The final chapters of a book, as well as those from letters in Scripture, are the author’s last chance to leave his or her thoughts with us…so too in the letter of James.  It is filled with good advice, some confronting about how people at that time are living, along with encouragement for them to live together in love.

There are a few special verses toward the end, from v. 14 that teach about anointing and praying for the sick.  Then James shares the idea of confessing our faults to each other. Wow, I don’t think that this happens very often today!  Yet it is a good idea to have friends who love and accept us so much that  we can tell them what is really bothering us, as well as our faults, temptations and fallings into sin and wrongdoing. Wouldn’t it be good for us to talk about our sins without that feeling of being so defensive and protecting ourselves against guilt?  Without confessing, our wrongs hang about us like a big load that we need not carry.   Find a friend with whom you can “Get Real!”

James 5

Here is a sample of a seven-syllable breath-prayer
from today’s reading:
Deciding not to complain v. 9
For more information about this creative way to pray,
see Bible Breaths.

This is the Fifth Week in Lent
Spring in the north.  Year C
Thursdays are dedicated to the New Testament Letters.

Seasons of Grace – A Calendar for 2019

Solar and Sacred Seasons
Some adjustments to make the church year simpler.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet.  More information…