Grapple: to engage in a struggle or close encounter.

We just finished a 13 week series on James called "Rooted" @ Revolution our worship service for middle and high school students. We took it apart verse by verse, but I wonder where many of us are in our thinking about it or doing something about what we have studied. What made me think think about this was what I read the following in this old bible commentary...

"The Book of James can polarize those who grapple with it, leaving groups pulling in opposite directions. Which way do you find yourself leaning:

• Guilty or inspired?
• Resistant or repentant?
• Wavering or single-minded?
• Passing the buck to the rich or passing out bucks to the poor?

Are you grappling with it at all? I know I have...I'd love to hear your thoughts or comments if you traveled through James with us.

When is the last time you have grappled with scripture?

My challenge to you...Get in the ring, octogon, street corner, or wherever you engage in struggles or close encounters and...grapple.

For years we have been asking the wrong question...

What would Jesus do? That's it...that is the wrong question. The braclets, the bumper stickers, the t-shirts, (add in any trinket here) they are all wrong in my opinion. Asking that question only helps us for that moment that we need guidance or direction, then it's over and we don't need Jesus till next time we have an issue.

So what is the right question? So glad you asked...

What did Jesus do?

I know it's similiar. I know it's one word difference, but it makes a huge difference. As I'm getting ready for our next Revolution preaching series "Ripened: The Spiritual Disciplines" I'm realizing that if we would do what Jesus did then when we have an issue or questionable call to make it would be easy. A few examples...

Jesus practiced solitude...
Jesus fasted for a month and a half...
Jesus served the disciples and those in need...

If we would do what Jesus did...pray...fast...serve...love...practice solitude...then the "what would Jesus do?" questions would be null and void. Because we would know what He would do.

Simply a rambling in my brain the last 24 hours..but thought I'd share it.

Read the Gospels again and see what He did and do it.