Showing posts with label friend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friend. Show all posts

Thursday 6 August 2020

Good time to sort out your friends and contacts

In these corona times we have to limit our contacts, keep social distance and have to keep ourselves healthy and safe.

In life we meet lots of people in lots of different situations; We encounter good but also bad things. Bad events we best forget as soon as possible, but even better for the next time we better avoid such bad things.

Today we have come in a time where it should be easier to avoid bad things, bad people and bad events. All negativism we can miss as toothache.

Got a friend causing problems in your life? Before you cut him or her out have a look at this so called 'friend' and check if it is really a person to have as friend or a person you should be concerned about his way of life and would be some one who could use your help more than you need him or her.

Someone in your small group says insensitive things? Leave that small group and find a new one, if you are not able to bring that person to reason.

Someone at work doesn’t understand or respect your faith? You could avoid that person but you also could try to find out what he or she knows about your faith and come to get to know your faith better. Often people have no idea about someone's faith and go by 'sayings' or ideas which float around.

Tired of being made fun of in the public square? Some would withdraw into their Christian bubble.

Parents in your kid’s class not raising their kids the way you like? (Corona-aside: Remember classes?) Surround yourself with people who make you feel safe and comfortable.

In life, there are too many things to cope with. Too often we lose too much energy on worthless cases. At this time of restrictions, it is ideal to make it done with all the negativism which may be around you. Concentrate on the positive things and keep contact with positive people.

But do not forget if possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. With the restrictions, it can well be that you do not have many contacts, and when on the street some people may look strange at you or take an offensive attitude. Forgive them and think they are in a 'corona fear mood'.

We should be aware of the fact that denying someone your presence can also be considered as the ultimate punishment. Then you should think about that matter if this isn’t that God’s final judgment?

But now we can keep the distance of many people without having to hurt them. We can leave those aside with whom our relationship is not evolving positively. We best invest now in positive relationships and do not lose to much time with the wrong contacts.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks away


A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read “Puppies for Sale.” Signs have a way of attracting children, and soon a little boy appeared at the store and asked, “How much are you going to sell those puppies for?”


  The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.” The little boy reached into his pocket and pulled out some change. “I have $2-35, can I look at them?” The store owner smiled and whistled. Out of the back of the store came his dog running down the aisle followed by five little puppies.

  One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy. “What’s wrong with that little dog?” he asked. The man explained that when the puppy was born the vet said it had a bad hip socket and would limp for the rest of it’s life. The little boy got really excited and said “That’s the puppy I want to buy!”

  The man replied “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll give him to you.” The little boy got upset. He looked straight into the man’s eyes and said. “I don’t want you to give him to me. He is worth every bit as much as the other dogs and I’ll pay the full price. In fact, I will give you $2-35 now and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.”

  The man countered, “You really don’t want to buy this puppy, son. He is never going to be able to run, jump and play like other puppies.” The little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the man and said, “Well, I don’t run so well myself and the little puppy will need someone who understands.” The man was now biting his bottom lip. Tears welled up in his eyes. He smiled and said, “Son, I hope and pray that each and every one of these puppies will have an owner such as you.”

  In life it doesn’t matter who you are, but whether someone appreciates you for what you are and accepts you and loves you unconditionally. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks away.

 - John Aldersley



Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Een compagnon om samen op stap te gaan



Tuesday 27 October 2009

No person has greater love than this one who surrendered his soul in behalf of his friends


John 15:13 (33 kb)
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.



Thoughts
    Words communicate and explain. We can tell people that we love them. We can explain how precious they are to us. Actions validate and confirm. When we sacrifice our preferences for another, we show our respect and affection. When we sacrifice ourselves, our wishes, and our preferences for a friend, we give the greatest of all gifts and prove our love beyond any doubt.
Prayer
    Father, thank you for loving me enough to send Jesus as a ransom for my sins. I am
thankful that Jesus gave himself as a loving sacrifice that not only saves me, but shows me the full extent of your love. In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.
Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Niemand heeft zulk een grote liefde als hij die zij leven gaf voor zijn vrienden
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2013 update:
 
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Do the appropriate for a friend


"When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking
if there is any thing you can do.
Think up something appropriate and do it."
- Edgar Watson Howe

Insomuch as anyone pushes you nearer to God,
they are your truest friend.
- Author Unknown

It is no small thing to be on terms of friendship with God.
- Author Unknown


"A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17

God, let me always be willing to help others
and to make them friends.
Let me love the people around me.
And give me Your love in all glory,
Amen.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Doe het passende voor een vriend

Tuesday 7 July 2009

Character transformed by the influence of our fellowships


"Character is transformed by the influence of our fellowships. No man can become good merely by trying. A deepening character is generally the unconscious result of consciously chosen influences. Find a friend, believe in him and love him; see a great cause and give yourself to its work; feel the power of a book and saturate yourself with its spirit; find a brotherhood of spirits like yours in aspiration and join it; and loving your friend, serving your cause, absorbing your book, and co-operating with your brotherhood, do not think too much about your own character, for your character will take care of itself. You cannot choose to be Christ-like and attain your choice by trying; but you can choose Christ for your Friend, His Kingdom for your cause, the Bible for your Book, the Ecclesia for your Brotherhood, and these consciously chosen influences will unconsciously transform your life."

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"The Manhood of the Master" (1913) - Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969)

"We all, with unveiled face reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
even as from the Lord the Spirit"
2 Corinthians 3:18
Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > Karakter omgezet door de invloed van onze omgang