Podcast

088: Get Them to say “Thank You for Asking”

By John Certalic on January 20, 2021 2

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 88. Today we examine in-depth that odd expression of …. “Thank you for asking.”

In last week’s episode I talked about making a New Year’s resolution of interacting with people in such a way that they will send you a “thank you” note in writing.

That’s going to take some effort on your part because people rarely send thank you notes anymore. So for you to receive one, it will mean you’ve done something so meaningful for someone they can’t help but express their appreciation in writing. That’s a tall order, but still a worthy goal. As I said last week, it will bring out the best in us when we make it our goal for people to appreciate in writing what we’ve done for them.

Today, however, I want to give you a related relationship goal this is easier. [Read more…] about 088: Get Them to say “Thank You for Asking”

087: Make it a Relational New Year’s Resolution

By John Certalic on January 13, 2021 0

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 87. Today we talk about a New Year’s resolution that will go a long way to deepening your relationships.

I’m guessing it’s a New Year’s resolution you have never heard of before. In fact, I’d bet the farm on it, if I had a farm, that is. And even though we’re 13 days into the new year, it’s not too late to start implementing this resolution. And once you put it into practice, you’ll find it reaps rewards that will motivate you to keep up your resolve for the rest of the year. It's a relational New Year's resolution. [Read more…] about 087: Make it a Relational New Year’s Resolution

086: How to Begin the Year with Joy

By John Certalic on January 6, 2021 2

Begin the year with joy. Find some or create some. When you create joy for others you create joy for yourself. Today’s episode shows how.

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 86 and the start of Season 5 of our podcast.

We said goodbye to 2020 in last week’s episode with the thought that even in difficult circumstances there is always joy to be found if we look hard enough. I gave two examples of finding joy in difficult circumstances.

Starting today, let’s begin the year with joy. To do so I share several examples of finding joy in more positive contexts, like now, at the beginning of a new year. Not much has gone wrong yet. At least at the time of this recording.

I hope the several stories I share will inspire you to either find joy, or create some yourself if you come up empty. I’ll explain how, so listen in. [Read more…] about 086: How to Begin the Year with Joy

085: Finding Joy at the End of 2020

By John Certalic on December 30, 2020 4

Finding joy in the difficult challenges of 2020 hasn't been easy. But when we look for the joy it takes the edge off trying circumstances.

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 85 of our podcast, our last one for 2020, and season 4. Season 5 starts next Wednesday.

In episode 81 a few weeks ago I quoted the bible character Nathaniel, who asked a rhetorical question about Jesus in the very early days of his ministry, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Apparently the town of Nazareth’s reputation lacked a degree of goodness about it. It never made it on the “Top 10 list of Cities in the Roman Empire to Retire.”

A similar question can be asked about 2020, with only two days left in the year here on December 30th. Can anything good come out of this past year?

Like Nazareth, there is good and there is joy that came out of this past year, but we need watchful and discerning eyes to find it as 2020 comes to a close. [Read more…] about 085: Finding Joy at the End of 2020

084: Bonus Episode – The Christmas Story

By John Certalic on December 25, 2020 2

Luke's Gospel tells the Christmas story just as it happened. He writes:

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. [Read more…] about 084: Bonus Episode – The Christmas Story

083: The Best Christmas Gift – Be with People in Community

By John Certalic on December 23, 2020 0

The best Christmas gift we can give to someone, and ourself, is to be with people in community. That’s what God did in giving us Jesus.

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 83. It is the last one in our series on Relationships at Christmas.

One Word to Describe Christmas

If someone were to ask you for one word to describe the meaning of Christmas, what word would you pick? Presents? Family? Joy? Jesus?

Listen in to today’s episode where I interview a missionary friend, Josephine, who is serving in eastern Europe. She is single and lives alone 5,000 miles from home here in the US.

Out of security concerns because of where she lives, I don’t call her by her real name. Instead, I call her “Josephine” because that was my grandmother’s name who lived in this part of the world until she was 18 and emigrated to the United States. She’s been dead for many years, but I have fond memories of her.

In my conversation with this Josephine, she gives her answer to the one word that sums up the meaning of Christmas for her. The word she picked may surprise you. So let’s listen in…. [14:33 interview with “Josephine”] [Read more…] about 083: The Best Christmas Gift – Be with People in Community

082: A Christmas Gift of Anticipation

By John Certalic on December 16, 2020 0

Learn how to get more out of Christmas through the gift of anticipation. As we appreciate what God has already done for us, we can trust him for our future. We can anticipate the good things he was in store for us, like a child waiting to open their presents on Christmas.

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 82. Today is the third of our December series on Relationships at Christmas.

We’re coming off the 3rd Sunday of Advent, which occurred just a few days ago. This 3rd Sunday traditionally focuses on Joy. The joy of Christmas. Did you know that you can experience the joy of every Christmas 3 times?

You really can! Hang around and listen, as I explain. [Read more…] about 082: A Christmas Gift of Anticipation

081: A Christmas Gift of Deep Personal Connection

By John Certalic on December 9, 2020 0

A deep personal connection with someone who “gets us,” brings us joy as we share the challenges and joys of life together. Make one if you don’t have one. It's one of the best Christmas gifts you can ever give – or get.

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 81. Today is the second of our December series, Relationships at Christmas.

I love the phrase, “he gets me,” or “she gets me.” You hear it in romantic chick flick comedies a lot. Not so much in the Bruce Willis genre of I-have-to-kill-the-bad-guys-or-else-the-world-will-be-destroyed movies.

I love the “he gets me” phrase because it captures a feeling of connection, oneness and understanding between two people in just 3 little words. It describes a relationship where you don’t have to explain yourself much, because someone knows you so well, so deeply, words aren’t necessary.

Those of us who have a relationship like this treasure it. But about the rest of us? How can we get this gift of connection where we can say of another person, “they get me?” [Read more…] about 081: A Christmas Gift of Deep Personal Connection

080: A Christmas Gift of Silence

By John Certalic on December 2, 2020 4

Relationships during Christmas can be challenging. Your Christmas gift of silence may be the best gift you give this year to people.

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 80. It’s the first of our December episodes about what we can learn from the relationships we see in the Christmas story that can help us in our own relationships this Christmas. And please be sure to stick around to the end for a rare musical treat I will share with you.

I’ll start by telling you about a group people I met who don’t enjoy Christmas as much as the rest of us. Any idea who this group could be?

It was a group of pastors I used to work with, of all people. The part of Christmas they didn’t enjoy was preaching sermons about it. They loved preaching about other things, but sermons about Christmas were challenging because what can you say that hasn’t already been said.

My suggestion: talk about relationships. The Christmas story has always been about relationships.

I’ll give you an example. [Read more…] about 080: A Christmas Gift of Silence

079: Thankful for Simple Gifts Found in Relationships

By John Certalic on November 25, 2020 0

Be thankful for the simple gifts found in relationships. They show us how to relate to God, ourselves, and others. They are a great gift.

Hello everyone and welcome to episode 79, our Thanksgiving episode.

Imagine for a minute it’s Thanksgiving Day here in the US, and you are sitting around the table with your family eating your Thanksgiving dinner, and you ask everyone around the table what they are thankful for this past year.

I say “imagine” because Dr. Fauci and others have urged us to avoid family get-togethers altogether. Without regard to what you decide to do in this matter, how would you complete the sentence starting with, “In 2020 I am thankful for….”? [Read more…] about 079: Thankful for Simple Gifts Found in Relationships