A true friend

"Billy Bob has sent you a friend request."

We've all been there.

Well, anyone with a Facebook account has been there.

That awkward, "I just met you for the first time ever and since you live across the country, I may never see you again so I am not sure I want you to see and comment on each status update or mobile upload" friend request. Apparently, nowadays, the only pre-requisite for friendship is simply having the capability to find someone online, and possibly meeting them in person...wait, actually, I don't think you even need to actually meet face to face in order to be able to be "friends" (at least via Facebook or Twitter).

That's where we have arrived, folks. In a day and age where someone can be called "friend" without knowing more than simply your name. We've most likely all done it...added an "acquaintance" to our online friends list. I'll admit, I have. However, if you are like me, you have at some point also come to the fork in the road when you realize the time has come to "clean up your friends list", which helps explain why in 2009, the word unfriend was voted Word of the Year.

So in this land (reality and online), how can one distinguish a true friend from someone on the brink of being unfriended"?

Well, as with all matters, the Bible has plenty to show us about friends.

Proverbs 27 offers us a few insights into determining the character of a true friend:
- faithful are the wounds of a friend (verse 6)

True friends are not necessarily those who will never hurt you, since the Bible tells us friends will have wounds, however, a true friend is a faithful one. One who will tell you when you are wrong or that you are doing wrong. One who will not leave you, but rather will be there, always there, sometimes lingering in the back until you allow them to come closer. But they are there. They are faithful.

- iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (verse 17)

True friends are the ones who sharpen you. The ones who not only lift you up but also know when to keep you balanced. They are the sounding block when you have decisions to make. They are your cheerleader when you feel stuck in the battle. They are the outstretched hand, ready to lift you up when you have fallen.

- "Bear ye, one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

A true friend is one who is beside you, not just watching you bear your load, not constantly telling you how you should be carrying it or handling it, but they are right along side you, bearing the weight of it with you. This is a key characteristic of a true friend. For someone to put themselves and their own issues aside to come alongside me, and bear my burdens, to bear them and pray for them as fervently and passionately as their own, that is a mark of a true, faithful friend in my book.

I have a friend like that. A friend who has wounds, wounds caused by me. This friend sharpens me, straightens me out when I need it but also encourages me when I need it, too. This friend bore my burdens for me. This friend felt pain and anguish, so I wouldn't have to.

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John 15:15

Jesus Christ has called me His friend. He fits and exceeds the very definition of friend. He is and always will be my very best friend. I am so very glad He has chosen me as a friend.


He is thee friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is the one friend who can offer me (and offer you as well) the greatest love of all. He is your Lord. He is your King. He is your Savior. He is your Friend.

He's my best friend.

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Jesus! what a strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him;
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my strength, my vict'ry wins.

Jesus! what a help in sorrow!
While the billows o'er me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a guide and keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night o'ertakes me,
He, my pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find,
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Chorus:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Lyrics: John Wilbur Chapman

Things to ponder

Ten Bibles laid open, sprawled out around the table. Conversation, laughter and the sweet sound of turning Bible pages filled the room. Some scribbled their notes down on their handouts while others squeezed them into the margins of their Bible. It was Friday night. Bible Study night!

I love Bible study.

We are currently (and have been for almost 6 months) studying the tabernacle. Wow. Amazing stuff. I know I have studied the tabernacle before but never in such depth or detail. There is so much there and everything has a reason and represents something - it is amazing and I sometimes struggle to fully comprehend it all. We started with an overview of the tabernacle and then moved on to studying it part by part from the outside in.

The past few weeks, we have been studying the furniture in the Holy of Holies. How often have you spent 90 minutes studying the table of shewbread? I know I never have spent that much uninterrupted time on the subject. But it was really good! I am amazed at how detailed and specific the Lord is with everything and in awe of seeing how it is so connected with Christ!

Last Friday we were studying the candlestick. It was pure gold. It symbolizes Christ - He's the "light of the world" and He was pure. But as we read in Exodus the description and dimensions of the candlestick, there was a word that stuck out in my mind as we read Exodus 25: 31

"And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops and his flowers shall be of the same."

"of beaten work" Why would it be described as a "beaten" work? What?

Luckily, we discussed it.

Since the candlestick is a symbol of Christ, "beaten" is a perfect word - especially when you consider what Isaiah 53 says and how it depicts the agony Christ went through.

Wow.

I love studying some of those deep things in the Bible. I can take those nuggets and ponder on them for days.

While I love the deep things of God, I also love the simple things.

Saturday morning a group from church got up and went to a local nursing home to sing a few songs to them. One of songs was "Jesus Loves Even Me" by Phillip Bliss. As we were singing the words of this song, I was struck at the simplicity of it, the wonder that it is that Jesus loves me.

I can also ponder that thought for days.

I love studying out the Bible and seeing the complexity of some of the things God has in there and yet, I love the simple things He has in there as well.

What has God given you to ponder lately?

What a relief!

I work in customer service which some days (most days) is equivalent to being a magnet for everyone else's problems.

I enjoy my job but sometimes it gets wearisome. I've got my own problems and issues to deal with, the last thing in the world I want is someone else's problems. There are days when I come home from work and feel completely drained. Some days it feels like I've got the weight of the world resting on my shoulders.

Then I read this:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I've been thinking of that verse for the past week and I still have trouble comprehending it. Seriously?!? God is asking us to give Him our burdens??

It is not fun to handle other people's problems. It can be draining - mentally, physically, emotionally. There are days when I come home from work and just want to shut and lock the world out. Days when it crumbles me down. And yet, here is God, arms wide open saying "come and tell me your cares, tell me your worries, your cares, your fears. Leave your burdens here. I do not want you weighed down with them. Give them to me. I'll take care of them."

Oh. My.

The relief that that can bring! It is almost indescribable!

I can come home from a long day at work and when my mind has been racing and I'm simply exhausted, I know that I can kneel down and envision myself kneeling at His feet. The Bible says we can boldly come before His throne and I do. When I take my cares to Him, I envision myself there, at His feet. I can place my head in His lap and picture Him stroking my hair as I weep and pour my heart out before Him.

He cares. He really, truly cares.

He wants these moments. Even more than I do, He wants them. He asks for them, He waits patiently for them. And when time has passed and I come before Him again, and place my head on His lap and say, "God, I need to tell you something." He says, "Come here, Amy. Tell me all about it." And I do as I settle in and He gently caresses my hair and wipes my tears away, He listens. He takes them all in. The big cares and the little cares. He takes them all. He listens so intently, even when I struggle to put words to my emotions, He knows. And when I am done, He pulls me in close and wraps His mighty arms around me, holding me for just a few minutes. Long enough for me to feel His love. Long enough for me to feel and know His protection. Long enough to remind me He is always there.

I live for those moments.

I do not know why I put off those moments with my Savior, why I don't go there first. Instead, I have a tendency to try all MY ways first. (yeah, like that ever works) But I end up there, on the lap of my Heavenly Father, seeking His attention, unloading my heart and mind on Him. And He loves it.

We sang the hymn, "I Must Tell Jesus" the other night in church and I was overwhelmed with how the verses fit in with this thought so here are the words (written by Elisha A. Hoffman) :

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
in my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
if I but ask Him, He will deliver,
make of my troubles quickly an end.

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
over the world the victory to win.


I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

What list are you reading?

Well, it's Thursday.

I've noticed that this month I have posted only on Thursdays.

Probably because it is my short day at work so I have a bit more time to devote to the 'ol blog.

As I was thinking this morning of what this entry should be about, I considered the stack of notes/ideas that I have but most of those are not yet thought out or studied out enough yet for posting so I decided to go a different route.

Today's post is going to be one of just thanking God for who He is, what He has done and things He has given me.

So I sat down and began jotting down a few things and boy, it sure doesn't take long to see that list grow! He is so faithful and so good to me. I realized how important it is to take time out and just thank Him. We don't have to save it all for November and Thanksgiving time...we ought to always be thankful to Him and take the time to tell Him.

One of the things I am most thankful for this week is my niece!!!

Adalyn Elise Whitener was born Sunday, January 22, 2012. She is 7 pounds 4 ounces 19.5 inches of adorable perfection!! I'm so thankful that she is healthy. I know that you can't take a healthy newborn for granted. So, thank you, Lord for blessing our families with this healthy little bundle from Heaven! We know it is a miracle and gift from You! She's amazing!

And speaking of amazing, I'm thankful for my sister and oh so proud of her! She wanted to have a natural birth "to see if she could handle it" and she handled it just fine! I'm so thankful for her. Even though we live apart from each other she knows me better than almost anyone else. She is my cheerleader and the example I follow. Lord, thank you for blessing me with the best sister a person could ask for!

Lord, thank you for my family. I'm so thankful that my immediate family is all saved, trusting You and living to please You. We enjoy each other and enjoy spending time together and I'm very thankful for that.

I'm thankful for...
- Friday night Bible study
- my church family
- the privilege to pray
- the Bible - I can always go to it and get something out of it
- the bear hugs you get from kids, when they wrap their arms around your neck and squeeze and linger a little bit longer before letting go
- how the "old-fashioned" hymns can minister directly to my heart and soul
- God being my protection and calming me when I am afraid
- for my car ( I have to admit, I can take it for granted when it works and when it doesn't....I realize how much I appreciate it!)
- good friends who encourage me
- the privilege to be a Sunday School teacher
- YOU! I'm thankful for you taking time out of your busy day to stop by the blog and give it a read. I never thought anyone would really want to read anything I would have to write but I really appreciate you for reading this. I love signing in and seeing that someone read my post. I appreciate it and am thankful for it!

There is plenty more on my list but I'll end it here and ponder the things listed above and thank God for those things today.

Here's my question to you, dear reader, when was the last time you talked to God and just thanked Him? I encourage you, Christian, take some time today to pray and instead of going to God with your list of needs and wants and requests, try reading to Him your list of "Thanks".

Me?

One of the sweetest parts of any relationship is the moments that you share together when you are still learning things about one another. As you build and allow that relationship to grow, you do so by spending time together, seeing how the other person is, observing their habits, their quirks, seeing how they respond to different things or different situations.

That is one of my favorite aspects of my relationship with Christ. I love studying His Word and spending time, just me and Him and I love learning more about Him, learning more about what He thinks about things, seeing things from His perspective. I love finding new insights into His character and His attributes and once those are discovered, I love pondering them. Meditating on them. I can spend hours, days, even weeks on trying to comprehend some of the things of God.

How can He be so patient with me?

How can He love me so much?

I can be so foolish sometimes. I can get my eyes and mind fixed on my piddly little situations and think they are so important and convince myself that He doesn't care - that nobody cares and that I am just on my own in this whole world. And my stinky selfish pride kicks into full gear and restricts me from thinking I could ask for help from others and leads me into a full blown pitty party for myself.

But then He sends me a reminder. A "Hey, kid. I'm here. I got this."

I love how He does that. That's when I realize how foolish I can be at times and yet, He's always there, always patiently waiting for me to finish my little tantrum so He can just wrap His arms around me to let me know He is my protection...He is my comfort.

I love discovering those things about God. I need those. I love when I can be reading in my Bible and come across verses that describe it so well, like this from Psalm 40:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings."

I just need to interject here with 2 thoughts:
- "and heard my cry" He is always there to hear my cry, no matter how often it may be, He always hears it!
- He brings me out the horrible pit of pride, self pity and everything else I let creep in. When I take the reigns from Him and start going and doing what I want, He pulls me back, takes the reigns back and gets me back on course. He protects me and makes sure I never steer too far off course.

"And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies."

I love that He gives me a new song. :)

"Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are us ward; they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee, if I would declare and speak of them they are more than can be numbered."

I cannot even count nor comprehend the vast amount of wonderful works of God, nor even the amount of thoughts He has of me. Me! That simply baffles me. That God, who created all, encompasses ALL time...He thinks of me? "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" Sometimes, I just don't understand why God would waste His time thinking about me but the Bible says He does and I love that.

I love getting to know Him more each day. Do you?

Investments

I received sad news the other day.

A little but strong 3 year old boy was taken home to Heaven after a courageous battle.

Now, I didn't have the pleasure of knowing this little hero, or his family. I knew of him through a friend of mine. However, when I heard the news of his passing, it really saddened me. Before I knew it, I had even shed some tears, which honestly surprised me, considering this was someone I had never met. But I realized the reason why this sorrowful news saddened me so much was because I had invested in this little man.

Each time I prayed for him, I was investing in him. In fact, the night before he passed, he was brought up during our church's Ladies' Prayer meeting and the dozen or so of us there all prayed for him and his family. We all invested in him so we are therefore all effected by his death.

There are many ways that we can invest in other people. We can invest our time, our money, our compassion, our wisdom, our history, our future but I realized this week how effective it can be to invest our prayers into someone.

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

Praying for one another offers us the opportunity to invest in each other in ways that just can't be reached otherwise. We can celebrate in each others' victories and be a comfort in each others' trials.

Monday night, after prayer meeting I got a text from a friend, asking me to pray for them about something that came up in their life. They have a big decision to make in the next month or so and now I have the opportunity to invest in trusting that God will show them what He would have them to do and I get to see how they respond to it. I get to watch and see and partake in the growth of their relationship with God.

How amazing is that?!

I remember a few years ago while a friend of mine was going through college, she asked me to pray for her final exam. I remember we decided to fast and pray over it and I remember being one of the first people she called when she got her passing grade! We went out that night to celebrate. That is a memory I would not have had I not invested that prayer.

Investing prayer into other people also allows you a front-row seat into some of God's great works.

Think of Paul and Silas when they were in prison. The Bible says in Acts 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed."

When you keep reading through the following verses it talks about how Paul and Silas, through this earthquake event, were able to witness to the jailor and that night, that jailor became a believer. I love verse 34 in Acts 16, which after the prison guard asked how to be saved and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, verse 34 comes: "And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."

That man sat back and rejoiced with Paul & Silas that night and enjoyed the blessed assurance that comes with salvation but Paul & Silas got to be partakers of this man's joy and rejoicing because they had invested in prayer that night...together.

There is something about praying with some one. I'm not sure if I can fully or adequately describe it but when you ask someone to pray for you about something, you can show a bit of vulnerability sometimes, and it is situations like that that allow us to grow not only closer to God by going to Him in prayer about the situation but we can also grow closer to each other. I love listening to other people pray. It often exposes their heart a bit and gives you a little closer glimpse of their relationship with God and that is a needful thing.

So don't be afraid, Christian, to invest yourself and invest your prayers into others. The benefits are wonderful, memorable and well worthwhile!

First

I've been thinking about what my first blog post of 2012 should be, something to help set the tone for the year. I had many ideas, started a few posts but finally came across one that I liked tonight.

Tonight I was at a friend's house and they pulled up a video that is part of a series called, "I am second". The idea of these videos is simple. There's is a room with a chair and person sits down and tells their story of how they came to a saving and trusting relationship with God. The people who have done these videos varies from celebrity authors, athletes, musicians and even common folk.

I love these videos. They are fascinating. Here is a link to one of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnG3wdpDhf0

The joy on her face! I love it!

So as I was thinking of these videos, this verse came to mind:

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

These videos fit perfectly into my focus for the year. I need to give God more. I need to make and keep Him first and allow myself and others to fill in the spaces below. He needs to be first.

The first sermon my Pastor preached this year was aimed at things we can do in 2012, one point was about giving God more. More time. More attention. More prayer time. More time in His Word. More consideration for His people. More effort in the Great Commission.

"He must increase. but I must decrease."

I know how easy it is to have good intentions when making those January resolutions and how easy it is to not keep them by the time you change the calendar to February but this is my goal and focus for the year: Allow Him to increase, not me.

Here's to a fresh year, full of opportunities to serve Him! Seize the day or as I like to say, Carpe Diem Domino!