Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict

by Tara Klena Barthel and Judy Dabler

Book Overview

Women have a strong desire for relational connections. Relationships between women can be especially enriching, but when conflict arises, they also can be especially damaging. Too many women approach conflict as if they were unbelievers-with gossip, spiteful actions, bitterness, and even hatred. In Peacemaking Women , Tara Klena Barthel and Judy Dabler offer a meaningful, lasting message to lead women out of conflict to a state of peace where they...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801064953
• ISBN13: 9780801064951
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

God works in mysterious ways!

We are all unfinished products in need of much sanctification. Tara and Judy have helped me to be reminded that the people with whom I am in conflict are also unfinished and need patience and love. God is a reconciling God - reconciling us to Himself through the blood of His Son and enabling us to be reconciled to one another - that is the gospel and it shines throughout the book. I appreciate the humility and openness with which the authors share their lives in the many different areas of conflict in which we find ourselves as well as the clear presentation of truth. There is a good review of the basic Peacemaking principles outlined in Ken Sande's book, The Peacemaker, and the ministry Peacemakers. I have given this book as a gift to several women, knowing that they would benefit from hearing and living out the truth. The questions for reflection are very helpful and cover the different lives that we live - single, married, young, older...

Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict

Because of the hectic world we all live in, most of us are looking for ways to find Peace. She not only clarified the variety of issues that can cause everyday conflict, she outlined necessary steps to correct it... Our choice. I appreciated the set of questions that followed each chapter, helping to guide you in your individual quest to apply the teachings to yourself. I deeply appreciated her vunerability in sharing her own personal issues. It helped me to understand that I wasn't the only one going through that particular conflict. I have been able to not only use this in my own personal life but to help other women develop these skills. It is a book to be read again and again because of its relevancy. I am reading it for the third time and have discovered new teachings. It is a book worth having in a personal library.

Out of Conflict Comes Grace

Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict is a wonderful book. I was first introduced to it and the concepts behind it at a women's conference that Tara spoke at a few months ago in North Texas. I think the aspect of conflict resolution that strikes me the most is the centrality of the Gospel. It runs through every aspect of true Biblical peacemaking and is prevelant throughout this book, even where not directly stated. Of course I shouldn't be surprised since Christ, our Mediator (2 Tim 2:5) and Lord reconciled us to the Father. I really appreciate the real-life examples of conflict and resolution that are included. Conflict isn't something to be avoided or stuffed down (as I tend to do). Instead it is something to be approached boldly and yet with great love. The challenge, however, lies in actually doing so. Perhaps this is why I appreciate the true examples so much. I don't feel like I'm being preached at. Instead I feel as though the authors are sharing with me in the great struggle and adventure that they are advocating. They believe in these things (and we should too!) most of all because they are Biblical. But their knopwledge isn't limited to their cognitive processes. As is evident throughout the book, these ladies "know" what conflict resolution/peacemaking means in the same way the Hebrews would have expected. It is knowledge put in action by imperfect (ie "real") human beings who love the Lord God. By God's grace, I will be able to take the lessons I've "learned" from this book and demonstrate true knowledge.

The tools and biblical rationale for resolving conflict

Conflict is an inevitable fact of life, and while a small segment of people thrive on perpetuating it, others seek to avoid it at all costs. Neither extreme provides healthy, lasting relationships. The answer lies in resolving conflicts. Without the proper tools, however, this could lead to one side simply "giving in" only to harbor a resentment, keeping handy to use when the next conflict arises. PEACE MAKING WOMEN does an excellent and thorough job of providing not only the necessary tools but the Biblical rationale behind them as well. God's senses of humor and irony are demonstrated as the authors confess the conflicts they faced while writing this book. Many will recognize this phenomenon that seems to happen whenever we start to teach on a certain topic. It seems that God allows us to experience the problem firsthand, which definitely lends authenticity to our work. Perhaps it is His gentle way of reminding us that He, not we, has all the answers. In this case, the authors were able to demonstrate that the tools they were advocating really do work; that God's principles and truths are practical, useful and indispensable. Despite unrelenting pain and circumstances that threatened to scuttle the book and their friendship, God remained true. And, out of the ashes of their dead relationship, He brought new life. He created not only a better, stronger friendship but enhanced the lives of two individuals by filling them with love and grace based on the foundation of His love. Tara Barthel and Judy Dabler describe how this incredible process begins with a peaceful relationship with God Himself. For many that will be a quantum leap that has never been taken. How does one presume to have a personal relationship with the awesome, omniscient Creator God? As in any relationship, you get to know Him. He reveals His character through His words, the words that are written down for all to study in the Bible. And, despite the seemingly complex nature of the Bible, it is simply captured in the greatest commandment of all: Love one another, even as I have loved you. Is there a more profound mantra anywhere? PEACE MAKING WOMEN is not a little self-help book to be perused for quick fixes. Rather it is a key that allows you to enter a place where you can gather the tools you need to live a richer, more peaceful and fulfilled life. Just as peace is not merely the absence of war, a peace-filled life is not merely one with the absence of conflict. It is one filled with love, kindness, trust and compassion. What a wonderful Bible study it would make, complete with thought-provoking questions at the end of each segment. (...)

Become a Peace Making Woman

The moment I started reading this book, I got excited. For the first time, I found two women who struggled through some of the same seemingly hopeless situations with conflict resolution to find a deeper intimacy at the end of them. What surprised me is that most of the conflict that I was experiencing came from not realizing that I did not have to do "good works" to be accepted by Christ Jesus. They set me straight on His unfailing love - it was not going to go away when I had a bad day. Another surprise awaited me as I read deeper into the book - many of my conflicts came because I was worshipping other things and not God. The authors call this an "idolatrous heart". Oh, now that sounded scary to this Christian God-fearing women! Not me? Frown. Oh, yes, me! I found that there are times when I worship my image of God, but not God Himself. When my expectations of God did not measure up I started getting angry and depressed - conflict. Throught reading this book, I learned how to recognize the things that had become idols in my heart and find true peace by turning back to worshipping the Lord. I can't say that it's been easy along the way. I stumble and fall. And still do! I even find that since I've been reading this book that conflicts seem to be on the increase. The good news is is that my perspective towards conflict has changed. I see it as a "revealer" of what is truly in my heart and a time to set my heart to finding His peace in each situation that arises. They have included at the end of each chapter some questions and additional Scriptures to flesh out. If you are like me - stumbling along in your relationships with others - than you might want to take the time to read this book. You will want to give it to all the women you know because it is as Ken Sande says in the intro- "Lifechanging." I also suggest that if you don't like to read, order their tapes and listen to them while you're driving in your car or doing dishes. Tara has a great sense of humor and is full of care for women! Which ever way you choose- you'll be on your way to establishing peace wherever you go.