Speak the Truth in Love

While our shame and insecurity make it hard to hear a reproof, it makes it just as hard to deliver one. Many Christians, rather than speak the truth about issues the Bible clearly addresses, fearing the discomfort of offending anyone, prefer to be non-confrontational and often elevate it to a near virtue. That wasn’t the example Jesus set. We are to speak the truth in love, sacrificing neither, but notice Jesus’ description of His own mission:

Matthew 10:34-38 (NIV)

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Jesus’ reference that he came to bring a sword is not saying that he came to bring violence; rather, he came to speak the truth – to confront where it was needed; and clearly spoken words can sometimes cut just as deeply as any sword. We must not be afraid to speak the truth when it is needed or to embrace the truth when those close to us may not. Jesus did not say he desired to divide; it’s just that the sword of truth may well do so.

Far too many Christians have wrongly believed that it is unChristian to offend others, and consequently a love of the truth has too frequently been sacrificed to a fear of hurting someone’s feelings. According to the Bible, both delivering and accepting reproof are virtues, and we would do well to practice both. If we remain silent, how will people come to know the truth? We need to be people of confidence and fearless love for God, people and truth. If the Bible speaks about an issue, so should we – with the same loving and eternal clarity the Bible uses.
(Taken from article in The Founders Bible by David Barton and Brad Cummings)

Summer Picnic Plans!

FOOFers,

Our summer picnic is scheduled for Monday, June 17^th from 7-9 PM @ the Fancyburg Park shelter house.  A map is shown on this link.
http://www.meetup.com/The-Central-Ohio-912-Meetup-Group/events/120013122/

Please invite your friends and neighbors to this Fellowship of Believers!  Fancyburg has a great playground for kids!

I have invited a young Wycliffe Bible Translator missionary friend to join us!  Hasso Pape (www.wycliffe.me/hasso) grew up in Upper Arlington, and is preparing to join a team of software developers in Texas to create programs that assist translators with storing, sorting, comparing and preparing data for publication, allowing technology to tackle tedious translation tasks.  Wycliffe is committed to seeing Scripture translation in progress for every language still needing a Bible in their own mother tongue by 2025.  (http://www.wycliffe.org)  Hasso will spend a few minutes sharing his work and inviting us to join him in the process of bringing the Word of God to remote people groups.

At our last meeting, we collected enough money to pay for the facility rental.  Since it would be incredibly hard (and expensive) to anticipate how much meat to purchase for grilling, we will supply the charcoal and have a fire burning and ready for any meat each of you want to bring.  (Please bring any needed buns as well.)

In addition, we will set up tables for pot luck contributions.   If everyone brings one entrée or side item, and one dessert (knowing how FOOFers like sweets), there should be plenty for all…!

I will bring table settings, paper products and condiments – and will have coolers of ice with a selection of drinks available.  You are encouraged to bring additional beverages as desired.  (Per UA park policies, alcohol is prohibited in parks and facilities at all times.)

Please respond to this post if you intend to come, with a number estimate (kids and adults).

Join us as we imitate the pattern set up for us by the early church!
Acts 2:42  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

We Are The Church!

Julie
Faith of Our Fathers