Trust is not one of my strong suits. I could try to blame my struggle on not knowing enough trustworthy people, but I know the problem is rooted in me . . . in my desire to protect myself and in my fear of getting hurt or let down. I know that not trusting others […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Friendship
Relating-With Our Friends
The passage in Genesis 2 is so familiar. After God made man, He observed a need inside that life, a nagging loneliness that Adam couldn’t shake. Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18) As a fulfilment […]
Read MoreHidden Heroes
Up-front heroes are often seen as being larger than life. Overstated. That’s unfortunate. Because they are public figures, folks think of them as broad-shouldered giants who can leap tall buildings in a single bound. They are thought of as superpeople possessing endless strength, limitless vision, relentless determination, effortless skills, and matchless charisma. Their courage is […]
Read MoreA Sheltering Tree
Shortly before his death, Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote Youth and Age in which he reflected over his past and the strength of his earlier years. To me, the most moving line in this quaint work is the statement: “Friendship is a sheltering tree. . . .” How true . . . how terribly true! When […]
Read MoreWhat Do I Do When I Feel Lonely?
Question: I don’t like coming home to my apartment. It’s cold and dark. The first thing I do is turn on the television just to hear some human voices. I eat alone, flip channels, maybe do a little reading, and then go to bed. I’ve been in and out of relationships, and none of them […]
Read MoreWhat We Need to Help Us Through Trials
When you encounter people who are going through a trial, do you find yourself thinking: I really want to help others who are struggling, but what do they need most? As human beings, we all need the following qualities in our lives to help us through our toughest times. Trust: We need to sense acceptance […]
Read MoreThe Biblical Basis for Encouragement
The Scripture that I want us to look at is Hebrews 10. All the way through this letter the spotlight is upon Jesus Christ, the Superior One. He has opened for us a new and living way to the Father. We don’t have to go through a system of works. We don’t have to go […]
Read MoreHope for Survival
Originally, American settlers built their homes in the center of their acreage. Later on, many of them moved to the inside corners to be nearer their neighbors. Understand, I wasn’t living back then, but from what I read, that’s actually what happened. It occurred when “Go west, young man!” was the challenge of America . […]
Read MoreBeing a True Friend
He was the kind of friend we all wish for. His name was Jonathan, the son of King Saul and heir apparent. However, Jonathan was a loyal friend to David, the Bethlehem shepherd boy whom God had chosen to succeed Saul as king. Saul was fiercely focused on killing David; Jonathan was fiercely devoted to […]
Read MoreHow Do I Respond to Someone Who Has Hurt Me?
Question: A person I used to call a friend gossiped about me, and I’m so hurt by her actions. I told her something in confidence, and she told my other friends. I can’t even show my face at church. I’m so angry with her. I don’t talk to her anymore, and I know that’s wrong. […]
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