Always Ask!

[Gerry]

I have been the victim of misunderstandings in times past. Believe me it is no fun. And it is completely unjustified in the life of a Christian! There is no reason at all that two Christians cannot speak directly, in a loving manner. In fact Christ commanded that it be just that way.

Now one thing is for sure! People are going to disagree. Even Christians. But it is surely inexcusable to be disagreeable in the process! Therefore, if I say anything that offends someone please stop and ask yourself why would I willfully do that? And is there a possibility that I did not make myself clear and you somehow misunderstood what I was saying?

If you do not understand me then maybe I have failed to express myself clearly. So give me a chance and ask me! I will give you a truthful answer!

 

[waterwizard]

Amen, Gerry.
Sometimes, people ask, but they don't like the answers they get. We as Christians should accept truthful answers in the manner in which they are given -- in love. The truth may be hard to handle, but nevertheless it is the truth, and we need to hear it.

Never be afraid to answer someone in a loving, truthful way. They will appreciate it in the long run.

 

[GraftMeIn]

We should never be quick to jump to a conclusion about what others say. It sometimes helps to step back, and reconsider what someone else may be trying to say. And if we still aren't sure, then it's best to ask if what we are thinking it means, is correct or not.

I think far to often people take things in a personal way, when it wasn't intended for that purpose at all.

May we all learn to listen to one another more closely with our hearts. Instead of our minds.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by GraftMeIn
We should never be quick to jump to a conclusion about what others say. It sometimes helps to step back, and reconsider what someone else may be trying to say. And if we still aren't sure, then it's best to ask if what we are thinking it means, is correct or not.

I think far to often people take things in a personal way, when it wasn't intended for that purpose at all.

May we all learn to listen to one another more closely with our hearts. Instead of our minds.

Thanks GMI! But you know the "instrustions" you have just given are just that. Ones we all received when we started to school or long before. Ones which common sense tells us all. Regretably those with an agenda do not use common sense.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by waterwizard
Amen, Gerry.
Sometimes, people ask, but they don't like the answers they get. We as Christians should accept truthful answers in the manner in which they are given -- in love. The truth may be hard to handle, but nevertheless it is the truth, and we need to hear it.

Never be afraid to answer someone in a loving, truthful way. They will appreciate it in the long run.

Born again Christians, who love Jesus, WILL accept truthful answers in the manner in which they are given - in love, whether they like the answer or not.

 

[Sharky]

Originally posted by Gerry
I have been the victim of misunderstandings in times past. Believe me it is no fun. And it is completely unjustified in the life of a Christian! There is no reason at all that two Christians cannot speak directly, in a loving manner. In fact Christ commanded that it be just that way.

Now one thing is for sure! People are going to disagree. Even Christians. But it is surely inexcusable to be disagreeable in the process! Therefore, if I say anything that offends someone please stop and ask yourself why would I willfully do that? And is there a possibility that I did not make myself clear and you somehow misunderstood what I was saying?

If you do not understand me then maybe I have failed to express myself clearly. So give me a chance and ask me! I will give you a truthful answer!

Hey i'll join your boat mate!

God knows my heart and everyone elses. It can be very annoying and hurtful at times too. I would respond by telling them calmly that they're wrong (if they ask ) or shed a little light on their assumptions by proving them wrong with subtle actions. 

 

[ZiSunka]

Sometimes answers that we give aren't the truth, though, we just want them to be the truth, and we present them as truth.

Or we fail to consider that the other person might be looking at the same thing from another point of view and seeing a different truth.

We need to be considerate of those other points of view, and not so quick to defend ours as the only truth.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by lambslove
Sometimes answers that we give aren't the truth, though, we just want them to be the truth, and we present them as truth.

Or we fail to consider that the other person might be looking at the same thing from another point of view and seeing a different truth.

We need to be considerate of those other points of view, and not so quick to defend ours as the only truth.

Well, I stand by what I said. If you do not believe me, I am sorry.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

I think that Jesus' actions also showed that we need to always ask...

While He was here on earth, He said some whacko stuff that the people of that day just couldn't comprehend. But did anyone ever ask him "Dude what are you talking about??" Nope! They just kinda went about their lives "amazed" at what He had said. We need to ask! If you don't you might wind up crucifying someone without ever understanding why!

For example... Pharisees... never asked, but crucified Jesus.
Nicodemus (sp?)... asked questions... got answers

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by sbbqb7n16
I think that Jesus' actions also showed that we need to always ask...

While He was here on earth, He said some whacko stuff that the people of that day just couldn't comprehend. But did anyone ever ask him "Dude what are you talking about??" Nope! They just kinda went about their lives "amazed" at what He had said. We need to ask! If you don't you might wind up crucifying someone without ever understanding why!

For example... Pharisees... never asked, but crucified Jesus.
Nicodemus (sp?)... asked questions... got answers

Good Observation. Here are the Words of Jesus!

John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

 

[aaron]

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[Gerry]

Originally posted by waterwizard
Amen, Gerry.
Sometimes, people ask, but they don't like the answers they get. We as Christians should accept truthful answers in the manner in which they are given -- in love. The truth may be hard to handle, but nevertheless it is the truth, and we need to hear it.

Never be afraid to answer someone in a loving, truthful way. They will appreciate it in the long run.

LOL Ya know one of my pet peeves is when someone decides for themselves that you mean something other than what you said. Even though you tell them exactly what you mean, they say no that is not what you mean at all. lol Such behaviour is silly at best and is unacceptable from a Christian.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by GraftMeIn
We should never be quick to jump to a conclusion about what others say. It sometimes helps to step back, and reconsider what someone else may be trying to say. And if we still aren't sure, then it's best to ask if what we are thinking it means, is correct or not.

I think far to often people take things in a personal way, when it wasn't intended for that purpose at all.

May we all learn to listen to one another more closely with our hearts. Instead of our minds.

Yes! To listen with our hearts! Should be natural for a Christian, but it seems to be considered an artform or something.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by Sharky
Hey i'll join your boat mate!

God knows my heart and everyone elses. It can be very annoying and hurtful at times too. I would respond by telling them calmly that they're wrong (if they ask ) or shed a little light on their assumptions by proving them wrong with subtle actions. 

Yep! You are definitely right! Even though others may not know our heart, it is for sure God does!

 

[altya]

Gerry, the wonderful thing about God is that He doesn't meet with a
board or a committee before He decides to bless you. He
doesn't have to get anyone else's approval before He pours
out His love to you. He doesn't consult anybody about you!

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by altya
Gerry, the wonderful thing about God is that He doesn't meet with a
board or a committee before He decides to bless you. He
doesn't have to get anyone else's approval before He pours
out His love to you. He doesn't consult anybody about you!

AMEN, AND AMEN! I am so glad He does not have to hold a meeting and discuss with anyone what you deserve. Nor does He seek the approval of others. God loves us and blesses us because He loves us and no other reason. It does not matter one wit what others may think.

Thanks for posting this. The very thought lifts my spirits high!