In the past few months, and literally the past 24 hours I have been evaluating how much I personally care for others. Not to put a burden on others please permit me to share a bit of my thought process as I have been evaluating how much I care for othoers.
Twenty-four hours ago (May 16th) I was well aware of the fact that a town in northern Alberta, Slave Lake, was suffering the effects of a massive wildfire that had swept through the town of 7,000. The pictures on the television and reports on the Internet were heartbreaking, but to me they did not touch the core of my heart at the time. However in the next few hours that would change. As many of you know I work in a public/elementary library and so we have many people use our facilities. Around 2:30 a couple came in with one of our patrons and I overheard them talking about the wildfire as they went on the Internet. To make a long story short I discovered that the couple had literally lost everything in the fire as they had to flee from Slave Lake and only had about 5 minutes notice that they had to get out of town. The gentleman shared with me that one of the fires had literally started across the field from their place and for a while they had believed the fire would go the other way, only to discover the wind shifted and they only had time to flee with the clothes on their backs. They even had to leave one vehicle behind, which actually was shown on a number of internet news websites! Sure they may be covered by insurance as long as insurance companies don't push for the fact that this is an "act of God" but it really made me think about how much I care.
I admit there are many stories of people suffering, be it in Alberta, Japan, Africa, or in other places and there can be a tendency to have "care" burnout. I admit I am not a social activist by any stretch of the imagination as I have real problems with the political agendas of certain parties and organizations that advocate social change for the sake of change. However I have been struck that even though I personally have very little in the way of material goods, and can't be involved in a lot of manual labor due to health concerns I want to care for others as I am sure other people do too.
In Scripture we are told that it is foolish (Goldsmith paraphrase) to say to someone in need be warmed and I will pray for you and do nothing. I have been personally challenged in literally the last day to evaluate what I can do financially for those less fortunate. I need to ask myself and I ask you how much do we really care for others? Am I a Christian only in doctrine, having received Christ as my Savior, and yet watch others suffer. I admit I don't have all the answers but I pray that God will give me wisdom and all of us wisdom when we think of how much do we really care for others?
Thanks for hearing me out. God bless.
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Friday 22 April 2011
Good Friday Reflections
As I type it is Good Friday, 2011. A number of thoughts have been going through my head as i think of this, a day important to all mankind, though many do not observe or even have any regard for the true meaning of the day as we think about the death of Christ on the cross.
Actually this year I found it very interesting and indeed somewhat disturbing in that Earth Day, which falls on April 22nd each year, and Good Friday are on the same date. I find it disturbing in that the world focuses on how mankind treats earth and the atmosphere around it and yet has little regard for the Creator who became Man and died on the cross for all of mankind sins. Man focuses on himself and his environment while Christ did not have any regard for His own being and became like us so that He could redeem us (Philippians 2:5-8).
Working in an elementary school it has been interesting to note that as the Easter season approached this year, much was made of Easter but not the true meaning of it. There were stories about the Easter bunny, chocolates, etc. but little reference to Christ dying on the cross. I did find it interesting though when I asked some kids about Easter and some could actually tell me that Jesus died on the cross, but to them that was merely a historical fact not a reality in their lives.
At a Good Friday service this morning at my church I was reminded again that many people are oblivious to the true meaning of Good Friday as the sermon spoken of how many people really missed the significance of Christ's death on the cross that first Good Friday. Those who should have known better, i.e. the religious leaders wanted to do away with Christ. Christ's disciples forsook him and were taken by surprise so to speak at the resurrection and the majority of the crowds missed the meaning of what Christ had been saying for three years. It was interesting that the speaker said the ones who did not miss the meaning were the soldiers, though they mocked Christ initially. It was the soldier at the cross who proclaimed that truly this was the Son of God.
When I realize that many times I have failed Christ I am grateful that He has forgiven me of my sins. This does not mean that I keep on doing what I am doing but need to follow Him and truly be thankful for all that He did for me that first Good Friday.
So Good Friday is not chocolates, family gatherings or other things but the remembering of Christ dying on the cross for our sins. May you truly realize what Christ did for you.
Actually this year I found it very interesting and indeed somewhat disturbing in that Earth Day, which falls on April 22nd each year, and Good Friday are on the same date. I find it disturbing in that the world focuses on how mankind treats earth and the atmosphere around it and yet has little regard for the Creator who became Man and died on the cross for all of mankind sins. Man focuses on himself and his environment while Christ did not have any regard for His own being and became like us so that He could redeem us (Philippians 2:5-8).
Working in an elementary school it has been interesting to note that as the Easter season approached this year, much was made of Easter but not the true meaning of it. There were stories about the Easter bunny, chocolates, etc. but little reference to Christ dying on the cross. I did find it interesting though when I asked some kids about Easter and some could actually tell me that Jesus died on the cross, but to them that was merely a historical fact not a reality in their lives.
At a Good Friday service this morning at my church I was reminded again that many people are oblivious to the true meaning of Good Friday as the sermon spoken of how many people really missed the significance of Christ's death on the cross that first Good Friday. Those who should have known better, i.e. the religious leaders wanted to do away with Christ. Christ's disciples forsook him and were taken by surprise so to speak at the resurrection and the majority of the crowds missed the meaning of what Christ had been saying for three years. It was interesting that the speaker said the ones who did not miss the meaning were the soldiers, though they mocked Christ initially. It was the soldier at the cross who proclaimed that truly this was the Son of God.
When I realize that many times I have failed Christ I am grateful that He has forgiven me of my sins. This does not mean that I keep on doing what I am doing but need to follow Him and truly be thankful for all that He did for me that first Good Friday.
So Good Friday is not chocolates, family gatherings or other things but the remembering of Christ dying on the cross for our sins. May you truly realize what Christ did for you.
Sunday 10 April 2011
Friends #5
I have been working on the acrostic Friends for the last few blogs and now come to the letter N. Just a quick refresher as I said F = Friends Fellowship or spend time with each other; R = Friends reach out or support each other; I = Friends identify with each other; E = Friends encourage one another. Now N = Friends Need Each Other.
It would only make common sense that if we are to survive in this world that we need to have friends or in other words be a friend to someone else. The writer of the book of Proverbs, King Solomon spoke of friendship a number of times. In Proverbs 17:17 he referred to the fact that a friend loves at all times and in 18:24 that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. In another book that Solomon penned detailing the rough spots in his life he noted in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 the importance of a friendship as without one struggles (my paraphrase). I can't put my finger on the verse right now but there is also the saying that if you want to have friends you need to be friendly.
In this world there are many people who live very lonely lives because they feel they can go it alone and yet in the end they realize they really can't. We speak in Christian circles of the Lone Ranger mentality (actually I am too young to remember him!) of thinking that I don't need anyone to help me in my spiritual life or even don't need to spend time with people. Yet, the fact remains friends to be true friends need each other. This is where you could say there is an overlap between encouraging one another as we sense our need for each other.
One other Biblical person that I think bears this out is the apostle Paul who near the end of his life wrote requesting his young disciple Timothy to come and be with him and even a person who Paul had problems with earlier, John Mark. Paul realized that he needed companionship and encouragement from friends.
In this past week this same idea has been borne out very vividly to me. Actually two incidents happened on the same day that indicated to me that not only do I need friends but friends want to share with me. On Thursday of this past week there was a card that came in the mail to my work of employment addressed to me. Inside the card was a gift card for a certain amount to a grocery store. Though the person did not identify themselves other than to say they were a Facebook friend I know that that person whoever they maybe, and I could guess but will leave it alone, was actually showing they cared for me and cherished a friendship even though it may be anonymous right now. That meant a lot to me.
The second incident occurred later that day. I work in a kids' club in my church and because of illness was not able to be there in the evening. After the club was over I received a phone call from an individual who indicated that they had gone to the church not knowing if they were needed and they took my place. What blew me away was that this person asked if they could do anything for me, i.e. get groceries or anything. Though I didn't need anything at that time I was very thankful for this person's thoughtfulness.
So friends really do need each other. What kind of friend are you? Do you sense that people need your friendship and are you willing to be a friend and let others be friends with you.
It would only make common sense that if we are to survive in this world that we need to have friends or in other words be a friend to someone else. The writer of the book of Proverbs, King Solomon spoke of friendship a number of times. In Proverbs 17:17 he referred to the fact that a friend loves at all times and in 18:24 that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. In another book that Solomon penned detailing the rough spots in his life he noted in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 the importance of a friendship as without one struggles (my paraphrase). I can't put my finger on the verse right now but there is also the saying that if you want to have friends you need to be friendly.
In this world there are many people who live very lonely lives because they feel they can go it alone and yet in the end they realize they really can't. We speak in Christian circles of the Lone Ranger mentality (actually I am too young to remember him!) of thinking that I don't need anyone to help me in my spiritual life or even don't need to spend time with people. Yet, the fact remains friends to be true friends need each other. This is where you could say there is an overlap between encouraging one another as we sense our need for each other.
One other Biblical person that I think bears this out is the apostle Paul who near the end of his life wrote requesting his young disciple Timothy to come and be with him and even a person who Paul had problems with earlier, John Mark. Paul realized that he needed companionship and encouragement from friends.
In this past week this same idea has been borne out very vividly to me. Actually two incidents happened on the same day that indicated to me that not only do I need friends but friends want to share with me. On Thursday of this past week there was a card that came in the mail to my work of employment addressed to me. Inside the card was a gift card for a certain amount to a grocery store. Though the person did not identify themselves other than to say they were a Facebook friend I know that that person whoever they maybe, and I could guess but will leave it alone, was actually showing they cared for me and cherished a friendship even though it may be anonymous right now. That meant a lot to me.
The second incident occurred later that day. I work in a kids' club in my church and because of illness was not able to be there in the evening. After the club was over I received a phone call from an individual who indicated that they had gone to the church not knowing if they were needed and they took my place. What blew me away was that this person asked if they could do anything for me, i.e. get groceries or anything. Though I didn't need anything at that time I was very thankful for this person's thoughtfulness.
So friends really do need each other. What kind of friend are you? Do you sense that people need your friendship and are you willing to be a friend and let others be friends with you.
Sunday 27 March 2011
Friends #4
I have looked at the fact that a true friend fellowships or spends time with others, a friend reaches out to others and a friend identifies with others. I now want to look at the fact that a true friend encourages others.
Over the years I have had many acquaintances but only a small circle of friends. I say this in that yes there have been many times when I have had rough times or even good times and people will make comments about them but a true friend encourages in the good and bad times. I still have in my possession a card that was sent to me by my father, who is my friend when I was doing a pastoral internship in Findlay, Ohio. The card stated: "Remember when I used to lift you up when you were small. I still do before the throne of grace in prayer." The simple words of that card rang true for me then as they still do that my father and others are sticking with me in the good and bad, be it through prayer as the card indicated or by just "being there" when I need them.
On the flip side if I am to be a friend I need to be one who encourages others myself as the writer of Proverbs reminds us in Proverbs 18:24 that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. A true friend will stick by another in the good and bad. We have all heard of "fair weather friends" who don't mind being identified as your friend when everything is going your way but if trouble comes be it sickness, family crisis, or other circumstances they suddenly disappear and you don't know who you can count on. I have heard of too many people in my life that have felt abandoned by so called friends when they were going through a difficult time. I hope I am not guilty of that, nor I trust are you.
In the New Testament we are introduced to Barnabas in the book of Acts who was known as one who encouraged people including the apostle Paul. Indeed at the start of Paul's ministry after his dramatic salvation experience it was Barnabas who stood up for Paul when others were afraid (Acts 9:26,27).
So a true friend is one who encourages others in the good and bad.
Over the years I have had many acquaintances but only a small circle of friends. I say this in that yes there have been many times when I have had rough times or even good times and people will make comments about them but a true friend encourages in the good and bad times. I still have in my possession a card that was sent to me by my father, who is my friend when I was doing a pastoral internship in Findlay, Ohio. The card stated: "Remember when I used to lift you up when you were small. I still do before the throne of grace in prayer." The simple words of that card rang true for me then as they still do that my father and others are sticking with me in the good and bad, be it through prayer as the card indicated or by just "being there" when I need them.
On the flip side if I am to be a friend I need to be one who encourages others myself as the writer of Proverbs reminds us in Proverbs 18:24 that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. A true friend will stick by another in the good and bad. We have all heard of "fair weather friends" who don't mind being identified as your friend when everything is going your way but if trouble comes be it sickness, family crisis, or other circumstances they suddenly disappear and you don't know who you can count on. I have heard of too many people in my life that have felt abandoned by so called friends when they were going through a difficult time. I hope I am not guilty of that, nor I trust are you.
In the New Testament we are introduced to Barnabas in the book of Acts who was known as one who encouraged people including the apostle Paul. Indeed at the start of Paul's ministry after his dramatic salvation experience it was Barnabas who stood up for Paul when others were afraid (Acts 9:26,27).
So a true friend is one who encourages others in the good and bad.
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Friends #3
I have been working through the acrostic that I developed for the word Friends. F I said stood for friends fellowshipping or spending time together. R - Friends reach out to each other. Now I would like to consider the fact the I refers to the fact that friends identify with each other.
When I think of the fact that friends identify with each other I mean exactly that, that is friends are not ashamed to associate with each other or admit that another person is someone they count as a friend. This is where you will see some of the other aspects of my defining a friend may over lap as the fact is that if we are to identify with each other we will want to spend time with each other.
If you were to attend a morning service at Barrhead Alliance Church in Barrhead, Alberta you may find several of my care group sitting together in the southwest back corner of the sanctuary. Some may think we sit there because of small children as a couple of families in my care group indeed do have small children but then again I am single and some of the others in my care group have teens in their family unit. I tend to think that we sit in that corner because we like to sit with each other as many times after the service we will spend a few minutes chatting together. I admit there are times I want to get home quick but other times I enjoy just chatting with my friends there and building relationships.
You may also come to a care group meeting on Monday nights and find us laughing, praying and studying together. We listen to each other and give each other opportunity to express what we are thinking on a certain topic. I believe this too is an example of identifying with each other as friends as we want to get to know each other on a deeper level than just shallow knowledge.
Jesus Christ, as our ultimate Friend also wants us to identify with Him and wants us to get to know Him more. He told his disciples that he no longer called his disciples mere servants but friends as they followed and did what He said (John 15:15). As we seeks to follow Him we identify with Him. In a lesser way as we get to know and spend time with those around us and care for them and identify with them we become greater friends. Thus friends identify with each other.
When I think of the fact that friends identify with each other I mean exactly that, that is friends are not ashamed to associate with each other or admit that another person is someone they count as a friend. This is where you will see some of the other aspects of my defining a friend may over lap as the fact is that if we are to identify with each other we will want to spend time with each other.
If you were to attend a morning service at Barrhead Alliance Church in Barrhead, Alberta you may find several of my care group sitting together in the southwest back corner of the sanctuary. Some may think we sit there because of small children as a couple of families in my care group indeed do have small children but then again I am single and some of the others in my care group have teens in their family unit. I tend to think that we sit in that corner because we like to sit with each other as many times after the service we will spend a few minutes chatting together. I admit there are times I want to get home quick but other times I enjoy just chatting with my friends there and building relationships.
You may also come to a care group meeting on Monday nights and find us laughing, praying and studying together. We listen to each other and give each other opportunity to express what we are thinking on a certain topic. I believe this too is an example of identifying with each other as friends as we want to get to know each other on a deeper level than just shallow knowledge.
Jesus Christ, as our ultimate Friend also wants us to identify with Him and wants us to get to know Him more. He told his disciples that he no longer called his disciples mere servants but friends as they followed and did what He said (John 15:15). As we seeks to follow Him we identify with Him. In a lesser way as we get to know and spend time with those around us and care for them and identify with them we become greater friends. Thus friends identify with each other.
Sunday 20 March 2011
Patience - I want it now!
32 years ago today, March 20th (boy that seems like such a long time ago and yet it doesn't!) I gave my senior sermon at Prairie High School and spoke on patience using James 1:2-4. In that 5 minute sermonette I boldly proclaimed that I felt I had learnt patience after going through health problems and having to drop out of school in grade 11. I was so sure that God had given me the strength to endure and in retrospect it was like I was boldly proclaiming I asked God for patience and I got it now! Well was I ever in for a rude awakening as four days later I developed a more intense period of asthma and allergies which saw me basically spend the last three months of my grade 12 year in my dorm room as I could not go anywhere without coughing fits all day! I said I had patience, but I was shown I really didn't know what I was boasting about!
Have you ever gone through times when you felt you had endured so much and that you needed patience to go through it? However you wanted God to operate on your time schedule as you wanted patience, but you wanted it now. You may have felt like Job but you were sure that you had endured enough so why wasn't God acting on your behalf.
Over the years, and yes I am still learning patience and I am not there yet :), I have come to realize that God is the one to be in control of my circumstances not me. The Old Testament saint, Job had to learn this lesson too. Even though Job may have considered himself very righteous, and indeed God viewed him as more righteous than many others, Job had to come to the point of realization that God had him go through situations so that Job could be stronger spiritually. I believe it is at that point in our own lives when we recognize God knows, even though we don't understand, what is best. Yes in the midst of the trial it may and will seem difficult as I have found a little bit in my life and I know a number of my friends know more of as they have gone through some trying times lately but as we endure God will give us patience to endure.
So even though as that very young 17 year old who gave his sermonette about patience and having learned it, found out, God wants us to learn the true meaning of patience for as James 1:2-4 says: "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (The Message) Patience is a difficult gift to receive but as we develop it God will see us through situations in life as we rely on Him.
Have you ever gone through times when you felt you had endured so much and that you needed patience to go through it? However you wanted God to operate on your time schedule as you wanted patience, but you wanted it now. You may have felt like Job but you were sure that you had endured enough so why wasn't God acting on your behalf.
Over the years, and yes I am still learning patience and I am not there yet :), I have come to realize that God is the one to be in control of my circumstances not me. The Old Testament saint, Job had to learn this lesson too. Even though Job may have considered himself very righteous, and indeed God viewed him as more righteous than many others, Job had to come to the point of realization that God had him go through situations so that Job could be stronger spiritually. I believe it is at that point in our own lives when we recognize God knows, even though we don't understand, what is best. Yes in the midst of the trial it may and will seem difficult as I have found a little bit in my life and I know a number of my friends know more of as they have gone through some trying times lately but as we endure God will give us patience to endure.
So even though as that very young 17 year old who gave his sermonette about patience and having learned it, found out, God wants us to learn the true meaning of patience for as James 1:2-4 says: "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (The Message) Patience is a difficult gift to receive but as we develop it God will see us through situations in life as we rely on Him.
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Friends #2
Last post I began on an acrostic that I developed a few years ago around the word "Friend". Last time I said that I believe friends need to fellowship or spend time with each other if we are to develop true friendship. Today I want to look at R or the fact that friends reach out to one another as I believe there are two different aspects to this idea that I would liek to briefly flesh out.
As I write the country of Japan is in the news as it suffered a horrific disaster with a tsunami and earthquake devastated a part of that nation. It is a nation in need and people are seeking to help via financial and material donations. This in some ways is an example of what a real friendship should like as well. We are told in Scripture if we know of a need and are able to supply that need to someone it should be automatic that we do it. I know there have been times in my life when I have seen a friend in need and though, unfortuantely more times than I care to admit to I have turned away, it is challenging I have sought to help as I am sure you all have. Sometimes a friend may be embarrassed to admit to a need but a real friend will seek to reach out to someone who is hurting.
Over the past couple of years I have had the opportunity to develop a friendship with a former classmate of years gone by via Skype. Admittedly it is difficult to always discern how that friend is doing seeing the only communication is via the written word and occasional video contacts but at the same time I believe as we ahve gotten to know each other we have reached out to each other. The way we end our conversations are usually with a virtual hug emoticon and kiss emoticon. Though cute it shows we care as there have been many times when one or both of us have admitted that we wished we could do more for the other individual but due to distance etc it is not possible, still I believe it shows reaching out.
The flipside of reaching out is to admit that one has a need to be ministered to. Sometimes I think it is easier to be on the giving end or the reaching out to a hurting friend end rather than being the one who is in need. I don't like to admit many times that I have a need and yet there may be times when a friend wants to help out and both miss out on a blessing, i.e. the one who is reaching out to me or you and the receiver of the action.
Thus friends not only spend time together in fellowship but they reach out to one another. I look forward to your input on this.
As I write the country of Japan is in the news as it suffered a horrific disaster with a tsunami and earthquake devastated a part of that nation. It is a nation in need and people are seeking to help via financial and material donations. This in some ways is an example of what a real friendship should like as well. We are told in Scripture if we know of a need and are able to supply that need to someone it should be automatic that we do it. I know there have been times in my life when I have seen a friend in need and though, unfortuantely more times than I care to admit to I have turned away, it is challenging I have sought to help as I am sure you all have. Sometimes a friend may be embarrassed to admit to a need but a real friend will seek to reach out to someone who is hurting.
Over the past couple of years I have had the opportunity to develop a friendship with a former classmate of years gone by via Skype. Admittedly it is difficult to always discern how that friend is doing seeing the only communication is via the written word and occasional video contacts but at the same time I believe as we ahve gotten to know each other we have reached out to each other. The way we end our conversations are usually with a virtual hug emoticon and kiss emoticon. Though cute it shows we care as there have been many times when one or both of us have admitted that we wished we could do more for the other individual but due to distance etc it is not possible, still I believe it shows reaching out.
The flipside of reaching out is to admit that one has a need to be ministered to. Sometimes I think it is easier to be on the giving end or the reaching out to a hurting friend end rather than being the one who is in need. I don't like to admit many times that I have a need and yet there may be times when a friend wants to help out and both miss out on a blessing, i.e. the one who is reaching out to me or you and the receiver of the action.
Thus friends not only spend time together in fellowship but they reach out to one another. I look forward to your input on this.
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Friends
Friends, what and who are they? As I sit at my computer and compose this first post I was struck by the fact that I am blessed with some very good friends. But what exactly is the make up of a friend.
Today many of us are on Facebook and people talk about friending someone, i.e. adding to their list of people in their social network that they want to keep in touch with. There are people who, if you look at the amount of "friends" cited on their web page you would think are very popular and then there are those who may have only a few friends listed. Though I can't claim to have hundreds of FB friends I do have a fair number, but to be perfectly honest could I or you consider all those people on my list or your list as quality friends?
We talk about being friends with everyone and society (though it admittedly has done a poor job at it) advocates that we should love everybody. Songs are written to that extent and we are admonished to avoid living in a friendless environment. But is that truly what we look for when we think of friends. Sure we may want to be friends with everyone but reality screams it is not possible.
So what is a friend. Well permit me for the next few posts (see I want you to come back!) to describe what I feel a friend is as a number of years ago I thought of an Acrostic that I developed when I was a minister. Hopefully this will not get too deep, but I hope it encourages you and me as we think of our Friends.
Just in case you can't check back all the time permit me to define it very quickly.
F - Friends fellowship or spend time together
R - Reach out to each other
I - Identify with each other
E - Encourage each other
N - Need each other
D - Disciple or spur one another on into deeper relationship with God and others.
I realize there is some overlap but I believe there is also differences in each aspect too.
So first of all a friend fellowships or spends time with others. I admit that there are many times that I prefer solitude and being by myself. But if I am to be a friend or you are to be a friend to others we need to spend time with those we want to become closer to. I have been blessed to be part of a fantastic care group in my church and I admit that at first I was leary of being a part of a group where it is mainly made up of young couples with kids or those who have teenagers or grown children. Yet over the past three years I can truly say I look forward to spending time with those people. We have a great time as we study, pray, laugh, and even eat together. I believe it is an example of what the early church was really about where in Acts 2 we are told that people broke break together and shared together. If I am to be a friend I am going to want to spend time with these people and with others so that I can get to know them better and not just on a shallow level either.
I will end here and realize that this is a longer post than most will be ( I hope!). Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you think are qualities of a friend to you.
Today many of us are on Facebook and people talk about friending someone, i.e. adding to their list of people in their social network that they want to keep in touch with. There are people who, if you look at the amount of "friends" cited on their web page you would think are very popular and then there are those who may have only a few friends listed. Though I can't claim to have hundreds of FB friends I do have a fair number, but to be perfectly honest could I or you consider all those people on my list or your list as quality friends?
We talk about being friends with everyone and society (though it admittedly has done a poor job at it) advocates that we should love everybody. Songs are written to that extent and we are admonished to avoid living in a friendless environment. But is that truly what we look for when we think of friends. Sure we may want to be friends with everyone but reality screams it is not possible.
So what is a friend. Well permit me for the next few posts (see I want you to come back!) to describe what I feel a friend is as a number of years ago I thought of an Acrostic that I developed when I was a minister. Hopefully this will not get too deep, but I hope it encourages you and me as we think of our Friends.
Just in case you can't check back all the time permit me to define it very quickly.
F - Friends fellowship or spend time together
R - Reach out to each other
I - Identify with each other
E - Encourage each other
N - Need each other
D - Disciple or spur one another on into deeper relationship with God and others.
I realize there is some overlap but I believe there is also differences in each aspect too.
So first of all a friend fellowships or spends time with others. I admit that there are many times that I prefer solitude and being by myself. But if I am to be a friend or you are to be a friend to others we need to spend time with those we want to become closer to. I have been blessed to be part of a fantastic care group in my church and I admit that at first I was leary of being a part of a group where it is mainly made up of young couples with kids or those who have teenagers or grown children. Yet over the past three years I can truly say I look forward to spending time with those people. We have a great time as we study, pray, laugh, and even eat together. I believe it is an example of what the early church was really about where in Acts 2 we are told that people broke break together and shared together. If I am to be a friend I am going to want to spend time with these people and with others so that I can get to know them better and not just on a shallow level either.
I will end here and realize that this is a longer post than most will be ( I hope!). Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you think are qualities of a friend to you.
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