church | BirkeyBlog

I just returned from a Peacemaker Ministries Conference entitled, “The Reconciled Life” – held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where we participated in and received “Level Three – Conflict Coaching” training with 12-15 others from Calvary Memorial Church.

We heard some great speakers such as John Piper and Ken Sande, plus heard a wonderful worship band called “Heart of the City” lead by Dan and Sandy Adler. We have some new music to learn and teach for use in the Upper Room!

Some of our group also received “Level 4 – Advanced Mediation” training. This was very intense training involving many hours of presentations, demonstrations and role-playing. We are so proud of our friends: Reggie & Joan Winston, Laura Lange and Bob Boerman for completing this training.

Deb and I are very grateful to Calvary for providing this training opportunity to us. We hope that we can use the things we have learned to help others at Calvary, and in our families and work environments to deal with conflict in a biblical and God-honoring manner.

We also can’t say enough good things about Peacemaker Ministries, the caliber of their staff, the quality of their training and resources, and the humble, Christ-like attitudes and spirit they exhibit.

**Upper Room** Deb and I lead worship in the Upper Room at Calvary yesterday. I got through it OK. It was tough emotionally because I was 1-inch away from losing it several times.

We did an opening music set with Eric Guyer leading us. We did several old hymns during communion and the offering: What a Friend We Have in Jesus, I Will Sing of My Redeemer, and O, The Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus.

I shared about what I’ve been dealing with related to Steve’s death. Deb and I read scriptures that express deep struggling emotions, and God’s responses to them. I encouraged the congregation to enage with one another as the Body of Christ, especially when we are dealing with hard and difficult things in our lives.

We listened to “Now Is The Time For Tears” – a song from an album called “Corem Deo” produced by Charlie Peacock.

Lyrics:

Now is the time for tears
Don’t speak, save your words
There’s nothing you could say
To take this pain away
Don’t try so hard
You can just simply be
Cry with me don’t try to fix me friend
That’s how you’ll comfort me

Heavenly father, cover this child with mercy
You are my Abba through this time of trail and pain
Silence the lips of the people with all of the answers
Gently show them now is the time
Now is the time for tears

Now is the time for tears
Don’t speak, save your words
Now is the time for tears
Don’t speak, save your words