Some Friends Are Keepers

Scripture for Today:  1 Samuel 18:  1- 4 (NIV)                         

Verse for Today:  1Samuel 18-1 NIV After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 

Thought for the Day: And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known. 

— C. Austin Miles

A saying that goes around on social media declares that good friends don't have to talk or see one another to remain best friends. How can you remain close to a person that you never speak with or see? The truth is you will grow apart, and become distant acquaintances.  Best friends are different because you know everything about them and share in all their hopes and dreams from day to day.

In my relationship with God, if I should go long periods without speaking with Him or reading my Bible, we will grow apart.  I can only remain close to God through prayer, and the reading of His word. He already knows everything about me, and I have an insatiable desire to know about Him. By reading my Bible, I am learning the ways of my best friend, and when I spend time with Him, I have confidence that He will listen to me and respond. I thank Him for the little things He does for me, I tell Him my troubles, and I celebrate my successes with Him. Close contact is essential for any friendship, and I honor my friendship with God by focusing on Him daily. 

Prayer:  Holy Father, help us to honor all of our friendships. Teach us your ways so that our friendship with you becomes an unbreakable bond.  We pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen

Lake Superior

 Acts 3:19 (NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Thought for the Day: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

Lake Superior is a cold, deep, unforgiving and unwelcoming body of water. The lake's average depth is 483 feet and its length is 350 miles and empties into the St, Mary's River. These figures are daunting. The characteristics of the lake remind me of an unforgiving spirit. Those traits are as cold, deep, unforgiving and long as Lake Superior.

Praise the Lord, we have a Savior Who is just as deep and wide as Lake Superior; however, that is where the similarities end. Jesus is bigger than any cold dark lake. He is warm, forgiving and welcoming. His love is never-ending. When we empty our hearts to The Lord, read the Bible and follow His commands, we will be able to forgive each other as He has forgiven us.

Prayer:  Almighty God, Let us learn to be forgiving as we are forgiven by You.  Teach us to walk in the footsteps of the One who died, on the cross, for our forgiveness. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

These Hallowed Halls

Years have stretched

and gone since these

hallowed halls were trodden. 

Each future was planned

contingent on circumstances

that dictated the outcome.

No one ever dreamed that

one day doors would close,

lights would dim forever,

locks would click, and the

building would stand forlorn. 

I imagine standing in the

vestibule, hearing faint

sounds of laughter and

mischief.

Time passes, life moves

on, but love and a special

bond brings us back time

and again to this place

where we grew, shared

dreams and hoped for the

future. Alas, we must

admit that we too have

changed.

We come together in

reunion, those feelings

shared so long ago come

in a rush to remind us—

some things never change, 

but nebulous shadows of youth fade

as the gate of time 

swings shut on vibrant

memories.