Wednesday, August 02, 2006
My Friend, Jesus
Scripture:
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Luke 5:20
Today I want to talk to you about friendship. I received a wonderful story about friendship from a very good friend. (see Mamajacq‘s Kitchen). It caused me to think about my friends.
You see, I have a multitude of friends. But a very small circle of intimate friends. Some of these intimate friends, I have known for many, many years. Some only a few.
I have had friends who were very important to me, come and go. I have friends who I talk to on a regular basis and some I may only talk to a few times a year. And there are others that if we don't talk every few days, we know that something is wrong.
Recently, my friendship with two lifelong friends were altered drastically. One of these two friends I had been friends with for almost forty years and the other for almost thirty years. My heart was broken in both cases. One was because I was late to an event and the other was because they were blinded about materialistic things and wanted only what they wanted.
I can honestly say that with each and everyone of my friends, we have gotten angry with one another. Even my sisters and I have gotten angry with each other. But you know what? In most of these cases we realize that even when we don't agree about something, we are still friends and realize that our friendship is more important that whatever disagreements we may be having.
But there is one friend that I have who never gets angry with me. I know that sometimes, I may disappoint him, but he forgives me, he wipes away my tears, he holds my hand when I am scared, helps me fight off those who try to take advantage of me, helps me put the past behind me but understands when I need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with me so that I have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for me, helps me clear up my mistakes, helps me deal with pressure from others, smiles for me when I am sad, helps me become a better person, and most importantly loves me!
My friend Jesus! I hope he is your friend too.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
What a friend we have in Jesus, all my sins and grief to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. You have created us to live in community, O God of love. Bless our friends who provide us with the grace and love of an extended family. Endow them with the riches of Your blessings; good health, sight, and mobility, that they may enjoy the wonders of Your creation and share their delight with others. Bless them with keen minds and compassionate hearts that they may create a better life for all. Guard them from injustice, oppression, and evil that they may know freedom and hope lifelong. In their waking and in their sleeping, in their laughter and in their tears, surround them with Your love until the end of their days; and so bring them to eternal life in peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Luke 5:20
Today I want to talk to you about friendship. I received a wonderful story about friendship from a very good friend. (see Mamajacq‘s Kitchen). It caused me to think about my friends.
You see, I have a multitude of friends. But a very small circle of intimate friends. Some of these intimate friends, I have known for many, many years. Some only a few.
I have had friends who were very important to me, come and go. I have friends who I talk to on a regular basis and some I may only talk to a few times a year. And there are others that if we don't talk every few days, we know that something is wrong.
Recently, my friendship with two lifelong friends were altered drastically. One of these two friends I had been friends with for almost forty years and the other for almost thirty years. My heart was broken in both cases. One was because I was late to an event and the other was because they were blinded about materialistic things and wanted only what they wanted.
I can honestly say that with each and everyone of my friends, we have gotten angry with one another. Even my sisters and I have gotten angry with each other. But you know what? In most of these cases we realize that even when we don't agree about something, we are still friends and realize that our friendship is more important that whatever disagreements we may be having.
But there is one friend that I have who never gets angry with me. I know that sometimes, I may disappoint him, but he forgives me, he wipes away my tears, he holds my hand when I am scared, helps me fight off those who try to take advantage of me, helps me put the past behind me but understands when I need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with me so that I have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for me, helps me clear up my mistakes, helps me deal with pressure from others, smiles for me when I am sad, helps me become a better person, and most importantly loves me!
My friend Jesus! I hope he is your friend too.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
What a friend we have in Jesus, all my sins and grief to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. You have created us to live in community, O God of love. Bless our friends who provide us with the grace and love of an extended family. Endow them with the riches of Your blessings; good health, sight, and mobility, that they may enjoy the wonders of Your creation and share their delight with others. Bless them with keen minds and compassionate hearts that they may create a better life for all. Guard them from injustice, oppression, and evil that they may know freedom and hope lifelong. In their waking and in their sleeping, in their laughter and in their tears, surround them with Your love until the end of their days; and so bring them to eternal life in peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
