Comments on: Time For a Check-Up?

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:38:28 +0000

Jim,
Yes, I recall those youthful days of acting quickly and thinking later, like picking up every hitch-hiker, day or night, determined to share the gospel. Remember?
These are great thoughts. I often focus on one to the neglect of the others. Being is the most challenging to me, seeming to require the most surrender on my part. This post is helpful. Thanks.

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:46:07 +0000

Lisa,As I read your comment, I thought about how perceptive you are to be aware of what is coming out of your mouth. For many of us, that one seems to be a blind spot. I really commend you in your sensitivity to this in your own life.

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:43:06 +0000

Greg,Thank you for what you said. I suspect that many of us can point to an incident somewhere in the past that made an incredible difference in the way relate to people. So often those incidents are negative. (I can recall one that happened when I was a child that was in my conscious mind for years.)

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:40:30 +0000

L.L.I like your comment and it is a reminder that relating is more than being social or liking people, etc. It may involve growing in a particular area (like listening as you suggest). Thanks very much!

By: L.L. Barkat

L.L. Barkat — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:00:25 +0000

relating is always a challenge. funny, because I love to be social, but I find that I need to learn how to listen more. I’m memorizing a few Proverbs to this end at the moment.

By: Greg England

Greg England — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:48:09 +0000

Don’t have much time as I have a funeral to work this morning, but mine is relating … not that I don’t relate well to people, but I don’t allow myself get very close to many people. A 7-year nightmare in Florida is responsible for this. We were very, very close to people who turned their backs on us and one couple in particular who then stabbed us in the back, and all based on the lies of one very mean-spirited, and evil woman. It has taken me many years to let down my guard enough to actually form very close relationships outside of my immediate family. Even though I recognized the situation and have an advanced degree in counseling, I still keep a wall around my heart, allowing very few to have access beyond a certain point.Good post, Jim.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:07:58 +0000

Ouch, you sure know how to step on my toes! I would say that the doing component is the one I need to most focus on right now. Particularly when it comes to work, my communication does not always signify that I’m a follower of Christ. I find myself slipping into idle words, gossip, slander, complaining, sarcasm, etc… I’ve been praying a lot lately that God would help me overcome the temptation to speak words that are not pleasing to Him. I can see some improvement, by the grace of God, but still a LONG way from where I want to be!