11 Aug, 2010
Friendly Advice
Ever wonder how great of a friend you are (or aren't)? Recently, Readers Digest published a few tips on "How To Be a Better Friend." Here's their advice:
Make time for friendships. Nothing makes closeness fade away more
than never talking to or seeing each other. While some bonds of
friendship may be strong enough to span long silences, most aren't. If
you cherish a person's friendship, make time for him or her, whether
it's just the occasional phone call, e-mail or a weekly get-together.
Make sure you aren't being a burden to a friend. Friendships fade away if there isn't an equilibrium between the give and the take. Be sensitive to how much your friend can and can't offer you – be it time, energy or help – and don't overstep the mark. And vice versa: friendships that drain you will not last. If a friendship is out of balance, talk the situation through.
Be a good listener. It can be the hardest thing in the world to do – simply to listen as he or she pours it all out or is seeking your advice or opinion.
Be in your friend's corner if he or she's not there to defend him or herself. If you're at a gathering at which someone mentions your friend disparagingly, defend him or her against gossip or criticism. Say, "Mary is my friend, and it makes me feel bad to hear you talk this way." Sooner or later, news of your loyalty will travel back to your pal, and it will deepen your friendship.
(picture and exerpt courtesy of www.rd.com)
John 15:5-8
Yes, I am the vine; you re the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit . This brings great glory to my Father.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about friendship with God?
We've all seen the t-shirts and stickers claiming that "Jesus is my homie." You've probably heard people refer to him as their "best friend," and even scripture and hymns refer to Christ as our friend (even one who "sticks closer than a brother," Proverbs 18:24). In today's scripture, Jesus calls his friends to remain in him - to stay close, to maintain a position where there is no separation, to abide. Just like our earthly, human relationships, maintaining a close relationship with Christ is a great deal of work; however, it's the one relationship that most of us tend to abuse more than nurture. Jesus is offering us everything and all he requires of us is complete loyalty. If there is one relationship that we should really work on and be concerned with being "better" at, it is our relationship with Christ.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture to our lives?
Go back and reread the tips that Readers Digest offers on becoming a better friend, only this time read and think about your friendship with Christ. Evaluate how great of a friend you are to Him. Be honest.
- Are you making time daily for Him?
- Do you tend to run from Him when things change or don't go the way you wanted?
- Are you doing all the talking? Do you make a point to listen to what God wants to say to you?
- Do you "have Christ's back?" When others are mocking or putting him down, do you laugh and go along with it, or do you take a stand and defend him?
What do you need to work on when it comes to your friendship with Jesus? Will you do whatever it takes to daily abide and remain in Him?
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
Talk to your friends about your friendships. Share some of the tips you read about being a better friend. Be honest with one another and use it as an opportunity to strengthen your friendships. Ask your friend to be honest with you about what type of a friend you've been to him/her (and be willing to take it and work on it!).
Share some of the convictions you have about the friend you have/haven't been, including the friend you've been to Jesus, and why it's important to you.
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