I Think God Has the Best Sense of Humor Ever!

Don't believe me? Then, I wish I could somehow transport you into my brain and my world for a few days. Here's the "funny" story:

A few weeks ago, during peak season at work...when all of the people that actually cared about their work were more than a little stressed...I received a two minute lecture regarding a very minor thing. It seems using the word "tote" versus "cart" was a BIG deal to this woman from another department with whom I had never until that day spoken. Later in the evening, my husband assured me that all permanent employees tend to look at the ones from the temp agency (like me) as incompetent children that need to be taught (my phraseology...not his).

Immediately upon the conclusion of said lecture, in my mind and not on my tongue (praise God for this) I thought "Well fine! See if I ever offer to take the cart the rest of the way for you again!!" And true to my promise...I haven't.

If you know God...you can see where this is going.

Well...He let me hold onto my "promise" for about two weekends and then last Sunday (the only day I work with this person), every time I saw her I heard God's Spirit say, "You need to let it go." I was too tired from working to try.

And finally yesterday, I saw her two or three times in passing and I felt that "nudge" from the Spirit saying, "I want you to ask to take her cart" and "You need to move past this petty thing." I knew I wasn't mad at her and hadn't even been offended since the day of the lecture. All of this was just my prideful way of "getting even". I'm sure she didn't even notice. I was the only one getting any satisfaction about avoiding her.

When I realized all of this and the Holy Spirit reminded me that just that morning I'd implored Him to speak so I could hear Him...then, yes...I let it go. I even thought to myself I would offer to push a cart for her next time I saw her.

So now...the thing you know about God if you've been walking with Him for awhile: He gives you a chance to practice what you've determined in your heart to do!

Not long after lunch, I was sent from my department to another one. At first, they put me in a job that was very physically demanding. I don't know why...God's care for me...the manager's worry that I was an old, out of shape lady that couldn't do it...or both...but I was moved to another location within about 20 minutes. The area manager came to me and said, "I need to move you over here because this other guy isn't doing much. Stay with _________, she'll show you what to do."

Yes....___________________ is cart vs. tote lady!

I almost literally laughed out loud!

I finished the next five hours happily doing my work...no resentment...no bitterness...worked very hard, impressed the bosses and this lady and even found her to be nice, helpful and also accepting blame for giving me wrong direction when someone else wanted to get on me for doing something incorrectly. The afternoon was physically exhausting and my feet and legs were still a little sore this morning...but I spent the afternoon with a light spirit, a spring in my step and joy in my soul because my God cared enough to have me settle my issue earlier in the day!

The funniest thing is that right here, as I've been typing this, I remembered that at one point (Ahhh! God you are SO good!) she was pushing a cart and I offered to return it for her. It didn't even occur to me until today!

Just in case you've ever wondered...I DO believe God has an amazing sense of humor! When the world likes to think of a god that's just waiting to "Zap" us when we do wrong...I'll gladly take the image of the One that's laughing at my issues and nudging me back onto His path!

Amen!

Not Many of These Left

No, I think there are plenty of TARDIS replicas left to be made. What I'm referring to are days like yesterday. I know my Abba is gracing me with the gift of realization so I will appreciate them while they last. An afternoon filled with Leah decorating cookies with her friends and sitting down with my 17 year old to make some graham cracker TARDIS's had my blood pumping with contentment and joy.

You see, at 17, I know my days of fun, Christmasy activities with my eldest are limited. It makes me sad, but I know it's the "circle of life" kind of thing. And we'd hit a rough patch recently, so for her to set it all aside and come to the table with the graciousness, dignity and creativity that I've come to expect from my Abbey made it even more fun.

Truth be told, life for Leah has been a little stressful too, so seeing her barely able to contain her excitement at sharing something fun with her friends was pretty amazing.

So thanks, Abba! I know all four of them are Yours...but I'm going to enjoy every moment we have left as much as I can!
Amen!

Les Miserables, the Movie!

If you're not my Facebook "friend" then you may not have been aware that I won two tickets to a special screening of the movie musical, Les Miserables. I took my daughter, Abbey, with me. I thought that was only fair since she's taken me to see the stage musical and last year we saw it together as we ushered at the Aronoff Center.

We have both been anticipating this movie for many, many months. We have excitedly watched the clips and previews as they've been released time and time again. Admittedly, we had mixed emotions about what to expect...Could it live up to the stage version? Could the Hollywood actors possibly do justice to the roles into which so many Broadway and other stage performers have poured their hearts and souls?

We were not disappointed!

I'm not sure you could go wrong with the story. After all, it's based on the epic novel by Victor Hugo. I've begun to describe him as "The French Charles Dickens". I by no means am scholarly enough to debate the value, style or enduring works of literature between these two men. My comparison is based upon their ability to put pen and ink to the plight of the poor...injustice...cruelty...degradation...and redemption.

Aaaahhh! There it is...sweet redemption. This story is brimming full of it. I knew I would weep. I knew I would be choked up. I'm not ashamed to say, I wept unabashedly...tears streaming down my face at the depiction of grace, mercy, compassion and yes, redemption of those that are too often overlooked: the poor, the outcast, the ones who have to scrap and sometimes even steal to survive.

Want to get choked up? Watch the story unfold of just how low a mother will sink in order to provide for her child and when she sings, "I dreamed a dream that love would never die...life has killed the dream I dreamed," if you don't at least get uncomfortable in your comfy seat, then sit tight...there's even more opportunities to weep to come.

The character in this story that has always intrigued me the most is Javert. If you don't know the story, I don't want to reveal any spoilers...so I'll just say that he's the man of "the law" that at one time picked himself up out of the gutter into which he was born by his own power and hard work...and can't understand why everyone else can't do the same. Sound familiar? Yeah...I've been around way too much of that thinking in my lifetime too!

But here's what I've been pondering regarding him since I first became familiar with this storyline several years ago. This is the guy who can't accept that someone could do wrong...especially what Javert deems to be an extreme wrong...and be forgiven. Mercy, grace, and compassion are not only foreign concepts to him...they are unacceptable...even to himself. When Jean Valjean (the bad guy in Javert's eyes) has become so full of mercy, grace, forgiveness and love...merely because it was once shown to him...and offers the same grace to Javert...Javert absolutely cannot accept it. Not only can he not accept mercy...it is his ultimate demise.

The movie is beautiful. The cinematography is amazing. The acting and singing, while not flawless, are so well done...so raw...so much like watching a stage version, that overall...the affect is breathtaking. Special kudos to Anne Hathaway as Fantine. I'm not really up to date on Oscar hopefuls for this year...but I hope she's a contender at least!

If you're not a musical fan, you may not be impressed, but I honestly do not see how you can walk away not feeling blessed to know you are redeemed by One who loves us so deeply, so completely...no matter what we've done...no matter how "miserable" we are.

Sad to See it Happen

Friday afternoon, I called my mom regarding a simple question. She said, "I guess you've had the TV on, right?" I hadn't. She proceeded to tell me about the school shooting that took place in Newtown, Connecticut. I literally felt sick to my stomach. This is a more recent experience for me. As God breaks my heart for the things that break His, I have come to feel almost nauseous when faced with great evil.

Unfortunately, the nausea continued as I began scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed.

After last Friday's events in Connecticut, social media naturally lit up with comment after comment. Some expressed grief, many expressed thoughts and prayers for the victims and community but too many waded into the fray of comments that just should not have been made. I was at first angered...now, I'm mostly sad.

By Friday evening, I considered complete abstinence from Facebook for a week or so...but I have hesitantly continued to read through posts regarding the shooting deaths. Whether you want guns or want them destroyed...want prayer in schools or think no mention of God should ever cross the threshold of a public education facility...want to blame evil on the violence on TV and video games, lack of appropriate parenting, lack of mental health treatment, lack of support for the parents that have children with mental health issues...etc, etc, etc. Can I just be maybe the one person who says, "This is not what needs to be shared during this time!"?

Can we stop grinding our axes and just remember that "every inclination in the human heart is evil" (Genesis 8:21)? Stop blaming one faction or another. Stop tearing apart the side that doesn't agree with you. Stop walking right into the camp of the enemy and allowing him to build walls that are increasingly higher and higher between those that call themselves Christians and those that don't.

What should we say? What should we share?

Love...pure and simple.

Love will cause you to cry with the victims and grieve for the offender too. Love will make you wish to 'gather them up like a hen with her chicks' under her wings.' (Luke 13:34) Love will help you be quick to listen to those you don't agree with, slow to speak the wrong word and possibly even slower to express anger and things at people you don't understand. (James 1:19). Love will give you a "garment of praise instead of despair." (Isaiah 61:3) And because of your hope-filled Love, you will be asked to "give a reason" (I Peter 3:15) which will bless you with an opportunity to once again...you guessed it...share Love!

There were a whole lot of things I've been wanting to say or reply and I even shared a couple of the more frustrating comments I saw with my husband. But I knew the best thing I could do was to hold off and wait for God's response...not mine! And this morning...I heard it...this song. I've actually heard it in my head a lot this weekend, but was thankful that God's Spirit gave it to me one more time this morning...just to make the point to me again.

What do we (I) need to say when evil seems to prevail and so many are seeking answers? Really the only thing I can say is the one and only thing that will matter in the end. What will be there in the end? Will it be guns or no guns, home school or public education, happy TV shows or violent ones, good or bad or no mental healthcare? No...the only thing that will be there in the end is "Oceans and oceans of Love and Love again."

I've shared this before, but although the video itself is not that great, the songs and words are truth. Listen to it and bask in His Love...that's right where He wants us anyway!

Never Forget

Lord help me! There are too many days when I forget the life I used to live...the person I was before I said, "Yes, Jesus I'll follow You no matter the cost." On those days, which I have just admitted are too frequent, I have less tolerance and patience for the people that don't already know this Jesus...the ones whose lives don't look all neat and tidy...the ones who don't have this Jesus-led journey all figured out like I do. Ha! [Hopefully, you detect my sarcasm!]

But seriously though, I've already shared recently that I desire to "Receive the Word Implanted" and that James 1:21 promises it (the Word of God) is able to "save your souls". This is an amazing promise. Having God's Word so deep down in your soul that it feels "implanted" saves you because it can't help but change you...or can it?

See, there's a little bit more to the context, and it's this:

"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he's like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was." (James 1:22-24)

Nowhere in this passage does it say to stop hearing the word. It simply says if you only hear and there's never any doing of this same word then, really...you must have somehow forgotten who you used to be before you heard this word.

Don't believe me that this happens? Then ask any restaurant server which shift they hate working the most. Probably 90% or more would answer, Sunday afternoon lunch. It seems that the after-church crowd is notorious for being rude, demanding and very stingy with their tips...if they even tip at all. Okay, I don't know in what church that is teaching the Bible as their text, anyone would ever be told, "Therefore, go into all the world, being nasty to the working poor and just assume that they want to work for you for free." And since I want to assume that no preacher in his right mind would so blatantly distort the Word of God in this way, the disconnect has to be between the hearing and the doing, right?

And you're not off the hook if you don't believe in going out to eat on Sundays!

You see, there's a whole Bible...both Old and New Testaments...chock full of "words" that say we should be advocates for the poor, taking some of the wealth God has blessed us with and sharing it with those that either can't help themselves or simply didn't get the same educational, familial, societal or behavioral opportunities that you did. And yet, even if you think you have had a charmed life...truth is...you didn't. Because all other factors aside...before you met Jesus...you were at least morally bankrupt and heading toward an eternity separated from Him that would include lots of weeping and gnashing of your teeth.

Yet, for some disconnected reason, week after week, we hear (or read) the Word of God and we're perfectly content not doing it.

If the restaurant analogy doesn't hit close enough to home, please just stop and ask God to show you where your area of weakness in not doing His Word lies. Because I can assure you...we're all guilty in some area of falling short of His ideal. (Romans 3:23) And the blood of Jesus absolutely covers these failings. That's called grace. But He also repeatedly cried out either through the prophets in the Old Testament, through the disciples in the New or through His own lips as He walked this earth, that the ones who thought they were righteous should be the first ones to line up and cry out for justice, mercy, compassion, healing, assistance and above all, love to the weak, poor, downtrodden, misjudged and neglected.

I speak from experience...it's a whole lot easier to send a check to a sponsored child half a world away than to enter into someone's messy life just down the street. After all, they may not want to change in the way or the timing we want. But God commanded us to love and serve them anyway...even if they think they're entitled to handouts or can't muster the mental acuity to pull themselves up by their bootstraps like we've been brainwashed into believing everyone can, if they only try.

See, if I 'look intently into the perfect law, the law of liberty' which James explains in just a few verses is "To love your neighbor as yourself," then I'm going to remember that "myself" wanted Love, mercy, justice, a helping Hand, a listening Ear and a compassionate Heart when I was a miserable wretch (and still am!)...if I just remember what I am without the One who freely gave me His Hand, Ear and Heart before I got my act together...maybe that love, mercy, justice, help, compassion, etc. will flow a little more freely to the ones that we've all been judging as just lazy and undeserving.

I've known people that have beaten themselves up for decades because they can't ever forget the things they've done. I've lived through the bitterness and resentment that consumed extended family members for this very reason. I don't ever want us to feel the guilt and shame that our enemy uses to keep us enslaved. No, instead, I praise God that His Spirit taught me early on in this journey that the only way I wouldn't be a slave to my past was to thank Him for the place from where He brought me. When the memories and shame would assail, I would pray my thanks and whisper, "Never let me forget". Amazingly, those memories never again had any power over me, but I confess, that life of so long ago now seems as if it were lived by someone else. I actually struggle to remember. James is teaching me to no longer merely whisper this prayer...but everyday, I need to look in the mirror at the life-path the "natural" me would be headed down if not for Jesus and His grace, and to rejoice in the blessing of the opportunities I have to live out my thanks by not just hearing His Word, but by doing it too.

An Unfortunate Mental Block

Over the past several weeks as I've been memorizing passages in the book of James, I've been attempting to share what I've learned, discerned and sometimes even "unlearned" along the way. Being a bit of a rules-oriented, methodical, analytical, logical person, I just naturally assumed I'd share these lessons in the order in which they are presented in James. That being the case, I should be ready to write about passages that fall somewhere after chapter 1, verse 17.

I've even been more than a little frustrated that I either haven't found the time to write, have been too distracted from my writing or worst of all, not inspired to write. I guess it's been a little like what is commonly called "writer's block". Yet, the ideas have been flowing and there are at least two and maybe as many as five blog posts worth of thoughts that have been brewing in my brain...but for some reason, they have not been erupting onto the screen...at least not at the pace I'd like to see happen.

I've continued my memory work though, and have been making my way through chapter three...slowly, but steadily...until I hit verse six. For a day or so I struggled to come up with some clue, some repeated word, some device that would help me link the scripture to what I'd already learned. This is what I've done for the last two months to help me remember each passage. I've even been astonished at how much of James' writing is cyclical. He is constantly referring back to a previous phrase or word that ties everything together perfectly. This style actually makes it difficult to pontificate on his teaching because to talk about one verse means most likely you'll have to discuss several more to understand his full meaning.

But not verse six of chapter three. It's just there. In my face...shouting at me...two thousand years after he penned the lines....screaming, "Angela, pay attention...this one is for you!" It was when I realized this that I was able to understand why I had by this time been struggling for about five days to remember it.

Essentially, I don't like what it says.

It hits way too close for comfort.

But then again, I think James' forte is to make us comfy Christians...well...uncomfortable.

You see, a lot of the blog posts that have been brewing in my head are a culmination of the teaching of James, a book I've just finished by Shane Claiborne, my angst over what I have seen and heard from the people I know that call themselves Christians, my burden to serve and love the poor, the downtrodden and the needy and the grief I'm feeling over how far we have strayed from whom Jesus taught us to become. Yet, I always remain hopeful that we, the Church, are willing to re-learn what our Savior taught at the same time we're willing to un-learn some of the deadly habits that have infiltrated our lives and churches. I see glimmer after glimmer of God's light shining into very dark places and it moves me to tears at the inexpressible joy I feel to know that He still trusts us to live out His Kingdom in this world.

Admittedly, some of what I've been wanting to say could really anger some...alienate others...and could possibly cause some defriending to occur. I'm at a place in my journey where I'm not worried about someone's reaction toward me...but since I committed to myself about four years ago that I would never intentionally write something that offends...I have been very careful to always guard my written "tongue" with the discernment of the Holy Spirit. If He wants me to write something...then I am not responsible for how it is received.

So while writing about James 3:6 was not my plan for my next blog post...I'm thrilled that my Abba interrupted my plan with a better one. I still think some of those posts (if not all) will be written and I still think there will be some who may be offended or maybe just disappointed. But I know from this point forward what I write about James (or any other word that flows from this keyboard) I will be on my guard...as I should always be. And each of those words need to flow through the filter that is James 3:6.

A little authenticity here: I didn't want to learn James 3:6. In fact, I wanted to just skim right over it and move on...life would be a lot easier without it. But I also know that I never signed up for an easy life...where's the fun in that?

So here we go.

If you stick with me, some of what I write in the next few weeks may not be what you want to hear (or read, as is the case with this medium)...but please trust that it comes from a heart that is seeking to be humble...to admit my flaws...to acknowledge that I don't have all of the answers, just a lot of questions...and that I am attempting with the Holy Spirit's help to not start any fires on my own. Nope, He's the only fire I want in my life!


"And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell." (James 3:6)


I weep at the fires I've seen started recently by many who say they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please join me in praying that we will all humble ourselves before our Mighty God who doesn't need us to speak for Him. Here's why [remember that cyclical teaching that I mentioned?]:

"Man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness." (James 1:20)

Amen!

A Pass/Fail Test

To those who know me, it's not surprising that I struggle with negativity and criticism. God has really grown me in these areas...but they are still my natural default. I pray it's not something with which I wrestle for the rest of my life, but it just may be. Because of this, I was very thankful last Saturday when God's Spirit gave me a "heads up" in regard to my attitude at work.

Actually, I wasn't surprised that it happened. I've been doing this journey long enough that I'm familiar with the concept that if you put yourself out there as having been challenged in an area or expressing your heart's desire to grow in some way (as I recently did with Not the Answer I Expected) that something is going to happen to give you the opportunity to "put feet" on what you're professing. For example, you say something crazy like you believe God wants you to be His light among the darkness of this world and the darkness is probably going to start throwing up all sorts of roadblocks to try to get you distracted from enjoying the journey.

Such was the case for me last weekend. But Saturday, as I worked, I realized that some of the things that have always been frustrations were creeping up on me. When people don't follow rules (sometimes even for safety), disregard what supervisors have instructed just because they want to or the ultimate nerve-wracking behavior for me...laziness...I don't have much tolerance. Saturday, I made a comment...that honestly I couldn't even remember within the next hour specifically what I said...and it was mild compared to others that I hear around me (not a valid excuse though!)...but praise God, His Spirit nudged me and said, "Angela, don't go down that negative path. Be My light. Criticism is a slippery slope for you. I want you to enjoy being here."

Even in that moment, I was so grateful and overwhelmed that He cared enough to correct me on what everyone else would have thought was no big deal. But remember...my heart's desire is to be above reproach so my God will be glorified. I want to shine His light into the places it may not often have the chance to reach. I went home that evening praising Him repeatedly for giving me this lesson and asking Him to help me do better and to keep my eyes on Him alone.

That was Saturday.

Then came the next day!

Without the burden of all the details, let's just say that only a few hours into the shift...I felt like I was failing. There's one lady in particular I've been getting to know. She's a Christian and even lives in my neighborhood. I unfortunately shared my frustration with her and she had observed the blatantly inappropriate behavior from our co-workers too, so she didn't think I was exaggerating about having to pick up the slack for someone else. But, I felt like I'd failed this big test or something when I vocalized my critical thoughts.

Here's where my gracious God gave me an extended test...sort of like sitting for the SAT or one similar...you see, I think it was a two-parter:  Pass/Fail meets essay, so to speak. Because while I had voiced my frustration to my new friend (the failed portion of the test)...I refrained from mentioning anything to management, trainers, or anyone that could have gotten the co-workers in trouble. Toward the end of the day, one of the trainers even said, "You guys (yes, me and the lazy ones) did a good job today". I almost laughed, but instantly realized too that my hard work covered for the slackers...and in a way, I felt a little more like Jesus than I do on most days. So in some small way, I felt like I passed too. I even shared with my new friend a little about what had happened the day before, that I had committed to having a better attitude and I felt like this was a test...one I was not passing. I could tell she appreciated my honesty about my struggle.

The essay portion of the test though, was the running dialogue I was having with myself and my Maker for the eight plus hours this was taking place. Most days when I'm at work the mundane repetitiveness of the job keeps me distracted and my thoughts don't often turn toward conversing with God. I haven't quite figured out how to continually count products and talk to God at the same time...I'm working on it. But the job I was doing Sunday involved no counting, is one of the most labor intensive available in our building (the job everyone hates to do!) and doesn't require much except walking...I mean a lot of walking...like 8 to 10 hours of walking. So if I was going to be frustrated with a couple of co-workers, there was no better job to have where I could talk to my God about it. Sure, I complained to Him. By the time that even my toenails were hurting...I was complaining to Him more than a lot...if that's possible. And while I struggled to keep my comments between He and I, He taught me a few more things that I pray I remember the next time...trust me...there will be a next time. I think listening to Him and allowing Him to soften up my heart even as each step became harder to take confirms to me that there was a little bit more of the test that I passed.

Even though I was none too happy with the people goofing off and not following safety protocol and even the arrogant ones that give you a two minute lecture because you accidentally call something by the wrong name...what He was showing me by the end of the day is that while it was difficult to be my 'happy-worker, smiling self'...I could still hear Him calling to me, pleading with my heart to remember that He loves the annoying rule-breakers too. (Yes, I realize I'm annoying as well.) Once again, He whispered, "I love them too, Angela. If you won't show them that Love and tolerance...who will?"

So I came away from the weekend with a mixed bag of feelings...not perfect in any way...but one step closer to becoming the Daughter of the King that He always created me to be. That's how I can say that I failed and passed. Being the competitive...always want to do it perfect, person that I am...I'm just thrilled that He hasn't allowed me to beat myself up over this all week.

Hey...if I tally it all up...and He grades me on a curve (which I know He does just by the simple fact that He still loves me!)...maybe I can even call this test more pass than fail. Yeah, I'll stick to that story. After all, I think at the end of my "school" days, He's just going to tear up the report card anyway. Amen to that!

The Deception

I was having coffee with my friend, Kari, about a week ago, when I mentioned something that I was learning from James. One phrase jumped out at her and since she pointed it out...it's stuck with me and I can't let it go: "Do not be deceived, my brethren..."

When she asked, "Does it really say that?" I realized...yeah...it does...so I should probably pay pretty close attention to what James was saying, shouldn't I?

I tried to google an image for this post, but when I just put the word "deception" in google images, it mostly pulled up movie posters and political portraits. There were also a lot of conspiracy theory icons and I don't relish being added to any "subversive" watchlists so I think I'd better steer clear of those. I don't mind being subversive and to err on the side of God's kingdom over man's...I just don't want to have my name written down because of a conspiracy theory.

The point is, we're all aware of or have lived through multiple deceptions in our lives...either personal, national (think Watergate or Clinton/Lewinsky) or global. We may even sometimes feel like truth is hard to find. Have you seen The Matrix?

But after Kari asked me that simple question and I thought about it even more, I've been zeroing in on this idea that I know the Holy Spirit has been refining in me for a long time now...there is actually this con game going on that we're all a part of and it's been the longest running con of all time. In fact, it started right after time began and the perpetrator is so adept at running this con...filling our lives with nothing but smoke and mirrors...that we don't even realize we're being conned.

So what's the con?

In the segment I'm referring to, James has a lot to say about our misappropriation to God for the problems we have (see James 1:13-15). God gets blamed a lot for the evil in this world that is simply not His fault. But I think the even bigger deception is this: "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:16-17)

Maybe James was warning us not to be deceived into believing that God tempts us and causes the bad in our lives. But I have truly come to believe that the deeper deception is that somehow we think we ourselves are responsible for the good in our lives. If you've never approached this idea before...I am thrilled to be the first to tell you...you're not!

Your job, your educational opportunities, your nice neighborhood, your stuff, your money, your family, your health, your joy, your peace, your happiness, your very breath...not one of these came from you to begin with. Nope...if it's a good thing...it came from God alone. And if there's anything bad in any of these then don't blame God...no that's the work of our enemy and the depravity of lust, sin and death in this world.

If James used such strong language as "Do not be deceived", I think he wanted us to pay attention. Why?

I can only speak from my own experience and I know first hand that when I think the good comes from something I've done, then I begin to believe that I somehow deserve the good...and when it's gone, either I did something wrong and I'm being punished or I'll just be angry because I arrogantly feel like I'm being mistreated and things are unfair.

But...when I realize that all of the good comes directly from God...I quickly see that the blessings far outweigh the negative. Don't believe me? Then stop right now and make a list of all of the bodily processes that have to work cohesively just for you to be able to sit upright and read this sentence without falling over dead. Get my point? We're not even including the ability to read which more than half of the globe can't do!

I have to confess though that I believe the most beautiful part of verse 17 may actually lie in it's last nine words: "with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow".

Yeah...my God is so consistently good and unchangingly always the best Giver of gifts that since the beginning of time He's been giving them...and He doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon!