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Acts 15:1-29 My family and I have lived in lots of different places, and that means we've attended lots of different churches. In each church there have been business meetings, and we've been privy to lots of issues, large and small, that have come before their congregations. A few that stand out: Color of the carpet/chairs/pews (This one has come up in almost every si...
Keep ReadingIt is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved,just as [the Gentiles] are"(Acts 15:11, emphasis added). We've all felt left out before: the middle school clique spurns you, you don't dress the same as the others at church, the coffee group is bewildered you send your kids to public school, and on and on. We long to say, just tell me the standards to join your...
Keep ReadingActs 15:1-21 The United States has the Constitution. Christianity has the Holy Bible. Whenever a question arises for either politicians or Christians, they each have a jointly accepted document to turn to for clarity. Even with these foundational documents, however, both politicians and Christians can find themselves in conflict with others in their group. The conflicts ...
Keep ReadingThis brought Barnabas and Saul into sharp dispute and debate with them Peter got up and addressed them, " Now then why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No!" (Acts 15:2, 7, 10) Unity is a lovely idea until it has to get worked out by people like us! Our current series is challe...
Keep ReadingConsider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark The wisdom from heaven is first of all pure (James 3:5, 17). Chatham Church wants to grow into a "noble cedar" church. Another way we talk about this is being a "big tent" church. "Big tent" does not mean lots of people who are all alike, who all agreethat's pretty easy to do! But "big tent" means lots and lots...
Keep ReadingBut the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17). She threw a fruit I couldn't dodge; I giggled at the blow. I picked one up and tossed it back; The fight began to flow. He stood by, watching, wondering; And I just couldn't resist. Before he knew...
Keep ReadingYou can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. James 3:18 (MSG) It's hard work to learn to tame the tongue, and in turn treat others with respect. It's something we've spoken with our children about at length, and a frequ...
Keep Reading"Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (James 3:5) "We all stumble in many ways" (3:1). James' pronouncement (understatement?) is just as true now as it was centuries ago. These past months of isolation, loneliness, frustration, and fear have provided plentiful opportunities, even for Christians who should be modeling a life of humility, to go wro...
Keep ReadingJames 3:1-18 Ever said anything you regret saying? Ever spoken too soon? Ever failed to speak up when you knew you should have? Ever had someone say something to you that broke your heart, your spirit? Ever said something like that to someone else? "Sticks and stones may break my bones Loose lips sink ships Me and my big mouth!" Welcome to James 3. This chapter is our ...
Keep Reading"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night" (Joshua 1:8). Have you ever tried to pry a bone away from a dog? Watch outyou might get snapped at, or nipped! This is a picture of what it means to meditate on Scripture. Not the snapping or nipping partthe gnawing. One of the Hebrew words which our Bibles translate as meditate is ve...
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