An Invitation

James 5:14-15

proskaleomai... to invite

When we're sick, James tells us to invite the elders to pray over us.  But we don't.  We don't want to bother people.  We don't want people to bother us.  It's no big deal.  I can take care of myself.  It's kind of embarrassing and kind of annoying to not be whole and perfect and in charge.

It starts out with a weakness that seems physical.  But somewhere along the line, James brings in the disease of sin.  A spiritual weakness.  That's what really needs healed, anyway.

And letting people get That Close is really... well, invasive.  And humbling.

But, that's what we're to do as the Church.

We're not alone.  Maybe we should start acting like it.

Twang Away

James 5:13

We think of the word "twang" as an adjective.  And we think of a southern woman with a twang in her voice, sweeter than Texas tea.  Or we think of cowboys singing their twangy songs around the campfire, accompanied by coyotes.

Usually we talk about "singing psalms of praise" being Pluck The Strings in Greek.  Which, it is - but that pluck has a more fun reality: twang.  Twang the strings.  Plucking, well, that's just plucking... but, twanging?  That sounds like fun.  That's my nephew making up songs on his tiny guitar.  That's my husband singing in the kitchen to make me laugh.  That's the guy behind me in church singing his not-so-in-tune heart out.

There's nothing refined, nothing proper, nothing stuffed up, nothing pretentious about twanging.  So, turn the radio up; roll the windows down.

Feel free to put in your earplugs.

Or you could sing with me.