I might not have done a great job of explaining the differences and similarities of trials and temptations.  I think James is focusing on desires when he uses the same word for both.  The main difference is the desire behind the trial or temptation.  God’s desire for all of his trials is for us to grow not to be tempted away from him.  So it this way we can say that God tries us but does not tempt us.  His desire is for the trials to draw us closer to him not away through temptation.  Our desire is what changes a trial into a temptation.  Temptations come when we see trials and uses those trials to lead us away from God.  Our evil desires turn trials into temptation.  Hopefully that clears things up a bit more.

Happy birthday to my youngest Son Caleb!

I am writing this well after the holiday weekend, but I hope that you all took a little time to remember all the fallen men and women who made this country in the the greatest nation in the world.  They deserve our honor and thanks.  And if you did not remember to do this on Monday, that you will take time this next week to do so.

I hope everyone had a good time yesterday remembering their mother.  Cherish her if she is still alive.

Money is a topic I do not like to delve into very much.  It is almost like asking about someone’s love life.  But money is so important in the Christian walk.  It can lead to many temptations and failings.  It can lead to many divisions and dissections.  It can cripple a church and its people.  But it also can be used for God’s greatness and glory.  Money is needed to keep a ministry going.  And looking at our church and it’s ministry, we are not collecting enough each week to pay all of our bills.  Luckily God has blessed us in the past.  We do not have any outstanding debts and we have savings in the bank on which we can draw on.  But we need more people who are willing to give to God through our church.  So prayerfully consider what you are currently giving and see if God wants more from you.

I had a great birthday this last week.  Thank you to all who sent me cards or posted on Facebook.

This week we start combining 1 Chronicles with our readings from 1 Samuel.  It may seem a bit boring looking at all those names from all those tribes.  I would suggest if you have one, to listen to an audio version of these chapters.  Names are important to God and each of them are important to the history that 1 Chronicles gives us.  These first chapters are timed so that when we get to chapter 10, they will link up with some of the stories of 1 and 2 Samuel and the Kings.  So do not get discouraged and continue remaining faithful to reading 5 days each week.

Yesterday was a wonderful service presented to us from Adult and Teen Challenge.  The songs that they sang really had a tremendous message.  I have heard them all before on the radio and sung in other churches.  But listening to the lyrics and knowing some of the testimonies of these men transformed the meaning and gave a whole new life to these songs.  Just one example, the song Chainbreaker to me previous was the breaking of spiritual chains.  But sung by guys who were literally in chains (prisons) and chained to addictive substances, put a whole new spin on it.  I would urge you to relisten to the music and focus on the lyrics in light of what these gentlemen experienced and see this for yourself.

I am writing this post a week early because I will be out of town this week.  But I hope that you enjoyed reading about the resurrection once again from the gospel of Luke (if you are reading along with us on our read through the Bible.)  I cannot get enough of this idea that Jesus is alive unlike every other world religion.  Yet it is true.  We serve a RISEN SAVIOR!