‘‘‘If Your Brother Sins…Reprove Him in Private…’’’ Matthew 18:15 NAS
Working out your differences requires a few ground-rules: 1) Clarify the problem. Make a careful (and prayerful) assessment of how you see things. Is this a mountain or a molehill? Temporary or long-term? Avoidable or unavoidable? 2) Cleanse your attitude. Jesus said,’ ‘‘…first take the log out of your own eye…then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s…’’’(Mathew 7:5 NAS). Submit your thoughts to God and get His input. When you’re angry and judgemental it’s easy to wreak havoc. That kind of attitude does nothing to restore peace. 3) Carefully decide when and where to meet. Make sure it’s private, and at times neither of you is tired or rushed. For instance, if you’re married to a soccer fan don’t try to hold a meaningful conversation during the World Cup Final. 4) Reaffirm your commitment to the relationship. Let the person know up front how much you value them and that you’re not issuing ultimatums; you just want to make things better. 5) Encourage dialogue. Avoid polarising statements like, ‘You always,’ or ‘You never.’ When you say something important pause and ask, ‘Do I have my facts straight, or am I missing something?’ Let’s face it; sometimes confrontation does end in permanent division. That’s why Paul said, ‘If…possible…live peaceably with all men’ (Romans 12:18 KJV). But too many of us just give up when things get rocky. Relationships are valuable; they take years to build. That’s why real love hangs in there and works through them.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The Word For Today
Sun June 18th 06
‘The Righteous Man Walks in…Integrity; Blessed…Are His Children After Him.’ Proverbs 20:7 AMP
Max Lucado writes: ‘Today’s my first father’s Day without a father. For 31 years I had one of the best but now he’s buried under an oak tree in a west Texas cemetery. Strange he isn’t here… because he was always available. His words were nothing novel; his achievements, though admirable, were nothing extraordinary. But his presence was.
‘Because he was there life went smoothly…the future was secure…and my growing up was what God intended. He taught me how to shave and how to pray. Helped me memorise verses for Sunday school, and taught me that wrong should be punished…that rightness has its own reward. He modelled… the elusive balance between ambition and self-acceptance. ‘I knew if I ever needed him he’d be there. Like a warm fireplace. Maybe that’s why this Father’s Day’s a bit chilly. The fire’s gone out. The winds of age swallowed the splendid flame, leaving only golden embers. But there’s a strange thing about those embers, stir them…and the flame will dance…and knock just enough chill out of the air to remind me that he’s still present.’
‘Compare that to an interview with actor Gene Hackman who recalls: “I was just 13, but that Saturday morning is still vivid. I was playing down the street…when I saw my father drive by and give me a light wave. Somehow I knew that gesture meant he was going away forever. To this day, the memory’s a ghost that never seems to fade.” Soloman said, ‘The righteous man walks in integrity….blessed are his children after him.’ Attention dads! What Legacy will your kids inherit when you’re gone?
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
I would just like to include the following lyrics:
By Mike Rutherford
Mike and the mechanics
The Living Years
Every generation Blames the one before And all of their frustrations Come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner To all my Father held so dear I know that I'm a hostage To all his hopes and fears I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper Filled with imperfect thought Stilted conversations I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it He says it's perfect sense You just can't get agreement In this present tense We all talk a different language Talking in defence
Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel Between the present and the past We only sacrifice the future It's the bitterness that lasts
So Don't yield to the fortunes You sometimes see as fate It may have a new perspective On a different day And if you don't give up, and don't give in You may just be O.K.
Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye
I wasn't there that morning When my Father passed away I didn't get to tell him All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit Later that same year I'm sure I heard his echo In my baby's new born tears I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye
