Good Wednesday morning. I pray that allis well with you and your family. The Gov. is opening up more of the state today. Time will tell of that wisdom! Let’s hope it is the right decision and that we will soon be worshipping together inside our sanctuary.


Tonight’s worship service at 6 is recorded, but I think you will enjoy it. Grab the kids and your flip flops for a story about a coconut named Bob!


James moves from condemning the rich to a section on patience.

James 5:7-12 (NRSV)


7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.


12 Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.


James is writing about patience in suffering, but there is a lot to be said about patience in all circumstances. Farmers have to have a lot of patience as they wait for the fruits of their labors. The early disciples were waiting for Jesus to return in their lifetime. We are still waiting 2000 years later. That’s patience!


Verse 12 has a parallel to Matthew 5: 33-37 who wrote about oaths in ancient times (written about in Numbers, Deuteronomy and Leviticus) expressing the importance of speech ethics and moral integrity. Take that where you will, but I wish we had more of that in our world today.


Dear God, let the meditations of my mind and the words from my lips be acceptable to you. Amen.


Blessings on your day,

Pastor Sue