podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2590497e/how-do-we-have-peace-in-our-hearts-james-no14 Peace is a sought-after thing—often seeming just out of reach. Not talking about the absence of war or the absence of violence, but rather the state of inner tranquility, of serenity. The commodity of peace is peddled in many ways, and people are willing to do just about anything to get it! From aromatherapy to yoga, relaxation and stress-relief techniques, self-hyp

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/21d4974e/cannabis-wisdom-and-right-living-james-no13 Though I do not consider myself a religious person, I know that religion often gives folks a portal into relationship with God Almighty. Sadly a lot of lies and wrong doing have been perpetuated by 'religions', by churches as well. I have taught on the beliefs of various religions­­ over the years; while the study is interesting in some respects, it is also disturbing. D

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2b1dda9f/meanwhile-back-in-the-land-james-no12 standing on the Mt. of Beatitudes looking at the beautiful Sea of Galilee! hmmm... Realizing that James was passionately penning his letter to those he wanted to live well with God, I cannot help but wonder where in Jerusalem he wrote. How I love that beautiful old city! [looking at a February, 2027 Israel trip!] 'Welcome' to those who have recently joined us! Should you wish t

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/dc2aa9fb/o-man-this-is-good-strategy-power-releasedwell-check-it-out Actions steps... forward movement... great mental outlook, even in the middle of the battle ------->that's where I'm taking us today. I have the privilege of communicating with people near and far. Often, at the very moment I am talking with someone, I know the exchange is meant to be shared; sometimes it fits in with the scripture passage I am teaching, o

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2720b9ab/when-youre-on-the-front-lines-grab-ahold-of-this When did I first hear or read this story? hmmm... I'm not sure.How long have I loved this story? not sure about that either; it has been a long time! How many times have I taught it? Quite a few - various settings, unique groups of people. In fact, I remember using little green army men to act out the story for my homeless friends in Long Beach, CA, complete with o

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/238ec2fa/words-words-and-words-and-their-power-james-no11 Words. hmmm.... damaging words--they come out of our mouths and other places these days. We have blamed what we said on our genetics, even said we were hormonal. We have smirked about our quick wits. We have lamented that we couldn't be any other way... after all, our mother was critical too. We have said it was because we were overtired and had no filter.... a li

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/f5a4f9d5/your-defining-moment-be-ready-james-no11 Titles and subject lines are really not my friend. For 18 years I have chosen a title for the Morning Briefing I was sending, wondering, 'will this title prompt a person to read or listen?'or 'does this heading capture the scripture passage?' Accordingly, while 'Ode to a patriarch and a prostitute' may have been provocative in one sense, in another, folks could easily dismis

Your Defining Moment. We all have them - opportunities when the course of life is altered. podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/1feecab4/ode-to-a-patriarch-and-a-prostitute-james-no10 Enter the patriarch and the prostitute, and their defining moments... James writes of their great faith in God that led both to make big, obedient choices. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was act

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2bf12d6a/this-little-word-undoes-me-james-no9 The other day I contrasted faithand'works' with faithandgrace. Was James saying one thing, and Paul, (arguably the best teacher after Jesus Christ) saying another? No, they were not. But frankly, just the mention of grace stopped me in my tracks. For by grace you have been saved. It is not of your own doing, but it is the gift of God.1 The truth is: Grace makes no sense--it