The Past 4 Months

A few nights ago I sat beside Logan and watched his chest fall up and down as he lay asleep in bed.  I stayed by his side just to watch him.  Half his face was buried in the pillow and the other have exposed.  It had taken him longer than usually to fall asleep, but I think that is because he is enjoying the company of his daddy by his side.  Since the boys have been born, as a family we pray and sing together.  Typically I would lead the prayer and all four of us would sing Jesus Loves Me.  Now sometimes Landon leads the prayer, praying for immediate family, extended family and friends (and now friends from school).  Logan enjoys sining by himself Jesus Love Me, sometimes in a funny voice and sometimes really fast.  If Logan is interrupted by anyone, he will begin the song again with a small amount of frustration and rebuke us all (or the offender, mostly Landon).  Due to growing pains, for a couple months now I have rubbed Logan's legs until he falls asleep.

It is such a joy to watch this two boys grow up.  They say silly things.  They love to play and pretend.  They love to learn.  On that particular night, I sat there and attempted to imagine what Landon and Logan would look like when they were 16 or 25 years old, but stopped my frivolous thoughts.  "Just live now," I reminded myself.  As a kid we couldn't wait to be teenagers and as teenagers would could not wait till we were adults.  I am glad to say, I am satisfied right where we are.

God has allowed me the opportunity to stretch in ways I did not foresee.  Due to some circumstances within the church God moved my family and I to, I was called upon to preach Sunday mornings and Sunday nights.  This period would run from June through September.  I was able to preach through the book of Colossians in the summer and adapt a series based on one of my favorite books.  As I sit and reflect, I am asking myself, "What did I learn?*"

• Always be ready, in and out of season.  God tells you and I to do this.  It is important to identify what our faith is grounded in, what our story is and how we can share it.  Out of these thoughts, we ready ourselves for conversations inside and outside the church.
• Listening is important.  Many have more experience than I and many have lots of stories to tell.  If you are always talking, you will miss out on something.  We must learn how to listen to others.
• During the listening we need to be sensing weather the Holy Spirit is among us or if the flesh is talking.  Sometimes, people just like to talk, but its in those conversation that someone shares what is on their heart that God delights.  We can learn and grow from one another, if He is apart of our conversations.
• Take time to slow down and spend time with your family - now.  Ministry 101, as Martin says, is within the walls of our own homes.  Is my electronic device in my hands?  Is the TV on?  Or am I spending the precious moments with my wife and two children.
• Some of our best experience comes by doing.  Being able to lead in such a way allowed my to serve in such a role that God has called me to.  Maybe I am not there just yet, but in His time, God has called me to pastor - And I plan to keep doing that, loving the sheep and loving those who need to see Jesus.  That's what we are called to do, right?  Love God and Love Others.

What does this have to do with my kids?  Everything.  As they watch Kari and I serve God in and outside the church, they are first hand witnesses to God at work through us.  Do we always get it right?  Nope.  Do we sometimes get it right?  Sometimes.  But God uses all these experiences to teach us about His love, grace, mercy, provision and how we can treat others how He treats us.  My prayer is Kari and I look like Jesus to Landon and Logan every day.  That these two boys will grow up, know who created them, God, and begin to understand that Jesus was sent to be our atoning sacrifice -not just Landon and Logan, but for everyone - all of our sins, past, present and future - washed away.  

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the bible tells me so."

He loves us that much! So simple, yet so true.  Blessings.

*Not an extensive list.

My First Fathers Day Sermon

http://www.cedarvalleybaptist.org/audio

The Broken Bike

My oldest son, Landon, recently learned to ride his bike without training wheels. He rides his bike every day. Yesterday he started pulling up on the handle bars and popped a few wheelies. Before he could learn how to pop some wheelies, he brought me his bike with the chain off. I knew that it would be imperative to repair his bike because he would want to ride it soon. Not only was the chain off, but the crank arms were loose.

For those of you who don't know, I am not the most mechanically inclined. I do like to tackle a problem, so I got out my tools.

I made an attempt to put the crank arms back together the best I knew how. Gripping, pushing, pulling and spraying WD-40 (because that stuff fixes anything!). It seemed there was not hope in sight. I was weighing our options - defeat seemed close.

Than I was reminded that my father had once made a similar repair on the same bike. I called him and asked his advise. He recounted what he done the last time and how to repair it.

After a break, I went back to the project. Remembering the advise, I put the bike back together again.

Landon hopped on to give it a test drive. He seemed to be having trouble about every third crank. I asked him to get off and I test the wheel by cranking with my arm. There was a problem. Although it seemed repaired, about every third crank it was very difficult to turn the arm. I started to disassemble the bike in order to correct whatever error I had made.

Upon my second attempt, I put the bike back together again and there was much rejoicing. Before letting Landon ride off, I spun the wheel around several times with ease. He hopped on and sped off.

I am remind about my relationship with God in this story.  Sometimes we don't know what we are doing.  Sometimes we mess up the first time, second time, third time...lets face it we are going to mess up a whole bunch of times.  But when we call on the Father in heaven, He is going to help us.  It wasn't until I called my father and asked him to help me...

Have you called on your heavenly Father to help you with your struggles?  With your doubt?  With your worry?  With anything?  He is there and willing to help you, but are you willing to make that phone call and ask Him for help.

Blessings.

Perfection and Faith: Thoughts on Hebrew 12:2 Part Two

Read Part One here.

"...and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:2

When I think of perfection, I think of the 1972 Miami Dolphins. As of today, this team remains the only undefeated team in regular and post season in the National Football League.

There's also the term perfect game in Major League Baseball. This can be defined as a pitcher or a combination of pitchers for the same team preventing the opposing team for hits, errors, walks or hit by a pitch through nine innings. Basically, 27 batters up - 27 batters down. This has been achieved 23 times in MLB history.

Perfection, even in these sports arenas, is rare. In our lives, we can look forward to perfection only in Jesus Christ at death, ("And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ," Philippines 1:6). Jesus even says in Luke 18:19, “...Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone."

Jesus is perfect!

This passage not only tells us Jesus Christ is perfect in all that He does, but that His perfect life is the foundation for our faith.

We have faith in many earthly things: chairs, direct deposit, the Yankees winning, our cell phone coverage, our DVR settings, girlfriends/boyfriends - we probably could go on for days. We put our faith in many of these things that will or eventually fail is.

Jesus will never fail you.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," John 14:6. Through His life, death and ressurection we gain access to our Father in heaven. We believe in our hearts (Romans 10:9-10) and He washes every single one of our sins away. We gain perfection through Jesus Christ.

Due to His perfection, He was the only acceptable sacrifice; in whom I put my faith in. Who or what do you put your faith? My hope it is in our perfecter of faith, Jesus Christ.

LOL, TTYL, BRB, PTL

Letters are getting shorter. No, we still have 26 in the alphabet, but written letters from one person to another are not as common place as they used to be. Yes, we have email and text messages, but an old fashion letter spoke volumes.

In a letter, one would correspond with another, stories about daily activities, life happenings and anything someone wanted to convey was written and mailed. Letters kept people in the know about one another. Some letters conveyed exciting news of marriage or having a baby. Some letters expressed condolences. These letters often caused the person receiving the mail to have some type of emotional and physically response: joy, shouts, tears, sadness, etc.

Have you ever considered yourself to be a letter to the world or someone who needs to see Christ?

"You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

When He changes our heart, our life becomes a living letter to anyone we come in contact with. Not with ink, but with the Spirit of God - this supernatural letter represents Christ to a desperately lost world.

God tells us we our His letter to someone who needs to see, hear and feel His love. When we share our letter or share our stories with those around us sometimes there is a response - they might see Jesus and respond to Him.

Who have you shared your letter with today? Have you told some how Christ changed your life? Share His letter this week.

Wherever He leads We‘ll Go

If you would have told me 14 years ago that I would go back to Bastrop County and preach God's Word, I might have looked at you and called you crazy; but that's what I did on February 16th at Cedar Valley Baptist Church.

Last Sunday I went in view of a call to Cedar Valley Baptist Church to serve as full time youth minister. My family and I had visited the church sometime in November and after much prayer and discussion it was clear the Holy Spirit wanted us to accept the invitation to come speak and be recommended for the position. It was very clear that whatever personal feelings or plans I had made were overridden by the Lord (He always messes up our plans).

I referred to the church location as Bastrop County because it is in the middle of Bastrop, Elgin, Cedar Creek area, Del Valle and Manor. Various church members drive from these 5 areas surrounding the church.

Kari and I are very excited about what God has in store and how He will be using us in this new location and position. We have already felt the Lord's peace and favor among on His people there.

Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this transition. We will not be immediately moving to Bastrop County, but will begin our ministry only on Sunday (and several Saturdays), in order for Kari to complete the school year. Please include praying for Kari: that she would have an opportunity to teach near our new residence.

We leave Bremond on good terms; we've learned so much and are thankful for Bro. Stan and his wife, Debbie. Also, the many friends, church members and community members who support and love our family. We are grateful for so many.

Blessings to each.

God the Provider

As time passes, paying our bills get easier, but sometimes a higher utility bill and a school payment looming; stress can creep in. I am always surprised how God provides.

This afternoon I collected the mail and found our utility bill. Already previewed via email, I did not open it. I proceeded to take the rest inside, but noticed a second piece of mail from our utility company. Standing in the kitchen, I glanced at the second piece of mail and decided to open it. To my surprise it was a check. Not checking the amount, my mind determined it was an error on my part and it would be a small overpayment refund.

Fogetting we were required to pay a deposit payment, I was amazed to see a check for much more! So much more, it will take care of more than half our utility bill. Wow!

God really is concerned about the details in our lives!

Psalm 91:1-6

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord , “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday."

Dwell with Him. Acknowledge Him. And trust Him.

He asks you and I to do these things and according to Psalm 91:3-16, He takes care of us. Look it up.

Blessing.

A Man Named Zacchaeus - Sermon

Frei Ministries and Super Typhoon Haiyan

Our family was at the center of the eye of Super Typhoon Haiyan just days ago.

To read and see a video on what is happening in the Philippines in Maylay, the island where they serve, check out:

www.freiministries.com

To read, click on the blog tab.

Please continue to pray for them and the people as they rebuild. Blessings.

Writing Their Own Stories in Him

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalm 34:8

The past few weeks, God has placed it on my heart to encourage the students who attend student worship on Wednesday nights to write their own stories in Him. The bible is filled with amazing testimonies (or stories) of people whom He used. From prostitutes, kings, prophets - you name it and God has used people of all walks of life; even Junior High students.

God has been working in these students lives and placed it in their hearts to being petitioning Him in prayer daily at lunch.  Last night at the Junior High/JV Football games, an excited 7th grader came and shared with me about this prayer circle.

Today I received an email from one of the administrators with this photo. Students boldly gathering and praying to the Father in heaven.

God is alive and well.  He is continues to surprise me daily!  I am so blessed to be serving Him and watching Him change students lives.  Do they have it all figured out yet? Nope, but neither do I.  I know that He is going to use these students in so many ways.

Has God put something in your heart? Do you have a story to tell? Begin to live for Him and write you own story and give God all the glory.  That's what He wants.  He wants you and I to point others to His son, Jesus. 

What are you waiting for?

Blessings.

Focus and Source: Thoughts on Hebews 12:2 Part One

"keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source..." Hebrews 12:2

Keeping your eyes on something allows you to maintain focus.

I had an old track coach tell me, find a spot above and past the finish line and than focus on it the entire time I was running. This trained my head and eyes to look up and not bobble my head around aimlessly.

Have you caught yourself wandering aimlessly before?

I find myself in the super-market walking around aimlessly a lot sometimes.  The boys and I were looking for Juilo's salsa the other day in HEB.  After walking around aimless, I asked an employee where to find it. He directed me to aisle 8.  After slowly walking down aisle 8, I decided it was not there.  I found a manager, they directed me to the fruit and vegetable section.  It was not there. Than I found whom seemed to be a super important guy and he said, it's by the milk.  He processed to lead Landon, Logan and myself to the exact location. Julio's salsa had been waiting for us there the entire time!

Did you catch that?  Sometimes I wasn't aimless, I had been given information, but it happened to be wrong.  Not until I went to a credible source, I was aimed right and we found success.

This happens sometimes in various ways: we chase after worldly things and completely miss Jesus, we think we know Jesus, but have no clue who Jesus is, we pretend we know Jesus or focus on small details of the faith and this distracts us from Jesus.  It happens to us all sometimes in some form or fashion.

When we are focusing on anything other than Jesus, we have the potential to walking aimlessly.

What's your focus?

The passage says, "the source and perfecter of our faith."  He is our source.  There is no substitute - just Jesus. Putting our focus on our source helps maintain our aim.

When your hairdryer is unplugged, it is disconnected from the power source.  Therefore, your hair is still wet. When we are disconnected from Jesus, we are living in our flesh.

Focus on the source: Jesus.

Blessings.

Jesus All Over You

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

Recently hearing a sermon on the above passage, it made me think, is Jesus all over everything you do? These two men had just told a man of 40 years to get up, in Jesus name and he did! Obviously, this was an amazing thing for the man and his friends, but we find in scripture some folks were, "greatly annoyed," (Acts 4:2).

I can tell you, folks are still becoming "greatly annoyed," with Christians - in and outside the church. The only answer is Jesus.

• Physical violence does not solve the problem. 
• Hateful words do not solve the problem. 
• Gossiping to your BFF (best friend forever) does not solve the problem. 
• Backstabbing someone does not solve your problems.
• Arguing till you're blue in the face does not solve the problem.

Peter tells those who were annoyed, "let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead - by him this man is standing before you well" (Acts 4:10).

It was so obvious, even to those annoyed, that these men were Christ-like. Just the very presense and proclamation that it was Jesus who healed this man, took there guard down and there was response was, "What shall we do with these men?"

Stumped!

Can you imagine those annoyed standing around looking at one another asking one another, "What shall we do with these men?"

When Jesus is in it, He is going to protect you and I. Let those whom you may have annoyed see Jesus and not you.

What if they miss seeing Jesus? Take it to Him in prayer:  "For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer," Psalm 109:2-4.

Concerning other Christians - Ask questions.  When things seem against you or against Christ, go ask questions - sometimes what our perceived notion of hostility or annoyances, maybe perverted (which just means twisted). When we confront issues, we build relationships.  When we ignore or become jaded, we don't care about the relationship.  Go, get to know someone and in the process, learn where they are with the Lord (Romans 1:11-12). Always attempt to be as Acts 4:13 says, but that includes humility.

Jesus is well aware of your situation and what you are doing on His behalf.  Jesus, "...came to seek and save the lost," (Luke 19:10).  We are all works in progress.

Continue to share the love of Jesus and do it, "bold[ly]."  The world and the church need more Jesus and those will to step out and serve Him.  Where do you fit in?

Blessings.

Frei Ministries

Our family has officially moved to the Philippines. James, Ashley, Daniel, Lydia and Samuel are all living in Malay.
 

Ashley said, "We believe God has called our family to serve the people of the Philippines, specifically in a home for orphaned childern...[we will be] opening a brand new children's home..."
 

In Isaiah 6:8 it says, "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” I am so excited James and Ashley heard the call and proclaimed, "Send me!"

You can go to their website to read more:
 

www.freiministries.com
 

Please be praying for them as they serve. Also remember the immediate family back home, although we know they are exactly where they are supposed to be, we already miss them.
 

Has God called you to do or say something to further His kingdom? What are you waiting for? Serve Him.
 

Blessings.

If Church was like Facebook

If church was like Facebook, we would have at our way! We could block, we could delete friends whenever we wanted. We could put whatever message we wanted on the screen or reading in the pastor's mouth or pick the music and style. If Facebook looks like church we would be able to post whatever photos we wanted and we could have it our way. If Facebook looked like church we could even be a completely different person, maybe even not a Christ-follower.

Praise God, the church is not like Facebook, there might not be any members because it would be all about us and our way.

Scripture is very clear Facebook is nothing like church! The church is the bride of Christ. As believers in Christ, you and I make up the church.

Forgiveness. Redemption. Grafted in. One member suffers, we all suffer. Valuable parts of the body of Christ. Each with our own job (see 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14).

The church is nothing like Facebook. You and I, as Christians, need to grasp this concept and begin to honor God's designed vehicle for His spread of His name. He established it and we attempt to make it ours!

"It's not about you," Rick Warren wrote. Facebook is about you, but what if  before you typed, posted, blocked, or deleted, you put on the mind and aroma of Christ. Would the church begin to permeate through Facebook? 

Only if its about Him and not you.

Blessings.

Moved to a Bigger Place in Town

We are moving! Yes, we are moving again, but this time we're moving about five blocks from our current home into a three bedroom two bath. We are both reminded of the old camp house that we used to live in. Lots of space the boys will have their own room and I can hang my TV on the wall. As my Aunt Lana said, "Room to spread their wings," referring to the boys.

Thanks to everyone who helped and blessed us by serving us. It was a big job, but we got it done.

Blessings.

Galveston Student Camp Starts Today

20 students and 5 adults will be on the road shortly.

Please be praying for us as we travel to Galveston, TX to begin our student camp.

Specifically pray for the following:

Safety - traveling and while at camp,
Students salvation, "Follow Me," Jesus says,
Students growth,
Adults to reflect Christ to students and others.

Thank you for all your prayers; continue to keep us in your prayers through Friday.

Blessings.

Remember what He has Done

"They spoke against God, saying, “Is God able to provide food in the wilderness? Look! He struck the rock and water gushed out; torrents overflowed. But can He also provide bread or furnish meat for His people? ” He gave a command to the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven. He rained manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven. People ate the bread of angels. He sent them an abundant supply of food. Despite all this, they kept sinning and did not believe His wonderful works. They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God, their Redeemer." Psalm 78:19-20, 23-25, 32, 35

Remembering what God does for you and I is part of what continues the faith building process. I trust in Him for many reasons and I recognize that He is the provider of everything. I need to write down in order to help me remember the details and also raise others faith by sharing what He has down.

Our church hosts a little camp known as Galveston Student Camp (recent post). God put so many things in place and blessed many last year we believe God wanted us to do it in 2013.

As spring of 2013 arrived I was informed of a pending semi budget freeze. I think I handled it well, but there was a certain amount of pressure to raise funds. Our weekly charge is pretty small due to a budget item we use as a camp supplement; the supplement was about to disappear.

I put together a list of items we could use at camp and found many who were willing to support. As I write, many of the items have been given.

Kari and I crunched some numbers and arrived at the conclusion we would need $800. We asked the Lord to provide these funds in order for camp to happen the way we had planned.

Over the last three weeks, God has provided, just as we asked.

Taking a recommendation from my father in law of selling asked goods at a local auction barn. I picked 5 ladies and 1 man to make their finest deserts. They each did an amazing job and the Calvert Livestock Auction graciously allowed us to make the sell and even purschased one of the items. Thank you, Calvert Livestock, Inc. We made $515.

As you see in the photo, I received a text from a buddy who lives near Austin. The desire of his heart is to see students know and pursue Christ. He sent $75. Thanks, HS.

Coming down to the wire, on Monday evening (June 3), I received another text message from another friends. He stated he and his wife had been praying for the last month and felt lead to send $300. As Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace (My Chaims are Gone) played in the background, I wept tears of joy. Thanks, B & L.

I mention these 3 monetary donation amounts specifically because they came from outside FBC Bremond.  God used folks I would have never imagined to help send 21 kids to camp.  What an amazing idea, His are higher, why do we even doubt or question what He can and cannot do.

Many, many, many others have contributed: food, time, money and so much more to make this happen, THANK YOU ALL; through it all we must never forget where it comes from.

$890.

He is provider.

"They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God, their Redeemer."

Only Change Comes from Jesus

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." Ezekiel 36:26-27

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Behavior modification is not the will of God. Only Christ changes you and I. The weighty thought of Jesus saying , "Follow me," wasn't a comfortable walk in the park - it is a call to die. 

When we die to our flesh, we begin to look more and more like Christ - change. Do the changes happen immediately? Yes and No.

Yes, because when you repent and surrender your life to Christ, the Helper comes and dwells inside of us - change.

Oneness in Christ is critical here. Abiding in Him makes the change. Not you and I, but Him. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

No, because we slip away from what it looks like to be completely surrendered to Him minute by minute. Apart from Him, "we can do nothing." Are we still a new creation? Yes. We just decided we would let the flesh take a go at life instead of Jesus.

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15

You and I, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ struggle between our flesh and in dwelling of the Holy Spirit (oneness in Christ) everyday. The question is, will you decide to let Him change you now. Not self-help books or behavior modifications, but true change in Jesus alone. He can!

 I am living proof. That's my story. A changed man in Jesus Christ. 

Transformed.

Rise: Galveston Student Camp 2013

This summer FBC Bremond, where I serve as the Minister to Families, will host its second Galveston Student Camp June 10-14.

This year we will be taking 21 students from the surrounding area. I did some thinking, most of these students come from broken homes: divorce, abuse, drugs, alcoholism, many never see  the other parent and some parents are in jail. 

Our students desperately need stability in Christ and His body (the church). It hurts my heart, but to know and point these students to our heavenly Father is what we get a chance to do, is comforting! What a compliment. God has entrusted us with a big job, but with Him nothing is impossible. 

As God heals these students, guides these students and they find freedom in Him, please continue to pray for these 21 students.

Our focus is to Rise (in and through Christ). Rise based on Isaiah 58:12, "And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in," that each student would rise to Christ, above the fog we know as life/the world and to become those who begin to spread the name of Jesus. The wall is not beyond repair and as we equip this young people to go and make disciples, you and I are also restoring/drawing others to Christ (repairing the breach). What an amazing task that He has called you and I to and we are all up in the middle of it! Are you ready to rise?

May we continue to not lose sight of what God has given us a chance to do in our community, county, state, nation and world. Love God. Love others. Those two commands, Jesus sums up all the law. Are you doing both today?

Be encouraged and know that He is taking care of it all! He goes before us and we put our trust in Christ alone.

Blessings.

Value of Conflict in the Body of Christ

Jesus said, "I am the way, truth and life..." And, "love your neighbor as yourself..." (John 14:6 and part of Luke 10:27).

Somewhere along the bumpy road, I think believers have gotten mixed up concerning delivering the truth to one another and withholding truth.

I have heard it said being nice to one another, letting everyone win, telling a white lie to make someone feel better; these are all good Christian things.

I have come to disagree. In many ways groups or churches fall apart because no one communicates the truth; either because of fear of conflict or they don't think it's their place.

A basic team building models says conflict is vital in building a team. Consider our church bodies as a team and think of your most recent conflict. Conflict grows a team because a problem is faced and typically some understanding or compromise is reached. Both parties grow from the conflict, therefore helping the kingdom of God.

Running away and avoiding is the most common way to deal with conflict. Others become personally offended, some could care less, some may never return to the church or some may go somewhere else. This is how many of us deal with conflict. Conflict is not comfortable, but I have grown to learn it is necessary in growing toward the Lord alongside other believers.

When you and I as believers live this lie and ultimately avoid conflict, we are doing the body of Christ a disservice.

I am reminded of Paul and John Mark's conflict (of sorts). For whatever reason, Paul did not want to take John Mark. Paul went to John Mark and told him and than went on his mission to carry out his calling. Later in Paul's ministry, we learn that John Mark joins him later.

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For the body does not consist of one member but of many." 1 Corinthians 12:12 & 14

God created the church of humans, all created in His image. If that's the case, we each reflect many characteristics of God in our body. Hence the significance of the passage describing you and I as different parts of the body. God intended many different people of: race, ethnicity, shape, size, personality, etc. because each of these are unique to Him and to those whom He allows you and I to reflect Christ to within our sphere of influence.

The one common denominator each of us need to remember is our shared oneness in Christ (John 17:23). As believers, our opinions, arguments or conflicts should not cloud our shared belief and love for Jesus.

Pray. Examine if it's the Lord or just you. Approach in love. Deliver the message. Don't avoid the truth. Continue to love unconditionally. Don't expect anything, but pray for mutual understand and resolve. Focus on Christ goals and nothing else.

Blessings.