Trust

Recently I have been traveling through Italy a little on holidays but also using the time to think about what's ahead in life, and where that might be. Thinking in this way as you move about another country I think helps you to pick out more of the little things which are different in the culture from those you are m more familiar with - not just the big things which you j have probably already heard about before you left.

I found myself asking this question - what qualities or things in life are really important to me? I thought of a number of different things but want to focus on just one, trust - and connected with that, truth.

These are two different qualities which I think we often attribute to being universal b but in actual fact, in some ways, are a lot more cultural than what we might have previously realized. This is not to compete however with universal and absolute truths but more with how these are understood, what they mean within a culture.

If you tell someone something and trust them not to share it with others, what does that mean? If somebody else asks about it are they to lie, either outright of by omission? Or is it okay to share it with family and close friends whom they share everything with normally? Or can they share about it with anyone providing they don't say who it is? Or maybe they can share vague details and say who it is? And then what about when they want to help, either by prayer, support of some kind, or more practically or directly - can they share then, and how much?

I can think of situations with different people from different cultures where each of these is acceptable and maintaining the trust given them, and also of situations with different people from different cultures where each of these would break the trust given to them. So in this way, trust and what that means is imbedded into our culture.

There are two main problems with trust - the first is the existence of secrets, and the second is human error. I think the problem with secrets and trust is an obvious one but with human error let me give two examples. The first, 'don't worry, I'll catch you - trust me' and they don't. What's gone wrong? They've misjudged their capabilities, or the distance/landing place, or between distracted for a moment, or weren't ready when the other person decided to drop... Human error. The second human error is in regards to truths and our understanding of conceptions of the world. For example, take into consideration the religions of the world - one might say this is truth while another says that it is truth and the previous is a lie - we must consider what is being said and decide which one is telling the trek other and which one is lying... Or are they both lying, but they can't both be telling the truth. Or consider previous scientific principles and discoveries which in further years have been proven to be false, a misunderstanding of the information at hand, or rather missing an important piece of information to complete the puzzle correctly.

If trust is implicitly problematic and not really ever truly particle considering the above problems and its grounding in culture, why is it so important to us? I would suggest that it's because of these very reasons that it is so important to us. Trust, rather than being imbedded in culture or always delivering disappointment is rather rooted in the fundamental human relationship.

There are many different levels and ideas of trust but the real trust which we look for is in the idea that we can know and understand another human being so well that there is an explicit understanding of exactly what they mean. A trust which goes beyond words and into the depths of who that person is, subconsciously knowing their body language which says often so much more than what comes from their mouths.

And then there is the trust which is rooted into the confidence one had with an absolute truth. It is not an idea that we put trust into as much as some people would like to say that it is, but trust always belongs to a being. They may trust a friend, relative, of teacher who told them about this; or they may trust in themselves and their own understanding of the way things are, but for some they trust in an invisible and eternal being who is so much more trustworthy than any other since he had known us since the beginning of the world and promises to be with us into eternity - He knows us completely in a way that no other ever can, he understands, and while we don't know him the same way he never changes so only truth comes from him and he invites us to come and know him in a similar way, even if it will take eternity - it is an adventure and relationship greater than any other.

Do you have any thoughts on trust???

Life is a mirror??

Today I'd like to share with you a little (short, small) ditty, poem, rhyme, or saying, that my Mum taught me when I was little (young).

Life is a mirror, all will come backThe good, the pure, and the trueSo give to the world the best that you canAnd the best will come back to you

Some of what this says I think is true, but when I look at it now, it reminds me of the concept (idea) of karma, which I don't believe in. The basic dulled down (simplified) version of karma is that if you do bad things, then bad things will happen to you, and if you do good things then good things will happen to you (sometimes in a next life).

This idea doesn't fit with the God that I know. The God that I know is creator (made everything and everyone). He is all powerful. He is loving. He is past, present, and future. He is king. He is my heavenly father. He is judge. He is good, and pure, and true. This is the God that I know and He is involved (having an active part in) with our world and our lives, in a way which is much bigger (the concept/idea and more powerful) than karma, or even the universe (everything which exists throughout space). 

As a believer in, and follower of, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, I believe something very different to karma, which is all about the God I was just telling you about. Basically, we are all bad but Jesus has paid the punishment for us already, so although we deserve to die for all the terrible things we do (even when we do our best), when we put our faith (trust) in Jesus the best really does come back to us, forgiveness and real (true, genuine, not fake) life. 

"What do you mean, real life?" - you might ask. "Are we not already living and breathing?" Life which lasts forever (does not end) and is based first and foremost (the most important part of) in your relationship with God. Not just any God but this God, the God of Jesus Christ, the God who is Jesus Christ. 

So now when I think about this little ditty which I was taught when I was little, this is what I am reminded of. That life is a mirror, it should mirror our creator as we are made in His image (likeness), be a reflection of Him (God/Jesus) for others to see. That God Himself came 'back', came to the world to show us just what is good, and pure, and true - that He loved us so much that He gave us the best and biggest gift He could - forgiveness and a way to be with Him forever.

God Bless

Those Special Moments

You know those moments that you have that are so profound or life altering at the time that you know you'll never forget them. I'm talking about things like you're earliest memory, or the first bone you broke, your wedding, first loved one who died, childs first steps.

For me - my ealiest memory many people don't believe because it's from when I was just 7 months old - my first steps. The first (and only so far) bone I broke was my collar bone from a mountain bike accident on a school camp. First loved one who died was my nanna when I was two - I don't remember this but I do remember feeling that something was missing. Next person I remember having a fair impact on my by dying was my grandfather.

It is in these moments, looking back on them, I thank God for the blessings which he gives us, the life which is abounding around us, for the memories I have of the people who have gone and the lives they've lived. I find that those memories which are the most dear to me are of people, of relationships, of life - of love. It is only because of how God made us, in His image, that we are able to have such memories, to know such love - and the greatest love of all is that of God.

I have another such memory to add to my repotoire but while it will definitely stick with me for a little while I do not know if it will stay. Just yesterday I was involved in an accident which given its nature, and going by any statistics of such things, I should not still be here - or if I am I should at least have some severe injuries. I have walked away from this without a mark - praise be to God. Just before, during, and afterwards I was praying to God, not for myself, but for those around me. I was on my way to give a sermon on Lent, it's origin, and the things we face each day which try to separate us from God. My prayers as this was happening continued to be for those around me, while also inwardly screaming God save me, before it had ended I found myself turning back from that saying God, I want to live, but I know your plans are much greater than mine - bring about your will and not mine if it is not yours also.

Lent is about a heightened awareness of just who God is and what He has done for us - it is a preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God - it is a time to remind us of our sinfulness and our undeservedness of all that God has done for us in His love for us. Many people give up something which is causing a separation of themselves and God that they might come to spend more time with Him and know him more. What I have found is that we need to be thankful for all that we have and not only having those times which we spend time specifically with Him but be consciously with Him every single moment of the day.

The moments that we look back on and remember - I want to be remembering the God that allowed me to have such memories and such moments along with each one of those memories - because He is the one who was able to show us just what love is, and the one whom is always with us, the one relationship which I value above any other, making each and every moment of my life one worth remembering.

What moments in life do you remember, or would like to share, and which are you looking forward to remembering in time to come?

Take Action (Jude, Part 5)

We ended last time with the question of what divisions within Christian community are a result of the mindset which leads to jealousy, greed, and pride. This question many are afraid to answer in case somebody’s toes are tread on. But remember what we are to do in response to those who are causing such divisions, in response to these divisions which are occurring... we are not to run scared – why do we insist on continuing to do just what we have been told not to do?!
 

Jude continues in instructing us on just how we should be responding. We have already been told to remember what we have been taught – what the apostles spoke, for us this is the New Testament of the Bible. But to remember on its own is not enough.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. - Jude 20-21

Build yourselves up, pray, keep yourselves in, look for – these are all actions which follow from remembering what we have been taught, and believing what has been revealed to us. This is our response, but is also how we are to guard ourselves against such people.

Build yourselves up on your most holy faith – continue to learn and question and understand more and more about the faith which you have, meeting with others of like mind and being an encouragement to one another.

Pray in the Holy Spirit – come to know your God and share your life with Him, develop that personal relationship which we each have with our Father in Heaven.

Keep yourselves in the love of God – do not turn away from what you know or willingly succumb to sinful deeds but strive to be like God, like Jesus, to the best of your ability.

Look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ – as mercy has been shown on us, so show it on others, and look for it in others, sharing what you know with others that you might be able to better find it.

Unto eternal life – do this for always thinking of not your life here now, but the promise of what is to come.

This is how we are to respond and guard ourselves against these divisions and people causing such, but how are we to respond or act towards the people whom are the frauds, committing these acts. Jude does not leave us without guidance in this matter but continues...

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. - Jude 22-23

We are to be discerning in how we act and treat others depending on where their motivation comes from. Different people require different approaches however we are not to get caught up in this but the most important thing is that they are not left without opportunity to hear the true gospel, to see the error of their ways and repent for it, turning to the true God and finding forgiveness for their sins there.

We have heard again and again over the past few weeks in the previous verses of Jude just what is waiting for those who are not in Christ – just what is waiting for these men. So on some we are to have compassion, showing them the error of their ways, on others we are to save with fear – hating even what they touch as it has been ruined by their sinful flesh. We all are sinners and have been found guilty however for those who are in Christ, our sentence has already been paid. Don’t be gentle about it but stop them in their tracks and show them just what they are doing and just how it is wrong. Do not worry about saving a relationship with them or how they might feel but risk these things in the hope that they may come to Christ and so save their very soul – not saving things in this world but looking to save them for much longer – into eternal life with the Father.

It is a hard thing to do, to discern. Whom do you approach with compassion, and whom do you approach with fear – but in all cases approach with an unbending will, that you will not compromise the true gospel, a willingness to help lead them in the right direction in their new found life as given by His gospel, and a readiness to accept criticism and rebuke if you are in the wrong.

My question to you this time is how often do you think about the eternal fate of others whom you know and meet – your family, friends, acquaintances, or even the stranger walking down the street?

Coming up: Jude, Part 6

God Bless

Unpacking Personal Symbolism

As promised in last weeks blog, this week I am unpacking what the symbolism behind my tattoo is. There is a bit too it, so don't think that it will just be a short one to read.

The idea behind it is that it acts as a prompt for a synopsis of the Bible from beginning to end.

STAR

The first thing the star reminds us of is creation. In the beginning God created everything! He even made the stars. This phrase is kind of thrown in there as a side not within the creation story as in ancient times the stars were seen as some kind of God, people would look to the stars for answers which we still see today with daily horoscopes. God is greater even than them; He created them! 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters... Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. - Genesis 1:1-2, 16

Moving along in the creation story we remember that God also created man in his image and gave us the mandate to fill the earth, and subdue it.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." - Genesis 1:27-28

God is a loving God who wants us to have choices and options. He does not want to limit us by giving us orders on what we can and cannot do but to live as He created us to live, in His image, in relationship with Him. In order to do this there was one thing which we were not to do, and even this we could not obey and so man was put out of the garden to keep him from accessing the tree of life (as if he did we would be bound to living eternally separated from God). 

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden... Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" - therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. - Genesis 3:8, 22-23

So now sin has entered the world. We are no longer dwelling with God, but God does not just disappear, he still continues to associate with us. It is only because He loves us that He allowed for us to be put out and made subject to our sin.

CROSS

The cross is a reminder that God keeps his promises. And so the first step of this is that it reminds us of what Gods promises to us are.

One of these is that after the flood God makes a covenant with Noah, his sons, their descendants, and every living creature, (so, all of us) that the earth will never again be flooded completely to destroy everything, and as a reminder He gave us the rainbow. The mandate given to Adam and Eve is also re-iterated. [Genesis 9:1]

"It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." - Genesis 9:14-16

Number 4

As a quick side note as am trying to do this in some kind of chronological order there are a few things within the Bible which lasted for a numerical value of 40 which we are reminded of by the 4 here. The first time we encounter this value is at the flood as it continued to flood for 40 days before it stopped. It then took a lot longer for the waters to go down. [Genesis 7:17f.]

CROSS

Back to the promises. Abram, who became Abraham, was a descendant of Noah and it was promised to him, a God fearing man, that through him a great nation will be born and everyone would be blessed. Part of this promise we are also reminded of by the STAR.

Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." ... Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. - Genesis 12:1-3, 15:5-6

It is from these promises that the rest continue to flow. That it would be through their descendants that all would be made right once more, that blessings would outflow. Jacob whom is a descendant of Abraham is the one who becomes Israel.

[Isaac, Jacob's father, speaking to Jacob, his son] "May God Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an assembly of peoples; And give you the blessing of Abraham, To you and your descendants with you, That you may inherit the land In which you are a stranger, Which God gave to Abraham." - Genesis 28:3-4 

Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram,  and blessed him. And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land." Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. - Genesis 35:9-13

It is these promises, and many more that follow which build upon these first ones, that we see fulfilled in Jesus. The cross is a symbol of Jesus and so this is why it reminds us of these first promises.

STAR and CROSS

Continuing along with the story we are now reminded that there are 12 tribes of Israel (6 points on the star by the 2 beams of the cross - which where everything points towards) These 12 tribes of Israel come from the 12 sons of Israel, whom was Jacob.

This in turn reminds us of the story of Joseph and how his brothers sold him into slavery, and he then in turn ended up working for the Pharaoh in Egypt due to his gift in interpreting dreams as God revealed their interpretation to him. As was pleasing to Pharaoh and Joseph during the time of the seven bad years that all of Joseph's family came to move to Egypt and occupy much land.

M41

One of the things which this reminds us of is Moses who led Israel out of captivity from Egypt where they then spent 40 years journeying in the desert. During this time, God provided them with all that they needed until they were able to enter the promised land. In the first year of that journeying is when they received the law and built the tabernacle, tent, lamp stands, clothing, and everything else as directed to them by God. The law as it was given was to highlight sin. That they may know what is not in accordance with God's will that they might know what is required of them if they are to live a holy life. The passover is remembered each year (that is, the final plague which was sent upon Egypt where the angel of death passed over the Israelites.)

The other thing which this stands for is Malachi 4:1-3. We will look at this passage in a little bit but for now will just focus on the Malachi part of it. Malachi was a prophet whom God spoke to his people through. There were many other prophets whom God spoke to his people through, some of which we are able to read about in the  Old Testament (Isaiah is a well known prophet from the Old Testament). To tell them when they were turning from Him, to direct their paths because He cared for the, to tell them what He was going to do so that they would have warning and know why different things were happening when they did. God is a loving God who cares a lot for us but He is also a jealous and holy God.

CROSS and STAR

Jesus. The fulfillment of promises made in the Old Testament and the only way we are saved. The Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. We are reminded of his miraculous birth, the journey for the census by Mary and Joseph, his birth in a stable, and the jealous king. The star reminds of his birth as we hear from the three magi of this king.

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship him." - Matthew 2:2

Number 4

There are 4 main key aspects to Jesus Ministry. These are his life, death, resurrection, and reign. We can read of Jesus Ministry while he was on earth in the 4 gospels found at the beginning of the New Testament. The relationship he had with his Father in Heaven. His baptism, and then 40 days in the desert being tempted by the devil. The many miracles performed, demons driven out, claims made, teachings given. The things that made Jesus stand out from others claiming similar things is that everything he said and claimed, happened. He suffered and so can understand what we are going through, he is not unsympathetic. He died to take the punishment for our sin, and then rose again which means that death does not have to be the end. It has been conquered. And now rules alongside his Father (and through Christ, we too can share in His glory) - and one day, he will return.

Much of the explanations behind just how Jesus fulfills the promises and prophecies given in the Old Testament is given to us in letters written by the apostles to the early church, as found in the New Testament. None of these are contradictory but support one another even when written by different authors. These letters talk of how we are to live out our faith also - what that will look like, and what we will look like to others who do not understand.

STAR

In some translations one such letter tells us to shine like stars. As Christians we are held to a higher calling and conduct which we know we can never meet but by grace we are made acceptable through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our attitude should than be one of thankfulness and grace and mercy towards others. As such we will stand out amongst our peers by our behaviour.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. - Philippians 2:14-16

M41

The passage from Malachi is another promise given, which points towards the last day - a promise which we are still waiting to be fulfilled. It is in this which we find our hope.

"For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts. - Malachi 4:1-3

We hear more about the last day and just what it means, just what is promised, just what our hope is in, from John in Revelation. That all that which is marred by sin will be gone and there will be instead a new heaven and a new earth where we will once again be dwelling with our Father, as he created us to be in the beginning. We will be the bride of Christ, saved and healed by the Sun of Righteousness, able to abide with our Father, worshipping him, eternally. 

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:1-4 

And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. - Revelation 22:12-17

 LAYOUT

There is one more aspect of my tattoo which I have not yet spoken on and explained, and that is the layout.

There is 3 images in this 1 tattoo. This is a reminder of the trinity. Three persons, one God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is in this way that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. It is also why Jesus was able to pray to His Father in heaven. And it is also how he is able to be with us now while reigning with his Father in heaven. This is a very important point.

Even though the cross is technically not the centre of the image, it is the cross which was centred on my wrist, and it is around the cross that the other images find their place and position. In the same way we learn that Jesus is the rock and anchor point to which we must set ourselves. Everything else in our lives should fit around this. If it doesn't fit somehow, than it does not belong.

And finally, most people who have tattoos in places like this have them so that they are facing themselves, so that they are able to clearly see it for themselves. Mine is facing away from me which is a reminder that it is to be shared with others. When I reach out, I am constantly reminded to reach out with the gospel.

WHY

Hopefully, understanding the symbolism behind my tattoo you might start to understand why I chose to follow this path and get it. It is also a personal statement that this is what is important to me, and for me it is a visible representation of a lifelong commitment which I have made.

Aside from these on a practical approach, it is a conversation setter - making it easy to change any conversation around to the gospel, and matters of faith. And also when I got it I was able to take my brother along with me and was encouraged to see that he was much more keen to get any future tattoos of his own done professionally instead of in his lounge room by a friend.

So... a fairly long one this week it would seem.

Coming up.. I think I shall take a look at Jude (we will see how many blogs it takes)

My question for you this week is more of a reflection point. Do you think there is any key points which I have missed (remember, it is just a little image) and do you think there is anything else that you could get out of it?

God Bless

Tidying Up

Do you know that point you get to sometimes when you look at something and all you can see is the mess. You just have to tidy up. Or those 'moods' when you just feel like cleaning. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the cleanest person in the world but even amongst all my mess I would like to be able to be one of those people who can just keep things tidy.

It is not just about stuff though. If that were the only thing that could get messy I think everyone should stop whatever they're doing right now just to celebrate for a moment. I mean, if everything else is so tidy and right that all we have to worry about is stuff the world would be a completely different place. Those other things which get messy though are often the messiest, messier than anything we can see.

 

What I am talking about is life, and relationships, and whatever else you might choose to add to this list. Life is messy. Relationships are messy (and they are part of life, a BIG part!). So my room is messy, so is my life. But within that mess there is an order and a way forward and for me, it is the same with my life. Sure, it is messy, but I still know what I am doing and where I am going (to some degree).

Life is not meant to be tidy and orderly. It is messy! But with the Lord by our sides it does not matter how messy it gets, it can be so messy that it's over your heads and spilling onto the streets, there is always a way forward, a way out. Recently I've noticed a correlation between what my room looks like, the progress being made, and the state of my life. The more I turn to God, and rest in his strength, and follow where He guides, the more there seems a way forwards. The mess doesn't just go away but rather you can now see through it to what it's meant to look like. And the more I turn to God and life and sort out those things, the more and more tidy my room gets. Amazing hey!

So, I'm not saying turn more to God and miraculously you will find yourself tidying up more, because that's not how it works. What I am saying is get your priorities right. My first priority is to God, and trying to live my life for him. The way others see God is quite often through me, and other Christians. So I don't want them to see the wrong image. I want them to see God shining through the mess, and the best way for that to happen is by letting his light shine and doing what you can to clear the way so the light can go further than just a little dingy corner.

If all of that is too confusing to get your head around, just ask me and I'll try my best to re-word it. Anyway, that's all for today. Oh, yes, my weekly question for thought. What do others see as your top priority? (and do you think that it is a good thing?)

God Bless

Friends

Last time I talked a little about some things we can be grateful for. Something else I am truly grateful for is friends! I still remember a time when I didn't really have any friends and now I don't know what I'd do without the group of people around me from all different walks of life whom I love and care for.

I remember when I didn't really have any friends I didn't understand what it was to have a good friend. Someone who you can talk to, about anything, for almost any length of time. Someone you like and love and care for. You put up with things from them that might normally annoy you. And you genuinely care what happens to them, and what's going on in their lives. You try to be there for them and offer guiding advice or a shoulder to cry on if it is needed.

Not only is it this giving of yourself for them but being able to graciously receive it as well. I don't know about you but I often find it difficult to receive things and really dislike being the centre of attention. Being a friend you often do things you might not like the best to spend time with them but also accept the things which they are giving to you. Whether it be advice, or time, or chocolate, or surprises.

When God created us, he created Adam, and then Eve, and they lived in a garden with God. We were created to be in relationship with others. In this way we were made for friendships and as such we often thrive much more when in the company of others.

Of my friends the thing I am most thankful for is their friendship. My question for you is what do you think makes a friend, a friend?

God Bless

Not Enough

You know sometimes we don't have much to say. This is sometimes because we have used too many words already that we've run out it seems, or it is because words in themselves are just never going to be enough. You know that feeling when you are able to just sit quietly in companionship with another without saying or doing anything and not feel like you need to. I pray that you may all know and have this.

My question to you is what kind of relationships do you have?

 

God Bless.