It's a Joke

I think it's so amazing that how God uses you and I thank Him for you frequently. I have not been ok here lately because of many financial difficulties but it's nice when I poscast you and get so tickled how you are speaking God's word into my life one minute then I can laugh my head off in another second and feel His presence though your teachings. Thank you for your willingness to be used by HIM! I also wanted to tell you how I thank God for you and your time last year in Indianapolis at Downpour, I helped with that event and handed you a note from my 14 yr old son and you took the time to respond to him and God used you in such a way to make an impact on him and he is (I am praising and crying now) walking with His God now, and turned from alot of things with the truth of "if your faith hasn't changed you...than it hasn't saved you" style that God used you to breath into his life. God never ceases to amaze me on how when I think all hope is gone and my nazi rebellious teen has gone arey that he answers when I pray and my kid feels led to write a note to thank you a mere man for his ministry as he always has had to listen along with us in the van and God uses you personally to respond and speak truth into his life with all your busy schedule. Bless you and please keep on being real... it helps flaky Christians like us to "get it".

As a pure denizen of dry humor, I understood the funnies about the "Stupid" blog...even though we spell it "Stoopid" up here in Massachusetts. You know what is stoopid James? Well let me tell you. Not wearing eye protection using a table saw is just plain stoopid.

Dear sir,
I just wanted to say thanks.

Amen, A good sense of humor is one of the best blessing from God, especially when we can laugh at ourselves - I am sure God values humor, like they say he made the giraffe and He must have smiled as He created it. I so enjoy your sense of humor, just a little off center like mine.

Isn't it AMAZINGLY wonderful that God has called such vastly differing personalities to serve him…all in unity? I absolutely love the fact that He speaks to each of us in such unique & personal ways. James, God uses your personality, refreshing honesty, and sense of humor to touch SO many lives.

Maybe this is not a black & white issue, but a personal conviction…
But I do think I have some understanding about what the "stupid" letter was about. There are times that I have a little "cringe" inside when I hear a word like "stupid" used, especially in relationship to people…either hypothetical or real. I have thought through this in great depth, trying to figure out where the "cringe" comes from. The truth is, we are all really stupid. (Jesus compares us to sheep, how much stupider can you get?)

But no matter how stupid we are, we are made in the image of God. I guess the word stupid, used in some contexts, feels "irreverent" to me. Stupid as we are, we are God's finale of creation . . . costly & dearly loved. Scripture even goes so far as to say that those who know Christ personally are God's own "belongings." I think I'll let God call His own belongings stupid. I'm not going there. Does this make sense?

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . . "

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

I thought your stupid blog was great and i am really enjoying reading your personal blogs from time to time. i have gotten into the habit of listening to podcasts of WITW every morning before i go to work and your preaching is really blessing me. Thank you Sir and keep on pressing on! God bless.

Quinn

Check it out: My sister, who comes to church with me FINALLY listened to one of your series (I have, I think, almost all of them) and then......she asked me if she could take the rest of it home to listen to it!!!!! It was the series I just got "Grace when you're____." I haven't listened to it because she hasn't given it back yet. Hey, come to think of it she borrowed it 2 weeks ago! I gotta write that down on my 'to do' list...'get back series from Sue.' Now, it's all she talks about and I heard her tell another woman at church who said she feels 'overwhelmed' that, "I am listening to a Pastor from Chicago and one of the messages was on that." Thanks James. I've listened to you for almost 4 years through WITW and now my sister is growing in God's word and hmmmm....I wonder who else. I have 2 other sisters and a brother who aren't believers and who actually scoff at the notion of Christ whenever I bring it up. I pray but I'd really like to send them a tape....so recommend which one that I can send that will plant that seed a little deeper so they too can live in and for Jesus. They just have no idea what they are missing out on. No idea.
How amazing is God that I already know He is working in their lives and hearing about your wife's sisters accepting Jesus as their savior filled me with such delight and reminded me we have an absolutely loving and gracious God. Thanks for that reminder!!!!
sharon

Boy Dr. James, I am so excited that God directed me to your ministry. You make me laugh every time I hear your message, it is so Biblical and real! And at the same time I cry every time I deal with our church issues. I visit Harvest In Oakville, but the distance is too much for family (45 minute drive). I can't seem to show the members in our church the difference between the "miserable sinners" they claim to be and the "joyful, thankful saints" we are created to be. We studied Eph. 2:1-10 this week, and I must think the Holy Spirit used you to confirm my study time after time.

Please continue preaching with such boldness! It is so refreshing! And I listen to "Pillars of faith" CD constantly, and it lifts me up each day I listen to it!

Praise the LORD for your Ministry and the growth of Harvest Chapels!! I encourage everybody to be a change partner!

Dear Son,
This is so much fun to read. I sent Luke a message.
Have a wonderful holiday on the ship.
love to all
your mom

dear Pastor James,

thanks a lot for you ministry.
you even have my 2 oldest (13 and 10) fired up enough about God to drive in from Rockford with me on Easter Sunday for the service at the Sears Center, even after we already went for Easter service at our church here in Rockford (Heartland) on Saturday.

in light of your "our God loves us with a perfecting love, not a pampering love" message, i've started telling my kids (mostly my 7 year old) whenever they something isn't fair, that "fair is for fairy tales and the AFTERLIFE".

thanks again for all your hard work. thanks for being on the radio. i first heard you shortly after i realized that i had to start doing my part in getting my life turned around. you've been such a great help.

can't wait to go to the opening of the new facility in Elgin.

blessing to you and your family...