Faith That Works: Reflections on the book of James

By Dr. Keith L. Posehn

I don't know about you but I'm always looking for something to use as a guide for my daily "Quiet Time". Most of the material out there is either too technical or too syrupy.
When I look for stuff to read for this daily time of prayer and meditation, I'm generally not looking for something I'll need to pull out a dictionary to understand. Nor am I looking for something that requires that I keep tissues handy.
I'm looking for a quick read that offers some insight on a short snippet of scripture from a perspective that might be different from mine or at least not something I'd think of myself. Oh yeah, it would be nice if it left me with a smile on my face most mornings. With these parameters, my search has generally been fruitless. So, being the industrious "type A" person that I am, I wrote one myself.
I don't promise that this little walk through the book of James will leave you breathless from its theological significance. It will not make you misty eyed and drive you to hug everyone you meet that day. What I do hope is that it makes you think about the wisdom of James and do it with a smile on your face.
I think the smile part is important because we have enough things in our day that make us frown. I think our day should start (or end depending on when you have your "quiet time") with prayer, God's word, some reflective thought, and a smile.
I designed my devotional series, "Good News and Grins To Go" specifically for Kindle Apps that run on mobile phones and other mobile devices to help folks take an easy to read devotional wherever they go. Stuck in line, waiting for someone running late for an appointment, stuck in traffic? Just pull out Good News and Grins To Go and take advantage of a bad situation. (Please don't read and drive, or drive while praying with your eyes closed!)
So enjoy this guide and enjoy your time with God. I think He likes it best that way!
Pressing on toward the goal . . .
Revdrkid

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. Keith L. Posehn
• Release date: Mar 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476455082

Dr. Keith L. Posehn

www.keithposehn.com Rev. Dr. Keith L. Posehn, a fifth-generation Californian, was born and raised in the Sacramento Area, confirmed as a member of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church and Graduated from Casa Roble High School. He earned his Bachelor's Degree at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, his Masters of Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and his Doctorate of Ministry at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Keith began his service to the church over 30 years ago. He served in youth ministry for 20 years at FOPC, St John's Presbyterian Church in Reno, and Folsom Presbyterian Church in Folsom CA. He served as an Interim Pastor in Sacramento Presbytery for seven years at four different churches. He recently finished a four year Designated Pastorate at River Valley Church in Rancho Cordova. Keith co-founded the office of Chaplain for the Folsom Police Department and served the FPD for five years supporting both the officers and the victims of crime in the community. Currently, Keith is the Founder/Director of Heaven Help Me!, consulting for churches in the areas of Leadership Development, Vision Planning, Staff Development and Calibration, Worship Strategy and Presentation, and Stewardship. He is also continuing to release new volumes in his hilariously unconventional devotional series, "Good News and Grins To Go" designed specifically for Kindle Readers on smartphones. Keith Loves to spend time with his wife Tracy and his three sons: Forrest, Ryan and Jesse. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, home improvement, golfing, restoring old cars, golfing, coaching Jesse's AAU basketball team, and golfing with his boys. Keith is currently serving as Interim Head of Staff at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, Florida. Print this

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Introduction

I don't know about you but I'm always looking for something to use as a guide for my daily Quiet Time. Most of the material out there is either too technical or too syrupy.

When I look for stuff to read for this daily time of prayer and meditation, I'm generally not looking for something I'll need to pull out a dictionary to understand. Nor am I looking for something that requires that I keep tissues handy.

I'm looking for a quick read that offers some insight on a short snippet of scripture from a perspective that might be different from mine or at least not something I'd think of myself. Oh yeah, it would be nice if it left me with a smile on my face most mornings. With these parameters, my search has generally been fruitless. So, being the industrious type A person that I am, I wrote one myself.

I don't promise that this little walk through the book of James will leave you breathless from its theological significance. It will not make you misty eyed and drive you to hug everyone you meet that day. What I do hope is that it makes you think about the wisdom of James and do it with a smile on your face.

I think the smile part is important because we have enough things in our day that make us frown. I think our day should start (or end depending on when you have your quiet time) with prayer, God's word, some reflective thought, and a smile.

I designed my devotional series, "Good News and Grins To Go" specifically for Kindle Apps that run on mobile phones and other mobile devices to help folks take an easy to read devotional wherever they go. Stuck in line, waiting for someone running late for an appointment, stuck in traffic? Just pull out Good News and Grins To Go and take advantage of a bad situation. (Please don't read and drive, or drive while praying with your eyes closed!)

So enjoy this guide and enjoy your time with God. I think He likes it best that way!

Pressing on toward the goal . . .

Revdrkid

Forward - A Note of Explanation

Forgetting and Straining

This passage from Philippians is one of my favorite in scripture.  I’m using the New International Version because it better captures the imagery that is meaningful to me.  I put The Message version at the end of this entry so that you can compare them, just in case that one works better for you.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:10-14  New International Version

Anyone who has received a letter or email from me or read my blog knows that I always sign off with my favorite verse, Philippians 3:14:

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

There are times, though when I seriously consider expanding my sign-off to include part of the previous verse: 

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead . . .         Philippians 3:13 b

I think there are two vital concepts in this short snippet of scripture. 

1.  Forgetting.  Many Christians, and especially pastor types, pontificate on the ability of God to forgive and forget our sin (Jer 31:34).  They reassure us that God does not hold our sin against us – and