My grandkids will tell you that when it comes to pictures - I don't give up! I am the epitome of perseverance! Pat and I were thrilled to find that James was the first reading this morning in the readings for mass... we have become fervent followers of James after discovering the Truth of James 2!
James 2:14-26 New King James Version (NKJV)
Faith Without Works Is Dead14 "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[b] works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[d] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." I am jumping the gun here as this will be the reading on the 17th - this Friday! But it is so powerful and amazing that I feel that it should be read and pondered in our hearts and souls more than just that day. Pat and I have found that this verse is one that seperates us from our Protestant family and friends! They would like to throw these verses out! We even heard a local woman Protestant pastor say this exact thing! The whole difference is that they feel that they are saved by Christ no matter what sin they should commit... One went so far as to say that she was saved and even if she commited murder that she would still go to heaven. Really the entire argument is stupid in that if we love and follow Christ we will do good in this world! We will reach out to those in need out of our LOVE and LIFE that He has poured out upon us. We will stay away from sin so that nothing comes between us!
Yes, in my determination to get pictures... my perseverance...I get the funny ones that I don't delete because they are almost more special to me! They make me smile and laugh, and show the dynamics and fun that they have as siblings! 
You also capture the teary eyes after a brother bumped his head on hers with a too tight hug... the hurt is a thing of beauty too! Wonderful James speaks of this today..."Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance...ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind." James 1 So much to be taken to heart from this reading today! How we have experienced this in all of our lives! We all need to cling to God when we are in the midst of various trials and sufferings that come with life. I have been following the sharing of a mother, who lost her 21 year old son to brain cancer a little over a year ago. I did not follow the journey to death, but now and then she will share how her faith is getting her through this most horrible of losses! She clings to and shares the only way that we can find comfort and hope in this world - Faith in Christ! We met her for the first time as Pat, John and I were attending the prayer service of a 23 year old girl, Lisa, who had died in November just about an hour from here. Brenda was so happy and excited to meet John, and to look into his alive and healthy eyes! I was puzzled by this, thinking that there would be feelings of "why are you alive and not my son?", but came to see that they wanted to look upon someone who had defeated the enemy! They wanted to fight behind John, and know that there are some that are able to win and live....defeating the enemy- cancer! They can find joy in the fact that John has had his faith tested, and with an army of prayer warriors and the sacraments and the saints - has persevered and found a new normal - LIFE!
Since hands around each other was causing issues... I tried to have them fold their hands in front of them... It is a good one to go with my prayers today.
Jesus, thank you for the many ways that we come to you. It seems that the best way to get our attention and to bring us to our knees looking to you in all that faces us... is for us to be shown how weak and sick we truly are! We come to you in our weakness - I was so beautifully reminded of this when I called Hallel with a cry for help! "I am such a wreck, and so weak compared to others that face trials!" "Mom, when we are weak is when Jesus comes to us!" "Yes, I want to be as weak as a newborn, because I want Jesus!" I could embrace that pain, and the need I had for help. We felt so worried when we heard that John had lymphoma of the brain..."mom, do you remember Jesus and the storm? This is the storm and Jesus is in control." How we must remind ourselves to let go and let God with all that faces us! Jesus, we need you and are nothing without you. The false happiness that takes us from you and makes us feel like we are in control is satan lies! May we see and follow the Truth - carrying our Most Cherished Cross! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
"Now ask the beasts to teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you; Or the reptiles of the earth to instruct you, and the fish of the sea to inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of God has done this? In his hand is the soul of every living thing, and the life breath of all mankind." Job 12: 7-10When suffering dims our memory of your love for us,
-grant us the light to recall the power of your cross:
Lord, have mercy!
When weakness deludes us into doubting your power,
-grant us clarity of faith that we may call upon you for help:
Lord, have mercy!
When our ills seem to great to be healed,
grant us trust in your help:
Lord, have mercy!
see http://www.magnificat.com/ From morning prayer for Sunday. John said; "This is a weekend about healing!"
The part today of the reading in James about "the wave tossed in the ocean" reminded me of this Casting Crown's song - I Am Yours... enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xdIkBgL7WQ
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