“There are several key elements of our character and makeup that are involved in connection.”

A thought by John Townsend from his book, Loving People (p.50). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

He says, “When we connect, we bring these aspects of ourselves into relationship with others:

• Feelings. When we are connected, we can share the emotions we experience about things and people, present and past, whether pleasant or painful.

• Dreams and desires. Another part of connection involves sharing our deepest longings and wishes—the things we keep protected and share with only a few friends.

• Fears. We are all afraid of something, and connection makes it safe enough to share our fears openly.

• Failures. No one is without mistakes, and when we connect, we let others in on the darker parts of our lives.

• Past. We all have losses and joys in our pasts, and connection means that we want to bring someone else into our personal history.

• The other person. One of the deepest aspects of connection is to let the other person know how you feel and make it safe enough that the relationship is not threatened by this, but rather, strengthened.

• God and spirituality. What we know and experience about God is one of the most intimate things we can convey to another person. When we share our spiritual side, we are letting someone in.”

He then says, “Many people are alienated and disconnected from some part of themselves, and that part, in return, is then disconnected from people. Loving people help others by connecting with them. They are able to create a bridge over the chasm of alienation and distance we all feel in this world. And they are able to then cross the bridge they have created so that there is contact between two individuals. When you reach out and connect, you have brought someone out of isolation, loneliness, fear, or detachment into the world of relationship.”

And we really do need to do that, to reach out and connect and bring someone in our world out of isolation, loneliness, fear, or detachment into the world of relationship. This will also really make a difference in our own life, won’t it?

Yes, yes!

Comments

“We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 118). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But is that all that is important? Jon says, “We want to realize an immediate return from whatever we invest in. I am prone to this way of thinking in so many areas of my life. ‘I paid a lot for that meal, yet the portions were not that big.’ ‘I invested two hours in that movie, and it was just okay.’ ‘I went to church, but the sermon wasn’t that profound.’ We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives. But beauty doesn’t fit within that framework. When Mary anointed Jesus with oil, there was an immediate outcry against her extravagant generosity. ‘It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ (Mark 14:5) One gospel depicts the disciples crying, ‘Why this waste?...

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog