A Key To Strong Relationships

Openness and honesty in a relationship has to be on or near the top of the list in order for their to be true relationship. Take Jesus and Peter for example. How many times did Peter blow it with his overstatements and his brash way of speaking? Even from Jesus' side of the relationship there was an openness with Peter that seemed at times to be harsh. Jesus told him on a couple of occasions, "Get behind me satan." That's pretty harsh and straight forward, yet the truth.

It would seem in a relationship like Jesus and Peter that there would be lots of hurt feelings and anger, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Some of the most intimate times recorded in the Bible between two people are with Jesus and Peter.

It seems that tension and struggle exist in all relationships. The ability to listen to our friends and family without becoming so angry we leave the relationship I think comes from the Spirit of God. How else can I explain the fact that when my wife or one of my shepherds or a good friend tells me something that I need to hear, though they know it will hurt me at the time, I can hear it even if it does hurt and still remain in a loving relationship with them?

I appreciate those who will be honest with me even if it hurts. That is a secure relationship. Just this morning, Ellen had to help me understand that my feelings were too harsh for a particular situation that happened between two of our children before school. She left to take the kids to school and though we had an encounter, I still remain in complete and unconditional love with her. That is the Spirit of God prevailing in a situation that if we did not haev God's Spirit in us could escalate into a major ordeal.

You see I believe that God had every right to just destroy us all, but His unconditional love would not allow it. He had ever right to leave us destitute and without any hope, but "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly." How awesome is that?!! He is our example for us to follow in unconditional love.

So today, find someone with whom you need to mend fences and mend. Life is too short and relationships like I am talking about too few for us to miss out on them in this world. Also, find someone with whom you have a relationship like I am talking about and tell them how much you appreciate them.

Sweet Release!!

To "release" is a freedom that is so good. It is hard to understand sometimes that the world does not revolve around us. It doesn't matter what the circumstance. It doesn't matter the reason for pent up frustration or anger. It is sweet freedom to release it to God. 1 Peter tells us that we should cast all of our care on God because He cares for us. What a blessing!

The opposite feeling comes about when we hold on to a grudge or a feeling of hatred. We become sick and depressed. We feel trapped by our own emotions and are ultimately destroyed from the inside out.

It is interesting to me that no matter how we deal with our pain, we never do it alone. If I am happy and full of freedom in Christ, I make others feel the same. Of course, the opposite is true as well. Our feelings are so powerful that they affect others.

What should I learn from this? If my feelings affect others, I need to guard them with all my being. I need to make my words and actions sweet as honey so as to not upset the world around me. I must remember that those who will get hurt are the ones closest to me.

Unusual Sunday Blog

It' unusual for me to blog on Sundays because it is a busy day for us. But today I am preaching on "The Dark Path of Bitterness" and I need your prayers about it.

I think I am getting over the situation about Brandon. Thanks for your prayers about it. It is still fresh on many people's minds though and they come to me and try to console me and it just brings the feelings up again.

Brandon is OK and that makes it so much better. I am glad to have kids who teach me. Thanks to Randy for the suggestion to let Brandon's voice be heard through this sermon today. He will definitely be a good illustration of "getting over it."

God bless you all!