across the world.  God really did write some great stuff for us, didn’t he?  I love getting into this stuff and writing about it.  I am such a God Nerd.

What the basics of this section are is, “Don’t be hypocrite.”  Don’t judge.  Show mercy.  Grant grace.  I’ve slowly adopted this in life.  People have wronged me in the past and I’ve wronged people myself.  For those that have wronged me I’ve done my best to avoid the Path of the Grudge…and dealt mercy instead.  Have I always done that?

If my answer was yes, you’d need to call in the android destruction squad.  I ain’t perfect and neither is my english.  So no, I’m not great at applying this to everyone.  Again…I am a hypocrite.  I admit readily.   The difference is that I am a Reformed Hypocrite.  I know the errors of my ways and will be pushing myself to not be that guy who pushes someone away from the church because I throw down the H card.

Is this going to be easy? Nope.  But nobody said it be easy or fair.  Such is the way of life.  I’m getting better at turning over the wheel to God and living according to Him.  That’ll take time.  But at least I’m trying.

Until tomorrow…

First of all the format will change a bit. I’ll open up and ‘splain what I’m thankful for on that day and what I’m praying for…and then dive into the word. Savvy?

To begin today off correctly. I’m thankful God’s kept me alive. I’m thankful God’s reminding me that even with a brain short circuit (meaning stroke) he’s got a plan for me. That plan is as cloudy and foggy as it was previous to said incident but I’m still following God on this path. I refuse to give up on following God. I know him, I believe in him and I’m slowly finding pieces of my faith along the road.

Oddly enough I’m listening to Aerosmith’s “Living on the Edge” which can at times be a description of the Christian life. I wouldn’t say you’re living on the edge about to fall off but you’re walking along some mighty fine looking precipices. The beauty of it is that God’s right there with you at your side walking with you directing you where to go.

I’m reminded of the scene in “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade” where he faces the three challenges. Through the keys buried within his faith (I won’t argue if Indy believes in God not…another blog post perhaps) and the clues he finds his way to the long lost knight protecting the Cup of Christ. Such is the precipice prance we engage in throughout life. If we give it to God he’ll keep us close and walk us through it, guiding us. If we refuse to allow it to be done his way…well you had sure as heck have that trusty whip ready to snag a tree before you fall to your doom.

Maybe I view God differently and perhaps it’s not the right view…but that’s the beauty of this blog. I type it up and think on it and maybe someone out there reads this and goes, “Well, *insert theological gobbly gook…” and than it all makes sense…or sorta.

Again…God’s got a sense of humor in all this because as Humans we are constantly (read: DAILY) rebelling against him with our nature (stupid Adam and Eve) and it is only through that close relationship with God that we can attempt to get ourselves back on that wonderful path towards our Father.

More talky here than you had anticipated. Onwards to James.

I’ve been mulling (marinating and percolating) over the big topic here about keeping the mouth-eth shut-eth for the last month or so and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not terribly comfortable admitting but figure I should.

I have a big mouth. Big. State of Texas big. I sometimes just say too much. Or just let things slip that are really pretty gosh darned el stupido. After I say it I am like, “Seriously? Did I just say that? That’s going to take some damage control”. And there are times when the damage can’t be fixed and takes time to heal.

I’ve decided I’ve got some work to do in this area. Truth is we all do. I can guaran-dang-tee everybody out there has done it. Again, beauty of humanity. We’ve all jacked up, crashed and burned. Badly. God offers that wonderful little forgiveness thing and power of His Son’s death on the cross to bring us back from the brink. The last line on this chapter is a stunning point that I’d like to make very bold here, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Are these the words that are in effect the meaning of Christianity? By no means (to borrowfrom one of the Bible’s rebukes)! This is just the beginning. The Bible is the foundation of the Faith that I follow. The next step in that is the real world application in my life and towards those around me. It is also in the one on one relationship that I share with God.

Needless to say I have a lotta work to do. A lot. But that’s the beauty of it.

Until tomorrow…

Today I have to dig back into my daily. I missed yesterday so I have to get back on track.

I talked about the first section of this meaty mastery from James in regards to favoritism.  Today I’m taking on the rest of this section.  Here James talks about a theme that I love repeating to elementary students the world round.  Whenever we’re going somewhere a line must be formed to transport in order and general silence.  Kids are hilariously focused on being first in line for no other purpose than being that solo person at the head of the line.

Why this is beats me, but as a kid it made total sense.  And yet, I take them to task each time repeating the time honored bible lesson, “The First will be last and the last will be first.”  After I mention and talk about the meaning, the children generally scramble to be at the end of the line.  If not applied correctly and taught with a smart foundation you end up with a whole ‘nother line contest.

To whit: Verses 5-7.  See ‘em below.

5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

And so once again, this lesson is taught in another manner.  God chose a poor carpenter to bring His Son into the world.  The stories told throughout the New Testament by Jesus are always referencing the poor and how great it is to be numbered among them.  How faith is grown.  How trust in their Lord is found.  How love, mercy, patience, peace and understanding are so much more nurtured in those that are humble and meek.  The poor are to be our model James seems to say.  And I would probably agree with him.

James also brings to bear the universal law, seen below.  James also points out that breaking one law is taking a sledgehammer to each and every other one.  It’s all or nothing.  The same is true of sin.  Each sin has the same value from one end to the other.  It’s still a sin and must be addressed.

The last line is what I talked about yesterday. “Mercy triumphs over judgment!”.  Judgment is not to be made by the human kind of the world.  God’s got that one pretty well handled.  Our job?  Mercy.  Grace.  Love.  With those talents and skills we can, through God, make this world a better place.  Maybe even bring salvation to the nations, as the Lord commanded in, you guessed it, “The Great Commission”.

8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “Do not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

In all, James brings some great heat to the hearts of the people of his time…but also brings it to us here in 2008.  We’ve got a long way to go…but we’re on our way.  With God…ain’t nothing gonna stop us.  God is good.  All.  The.  Time.

Until tomorrow.

James is one of those guys who just keeps the hammer hot and fired up.  He’s taking people to task left and right as I march onwards through the second chapter of his book.  The heading above this section is, “Favoritism Forbidden” and this one is a potent point.  As people we have certain elements of humanity attached to us.  Things that make us human.  And one of those is favoritism.  We sometimes do it unknowingly and create more drama, politics and pain that we ever imagined possible.

James talks about judgment and more…but the line that sits in me good and plenty is this, “Mercy triumphs over Judgment”.

I’m going to end this early and pick right back up tomorrow night since I am literally falling asleep at the wheel.  More to come.

Until tomorrow.

Today was a great day.  I did next to nothing, relaxed and took a five hour long nap.  Yes, it was truly a day of much needed rest.  Tomorrow I start the first in what will be three weeks of training for a new job that will be a complete and utter restart for me.  New industry, new world and a much needed change in working environment.

Today brings a somewhat unrelated question that I have been tossing around today.  I’m looking at a new living situation and I’ve got one pretty locked in but I’m still looking for some better deals.  I emailed a gentlemen about a listing and he shot back, “I read something in your bio about Christian Rock.  Will it bother you that I am an openly gay man?”

Color me speechless for about fifteen minutes.  I tried to wrap my head around the answer I was going to have to give.

Do you reply simply by stating, “No, but I’m not comfortable with it?”  How in the blazes do you respond as a Christian in a Christlike manner?  You see, after reading through James 1 I’ve come to the conclusion that Jesus wants us to act very different than how we see ourselves going through life.  And so in responding to this man’s statement I don’t know what to say.  I’ve always been a subscriber to the whole, “Love the sinner, hate the sin” argument and it’s worked out pretty well throughout life.  I had a good friend in high school who was gay and I never held it against him or threw the fire and brimstone.  He was a great guy then and I figure he’s still a great guy.

So, I figured I share my conundrum here, write it out and figure out how to respond.  I’ll probably find a diplomatic way to do it…but it still doesn’t get me past the internal struggle that’s been awakened.  For example, in California (land of Hollyweird) they’ve decided to allow gay marriage and make it legal.

I’m not going to go into my stand (that’s not what this blog is about) but I will ask the question.  As Christians do we fight this situation and demand it be denied?  Or are we to accept the populist opinion, take our lumps and move on?  Do we resort to simply praying?

I’ll be talking to God about this in my prayer time but I wanted to get this out my head and onto paper.  I’m not one of those conservative Christian extremists who’ve given mainstream Jesus-following a bad name…I’m just trying to figure out how to navigate all this.

I’ll be moving into James 2 tomorrow.  I think I’ve beaten James chapter 1 into the ground and beyond.

Until tomorrow.