Archive for relationships
October 26, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged believe, Bible, Christian, friend, friendship, God, Jesus Christ, Lord, love, masquerade, truth
Someone who has friends must be friendly………(Prov. 18: 24)
What is a true friend? The Bible lists the attributes of friendship as being loyal, willing to sacrifice, likemindedness.
Sometimes people who we consider to be our friends are “masquerading” – they appear to be true friends at first, but at some point let us down. Perhaps they were the kind of person who based their friendship on what they could “get”, instead of what they could “give”. When they found out they were’nt going to get anything from you, they moved on to someone else.
There is one “true” friend who will never leave you nor forsake you. That friend is Jesus Christ. He came to “give” Himself, so that we can be His friend forever. He shows no partiality, no hypocrisy – we all can be His friend. He loves us unconditionally.
All we have to do is believe that He died for our sins, rose from the dead and accept His lordship over our lives. There is no “masquerading” – the entire story is out in the open for all of us.
“Give” yourself to “Him” – and you won’t have to “get”…….
October 16, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged airline, Bible, choice, Christian, delay, entertainment, flight, God, Jesus, Lord, movie, pleasure, praise, safety, salvation, sing, song, thankful, time
Our return flight kept being delayed in half hour increments. Finally, we all were allowed to board the replacement airplane. Apparently, the plane that was originally scheduled to be used had some sort of mechanical failure. While we all boarded and found our seats, I found myself being thankful that this newer aircraft had been provided for us.
An hour into our flight, I began looking around for the screens that should be providing entertainment. There were none on the seatbacks in front of us, and no screens folding down above us either. I double checked the movie schedules in the airline catalog in the seat pocket, and thought to myself, “we are supposed to have a choice of movies, so where’s the screens?” As time dragged on, I realized – NO MOVIE !
I couldn’t believe it – this was a four and a half hour flight, and no movie ?? With mixed feelings of indignation, panic and boredom, my thoughts traveled back to how thankful I had been when we first boarded the aircraft. After all, shouldn’t the fact that we were riding in a safer plane be more important than gratifying my craving for an entertaining movie to pass the time?
Looking out the window, surveying the blue sky and puffy cloud formations, a song came to my mind:
“Behold He comes – riding on the clouds – shining like the sun – at the trumpet’s call – lift your voice – it’s the year of jubilee – out of Zion’s Hill salvation comes”
My pity party turned into the pleasure of praising the Lord -
- a much better way to spend the time !
October 8, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Bible, Christian, clean, God, good, healing, health, Jesus, love, mess, purpose, sick, water
It was time to retrieve our one year old grandaughter from her bed. Our three year old grandson went up the stairs ahead of me to help out. As I approached her room, I heard our grandson exclaim, “she made a big mess!” I wasn’t too concerned at that point. I figured she probably just threw all her toys out of her crib. But upon arriving on the scene, I quickly realized it was a whole lot more than toys all around her crib. She had thrown up, let’s say – spewed, all over herself, the crib, the carpet, her blankey – and it was tangled up in her hair…………..
Well, since it was a hot summer afternoon, I decided that it might be best to just take her outside in the back yard and hose her off. I also took the pad from her crib and took that outside to hose off too.
One thing led to another, and the three of us had a wonderful time hosing off the pad, and each other for the next couple of hours. We ended up using the pad for a clean place to stand and sit while running the water over us. I thought to myself that what had seemed a depressing, messy situation had eventually led to something very good.
Many times in the Bible we see how God brings good out of bad circumstances. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)
“He” can take any mess………….and clean it up !
September 4, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Bible, blind, Christian, ditch, follow, God, intentional, Jesus, leader, Lord, Savior, serve, trouble, trust
“Follow me!”
We’ve all heard that phrase at some time or another. When I was a youngster playing with a group of friends, the “leader” person in the group would at some point beckon us to “follow”. Most of the time, I was a follower. As I look back, I can see how easily I put my trust in someone simply because that person decided to be the “leader”.
As time went on, I found out that some of these leaders weren’t very nice. In fact, some of them were downright bad, and I ended up getting into trouble because I chose to “follow” them. Frankly, no matter what age we are, we can still get into some kind of trouble by following “blindly”…….
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? (Luke 6:39)
In the Bible we are reminded many times that we can get into trouble by putting our trust in man instead of God.
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” (Ps. 118:8)
“Follow Me,” Jesus said to His disciples, and to anyone who desired to trust in Him.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
He came to die so we all could live………
………………… ”follow Him” !
August 27, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Bible, childhood, Christian, free, God, hoarding, intentional, Jesus, life, love, maturity, relationships, throw away, values
We live in a “throw away” society.
When we’re done with something, we throw it away. Whether it ends up as garbage, or just out of our life, getting rid of whatever it is, seems to be the most convenient thing to do. On the other hand, there are other things in our lives that we just can’t bear to get rid of – and we can become “hoarders”.
Basically, it comes down to a personal perception of value. If we don’t place much value on something, it becomes easier to throw it away, to give it up. Sometimes throughout our lives, these values can change, and with these changes come seasons of “cleaning up”……….getting rid of clutter, physically and mentally.
Little children save their pennies and baby toys until they discover there are other “bigger” and “better” things in life. Childhood relationships are traded in for more “important” relationships, those with greater “promise” of gratification. Until maturity brings an awareness of what is really important in life, we ride the teeter-totter of “throwing away” and “hoarding”.
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13: 11-13)
Perfect love is never hoarded, never thrown away…….
—–only freely given….
August 19, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Bible, career, Christian, elderly, eternity, God, grandma, Holy Spirit, instruction, intentional, Jesus, mentor, Mom, over the hill, prime, promise, regeneration, relationship, renewal, Savior, washed up, wisdom, women over fifty
You’re all “washed up” .
This was/is a slang term here in America. When someone says “you’re all washed up”, it usually means you’re finished – done. It can also refer to being over the hill, past one’s prime, no longer successful or needed.
Women over fifty years of age can feel like they’re “washed up”. If you’ve been a full time mom and your kids are grown and gone with lives of their own, you may feel that you are no longer needed. Losing your youthful beauty and physical stamina can leave you with that “over the hill” feeling. If you are looking for a new career, the “past one’s prime” dilemma can bring you down.
In the Bible there are references towards Godly wisdom which adorns those who have a living relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The elderly are still greatly needed to present a living example of instruction to young men and women. As Christians, Jesus promises that we are “never” washed up. The Holy Spirit is constantly on hand for our regeneration and renewal.
“but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3: 5-7)
So if someone says “you’re washed up”, you may want to consider by “whose point of view” ?
Personally, I’ve chosen being “washed up” through Jesus……with the promise of being eternally “prime” !
You can too !
August 11, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Christian, God, grandson, hurry, intentional, Jesus, life, list, love, projects, recipes, relationships, time
“It’s taking too long!”
Our three year old grandson will sometimes make this statement when it seems that according to “his” time zone, whatever is happening is “taking too long”. He says it in such an endearing way, that most of the time I can only smile and agree that, sure, it does seem to be taking too long.
How often have I thought the very same thing – recipes I’ve tried, standing in long lines for something, projects around the house……….. Why do I think that way anyway ? What’s the hurry ? What else was I going to do that was so important ?
Being in a hurry seems to be an acceptable way of life in today’s culture. High speed days filled with an overwhelming list of tasks and/or places to go, people to see, etc. creates an atmosphere of urgency. If something “takes too long”, we are tempted to take a shortcut – or let it go.
I was reminded the other day that God is “never” in a hurry. It made me stop and think about how my relationship with God the Father, with Jesus, has taken many years to develop. It took me many years to find “Him” in the first place.
Thank you God that Your love for us is so great that You don’t give up on us and let us go - that You don’t look at us and say it’s ”taking too long” !
July 20, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Bible, Christian, courtesy, encouragement, God, intentional, Jesus, kindness, love, neighbor, relationships, sharing, swimming
I have been swimming laps regularly for about twenty five years. Sometimes I get a whole lane to myself, but often times the lane is shared with another swimmer. We swimmers come in all shapes and sizes, and different styles of swimming.
When sharing with another person, it would seem that showing courtesy would be the norm. We each get one half of the lane, and so passing each other either in the same direction, or opposite direction happens frequently.
I have found that there are many people who seem to feel that they need to take up most of the lane due to their adopted swimming style, or body type. Some have kicked me with their foot, punched me with their hand, or created such a turbulance of splashing water that I have sputtered my way to the other end of the pool to clear my airway passages !
“Moving over” to allow others to get by “unharmed” would seem to be an obvious act of kindness………..showing that we care for others, as much as ourselves.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9) “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Math. 7:12)
Let’s practice “moving over” to help someone else get by…………
instead of “mowing over” someone else to get our own self by!
July 2, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged relationships, Christian, Bible, God, good, wisdom, evil, intentional, smell, fragrance, fresh, exchange, dog, Basset Hound, foul, discretion, understanding, Proverbs, odor
Basset Hounds look loveable. We have one who lives in our neighborhood and waddles down the street in front of our house every now and then. While working in my office one day, I happened to glance out the front window. I could see a couple of people hovering over this dog, and one of them bending down to pet him. The dog really enjoyed the attention and for a few moments it was a happy scene………..
But then…….I saw that the person who had pet the dog hold out his hand awkwardly – well away from his body – holding it way out, as he walked into the house next door………
I knew what had happened – the same thing had happened to me the first time I met this dog. He looked so loveable, and I bent down to pet him – then realized that the awful smell emanating from the dog was all over my hand ! It took a long time to get rid of the “smell” !
A “trade-off” ! With the “good”, came the “bad”. In life this happens all the time. Some trade-offs are worth the “smell” involved………..if the end result is good.
So what is good?
In the Bible we can read about many examples of good and bad, and gain the wisdom to know the difference. We are told that if we seek God’s wisdom, ”He” will help us find it.
“When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion and understanding will preserve and keep you……to deliver you from the way of evil….” (Proverbs 2:10-12)
The “odor” of our lives can be “fragrant” instead of “foul” !
June 16, 2009
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Bible, burden, choice, Christian, exercise, God, heavy, intentional, Jesus, life, light, load, music, negative, peace, positive, relationships, rest
As I was driving out of a parking space, a large SUV pulled into the space next to mine and cut me off from moving ahead. The woman who was driving (and talking on her cell phone) seemed oblivious to the fact that she had driven her vehicle in front of me.
I could have looked at this as an act of rudeness, that somehow she didn’t seem to care that I was there – but I didn’t………I calmly waited until she was parked and then just went my way.
As I drove away, it occurred to me that this incident could have “two tones” - negative or positive. I could think negatively about the woman who was driving and get angry, or I could let it go as a blunder, and not let it bother me.
I felt good about the fact that I had chosen to be positive about the situation. Then thoughts about why I had chosen to be positive came to mind. Was it the uplifting music I had been listening to that morning? Was it the great workout I had?
Positive circumstances can lead us into a good mood – temporarily……but what happens when negative circumstances outside ourselves become overwhelming? That great music and awesome workout won’t be enough to carry the load…………..
Jesus said, “take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Math. 11:29,30)
Let “light and easy” become your “two-tones” -
- with Jesus !
