How sad. I remember when I used to blog all the time and all the people I followed always had something to say. That was way back in 2007, I barely post on Tumblr. It will come back one day.

spokenhearts:

This was one of the messages that our guest pastor had given, so I thought I might share it with you guys.

ABCDE’S Of Healthy Relationships

• • I *Accept* you as you are.
    (Romans 15:7) “Accept one another as Christ accepted you.” Our goal in relationships is not to change people, but to accept them. To accept one another is to take each other as we really are - with all our strengths and weaknesses.

• I *Believe* that you are valuable.

(Philippians 2:3 - 4) “…consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3b) We believe that others are valuable when we recognize them as special and unique, and when we celebrate who they are - no matter how different they are from us.

• I *Care* when you are hurt.

(Psalm 34:18) Caring when others are hurt involves being “there” for them, and being a “listening ear” when they share their hurt. It’s basically being “near to the broken-hearted” and being “close to those who are crushed in spirit”.

• I *Desire* what’s best for you.

(1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7) When we desire what’s best for others, we express how we love them. Love is to seek the highest good for others in everything. A good guide in loving others is seen in the Love Chapter of the Bible: “Love is patient, love is kind…”

• I *Erase* all your offenses.

(Colossians 3:13) To erase the offenses of others is to forgive them - whatever the fault and no matter what thte cost. Forgiveness is the decision not to punish or retaliate, and to set people free (including ourselves). Remember to “forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:31b)

*NOTE: None of this is my own work, my friend created it for our family retreat to base it on the guest pastor’s message.

Great retreat. Thanks for putting this up Kimmy!