My Best Friend.

It has been brought to my attention, by some of my fellow-Facebookers, that today is National Best Friend day.  I am blessed by having so many people who could warrant that title - not least my wonderful wife.  However, my best forever Friend is Jesus.  He is always there for me, whatever happens.  He never has, and never will, let me down (even although I am continually disappointing Him).  He is the only Friend Who is even able to go through that human experience that we call 'death' with me.

Yesterday, my wife and I visited a very dear friend of many years standing whose wife of 58 years died while we were last in France.  He gave me the following, that he received from the Lord in the middle the night, some time ago.  I share it as a tribute to both him, and the One of Whom it speaks - my very best Friend.

"The Lord is my Shepherd - isn't it good to know that I have a King Who sits on high, keeping an ever-watchful eye on me; One Who never sleeps or slumbers?

"I shall not want - Now, that's good to know, and very reassuring - for has He not promised to meet my every need?

"He makes me lie down in green pastures - After having fed me from the fat of the land, He grants me rest - that He may renew my strength as I continue to walk with Him

"He leads me beside still waters - He provides refreshment through His Word, as He refreshes my soul.

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake - He leads me in His ways.  Should I step out of line, He rebukes and restores me, bringing me back into line. ("righteousness" means right living according to His Word.)

"Even 'though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil - It takes light to cast a shadow.  As I walk through this troubled world, I walk in the shadow of this world's ways.  Isn't it good to know that His light overcomes the darkness?  Whom should I fear?

"For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they strengthen me - 'I will never leave you', says the Lord.  'I will go before you.  Come, follow Me.'  Your rod and staff strengthen me as You shield and protect me beneath the wings of Your protection.

"You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows - No matter how hard times are, I will overcome in His strength.  Darkness always gives way to light.  As my cup overflows, so I should be brimming over with the joy of the Lord.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life - I accept His anointing, as He pours continuous blessing upon me.  Yes, God Is good, all the time.  His love is unsurpassable, and His mercy assured, to those who love Him.

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. - What a thought!  What a promise given to all believers!  Has He not promised to prepare a place for me, and to take me to be wherever He is?  No one knows, fully, what it is like - but I, for one, am looking forward to it!"

The mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee

This a story that I have heard a few times before.  However, like all of the best stories, it is always worth repeating.  After all, there may be someone reading this blog who hasn't heard it before!

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and fills it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES”.

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – God, family,children, health, friends, and favourite passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff.” he said.

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you", he told them.

“So pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. Take care of the golf balls first — the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled and said, “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.” 

Quotable Quotes

Well, that's the 10,000 barrier well and truly broken! A few random quotations - just to celebrate!

If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things that you have that money can't buy. - Anon.

In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy. - Karl Reiland

Happiness is a direction, not a place! - Anon.

A real friend is one who walks in, when the rest of the world walks out. - Walter Winchell

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. - Winston Churchill.

I count him braver who conquers his desires, than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self. - Aristotle

God, without man, is still God; man, without God, is lost. - Anon

The proof of spiritual maturity is not how 'pure' you are, but your awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to God's grace. - Philip Yancey

Bible study is not merely to inform us; it's meant to transform us! - Anon.