Took this from a book called Experiencing God Day by Day devotional book

Be Reconciled!

"Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift."

It is useless to give offerings to God while you are at enmity with your brother. Jesussaid that His followers should be reconciled with anyone who has something against them. The world seeks reconciliation on limited terms. Christians are to be reconciled, whatever it takes.

You say, "But you don't know how deeply he hurt me! It's unreasonable to ask me to restore our relationship." Or, "I tried but she would not be appeased." Jesus did not include an exception clause for our reconciliation. If the person is an enemy, Jesus said to love him (Matt. 5:44). If he persecutes you, you are to pray for him (v. 44).If she publicly humiliates you, you are not to retaliate (v. 39). If someone takes advantage of you, you are to give even more than he asks (v. 41). The world preaches "Assert yourself." Jesus taught, "Deny yourself." The world warns that you will be constantly exploited. Jesus' concern was not that His disciples be treated fairly but that they show unconditional love to others regardless of how they are treated. Men spat upon Jesus and nailed Him to a cross. His response was our model: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34).

If there were ever a command that is constantly disobeyed, it is this mandate to be reconciled. We comfort ourselves with the thought, "God knows that I tried to make things right, but my enemy refused." God's Word does not say "Try to be reconciled," but "Be reconciled." Is there someone with whom you need to make peace? Then do what God tells you to do.

THIS JUST IN: SLAVERY WASN'T ALL THAT BAD AFTER ALL!

According to a North Carolina school booklet, Slaves actually lived "a life of plenty, of simple pleasures" as opposed to the humiliation, murder, rape and torture that we know happened. The school is defending the booklet, and their decision to use it claiming that "You can have two different sides, a Northern perspective and a Southern perspective" according to the school's Principal Larry Stephenson. Last time I checked Larry, there were more than two perspectives on anything. Even slavery.

The two authors, Doug Wilson and Steve Wilkins have "essentially constructed the ruling theology of the neo-Confederate movement." According to the school. Doug Wilson is even credited with writing the book on classical education on which the school bases it's philosophy. But the insanity doesn't stop there.

Stephenson defends the schools decision by stating: "As a classical Christian school, we think it's important for our students to be able to think and not be slanted to a particular position," Stephenson said. "We want them to think for themselves." Despite the logic that suggests otherwise. The book clearly states that there is one opinion, and the history books are wrong:

"As we have already mentioned, the 'peculiar institution' of slavery was not perfect or sinless, but the reality was a far cry from the horrific descriptions given to us in modern histories." (pg 22)

The school claims that in public schools, students learn one position. "That's not education. That's indoctrination." says Stephenson. It may be important to identify and analyze the motication that caused the adoption of slavery as an institution. But saying: "There has never been a multi-racial society which has existed with such mutual intimacy and harmony in the history of the world" (pg 24) is far fetched and insulting.

Try Howard Zinn's The People's History Of The United States.