Ok, so here are some possible things to consider about our topic next week on relationships:
1. Relocation - Keeping track of old ones and making new ones
2. Which ones to maintain and when to end them.
3. Dating relationships - How to manage them while undertaking a career/life change
4. Family relationships
This is just a short list that I had in mind. Be thinking of verses and applications from the
Bible. I'll input more info later on.
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8 comments:
This has nothing to do with the listed topics.
For the last few years, I've focused a lot on "making relationships," which does not at all come naturally to me. I like being alone. It's comfortable.
Isaiah 5:8 "Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land."
This verse is certainly a warning against materialsim, but it is also a warning against isolation. Although I don't have houses and fields, as a media junkie, I have surrounded myself with books, magazines, cds, movies, and tv box sets. It is all too easy for me to rely on those things for satisfaction, fulfillment, and even self-definition.
One of my favorite quotes from Mother Thereasa is "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Amen, Sister (literally)! We replace people with belongings and forget that we belong to each other.
Andrea, I 'salute' you for being open about this =-) haha
I sometimes find myself in that same boat. I've had so many people let me down in the past that its hard to trust people now. I would just assume to do things on my own sometimes.
I think that you can apply one of my favorite verses to this topic. Galatians 1: 10-11 basically say "For do I seek to please men or please God? For if I seek to please men, then I cannot be a bondservant of Christ."
To me, that speaks volumes. Yes, it is important that we nurture our relationships here on Earth, and try to make the best, and most of them. However, the ultimate relationship that we have, is with our Lord, Jesus Christ. This verse proves that if we put any other relationship over the one with Christ, then we really have NO relationship with Him at all.
Any thoughts/comments?
Greg
Greg, I agree and think we all do that our relationship with Jesus trumps all others. Having a relationship with Jesus is partly about having relationships with others.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (NIV)
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
We see from these 2 verses that knowing God is through love and there are several examples of how we should love one another.
So I think in regard to pleasing God before men, if we love our fellow man then that IS pleasing to God.
I like the verse that Andrea found. Here is what I Thought I would share.
Genesis 2:23, 24
"The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
I found this under family on BibleGateway. To me these verses are the foundation of what human relationships should be like.
Trey
Our relationship with the Lord is absolutely the most important. I am a firm believer that all of my confidence and comfort should come from Him (even though I constantly seek both in other relationships).
One verse that has really been speaking to me lately is 1 John 4:17 "This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus."
The implications of that are staggering. First of all, love can be made complete and whole through us (not me alone, mind you, but us). Because I am supposed to be like Jesus to the world, I need to go out of my way to make relationships and to love other people without expecting to be loved in return. Thank God that Jesus is my righteousness and I have the freedom to fail.
I saw this and it hit close to home:
1. Before you say anything to anyone, ask yourself three questions: a) is it true? b) is it kind? c) is it necessary'
2. Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.
3. Never miss an opportunity to compliment or say something encouraging.
4. Refuse to talk negatively about others and don’t listen when others do.
5. Have a forgiving view of people. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.
6. Keep an open mind; discuss, don’t argue.
7. Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1,000 before saying or doing anything that could make matters worse.
8. Let your virtues speak for themselves.
9. If someone criticizes you, see if there is any truth to what he is saying; if so, make changes.
10. Cultivate your sense of humor.
11. “Do not seek so much to be consoled, as to console; do not seek so much to be understood as to understand; do not seek so much to be loved as to love.
I am a pretty outgoing person who loves to meet new people. However, like many others have said, I have had things happen to me in the past that has caused me to put up this huge barrier around my heart. The first sign of trouble or distrust and I bolt, off to find a new friend. This is a terrible way to grow with people and to build the kind of relationships that I want with people. This is also a bad way to build Christian relationships with other people. We need to talk to people about what is going on and open ourselves up to the possibility of becoming vulnerable. I know that with the support that I have now with Christian friends and my family that I am moving towards this possibility. I also know that I need prayers to make this happen continually. I have had many people placed into my life in the past two years that I have totally changed my life and made me realize that this is possible and I know it is because of God. This includes this new group that came at a great time and has many people in it that I know are going to be lasting friends already. I also know that they will hold me accountable in the areas I need it the most.
kristi, thats the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard. Your really have no idea what you are talking about. And you call yourself a Christian? geez....
Ok, so before you all get mad. Let me explain. That response is a prime example of 'flying off the handle'. We have all reacted this way before and this reaction will never result in a positive situation.
My grandad would always quote James 1:19 & 20
" Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God"
If we find ourselves in a situation where we feel we are about to 'fly off the handle' we need to keep this verse in mind.
Another thing that the bible warns us of is doing/saying things that cause others to sin.
Ephesians 6:4 states:
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord"
Even though this verse is referring to Fathers/children, I think there is application to relationships as well. Romans 14 talks in depth about doing things that cause others to stumble and by doing things to make people mad puts them in a situation that can cause them to sin.
Just a few thoughts.....Kristi, wasn't serious =-)
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