Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
How to Disagree Theme of the Week: Going Beyond 50/50 Wednesday, October 2, 2002
1 of 1
September/October 200255How to DisagreeTheme of the Week: Going Beyond 50/50 How to Disagree Theme of the Week: Going Beyond 50/50 Wednesday, October 2
Key Bible Verse: So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified (Romans 15:7). Bonus Reading:Colossians 3:12–15
Charlie Shedd wrote often about his wife, Martha, and their amazingly accepting marriage. One day they had a big argument, and it took some time to heal. The next morning, Charlie found this message on the table:
Dear Charlie:
I hate you.
Love, Martha
Assured of their undeviating acceptance of each other, they could laugh about their differences.
Accepting people doesn't mean agreeing with their ideas or behavior. Rather, accepting is affirming the infinite value of a person, no matter who she is or what he has done. Nothing is more devastating to love than a critical spirit. Jesus' most scathing attacks were directed at the critics because a critical spirit destroys relationships, and His kingdom is founded on relationships.
What's eternally significant is not whether we are right or wrong but how we relate to those we think are wrong. Jesus says, "If you love only those who love you [who agree with you], what good is that?" Lovers, pray with King David, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me."
—Chris Blake in Searching for a God to Love
My Response: I risk letting a critical spirit undermine our love in the area of …
Thought to Apply: When a man and a woman marry, they become one. Of course, they must decide which one; that's often where the storm starts. —Pierce Harris
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
1 of 1
