Category: Faith in the Struggle

80’s Rock Ballads and Faith

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 My wife and I were both born in the 70s but when it comes to music, we’re children of the 80s. So, lately, we’ve been listening to an 80s rock ballad station.…
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The Diabetic and the Donut

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25 As Christians, we understand that we’re saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our relationship with God is a gift that we can’t…
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My Problem with Church Music

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was…
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Renovation

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 My wife loves those home renovation shows where they take an old, dilapidated house and, in the span of 60 minutes, transform it into something new and amazing. I see the…
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Anger Creates Toxic Relationships

Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19 I once nearly got into a physical altercation with a buddy . . . while arguing about church politics. The problem – beyond our collective stubbornness – was…
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Not Naturally a Morning Person

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:17-18 I…
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Freedom from Perfection

Author’s Note: Today is a first. Today, I’ve got a guest writer – My wonderful wife Barb. Thanks for writing Barb!   The house was clean, the kids were playing quietly, I had a beautiful table set and dinner smelled delicious. We were just waiting for the guest to arrive. The doorbell rang, and as…
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Mullets and Addiction

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.  James 1:14-15 Back in my teenage years I had a mullet. My mom wanted me to cut it for my…
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Do I Still Have Cravings?

But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. James 1:14 After eight years of sobriety, I’m occasionally asked if I still struggle with cravings for my old pills. Particularly when I speak of the power that drugs once had over me, others want to know if some…
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This is God’s Fault

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 In my addiction, I prayed for God to take away my self-destructive appetite for pills. My idea of faith and recovery was that I would ask…
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