We (Still) Need Friends & They Need Us

If the biggest problem you have with a friend is the fact that they need you, then that is no problem at all. At the most basic level, we all are needy. Yet, God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit have never abandoned us. In fact, they are friends who stick closer than any brother. What then is our excuse for disregarding the second greatest commandment? Is it because it's uncomfortable? Was Christ's death on the cross comfortable? I think not! How will we answer to God in the end?

What are friends for and why have we estranged ourselves from them? This is pretty rhetorical. But, the culture has made it easy for us to be friendless...almost without ever realizing it...


I posted these two statuses on my FB page a few weeks back and I couldn't shake thinking about how true the statements are.
 
The culture has completely altered and misconstrued the way in which we view friendship. The change in how we view friendship seems to be directly affected by our communication, or lack thereof, with those whom we call friend. Due to the ever changing culture, we can keep in touch with a friend without ever going out with them or talking to them. All we have to do is text, FB, tweet or blog to find out what's going on.While all this is convenient, and great, we need not forget about the power of a hug or a listening ear or time spent together. The value of these actions are priceless. We don't have to do it all the time because we have legitimate responsibilities. But, people like to feel they matter. Our friends happen to be people, and the closest ones to us. Many times, since we know they are there, we take them for granted. We don't think twice about how necessary they are.
 
Unless a big problem surfaces, it can be easy to forget how much we need friends (and how much they need us) with all the hustle and bustle of life. I don't recommend we try to be best friends with the world--which would be utterly exhausting. However, I do believe that the 2 or 3 (or more) close friends that were strategically placed in our lives should be cherished, loved, valued, appreciated, and acknowledged with the most valuable commodity there is. Time. Yes, there does seem to be a shortage of it. But, I am finding out more and more that we, sometimes, have more time than we know what to do with.
 

Filling our lives with responsibilities and activities will cause us to wake up one day and realize that we have no one to share our achievements and blessings with. In some cases, we will almost feel justified for not caring for our true freinds because we post a FB stat  announcing our accomplishment, which will guarantee at least 50 "congratulations" comments from people who we rarely ever see. I love using FB. Thus, I am not saying they are the culprits behind this virtually friendless generation. We are the culprits. 

 

It is important that we affirm our friends by allowing them a place in our lives, not only our hearts. It is important to build strong connections with those who we know are willing to support us, and we them. Friendship is not for the faint of heart. It requires selflessness and loyalty and the ability for those engaged in the relationship to adapt to changing dynamics.

 

The bottom line for me, though, is that friendship was created by God. Thus, we must still need friends...and, yes, they must still need us. I am thankful for all my friends, near and far!!!

Happy New Year!

I really don't have that much to say. I just wanted to come say hello and Happy New Year to all my wonderful supporters, fellow bloggers, and friends!

I'm sitting here watching TV with my sister Amber and my bestii Dev. They have forced me to stomach Real Housewives of Alanta. Ugh! I'd so rather watch My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. I totally and completely watch My Fair Wedding for enjoyment, not ideas (contrary to popular belief lol). David Tutera could do my wedding any day, however. Any connects? : D

Moving right along. I am so thrilled that this is a new year. I am determined to be a DOER! I don't want to get caught in the rut of ,"I'll get to it," or "I should do this." I want to work hard and live on purpose...no procrastination. Time waits for NO (wo)man. I know if you decide to live on purpose, you will have a fabulously successful year as well :)

Love you guys! Stay positive...By the way, follow my baby sister on Twitter. She posts wonderfully positive tweets. Positivity_101.

Happy New Year!

Take Up Your Cross

Mark 8:34-35 AMP states:

34 And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and [o]lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [[p]joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow [q]with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me].



35 For whoever wants to save his [[r]higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the [s]lower, natural, temporal life [t]which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel's will save it [his [u]higher, spiritual life [v]in the eternal kingdom of God].

I was playing the piano and worshipping just a few minutes ago and this scripture came back to my remembrance. I was challenged to remember who I am living for, who I worship and why. The cross represents our purpose and our walk with Christ. It gets hard sometimes and we want to give in, lay the cross down for a second. But, Jesus clearly states in another passage of scripture that the person who will not take up their cross is not worthy of Him. How could he make such a statement? He could say this because we are servants. Think about this. Are servants in any house ever greater, more important, or more powerful than the master? The answer is no. Therefore, it is not for us to decide to put our crosses down when we tire of our circumstances. If Jesus had to carry a cross, a very literal cross, on his back, how much more should we be willing to endure for the cause of Christ with no physical crosses to carry?

You really are stronger than you think you are. How do I know this? 1 John 4:4 clearly tells says you, "have overcome...because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." Recall the passion that you had for Christ 3, 6, even 12 months ago. You were carrying a cross then, (and with joy) right? What has changed? Are you still reading your word? Have you neglecteded to fast lately? Have your relationships become distractions? Have you fallen into a routine of complaining? Are you drained and stressed from challenges and frustrations?

Take inventory of your life, and you will come to figure out at what point you sat your cross down. Some of us are still carrying our crosses; though each minute that goes by could be the point where we finally give in and walk away from the cross. What a miserable existence we have without the cross that we are destined to carry. The cross represents our purpose. Jesus didn't carry a cross for his health. He was on his way somewhere to do something that would change something. It's the same with you. Your cross means something. Hold on to it with all you have...it is your lifeline.

Be Changed...