Getting Close

Was just thinking today that we are only 2 1/2 weeks away from leaving. That's a bit overwhelming in some ways. It's been an interesting few months. Of course, when you're getting ready to go, work always goes crazy. Thankfully I have been blessed by the best group of associates a lawyer could hope for. It's a really nice feeling to be able to go away for six weeks and not have any worries about your files or your clients. (Thanks Ksena, Derek & Kerry Lynn)
So now I just have to get ready, get prepped and get through all the things on my to do list before I go.

One thing that won't be a problem is examples for teaching. It seems over the past few months, I have had ample opportunity to repeatedly apply the principles we will be teaching in my own life. It's ironic and humbling how much more difficult it is to apply your advice to yourself. Of course, I've always realized that, but somehow realizing it intellectually and realizing it because you are going through the grinder of conflict are really two different levels of understanding.

What becomes clear is that I can't do this reconciliation thing myself. I need help - divine intervention really. Despite the years of training, my first reaction - my "natural" reaction - is to follow the old Adam - either try to avoid conflict or else go in with both barrels blazing. It's only when I start to rely more on God and less on me that this whole reconciliation thing seems to work. Being able to lovingly stand firm without lashing out is simply not something I can do on my own. When I fail to do this - which is most of the time - the problem just gets worse. If I've folded, then the problem isn't resolved and I'm ticked with myself for not standing up. The other person takes my acquiescence as approval of their behaviour and they keep on doing the thing that is causing me grief. If I've blasted the other person, the conflict heats up and suddenly things are a lot worse.

What brings this all to mind? I'm in another conflict. (No, I'm not telling you what it is!) Yeah I know, 2 1/2 weeks to Australia, I shouldn't be in a conflict. All the reviewing I've done should have some effect. But the reality is that we are at once both saint and sinner and daily we fall short. Once again, I've failed to make the grade. But, as my friend Ted loves to say, I have good news. Jesus Christ loves me very much and he died on the cross for that sin as well. Even though it's only 2 1/2 weeks to Australia. Even though I've done it before. Even though I know better. I am forgiven. Even if the other person won't forgive me this time for blasting them.

More importantly, even though I'm at a loss as to how to try to deal with this differently, I also know He is walking along side me to help me with that too. And while I'm at a loss, He isn't. So I guess I will just do my best to walk faithfully in his Word - to follow the process - and to leave the results to Him. He is able to change hearts - both the other person's and mine. Which is good because I'm not to clear on how my heart needs to change either. Thank God I don't have to be! Soli Deo Gloria!

Hm, funny, I was going to write about my newest travelling companion for this trip. Oh well, maybe next time. God bless your week.

NEW RECONCILIATION BOOK TO DEBUT IN AUSTRALIA

From Ted Kober, March 23, 2009:

As we continue to prepare for the training tour in Australia, Ambassadors of Reconciliation is in the final stages of publishing a new resource for churches, schools, and other organizations. Cultivating Lifestyles of Reconciliation is a short book that describes basic teachings from Scripture on peacemaking and how to establish a Reconciliation Ministry in a church, school, or other Christian organization. The new book will debut in Australia. Each participant in the 3-day and 5-day training events will utilize it during training.

Cultivating Lifestyles of Reconciliation summarizes how to encourage reconciliation as a way of life within families, among members, within a staff, and with students. Each short chapter begins with a true story of people teaching peacemaking, coaching others in conflict, mediating between two people, or arbitrating a dispute.

Discussion questions guide leadership groups (such as elders or council members) and provide directions for viewing video clips from the DVD Lifestyles of Reconciliation. Practical suggestions for establishing a ministry include an outline for action and job descriptions for various roles.

Although our friends in the Lutheran Church of Australia will be the first to see and use this new resource, others will be able to order it on our web site www.hisaor.org (available in May 2009).

Pray that God brings together everything needed for this new book in time for the training in Australia, including financial gifts to help support this project. (Supporters can make a tax-deductible gift on-line at www.hisaor.org.)

Logistics, logistics, logistics

This whole trip thing is a lot of work! Between booking flights and figuring out how to blog the trip, arranging for child care and trying to get my work life arranged to permit this trip to fly, I'm exhausted! I still don't have any idea about laundry, internet and luggage on transfers. And I have nothing on Ted and Melissa who also have to deal with getting materials there!
Pretty exciting, though. Makes you sit back and think - wow, we have the chance to work with an entire church body. What an opportunity for all of us to grow together in Christ! I feel blessed as I always seem to learn so much when I am teaching.
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue our preparation for the trip.

Background to our Trip

From Ted Kober, March 10, 2009: Cultivating lifestyles of reconciliation in the great down-under! Ambassadors of Reconciliation has an incredible opportunity to train some 600 people in biblical peacemaking in May and June 2009. Over the course of five weeks, leaders from nearly all the Lutheran churches in two countries will be equipped for biblical peacemaking!

Unlike the US and Canada with multiple Lutheran groups, there is only one Lutheran church body in Australia and New Zealand called the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). The LCA is well known for producing excellent worship and educational resources used by countries around the world.

The Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) has invited Ambassadors of Reconciliation to provide training though nine different events in 5 cities. A team of four conciliators from two countries will provide the instruction: Ted Kober (USA) and Francis Taman (Canada) will lead 5 three-day training events and 2 one-day seminars. Rev. Bruce Zagel and his wife Kathy will join Ted in teaching a five-day course called Church Reconciler Training. Ted will also speak at the LCA Queensland District Convention.

The entire Ambassadors family is excited about this great opportunity, and we'll share more about the LCA and the training in future blogs. We hope you'll enjoy joining us on this exciting journey through this blog.