December 2018 Archives
CD Review: Somebody Go Get Jesus (The Troy Burns Family)
Although this CD has been out for a couple years, I decided to review it anyway because so far, this is my favorite CD that the Troy Burns Family has released.
Somebody Go Get Jesus tells the Bible stories of Jarius’ daughter and Lazarus and how Jesus’ appearing changed tragedies to rejoicing. Then it turns to America and how much we need Him before our country dies.
Roses in December talks about God’s encouragement in the midst of trials and then about the ultimate healing. I never cease to be amazed at how God knows what I need right when I need it. And yet I know that nothing here compares with what I will see when I get to Heaven.
I never get tired of hearing Troy Burns sing The Unseen Hand. It’s a great song anyway but Troy does a great job on the delivery.
Tammy Burns is featured on Somebody is Me. I have praised and shouted a lot while listening to this song. If anyone is going to praise the Lord, I pray somebody is me.
Tammy also sings from the heart on God’s Amazing Grace. “My tongue will tell the story forever and a day. Still I can’t do justice to God’s amazing grace.”
The CD ends with a Patriotic Medley of “America the Beautiful”; “God, Bless America”; “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”; and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Other songs included are: One Way, One Name, One Door; Gonna Move on Up the Mountain; Take a Stand; and That Is Where the Scars Are.
Don’t Dwell on the Past … Move On
In my last post, I talked about relationships and how to work through things. But sometimes the hurtful party may not be willing to admit they have done anything wrong. What do you do then? You could follow the Biblical principle and take someone with you to try again but even then, your friend may not be open. Sometimes you will need to walk away and let it go. This may not be easy but it is vital.
I have known people who, every time they get together with friends, want to talk about those who have wronged them. Many times the wrongs were commited decades ago but they tell their stories as if it happened last week. If this is you, I implore you to ask God’s forgiveness. Colossians 3:12-13 tells us to “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
When I think about how much God has forgiven me, it makes me want to forgive others. Sure, it’s easier to hold a grudge but, ultimately, it eats a person up and isolates them since no one wants to be around someone who can’t let things go.
Although a lot of people struggle with this issue, I especially notice this in young adults toward their parents. If you are having a hard time getting past the way you were raised, I just want you to know that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. When a young couple has a baby, their lives completely change. They feel emotions of love and tenderness that they never dreamed they possessed but they also feel the weight of the world as reality sinks in and they realize that it is up to them to ensure this child lives to see adulthood. If they are Christian parents, they also have an intense desire to see their sons and daughters grow up to love the Lord, and that may weigh on them as well. Some parents try the strict approach while others prefer to be lenient but I’m convinced that most of them want the very best for their children. If your life did not turn out the way you would have liked, it is not necessarily your parents’ fault. Sure, their decisions affect us but we are responsible for our own actions as we approach adulthood. I even heard about a young man in his 20s who sued his parents because he had never had exotic fruits. I don’t know if he ever told them that this was a desire of his but I can’t imagine that they would have stopped him from buying any fruit he desired once he had his own money. I know there are evil people in the world and, occasionally, this may include parents, but the majority of those who call themselves “Christian” do not fall into this category. If you think about it, I expect you will find plenty to be grateful for. And if your childhood really was bad, you still need to forgive your parents with the same forgiveness that you would like your children to give to you.
If you are struggling with a relationship and you missed my last post, I encourage you to go back and read it. What better time for hurts to be healed than this season as we approach the beginning of another year. God’s mercies are new every morning!
Tips for Resolving Conflict in Relationships
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight ~Romans 12:16.
I have come to the conclusion that the majority of people do not value relationships as they should. People are the only things we will take to Heaven with us so why do we treat them as if they are dispensable? I expect that it is due to not wanting to humble ourselves in order to work things out, especially if it’s possible that we are the ones in the wrong. It is easier to hold a grudge. Many avoid these issues by not becoming close to others, but that isn’t the answer either. The fact is that, in true relationship, you will more than likely encounter bumps along the way; however, if your desire is to maintain those friendships, let me offer some tips.
1. Don’t take offense. I believe the number one reason people separate is due to taking offense, and I expect many times, they have no real reason to be offended. I hate to admit it but women especially are good at reading into things, interpreting things a certain way, and stewing over them. Instead, we should take James’ advice to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19).
2. Ask Questions. This is an area that is hard for me but one in which I wish to grow. Asking questions is one way to keep from becoming unnecessarily offended. If someone does something to upset you and you think it was intentional, ask her why she did it. You may find that it was totally innocent. Listen with an open heart, believing the best.
3. Talk It Out. Regardless of the motive, if you are not able to let a situation go, go to the person that you are upset with and let him or her know how you feel about what they did. But give your friend the opportunity to explain and apologize. Your motive should be to reconcile. If he feels that his action was justified, then you need to decide if you can agree to disagree. If not, you may need to get counsel from someone you trust to evaluate if the situation is as bad as you think it is or if you need to pray for a change of heart.
4. Be Honest. I believe a big key to having a healthy relationship is honesty. If your friend asks if you are upset with him or her and you are, do not deny it! It will be a lot harder to go to her later. If you don’t want to talk about it, then say something like, “Yes, I am but I can’t talk about it right now. I will let you know when I’m ready. Meanwhile, please pray for me.” A friend like myself will probably push to know what’s wrong but some may give you your space until you are ready to discuss the issue.
5. Pray. Most importantly, pray over the situation. Pray that God will keep you from becoming bitter. Pray that He will soften the heart of the person who has wronged you. Pray for His mind to show you how to handle the situation. You do not want to have regrets about the things you said or did.
I know that these things are not easy. I prefer to work on myself first. If I can let it go without any form of confrontation, that is my preference. (I hate relational conflict!) If there is an issue that won’t stop nagging at me, I pray for strength to talk to the person who offended me. More often than not, being able to talk over a matter brings a sense of resolution and lets me know that the relationship is okay. It’s amazing how quickly this can turn turmoil into peace.
There are some relationships that you will need to let go of. The key is to discern which relationships fall into that category and which are worth fighting for. A little conflict does not automatically negate a relational divorce. Regardless of which path you take, make sure that you honor God in everything you do and say.
