ministry today Good counsel by Joe Masterleo, LCSW, DCSW Question: What would you consider to be the main ingredient in healthy relationship and community building? Answer: After creating us in his image and likeness, the Lord made us in and for relationship and community -knowing and being known, caring and being cared about. As all union and communion begins in listening, appreciating the inner meaning of another's experience pivots on the ability to listen truly and well. A Native American Indian proverb advises to "listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf." All "community" begins in listening, and those who would genuinely participate in it first listen carefully. The Scriptures instruct us to be "quick to hear and slow to speak." Attending to another person in a hearing way means listening to them in such a way that we are willing to surrender our own tendencies toward self-preoccupation and self-referencing for the sake of welcoming, understanding and including them. Such listening entails the equation of trust and love that flows from that surrender, the sequence
God’s Men by Laurie L. Ferris “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;” Matthew 10:19 Like water in the African desert, is a man who follows after God’s own heart--precious and priceless. Those are sentiments which come to mind when I think of my African brother Jonas. He’s truly a diamond in the rough --- who leans into life’s challenges in order to reflect the light of Christ. With every challenge has come a victory and his reflection has become brighter and brighter and more and more like his Savior. Perhaps his greatest trial was one which came during a very painful time. He and his beautiful wife lost a young son in a horrible accident. In African culture there is a week long vigil which follows the death of a loved one. Many in the village attend. It’s a time to pay respect. For believers, it’s a time of both sorrow and rejoicing. Many preparations are made and in his busyness Jonas was interrupted with a request to go to the tribal council. They had a case against him as he was refusing to serve alcohol at his son’s vigil. People were offended. Jonas remained steadfast; he’s a pastor and would not supply alcohol. We as his family prayed for God’s favor. So the day came for Jonas to stand before the council. He maintained his position and said very little. As the men were getting ready to fine him, a gentleman stood up. He said “This man should not be fined nor asked to
being; to listen, to surrender, to trust and to love. When we are listened to it creates and affirms us as persons, allowing us open, unfold and expand. Trusting and loving others, and being trusted and loved oneself simply cannot occur without hearing and being heard. So the first duty of love is to listen. But if we would listen, we must also tell, and do so in give and take transactions of mutuality. We are able to listen only when we know that in time we will also be heard, able to tell our own story. In this mutuality between telling and listening, between speaking and hearing lies the deepest spiritual significance of all knowing, caring, joining, loving and healing. Humility and obedience, two often misunderstood qualities, really involve the arts of attending and listening. Humility involves making room for others by overcoming the temptation to override, control or coerce them. The Bible tells us that obedience -- to obey -- has at its root an auditory definition, and means simply to "listen thoroughly" or "hearken attentively." If you would seek wisdom, learn the art and science of listening. Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk. Joe Masterleo is in private practice at 12 Dewitt St., Syracuse, NY 415-4880 and is also affiliated with the Crossway Counseling Network.
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• Custom Sewing compromise his beliefs. He has been a help to his people, an example to many. His reputation speaks for itself.” At that all were in agreement. Jonas would be free to honor God and his son’s memory. Jonas reminds me of another man. Stephen was also brought before the council. He was being wrongly accused. As he sat there before his accusers something amazing happened. All present saw his face as if it were the face of an angel. He was radiant! His face reflected the light of His Lord. He boldly spoke the truth. The people listening were greatly awed. Stephen’s life would be lost but not His reward. For Stephen saw the Lord Himself stand up! I often marvel at this, Jesus stood up. I can just see Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father and seeing one of His own taking a stand. The one he died for is about to be hurt and Jesus is moved with compassion. At that moment His love can not be restrained and He stands to His feet! All of heaven is at attention….all of hell is trembling. Meditate on this with me. Let it sink deep, deep into your heart. Who can understand fully the love of God? I can’t even find the words to describe the awesomeness of it. We as believers will all be summoned to take a stand at some time. Perhaps your time is now. You may be wrongly accused or just doing what’s right. You’ve been sweating it out. Stand tall soldier, your King will be greatly moved on your behalf! And said,“Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God!” Acts 7:56
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315-437-8780 FAmiLy, couPLes & individuAL counseLing 2507 James Street, Suite 202 Syracuse, NY 13206 email: paul@a-znet.com Emergencies only: 559-8780 The Good News Paper June 2010
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