Midweek Devotion Friendship

Friendship is important. We all have different expectations out of our friends. Some of us have a lot of friends and others have just a few close friends and lots of acquaintances. When I was growing up I was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. We had an oath that we were supposed to live by that defined the qualities that a scout should have. The oath says that a scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. These are the qualities that every scout was expected to have. Many of these qualities would also define a good friend. A true friend should be loyal, trustworthy, friendly, courteous, kind and brave.

There are other qualities that we might add such as being a good listener an encourager, and forgiving. We all need somebody sometime. Jonathan put the needs of his friend above the needs of his father. The Bible tells us that Jonathan loved David as himself. 1 Samuel 20:16-17 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account." [17] And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

True friendship involves a mutual commitment inspired by mutual affinities. In the natural realm David and Jonathan were both young, strong, brave warriors, they loved the outdoors, and they were both natural leaders. In the spiritual realm they shared a zeal for the Lord. True Friendship Is Based on God-Given Love and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. A true friend can be trusted during times of danger and confusion. Whom would we seek out for help? What type of help would we get? Who would seek us out? What type of help would they get? A true friend does not hesitate to make and keep promises. In true friendship there should be no rivalry, but a sincere desire to see God’s best worked out for each other; sometimes promises need to be repeated and commitments reaffirmed love must always be central. True friendship shares the full range of the emotional spectrum and especially grieves at the necessity of separation.

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." [44] Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. [45] Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Unlike some of the others Philip did not drop everything and follow Jesus. He went to find his friend Nathaniel. Philip wanted to share this good news with his friend. He was bursting with joy that he had found the Messiah. He had to share this news with his friend. Have you felt like this? Do you have friends that have not met Christ and are just waiting for you to share the good news with them? How much do you care about your friends? Are you like Philip? Philip gives us a good example of how a friend is supposed to act.

Mignon Playing Outside

We were playing outside today, Mignon wanted to color with her sidewalk chalk and she started running up and down the sidewalk. She is full of energy. I just loved how this picture came out.

Ummm Bacon

One of my favorite things at church is the monthly men's breakfast. We gathered this morning in the kitchen and cooked bacon, eggs, biscuits, grits and deer sausage. Other times we have had pancakes, breakfast tacos, chicken fried deer meat with biscuits and gravey, but always bacon.

The meals are always good but what I enjoy the most is the fellowship. We talk about high school and college football, the economy and politics and our faith. We spend some time in prayer, and have a brief devotion. A good start for the day.

Mid Week Devotion "Our Job"

Many of us believe that it is the preacher’s job to proclaim the good news and our job is to listen. That is not completely true. Presbyterians believe in an idea that we state as “the Priesthood of all Believers”. This means that ministry is up to each and every one of us. The church on earth is the body of believers united by the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that just like in our human body each part has it’s own role to play. Each and every one of us is given gifts and talents from God that are to be used for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. We each have a role in the drama of life. Are we fulfilling our God given potential? Christian vocation is our response to God’s call. God calls us all to be a priesthood of believers united in Christ. United as a common body, we are to live our lives in hope of the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. As a body we are to work to transform and prepare the world for the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. As a Christian I am called to be a partner in God’s redemptive mission in the world. The Christian life is an ongoing, active ministry of word and deed. In answering the call God puts on each of our lives we are to take up this responsibility and use the gifts and talents that God has given us to train and teach others about God’s redemptive love.

Do you know what most people judge us on? Do you know what most people, especially the younger generation, looks at most when they are considering a Church home? Not the Narthex and how clean it is. Not the nursery. Not how friendly people are. Not how they have been welcomed. Not the programs for their families. All of those are very important and they do play a part in someone's choosing a Church. But the one single most reason for choosing a Church is US, and how we live: "Do we really live by what we claim to believe?" Are WE faithful or are we going through the motions. Does our faith make a difference in our lives?

That's some pretty heavy stuff isn't it? But that's really what it's all about. Living what we say we believe. A good witness isn't like a salesman; the emphasis is on a person rather than a product. A good witness is like a signpost. It doesn't matter whether it is old, young, pretty, ugly; it has to point the right direction and be able to be understood. We are witnesses to Christ, and we point to him. You may say, “Who, Me?”, and God answers “Yes, You”. When we begin our walk with Christ and call ourselves Christians we assume the responsibility of pointing others towards Christ. Whether you are aware of it or not, people are watching you. People see how you react to the rude checkout person in line at the grocery store and how you treat others around you. Does the joy of Christ show in our daily actions and reactions?

Great Pose

I'm that guy...

Recently I was in our local feed store West Bear Creek which also doubles as a clothing store. I was looking around and visiting and I ran into one of our local bankers.

Brian said, "hey brother Jim I heard a good one about you the other day".

I responded, "O really what was said?"

"Well, Bronc was trying to tell someone who you are and said "you know, that guy who's always talking about Jesus."

I thought that was great. Bronc is a four year old in our congregation who is one of the neatest kids I know. I was pleased to know that is how he views me. Shouldn't we all as Christians have Jesus on our lips all the time. I just wish it were really true about me.

Mignon News

Mignon's beloved baby sitter Aunt Jean retired so today was her first day in daycare. She wasn't to happy to be left this morning but as soon as I was out of sight she calmed down.

She had lots of fun and even made a new friend.