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Hi Reader, I’m intrigued by the piece I wrote few weeks ago about the questions Jesus asked. If you missed it, you can click here to read it. Many of his questions were asked to help people understand themselves better. That’s a good motive for us to ask questions of others. To gain more understanding of the people in our lives. Two people I’ve been thinking about lately are my parents, both of whom have been dead for over 20 years. It occurred to me the other day that they must have had a life before I came on the scene. Imagine that? What a surprise. My mother was 24 when I was born, and my father was 29 when he adopted me. I know so little about their lives before I entered their’s. I wish they were still around so I could ask them questions to understand them better. Answers to questions about their early years before me would have been helpful in understanding the forces that shaped their lives. Because from understanding, compassion can flow. And in my case, from compassion, forgiveness more easily be granted. How about you? Who are the people in your life who have impacted you deeply, but for whom you know little? If they are still alive what questions could you ask to understand them better? Until next time, I wish you all the joy that you can wish.* John Certalic
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Articles
“At the end of the day, nothing matters MORE than relationships.” — John Certalic
Ask Questions Like Jesus Did
Hi Reader, If you’ve been following my writings or podcast for any length of time you’ll know I’m a big fan of asking questions to deepen relationships. But not just any questions, for despite what your 5th grade teacher told you, there are dumb questions. Some really dumb ones, even harmful questions that are destructive to relationships. I’ve conducted workshops on asking meaningful questions, and I’ve aired more than a few podcast episodes on the subject. But I realized recently there’s...
Beauty Beyond the Landscape
Reader, Episode 228 of our You Were Made for This podcast is now live. In it I talk about my recent vacation trip to Ireland. It’s less about scenery and landscape, and more about relationships. I think you’ll find it encouraging. For example, I reflect upon what encouraged me on our trip. Things like: Beauty found in relationships The man who wore bib overalls all the time The most common expression I heard from people in Dublin Several gray-haired men who make art all day long, hunched over...
Talk About These Amongst Yourselves
Reader, When I wrote my book THEM several years ago, one of the things I enjoyed most was finding an interesting and relevant quote to begin each chapter. Not many people have read the book, so I thought I’d share a few of these quotes for you to talk about among yourselves. Depression on my left. Loneliness on my right. They don’t need to show me their badges. I know these guys very well. ~ Elizabeth Gilbert, from Chapter 5 “The Visitor No One Wants.” If anger were mileage, I’d be a frequent...
This Works When We Are Anxious
Reader, I normally don’t worry about much. But recentlyI was anxious about a trip I was going to take in ways that surprised me. I have taken trips like this before. It was nothing new to me. Yet I was stressed about it and didn’t know why. Sometimes knowing the why we’re bothered is helpful. Other times it doesn’t matter why. This was one of those times. I just wanted to toss my anxiety into the dumpster and move on. In today’s episode of You Were Made for This I share what I learned about...
Calming Words For Troubled Times
Reader, I noticed recently that I’ve become more unsettled agitated. All the violence we’re seeing here in the US is getting to me. People stabbed on light rail trains. Speakers shot dead on college campuses. Children gunned down at school. So much evil. Is this getting to you, too? I realized I need to spend less attention to the news these days. So I’ve withdrawn from it a bit, and am looking to fill my mind with something more positive. In doing so, I’m drawn to Philippians 4:8 in the...
An Example Not to Follow
Hi Reader, Someone was upset at me recently for a decision I made. The man got very loud in expressing his displeasure, and at one point criticized my motives. “That’s not true,” I said. “You’re making an assumption about my intent and it’s simply not true.” I don’t think he heard a word I said because he kept talking on and on. It’s always dangerous when we think we are certain about someone’s motives. He predicted dire consequences from the decision I made. A few days after this incident,...
Accidental Encouragement
Sometimes the best encouragement comes accidentally.
Goodbye summer. Hello fall.
Hi Reader, My summer ended with some interesting conversations with people. How about yours? In todays episode of You Were Made for This, I share a few of these end-of-summer conversations and what they left me to think about this fall. You can listen in when you click here. It will be the only episode for this month, as it concludes Season 9 of the podcast. After a short break, the podcast will resume next month with the start of Season 10. May your fall get off to a great start and I‘ll see...
Where the Joy Comes From
Joy comes from obeying God's command to love him and other people.
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