Friendship is synonymous with love ..is there any other way

"Friends have lived for each other, friends have died for each other, friends have endured far more, even death for each other. Friends have given up home, and kindred and property, hope of gain and even good name, at the call of friendship. And whenever there is friendship today there is readiness to do, and to endure and to yield to the uttermost "(friendship by clay trumball).

I am always surprised by the many times people want friendship outside of the sacrifice of love or love outside of friendship. As if the two can somehow find wholeness apart from the other and in fact apart from one another they become more of a service or a duty. And perhaps it's wise to define love:   the expression of friendship that has no claim, return, does not expect or even receive honor in any form because of its delivery.

I am guilty.... of the many times I expressed the sacrifice of love out of duty not friendship...Great servant I was.. I did not see my motive but it clearly was not pure. I believe that we, as the church, must revisit this matter of friendship and love before we move into the duty of our daily Christianity.

Divine friendship: "not that we loved God but that he loved us" this unexpected love is what he calls GRACE. We learn by this that it is not based in our loving Him but on our being loved by Him. Being a friend doesn't necessarily require two people but one with the attitude to be-friend another.

Much to consider ....in the journey

Mans Journey - a paradox

A woman once spoke a word of warning to me and said "the fear of man will be a snare". Isn't it an interesting paradox that the humanity we set out in life to serve and save, can well be, the very ones who could possibly enslave us. Maybe not intentionally so but by virtue of their passions, desires and expectations of us. This love for humanity that can easily become the driving force in our lives. We so want to please and be pleased by our neighbors...Oh we will never acknowledge it but still, we search for a sense of belonging and identity in partnership with humanity. Yet somewhere along the way you will be accused by them, disappointed by them, dis-honored by them, misunderstood by them and even unsupported by them; and you will do likewise to them.  

There is a slavery in seeking their praise
I realize that in my life's Journey at times,  I have found an odd mistress, lurking within avenues of my soul,  that finds more fulfillment in the subtle stroke of this humanity by the little acknowledgments,  the pat on the back, the "you're wonderful" or "I can't imagine life without you" (those Christian encouragements) - each seems so innocent but each taking away from what was reserved for the lover of my soul, CHRIST alone. This is not to say we should not receive them but what value do we really place on them. I am reminded of the scripture that when we receive praise from humanity in our giving then we have already received our payment or invite someone who could not return the favor - So as to gain the favor of Him alone in time to come but we want our praise NOW.....mmmm

I believe that God is not looking for a man pleasing Priesthood but God pleasing one. Where is he or where are they. Are they in the church as we know it today, or are they in the fields, in the streets or will they be those that come in at the 11th hour.  This I know,  I have experienced and seen that our GOD IS JEALOUS of our affections. Him and Him alone.......Hav fun

Enjoy the journey