John 2:1-12
Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding. There is no doubt that Jesus from the moment he was born had his face set toward the cross. He knew why he had come. He knew had a short time on earth, yet he took the time to enjoy people. I imagine him laughing and visiting with friends. I read something by Max Lucado years ago that talked about this. He enjoyed people, they enjoyed him.
Community is important! We have many goals and purposes in our life, but what do they really mean if we don't take time to form relationships and enjoy friendships along the way. I heard someone say recently that Americans today have a great lack of "refrigerator friends".
Can you say that you know some friends well enough that you could walk into their homes, open up the fridge and get something out?
Those people are your "fridge friends"!
We need friends like that. Why? Fridge friends become people we love and trust. We can share our hearts with them. They will laugh with you when you need a good laugh and cry with you when you need a good cry. We weren't meant to just curl up inside our homes or to run around caught up in busy routines, we are built for more.
Jesus enjoyed celebrating with others. He also wept with friends when a dear friend of his died. We are meant to go through life together.
So what do you do if you don't have these kinds of relationships?
1) Begin with prayer. (when people had a need at the wedding they went straight to Jesus) Ask God to give you the kind of friendships that will benefit you and draw you closer to him.
2) Be discerning. Not everyone gets the right to be your fridge friend! You will become most like the people you spend time with. Ask yourself: Is this person trustworthy? Does this person love God? How does this person talk about others?
Father,
Please develop us into the the kind of people who will be great fridge friends to others. Guide us in our friendships. Teach us how to be friends to others and help us to be discerning and wise in our friendships. Help us to love at the right time, in the right way, with the right person. Thank you being our friend Jesus. Help to know you so well that you are invited into every part of our home. Amen
Let's celebrate friendship today! Comment and tell us:
The names of a friend or two and what you love about them.
It's a love fest people!!
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Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
What's in a Name?
I'm curious.
What does your name mean?
Have you ever thought about that?
I recently remembered the meaning of my name. It is April (Open). My middle name is Dawn (makes me think of the beginning of a new day). I am "open" to a "new day". That is what I hope to be always. Open to hope. Open to God. Open to new possibilities. Open to live life instead of hiding away in the shadows. I want to come out into the light. To enjoy the new beginning with each change that comes in my life because I know that God is beginning something in me.
We are given many names in this world. From the time we are born it seems, we are labeled by others.
If you could pick a few of the labels that have really "stuck", what would they be?
Do they build you up?
Do they tear you down?
What do you call yourself?
I don't know the answers to these questions, but God does. What he calls you is the ONLY thing THAT matters.
I am reading through the book of John and blogging as I go. I want to invite you along on this journey. Pop in from time to time or stop in and visit often. Share comments and questions, so we can enjoy each other as we go. I am not a theologian nor do I claim to be. I just want to know God's word in a way that changes me. I pray the same for you as well.
Some thoughts from part of John 1:
Simon went off to follow Jesus. He was curious. His brother, Andrew, had come and said, "You have got to see this! The messiah is here!" Now here he was following, wondering. He had waited all his life to see the king, generations before him had also waited, now here he was!
What is the first thing Jesus said to Simon? "You are Simon, son of John, you will be called Cephas. (when translated, Peter)" John 1:41
No, hey Simon, how you doing?
No, yes I am the one you have been waiting for.
Jesus changed his name.
Instead he looked Simon in the eye and basically said, "you are no longer the person you were before". Simon meant "God has heard". Peter means "Rock". I am finding that each day as I become more open to God, I am no longer the person I was before. I am changing. I CAN NOT read his word. I CAN NOT seek him with a sincere heart and remain unchanged.
So friends, now it is your turn!
What does your name mean?
If you have children, what do their names mean?
Why did you choose your child's name?
*Optional challenge: Look up a name change or two in the bible and share them with us or look up the meaning of a name.
feel free to share whatever you would like as you read this
What does your name mean?
Have you ever thought about that?
I recently remembered the meaning of my name. It is April (Open). My middle name is Dawn (makes me think of the beginning of a new day). I am "open" to a "new day". That is what I hope to be always. Open to hope. Open to God. Open to new possibilities. Open to live life instead of hiding away in the shadows. I want to come out into the light. To enjoy the new beginning with each change that comes in my life because I know that God is beginning something in me.
We are given many names in this world. From the time we are born it seems, we are labeled by others.
If you could pick a few of the labels that have really "stuck", what would they be?
Do they build you up?
Do they tear you down?
What do you call yourself?
I don't know the answers to these questions, but God does. What he calls you is the ONLY thing THAT matters.
I am reading through the book of John and blogging as I go. I want to invite you along on this journey. Pop in from time to time or stop in and visit often. Share comments and questions, so we can enjoy each other as we go. I am not a theologian nor do I claim to be. I just want to know God's word in a way that changes me. I pray the same for you as well.
Some thoughts from part of John 1:
Simon went off to follow Jesus. He was curious. His brother, Andrew, had come and said, "You have got to see this! The messiah is here!" Now here he was following, wondering. He had waited all his life to see the king, generations before him had also waited, now here he was!
What is the first thing Jesus said to Simon? "You are Simon, son of John, you will be called Cephas. (when translated, Peter)" John 1:41
No, hey Simon, how you doing?
No, yes I am the one you have been waiting for.
Jesus changed his name.
Instead he looked Simon in the eye and basically said, "you are no longer the person you were before". Simon meant "God has heard". Peter means "Rock". I am finding that each day as I become more open to God, I am no longer the person I was before. I am changing. I CAN NOT read his word. I CAN NOT seek him with a sincere heart and remain unchanged.
So friends, now it is your turn!
What does your name mean?
If you have children, what do their names mean?
Why did you choose your child's name?
*Optional challenge: Look up a name change or two in the bible and share them with us or look up the meaning of a name.
feel free to share whatever you would like as you read this
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