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a mindset...

James commands, 'Count it all joy....' and that should be how we go about it. The verb here is an aorist imperative, 'Do it now, once and for all', do not be moved from that thought. Joy is how we are to view it, and we must not change our minds. This is the anchor that is echoed in verse six, do not let our minds be moved from this decision. As James will command, 'let it have its full play' (here speaking of patient endurance); a constant face of faithful endurance ...

Joy as the Engine...

It is part of James thesis, and the thesis of the New Testament writers as a whole, that the Christian life is one of Joy. The gloomy heart, the intense feelings of fear and loathing are not part of what the seed of the word is to bring to fruition. James says to:

'Count it all joy'

the greek word mean just that, 'all', 'everything', 'the whole circle'; either totally filled with joy or all becomes an occasion for joy. Either way, ...

The Otomi are an Indian tribe of Mexico. Like the other Indians of Mexico, they don't consider themselves to be Hispanic/Latino and they don't consider Spanish to be their language.

I'm trying to learn everything I can about the Otomi Indians.

I wonder if the Bible has been translated into Otomi?

If you are going to go to the Otomi as a Christian missionary, I highly recommend you learn Otomi. If you speak to them in Spanish, they may just stand there ...

Night Lights

Silvery white shines the lighted moon
As it dances to its lone cosmic tune.
Bright rays turning darkness to light -
Oh, what a marvellous, glorious sight!

Glimmering stars on their nightly flights
Shimmer and shine as they brighten our nights;
Gently; softly sliding through space,
Moving in unison at a set pace.

...

James makes this command in

James 1: 2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

This is from 'The Message' translation, and captures the flavor of James opening thoughts. We must welcome what ...