Let's Talk About It- the Work of Community

The Book of James

Original Art by Norma Brown


About the Artist

Norma Brown has had an artist’s vision for a long time. She had a photography business and was on the board of directors of the Professional Photographer Association of Greater Kansas City, PPA/GKC. When family health issues forced a change, she gave up the business. After retiring from Fuji Graphic System in 2008 Norma decided to downsize. But Norma still had that artist’s vision “for quite a few years I wondered what to do with my energy.” At the ‘J’ Community Center she started taking art classes in new mediums such as watercolor. Norma is a member of the Red Bridge UMC and is excited to be a part of this community art series. Norma says, “I have been painting for about 3 years now and wish I had started sooner.”

Let's Talk About It- the Work of Community

The Book of James

original art by Norma Brown


Being a community right now does take work.

Community that isn’t solely based on same-ness - doesn’t happen accidently- 

It takes work- it is good work in my opinion-

It is healing work in my opinion,

It is hard work in my opinion- It will cost you something-

But living in an endless feud, vilifying people you don’t know, that costs something of you as well. 

"Doubt"

"Doubt" by Norma Brown, 2024

Watercolor on Paper 12"x 10"


(James 1:6-8) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt διακρίνω, because the one who doubts διακρίνω is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 


This διακρίνω the range of meanings include “to distinguish, to judge; separate, distinguish, discern one thing from another; I doubt, hesitate, waver.”

James is drawing us this picture of trying to catch a waves, to hold them or keep them, it’s impossible, 

Waves comes forward, to the edge of the shore, then they recedes, back again, out and back and never one or the other… They knock you over, unsettle the ship, rise and fall in the storms


For us in our conversation today, this disqualifying “doubt” the diakrino -  that we need to avoid that we might receive from God- is that double-mindedness


Are you here with us, you can’t find God’s blessing or wisdom in trying to do good for the community while also making sure that you aren’t too implicated. You can’t follow after God while also walking in the opposite direction. You can’t work for God’s kingdom on earth while also working against God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. You can’t be a part of this community and also be working destructively for discriminatory practices. If you are trying to breed instability around you so that you might profit, God is not going to give you wisdom to be better at being divisive, destructive, two-faced, or awful.


If you are doing that, you are doing that on your own.

That’s not faith

That’s not religion

That’s not Jesus


Ask God for wisdom- God wants to give generously, God gives without shame, without fault without price…

But don’t think that you can use God to shame someone else

Don’t think that God’s generosity to you means that you can be stingy to someone you don’t prefer

Don’t think that Jesus’s free gift of salvation means that your margins for profit can be wide. 

Grace is not yours to sell.


The Tongue

“The Tongue”

by Norma Brown, 2024

water color and ink on paper 9”x7”

 

(James 3:3) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. (4) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. (5) Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (6) The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 

Prayer

“Prayer”

by Norma Brown, 2024; water color and ink on paper 9”x7”


“Keeping the faith.” The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  

James 5:16b NIV