Life is not about me

I thought I would be in agreement with btaylor since Chapter 4 is all about a life in complete submission to God. Chapter 4 is for sure a Venti with triple shot espresso and go ahead and throw on the whip. So much that I just may spend a few days meditating on it. I'd like to comment on v.1

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

I don't think we recognize that the core of issues with one another is our selfish desires. James says you want something and you don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

I have found it to be true that when I give up my desires for His I find that my life is full of blessings and peace. All the battles in my life originate from a desire for something that is birthed from me and and not Him. James is so true when he says friendship with the world is becoming an enemy of God. James is not talking about a physical world, remember God said it was good. James is talking about the sin of the world and unfortunatly it's in our nature. When we lose our life we say no to sin and find life in Him. So today I pray that my life I live is not mine but His. The scripture also tells us that when we lose our life we find it. So I encourage you to start living for Him. v. 7 Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

I wonder if resisting the devil is saying no to caffeine? Is Caffeine from the devil?

Choices

Thanks for the comments and insight and to everyone else I am sure you will follow. On to Chapter 3:16-18

"Choose to devote yourself fully to God rather than to your own selfish and wordly desires. Devote yourself to the Lord, and godly wisdom and righteosness will begin to grow in your life."

We cannot serve two masters. We cannot say we love and serve God and then live ungodly lives. Good works and a controlled tongue is the kind of life James is calling us to. I think today is a good day to make a new covenant with our lives and especially our tongues to please the Lord. I am sure all of us have said and did things that have caused us to stumble. The imagery that James gives of a ship being controlled by a small rudder brings insight to the messes we make in our lives. If your mouth has gotten you in trouble and steered you off direction let's point our rutters in a new direction and sail for calmer seas. Is Christianity as simple as controlling ones mouth and living a selfless life?

In Him,

Joe

Time To Go To Work

Chapter 2 in James is pretty straight forward and cuts right to the heart. So I guess the question is how dead is our faith? When was the last time you saw your faith in action. James describes faith in action as meeting peoples needs. I am actually posting in San Diego getting ready to take the kids to Sea World. This weekend is all about serving my kids. I would say it doesn't take much faith since it bring me so much joy to see them respond to Carolyn's and I weekend of focusing so much attention on just them. Isn't it true that the greatest and joys in life is when you do lay down your desires for somoene else's. I pray all of our faith is filled with acts of Love. Someone can show me some love by making a stinkin comment. Let's start making some comments because I know so many of you have unreal insight. Actually I realize so many do not know I am posting again with some kind of consistency so please pass the word. I actually had a cup of joe while I posted this evening so good. I let you know how Shamu is doing.

Smell you later,

Joe

Good Times

Welcome to all the first timers to a cup of joe. Looking forward with great anticipation to see all the comments as we begin our time in the book of James. Last night at bible study was amazing. I was truly blessed with the discussion and even more to see everyone connecting after. Sorry to kick everyone out, but I did miss my girls, I don't know what Becky's exuse was. So much to comment from Chapter 1 and I know all of us would like to read your insight and wisdom from last night.
my comment comes from vv. 9-11.
"Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away."

Whether you have little or abundance now, compared to eternity it doesn't really matter. My prayer is for all of us to have abundance and walk humbly with our King. I realize that many of us do carry so many burdens and do with out, but the encouragement is even in a life filled with pain and misery one can glory in his exaltation. Nothing can be greater that recognizing our position as a child of God. So if your experiencing abundance rejoice in humility and if your facing trials and hurts rejoice in knowing that you're a child of the living God and He loves you and is preparing a place for you where there is no death, sorrow, or crying. let the post and the coffee flow.

Joe

The Great Mystery

I thought I would do a random Post. I had a dream the other night and I know it was from the Lord. Sometimes people make comment about me working with kids and young adults. The comment is phrased in a way that I could be doing bigger and greater things. In my dream I was having one of these discussion and the Lord used me to bring proper perspective to a friend who was missing out on what the scriptures calls the great mystery. The Lord took me to Matt 13 about the Parable of Weeds. In my dream my friend was more interested in earthly treasures that will only pass away. I went on to share the joy that I receive when I sense the Lord using me to open the eyes to a kingdom that is not of this world. I say this to encourage whoever reads this post and is faithful sowing seeds into a kingdom that is not part of this world. You might not be understood by those who live for this world (the mystery) but you are understood and building an incredible treasure in a kingdom that is not part of this world, but is eternal.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matt 13:44

Be encourage and Press On

Guy Poncy - Mentor and Friend

A few days ago my mentor, friend and training partner ran into heaven. Today with family and friends we visited the site where Guy Poncy took his last steps on this earth. He was the only one who would call me "Joseph" when I needed to be corrected or pushed to become a better Christian, athlete, or leader. Here he is again pushing me to start posting again although, Dan and David have also helped in getting some more cups poured. This cup is all about Guy Poncy and I would love to hear of memories and post to honor one of the greatest men to ever walk the face of this earth. It was Guy who taught me how to ride, surf, and lead people. He was a Lt. for the Orange County Sheriffs, Coach, Teacher, Father, and husband. Pastor Rick says that if it wasn't for Guy Poncy he wouldn't be a Christian. I always felt that Uncle Guy was living the dream. Making an impact on the world while riding his bike, running the canyon's, and surfing trestles pretty much every day. I know today he is living is utmost dream in heaven with Jesus and it's because of that, I rejoice. My heart does break for all of us who are going to miss him. I know my days will forever be lived different because of him. I thank God that I have my relationships with Kristie, Tiffany and Renetta since all of them are a reflection of Guy. The only thing the girls are going to have to start doing is riding, surfing and running with me. More post to come but I wanted to pour a cup to Honor my mentor and friend Guy. Can't wait to see you my friend.

Joe

Watch, stand fast...

be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.

Apostle Paul's words from v. 13 in chapter 16. I wonder if that applies to computers. I am posting from a borrowed computer that has a busted screen so I'll have to make this short.

I have enjoyed our time in 1 Corinthians and all the input and there is talk about continuing on together. I'll let everyone know when we'll start again.

Paul's desire for them to stand fast is because the Corinthian beleivers would quickly forget the truths they knew and fall into false teaching.

He tell's them to be brave and press on. We so need to encourage one antoher to press on and be faithful. How many times have we've been filled up only to not cup back for a second or third cup. It's like a cup of coffe that has been sitting a while and has gotten cold. sometimes the waitress will come by and pour some coffee in and it refreshes the cup.

v.18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

All of us need a constant filling everyday so I urge us all to continue in the word daily.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. I have nothin but love your you.

Would you like another cup...

JOE