Hello,

I wanted to share this encouraging note that I received today from a friend. I haven't read the book mentioned, but it looks good. Has anyone reading seen this book? Let me know what you think of it.

Love

Amanda

From: "Peacemaker Ministries"

Subject: PeaceMeal - July 18, 2007

PeaceMeal: Food for Thought on Biblical Peacemaking

A Picture of Trust

"Therefore we do not lose heart."  2 Cor. 4:16

Trusting God proved to be the pattern in Paul's life.  Even when the

Lord did not immediately relieve his sufferings, Paul continued to view

everything that happened to him as God's sovereign will (2 Cor. 4:17-18).

This doesn't mean that Paul never had doubts or that he never asked God

to relieve his suffering (2 Cor. 12:7-8).  But when the Lord's response

did not match Paul's request, he was willing to believe that God had

something better in mind (vv. 9-10).

Taken from  The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict

by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 67

Food for Thought

Think of the last time the Lord's response did not match your request.

What does trusting God look like?  Ken reminds us that it doesn't mean

wearing a painted on smile when troubles come and practicing the art of

denial when doubts arise.  Those verses in 2 Cor. 12 show the apostle Paul

"pleading" for God to take the thorn in his flesh away.  So, then what does

trusting God look like?  "But when the Lord's response did not match Paul's

request, he was"--what's that next word?  That's right--"willing."

Trusting looks like a willingness to believe in God's goodness toward us in

the middle of pleadings and tears and sufferings and doubts and questions. 

Trusting is choosing to believe that God desires the best for us, his

children.  That's not always easy, but as Paul would attest, it's always

worth it!

Resources to Help You Respond to Conflict Biblically

Friends let you down. A romance turns sour. Children rebel. A church is

divided. You feel like you don't measure up. Is there really hope for

living at peace?

Yes! In Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict, Tara

Barthel and Judy Dabler use personal stories and advice that is firmly

rooted in Scripture to guide you to peace with God, peaceful relationships

with others, and genuine peace within. Order this new book today for $13.95

from our online bookstore or call our Resource department at 800-711-7118.

PeaceMeal is a weekly e-publication of Peacemaker

Ministries (www.Peacemaker.net). All Rights Reserved.