A Basis for Friendship

It’s been fun connecting with friends this week. No two conversations or meeting places were alike. One friend was in a rehab center, another brought me a bag of vegetables and other goodies, and one I hadn’t heard from in several weeks called to catch up.

I have a lot of enjoyable acquaintances, but there’s nothing like a friend who understands and appreciates my approach to life. We may not agree on every issue, but we respectfully agree to disagree, and our friendship remains intact.

Amos 3:3 (NLT) asks a simple question: Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? It would be foolish to answer, “Yes.”

God made a way for us to enter His heaven through the sacrifice made by Jesus, His Son (John 3:16-21 NIV). Not only that, He gave us a spiritual playbook, The Bible.

I’ve never played football, but I heard Tony Dungy say recently, “The playbook is crucial to the game. If a player loses his playbook, he’ll pay a big fine.” Too many of us have God’s playbook and simply choose to ignore it.

Psalm 15 is five short verses, but those who want to walk with God right on into heaven should consider them:  

The Message Bible puts it in simplest terms:

Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.

Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor;

Despise the despicable.

Keep your word even when it costs you,

Make an honest living, never take a bribe.

Read it in any translation; 

the bottom line is the same. 

These character qualities are a good basis 

for friendship with both God and man. 

How do you measure up?

God is always willing to help you make changes. It only deepens your relationship as you pour out your heart to Him.

  

A Love Worth Having

The Psalms have always been of interest to me. I’ve read them many times over the years and of course, I have a few favorites. But lately, I’ve been drawn to a phrase repeated in many Psalms. In fact, I decided to study it in detail throughout the whole book.

I haven’t completed my study, but I’ve found so many interesting things that I decided to share a few this week.

My favorite phrase contains three basic words. I’ve already filled several journal pages with references to it. It’s like looking for treasure, so exciting when these three words turn up on the page.

So far, my journal has over sixty entries, and I’m only halfway through the Book of Psalms. I’m challenging myself to share five scriptures about GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE, praying you’ll take time to meditate on their personal meaning for you:

Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old. (Psa. 25:6)

All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psa. 25:10)

 

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love

surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. (Psa. 32:10)

 

For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness . . .

the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psa. 33:4-5)

 

As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me;

your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve m. (Psa. 40:11)

 

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:

That power belongs to God, and that to you, O LORD, belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man according to his work. (Psa. 62:11-12)

I’m currently using the English Standard Bible translation (ESV). But rest assured, no matter which translation you use, the inspiration in God’s word will be there.

The Miracle of YOU

Friends know I always enjoy hearing stories about children. To me, their creative acts and cute sayings are part of life’s blessings. I received a couple of those this week in a thrift store journal.

Inside the cover was a picture of mother and son. Then came the title: My Quotable Kid. I know she was a loving, but busy, mom because the journal was empty after the first three pages.

Two entries caught my eye, and I quote:

     1.       (On his third birthday) After opening all his birthday gifts on the living room rug, Max looked                 around and said, “Where’d my birthday go?”

2.       Tired of being reminded to use his manners (i.e., please and thank you) Max declared “I want milk and cereal with no manners.”

I have a photo gallery on the wall of my guest bedroom. It includes photos of children I’ve had the privilege of knowing in their younger years. We were blessed to have friends who included us as an honorary aunt and uncle.

Now that they’re grown, our friendship is naturally on a different level. They have no idea the fun memories I have of them as children, but then I’m reminded some people would say that of me as a child, too.

It’s interesting how life flows from generation to generation. I was visiting with a friend this week who came from a family of ten. I find that amazing since I came from a family of three. But she caught my attention when she said, “We were all born healthy, though one only weighed six pounds.” I said, “I only weighed four pounds ten ounces.”

It’s easy for me to get on a soap box about the miracle of life. How is it that one tiny sperm and one tiny egg can get together to create a human being that weighs only a few pounds at birth . . . who then grows up to be six foot four and weigh 200 pounds, like my brother?”

Even the ancients were awed by the miracle inside the womb: Psalm 139:13-16 says, “You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something” (The Message).

Have you ever stopped to thank God for the intricacies of your body? For example: 1) I think about my eyes when I’m checked for new glasses, 2) I’m amazed my body survived breast cancer treatments of chemo, surgery, and radiation, and 3) my echocardiogram allowed me to hear the swoosh-swoosh of blood pumping through my heart, though it does that day after day without me hearing a thing.

Because we are so intricate, there are many medical specialties. Psalm 100:3-4 remind us that it is God who has made us and not we ourselves. We are advised to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.

If you can’t think of anything else, just thank Him for the miracle of YOU! 

Spring Break

Spring is always encouraging, but more so this year since we have had an exceptionally hard winter. However, according to the news for the past three months, we have not been the only ones.

It’s nice to see the lakes in our area filled up now. It gets a little concerning when you can see weeds and tree roots sticking up in swampy marshes which were once covered with water.

Students of all ages, and on different schedules, always enjoy spring break. I’m taking a cue from them and giving myself a break.  

I’ll write another blog on April 16, the third Sunday of April. Check back with me then, but for now enjoy whatever plans you have to celebrate Resurrection Sunday and Easter Week.

Relish the fact that you are following a tradition of worship that is centuries old. The Amplified Bible shares it clearly in Luke 24:50-53:

Then He (Jesus) led them (the disciples) out as far as Bethany, 

and lifted up His hands, and blessed them.

While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven.

And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy

(fully understanding that He lives and that He is the Son of God);

And they were continually in the temple blessing and praising God.

The world is still reeling from devastating weather patterns, Covid's lingering effects, wars, and political unrest, but we must keep our faith and hope in God.

If you want to be encouraged by beautiful music and picturesque Italian countryside, go see THE JOURNEY with Andrea Bocelli in select theaters this week. Tickets must be purchased online, either through FathomEvents.com or Fandango.com. I am so excited to see this!

 As Pope John Paul II said, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair.

We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”

I can hear Andrea Bocelli singing it now!