James 1

Well Erin and I decided to start with the book of James. It was always my favorite (even with the stinky connotation that name had for me for a while) and it's short so we'll be able to have small goals at first!

i'm not exactly sure where to start! i decided that i'd pull out all my old Bibles (the one from highskewl and the one from undergrad, also i have the New Testament in the form of a magazine that i used to like a lot). The first thing that came to mind was the amazing impact James has made on my life over the years. I've got references to 2000 when i was at my first church camp with FBCH and the most recent one was 3-22-05 which was almost 4 years ago. It just made me realize how alive the Word is to speak new things to me every 4 or 5 years!!! (and in between i'm sure that just weren't written down! lol)

ok now really....on to the text. James 1:19 really stands out to me. "Always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily" This is a huge trial for me. I am always willing to listen, but i'm not really ever slow to speak...not that on most occasions it something ugly or hurtful, but i think this applies to other aspects or life as well. we should pray about things in many situations before we are willing to share. and erin i know you'll agree with this about "not become angry easily", we're two ppl with the shortest fuzes when it comes to road rage! i have the biggest potty mouth in the car when people are in my way. even though there is no one there to hear or witness it most of the time God knows that i'm immediately jumping on someone else's case. if we could just slow down and realize how small that problem is in the whole scheme of life, i think we might be a little more calm in that situation, or at least it's something for me to work on.

James 1:4 "Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do" I love this. I don't tend to over react too much. however, i've been becoming increasingly angry when clay is late or makes us late for something we have planned. i think this is something that is testing my patience for sure. James talks about how that testing of our faith will produce perserverance. and God will be there to provide everything we need along the way.

i feel like this is all over the place any not to coherent but i hope it shows you a little of my heart right now. i need to be still and know that He is God and i can't do it without Him. life is so much more peaceful that way!