DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT – THURSDAY THOUGHTS #18… FRIENDSHIP.

A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:

"One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."

"One who understands our silence."

A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."

"A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."

The winning definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

- Bits & Pieces.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:13.

In our dealings with those caught in sexual lust, mercy is incomplete unless we do as Jesus did; call it sin. We have winked, giggled, made alibis, or ignored sin all too long. A friend in deed is one who says quietly, but firmly, "What you're doing friend is sin. It is harmful to you and to others. It is destructive to God's dream for you.” – Source unknown.

What is a friend? Friends are people with whom you dare to be yourself. Your soul can be naked with them. They ask you to put on nothing, only to be what you are. They do not want you to be better or worse. When you are with them, you feel as a prisoner feels who has been declared innocent. You do not have to be on your guard. You can say what you think, as long as it is genuinely you. Friends understand those contradictions in your nature that lead others to misjudge you. With them you breathe freely.

You can avow your little vanities and envies and hates and vicious sparks, your meanness’s and absurdities, and in opening them up to friends, they are lost, dissolved on the white ocean of their loyalty. They understand. You do not have to be careful. You can abuse them, neglect them, and tolerate them. Best of all, you can keep still with them. It makes no matter. They like you. They are like fire that purges to the bone. They understand. You can weep with them, sing with them, laugh with them, and pray with them. Through it all--and underneath--they see, know, and love you. A friend? What is a friend? Just one, I repeat, with whom you dare to be yourself. - C. Raymond Beran.

How to be a good friend…
1. When you are with friends, be aware of their likes and dislikes.

2. Remember friend's birthdays and anniversaries.

3. Take interest in and cultivate relationships with your friend's children.

4. Become need sensitive

5. Keep in touch by phone.

6. Express what you like about your relationship with another person.

7. Serve your friends in thoughtful, unexpected ways.
- Common Ground.

Around The Corner, by Henson Towne…

Around the corner I have a friend,

In this great city that has no end.

Yet days go by and weeks rush on,

And before I know it a year is gone,

And I never see my old friend's face;

For life is a swift and terrible race.

He knows I like him just as well

As in the days when I rang his bell

And he rang mine.

We were younger then--

And now we are busy, tired men--

Tired with playing a foolish game;

Tired with trying to make a name.

"Tomorrow," I say, "I will call on Jim,

Just to show that I'm thinking of him."

But tomorrow comes--and tomorrow goes;

And the distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner!--yet miles away...

"Here's a telegram, sir." "Jim died today."

And that's what we get--and deserve in the end;

Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Loving Father, I thank you for my life in Jesus Christ; Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be the best friend ever, for others. For your glory and for the extension of your Kingdom, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray, amen!
Be encouraged!

GBYAY