James 1:27

The work we do here in Kenya was born out of our faith. Faith that is in part influenced by the Christian scriptures, which include this passage from the book of James:

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. NKJV

Now the context this sentence is taken from contrasts empty religion with religion that God approves of. Essentially useless religion is one that is all talk. You know one that is all about endless discussions on dogma or doctrine. One that is only tradition or ceremony. James is not necessarily saying those things are wrong in and of themselves, but that by themselves they are meaningless.

I think another passage from James puts it so well:

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 NKJV

Of course the flip side of that is true as well. God does not approve of works without faith. Both are necessary. Our faith is what drives us to care for orphans the way we do. Our faith is what compels us to reach out to the loveless and homeless in Nakuru and do what we can to help them. Faith is what brought us to Kenya.

I have run away from "religious" words for several years now, but perhaps I am gaining confidence that God has purged me of enough of my love of religion for it to be safe to use some of those words again.

This line out of James is one of those passages that have really impacted and influenced my life. I am living out my religion. I worship my God by serving orphans and other oppressed people here in Kenya.

According to Psalm 68:5:

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. NKJV

The following verse has special meaning for the girls in our house, though it may be years before they realize it, if they ever do:

God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. NIV

 

 

 

 

 

Johnny Brooks, who threw in those two lines from Psalms to show that he is at least somewhat familiar with the Hebrew scriptures.