Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Henry Cloud, from his book, Changes That Heal ( p. 73). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) And we really do need meaning for what we do. Leading up to this thought Henry said, “Bonded people are able to tolerate and to use constructively, time alone. Being alone does not mean they are isolated. . . bonded people have the love inside of them for whomever they are attached to. They have it stored up in their emotional tank, and it multiplies itself through a lifetime. Because they are not afraid of being alone, they can accomplish many things. “They also know the real reason for work. They do not work to pile up possessions. They do not work to run from pain. They work for the family of humanity. “One man I knew in real estate complained that his profession was meaningless. He was just ‘making money.’ He was emotionally detached, and his sense of accomplishment was totally task-oriented. Another ve...

A thought by Henry Cloud, from his book, Changes That Heal ( p. 60). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) He really is! Henry says. “Insofar as we are created in his image, love is foundational to being a person and to being a Christian. ‘Dear friends,’ says John, ‘let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God’ (1 John 4:7). Love is the basic identity of God; it is therefore basic to our identity also. “Even truth is held captive by love. When asked, what is the greatest commandment, Jesus said, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments“‘ (Matt. 22:37–40). “When we understand that the foundation of existence lies in relationship, for it is the w...

A thought by Henry Cloud, from his book, Changes That Heal ( p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) You might ask, what is bonding? Henry says, “It’s the ability to relate to another on the deepest level. When two people have a bond with each other, they share their deepest thoughts, dreams, and feelings with each other with no fear that they will be rejected by the other person.” Later Henry says, “Bonding is one of the most basic and foundational ideas in life and the universe. It is a basic human need. God created us with a hunger for relationship—for relationship with him and with people. At our very core, we are relational beings. “Without a solid, bonded relationship, the human soul will become mired in psychological and emotional problems. The soul cannot prosper without being connected to others. No matter what characteristics we possess, or what accomplishments we amass, without solid emotional c...