Presbymom

  As we hear the word proclaimed from the book of James together for a few weeks, I try to classify and describe this book. Maybe it is a letter, some say not. Maybe it is prophecy, some say not. Maybe it is wisdom literature – the only wisdom book in the new testament – some say not. Maybe it’s prophecy or even eschatology or apocalyptic – maybe not. Even with all the disagreement, we do know what it IS – Listen to the living Word in scripture from   James 3:1-12 3  Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2  We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3  When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  4  Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  5  Likewi

  I never write these word. Writing is for the young at heart, the creative types, not those past their prime! I sat in a bar tonight and wondered why the words of an NFL sports station sounded more like a sermon than what I had prepared for Sunday’s message. How does this happen? I am wondering things like what is it about my empty nest that leaves me lonely and wanting – incomplete, what trips are left for us in life that bring joy and completeness, and what do my kids want to possibly do with me before our interests diverge?   We made a bucket list of places in the world we want to see, my husband and I, but quickly realized that in the 20-30 years left to us, what is pandemic taking away? How do we plan and do what we desperately want to see with our family before we can’t physically or mentally qualify to remember and enjoy the time together?   Do we plan for outside vacations? There are plenty of those places in the world we want to see that are closer to home. We didn’t want to

  Before we dive into more from the epistle James, let’s look at what we know about this book of the Bible. If you are like me, it is one we have heard quotes pulled out of context from but maybe not a part of the Bible studied as much as others.   Who is the author? James – possibly the brother of Jesus or maybe son of Zebedee, but for sure a Greek speaking Jewish Christian. Likely an editor from a school ofone or the other James’ who wished to share their wise advice with the new Jewish Christians.   The book of James is a letter addressed to the 12 tribes in Diaspora. Huh? Diaspora is in exile, but - tribes - what a strange way to address Christians. Maybe they were really in exile outside Judea. Or, maybe this was a claim that the people being addressed are the new people of faith. Regardless, as is uncomfortably often true in our scripture, the words the early Christians needed to hear, speak to us today as well. Listen to the living Word:   James 2:1-10, 14-17 2  My brothers and

    John 6:56-69 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Fat

  This is the third in a sermon series on The Bread of Life Discourse in which  Jesus is truly the Bread of Life. The discourse immediately follows the miracle or signs in John which were - the feeding of the 5000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves and then Jesus walking on water to the disciples when their boat was tossed on the waves so they were afraid. Jesus in this gospel doesn’t go into the how of communion but the why of sharing This Bread. The discussion continues. Listen for God’s living word in -    John 6: 51-58 (NRSV) 51  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 52  The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”  53  So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  54  Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal lif