U-turns Permitted

James launches a brutal attack against us rich people in 5:1-6. He has no time for pleasantries or the typical notion that it is not about how much wealth you have, it is about your attitude. So what do we do with this? 

Today we read James 4:13-17. James begins a two-part diatribe against rich people (us!). In this first section, he encourages us to think about our focus on inventing, designing, producing, and selling widgets to make a profit. Why are we doing this? Are we doing it (just) to make a living, or also to "live"? And what does that "living" look like?

Today we look at James 3:13-18. What is wisdom? What is the opposite of wisdom? James challenges us in strong words to think about our envies and jealousies, and to choose the way that makes for peace. How can we do that in this time of FOMO and bitter partisan division?

Today we look at James 3:1-12, the famous passage in which James talks about the danger of destruction caused by the tongue. Certainly, this is an issue for the individual at home, work and out and about. But there is also a kind of "dangerous speech" that we are seeing more of in our society today. How do we deal with dangerous speech on any level? James shows us: it is heart issue.

Today we read the well-known passage from James: 2:14-26. James speaks of the relationship between faith and works, not with the goal to figure out what we need to get into heaven when we die, but to show us that salvation is about the "here and now, making wounded people whole" (Diana Butler Bass).

Today Steve Brauning, missionary to the Dominican Republic for Resonate Global Mission, speaks to us today from Luke 4:14-21 about the mission Jesus took on when He came to earth and how we, in the power of the Holy Spirit, are called to work to continue that mission.

Today we look at James 2:1-13. James condemns the sin of discrimination - showing partiality as it occurred in the early migrant church. But how does that apply to us today? None of us want to show partiality or discriminate. Most of us believe we are past that. Are we? And what if it isn't so much about me as an individual but us as a society?

Today Rev. Dan Kim leads us through James 1:19-25, the famous passage that encourages us to not just be listeners to the word of God, but also to be doers.

James chapter 1 is a summary of the rest of the letter. It introduces most of the topics James handles in the letter. James is writing for his own people in exile, struggling. In today's world many of us struggle and feel exiled.

James begins his letter to people who are enduring hardships of various kinds. He explains to them how hardships can lead to growth, maturity, fullness, which leads to joy. Today we read James 1:2-4.