May 2010 Archives
True Friendship
In these days of uncertainty, it seems like people are more in need of true friendship than ever, yet true friends seem harder to find these days. I think we have become more self-sufficient and self-protective that we don’t see a need for others to the degree that pioneers did long ago. Yet, God didn’t call us to be islands; He created us to have fellowship one with another and to bear each other’s burdens.
I think selfishness may be the #1 reason we don’t see more genuine friendships of the David/Jonathan variety. Those relationships take time and effort. They cost us something that we’re often not ready to give up. We may have to really listen to someone’s concerns or open our home and heart to them for more than just a few minutes. We may need to learn to quit gossiping so that we can be a true friend. We may need to invest money or emotional energy into their lives and we just don’t have time for that. After all, we have our own schedules to contend with.
Friends, our Lord Jesus laid down His life for us. Can’t we make some time for our Brothers and Sisters and others around us who are hurting or struggling and needs to know that someone cares?! Things may not always go as well for you as it is as present, and you may be the one longing for a true friend to talk to, who will encourage you to draw near to the Lord and will help you through a difficult time. That kind of friend is like fresh water in the desert. I see too many people struggling alone but that’s not what God intended. It’s true that Jesus is all that we need but it’s also true that you may be the only Jesus some people ever see. Are you willing to invest in others’ lives? You don’t know what a difference it may make in someone’s life.
The Tongue
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
“ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21)
Have you ever stopped to think about the power you have just because you have a tongue? James 3:8-10 says, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” With this in mind, we should be very careful what we use our tongue for.
I’ve heard tongues used to build people up and tear people down, to encourage someone and to ruin another’s reputation. Tongues are a tool but, left unchecked, they can be used for negative. Let’s weigh our words carefully, trying to be that apple of gold in someone’s picture of silver. We have been given power but let’s make sure we’re using it for the purpose we were given it–to glorify God and build each other up.
CD Review: I’ll Take Your Place (The Spencers)
I think one of the biggest surprises lately has been how much I have enjoyed The Spencers’ CD, I’ll Take Your Place. I love Barbara’s voice and really enjoyed the Spencers with JB, Barbara, Wade & Kevin but, as I listen to them now, I find that the Spencer sound I remember and loved is still very much there. I don’t know how they did it but they have a full sound, causing me to forget that it is only JB and Barbara now.
Barbara wrote the title track as well as “Setting My House in Order,” “My Soul Has Wings” and “Home Free.” She also added a verse to the hymn, “Were You There?”
JB leads on “Bigger Than Any Mountain” and he sings Michael Comb’s song, “Drinking From My Saucer.” The first time I heard him sing that was in concert a month ago and it really didn’t hit me but, as I listen to it on the CD, it’s becoming one of my favorites on this project.
Barbara leads “Heaven Will Be Worth the Journey,” an uptempo bluegrass number. They also sing “I Never Shall Forget the Day” and “The Old Country Church,” which the Oak Ridge Boys sang years ago.
This is a CD which every Spencer fan will greatly enjoy.
