You've Got A Friend

You've Got a Friend (Photo credit: sirwiseowl)

If I should say, “ My foot has slipped,”

Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.

Psalm 94:18

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

        Remember that classic Carol King song "You've Got A Friend"?   

When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

        Some of us may have friends that are like that, but even those kinds of friends can sometimes let us down.  God's lovingkindness is the model that we are to follow in our friendships with others.  We may not always meet the demands of being the perfect friend, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

New International Version (NIV)

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Our Fathers

God the Father, Cima da Conegliano, Circa 1510-17. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him

Psalm 103:13

New International Version (NIV)

          I'm thankful that I had a decent father who provided for his family.  I was never in need when I was growing up.  I had a comfortable and secure life with parents who cared for me.


          Likewise I tried to provide for my children.   Maybe I failed them at times, but I tried and I think they understand that now that they are adults.  I think I was a good father and I hope my children's children will have good fathers throughout their lives.


          There are never any guarantees on the human level, but one thing we can count on is that we have a Heavenly Father who will never let us down.  No matter how much we stray or try to do it all ourselves, He is there when we need Him.


           Today let us celebrate fathers.  Perhaps we should treat everyday as Fathers Day.   And most of all we should rejoice that we all have a common father--Our Father in Heaven.  

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?   If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Matthew 7:9-11

New International Version (NIV)

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On Being the Unique Individual That God Made Us

Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) - World's Rarest Hummingbird? (Photo credit: David Cook Wildlife Photography (kookr))

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

           In and of itself, there's nothing wrong with being different. Each of us are unique in our own way.  We are born as individuals distinct from anyone else.  Our upbringing, environment, and education shapes us to believe what we believe and know what we know.  


        As children most of us were protected and provided for and if we have survived into adulthood both of those happened to some degree.   Some of our lives have been more difficult while others have had immunity to many hardships and struggle.   No matter which the case may be, each of us is accountable for what we do with what we learn and the choices we make in our lives.


         We have meaning and purpose--every one of us.   We must decide not to forfeit what we have been given and the blessings that are ours.  

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

1 Corinthians 12:18

New International Version (NIV)

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When My Spirit Becomes Dispirited

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 18:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

           I need that strength!  I need a love that will encompass the world and reflect all the good that You are. Sometimes I feel so discouraged about this sad, decrepit and seemingly hopeless world.  The beauty of creation lifts me up, but then I hear the next bit of bad news that brings me back to dirty streets and despairing humans who seem to have no direction.


          Oh, Lord!  Please fill me with that strength.  My well seems to be running dry.  My mind and body are on the brink of vitiation.   My spirit is threatened with atrophy.  Lift me up, Lord, and overflow my cup with Living Water to sate my seemingly unquenchable thirst.  


            You have shown me the greatest love and I am in your hands.            

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:1

English Standard Version (ESV)

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