Comments on: Life Is Relationship

By: Margee Ortega

Margee Ortega — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:02:23 +0000

Amen and AMEN brother. What a wonderful reminder. I was just asking some friends of mine to pray that I come to some kind of way to speak the truth to those who are depressed. There are so many. I have a friend who has a web site to talk to teens about suicide. If you ever want to encourage them here’s the site – http://www.thenarrowroad.com/ Have a blessed day.

By: Linda Baker

Linda Baker — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:01:32 +0000

Thanks, John. Always a pleasure to read your blog entries.
Hope to see you sometime this year.

Regards,
Linda

By: Curt

Curt — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:56:51 +0000

I have read Fankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” several times. It’s a powerful book, full of truth. As I type this, my mother-in-law’s life hangs in the balance. She may not live for more than a few days, if that. Our family has wrestled with this “search for meaning” in a very hands-on way in recent months. It’s difficult to digest, but as believers we should realize that our happiness (in the conventional sense) or so-called “quality of life” aren’t the best measuring sticks for finding the value in life–at any stage of the life game. For in suffering and deep pain, we usually find nuggets of truth and joy that may otherwise have evaded us. Let God be glorified in health, life, and death. As a longtime amateur songwriter, one of my first songs as a young teen was called, “One Day at a Time.” The song contains a line that aptly prescribes a path for the life moment in which my family resides today, and properly credits the source of all life.

“All I have to do is trust, and even that is not of me.”

By: John Michalak

John Michalak — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:41:17 +0000

Iunia,

Thanks so much for your comment. I think the answer to your question would require the length of a book, rather than the limited space we have here. One thing I would say is that the whole context of our lives in a sense can be considered a “trial”. Since the sin of Adam, we live in a “fallen” world, where sin, death, corruption have their way on us. Our access to God has been stifled by our sin and a world system that wants all of our attention. Through Jesus Christ’s trials, the door has been opened to us. But, unless we identify with his suffering, i.e., go through trials, it’s often hard to know what that access to God truly looks like. That’s why, whether we’re going through a trial or not, remembering Christ’s suffering on a regular basis (through communion/the Lord’s Supper, etc.), is a vital component for truly seeking God and living the life he wants for us. I don’t know if any of this makes sense, but thanks for furthering the conversation. I believe my wife has visited Romania. Perhaps one day I can visit there as well. God bless.

By: Lindi Jo

Lindi Jo — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:41:15 +0000

So very true..I know in my own life, many times during my quest to find my birthmother and birth identity, I felt like giving up.. But the very basic God given desire to find my mother, and form some kind of relationship with her, never allowed me to give up hope..I am also reminded of Corrie Ten Boom as I read this message. as well as a movie i have seen on tv several times, (the name escapes me at the moment) about the father and his son, who were taken to the camps, and how the father made his boy believe that it was all a game.. He never gave up hope, and never lost his joy. He had a reason to go on, his wife and son. Suicide is the ultimate act of selfishness, it takes much more strength to live and love and be loved.. This was inspiring John, ..thank You

By: Joyce

Joyce — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:40:47 +0000

Thanks for your sharing. It’s a powerful message.

By: Lillenan

Lillenan — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:40:07 +0000

This is very true for sure.

Relationships just knowing someoneloves me just for the person I am is what keeps me going from one day to the next.

Trials may come, but I am an overcomer, and I find God both walking with me through them while waiting for me 0on the other side of them, funny how that is.

I find actually I learn the most during these vally times as I call them…I find that I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me!

By: Isle Mitsu Yur Bishi

Isle Mitsu Yur Bishi — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:39:21 +0000

Yes. One of my favorite books. Reading it in my early 20′s changed me. I am now a therapist and recommend this (and many other books) as part of treatment when appropriate. I gave a copy to each of my three children…I hope they read it and are touched.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:38:28 +0000

Nicely done!

I need to comment: This world we live in is still rife with that spirit that controlled the authorities over, and in, those concentration camps. May we each respond as Jesus instructs us to when we next encounter it.

Best!
Jim

By: Herbie

Herbie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:37:51 +0000

So true. So many times others have let us down. Whether they meant to or not we have all been let down by those closest to us. I look back in my own life and see what I may not have done or been there for someone as well as others for me, the one thing that has been always there has been God. He is always the consistant one and never ever fails us.

Excellent blog.

Herbie/SEVEN

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:36:04 +0000

Dear John,

Thank you for your very spiritual blogs!

God Bless you,
Maria

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:35:27 +0000

Dear Iunia,

It was interesting to read about your thoughts. I know your feelings very well and when I have it that way I always say to myself those thoughts from Bible -

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,to those who are called according to His purpose.”

*It also reads: all things work together for good no matter if it feels hard at the moment.

And you know Iunia,whan I read those words a few times then it feels better. That way I get Hope, Patience and Understanding. You can’t blame yourself for anything.Only remember Romans 8:28 and wait. You will feel when everything you wish is on your way. And……we don’t need to see God face in face.We can feel Him and what He says to us. That’s SO great that He is EVERYWHERE we go.

God Bless you Iuni!

Your friend,
Maria

By: Iuni

Iuni — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:33:17 +0000

I have a question that I’m asking myself very often. Why can’t we get closer to God only through trials? I had a breakup last year, and it’s almost a year since then and I’m still recovering and through all this year He never stoped telling me that He loves me and He’ll be near me whenever I need Him, and He’ll never disappoint me. I used to have a close relationship with my Lord before the “event” but since then… this was the only chance to make it through… – a close relationship with HIM. Several weeks I had on my PC’s desktop the fallowing words: “When you have nothing left but Jesus you find that Jesus is enough” and this is true true true… Although on some days I try to find a reason to get out of bed, I know He’s all I need. It is true that life = relationships but the most important one is our contact our constant contact with our Creator who loves us more then ever. Sometimes it’s hard to love Him, because we don’t see Him face to face, but I think that it what makes it greater. He never disappointed me… never. There were and still are moments when I don’t understand Him and His Plan for my life, but I trust Him because I gave Him my lwhole life and there are no better Hands to put it into.

Just remember this: “When you have nothing left but Jesus you find that Jesus is enough”

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:32:34 +0000

You speak truth – God is love – and we are created to have that loving relationship with one another – because He is in all of us!

Jeanne

By: Susana Maria Rosende

Susana Maria Rosende — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:31:46 +0000

Well said, indeed, John. Thank you for sharing.

Susana

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:31:11 +0000

Reading this, I was reminded of a song by Talley Trio, (Southern gospel group,) which says “He’s the only reason I live, but oh, what a reason.” The message of the song is that our relationship with God is our most important relationship, and that even in the midst of loss, we can count on and draw comfort from that relationship. I think circumstances in my life are just drawing me closer to God and loving Him more.

By: Jeff Bjorck

Jeff Bjorck — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:30:28 +0000

You have nailed some central truths in this blog. Well-said! Indeed, God is the only Friend who will never let us down. And before I start getting too irritated at those who let me down, I look in the mirror at the one who lets me down the most. ) Moreover, because God will never leave or forsake me, I have the strength I need to try to be the best friend to others that I can be, even though I will always be an imperfect friend.

Well said, John!

Peace of Christ,
Jeff Bjorck

By: Just Duckie

Just Duckie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:29:46 +0000

Man can I relate! So many times I get down, and I always try to remind myself that there are people who love me, and God loves me even more then they do! That’s something I can’t fully grasp but thank you for that reminder.