1 Corinthians 13 ~ Love believes

Summer has become methodical. Most of us feel we have what summer offered. The forecast on the west coast is wildfires. The forecasts for the coming week indicate this is Texas. And we have violence in El Paso and Ohio.

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

When we fully know Jesus - we know the greatest of all hopes - He is Love.


Jesus is beyond what men say and further than what the Angels themselves have to say. Jesus is Love.

As Christians we know this.  

And then, in the routines of a season we look forward to, as temperatures increase, as the season departs, we see a pattern of violence we are becoming familiar with.  Mass Shootings.

The innocent are harmed. The non-violent have life changing injuries and death occurs. Terror has made an impact.


2 Corinthians 4:8-12 

We are afflicted in every way, 
but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 


12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Ephesians 4:14-15
So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ

Seasons.

Thomas Jefferson dealt with terrorism at Sea. Our Grandparents dealt with a World at War. The goals of the wars created - do not sound feasible or possible. Anger, Greed and Death. Power and Despair.

My in-laws, in elementary school, had Spring Break taken away. The Dallas School Children brought in the cotton crops for the soldiers to have clothing.

In the 1950s, school children heard sirens and got under the complete and total safety of a 2 foot by 2.5 foot desk to take cover from atomic bomb. Cuba let us know this was completely feasible and we could all roast immediately.

We were out of Oil in the 1970s. To get gasoline, one waited in line for two or more hours. It just didn't make sense.

When I was in elementary school, commercial airlines were in the news to a considerable degree - of entire planes hijacked. The Olympics saw all the Israel Team murdered.


Eventually, there will be a formula - fame for killing, won't motivate the haters. 
And there will be a different type of trouble, oppression and adversity. Hatred is not sustainable. All wars, all conflict has a time and a season. And hatred and violence end, we have a time for rejuvenation and positive changes will happen.

Life will always present a way for the fiery ordeal to be shocking.

1 Peter 4:12 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial
 when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

We will face mortal injuries and illnesses. We will have loss as people we love suffer. We will see the circle of life and the Scriptures sometimes call this The Day of The Lord. God says these are not pleasant times. Ecclesiastes is serious work - with age and true life.

Life really has seasons we feel - endangered.

We all work very hard to put suffering from us. 

This is the circle of life. 

It's not wrong to put down the trouble we can with faith God is Working.
 Jesus found Joy knowing life. Jesus touched lepers. He placed in fingers in deaf ears. Jesus touched mute tongues. And in touching what needed God desperately and in the joy we all find in God's Gift of LIFE - we find mature life.








When we see Politics - we see policies of life and situations we don't control.  We reveal our lives in the political talk. We tell our fears and our anger.

When we see Mass Shootings. We see the craziness of anger and selfishness ruining innocence senselessly. We see the faces of the bystanders and we wonder why those who are so angry can't be touched by the intense sadness of Innocence. The Scriptures will carry us an amazing way - to great depth. The Disciples told the children to make time for adults now, leave nice Jesus alone. It was God Himself who held the innocents to Himself. God cares for the people with kind hearts wondering - why the fiery trial.


We do ourselves no favor to rush past. To pretend safety.

Luke 13:4
Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them - - -

3 No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

We are all perishing.  Good News. We just don't have to be so afraid. Jesus Christ told us we are Flowers of the Field. Dust to Dust, Ashes to Ashes. We pray to go far, far, far and finish well. And in God's Grace, we believe we will.

And then God says the impossible.

Ephesians 4:13
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

This isn't the end, this is the Beginning. Sunrise. Light of the World.

Jesus turned the Roman Empire "Upside Down" - - - people Knew Jesus was Alive. Bodily Alive. Witnessed. God has a PLAN.

Even the dust God has pity on.

Psalm 102:14
For her hard as stones - life paths - are dear to your people; her very dust moves them to pity.

Life can be so difficult. So hard. So entrenched. The Valley of Bones and dust.

Ezekiel 37

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them,
 ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 

5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”




The Word of God manifest and laughing with delight with Father God as Creation was Spoken. Jesus the Christ was there to see prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, mountains moved.


To be grace and truth.

God's Only Son, The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.


Jesus gave away all He had, and He delivered up His body to be destroyed - for Love. To gain you, to gain me, to gain Heaven.


With us, Jesus is patient and kind. Jesus is love and does not envy or boast. Jesus is not arrogant or rude. Jesus as Father God, with the Prodigal son - does not insist on His own way; He is not irritable or resentful.

Jesus the Lord God, Christ does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world.

Love never ends.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.






In Christ Jesus you are all sons and daughters of God, through faith. And in Christ’s love, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

We are
                 under obligation
                                             to have a response to the Love God has for us.

We are
                   under obligation
                                             to have a response to the Love God has for us.


The one who looks at Jesus, is seeing Father God, who sent our Jesus.

Anyone who has seen our Jesus, has seen Father God.


Abba, Our Father God,

Please fill us with all joy and peace in believing.

We know we pray because You know the Beloved One has needs You already Know. We are asking You our Loving Abba.

We will 
abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We pray 
this upon the ones we Love, our Church, our co-workers, our neighbors and our Nation.

We Know
the power of prayer from around the world to You, our Willing Father. We cherish the people and nations around the world - praying with faith and Love.

In Jesus the Lord! Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

Psalm 128 ~ May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

This is one of the wedding gifts Maxine gave us ~ Look down with favor, O Lord on these Thy servants, who, by Thine Divine Authority, are one in Holy Matrimony. Grant them Thy loving protection through days of lasting peace; and bless them with the love of their children's children. Amen.


Psalm 128 

[1] Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!

[2] You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

[3] Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.

[4] Lo, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.

[5] The LORD bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!

[6] May you see your children's children!
Peace be upon Israel!


This Psalm of God's always fills me with hope and raises me up. I like it more & more as I grow older, when I was younger I expected all the bounty and blessings of God, without a lot of real prayer. Not only is it a Psalm about Heaven, where the best is yet to be, but it is the promises of the Lord's goodness for this life.

When we are young, life is so very pleasing. As we grow older, we have a greater appreciation for what our parents and grandparents did for us. God says it is more blessed to give than receive; I am grateful for Maxine's prayer gift, I look forward to my grandchildren. My son Alexander laughs like my paternal grandmother, it is an echo of love. A hearty laugh from the belly, like being surprised at joy & overtaken. I look forward to seeing the next generation and to have the opportunity to be the love and caregivers my grandmothers & parents were to me.

I try to picture heaven & my limited vision gives perhaps a tiny glimpse. This Easter I was blessed to receive a Jacquie Lawson card, wow, it was what I think of. If you've ever seen the movie "Places in the Heart", 1984, it won 2 Oscars? Fabulous ending scene in the Church over Communion. If you are looking for a quiet Saturday afternoon, watchlastmovies.com has "Places in the Heart."

Blessings to you this Saturday.

Abba,

We will pray the prayer David knew of the business of Shepherding from his father: Jesse.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will "be the fruit of my life" all the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the House of the Lord.

We would follow the example of Jesse - we would add this to our own beloved Family. To the people Father God has given us. The people we pray for daily.

To the Nation trusting in God. All the Nations trusting in God. Our employments, our communities, our Churches, our schools. Our friend to be healed of cancer for his Psalm 128.

More Heaven on earth and Holy Spirit, we ask in Jesus.

May we see our children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

 Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

Psalm 125 ~ Do good, O Lord, to those who are good

Surprise Mother's Day Gift

Psalm 125

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.

3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.

4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!

5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!





Do you ever sit and think, ponder, wonder about mankind and God.

The Bible says when we have reached the point of 50% have no faith, the Word is preached all over the world, travel and wisdom have increased - we will have the beginning of the end. Jesus wonders in the Gospels if God will find faith when He returns.

Jesus tells us He knew:

John:2-24,25
Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. 25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

Proverbs 8 tells us God delights looking into mankind. And Jesus has found us, this planet, this world, worthy to be saved in Jesus Christ.

This is what causes the stock market emotions of life. The ups and downs of intensity God told us about finding in this life:

1 Peter 4:11-13
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.


We find the Good Days are 1 Peter 4:11

and then we read this in the Word of God:

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you,
as though something strange were happening to you.



13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

How would we relate asking Jesus anything in prayer and if we believe, then we have the prayer answered and then have suffering and rejoice?

God is not mocked. God does not lie, and yet the Disciples were free to ask Jesus what they wanted. Sometimes they shrank back from questions and sometimes they were bold and wrong.

The Bible very famously tells us there are Seasons. 1 Peter 4 tells us we can be on the boat with Jesus and suddenly there is a storm. Jesus has told us there will just be trouble in life. The Scriptures tell us all things interweave for the good of those who Love the Lord and Work According to His Purpose.

Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure

Job discovered this. Only with sincerity of thought and in this abiding belief God is Good, Job began to discover the waves of life. The Boat Jesus calmed to the complete astonishment of His Disciples who had seen Jesus, "Heal them all."

Jesus told us to expect to see "more" after He ascended to Heaven. Paul began His work to fulfill ever dot and iota:

Ephesians 4:13-15

Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. '

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. 

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the Head.



What will we call out to when we feel tossed in the waves? Love. The father Jesus encountered coming from the Mountain with Moses, Elijah and Peter, John and James definitely felt tossed about in the Very Presence of God Himself. He so very earnestly desired goodness and wellness for his son. Jesus patiently waited for the father to find his faith. Find his feet in faith and stand firmly.

The Scriptures, Jesus told us, are to know the Scriptures and the Power of God. This is not humanism, this is Jesus as God helping us in all the seasons of Life. Daily.

Abba, Father God, 

We pray for our Good Works pleasing to You. We ask You and to give our worries to  Your guidance, Love, mercy and direction. Letting You, Jesus, to to be what centers us and leads us in our lives. Keep us in You, always. 



Amen in Jesus.

For the healing of Elliott, to live a long life, among his 3 children and to grow old with his

beloved wife Harby. To have years of many grandchildren. The end of cancer and the dreams of long life and plentiful years in the willingness of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

Philippians 3:12-16 ~ Christ Jesus took hold of me

Philippians 3:12-16

2 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Papyrus 46, 1 to 2 generations from Jesus. Near perfect condition for 1,900 years later.

Why have Philippians 3? What is God saying?


This is another aspect of the Holiness of God - reaching to us in our human frailties.


Paul could have stood saying how he was just that strong. He could have talked about his background. Paul choses to say that in life there are times of strength and weakness.

Would we place bets on the longevity of the Bull,
 the Bear or the Papyrus?

The Prophets die off or are killed.

Israel was deconstructed.

Jesus was always in trouble with the Governing of Temple Guards.

Jesus was killed and died.

Israel was deconstructed.

The Christians refused to scatter and quit.

And the Work of God continues. Past Anti-Popes and Empires. When the pendulum seems stuck.




Daily we are part of the stock market. The vast unpredictable emotions, events, good news, Glee, sorrow, memories of good, memories of bad. Hopes for Today.

We face the grizzlies of life - by being honest.

We lived in Cameron County, Pennsylvania for 4 years when I began High School. The Black Bears of the entire State are relocated to this excellent and beautiful county and the great Game Warden Country. My father's co-worker Bob, as a child, loved to scare his friends by screaming, "Bear!!! Run!!!" At believable intervals.

One day, they were on a ride up South Mountain on bicycles.  And the boys exactly repeated to Bob, "Bear!!! Run!!!" Bob laughed and said he was not falling for that old trick.... Something this time seemed - different. Bob, it is told, picked up his Bicycle and ran up South Mountain with his bicycle over his head. The Black Bear decided Bob was just too wound up tight to eat. Bob would later admit for decades and decades this was not strategy, so much as pure terror.

... Be like the Bible, don't be like Bob...

Jesus called this, "In this life, you will have trouble."

Appropriately this quote:

James 1:11
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.


I love this. We are from the South, so, heat - check. We have all loved our gardens and yards - check. My grandmother and her sister, Eloise, prayed for decades to die like Camellias and fall whole to the ground, beautifully intact. Don't we all want to fade quickly away in the midst of our pursuits?

The Bible tells the truth, explains life is difficult (for north and south) and gives immeasurable Hope.

My first cousin, once removed,Maxine, was my Ward in the State of Texas for 12 years. We generally are a long-lived group of people and when she went into the Memory Loss Building of CC Young in Dallas - she was 81 years old - with her aunt still living at home in Louisiana. Maxine was an only child, who had no children. All 5 of her first cousins had tried to take care of her fiercely guarded wish for independence. Most of our family has died doing what they like to do in their 9th decade.


Well, her mother and father loved their home from 1931 and in the year 1999, my first cousin and Ward, Maxine, was living in the house after - 23 - twenty-three strokes. In life today, it's rare when we get to see a house deconstruct. But when you live alone and 5 first cousins are trying to help a family member in the 8th decade - things get pushed aside. My Ward was strong, strong willed and she dismissed Adult Protective Services - 5 times. (We called Adult Protective Services.)

The yard man died. And my cousin grew old, the grass became a forest. The driveway was always in full view of the house. No more. No view. The plumber was charging too much so the kitchen floor fell into the basement. (Food was being brought in daily.) And all of the family was very, very sad to see their childhood memories decay with our cousin.


The house today is on the 3rd owner since 1931. A family fixed it up. Enjoyed it. Got overwhelmed at more to do and after fixing it up, sold to house enthusiasts. The house looks as good as when Eloise and Cary and Maxine where young. I'm sure someone let them know in Heaven. Back in the 1930s, they broke a car axle on family vacation - bringing back as many boulders as a car couldn't quite carry.


After having been a witness to the family aging. The house falling to loved and then terrible decay, I'd have to say the Mercy of God is Quite a Gift.

The story of the house, rather mirrored some of the old age.

My Newlywed first married neighbor was 80 years old when we moved into our total fix up cottage. She had to have a professional painter come in when we had lived there the first 5 years. After 41 years of perpetually fixing her house, painting her own house, she hired the first painter the house had ever seen in it's 4 decades - she had worn the texture off the walls with so many coats of paint. There was never a ladder this 80 year old lady didn't like. Doris collected all her pecans and sold them for about a thousand dollars back in the 1980s.

I watched Doris fall into sadness when her second husband had died of old age. And then rise again.

That very brittle papyrus of 1,900 years is quite correct. Daily, we fall and rise with glee and joy and sad thoughts. Yet when we find God giving us His Willing Daily Blessings - we find we have the Strength behind the Very Word of God.


If this set of Papyrus from the long life span of John the Beloved Disciple can tell the truth, believe in the mercies of God and endure this long - I'd have to say God is still in the Answering Prayers With Steadfast Love Action.


Abba,

We Thank You for Your Blessing of Jesus. Today. In the Nature of Jesus, we are given Your Exact Nature.

Finding You Alive and Loving. Discovering again how 'for' us You are. God of Love.


Bless us to see You more clearly. Love You more dearly.
Bless our family. Bless our Loved Ones.

Let Your Glory sweep our Nation Trusting in You.

Let Your Majesty put all of Creation bringing more Heaven on earth. Bless the nations living in Your Brightness. Uphold, Bless, Keep Safe, Strengthen Encourage and Build up the Kingdom of Heaven in Your Beloved children all over Your Good Creation. More Jesus.

We are praying for Elliott to find his life is Blessed to be healed by Jesus and cancer is gone forever.

Let the Light of Your Love far outshine the darkness, to see the Victory of Your Son Today.

In Jesus, the Lord, God's Only Son, Alive, Working, Loving, Guiding us to Live.

Jesus God, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Colossians 3:15-16 ~ let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body

Colossians 3:15-16

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


Got conflict? Smile. Life is the adventure of "Give us the Day" tempered with "Our Daily Bread." Bread is good. Warm. Inviting. The aroma of I want that. If you eat rye bread every day, or 'sour' dough, you can get pretty underwhelmed.

The Serenity Prayer by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Jesus, I'm glad to say did not always smile and wave. Go with Him on a warm day and see... one of the nice things about picturing Jesus - we see WARMTH

Luke 6
On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grain-fields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” 3 And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” 5 And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”


The nice thing about God, HE doesn't have to be politically correct. One of my most adored, beloved people in life used to moan and proclaim life just 'isn't fair.' Solomon said the Hand of God bestows blessing and hardship. Deal with it. Jesus was providing Conflict in the above Paragraph. It's His Privilege.

Oddly enough, the New Testament agrees and says Whatever your circumstance, be filled with finding gratitude or thanks because this is HIS will for you to grow up and go Home.

1. Are you dealing with someone who wants the same goal you do? Can you change that? Nope. Well, you have exactly one alternative. Pray. And adjust your life to move like - the Mississippi River. Because God is Sovereign. Yay. I'd trust my life to... HIM. Delta is the a symbol for any changeable quantity, in mathematics and the sciences. We change our attitudes to those pleasing to Him.


Best Practices for Effective Conflict Management - University of Iowa. They make California look sunny. However, we are called to be - One Body. If they aren't against you, they are for you.

Conflicts include differences of opinion and perceptions at all levels of interaction including supervision, shared work and living spaces, teaching and learning. When conflicts affect the ability to work productively, learn effectively, or live in a comfortable environment, they need to be addressed. The following are some best practices that can contribute to effective conflict management. As with most conflict management skills, these practices are common sense but can be challenging to put into practice.

As an individual:

• Address conflict early to prevent it from escalating.

• Discuss the issue directly with the person involved. Effective people communicate. I heard that from family.

• Communicate with respect. For assistance with an effective conversation, ask a supervisor, HR representative, or other UI resources for support. (Look Higher...Fast...that's a joke...have humor)

• Seek to learn and understand the other point(s) of view. (Don't do the you tube video of the man who had his parking place taken.)

• Address perceptions and assumptions.(With the idea the Son will Come Up Tomorrow).

• Listen to understand the interests of the other party, and not just their position on the matter in dispute. (They might be interesting, if they try not to whine.)

• Focus on the issue, not the person. (Are you kidding me, the person wants to be understood. As issue rests within, upon a Person.)

• Find ways to move past your differences; agree where you can find common ground and agree to disagree if necessary. (See the last sentence, repeat, this is GOD wants to Save the ... World.)

• Focus on the present and future, and be willing to put the past behind you. (See Recovery from Conflict.)

Jesus had colleagues, He got to pick (mostly) and 72 co-workers. Even in the Boss' Son's group, there were people who spoke one direction and went mainly another. The competition was terrible.

Jesus didn't over Word things. And He did not do Drama. Jesus recognized in dealing with People - Forgive them and move on. There are some people and some situations - you have to Pray about and leave up to Him. Jesus believed in people. Even while He knew what was in them. And He Expected the Best from them and if you look at His Record - He received blessings for His belief in them. And allowed time to let people grow up.

As a colleague or co-worker:

• Encourage parties in conflict to address each other early and directly. (I have been encouraged to leave my hammer at the door. And speak with words not involving labels. My father was a great believer in being Polite.)

• Encourage the parties to focus on common interests and work to resolve their differences in order to move forward. (Fence sitters are told they have a better view and are possibly closer to Heaven. Jesus gave time and said if they aren't against you, they are for you. And HE is God.)(Sometimes you have to dig for the humor, people.)

• Direct colleagues and co-workers who are in conflict to UI (Higher) resources. Taking sides will not help resolve the conflict. (Now that's just NOT reality, but nod and agree. You might nod that this is not the battle you pick right this second.)

• Do not be drawn into conflicts in which you are not a party. (TADA)

• Do not escalate the conflict by giving it undue attention. (TADA)

• Treat both parties in conflict with respect. TADA)

(Ta Da is actually Scottish for Teaching Assistant of the Father, ask a seminarian.)

Continuing Luke 6

12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.


17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him 
and 
He healed them all.


However, if only we could get along like the Early Church...Um. Read the last chapter of the Gospel of John. Luke disagrees with Matthew 5

Matthew 5
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Perhaps they were speaking of the same thing and didn't connect the communication. Jesus was so comfortable - HE sat to teach. And the people were so comfortable - they didn't care if Jesus was sitting or standing. Knowing HE stood for the higher, more important things.


As a supervisor dealing with colleague or co-worker conflict:

• Practice the individual conflict management skills listed above, and encourage others in conflict to do so as well. (Pray. God can move the Red Sea - He could certainly have whisked people to the Promised Land. He chose the method of Pray and Pay the Electrical Bill. God cared how His people were treated. He waited until it was impossible to move that many slaves. Sometimes God uses weakness to make His point. Sometimes we listen to the complaints to see how the person's mind works.Listen. Care. Called to be one Body of Christ.)

• Manage the environment to support conflict resolution. (Marriage Counselors say get up and leave when Heavy Anger overwhelms peaceable solutions.)

• Be aware of the effects of power differences on conflict management. Be alert to worries about retaliation. (Expect the Best in People. Jesus did until HE decided there was no solution and just forgave and went on. GOD calls us to Peace. Not to dwell in this level of upheaval.)

• Use UI resources to assist in facilitating conflict management so that it does not interfere with productivity or the well-being of the unit or department. (Except that we have exactly two choices in life - Work on His Plan a) appreciating the blessings and conflicts He gives us to grow up and go Home b) b and work on His Plan. )

• The Conflict Description Template may be useful for supervisors in understanding a conflict situation and discussing it with others.

• In any conflict, issues of confidentiality should be considered. (Jesus believed in that, pushing people out of the Jairus' daughter's death room. Saying, "The Child is only sleeping.")

Pray
God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time.
Let His Will be Done. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

This is not your first step. It's your FIRST BEST STEP.

Effective Conflict Management Thinking
Past Present Future
We cannot change the past. We can act to help make the situation better now and in the future through shared agreements. We can use conflict constructively as a source of different ideas and perspectives.

Forgive me my sins and those who sin against me ~ teachings of ~
Jesus Christ, Son of God 

• Seek assistance from UI (HIS) resources if you need it.

• Make known your goals for the conversation. (Be Justice with Mercy in Truth)

• Discuss confidentiality.

• Use Respectful Communication so that each person will continue to participate and not leave, go silent, raise their voice or be defensive.

• Listen intently for the other’s perspective. Active Listening skills are especially useful in conflict conversations.

• Be aware of and try to understand your own and the other person’s feelings.

• Discuss perceptions and assumptions. (Seek mutual ground)

• Address the past as necessary.

• Focus on the problem, not the person. Address the problem instead of being defensive. (The Person needs to be addressed with such courtesy the issue is secondary.)

• Look for areas of agreement--your common ground—and build on those. (You say mutual, they say common, try not to smile broadly.)

• Agree on what you both can do in the future and leave the rest. (Nod a lot, pick your battles, don't nod too much. Be Sincere. )

Post-conversation: Implement and Move Forward

• Act with integrity to maintain your shared agreements.

• Recognize that change is difficult and sometimes we make mistakes as we change. Notice positive behaviors.

• Let go of past hard feelings and look for ways to work together productively, e.g. use common personal greetings, say thanks when appropriate, acknowledge and show appreciation for changed behavior, repeat common ideas and goals, etc. If you are having difficulty, visit Recovery from Conflict for further ideas to help you now and in the future.

Did you ever wonder why Norman Vincent Peale said - If you have conflict - Rejoice - You are ALIVE !!!


The Beatitudes

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
Jesus Pronounces Woes

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.

“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Love Your Enemies

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”



~ teachings of ~
Jesus Christ, Son of God

Abba,

Jesus Christ the Lord, we ask Father God

to Bless us and Keep us

and Make Your Face to Shine upon us.

To know our cares and compassions. To forgive our flaws and weakness.

We ask for Your Graciousness.

We want to be Blessing Seekers. To ask for Your Willing Blessings

on our infirmities and Heal us. We love to ask Your Blessings.

Help us to be a Blessing.

Thank You for Your Blessings. Our Hope and Future. Today, Yesterday and, also, Tomorrow. Bless those we love with health, healing from cancer and from illness - upset stomach and headache requiring antibiotics.

Lift Your Face and Smile upon us.

Carry our Nation to Trust in You.

Bless Nations who seek You and Your Light.

Bless the Children of God asking You for more Heaven on earth.

Give us the Amazing Gift of Peace.

Peace so Magnificent this is Your own Peace.

The assurance of You. God's own Peace

We ask with all our heart, mind and soul to be

Covered in the Name of Jesus.

And Your Blessing of more Heaven on earth.

In the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †