James Study

Our next JAVA Bible study begins in the fall, with James as our focus.  We will be meeting twice per month, with JAVA meeting on Thursday mornings and JAVA Decaf meeting on Tuesday evenings.  See Jen Guthrie or Laura Leger for a book.  More details on this in the coming weeks.  Hope to see you there!

The Strength of Gentleness



"Imagine being able to watch the apostle Paul in action. How did he treat people, especially those who often failed? In 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul gives us a glimpse of how he treated others: "We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children."

Gentleness is a strong hand with a soft touch. It is a tender, compassionate approach toward others' weaknesses and limitations. A gentle person still speaks truth, sometimes even painful truth, but in doing so guards his tone so the truth can be well received.

Puritan leader Jonathan Edwards called gentleness "the Christian spirit." Edwards said, "All who are truly godly and are real disciples of Christ have a gentle spirit in them."" 

- Gary Thomas (Reaad more here.)

Thanks, Jen Guthrie, for sharing this convicting and timely artcle!



The Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives Towards Each Other

"Selfish ungodly persons everywhere enter into all kinds of relationships with a

desire of serving their own selves, and gratifying their own flesh without knowing

or caring what is required of them. Their desire is for the honour, profit, or

pleasure their relationship will provide them but not for what God and man

requires or expects from them. [Gen 2:18, Prov 18:22] Their mind is concerned

only with what they shall have and not for what they shall be and do.

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They know what they want others to do for them, but do not care what their duty

is to do for others. This is the way it is with too many husbands and wives.

We should be very concerned to know what the duties of our relationships are.

And how we can please God in our relationships. Study and do your part, and God

will certainly do his."

Read more here.

(Thanks to Laura Leger for sharing this timely Richard Baxter sermon with us today.)

Welcome!

John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Welcome to the new JAVA blog!  Join us here to stay updated on upcoming events and Bible study information.  Our hope is to encourage you as we strive together to "jointly abide in the vine of the Almighty"!