Reconciliation...

I know that I've been horrible at updating this thing. I basically have so much to say and talk about that I get overwhelmed when I sit down to type. So, I just don't do it. Also, there has been a hard set of circumstances taking up a lot of my time and energy lately. I'll try to talk about it here.

Although on the web, you'll find the Promise Keepers taking credit for the tenets of reconciliation listed below, they actually belong to a psychologist who wrote a book on reconciliation whose name I'm too lazy to look up right now. However, I don't think that these tenets refer only to reconciliation, but for building any meaningful community.

I will intentionally be vague, but right now I and a few others in my life are desperately attempting to both reconcile and build community with a group of people in our lives. And they aren't having it. There have been accusations, failures on both sides, and a lot of hurt. There is also a good chance that a small subset of us may end up in a position where we end up being the outgroup of two larger, quite powerful ingroups. And we're all Christians...

So, pray. Pray that my actions and those of all involved will be God directed. That we will sharpen one another while finding ways to connect that are healthy and God honoring. Pray that some big changes that need to happen will in fact take place. That we will all be drawn toward holiness. Pray that those involved can hear the intentions of the feelings spoken and work through our own interpretations to truly hear what others are saying.

I believe in God. I believe in His Love and Truth, and that in the end, I will see a purpose to why all that is going down is going down.

Also pray that I can actually leave this with God enough that I can get over my constant anxiety to do my presentation and 20 page annotated bibliography for this class that I'm in, too.


The Call:­ Reconciliation is Mandatory. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Commitment to Relationship: Ruth 1:16, 17

Intentionality: Intentionality is the purposeful, positive and planned activity that facilitates reconciliation. Ephesians 2:14, 15

Sincerity: Sincerity is the willingness to be vulnerable, including self- disclosure of feelings, attitudes, differences and perceptions, with the goal of resolution and building trust. Reconciliation involves Trust and Transparency John 15:15

Sensitivity: Sensitivity is the intentional acquisition of knowledge in order to relate empathetically to any diverse situation, person, place or organization.
Key issue ­ Reconciliation involves Knowledge and Understanding. Ephesians 4:15, 16

Sacrifice: Sacrifice is the willingness to relinquish an established status or position to genuinely adopt a lesser position in order to facilitate diverse relationships. Key issue ­ Reconciliation will Cost Philippians 2:3, 4

Empowerment: Empowerment is the use of repentance and forgiveness to create complete freedom in diverse relationships. Key issue ­ Reconciliation involves Repentance and Forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Interdependence: Interdependence recognizes differences but realizes that each offers something that the other needs, resulting in equality in the relationship.
Key issue ­ Reconciliation involves Equality 2 Corinthians 8:13, 14