Hey everyone. Here are the reflection questions from the study last week. Take some time, read them and think on them. If you feel like it, comment to this post about the answer of one of the questions. It's often we don't know we're being tested unless we pay attention and look out for it. And remember, we need one another to help us to persevere through it. Have patience and seek wisdom in your thoughts and actions.

Reflection Questions
1) How is your faith tested today? Does it produce an endurance that allows you to focus on God through it?
2) Name two things you trust in other than God in your life when you are being tested. What would it look like to trust God in those situations?
3) Describe how you are rich and what it would be like to be humbled in those areas. Are you prepared for that eventuality?

Just kidding, we're studying James, the brother of Jesus, a pillar in the church, and a guy who ain't afraid to lay it out straight.  As we dig deeper these next months we want to make sure you are engaged.  Read the book in it's entirety for breadth.  Soak up the context. Lets begin... (see you tomorrow Wed 1/20 @ 7:30pm SHARP!)

When the Book of James is mentinoed, what verse pops up in your mind?

In efforts to learn how to pray.. i stumbled on this in my journey and HAD to share:

Our spirits, like our bodies, have requirements for health and growth.  Some people don't want to pay the price of developing good spiritual habits.  Sadlly, they end up paying the much higher price of spiritual disease and even death.  Last year a man came to me in dispair. "I lost my job," he told me.  "ive spent months looking for another position, to no avail."  And unemployment was not his worst problem.  He went on: "I feel so along in this.  Nobody in the church cares.  Sometimes I think God doesn't care.  I feel totally hopeless and helpless."

I asked the man about his spiritual habits.  Was he taking responsibility for feeding his faith? How often did he pray ~ commune with God and listen for his prompting?  Did he regularly attend church services? Was he maintaining friendships with any spiritually minded people?  Was he reaching out to help meet others' needs?

No, the man said, he was doing non of these things.  "i just can't find the time," he explained... [...]

... That man wanted someone to wave a magic want and offer him courage.  He said he wanted God's presence in his life, but he did not want to form any habits that would increase his spiritual health.

                           From Too Busy NOT to pray by Bill Hybels. Pg 42-43




Are you spiritually diseased? On the road to spiritual death?  Lets take a step together please.