pnotc and SOA,

I look forward to your responses.  You have to admit that James can be a little hard to take since he says it like it is and sugarcoats nothing.  That may be why at least a couple of the Reformers wanted to remove James from the canon of scriptures (even though the Scriptures say that you aren't supposed to add or remove from them).  However, James is part of the scripture, so if we believe that the scriptures are true, then we must accept everything that they say.  We can't pick and choose what to believe.  We must take all that the scriptures say on a subject into account.  We let the scriptures mold our beliefs, not make the scriptures mold to what we believe.  

Also, I'm learning that true repentence means accepting responsibility for my actions, thoughts, and emotions without blaming anyone else for them or making excuses.  I can't change anyone else--only myself.  Therefore, if I find myself being judgmental and condemning or angry and irritated, that is my problem, and by God's grace, I'd better learn to get these things under control and confess each time that I fall short of that.