Hard To Get Along With People! 

We all have them don’t we?  “Hard to get along with people” show up at all times. They show up in the workplace, places of recreation, and sometimes in the home.

And for sure when they do, it will be at the most inconvenient time.

What’s this new way of looking at people we would just as soon NEVER see again?

Paul says in Galatians 6:10  NLT that “whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”

So how do you look at them?  What do you see?

How about seeing an opportunity? An opportunity to…

• Help heal a hurt.  People have a habit of responding out of their own hurt and when that happens a great opportunity exists.  God divinely connects us with people He wants to grow.

The question to ask is “God, how can I be used to accomplish your purpose in this situation and in this person?

• Allow God to show us areas in our life that may need attention. Many times what we see in others, the very thing that bugs us, is alive and well in us.

The question to ask is “God, what is it in me you seek to change?”

• Live out God’s wisdom ways. He says to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.”

The question to ask is “God, how can I show YOUR love to those who prove hard to get along with?”

How do you see “extra grace required” people?  As an opportunity or someone you just wish would go away?

How difficult is it to “love your enemies” and “do good to those who hate you?”

Do you live God’s wisdom ways in your own strength or in His strength?

So what opportunities are there for you this week when faced with “Hard To Get Along With Never Want To See Again People?”

One summer while traveling toward our destination I was using the GPS feature built into my phone. Those who know me know I am not the best at directions so it was serving its purpose and doing it well.

Until I decided not to listen.

When it started telling me “off route” and “make a U-Turn,” I quickly proclaimed it as wrong and not really knowing what it was talking about.

“It”, of course, was wrong. What I had depended on before was now spewing out inaccurate directions, so I thought.

I continued on.

Sometimes we do that in life.

Moses instructs the people of Israel to “Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Deut. 5:32 NLT

Sometimes we hear “off route”, “make a U-Turn”, “STOP”. Do we listen or do we proclaim what we are hearing as wrong and inaccurate?

God’s instruction to us comes through people, prayer, and his Word.

We just need to listen and “stay on the path..”.

I continued on our journey, ignoring the GPS, UNTIL I decided to really listen. It was right, I was wrong, and it led us to our vacation spot along a beautiful river.

Need to make a “U-Turn” today?
Have you been ignoring the voice that keeps saying “Off Route” or “Stop”?

Two of the tools I use that you might find helpful for your journey

www.youversion.com
www.mantisbible.com

What do you use?

This morning I am reminded of the “real” world while traveling through Twitterverse.

It’s the positive role Twitter plays in my life.

In literally seconds I am presented with the joys and the challenges of people I have never met but are dealing with real life. 

Much of what I read has not been part of my life.  God has been good to me.

This morning I am brought to tears as I pray for Amy and her husband Jonny (@jonnybleu). I have never met Amy in real life but she is in the hospital fighting a battle most of us have not experienced, with her husband alongside, celebrating the small victories and praying for “big” ones.

All of this while Gin (my wife) and I are days away from celebrating 37 years of an awesome marriage.  I pray that for Jonny and Amy.

Twitterland = real life.

It will change you, keep life in perspective, and cause sore knees if you let it.

• What are you thankful for today?
• Who are you praying for?
• Are you celebrating life’s victories?

We launched our series –  “Ten – More than a Check List”  - Based on the Ten Commandments.  They are more than a “check list”. IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP!

Worshipping with the CMC fam is a highlight of my week!

Jessica’s story of God’s grace just rocked!  Thank you God!  And thank you Jessica for sharing.

God calls us OUT of but he also calls us TO…  OUT of the world but TO the world!

Together we prayed Psalm 31:14 “ I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!”

• In my Relationships…  “You are my God”

• In my Job…“You are my God”

• With my Future….“You are my God”

• With my Children…“You are my God”

• In my Joys….“You are my God”

• In my Sorrows…“You are my God”

• In my Decisions…“You are my God”

• In my Finances…“You are my God”

• In my Life… “You are my God”

• In my (you insert) …“You are my God”

God of “self” or God the Father…. who’s in control?

God’s Word, his commands, protects us!

He is a personal God… “I am the Lord your God”

God has led us out of our own misery and slavery into LIFE with Him!

We celebrate life in Christ!

Always our question… What’s your next step?

Hope to see you next Sunday!

This past Sunday a very sharp young student presented me with a list of some of the words I used during my message, “Life Work – The Gift of a Praying Mother”.

Her mother encourages them to listen for a key word(s), jot that word down, make a mark each time the word is used, and total at the end. A very genius idea to keep her kids engaged in the message, I think.

The list indicated I said “Lord” 19 times, “Mother’s” 21 times, “God” 35 times, and the top word used…… “Prayer” 93 times.

It got me thinking.

What if someone followed me around each day and selected the words I use most often and placed a mark beside them each time I uttered that word.  What would the list look like?  How different would it be than the “Sunday list”?

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:29 “You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Words matter…someone is listening.

I am so excited for this coming year at CMC and “The Road Ahead”.

I believe God has some amazing things for us as we Gather, Grow, and Go! This past week we shared 5 areas we are emphasizing this year.  I want to thank all who are now involved and those who will become involved.  There is a place for each one of us!

Five areas of emphasis in 2010..

• Prayer
• Ministry and outreach to young families
• Men’s Ministries
• Expanded local missions outreach
• Pastoral Care

These five represent only a fraction of all that is going on but are areas I believe we need to take another step in. I am crazy excited for the tremendous response by so many who filled out the card and said “Yes! Count Me In”! Together we grow!