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The most crucial aspect of dealing with conflict, and with fire, is one's attitude. If we see conflict as something bad, when it surfaces we run or fight. When we allow the view of conflict as inevitable with the potential for destruction and growth, then we discover that we have choices.
We learn about the dynamics of fire and what is needed to sustain and extinguish a fire. Some fires benefit from water (electrical) while others die when doused with water. Sometimes smothering a fire is advisable. At other times, an exterior substance must be applied, such as spraying with chemicals. As we discover the dynamics of conflict we also discover the different ways that we can engage in conflict. Sometimes we need a decision made that will provide direction for the community. At other times, allowing disputants with long standing relationships to work things out on their own is important. Moreover, at other times an immediate response is necessary.
In forests where fire is left to occur naturally it keeps the forest floor free of materials that cause destructive forest fires. When we overprotect our forests and prevent fire from doing its job, our forests burn to the ground. In addition, burning leaves behind the ability for new growth to occur unhindered by tangled undergrowth. It has been said that the hottest fire makes the strongest steel. In the same way, a healthy experience of conflict can be the means by which unhealthy factors in a relationship or project can be removed. Then new and stronger ideas and characteristics can emerge.
Uncontrolled fire is undesirable fire that benefits no one and endangers everyone. Uncontrolled conflict is undesirable conflict that benefits no one and damages everyone involved. As with using controlled fire as a tool, great care must be exercised to control conflict. Emotions must be held under strict control and the interaction must not become personal. Like fire, the conflict must remain focused on the proper object (the situation needing change) and not the people involved in the change process. Burning underbrush is desirable; burning the person using the fire is not. By knowing how to extinguish the fire, and the conflict, and by building strict barriers to guide the fire, and the conflict, the greatest benefit can be achieved by both.
Developing the ability to deal with conflict is crucial. If one's attitude allows for the possibility of constructive conflict, then the prospect of conflict can be anticipated and not loathed. We must remember that conflict is similar to fire. It is inevitable but possesses the potential for positive and negative results. Only you can prevent (uncontrolled) forest fires!
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Social media isn’t really new. While it has only recently become part of mainstream culture and the business world, people have been using digital media for networking, socializing and information gathering – almost exactly like now – for over 30 years.
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1. Should limits/restrictions be placed on lifestyle choices and resource usage in third-world countries who are becoming technologically advanced while simultaneously growing in population?
2. What kind of example are we showing as Americans (specifically as Christians in America) with our lifestyle choices of natural resource usage to the rest of the world?
Everyone knows the epitome of bad parenting is the statement, "Do as I say, not as I do". It is the height of hypocrisy to direct others to actions that we are unwilling to undertake. It is also hypocritical to pay lip service to what we say is important, but not follow through with actions to back up our words. Jesus said, "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?" Luke 6:46 (HCSB). He then goes on to share the parable of the houses built on rocks and sand. A wise person not only hears and understands, but takes the appropriate actions. This is the person who builds his house on the rock. A foolish person hears and understands, but chooses to do as he pleases regardless. This is the person who builds his house on sand.
For generations America has chosen to build her house on the sand of growing ecological disaster. I gratefully acknowledge that the United States has taken great strides toward a more environmentally friendly national posture. However, much remains to be accomplished. How can we play the part of global police and direct others to act, when we ourselves have acted just as bad in the past? Developing countries are growing through the same issues that we dealt with a generation ago, and are causing the same environmental damage that we did. I agree that we can provide valuable assistance and knowledge to these countries; knowledge we have learned through many mistakes. Some limits on how developing countries use natural resources are needed and desirable in my opinion. I'm sure those countries would have opposite opinions. In fact, most of those countries probably resent the United States trying to be the world police over so many issues. But before we will gain any legitimacy before the world regarding the environment, we must do more to clean up our act environmentally.
Christians that are serious about stewardship must lead the way. We must educate believers, and the entire population, to environmental dangers and practical solutions. WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? What would He do regarding environmental issues? What would He do regarding stewardship of His creation? What would Jesus drive? A gas-guzzling SUV? A foreign-made economy car? What lifestyle choices would he make to protect the environment? How does Jesus view our use of natural resources?
I never liked the WWJD fad. It is impractical. Often Jesus would do something that I could never do. He is the Son of God; I am not. We should instead ask, "What Would Jesus Have Me Do?" This is a question we should apply to every facet of our lives, including stewardship of the environment.
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Whose Responsibility is it to Feed the Poor & Needy?
"The righteous person knows the rights of the poor, but the wicked one does not understand these concerns." Proverbs 29:7 (HCSB)
The following excerpt is taken from The Baptist Faith & Message of 2000, a statement of faith and belief adopted by Southern Baptists.
Article 15: The Christian and the Social Order
All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:13-16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.
Reprinted from: http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp
(Emphasis mine).
According to this statement of faith, which I believe reflects the teaching of Scripture, it is the Christian's duty to defend the rights of the poor and to work to provide all possible assistance. In fact, Christian agencies spend millions of dollars each year on feeding the hungry, the orphaned, the destitute, and those affected by personal disaster. Some examples are:
I also believe that in the statement of faith above, cooperation with government action in this arena is assumed. It is the duty of all men to help those who cannot help themselves. The way we often do that is through our government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We make our wishes known to the government and provide the means through taxation for the government to provide assistance for the poor.
However, working with government will always have its drawbacks and pitfalls for the believer. Our government is no longer managed by Christian people or by biblical values and principles. The last statements I emphasized in the statement of faith above is to be our guide. We should work with all people of like-minded concern to assist in the work of caring for the poor, including personal involvement and political action.
Government can only accomplish a limited amount. Churches and individuals must be involved through ministries that not only provide immediate assistance, but also provide long-term assistance. Literacy and job training, budget planning, assistance with job placement, and other long-term assistance will enable the poor to help themselves in the future. Our goal should not only be to provide for immediate needs, but to prepare the poor for the future as well. The old adage still rings true: "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime."
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I am not a veteran of our nation’s armed forces. I have relatives who proudly served our country in uniform, but I have not. However, I remember their service. I remember speaking with them about war, and death, and friends who did not return home. I remember them speaking about freedom, service, and patriotism. Four years of high school Navy JROTC reinforced in me a powerful love of country. I still get a tightness in my chest when the National Anthem is played. I still get angry to see people talking, laughing, and wearing their hats as the flag passes by. Call me a sentimental fool; but I think many have lost their patriotism and their gratitude for our freedom and its cost.
Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember all those who died in America’s wars to secure our freedom. It is a day to reflect on the cost of freedom, and to pay tribute to those who fearlessly guard it every day. Many will not give freedom or country a single thought this Memorial Day weekend. They will blissfully enjoy a long weekend of summer fun and ignore the meaning of this day. The freedom they ignorantly enjoy and take for granted is secured by those who lay their lives on the line for the rest of us.
This Memorial Day, take time to remember. Take time to be thankful. Take the time to observe our flag waving in the sun, and reflect on all for which it stands.
]]>God's intention for marriage is lifetime commitment, because He knows our need for the security such a commitment brings. Genesis 2:23-25 is the very first recorded marriage vow. Adam publically declares that Eve is not just his wife, but she is also part of him. They are now one. That is God's intention for marriage from the very beginning. Today’s society glamorizes the wedding. By this, I mean to say that more time and energy is spent on the planning and choreography of the parties, showers, meals, and reception than on planning for marriage. God emphasizes the lifelong covenant.
According to scripture, a vow is a sacred promise or covenant between two or more people with God sealing the agreement. Marriage should start acknowledging that this is a special relationship between a man and a woman and that Christ should be the foundation and focus of this very special relationship. The purpose of marriage is to grow together physically, intimately, and spiritually.
Marriage is to be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman with God sealing this vow, but today we often see marriage not so much as a covenant between man, woman, and God but more as a casual agreement that ends when the relationship is no longer fun or convenient. The idea of a vow that lasts until “death do us part” is rejected in today’s society, and the sad part is that the average Christian marriage has about the same chance of surviving as does a secular marriage. Divorce is the tearing apart of the foundation of all stable societies - the family. Sometimes, it is necessary; sometimes, it is unavoidable. Does the Bible permit divorce? Yes. Is it ever the best option? No.
According to scripture, only two occurrences warrant a divorce: if a spouse has been sexually immoral and is unwilling to repent (Matthew 19:8-9), or if a non-Christian spouse permanently deserts the Christian spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15). Even with these two scenarios, repeated attempts at reconciliation should be made. Divorce is always the last, and least desired option. It is permitted, but never promoted.
Christ takes the marriage vow very seriously — so seriously that He uses marriage to define His relationship with those who believe in Him. He demonstrated the ultimate vow by opening His arms wide on the cross with the thought in His head … “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
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"I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Our country is today contending with issues that are causing its very foundation to crumble. Our moral and spiritual roots are eroding. Families are disintegrating. there seem to be very few leaders who will take a stand for God and His Word.
Will you join with others this Thursday May 6, 2010, for the National Day of Prayer, and lift up our nation before God? Will you cry out in repentance and intercession on behalf of our country and its leaders? Will you beseech the God of heaven to have mercy on our hurting and aimless people? Will you implore the Savior to redeem the lost? Will you beg the Holy Spirit to draw people of all ages back to God?
Ararat Baptist Church, 3608 Brownsville Highway, Jackson, TN, will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM so people can come in and pray. We will provide free prayer resources to guide you as you pray for our nation and its leaders. Even if you can only pause a moment, stop and pray for America.
http://www.facebook.com/TheNationalDayofPrayerTaskForce?ref=ts
http://twitter.com/nationalprayer
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The field beside our house last week.
The field beside our house after 12 inches of rain in 10 hours.
A woman is rescued from her car in the flooding, just down from our home on Hwy. 70 west in Madison County.
Flooding roadblock just past our driveway on hwy. 70 west. 
The intersection of Airways and 45 By-Pass facing south. I drove through here this morning.
Sinkhole on Forrest Ave. just down the street from Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
Flooding on South Highland in Jackson, TN