Consider this

               The meeting had the potential to be a disaster!   The topics on the agenda were liable to cause heated discussion and several board members had strong opinions about what ought to happen.   I also knew that others had equally strong opposing ideas.   It was not going to be fun.                 You have probably been in a similar situation.   Whether in meetings, or in interpersonal relationships, we often have to navigate the tension that comes when people do not see things eye to eye.                 Churches are not immune to disagreements.   In fact, one entire section of the book of Romans deals with a discussion that was going on in the church at Rome.   The interesting part of that section is not issue that they were arguing about, or even the conclusion that they reached.   What I like is the advice that Paul gave them.   He did not choose sides.   He did not tell one group that they were right and the other was wrong.   Instead, he said, “Let us therefore m

                If we are ever going to move forward in any area of life, we must become convinced that it is ok to learn as you go.   In fact, awkward beginnings often lead to great success.   The story of “David and Goliath” (1 Samuel 17) is a great example of this principle.                 When we first meet David, no one expects anything of him.   Instead, he is left at home to watch his father’s sheep while his older brothers go to war against the Philistines (verses 13-15).   When David does get to the front lines, it is not as a warrior but as a delivery boy taking supplies to his brothers and reporting back about how they are doing (verses 12-17).   Then, when his brothers see him, they tell him to get lost and go back home (verses 26-29).   Somehow, David finds his way to King Saul and offers to fight Goliath.   Saul promptly says “No!” (Verse 32).   Eventually, the King agrees to let him try, but he insists that David wear his armour.   The armour does not fit and only hi