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.
Friday 22 April 2011
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.
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