16: Are relationships the most important thing in my life? How can I assure they are?

I believe relationships are a very important thing in my life. I do not have any conflicts or broken relationships that I know of. Ones that needed repair I have taken steps to do so.

I am taking great pains not to gossip. If I am not part of the problem or part of the solution I try not to comment. This is hard. When you are sitting with a group of people and the talk begins it is difficult to not comment. But I would not want people talking about me in that way so....

I have spent more time REALLY asking others how they are doing. Listening to what they have to say. I have apologized for any hurts I have caused and taken action to make it right.

Are relationships THE most important thing in my life. I can't say that they are. I am working toward less focus on myself and more about others. I have done this by getting involved with service and planning on my mission. Whenever I am given an opportunity to serve others I do not turn it down. If is something I can do I will. No matter how inconvenient it is for me.

“Do all the good you can,By all the means you can,In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can, At all the times you can,To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.” -- John Wesley.

I want to do that. By doing that I can assure relationships and people are the most important thing in my life.

15: How do I start treating other believers like members of my own family?

The truth is I would do anything for my family. Sacrifice my time, talent, and treasure for them. I would give everything I have to help them. I would put my life on the line for them.

So, if I would do that for my own family. Then that is what I should do for other believers.

I have done this on occasion for fellow believers and friends. But I need to make it part of my everyday life starting today.

Question 14: How do I intend to stay focused when God feels distant?

There are times of closeness and distance in all relationships. Christ himself felt distance when he was on the cross. "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" And of course God had not forsaken is one and only Son. That was something Jesus had to do on His own. A mission that had to be completed by His choice.

God pulled Himself away from Jesus so His purspose could be accomplished. If God would do this to His own son of course he would do this to me. If God feels distant then it is for a reason. Something needs to be accomplished. I need to learn something. I will have to remind myself of this.

Question 13: What is more pleasing to God right now, my public or private worship?

I don't think either stands out as being better than the other. I think I can imporve with both of them.

Like I said in question 12 I need to read the Bible on daily basis. The other for my private is that we need to pray as a family more. My wife and I need to pray as a team.

For my public I am involed with the church and serving. I am not commited to any of the service I am doing. I think I am still searching for where I fit best and what I should do in the church. I will continue to try new things till I find the right service fit for me.

Question 12: What things can do to grow closer to God.

This is a simple one for me. I need to read the Bible more. I have read through it twice in my life but I do not read on a regular daily basis. If I spend a half hour a day I can read though it every 6 nonths. 15 miniutes a day I can read though it once a year. That is the goal I am setting for myself.

Question 11: How can I remind myself to talk to God more often through out my day?

I currently pray on my way to work. At that time I thank God for the day and ask Him to help me love him and others throughout the day.

Then again when we do the pledge and have a moment of silence in the morning. At that time I ask that He bless everything I think do or say so that I have Him guiding my every step. Then I pray for the students in my class that God would meet their needs what ever they are.

Then my nightly prayers which include family and friends. Thanks and praises for the day. Praying for our troops. Our church leaders. Our political leaders. I pray for specific people I am hoping will see the revelation of God in their life. Then I pray for the areas I am working on and where I need to grow.

To remind myself to talk with God more I could use the bell system at school and pray breath prayers every time I hear the bell. Short breath prayers like "He is with me." "God bless us all." or part of a song. Something short and to the point. This would refocus my mind on Jesus through out the day.