Building Blocks for Relationships: Qualities for Christian Living

Rev. Gaspar Garcia
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9780595491568
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (7/09)


As we all know there are hundreds of books out there that help people develop and sustain relationships, but none address it from a Christian point of view utilizing Bible scriptures as a resource in the way "Building Blocks for Relationships" by Rev. Gasper Garcia does.

Over the years many individuals have used the Bible in their daily lives to live a rich and fulfilling life- why can’t we use the same in our daily contact with others? I found this book not only to be helpful in dealing with intimate relationships, but also in our relationships with others.

How many times have we become judgmental about people and cultures because we truly don’t understand them or don’t want to understand them? What are we afraid of?

The author tells us right from the beginning that the only people we have control over is ourselves. God’s plan is that we don’t try to control others, but live a life that is both understanding and accepting of others.  None of us are perfect.

One chapter that I found quite interesting was ‘Have T.H.I.S. in Your Relationship.’  In this section the author discusses truth, honesty, integrity and sincerity.  Truth always works, regardless of how many times one tries and if one uses spirituality they will see that they produce predictable results. Honesty is a must in developing and building any type of relationship. Honesty provides clear boundaries, it enables one to one deceive or lead on other individuals. Once you have become dishonest, you must continually tell more lies to cover the ones you have already told. And eventually they will come back and haunt you. When we talk about integrity, we are talking about one’s ability to think clearly, and do what they know in their heart and through God’s teachings are right. Everyday we are tempted by sin, greed and deceit. If we follow what God has taught us- the temptation will not enter our world.
And lastly, the author addresses sincerity. In every relationship it is important to know why we are doing what we are doing – do we do it with a hidden agenda? Do we honestly believe that God doesn’t see our hidden agenda?

In each chapter, the author has provided an ‘Always In Remembrance’ section which is a review in question form of what the reader has just read.

I found the perspective of “Building Blocks for Relationships” by Rev. Gaspar Garcia to be informative and enlightening to anyone who might read it. The author does not criticize or direct how one should feel or interpret his thoughts. He gives readers the opportunity to read, absorb and check where they are in the spiritual world.

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