Tell Me About Your “James”

I had the privelege of preaching this morning at Crossroads where I began a new expositional series on the the Epistle of James. We spent a few minutes talking about the author who I understand to be the half-brother of the Lord and the leader of the Jerusalem church; noted by Paul as a “pillar of the church”. James would certainly have had the right to make any of those credentials the foundation of his authority in writing, but he instead, calls himself a “servant”, more correctly “a slave” to God. He was a humble man, dependent on God, and noted for a lifestyle of prayer.

Yet his message is blunt and to the point. He pulls no punches. He calls sin what it is, and even points to the possibility that some of his readers may not possess genuine faith. He is both humble and bold, a servant who speaks truth, a man who would serve you best by boldly speaking into your life – and probably be marked as a friend.

I mentioned a man like that who I had known – Fred Barshaw. A godly man with whom I served as an associate in Southern California. He supported and encouraged me, disagreed with me, confronted me, rebuked me a time or two (or three), and did so in a manner that demonstrated his great love for me and our Savior. He was a great teacher-shepherd. The kind of guy who spoke truth and you never wondered about any “agendas” being hidden. He was an accomplished teacher with real degrees and accolades as a master-teacher and administrator, yet Dr. Barshaw was just Fred, a humble, bold friend who helped me grow in Jesus.

Your turn … add a comment … who is your James? The humble – bold person that touched your life?

A New Blog

I’ve started a new blog where I will hopefully post regularly on things of interest behind the scenes at Crossroads Bible Church. It will be interesting to see how many folks from CBC check in … I may have to run some kind of contest for the best comment, or the most significant question. Kind of an experiment in expanding our communication we figure it can’t hurt!

Snapshots of Crossroads … a look behind the scenes of a church.

Really Random Links – Seriously Non-Profound

A couple of random things that I’ve been saving for a “blogger’sblock” day:

Maybe I won’t have fries with that: a new kind of art…

Strange British humor … I think.

In case you were wondering … this is a bit scary.

An activity for the next time you or the kids are bored.

Be a cover girl … or boy …

And finally, something that might even be useful:

A helpful tool for converting web pages to pdf files.

Planning a Vacation

Shameless diary type post today: 

So … we finally get our dates and destination for our free flights from Dockers/JC Penny’s Promotions. We got our first choice of destination … and even our first choice of dates … with a few days added on each side. So April 1 we fly out to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a two-week vacation in the sun! (As I write this Linda just mentioned how cold it was in the living room). We don’t even have to take flights that are terrible … just one stop in Washington, D.C.

We decided to make this trip an adventure, not knowing for sure exactly where we’d be (or when) until a few weeks before our we’d leave, helped us refrain from too much advance planning. That makes it kind of fun. I’m looking forward to some down time in the sun and with that in mind we were able to get a a last minute reasonable rate on a cruise for some of the days and now we’re trying to find just the right hotel (hopefully near a beach!) for the other days. If you know any great places to stay, things to see, or things to do, or restaurants in Fort Lauderdale or Miami area let me know!

I have learned to leave work behind — a hard lesson for me to learn. I’m still one of those that tends to have a hard time relaxing and not feeling a bit guilty for having time away … I have to truly discipline my heart to accept the gift of rest from our loving God who gives us all good things to enjoy. I know, it shouldn’t be so hard to have it easy.  

Now … to find just the right books to take …

Men … Colds … Dial 999

Thabiti also pointed to this insightful video on men and sickness. I’m sure he was drawn to it out of his concern that for his fellow-man in this season of rampant sickness. I wonder … is there sickness in the Grand Cayman?

Past Wisdom from Scottish Ministers

Thabiti’s post at the end of February was quite convicting. He has an extended quote from the confession by pastors in Scotland in 1651 where they acknowledged their part in the problems of Scotland. Interestingly, it wasn’t lack of involvement in politics, or failure to be relevant, or failure to brand their ministries well that led to this confession. This section makes clear that their sin was to trust in their own ability. I was convicted that I don’t read enough church history either.

Past Wisdom from Scottish Ministers

Thabiti’s post at the end of February was quite convicting. He has an extended quote from the confession by pastors in Scotland in 1651 where they acknowledged their part in the problems of Scotland. Interestingly, it wasn’t lack of involvement in politics, or failure to be relevant, or failure to brand their ministries well that led to this confession. This section makes clear that their sin was to trust in their own ability. I was convicted that I don’t read enough church history either.

Bold Words on Grace

I appreciate this boldly written post on grace by Dan Phillips on the Pyromaniacs site. This vital truth that is at the center of our faith and yet is is far too theologically abused by those who would affirm it. I don’t know what might have provoked this strong statement, but from the Dan’s concluding thoughts I might be able to take a guess … I have met some like those whom he references.

If you’re going to sin, poke God in the eye, shame His name, bring ridicule on the Gospel, and refuse to deal with your sin by repentance as God defines it — don’t drag the lovely word grace into the sewer with you. Just sin, and prepare for the consequences. Well, scratch that. You can’t prepare for the consequences. But at least let’s not lie to ourselves and others, compound our sin, and smear the dung of our sin over the beautiful concept of grace.

If you’re going to sin and bring heartbreak, ruin, robbery, treachery, betrayal and misery into the lives of others, and then refuse to deal with your sin by repentance as God defines it — don’t drag the the lovely word grace or “the Cross” into it. Grace and the cross are the antithesis of continuance in heardhearted, unrepentant sin. What we’ve done to others is bad enough. No need to blaspheme the saving grace of God in the bargain.

Far too often we have turned “grace” into something deserved (thus making it anything but grace). ” What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2, ESV). Thanks Dan.