Friendship

Have you ever thought about your friendships over your lifetime?  Tonight I was clearing out my notes that I don’t need anymore and I came across one dated March, 2009.  I don’t remember reading it again since I put it in my notes.  But, there must have been a reason I kept it.   As I read it again, I understood why.  There are lessons to be learned. 

It made me realize that all of my friends had been in my life for a reason and that some had been there only for a season, and I remembered them all, and some have remained lifetime friends, and I am so thankful for each of them.  I have made some awesome friends in the last few years, and I pray they will be my friends for the rest of my life.  But, I’m leaving that to God, and am praying that if any of them are just in my life for a season, that I will be able to accept that God put them there for a reason, that they did what they were called to do and they were there for only a season, and if that is so, I will be sad but I will cherish them always because I will have learned something valuable from them. 

In my note, the writer asked: "Are you a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
-Unknown

But this I know, as much as I love my friends, I know I have one who will be my lifetime friend and will never leave nor forsake me...His name is God, Yahweh, Lord of lords, King of kings, and the "I AM."  

Joy Club Trip - Blessed Beyond Expectations

This past Saturday, I went with our Joy Club to Charlotte NC to tour the Billy Graham Museum.  What a humbling experience to be able to see the life of a man, whose ministry began in 1945, and still continues today. As you walk through the museum you see the life of a man who for most of his life has focused on his desire that every single soul be reached to receive the salvation our Lord promises us if we believe.  I recommend it to everyone who has not been there.  I promise you will be blessed by the experience.

Then we went to the NarroWay where we saw an awesome production of the “Lord of Light”.  Believers were given the opportunity to partake of the Lord’s Supper toward the end of Act I. 

Here is a brief description of the production: “Lord of Light” is symbolic depiction of the battle between good and evil and the victory won by Jesus during the three days following his death. During that time, Ephesians 4:9 and 1 Peter 3:19 indicate that Jesus descended into Hell and won the victory over hell and death.  “Lord of Light” makes a conscious effort to expose the nature of the enemy - Satan - in hopes that the body of Christ may be better prepared to put on the Armor of God and stand Firm.”

The second act gave Satan’s plan, Testimonies from Hell, Put on the Full Armor of God, The Battle between Good and Evil, Victory Over the Grave and The University.

I can tell you that “Testimonies from Hell” was an eye opener, not only for non-believers but for believers too.

Below is a link which has a promo video of the “Lord of Light”.  You must see the production in its entirety to get the full impact of the message it gives.   

  

http://narroway.net/index.php/broadway-style-shows/lord-of-light.html

I feel blessed to have gone on this trip with the Joy Club.  Thanks to LaRee New and Rodney Hicks for planning such a wonderful trip for the Joy Club. Also, a special thank you to our driver, Bernard, who was also a blessing to us.  

Jesus went through an unfair trial in our place so that we would not have to face a fair trial and receive the well-deserved punishment for our sins.

  

Life Application Study Bible

^{Mark 14 – 22-25  (NIV)}

²² While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”²³ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ “This is my blood of the^[a] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. ²⁵ “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”