every once in awhile i think of the old song that says "i get by with a little help from my friends".  okay so that dates me - but my point is that friendship is an important part of life - something to be cherished, protected and valued. the book of proverbs says a friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.  i've had lots of friends throughout the years and i am most thankful for those friends that have stood by me in the good, the bad and the ugly. today my dearest … [Read more...]

Shakespeare called jealousy the green eyes monster and the book of proverbs says jealousy is like a cancer that eats our bones !! no wonder we think of jealousy best way to understand a godly type of jealousy is to look at the relationship between a husband and wife.  any husband with any moral fiber at all would not want to share his wife with another man.  why not?  simply because that is his wife.....this is a precious sacred relationship not meant to be shared with anyone else. now … [Read more...]

trust is critical to a friendship.  we've all been burned and if we're honest...we've all done some "burning" ourselves (whether intentional or not). sometimes these experiences jade us to the point of wondering whether close friendships or even worth it or not.  sometimes these experiences lead us to conclude that there just aren't that many honest, trustworthy people out there with whom we can befriend. the truth is that godly relationships add blessings to our lives.  scripture is clear … [Read more...]

for the last few weeks we've been talking about God centered friendships.  in fact, we've been talking about how one of the elements associated with covenant friendships is an oath.  in a covenant friendship that oath is a promise not to do harm and to look out for another's best interest always. even when we are really young the need for friends is critically clear.  in elementary school for example we pair off with our "best friend" and share secrets and make promises to "never ever … [Read more...]