I try really hard to do the right things, and make the right choices. So does almost everyone I know. So how do I receive constructive criticism? Can I receive it? The ability to work together as a team, to be able to speak frankly with each other, to disagree without allowing that to affect our friendship or commitment to each other, these are really valuable skills.

At a week-long conference on peace-keeping in Fresno California we learned that churches that disagree well and welcome opposing ideas will grow. Pastors who want “peace” at any price, who discourage disagreement, these churches will probably dwindle.

In disagreeing well, that does not be criticizing people behind their back. To me this means feeling safe enough to be able to talk about things as a team and as friends without feeling like this will jeopardize the relationship.

This morning Seth Godin gave some helpful advice in his blog. I’ll paste it right here as I pray that I will be a friend people feel they can approach.

…………………………………

How else are you supposed to take it?

“Don’t take it personally.”

This is tough advice. Am I supposed to take it like a chair? Sometimes it seems as though the only way to take it is personally. That customer who doesn’t like your product (your best work) or that running buddy who doesn’t want to run with you any longer…

Here’s the thing: it’s never personal. It’s never about you. How could it be? That person doesn’t truly know you, understand what you want or hear the voices in your head. All they know is themselves.

When someone moves on, when she walks away or even badmouths you or your work, it’s not personal about you. It’s personal about her. Her agenda, her decisions, her story.

Do your work, the best way you know how. Is there any other option?

Seth Godin – 20 May 2011 blog

Emma was born soon after we first arrived in Altamira. She was smiling then, and she has not stopped in 15 years. What a blessing Emma is to us, and to all who are around her. We are so very grateful to God for Emma.

I started to write a weekly email update in December with the plan of sending four Advent Christmas cards, one each week. In January I kept on going because friends and readers encouraged me. Now it is mid-May, and my weekly email has become part of my devotional time, a time to reflect and share what God is doing in the world around me.


Here are a few reasons why I am encouraging you to post some highlights of your week and send a weekly email.


1. “But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:21.
2. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thess. 5:11
3. This is a great spiritual exercise, a time to reflect on God’s involvement in your life, and to share that with others.
4. This is a time when you can bless people, by appreciating their work.

“The godly are like trees that give life-give fruit,…” Proverbs 11:30a

Last night our church attendance was 242 people, including about 40 moms. Mother’s Day here in Brazil is one of the biggest services of the year. Unfortunately, there were very few dads. At the Mirante Church in Altamira we noticed three distinct waves of newcomers, first the youth, then the moms, then the dads. We hope this will be the same here in Marabá. The children whose moms came to church were glowing with happiness. They were walking on clouds. The children whose moms did not come tried to keep a stiff upper lip. It was harder for them.

During the worship service our worship team lead vocalist, Adriana, 15 years old, young in the Lord and from a broken home herself, said, “I am sensing that many people have a lot of pain. If the pain you are feeling is because of your home, put one hand on your heart and put the other hand in the air, and face the direction of your home.” There was an immediate response by almost everyone in the church. “Now, let’s sing this song again, and believe in your heart, as much as you can, that Jesus is transforming your home, and bringing His healing there.” Then she lead the singing in a song about God bringing healing to homes.

To me, this was a moment of “life-giving fruit.”

I thought, as we were singing that worship song, about how often God looked down on the children of Israel and heard their cry for help, and rescued them. It really feels like God is doing this now, rescuing the people of Brazil.

If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! Proverbs 11:27

Goliath says to David, “Come here and I’ll feed you to the birds and wild animals!”

David responds, “You come here, and I will cut off your head, and I will give the dead bodies of you and your men to the birds and wild animals.”

So how are you responding to the giants in your life? What is your attitude?

Then David goes on to reveal the lens through which he sees life. “And everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle, not ours. The Lord will give you to us.” 1 Sam. 17:47 NLB

We can get this lens too, if we spend lots of quiet time with God. But its a bit like energy or life in a computer game. If we run out of seeing life through this lens, if we start thinking we are great, or wise, or capable in our own strength, the giants will wreak havoc with us. We have to keep spending lots of quiet time with God if we want to keep the lens fully charged up.