How We Argue Fuss and Fight by Kathi Johnson, MDiv

We live in a complex world. It’s a world filled with many issues, many leaders, many voices – all wanting our attention, all screaming for our allegiance. And it feels to me as though we live in a world which is increasingly polarized: you’re either for me, or against me – there is no middle ground, and there is no kindness if you are against me.

Contrast this for-or-against attitude with the first part of the New Testament reading for this week, 1Timothy2:1-2:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.

Prayers are to be prayed for everyone. Not just those we like, but everyone. Not just those with whom we agree, but everyone. Not just those with whom we already live at peace, but everyone. And isn’t it interesting, the direction in which the author goes after asking his readers to pray – he says that these prayers will lead us to “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.”

I think that one reason why the text goes that direction is because it is harder to do battle against those for whom we have just prayed. If we are earnestly praying for another person or another group, God has a tendency to work on our own hearts as we are praying for others.

So...do you pray for those with whom you disagree?

Uh oh. Maybe now I’ve scared you a bit! Maybe now you don’t want to pray for (or even think about) That Person Over There because you really aren’t interested in having your own heart changed. You might even think, “There’s nothing wrong with my heart, God! Work on their heart, instead!”

And so, here we are, back to our for-or-against mindset yet again: I’m right. They’re wrong. My heart is right. Their hearts are wrong. And often, out of this attitude, we find ourselves arguing with others, forgetting all about the call to pray for them.

I found an article about fighting at the Psychology Today website, and while the article is obviously referring to arguments within a relationship, I think there is wisdom for how we relate to each other in public arguments, too. Disagreement with someone can be handled in a way which promotes respect - all it takes is a bit of intentional thinking before we speak.

And sometimes we must realize that, even if it feels right, sometimes speaking is not the right thing to do. Sometimes, our words will be lost on the other person or group – and it is precisely at these times when we should pray, lifting up our words of anger and frustration to God, and asking for the right words to speak in our conversations with others.

Think of times when you have disagreed with others - has the conversation been respectful? If so, how was that respect communicated? If not, what can you do (for your part) to make the conversation more respectful?

Let us then live in quietness and peace with others.

Let us pray:
Gracious and holy God,
Lead us from death to life,
From falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope,
From fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love,
From war to peace.
Let peace fill our heaerts,
Our world,
Our universe;
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

(This prayer is a prayer for Peace, found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 76)

Please share your thoughts here and engage in the conversation.

What will you sacrifice for a thrill? By Heidi Jakoby

In today’s culture we do not often talk about sacrifices at least not until recently and the current recession. Now as many people have lost their job and their income and investments are not as high as they once were, what do you have to sacrifice? Are you going out to eat less? Are you not going to the movies? Have you stopped going on vacation? What have you been willing to give up and what have you kept in your life?

Recently our household income has decreased and I find myself rethinking what is important. What are the priorities in my life, what are necessities? Years ago when both my husband and I were working full time I didn’t seem to question every purchase but today I even question my $1 Sweet tea at McDonalds. If I save that dollar then I can…

What would it be like to sacrifice everything for someone else? To give up my home and all my possessions? I think most things I could give up, but not everything. If you were to visit my home and complement some nick knack I would likely have a story to tell you about that. Even pieces of jewelry that I own have stories. I don’t think I could do it, yet people lose their possessions every day sometimes because of a fire or maybe a storm like “Earl” which is currently threatening the east coast.

If you needed to evacuate what would you take with you? What really matters?

In the lesson from Luke 14:25-33 this week, Jesus asks us to leave everything behind including our families to realize there are more important things and beliefs than those of our families. At first glance this sounds very lonely, until you realize that he is asking all of us to consider leaving our old life behind and consider this new way of living a part of a group who cares for one another and wants to help each other in all aspects of life. O.k. it is a little utopian but it is a nice thought especially if some of your family decided to come along. Jesus is asking us to take a risk, how big of a risk are you willing to take for your beliefs?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a pastor who ended up dyeing for his beliefs he could have lived but he was not willing to sacrifice his beliefs for his life? (Here is a brief description of his sacrifice.)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived in Germany during the regime of Hitler. Bonhoeffer was part of the resistance to the Gestapo, and though he lived in America for a short time and could have avoided persecution, he chose to go back to Germany. He went to encourage others in Germany, especially the church, to refuse to crumble before the despot government ruling the country that he loved. Eventually Bonhoeffer, along with other members of his family, were arrested and placed in concentration camps. While in Tegel Prison Bonhoeffer was a source of encouragement to many other prisoners. Even the guards took a liking to him and they often smuggled out his writings and poems. Eventually, Bonhoeffer was executed at the Flossenburg Concentration Camp on April 9th, 1945, just a few days before it was liberated by the Allies. At about the same time Bonhoeffer’s brother Klaus and his sisters’ husbands were executed in the concentration camp at Sa-ches-en-hausen. (The Cost of Discipleship  Written by: Hardgrove, Dr. Mark E.)

What would you be willing to die for? Some people refuse to leave their homes even when the government tells them to evacuate. I don’t know about you but I don’t think I would lay down my life for my house?

Check out this article in the New York times Hurricane Earl Clears Beaches of All but Surfers New Your Times Hurricane Earl Clears  surfing on the storm waters all along the east coast yesterday and today would you risk your life for a thrill? Many people do, and that is the premise for the many x games that have popped up over the years. Extreme sports are great adrenaline rushes but also great risk.

What are you sacrificing today?

What would you die for?

Have a great weekend and let me know what you think.