I NEED YOUR HELP: Today is the midpoint of our journey together. What have you been learning through these 40 days of purpose? Would you be willing to share His story in your life?
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send me an email and start the process.
POINT TO PONDER:Relationships are worth restoring.
REFLECT: How did today's reading impact you?
       "God has restored our relationship with Him through Christ
   and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships." 
   (2 Corinthians 3:18 - God's Word for Today)

       "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with
   everybody." (Romans 12:18 - Today's English Version)
Because you and I were formed to be part of God's family and the second purpose of my life on earth is to learn how to love and relate to others, peacemaking is one of the most important skills I can develop. But we have a wrong view of it. It is not avoiding from a conflict, pretending it doesn't exist, or being afraid to talk about it. Sometimes we need to avoid conflict, but sometimes we may need to create conflict, and sometimes we need to resolve it. That's why we must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to know how to approach new situations in our lives. As part of God's body, our Lord wants us to Rick Warren provides 7 Biblical steps to resolving conflict.
  1. Talk to God before talking to the person..

    2. ...sometimes we need to "Ventilate Vertically" first. Too often we want to "spread this word" to others instead.
  2. Always take the initiative.

    3. Check out Matthew 5:22-24 and Matt 18:15-17, whether I was the hurter or the hurtee, Jesus wants me to take the initiative to restore the relationship.
  3. Sympathize with their feeling.
  4. Confess my part of the conflict.

  5. Attack the problem, not the person.
  6. Cooperate as much as possible.
  7. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.

    8. God expects unity, not uniformity, and we can walk arm-in-arm without seeing eye-to-eye.
Here's a few of my own- Remember that noone acts the way they do without a reason. Wisdom is getting to the heart of the person, not just the heart of the problem. Also, I strongly urge to NEVER try to resolve a matter by writing a letter or email- GO to the person, in person. Finally, Jenn & I have always had some simple rules about fair fighting: Timing, Delivery, and Message. Reflect and prepare first, so that your words are said in love, you're respecting their feelings and circumstances.
How about you? Any other wisdom to add? More important- Is there someone you need to be reconciled to - don't delay- talk to God, and ask Him to pave the way to reconciliation today!
PRAYER:
"Gracious Father, give me the wisdom to live at peace with my brothers and sisters. Give me clear vision, love, courage, humility to take the first steps to restoration today. Amen
FOR MY CONSIDERATION:
    Why is restoration such a big issue to God? Am I restored in my relationship to Him? Are there others with whom I need to mend the fence?
This week's Memory verse: 
 	"... so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member 
	belongs to all the others."	  Romans 12:15 (NIV)
CBF Home How can we help you in this journey? Please let us know
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