|
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, my wife shared a passage from Ecclesiastes10:13-14 in the Bible that applies to this situation. Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness; they chatter on and on. No one really knows what’s going to happen.
What did I learn from my encounter with this angry man? Don’t assume I know the motives of another person. Rather, ask them why they believe the way they do. Don’t “chatter on and on.” Listen instead. It’s so helpful to put into practice the wisdom found in the Bible in dealing with interpersonal relationships. Until next time, I wish you all the joy that you can wish.* John Certalic
P.S. Seaon 10 of the podcast starts October 1st. Here are the latest two episodes from season nine in case you missed them. |
Articles
“At the end of the day, nothing matters MORE than relationships.” — John Certalic
Be Curious, But Not Nosy
Reader, In episode 210 of last week’s podcast, I announced my choice for Word of the Year for 2024: Curious. Click here if you missed it or want to hear it again. In that episode I explained one issue always comes up when I talk about this topic with a live audience. It’s the fear some people have that being curious about about someone could mean you'll be perceived as “nosy.” There are big differences though between curious and nosy: Being nosy doesn’t enrich your life. Curiosity does. Nosy...
My Pick for the 2024 Word of the Year
Reader, Yesterday morning I googled the phrase “2024 Word of the Year.” A mere 3,220,000,000 results popped up. Today I’m adding one more entry with my own pick for the word of the year. You can hear (or read) about it in today’s podcast. In it I tell several stories that illustrate this word in action. Stories that inlcude: A best-selling author’s dinner party experience Two moms who take someone under their wing A man who confesses in church to killing someone What a highly rated law school...
One Last Hurrah for Christmas 2023
Hello Reader, Last week’s podcast episode was the last one for 2023. I understand you may not have had time to listen to it, given all the activities surrounding the end of the year. But if you click here you can still catch episode 208, Christmas - A Time to Reflect. It’s about how Mary processed her experience in giving birth to Jesus and the things she reflected upon over and over again. One listener said it was the best Christmas episode in the six years I’ve been doing the...
The Original Christmas Story
Reader, Whether your Christmas Day is just getting started, or is coming to an end, I hope you take one more time to hear or read the Christmas story. The original one. The one in the Bible. It’s 100% natural. No additives. Gluten free. No ornaments. No Santa. No Bing Crosby. Just Jesus. Click here to give a listen. Even if you’ve heard it a hundred times before. It won’t take long, and It will calm your soul. Merry Christmas, John Certalic
Christmas is a Good Time to Reflect
Merry Christmas Reader, Today’s podcast episode takes us back to the very first Christmas and how one of the main characters responded to it. They set an example for all of us in how we can respond to Christmas in 2023. It will enrich our lives when we do as they did. Click here to listen to episode 208, Christmas - A Time to Reflect. Until next week, I wish you all the joy that you can wish.* John Certalic You Were Made for This is the podcast sponsored by Caring for Others, a missionary...
The Joy of Christmas Past
Merry Christmas Reader, Each December our You Were Made for This podcast focuses on relational themes that arise during the Christmas season. Last week’s episode for example, episode 207, was about how to help the people we love at Christmas when they are going through a rough time. If you missed it, click here to listen in. Also, I thought you might be interested in hearing Christmas episodes from past years and the timeless relationship topics they consider. So today I’ve listed those from...
Relationship lessons From a Classic Christmas Movie
Reader, Several years ago I did a podcast episode about relationship lessons we learn from the classic Christmas film, It’s a Wonderful Life! One character in particular we didn’t say much about also shows us a few things that can help us in our relationships. So today's show picks up where we left off in that episode. This character faced a relationship challenge that is similar to one we sometimes face at Christmas. Click here to hear how they met this challenge. It could help you in your...
An Unusual Thanksgiving Weekend
Reader, One of the things I love about doing a podcast and weekly blog posts is the response I get from listeners and readers. Today I’m sharing an email I received from June, a podcast listener from Columbia, South Carolina. In recent blog posts I’ve asked what listeners/readers are thankful for. So with the Thanksgiving holiday just completed, June writes about being thankful for something her father did over Thanksgiving weekend many years ago. She writes: Dear John, I am thankful for my...
A New Dimension to Thanksgiving Day 2023
Happy Thanksgiving Reader, A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about a solution to loneliness. I mentioned a book I’m reading that quotes a study which says writing things down you are thankful for "can significantly improve subjective well-being, and reduce feelings of loneliness.” Click here to read that post if you missed it. I asked readers what they are thankful for lately. Here is what Marilyn, a podcast listener from Minnesota, is thankful for: A man who had just been allowed to...
Search Our PodcastsArticles
Search to find what you’re looking for












