--WE ALL STUMBLE ~~

--"For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well."
---[James 3;2] --

--The Tongue is a Fire ~~

~~~THE BOOK OF JAMES is my least favorite book in the Bible. I know, I know--since I'm a pastor's wife, I should like them all. I do read James -- occasionally. But I cringe every time I see passages about finding joy in adversity, taming my tongue, and not grumbling with others. Ouch! That's stepping on too many of my toes.

This morning, however, I cam across on e tiny phrase tucked in among all the reprimands and instructions. A phrase I never noticed before. One I was shocked to hear from James, the servant of God--"We all stumble in many ways." Really? You, the brother of Jesus and leader of the first century church in Jerusalem, stumbled in many ways? Ah, now I feel better about you, James.

I have a hard time forgiving myself when I lost my temper with my husband, think mean thoughts, or gossip. If I don't catch those dark thoughts when they first sneak up on me, I quickly get depressed. I end up thinking I'm the worst hypocrite in Jesus's family.

Then James comes along with his kind reminder that we [i]all [/i ]stumble in many ways. I'm not the only one who wrestles with sin and bad habits. Even pillars in the church grapple with this problem. No one is exempt from stumbling. Yet Jesus is willing to use us--flawed as we are--to heal the broken, encourage the downtrodden, or even change the world by writing a book that ends up in the Bible. Now that is His amazing grace. We repent, give it to Jesus, and move on. He does not want us wallowing around in self pity. Hallelujah for the Cross, that paid my (and your sin-debt). ~

--Guideposts/JL~
---"Father, thank You for the price you paid by sending your Son and him dying so that I can live eternally with You. Help me, Lord to keep short accounts. In Jesus Name."

--Guideposts/JL~