Did you know that Ephesians 4:29 (‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen’) can actually be translated: ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may BRING GRACE TO those who listen.’ I learned that in Ken Sande’s plenary yesterday and I just know that I’m going to be thinking about that a lot in the coming days. Joy to you! Love, Tara B. PS In one of…

Dr. Hawkins (formerly of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship) taught this morning on the characteristics of unity. He used Ephesians 4 as his text and here are just a few highlights from his teaching: In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul is literally begging the church to ‘not just talk it—but to WALK it.’ To walk as if you have been called by someone special. – Humility is wanting to do the most for the other person. (And humility begats …) – Gentleness with patience (which is endurance that is willing to take PAIN in order to endure). I couldn’t help but reflect on how LACKING I am in humility. Seriously. How often am…

One of the workshops at the Peacemaker Conference was taught by my own beloved hubby, Fred. The topic was conflict over worship in the Church and it was provocatively named, ‘Worship Wars.’ (By the way … as a (proud!) attendee, I can testify that Fred did  a great job and we were blessed.) But one (ironic? sort of sad? sort of funny?) thing happened related to Fred’s workshop: apparently, one of the conference attendees said that HE planned on attending Fred’s workshop to learn how to WIN the ‘worship war.’ (Eek!)  

I received this PeaceMeal from Peacemaker Ministries and thought that it might bless you too. So here it is! The Needs of The Many Outweigh The Few Even if a change in focus does not allow you to overlook every offense, it can often help you in two other ways. First, by recalling what is good in another person, you often will realize how much you will lose if your differences are not resolved. Many marriages, friendships, and business relationships are lost because people focus exclusively on a point of disagreement and forget about all that they have enjoyed in and with one another. Remembering the good may provide the…

Earlier this week I was struggling to maintain gracious and loving feelings toward a certain person. We’re not that close of friends anyway; but we do see each other on a regular basis and because of the nature of our relationship, I truly am called to love and support her. BUT … there is a constant thread of sorrow and rejection associated with this relationship for me. In fact, years ago, this person just came out and told me that she would never give me another opportunity to serve with her again. That, based on my behavior in the past, her mind was completely made up and there was no…