A Glorious Confrontation at NRB! :) Part 2
Posted by James MacDonald on February 26, 2007 08:27 AM | Comments (3)OK, it's Monday a.m. and I am done with another wonderful weekend of ministry at Harvest. I know you have been on the edge of your seat about the second part of this story so here goes . . .
The guy in question is really pretty cool. He helps run a radio network that airs Walk in the Word and I have worked with him many times recording various short features especially for his broadcasts. I don't often do that kind of thing but I so respect this group of stations that I have done it through the years as a favor to him.
That's why I was so surprised when people started emailing me links to his personal site where he criticizes me for some personal decisions I have made. Not sinful decisions, not unbiblical, not even unwise when the whole story is known, so I was pretty offended when I first read what he had written. I wondered why he would come at me so publicly having never sought clarification or deeper understanding.
As the weeks went by, it became clear that this was not going to roll off my back, not even through prayer (as described in part 1). I knew in my heart I would have to talk to him about it the next time I saw him . . .
and then, 'faster than a speeding bullet,' out of nowhere, around the corner he comes with a big grin, a warm hand extended and a "hey James, can you give me some time to record a little spot for our broadcast, 'live from the NRB'?''
"Sure," I said, "I'd be happy to help you as soon as we resolve the matter of why you attacked me so unjustly on your blog." Well, to his credit he didn't linger too long on, "you saw that?" nor did he waste much time on a pretty weak defense of, "I was trying to support you." Actually the Lord gave us both a lot of grace as we sat for about 30 minutes and talked the whole thing through. (Meetings like this are the actual context for the promise "where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them." Mt. 18:20) He showed immense humility and we both worked hard to resolve our points of difference and to hear each others' hearts in this matter. He apologized, I expressed forgiveness, he promised to remove the post without even being asked, and we embraced. (Not in that cheesy forced way, but sincerely from our hearts).
If it's true physically that "broken bones grow back stronger," it's also true that relationships which survive an offense and continue through a genuine expression of forgiveness are also stronger in the end. I've been on both sides of this type of conversation and I know it's tough either way. I left our meeting with a renewed respect for my brother and I hope he for me. In fact, later he came by our Walk in the Word Station Manager reception and we greeted each other warmly. I smiled inside to think that this had been handled so privately that a room full of people who know us both could have no idea what had transpired. I sensed the Lord's smile upon us both as well. I guess that's what Mt 18:15 calls "gaining your brother." Looking back, I'm reminded that I have learned again the powerful truth, "there are no enduring relationships without forgiveness!" Growing, lasting relationships are the real riches of life. How awesome that God has given us biblical guidelines for dealing with offense and expressing forgiveness. How's that going with you? james
Comments
Posted by: Pastor Hughes | February 26, 2007 08:34 PM
I appreciate your Godly example of reconciliation with a brother. This is definately one of those "easier said than done" teachings of our Lord. But praise God that He gives us grace to be reconciled one to another. One of the strongest witnesses of our Lord is our love for each other, and that love calls us to be reconciled. One of the verses God has been impacting on my heart lately is, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
(Matthew 5:23-24 KJV)
It was nice to see it in action. God Bless!
Posted by: Brandt (Harvest Barrie) | February 26, 2007 09:23 PM
I honestly forgave someone from the heart for something that happened a few years ago. The funny thing was I realized all along the sin that they sinned against me. And - yeah - it was a pretty big sin. But then I realized that I, in my selfishness, had not even realized the sin I'd sinned against them. Man, we screw up so much sometimes. Thank God for grace and healing! Thank God for real true Christian brothers and sisters.
Love your messages and your heart, Pastor James.
Posted by: Jan | February 26, 2007 11:51 PM
Hey Pastor James, I just discovered your blog and think it's great! Thanks for sharing your funny stories as well as how you handled this incident the way it should have been. What a lesson for us all.
I started attending Harvest in November and am just thrilled with the Biblically teaching I receive every week. I have already applied for membership :)
Congrats on the award for "Walk in the Word". Great program!
By the way, I did giggle at your alms joke Sunday morning. Hahaha.
Have a wondeful week.
Jan