reminder

Jul 21, 2014 Three Ways to Stay in Conflict by Rick Warren "Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them." (Proverbs 20:3 TEV) Wise people are peacemakers, not troublemakers. Wise people don't carry a chip on their shoulder. They're not always looking for a fight, and they don't intentionally antagonize other people. The fact is, if you're around anybody for any length of time, you'll figure out what that person does that irritates you, and you file that information in the back of your mind as a tool to use when you get in an argument. It becomes a personal weapon of mass destruction! When you get in an argument, and that person says something that hurts, offends, or slights you in any way, then you pull out the big gun. You push the hot button. And it works every time! You know what the Bible calls that? Stupid! You're not getting any closer to the resolution. You're not helping the relationship. In fact, you're hurting it. It is not wise. Proverbs 20:3 says this, "Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them" (TEV). We all use tools, tricks of the trade, and skills in relationships that are actually counter productive. They're hurtful, they're harmful, and they don't get you what you want out of relationships. In fact, they get you the exact opposite behavior. But when we lack wisdom, we use them anyway. There are many of these tools, but here are just a few: 1. Comparing. Never compare your wife, your husband, your kids, your boss, or anybody else, because everybody's unique. Comparing antagonizes anger. 2. Condemning. When you start laying on the guilt in a relationship, all you're going to do is get the exact opposite of what you expect. It doesn't work. It's foolish. 3. Contradicting. William James, the famous psychologist said, "Wisdom is the art of knowing what to overlook." There's some stuff you just need to overlook. Proverbs 14:29 says, "A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes" (LB). Have you ever said or done anything stupid out of anger? Yes. Because when you get angry, your intelligence goes out the window. When you get angry, you say and do stupid things that are actually self-defeating. Did you ever think about the fact that there is only one letter difference between "anger" and "danger"? When you get angry, you are in dangerous territory. You are about to hurt others — and yourself — with your own anger. Talk About It What are some of the tricks you've used to try to get what you want from a relationship? What effect did those tricks have on your relationship?

Five Things To Do in the Middle of the Storm
by Rick Warren

"But when [Peter] saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." (Matthew 14:30 NIV)

When you're going through a storm, God is not distant or uninvolved. He is "I Am," and he is working in your life for your good. But he also has some things he wants you to do. Here are five things God wants you to do if you feel you're sinking in a storm.

Have courage, because Jesus is with you.

Don't ever argue with a fear. Just tell it where to go! Tell it to go talk to Jesus.

Take a risk in faith.

Don't ask God to bless what you're doing. Do what God is blessing. Ask him what he wants you to do, and then be willing to get out of the boat in an instant.

Stay focused on Jesus.

The moment you take your eyes off the Lord, you're going under. Matthew 14:30 says, "But when [Peter] saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted" (NIV). When you focus on the wind and the waves — your circumstances — you're going to sink, just like Peter. If you look at the world, you'll be distressed; if you look within, you'll be depressed; if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest.

Don't doubt.

You don't need great faith to make it through the storm in your life. You just need faith in the right person.

Praise God.

Even in the storm, even when you feel like you're sinking, even when you're scared to death — praise him all the time. Thank God in the middle of the storm.

What storm is scaring you right now? What storm is sinking you right now? Why do you think God is letting you go through this storm?

He's letting you go through this storm for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm — to say, "I'm all you need. I can handle anything. I will come to you in the ninth hour. And I'll come walking on the very thing that scares you the most. I'm not asking you to come to me. I'm going to come to you. You need to stop being afraid, and you need to totally trust me in faith."