Letters  and Messages from our Pastor

                                                                 " The Truth about the Truth

                                                                            and  Confrontation"

                                                  Does our emotional HEALING get deferred,

                                                  aborted,  avoided or even rejected?  Do we

                                                  sabotage ourselves?

                                          Prayer:  “Our Father, Your word says, " the truth will make us free."  Therefore, we                                                                   humbly ask you to make us free, even knowing it may initially hurt or war                                                                     against my will.  Amen.

                                         

                                           Scripture Text:  John 8:32:   " And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."      

It may be necessary to say from the beginning of this message that it will not be spoken with "political correctness" or a silent soft step on rice paper.   The subject of truth is most worthy of its full weight and content, as it stands alone when anything less presents itself.   The Epistles, I John, II John and III John contain statements of clarity,  without compromise,  that address the subject of truth from a perspective of doctrinal and spiritual maturity.  One of my first Bible college professors in "Ethics" many years ago would repeatedly say, "there's no truth in a lie", and I continue to hear those words over and over again inside me.  I really didn't know at that time he was paraphrasing John.   Equally strong weight is given to the fact that we are to be walking in truth If each one of us are to "walk before the Lord in the land of the living", understanding our next step is the one that has the "lamp unto my feet" light on it;  we must consider truth with a determined attitude of willingness, even a burning desire for the manifest results of truth in our lives. 

We all know that we have our own perception of truth which does, of course, complicate the matter.  We're challenged with the possibility that the truth may not be the same as our perception of truth.  A worn out phrase we've heard so many times and probably used somewhere along the way is worded in some way about sweeping it under the carpet.  This is especially used by family members concerning family issues.  There have been so many things swept under the rug that there isn't a rug any more; in fact, its become a mountain and you can't even see the room.  Many times when two people in a conflict, misunderstanding or opposing each other from two very different positions come together in confrontation to truly listen and explain their points of view or shall we say, perception of truth to each other,  AMAZING results occur.  Oftentimes, each will state they never realized how it appeared from the other's perception, or forgiveness was immediate, or a misunderstanding was cleared up, or respect replaced anger and on and on.  One of the most important results is healing or a beginning pathway to healing.

How much time was lost before reconciliation? There are many signs in our mind's files:  DANGER - DO NOT MENTION, AVOID THIS SUBJECT WITH SO AND SO, NO TALKING ABOUT THIS OR THAT WITH ?, WARNING - CONFLICTING ISSUE, GO AROUND, EXIT QUICK IF THIS COMES UP and many more!!

How can we possibly navigate the minefields of someone's mind?  There are always those without a sign.

Confrontation simply means bringing face to face for examination and discovery of truth.  It is the act of confronting.  The truth about the truth is that it gets deferred (put off to a future time), aborted, avoided (stay away from it), and rejected.  There are many reasons; with pride, fear and embarrassment  being among the front runners

The question is, "What am I going to do about it"?  Why not take the risk of reconciliation?  Is there someone with whom I have unsettled issues with who I can call, text, or e-mail and ask  for a face to face meeting, if possible, to talk, peacefully and with sincere listening, to resolve the problem?  The truth about the truth is that they, quite possibly, want and need the issue resolved as much as you or I do.  Let's confront for healing!!  One such event could open the door for much healing and many  other healings!!

At the core of this message is the critical and substantive point where the ability to walk in truth resides, which is:  confronting the truth about the truth in ourselves.  How often have we become the victims of our own sabotage of the truth?  The Scripture says, "Ye shall know the truth" in the beginning of the verse - first knowing the truth personally,  before experiencing the blessing of it making us free.  My soul cries out, "Lord, show me, me and the truth about the truth in me."  We've all visited the exhausted library of excuses.  This year, 2011 can be the year we CONFRONT, face to face in our own mirror, the TRUTH about our own perceptions of truth about us.  We have a guide and teacher, "When the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide us in all things."  To every believer I say, "You do not walk alone and truth does not walk alone". THE TRUTH LIVES IN YOU! 

In His presence, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth about the truth in us to us!  We will grow and grow and walk in truth!  The question is, "What are we going to do about it?"