Every judge in the land has a heavy responsibility to hear out all parties in their court and then make a decision based upon evidence provided. They are trained and skilled listeners who know the law of their jurisdiction and have vital skills in discernment and decision making. Every police officer has the same challenge Read More
Tag: Conflict
Should I Stay or Should I Go? What if it Was the Other Person Who Left?
Many people have stayed in relationships that ranged from friendship to business to marriage to church attendance, and it was the last place they should have stayed. Staying for the benefit of others is not a good enough reason to stay. God is bigger than divorce – of COURSE, He hates it! He hates that Read More
Communication Assumptions are Deadly!
Are you being challenged in your relationships? Whether that relationship is with your spouse, your friend or a congregational member, making assumptions about what they “really” mean – can be deadly. The death of many a relationship has been caused solely by blind assumptions regarding motives and intentions. As a leader in a church, or Read More
Listening to What is Not Being Said
There are moments when we are in the heat of a discussion and tempers flare, that the art of listening slides to the rear of our minds. Emotions boil up, over and out, carrying acid thoughts and accusations. When listening ends, we take to heart only what we EXPECT to hear, not what is actually Read More
When Getting Beat Up is Self-Serving
Have you ever asked a dear Saint, “How are things with you?” and then received the reply, “Man, I tell you, the devil is really beating me up.” You ask what is going on, and they continue with a flourish, all the gory details of conflict, crisis, and disasters. “Wow,” you think (and are led Read More