Taking Time to be Wrong

Agreeing with others, especially when they are pointing out your faults, is not easy, but it can play a crucial role in peacemaking. When you are talking with another person, first listen for the truth, resisting the temptation to defend yourself, blame others, or focus on points of disagreement. Ask yourself, "Is there any truth in what he or she is saying?" If your answer is "yes," acknowledge what is true and identify your common ground before moving to your differences. Doing so is a sign of wisdom and spiritual maturity. "Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it" (Ps. 141:5). "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" (Prov. 15:31; cf. 15:5; 17:10; 25:12). By agreeing with the other person whenever possible, you can resolve certain issues easily and then focus profitably on matters that deserve further discussion.

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 168-169.

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Thank you to those who prayed for our ministry time at Skyline Prison. We had 13 inmates. Two of them were professing Jehovah's Whiteness. If you would like to see the powerpoint I created click this link. https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public then click Break Every Chain

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Prayer Request: I will be speaking at the Skyline prison facility in Canon City tonight. The message is "Breaking the Chains" through the power of Jesus Christ. I am asking the Lord for a significant move of the Holy Spirit in the heart of these men.

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Agonizing for Peace... Like a Gladiator

Paul's letter to the Ephesians focuses heavily on peacemaking. The first three chapters provide a glorious description of God's plan of salvation. In the fourth chapter, Paul begins to explain how we should respond to what Christ has done for us. Note carefully what Paul places at the top of his list of practical applications of the gospel: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:1-3). The Greek word that is translated "make every effort" in this passage means to strive eagerly, earnestly, and diligently. It is a word that a trainer of gladiators might have used when he sent men to fight to the death in the Coliseum: "Make every effort to stay alive today!" So too must a Christian agonize for peace and unity. Obviously, token efforts and halfhearted attempts at reconciliation fall far short of what Paul had in mind.

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 66.

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EXAMINE EVERYTHING: Because of the fallibility of mankind we are instructed to test all teaching against the inerrancy of the scriptures. Below are two such references. There is no speaker, author or minister that can afford to completely reject the honest scrutiny of others. As with most criticism there is some element of truth. Whatever the percentage that is accurate, no matter how small, own it. You will prove yourself wise if you humbly make the needed adjustments and then thank those who have brought their concerns to your attention.

Acts 17:11 (Amplified Version) Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 17:11 (New Living Translation) And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NASB) But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.

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THANK YOU for your prayers! The marriage retreat was great. Six people accepted the Lord for the first time. Two of the couples were separated, headed for divorce days before that came. Lives and marriages were saved.

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Prayer Request: I will be part of a team of counselors working with about 25 married couples at a marriage intensive at Glen Eyrie. Pray that God will give us His wisdom and that there will be deep healing with each couple.

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Manny Ramirez #22 Denver Broncos, shares his testimony at Highpoint Church
http://vimeo.com/100767453

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The Seven Benefits of a Smile: This is great check it out at http://www.rw360.org/2014/02/16/smile/

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Advice To A Young Married Couple

Question: “Since our wedding five months ago, my husband seems to have gained several pounds. I’m worried that I’ll lose attraction toward him, isn’t that shallow?”

Answer: Oh how I can relate! The weight gain you described is a common side effect of marriage. When my wife first looked into the refrigerator of my place, several months before we were married, all she could find was half a jar of peanut butter, three potatoes, and yes you guessed it, some stale bread! It was no wonder that I was so thin.

After several months of eating three great meals a day I began to fill out. I wasn’t fat or out off shape, I had just put on about ten pounds. I have seen this same phenomenon in the majority of men that I know. A change of lifestyle and the aging process take its toll on all of us, male and female alike.

You mentioned, “I’m worried that I’ll lose attraction toward him.” I have heard the same thing from men about their wives. “Since the pregnancy and birth of our baby, she’s not the same.” As I mentioned earlier, life has a way of changing the outside appearance of us all.

Let me ask you a question. What is it that you love about your husband that goes beyond the exterior? Is he a man of integrity? Is he loving, kind and gentle with you? Do you feel safe and protected in his arms? Is he a good provider? Do you enjoy emotional, spiritual and physical intimacy together? If you were able to answer yes to half of these questions you have an extraordinary husband.

As the two of you build your lives together, you will both experience some unwanted external changes. Hair loss, weight gain, age spots and a few wrinkles along the way, all a natural part of life. However, these external changes do not determine who we really are. Who you are inside is the real you. That is who you fell in love with. If the real you begins to diminish, then you would both have genuine reason for concern.

George Stahnke
gms@renewalcs.org

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True Reflections of the Heart

by George Stahnke

It has been said "As it is in the natural so it is in the spirit." I believe the Bible supports that thought. "As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person."[1]

The "heart" (Καρδία kardia) in scripture refers to the center and seat of spiritual life, "the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors." - Thayer's Greek Lexicon

read entire article: http://go.cmp.sr/15i

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