Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

James 4:1-2

 ¹What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Philippians 2:1-4

  ¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

My very least favorite part of group leadership is dealing with conflict. Things run pretty smoothly most of the time, but every once in a while there are issues between people that just do not resolve themselves. And when those disagreements affect the reputation of our group, or our ability to minister, or are severely damaging relationships,  then it is my job as a leader to get involved and try to help find a resolution. Thankfully, God's Word offers good counsel in this area.  Also, a resource called Peacemaker Ministries gives help through articles and resources that teach and help you apply those conflict resolution principles found in God's Word. The excellent advice found there includes this following Peacemaking and Reconciliation Commitment:
• Whenever we are faced with conflict, our primary goal will be to glorify God with our thoughts, words and actions (1 Cor. 10:31).
• We will try to get the “logs” out of our own eyes before focusing on what others may have done wrong (Matt. 7:3-5).
• We will seek to overlook minor offenses (Prov. 19:11).
• We will refrain from all gossip, backbiting and slander (Eph. 4:29-32). If we have a problem with others, we will talk to them, not about them.
• We will make “charitable judgments” toward one another by believing the best about each other until we have facts that prove otherwise (1 Cor. 13:7).
• If an offense is too serious to overlook, or if we think someone may have something against us, we will go promptly to seek reconciliation (Matt.
5:23-24; 18:15).
• When we offer a word of correction to others, we will do so graciously and
gently, with the goal of serving and restoring them, rather than beating them down (Prov. 12:18; Eph. 4:29; Gal. 6:1).
• When someone tries to correct us, we will ask God to help us resist prideful defensiveness and to welcome correction with humility (Ps. 141:5; Prov. 15:32).
• When others repent, we will ask God to give us grace to forgive them as he has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32).
• When we discuss or negotiate substantive issues, we will look out for others’ interests as well as our own (Phil. 2:3-4).
• When two of us cannot resolve a conflict privately, we will seek the mediation
of wise people in our church or Christian community and listen humbly to their counsel. (Matt. 18:16; Phil. 4:2-3)


Chances are, you'll find this information helpful at some point in your life. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 

Matthew 5:9

Treasures

I read this in a Devotional this morning...

Every day, according to one survey, Americans buy an average of 3,972,603 movie tickets; 1,683,835 songs and albums from online resources; 1,650,000 DVD rentals from Netflix; 978,030 bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet popcorn; 568,764 Titleist golf balls; 443,650 large fries at Burger King; 160,968 bottles of Absolut Vodka; 7,500 Samsung LCD TVs; and 60 Ford Mustangs on eBay. It’s clear from this incomplete list that many consumers are spending money on things that have temporary stamped on them. Jesus, however, says that we should use our resources to acquire things that have eternity written all over them.

In Matthew 6, He identifies two types of treasures. The first are the ones accumulated on earth. These treasures are vulnerable to all kinds of decay and theft. .... The alternative is treasures in heaven. Now Jesus was not saying we can buy our way into heaven. He was simply calling us to simplify our lives and leverage our time and resources for the sake of people in need (Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). When we, with pure motives (Matthew 6:1-4), give up our lives and resources for the marginalized, we’re “storing up” treasures in heaven.

And this made me think of these statements I've heard or read...

• Wow! Adoption is soooo expensive!
• Local food pantries are struggling to meet needs; donations are down
• You can sponsor a child through Compassion International for $38/month; almost 2000 children are waiting for sponsors
  
• churches and ministries such as Focus on the Family and Family Life are facing budget shortfalls for the year

I know you could add to that list. There is a saying that you can tell a person's priorities by looking at his checkbook. What does my checkbook say about my priorities? Does my "walk" match my "talk"?

What My Personality Profile Says About Me

This definitely describes me!

Introverted (I)

Introversion is a preference to focus on the world inside the self. Introverts tend to be quiet, peaceful and deliberate and are not attracted to social interactions. They prefer activities they can do alone or with one other close friend, activities such as reading, writing, thinking, and inventing. Introverts find social gatherings draining.

Introvert Characteristics

• Energized by time alone
• Private
• Keeps to self
• Quiet
• Deliberate
• Internally aware
• Fewer friends
• Prefer smaller groups
• Independent
• Not socially inclined
• Enjoys solitude
• Thinks before speaking

Intuition (N)

Intuition refers to how people process data. Intuitive people focus on the future and the possibilities. They process information through patterns and impressions. They read between the lines, they are abstract thinkers.

Intuitive Characteristics

• Future-focused
• Sees possibilities
• Inventive
• Imaginitive
• Deep
• Abstract
• Idealistic
• Complicated
• Theoretical

Feeling (F)

Feeling refers to how people make decisions. Feeling people are subjective and make decisions based on principles and values. They are ruled by their heart instead of their head. Feeling people judge situations and others based on feelings and extenuating circumstances.

Feeling Characteristics

• Decides with heart
• Dislikes conflict
• Passionate
• Driven by emotion
• Gentle
• Easily hurt
• Empathetic
• Caring of others
• Warm

Perceiving (P)

Perceiving is the preference outwardly displayed. Perceiving people are flexible, like to keep their options open and think randomly. They like to act spontaneously and are adaptable. Perceivers like to keep things open ended.

Perceiving Characteristics

• Adaptable
• Relaxed
• Disorganized
• Care-free
• Spontaneous
• Changes tracks midway
• Keeps options open
• Procrastinates
• Dislikes routine
• Flexible

INFPs ( the "Dreamer" ) are introspective, private, creative and highly idealistic individuals that have a constant desire to be on a meaningful path. They are driven by their values and seek peace. Empathetic and compassionate, they want to help others and humanity as a whole. INFPs are imaginitive, artistic and often have a talent for language and writing. They can also be described as easygoing, selfless, guarded, adaptable, patient and loyal.

Try it yourself. Take the test here.

http://www.mypersonality.info/personality-types/

Animal School

Once upon a time the animals had a school. They had four subjects - running, climbing, swimming, and flying - and all animals took all subjects.

The duck was good at swimming, better than the teacher, in fact. He made passing grades in running and flying, but he was almost hopeless at climbing. So they made him drop swimming to practice more climbing. Soon he was only average in swimming. But average is okay, and nobody worried about it much - except the duck.

The eagle was considered a troublemaker. In climbing class he beat everyone to the top of the tree, but he had his own way of getting there, which was against the rules. He always had to stay after school and write "Cheating is Wrong" five hundred times. This kept him from soaring, which he loved. But schoolwork comes first.

The bear flunked because they said he was lazy, especially in the winter. His best time was summer, but school wasn't open then.

The penguin never went to school because he couldn't leave home, and they wouldn't start a school out where he lived.

The zebra played hooky - a lot. The ponies made fun of his stripes, and this made him very sad.

The kangaroo started out at the top of his running class, but got discouraged trying to run on all fours like the other kids.

The fish quit school because he was bored. To him, all four subjects were the same, but nobody understood that. They had never been a fish.

The squirrel got A's in climbing, but the teacher made him start from the ground up instead of the treetop down. His legs got so sore practicing take-offs that he began to get C's and D's in running.

But the bee was the biggest problem of all, so the teacher sent him to Dr. Owl for testing. Dr. Owl said that the bee's wings were just too small for flying, and besides, they were in the wrong place. But the bee never saw Dr. Owl's report, so he just went ahead and flew anyway.

This original parable was written in the 1940's by George H. Reavis,
Assistant Superintendant of Schools in Cincinnatti, Ohio.

A Letter to Kate Gosselin

Dear Kate,

Don't do it.

Your show, Jon & Kate Plus 8, has been all about the ups and downs of raising a big family. You have put your lives as parents and as spouses in public view, and we have laughed, cried, sighed, winced, smiled and sometimes shaken our heads in disbelief. But we admired you and Jon for the effort and struggle and devotion put into raising your 8 young children.

Less than a year ago you spoke these words at your beautiful vow renewal ceremony. "Our first wedding was for us. This time it is also for us but mostly to publicly promise our children that we will always be together, complete as a family always." Jon spoke these words: "I am the happiest father and husband knowing that you are by my side always. I will always be your partner for life."

And this week you sat on the interview couch and told us that your marriage was over, and that this wasn't the show's fault, but would probably have happened no matter what. I don't believe that for a second. What has been obvious to the public and apparently to those closest to you who love you and your kids, is that the realities of living your life on television, for all to see and scrutinize, have put a tremendous strain on your family and on your marriage. Did the percs became too important, the "good life" for your kids more important than an intact family? What about that promise you made?

Marriage is hard work. Period. All couples go through hard times, times when they don't like one another very much, when communication breaks down, when the struggle of each day threatens to overwhelm us. But you had something that could have gotten you through all that. You had God.
I think you have listened to the wrong voices.

On your show the other night, I heard you say things like "this is for the best", you "have to do what it takes", and you were "starting a new chapter". I also saw your chin tremble and your eyes fill with tears and your voice whisper, "I don't want to be alone. I don't want to do this by myself." You know what it sounded like to me? It sounded like you were repeating things being told to you by those immersed in our society's culture of "Me First". It sounded to me like you didn't really believe what you were saying, but were resigning yourself to something inevitable, because you have believed the lie that marriages just don't last. How can two people with two very different personalities and two different visions for what their family needs stay together?
They stay together by sheer force of will. Commitment. Sacrifice of personal rights and wants. A decision to never, never, NEVER let the needs of one become more important than the needs of two.

Your kids don't come first. God comes first. Then your husband comes second. Then out of the wholeness of your marriage relationship, your children's needs are met. Then comes everything else.

I won't be watching your show any more. What's the point? To see how to "do divorce"? No thanks. I will pray for the restoration and reparation of what has been damaged. That's what the world really needs to see. If there is a TV special showing a 2nd vow renewal, with you and your husband back together as a family because God has restored your love and commitment to one another, now that I might watch.

Tech Trouble and Interesting Article on the Election

I love history, and reading about life in days gone by. "Little House on the Prairie" seems so simple and nostalgic. But I really like my modern tools and conveniences! I am in no way inclined to give up my vehicle, my KitchenAid mixer or microwave, my washer & dryer, my internet connection.... you get the idea. But this week I am SUFFERING through a broken computer AND a busted cell phone. Agh! The family desktop computer has been limping along for several months now, with apparent difficulties in the start-up mode and a propensity to just freeze or shut down at random moments. Now it won't start up at all. And my cell phone has suddenly lost the ability to power on, even though fully charged. Since Amanda and I share that phone, and both depend on that desktop for many things during the day ( I didn't realize how MANY things!), we are feeling very deprived and isolated - and are both waiting at the door for poor Mark when he comes home from work at night, not to greet him with slippers and a nice hot dinner, but to grab his laptop and run!

So as I'm quickly scanning headlines and emails this morning before Mark takes his computer to work with him ( good thing I get up early!), I read an interesting article by Reb Bradley on World Net Daily - Conservatives for Obama?
In it, Mr. Bradley expresses a theory as to why so many professing Christians and conservatives voted for Barack Obama in this election. He
attributes this to the fact that Obama won people's hearts, because we as a people have become ruled by emotion and feeling and passions rather than by reason and constraint. We live in a culture that prizes self-gratification and self-indulgence and actively avoids the suffering of consequences, at both a personal and corporate level.
Interesting perspective. What do you think?

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The Day After...

Well, I doubt it will come as a surprise to anyone who reads this that I was profoundly disappointed by the election results last night. Not surprised. But disappointed all the same. There are a few issues that cause me serious concern when contemplating an Obama presidency - the well-being of our troops and the ability of our nation to combat terrorism; the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; Supreme Court Justice nominees. There are so many more.

BUT

As I watched the celebrating crowds listening to Obama's victory speech, I was struck by the emotion that was more than gleeful gloating and "we beat them" exhiliration. I saw Joy. I saw relief. I saw tears of gladness. I started to feel compassion for these people, who have pinned so many
hopes and dreams and expectations on the shoulders of this man. And I started to feel sorry for them, because I believe they will be disappointed. Not because Barack Obama doesn't have the ability to be a good leader. But because he is not perfect. He isn't "The One" that they REALLY need. He is human and will fall short. There is only one real Messiah, and he wasn't born in Hawaii ( or Kenya, depending on which version you believe)

The nosedive of the Republican Party has for me illuminated the fact that we cannot look to any politician or party or human government for our happiness and security. We must look beyond our present circumstances, whatever they might be, and place our trust and hope in Christ and Christ alone! He will never change; he will never forsake us; he will never disappoint us.

I do believe that we are to do what we can, through our participation in the institutions that exist, to establish good government that will protect us and allow us to live in peace. But no matter who is in power, we must continue to love our neighbor as ourself, to reach out to the poor and downtrodden, to teach and disciple our children, to live humbly, to be a light in the darkness as passionate followers of the living Christ. So in that respect, today is no different than yesterday.

High School Essays Being Scored By Computers?

Okay, this is rather bizarre, but apparently several textbook companies now offer online computerized essay scoring, and some public schools are signing on for this service, requiring that students achieve a certain score before being allowed to graduate. Read this blog post at Yarns of the Heart, and see what you think!
And here is a follow up to that first post.

Funny.

Scary.

Global Warming, Evolution, and Intellectual Debate

Have you noticed how many items in the stores are now labeled as "Green" or "Environmentally Friendly"? I was looking on the local craigslist yesterday for an easy chair to replace the decrepit one in our living room, and I came across these furniture ads:

"Really cute blue velvet club chair with mustache back and contrast welt. Down seat, very comfortable. Well made and environmentally friendly"

AND

"White, red, sage & butter yellow Floral chair; Reversible seat cushions Made with bioflex hybrid foam for a smaller environmental footprint More Earth-friendly than conventional foams, using more renewable resources "


Wow. So as a conscientious consumer who doesn't want to DESTROY the Earth, I had better make careful choices and only buy those products - everything from laundry detergent to cars to easy chairs - that tell me they are FRIENDLY, and not spend my money on those other MEAN, BAD, UNFRIENDLY products.
It all just seems a bit opportunistic to me - jumping on the bandwagon, to benefit from the fear and hysteria being promoted by politicians and media.
According to TIME Magazine , USA Today, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. John McCain , and of course Sen. Al Gore , there is no scientific debate on the issue of global warming, and everyone with an ounce of sense and credibility agrees that a disaster is imminent unless WE STOP IT! ( by buying earth-friendly products?)

But there is scientific debate on the issue.

Climatologists Reject Media Claims of Global Warming Consensus

31,000 scientists reject 'global warming' agenda

Global Cooling Is Coming!

The Tempest

I'm not a terrible person nor am I a stupid person. I read a lot. I try to listen to both sides of a debate and make informed decisions. I do care about having clean air and clean water, and I teach my children to be good stewards of our resources. But I'm not convinced that human beings are killing the earth. And the lock-step, group-think mentality that surrounds polarizing issues such as this is very troubling to me. I resent being characterized as a terrible, stupid person because I don't necessarily agree with the proclaimed "consensus".

It reminds me of the debate over Darwinian evolution versus Intelligent Design. If you only listened to mainstream media ( admittedly left-leaning) and spokesmen for the "academic community" (unquestionably left-leaning), there IS no debate and critics of Darwinian evolution are quacks, religious fanatics, wierdos, and of marginal intellect. Just read the criticism aimed at the recent movie "Expelled; No Intelligence Allowed". Likewise, in reading some of the comments and remarks aimed toward the critics of Global Warming, I found no lack of vehement name-calling - "Republicans", "Christians", and the worst thing possible, "fat & happy white American males".