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Where Conflicts Arise

January 22, 2026

Looking for some common-sense deep psychology? Try reading the early Jesus-followers. Try this insight from James in his circular letter to the first gatherings of followers. This also gives us some insight into the first churches. Their problems were not unlike ours.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

My current meditation teacher is leading us into exploration of thoughts and feelings in our sits. We learn to sit in awareness and observe. Then, perhaps, we label those thoughts and feelings—memories, plans, imaginings, for example. We learn that these things arise. We also learn to observe and recognize them. But not to let them monopolize us.

Do we desire something? Recognize it. Deal with it. Let it drift away. Through awareness we prevent it from grabbing our inner powers and derailing our spiritual path.

Let us check our motives and desires. Are we focused only on ourselves? Are we focused on what we desire for others? That’s entirely different. Evaluate your motives. Intentionally push them toward God’s wishes.

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Posted in emotions, Intention, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Two Kinds of Wisdom

January 21, 2026

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

It’s like that song I quoted a few days ago, Love is something you do when Jesus Christ is living in you.

People, including people known as theologians, try to make the simple complicated. I love how James boils things down to the essentials. We don’t need checklists, scorecards, complex psychological formulae. We know who is wise among us. We see it. We sense it. And I love how he adds the ingredient humility into the recipe. Even though that pokes at me.

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Incessant media coverage infuses our consciousness with stories of Silicon Valley billionaires and miscellaneous politicians whose public persona can best be described with James’s observation about the other kind of wisdom. We may not be as direct as James, but we see that, too. Envy, selfish, ambition. Perhaps these have seduced most of us—large scale or local. It’s so easy to get sucked into the vacuum. It’s worth the pause to reflect on when we may have been so seduced and what we’ve done to push it away.

But 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

These sound much like the fruit of the spirit of which Paul writes elsewhere. Think about the kind of life we would have living like that. Think of the people you meet—wouldn’t you love for them all to exhibit those characteristics?

It’s long after New Year’s Resolution time. But better than resolutions is to picture oneself living that kind of life. Who are you? I’m the sort of person who is peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

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Posted in Attitude, Humility, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Civil Rights Movement Updated

January 20, 2026

After I wrote something about Martin Luther King, Jr and the Civil Rights movement yesterday, I saw no fewer than three news items about how people 55 and under probably have no knowledge of who he was and what the movement was.

Yes, it was probably one or two pages of an American history textbook that few read in school. Given the paucity of knowledge of history among Americans, I can believe that.

Another reminder of my aging.

Posted in Disciplines | Leave a Comment »

Tame the Tongue

January 20, 2026

Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

James seldom wastes words. I wish he had taught rhetoric to Paul. 

Never at fault in what they say. I wish I had always said something wise when sounds came from my mouth. Or, like when I was a kid, I seldom talked. People thought I was intelligent. Then I opened my mouth. Proved them wrong. Even in my old age with years of accumulated wisdom I still have trouble saying the right thing.

I’m betting that each of you feel the same. Or, maybe one or more of you really is perfect.

What does he mean about keeping the whole body in check?

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

You feel an emotion. You say something. One thing leads to another. One word dredges up another thought and more words spew forth. From a small spark a forest fire explodes.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James leaves us feeling helpless.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

On one hand, James tells us no one is perfect. This is a common New Testament theme. However, he also tell us that our words come from what is inside. What sort of person are we? Not perfect, but still, if we are living in the spirit of God, then perhaps we have more fresh water than salt water. Perhaps over time even if we cannot tame the tongue, we can find the spirit within helping us say the right things and quiet the restless evil of what we say.

We read about certain types of people complaining about lack of freedom of speech. They complain that they cannot say whatever they want without being criticized and even censored. Most I’ve read about want to spread hatred and divisiveness. Early American conservative (for his day) leader John Adams talked about the need to couple responsible speech with free speech. We all need to listen also to James. He discussed same thing. We must remember that speech that sows hatred and discord only leads to evil. We must all watch what we say and tame the tongue (and fingers on the keyboard).

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Posted in spirit, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Civil Rights, Economic Justice, Freedom

January 19, 2026

In the late 1960s, I was quietly a civil rights proponent. Not activist. I didn’t travel a hundred miles from my village to find a demonstration. I lived at home in a small village while I finished university studies. Some people gave me grief for being a Martin Luther King, Jr. supporter. That’s OK. I took it. They didn’t threaten my life. 

My university was a small, church-oriented (Methodist) liberal arts school. Pretty conservative. The chaplain was a divinity school classmate of King. So, King traveled to little Ada, Ohio to speak to a packed convocation hall. I was privileged to hear him speak in person. It was moving.

I still quietly go on my way trying to influence those around me toward kindness toward others, compassion to those of all races and beliefs, tolerance of others (save from hate, bigotry, divisiveness).

I’m also terrible about realizing holidays. It was halfway through Sunday (yesterday) when I realized that today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day—a holiday. Once again there was no mention of King or compassion for the rights of others at church. So, I had no built-in reminder.

Regardless of politics or religion, it’s worth pausing to reflect on our orientation toward life and how we show that love and compassion that Jesus taught in every relationship and interaction. (And Facebook post!)

The aftermath of the movement resulted in many discriminatory laws being changed. But King’s dream of people’s hearts being changed remains a work in progress.

Posted in Compassion, Ethics, Freedom | Leave a Comment »

Teaching

January 19, 2026

James, the Apostle, writes much about speaking. We cannot read this brief letter without hearing about the pitfalls of opening our mouths letting sound emerge.

He probably would include writing—such as what I’m doing.

My basic life orientation tends  toward teaching. Not in a professional, I-am-getting-paid-for-this sense. Although I did receive some reimbursement when teaching people how to become soccer referees.

James sends a warning. Something to be taken seriously.

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 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.

How often I have heard someone playing a role of teacher of something spout off opinions bearing no relation to reality. These will be judged.

But, then, we should pause and reflect. Has there been a time where we (you and I) have taught something that was flat-out wrong? Did we go back and correct it? How often did we intentionally or unintentionally lead someone astray through our teaching? 

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Posted in teaching, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Faith Without Works Is Dead

January 16, 2026

Love is something you do,

Love is something you do,

Not always something that you feel,

But it’s real.

Love is something you do,

Love is something you do,

When Jesus Christ is living in you.

(One of the first Jesus movement songs I learned.)

This next wisdom teaching from James addresses what happens in your life once you have faith in Jesus.

Some English translations use the word “works,” while the NIV I’m using here translates as “deeds.” Works can be used by some theologians to describe religious acts, say as within the Roman Catholic Church. Reading James, I think he means what the song says—how you act toward other people. (Note: I have read way too many “faith vs. works” books. And I hate false dichotomies.)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

I have come across many people who think that everything is completed at the faith part. Say the “sinner’s prayer”, and all will be well. That idea is ancient, as James addresses.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

I somewhat unwillingly bring Paul into this discussion. But check out his ultimate spiritual formation document—the Letter to the Romans. He follows the discussions of faith and grace with several chapters discussing—you guessed it—what follows. If you have the spirit of God within you, you will live a life as he describes concluding his letter.

James even provides two examples from his faith tradition to prove his point—Abraham and Rahab.

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

If you have faith, what have you done today, small though it may have been, that reveals your faith?

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Posted in Disciplines, Doing, Faith, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Avoid Partiality

January 15, 2026

What do you notice upon meeting someone? What about that triggers an emotional response? That could be favorable—you like someone instantly; it could be unfavorable—you feel an instant revulsion or dislike.

My wife and I serve on the hospitality team at church. Sometimes we are positioned at an entrance welcoming people into the building. Sometimes these are people new to us. We may need to direct them to facilities and meeting places.

These words of James occur to me when I’m working:

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

We could judge people while entering trying to discern if they are appropriate for our gathering. I think we don’t. But this was obviously a problem with the new ekklesias that gathered in the wake of the new Jesus movement following the resurrection and then Pentecost. James was not happy. But I think I understand. I can give a little grace as they learn a new way of life. Up until the Jesus revolution, their world was defined from birth as distinctly segregated.

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

You may say, well it’s only one little “law” that I broke. James tells us the same thing we hear elsewhere in the New Testament:

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

I take in people at a glance and form a preliminary opinion. I pray that I’m open for re-evaluation after speaking for a moment.

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Posted in discernment, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

True Religion

January 14, 2026

I am an observer by nature and early experience. I could delve into reasons, but this is not the place or time.

Rather, I observe. I sometimes verbalize my observations. Those are not always (or, perhaps seldom) socially appropriate.

These thoughts invaded my mind as I contemplated this thought from my buddy, James.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 

I discussed the need for the pause between thought or emotion and speech while thinking on anger. That pause is useful in other contexts. We attend church services or mass or prayer meetings or Bible studies religiously (meaning regularly), yet, we have a weakness not yet overcome. We talk to much—about subjects and people we would best remain quiet about.

James continues about being religious in the next sentence of the same paragraph.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Would we like to consider ourselves religious in the sight of God? Attending gatherings provides a foundation and even energy. The proof is how we show this to the world around us. What do we do with our money and our time? Do we TikTok or serve meals to homeless people? Do we have discussions around coffee with people who think like us, or do we contribute to orphanages or child rescue missions? (I link to two of mine.)

I’ve been reviewing some church websites. Some are disappointing. They talk about the Bible. Nothing wrong about that—except they stop there. James (teaching from the teaching of his brother, Jesus) tells us there is much more to life in the spirit.

Enter email address on the right and click follow to receive updates via email. I will never spam you. I’m not in that business! Thank you.

Posted in Service, spirit, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

The Big Regression

January 13, 2026

A slight deviation from James to a different kind of wisdom. Practical advice.

When the folks at 37signals released a new email client in 2020, I jumped on it. I love HEY. An added bonus is a client for sending email newsletters. You can find mine here.

I’ve been involved with electronics most of my life. Gadgets. Tools. Ways to make things better. My involvement with automation taught me that not all automation (as in all technology) is beneficial. Sometimes we get way to smart for our own good.

37signals co-founder and CEO Jason Fried recently wrote about a house he rented for his parents while they stayed in his town for a bit.

Not a good experience

My folks are in town visiting us for a couple months so we rented them a house nearby.

It’s new construction. No one has lived in it yet. It’s amped up with state of the art systems. You know, the ones with touchscreens of various sizes, IoT appliances, and interfaces that try too hard.

Did they love all this state-of-the-art?

And it’s terrible. What a regression.

When you want light, you flip a switch. Easy.

The lights are powered by Control4. And require a demo to understand how to use the switches, understand which ones control what, and to be sure not to hit THAT ONE because it’ll turn off all the lights in the house when you didn’t mean to. Worse.

This one takes the prize for idiot-of-the-year.

The Miele dishwasher is hidden flush with the counters. That part is fine, but here’s what isn’t: It wouldn’t even operate the first time without connecting it with an app. This meant another call to the house manager to have them install an app they didn’t know they needed either. An app to clean some peanut butter off a plate? For serious? Worse.

Setting the temperature? Should be easy.

Thermostats… Nest would have been an upgrade, but these other propriety ones from some other company trying to be nest-like are baffling. Round touchscreens that take you into a dark labyrinth of options just to be sure it’s set at 68. Or is it 68 now? Or is that what we want it at, but it’s at 72? Wait… What? Which number is this? Worse.

Compared to his experience on vacation:

It’s really the contrast that makes it alarming. We just got back from a vacation in Montana. Rented a house there. They did have a fancy TV — seems those can’t be avoided these days — but everything else was old school and clear. Physical up/down light switches in the right places. Appliances without the internet. Buttons with depth and physically-confirmed state change rather than surfaces that don’t obviously register your choice. More traditional round rotating Honeywell thermostats that are just clear and obvious. No tours, no instructions, no questions, no fearing you’re going to do something wrong, no wondering how something works. Useful and universally clear. That’s human that’s modern.

If you are designing automated anything—consider these experiences. Make the thing human friendly.

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Posted in Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

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