It’s tempting to stigmatise those who are not like us,
Recap of the Daily Nuggets:
Daily Nugget #1:
The book of James is actually a letter, written between AD 44 and 49 and may have been the first New Testament (NT) book written. The letter states in v. 1: V. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings” Which James was this? Of the 4 individuals named James mentioned in the NT, scholars believe this letter was penned by James, the oldest half-brother of Jesus (c.f. Mark 6:3).
From “Daily Nuggets Day 9” exploring the Book of James:
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.” James 2:8-13
Jesus knew the temptation to live for prosperity would compete
Daily Nugget #1:
The book of James is actually a letter, written between AD 44 and 49 and may have been the first New Testament (NT) book written.
In the Bible, we find several paradoxical pairs – concepts
Melbourne has been sweltering under multiple heat waves, temperatures soaring to record highs and humidity drenching us in sweat.
Recovering from COVID, we’ve been indoors for 10 days, turning on every fan in the house and trying to keep our sanity.
The heat nor COVID slowed down the boys, who continued to build forts, jump on the trampoline, and chase each other around the house. But Roy and I could feel our resilience wither away.
We finally got our freedom and sought the beach and air conditioning. What sweet relief, to feel cooled.
How do you survive the heat?
My poor neglected plants have turned brown and if they live past this week, it will be a miracle.
Only those with deep roots can withstand such harsh weather.
We continue exploring the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5-8
“Neither I nor the poets I love have found the keys to the kingdom of prayer,
And we cannot force God to stumble over us where we sit,
But
I know that it’s a good idea to sit anyway.
So every morning, I sit, I kneel, waiting,
making friends with the habit of listening,
hoping that I am being listened to. . .
There, I greet God and my own disorder.