The Dynamite

12 Men resisted the desire to spend their lunch hour spreadsheeting in order to engage in honest discussion about faith.

The Thang: James 1:1-18

Moleskine:

The passage breaks itself into three sections, verses 2-8 about faith and wisdom, 9-11 about poverty and riches, and 12-18 about trials and temptation.  Of course the most recognizable (and discussed) verse is 2 in which we are called to “consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds”.

Thoughts/application from the pax:

• When making big decisions, ask God for wisdom
• The difference between man’s goals and God’s goals: man’s goals- to avoid trials, and when faced with them, to get through them as quickly as possible.  God’s goal- to sanctify us and make us in His likeness.
• Going through trials takes the focus off of “self” and onto God and other people
• God chooses our trials to benefit not only us, but others around us
• God has an eternal tapestry and a plan that is unchanging, the thing that changes is our perspective
• Because of our human nature, we will not grow as much during “good times”; we require the trials to not only create growth, but also humble us before God.  They are a reminder that He is greater than us.
• Verses 14-18 ascribe ourselves as the source of our temptations (not trials, but temptations), and remind us that “every good and perfect gift is from above”
• Closing food for thought: Because we know God will use trials to bring us joy, develop our faith and develop perseverance, should we ask God to give us trials and hard times?  Should we look forward to our next time of difficulty?  Said differently, should we try to avoid the Sifter, or should we ask God to put us in the Sifter?

Quote-a-rama:

“Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.” -JFK

“There is no greater joy in life than good health, with the possible exception of sickness.” -Charles Spurgeon

“Without the presence of bad things in life, we would not know how to recognize good things.” -Latka

Thanks to all the pax for allowing YHC to be your humble facilitator today.  Great thoughts from everyone there.  Truly an honor to take a mid-day and mid-week break from work to discuss important things with important men.

Announcements:

We are ON for next Wednesday (7/2), same place/time.  Banjo has the Q and we will discuss James 1:19-27

All pax are welcome, there will be no season-long story arcs.  Each episode will stand alone.

Name for the AO is forthcoming…