James 1:9-11

After scratching my head (reading footnotes, looking for a commentary) a bit over this, I was finally able to wrap my head around the rich man definitely being a Christian. If he wasn't, the verse would have a different meaning.

What I gained from this paragraph is that rich or poor, what we have to boast in is the Lord. Sometimes it is tempting to look on somebody else and think that they don't have much to go through, or that they have it "easy," when really, if they are a Christian, they are always going in or out of a trial. God uses our circumstances (rich or poor, etc.) to bring us low--which brings us so high! when we realize where our strength lies--in the Almighty One. Maybe that's what is meant by, "the brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position," because he is forced to depend to trust continually for what he cannot always provide with his own hands.

The following (inspired by Courtney) is a song for you gals. It seems to be the theme of your writing, what I keep being encouraged to hear from you--that our Father has been faithful to us and will continue to be faithful to us...through our trials, in every aspect of our lives.

Thank you God for being faithful in bringing us through another week and being with us during it! Thank you girls for your shared insights, encouragement, and prayers!

God bless your weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTLfQ05Otk0