459:Â Common Ground
Loving Others Despite Our Differences
with Amerbly Neese
Clutter steals our peace and it also steals the peace of the ones we love. Join Kathi today in a great conversation with Amberly Neese, author of Common Ground, discussing how we can live at peace with other people. Clutter issues in our head, our heart, and our home often disrupt this peace and cause tension between loved ones. Join in the discussion to find out ways that we can clear out this clutter and live at peace with others by:
- Finding common ground
- Asking important why questions
- Fully embracing and loving God, ourselves, and then others
Common Ground: Loving Others Despite Our Differences
Whether it is in politics, the professional world, a party, or a pew, we face conflict every day. As discussions get more heated and social media is deluged with opinion-spewing, hurt feelings, and broken relationships, we need hope and practical tools to navigate the tumultuous waters and live at peace with everyone.
Fortunately, the Scriptures hold the key to living at peace despite our differences. In Common Ground, a four-week Bible study, Amberly Neese combines stories of sibling rivalries from the Bible with personal experience, humor, hope, and her love of God’s Word.
Stories examined from the Old and New Testaments include:
-
Joseph and His Brothers: How to Combat Jealousy
-
Moses, Miriam, and Aaron: How to Work Together Despite Differences
-
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus: How to Appreciate the Contributions of Others
-
Rachel and Leah: Having Compassion for the Plight of Others
These stories point us to peace and reconciliation in all our relationships, reassuring us that it is possible to find common ground with everyone—despite our differences.
Giveaway: For a chance to win the Common Ground prize pack, answer this question in the comments below:
What is it that you feel is the biggest benefit to these difficult relationships in the past year?Â
Meet Our GuestÂ
Amberly Neese
 Amberly Neese is a popular speaker/teacher, comedian, author, and all-around encourager. She helps people like you experience the freedom found in meaningful relationships with God and others through her teaching and her books “the Belonging Project”, “Common Ground” and “the Friendship Initiative”. Amberly is a featured speaker and comedian for two national tours. She and her husband have two teenagers and live in Prescott, Arizona, where they enjoy the great outdoors, the Food Network, and all things Star Wars.
Transcript
More PostsÂ
#126 The Restless Moments in your Life — When God Burdens your Soul
What is born from the restless moments in your life?Jennie Allen, the author of Restless and Anything and the founder of IF Gathering, believes that God burdens our souls with the people who he wants us to reach. Listen in as she gives you simple tools and ideas to:•...
Need a Little Bravery Today
Are you tired of feeling tied to your everyday way of living? Are you trying to do something new in your life, but are scared to take the next step? Boy, have I got something special for you today. Today on Focus on the Family, my coauthor Cheri and I are talking with...
#125 Wanting God More Than Anything Else
Do you want God more than anything else?After a quick trip down memory lane (does anyone else still use Elizabeth Arden Sunflower perfume like Kathi does?), this week's guest, Lisa Whittle, author of I Want God, shows us how to find spiritual revival in the midst of...
- #688 – Declutter Your Books in 15 Minutes a Shelf: Forever Shelf vs Flow Shelf for a Peaceful Library - September 23, 2025
- #687 – What’s Lurking Under Your Bed? Declutter the Forgotten Zone for Good - September 16, 2025
- #686 – Declutter Once and For All: Why Your Home’s Chaos Keeps Sneaking Back - September 9, 2025
I have learned so much by working with people who are “difficult.” They have taught me to look past first appearances and move forward with grace.
Difficult friend have helped me remember that friendships are not just about receiving, they are also about giving. I think this is something that is so important for us as Christians to remember.
I feel that the biggest benefit to these difficult relationships in the past year has been the opportunity to look at the world from someone else’s view. I think that is so important in today’s divided world!
This past year has caused me to have more compassion for the people with whom I have difficult relationships, recognizing that we are ALL suffering and doing the best we can with our individual circumstances and histories. Philemon 1:7 has helped me. “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement.” I am trying to focus on receiving encouragement from God’s love, and appreciating every tiny bit of love others extend to me, as well as trying my best to give that love away to others.
Thank you for the encouragement I have received from you!
A lot has happened in the last year. I was surprised to feels a rift with a close friend. It feels like the Grand Canyon sometimes. How could I not realize how different we thought about issues when we spent so much time together. I thought that would be it for us. I don’t want to sound cheesy but Jesus is how we are friends. He filled all the gaps and holes and disagreements. We are friends because we have Jesus in common and the the Bible.
In this past year I’ve learned that even the difficult relationships have been missed. Instead of just getting through visits then going home and complaing as I did before. I’m now much more intentional to figure out the differences. It’s made me realize that everyone is insecure and hurting. We just show it in different ways.
Though it has been difficult to have my 4 kids at home (when I expected them to all— finally— be in school), it’s been a blessing to have the time as a family and even to connect more with some of our cousins who are local. We also have neighbors that have been in our small social circle with a son who gets along with our kids well. Lots of fights, but lots of good memories made and new games created among the kids.
The past year has given me opportunity to really consider the difficult relationships in my life: why they are difficult and why they matter to me. As well, to prayerfully ask God to show me ways that I can build into those relationships in a healthy way. The quality of my life is heavily affected by the quality of my relationships so it is important to me to invest wisely in relationships.
The biggest benefit to the difficult relationships in the past year is that the difficult relationships have motivated me to pray a lot more. To pray for God to bless the ones with whom I am having difficulty relating to; for God to show me what I need to change; and for His grace to love the people he brings into my life.
Congratulations, You are a winner! To claim your prize, please click the link below:
https://form.jotform.com/kathilipp/winner
Thanks,
Kathi Lipp Giveaway Team
This past year I learned and am still learning to be more intentional in relationships, even difficult ones. I’m an introvert and have been more than happy to avoid people and stay home but I know the Lord doesn’t want me to live that way. Part of my worship to Him is being in fellowship and unity with other believers. Also, sharing the Gospel with those who don’t have a personal relationship with Him, who are around me in my community.
The biggest benefit of the difficult relationships for me has been growth in my relationship with God. I’ve realized the importance of putting my relationship with Him first and if that relationship is healthy then I’m more equipped to work through the hard stuff.
I think this past year has shown how much we need each other. We don’t thrive isolated and alone. While issues have a way of stirring conflict, we can chose what direction we want to go.
This is such a hard question because I’ve actually lost many relationships during this season. I guess the silver lining was realizing how one-sided most of them had become. I am open to new and better relationships with people now that these “cluttery” relationships are behind me.
In these past few months with all my children and grandchildren home more.i have noticed thingsabout myself and them that I didn’t like. Which hadgoing to the word of God more . Looking fir was to be like himand to show Gods love in my speech action or should I say more in my reaction.
In doing this it cause me to look at my relationship with friend as I find out more who I am in Christ I have learned its okay to allow God to close the door ?on those where people were using me as a punching bag or footstool. I am a blessed woman of God. Iam a friend who does and will continue to sharphen others with the word of God.
God has allowed me to appreciate the difference in my family . Especially my Husband.
Due to Covid, I have had more time to reflect on my relationships and I have been more willing to look a the other person’s side of things. It has helped me to be objective in times of conflict.
During the past year I have moved from fear to peace, recognizing that God is in control and I am not. Understanding through study how much He loves me and is merciful to me has helped be more loving and merciful to family and friends. And to make the effort to check on them : love people not stuff. I am thankful for this year is has changed me for the better, less rush and doing instead more being present and loving those around me.