F.O.R.E.

G'day Everyone.

You heard the word spoken in golf language. FORE! It means:" DUCK YOUR HEAD! Ball is in play and could hit you!" . It's a word that is spoken LOUDLY and CLEARLY on the Golf course.

But this word is: F.O.R.E. It means Formally Opposed Reconciliation Efforts.

Why do I write this? Because, I have tried to reconcile with a friend of mine over a problem we have. Even God has gracefully helped at times to make reconciliation possible. But what happens? He yells: "I tell you, I F.O.R.E.!".

So I have ended my reconciliation attempts and have praised God for all of His efforts to help bring my friend back to me. But I knew my friend had "died" on me when he changed long ago. God has given me peace and assurance that of whatever happens to my friend, God will take him home.

I know you also have problems with your own friends out there. If some one's trying to make an effort at reconciliation with you, take a moment to consider it. Take an opportunity to sit down for once and discuss the matter of the problems out in person. Involve a 3rd person to be the neutral party to sit in on the discussion but that 3rd person should be told to say nothing between you and the person making the reconciliation effort.

One more thing: When I first offered reconciliation to my friend, he went out and talked to his many "christian friends" who don't know me. He told them about "the situation". What they told him was their own BAD CHOICE of advice. Their judgement on me will be their own un-doing at the judgement seat of Christ. That is why my friend thinks all of his Baptist friends are "wise".

When I had my own problem with another friend of mine, I approached a pastor friend of mine that I knew of. When he listed to what I knew, he said to me: "I fear I am not able to make a decision for you because I don't know your friend, nor do I see his side of the situation. If I tell you something between you and your friend, it may end up to be a bad advice from me.". When I told him I'd like to hear his position, he gave it to me. But then he added "if you want some SANE and SAGE suggestion of mine personally, Go approach your friend and be reconciled. You have little to lose".

I took his latter advice and did just that. Reconciliation with my other friend of mine worked. What was his former opinion? He had said to dump my other friend. When I told this pastor friend the results, he had been glad his suggestion worked rather than his advice. He felt happier than before.

So if some one comes to you for advice and you tell them to do a F.O.R.E. against their friend who's trying to reconcile with them, you better make sure your life insurance is paid up because God could come to collect either punishment on you or bringing you to his judgement seat. It's better to say to your friend: "I'm staying neutral in your situation. I tell you to please, go solve your friend's reconcilement attempts. Hear your friend out before anything else. That would be my best suggestion".

Best wishes out there.

Semper FI.