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Love one another
- Thread starter sweetMelody
- Start date
Those words are so true. I really love my friends very much.. they are sent from God to enrich our lives. I may not see them for months at times, but they are always treasured and am happy to see them when we finally get together.
my best friends from college are still my best friends today, even though we live a few hours away from each other.
my best friends from college are still my best friends today, even though we live a few hours away from each other.
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stormdancer0
Do not be so open-minded that your brain falls out
My pastor once preached on how to effectively destroy your enemies.
You make them friends.
I did this with our apartment mgr. She was short tempered, and kept coming up with technicalities to try to kick us out of our apartment. I don't have any idea why.
But after this sermon, I decided to try it. I sent her a Christmas card with the message: Never forget you are the beloved daughter of the King of Kings.
I dropped in a few other times, then sent her an Easter card. By the time I gave her a copy of the book I wrote (signed, no less), she was lighting up when she saw me come in. I wasn't insincere, or over flattering, but just friendly. She is now a fairly good friend.
I'm working on another soon-to-be friend right now.
If it doesn't work, at least I tried. Some people just won't be a friend, no matter what. So I take the high road. If they refuse to be friendly, there's another plus: (and forgive this, Lord) it annoys them to no end.
You make them friends.
I did this with our apartment mgr. She was short tempered, and kept coming up with technicalities to try to kick us out of our apartment. I don't have any idea why.
But after this sermon, I decided to try it. I sent her a Christmas card with the message: Never forget you are the beloved daughter of the King of Kings.
I dropped in a few other times, then sent her an Easter card. By the time I gave her a copy of the book I wrote (signed, no less), she was lighting up when she saw me come in. I wasn't insincere, or over flattering, but just friendly. She is now a fairly good friend.
I'm working on another soon-to-be friend right now.
If it doesn't work, at least I tried. Some people just won't be a friend, no matter what. So I take the high road. If they refuse to be friendly, there's another plus: (and forgive this, Lord) it annoys them to no end.
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good idea Stormdancer. We often forget that the best way to live is to love.
May you be blessed.
and here are some blessings to all my friends, (and enemies.. lol)
May you be blessed.
and here are some blessings to all my friends, (and enemies.. lol)
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Easyrider
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Hebrews 12:5-11-NLT . . .
The LORD Disciplines those HE Loves . . .
No discipline is Enjoyable while it is Happening . . .
But afterward there will be a Quiet Harvest of Right Living.
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That is beautiful, Easyrider. and a great reminder that we are desciplined because we are loved. thank you.
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Easyrider
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Colossians 3:16-NLT . . .
Whatever you do or say, let it be as a Representative
of the LORD JESUS, all the while Giving Thanks through
Him to GOD the Father.
Matthew 7:20-NLT . . .
Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is
by the kind of fruit that is produced.
As you Walk with Christ, people will Watch
to see if your Faith is Genuine. Your Actions
will Reveal whats in your Heart.
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speak kindly. How simple that sounds. But as we listen to the swirl of words around us, its apparent that living this rule is not as simple as it sounds. It may help to remember who is on the receiving end of your words a living, breathing human being who is just as susceptible to hurt as you are.
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I thought this is funny, and am sharing it. I hope it makes your day!
GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colours by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.
ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
GOD: Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colourful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colours by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.
ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
GOD: Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colourful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it - sometimes twice a week.
GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANCIS: No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir.
GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it, so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.
ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.
GOD: No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD: And where do they get this mulch?
ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE: "Dumb and Dumber", Lord. It's a story about....
GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.
GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it - sometimes twice a week.
GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANCIS: No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir.
GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it, so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.
ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.
GOD: No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD: And where do they get this mulch?
ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE: "Dumb and Dumber", Lord. It's a story about....
GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.
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irenemcg
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Phm 1:4 I give thanks to my God for you always when I mention you in my prayers,
Phm 1:5 Because I continue to hear of your love and of your loyal faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and [which you show] toward all the saints (God's consecrated people).
Phm 1:6 [And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
Phm 1:7 For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother.
Phm 1:8 Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do,
The Lord laid it on my heart today that I don't give thanks enough for the brothers and sisters whom God has placed around me throughout the years. He got it so right, he placed people in my life to encourage me, others that stirred something in me to examine myself more before God, also He taught me how to love even those with whom I have had disagreements with along the way and taught me how to forgive. I appreciate those who have taught me something of spiritual wisdom along the way, but you know I have learned something at times from those I thought I was discipling.
It is wonderful to know that we have brothers and sisters praying for us, even many who we have yet to meet in person all over the world. I give thanks to God for that. Yes thee is joy and encouragement in the love of our fellow Christians. Thank you Lord and I pray that every day I have breath I might share that love, joy and encouragement with my brothers and sisters and the world at large.
Paul would indeed charge me and indeed all of today to have abundant boldness in Christ, the kind of boldnes Paul had and Peter had and to do what is fitting and the Lord requires us to do, to be Spirit led. Amen!
I thank God for each one of my friends here at CF, those whom I know well and those who are newer friends. God bless you all
Phm 1:5 Because I continue to hear of your love and of your loyal faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and [which you show] toward all the saints (God's consecrated people).
Phm 1:6 [And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
Phm 1:7 For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother.
Phm 1:8 Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do,
The Lord laid it on my heart today that I don't give thanks enough for the brothers and sisters whom God has placed around me throughout the years. He got it so right, he placed people in my life to encourage me, others that stirred something in me to examine myself more before God, also He taught me how to love even those with whom I have had disagreements with along the way and taught me how to forgive. I appreciate those who have taught me something of spiritual wisdom along the way, but you know I have learned something at times from those I thought I was discipling.
It is wonderful to know that we have brothers and sisters praying for us, even many who we have yet to meet in person all over the world. I give thanks to God for that. Yes thee is joy and encouragement in the love of our fellow Christians. Thank you Lord and I pray that every day I have breath I might share that love, joy and encouragement with my brothers and sisters and the world at large.
Paul would indeed charge me and indeed all of today to have abundant boldness in Christ, the kind of boldnes Paul had and Peter had and to do what is fitting and the Lord requires us to do, to be Spirit led. Amen!
I thank God for each one of my friends here at CF, those whom I know well and those who are newer friends. God bless you all
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