November 10, 2010
ATTENTION all SIR ED Fans...
This past summer we received some very sad and disappointing news; one of our most beloved hang outs and eateries, Sir Edmond Halley's was closing down. Noooooooo, how can this be?!?!? Well, GREAT NEWS....it's reopening, and I am ecstatic!!! Go here for more details. See you there!
A Recipe for Relationships~Devotion by Micca Monda Campbell
"Because he loved him as he loved himself."
1 Samuel 20:17b (NIV)
Devotion:
So many people today are looking for meaningful relationships, yet so
few actually find them. My mother use to tell me to count myself lucky
if I had just one "close friend." That's because close life-long
relationships are hard to come by. Since we are becoming an
increasingly private society, it seems that fewer people than ever
actually have life-long intimate friends. Still, the desire for this
kind of relationship is not only sought after, but necessary.
Women are naturally drawn to other women. In fact, a girl's first
experience with heartache may have been over a lost "best friend"
rather than a "boyfriend." Women value friendships. When they are
lost, we grieve; not just over the friendship itself, but also for the
secrets shared, the trust given and the acceptance enjoyed. If
betrayed, the pain runs deep causing us to wonder if intimate
friendships are really possible.
When I think of a biblical example of real friendship, the story of
David and Jonathan, found in 1 Samuel 19, always comes to mind.
Jonathan, son of King Saul, was David's closest friend. The King
despised David because he was growing in popularity and because God
had anointed David to be king. These facts enraged King Saul, and he
commanded his aids and Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan
loved David; therefore he would not betray David.
Love isn't the only fruit of true friendship. A real relationship
consists of sacrifice too.
We discover in this story that Jonathan stripped himself of the robe
he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, his sword,
his bow, and his belt. Jonathan was the potential heir to his father's
throne, but we see him sacrificing his future for David as he
literally gives David his place as king.
You and I learn from this action that true friendship means a
willingness to sacrifice for each other in love. It's the ability to
put another's needs, desires, and wishes above those of our own.
Loyalty is also a mark of true friendship. We're told that Jonathan
went to his father and spoke well of David. Jonathan also stood up to
his dad and said, "Dad, you're wrong about David. He hasn't done
anything against you, in fact, everything he's done has helped you." A
true friend is a loyal defense before others; one who won't talk about
you when you're not around. True friends stick up for each other and
are ready to defend when others attack.
Finally, intimate friends give each other complete freedom to be
themselves. In an intimate friendship, you don't have to explain why
you do what you do. You're just free to do it.
When Jonathan gave David the sign that things were not okay in the
palace and that his dad was going to kill David, the two were forced
to say goodbye. The text tells us they wept together.
When your heart is broken, you can bleed all over a friend like this
and she'll understand. She won't try to comfort you in your misery or
tell you to straighten up. Intimate friends let each other hurt and
they weep together. If your friend needs to complain, you will listen.
Intimate friends don't bale, they stay. They allow you to be yourself
no matter what 'self' looks like.
If you're looking for a Godly recipe for relationships, look no
further. Mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom and you
can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend like Jonathan. Then, bless me with
the same. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Develop the kind of character that attracts others. While David had
enemies, he also had a growing number of people who loved him. People
are naturally attracted to someone who shines with God-like
attributes. One the other hand, most are turned off by mean, selfish
people. Whatever is on the inside will show on the outside - so ask
God to develop in you the kind of traits that draw people of good
characteristics.
Reflections:
What kind of friend am I?
Do I exhibit loyalty, love, freedom, and sacrifice in my
relationships? Why or Why not?
Power Verses:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his
life for his friends." (NIV)
1 Samuel 20:17b (NIV)
Devotion:
So many people today are looking for meaningful relationships, yet so
few actually find them. My mother use to tell me to count myself lucky
if I had just one "close friend." That's because close life-long
relationships are hard to come by. Since we are becoming an
increasingly private society, it seems that fewer people than ever
actually have life-long intimate friends. Still, the desire for this
kind of relationship is not only sought after, but necessary.
Women are naturally drawn to other women. In fact, a girl's first
experience with heartache may have been over a lost "best friend"
rather than a "boyfriend." Women value friendships. When they are
lost, we grieve; not just over the friendship itself, but also for the
secrets shared, the trust given and the acceptance enjoyed. If
betrayed, the pain runs deep causing us to wonder if intimate
friendships are really possible.
When I think of a biblical example of real friendship, the story of
David and Jonathan, found in 1 Samuel 19, always comes to mind.
Jonathan, son of King Saul, was David's closest friend. The King
despised David because he was growing in popularity and because God
had anointed David to be king. These facts enraged King Saul, and he
commanded his aids and Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan
loved David; therefore he would not betray David.
Love isn't the only fruit of true friendship. A real relationship
consists of sacrifice too.
We discover in this story that Jonathan stripped himself of the robe
he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, his sword,
his bow, and his belt. Jonathan was the potential heir to his father's
throne, but we see him sacrificing his future for David as he
literally gives David his place as king.
You and I learn from this action that true friendship means a
willingness to sacrifice for each other in love. It's the ability to
put another's needs, desires, and wishes above those of our own.
Loyalty is also a mark of true friendship. We're told that Jonathan
went to his father and spoke well of David. Jonathan also stood up to
his dad and said, "Dad, you're wrong about David. He hasn't done
anything against you, in fact, everything he's done has helped you." A
true friend is a loyal defense before others; one who won't talk about
you when you're not around. True friends stick up for each other and
are ready to defend when others attack.
Finally, intimate friends give each other complete freedom to be
themselves. In an intimate friendship, you don't have to explain why
you do what you do. You're just free to do it.
When Jonathan gave David the sign that things were not okay in the
palace and that his dad was going to kill David, the two were forced
to say goodbye. The text tells us they wept together.
When your heart is broken, you can bleed all over a friend like this
and she'll understand. She won't try to comfort you in your misery or
tell you to straighten up. Intimate friends let each other hurt and
they weep together. If your friend needs to complain, you will listen.
Intimate friends don't bale, they stay. They allow you to be yourself
no matter what 'self' looks like.
If you're looking for a Godly recipe for relationships, look no
further. Mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom and you
can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend like Jonathan. Then, bless me with
the same. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Develop the kind of character that attracts others. While David had
enemies, he also had a growing number of people who loved him. People
are naturally attracted to someone who shines with God-like
attributes. One the other hand, most are turned off by mean, selfish
people. Whatever is on the inside will show on the outside - so ask
God to develop in you the kind of traits that draw people of good
characteristics.
Reflections:
What kind of friend am I?
Do I exhibit loyalty, love, freedom, and sacrifice in my
relationships? Why or Why not?
Power Verses:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his
life for his friends." (NIV)
November 8, 2010
I Love Birthday's!!!
This weekend we had a wonderful birthday celebration in downtown Belmont. It was so nice to hang out with my favorite girls! Thanks to all of you for helping me celebrate! xoxo
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