Friendship

Will the Coal Die Out?

DrJayCook Fellowship , , , , , ,

Have you noticed (as I have) something that happens when you grill?  I am specifically talking about the coals.

You stack the coals and light them.  After a few minutes you check to see if they are ready, and you see it.  One of those little rascals rolled off the mound and is just sitting there – cold – no fire.  On its own, the coal could not keep its fire.

I know a lot of people like that.

When you look at the first Christians, they were genuine, open, and honest with one another in their lives and their hearts.  They were there for each other.  In fact, Acts 2:46 describes them like this: “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house.  They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts.”

They spent time with one another.  They helped one another.  They watched out for one another.  And that is something that we all need.

Unfortunately, lots of people do not see a great need to be plugged into a church to build deep connections.  Perhaps it is pride that keeps us from wanting to accept help from others.  Perhaps it is ego that keeps us from being transparent with others (even though we know that everyone has their own problems).

Even though Mississippi is considered to be religious, far more people are not engaging weekly in a church than those who do.

Some see no need in their church family.  Some think their spiritual life is fine without it.  However, how can we dismiss what the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25: “Do not neglect to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

We need to encourage one another, comfort one another, and bear one another’s burdens.  We need the same from others.  But it will not happen if we are not part of the family.

Like the coal on its own without fire within, we risk the danger of growing cold when we neglect fellowship.  In an ever-changing world, we need all the help we can get.  We need God’s help.  We need our church.  And the church needs you.

Take a look at the following resource to see how important this really is (just click the picture).

Are You Upset about Chandler?

DrJayCook Christian Life , , , , , ,

Many of us remember the hit TV show “Friends.”  It not only had incredible ratings when it was first aired, but 20 years after its finale, one can still find it on some channel every day.  It was and is a cultural phenomenon.

Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) died recently at the young age of 54.  I say “young” because that is how old I am, and I definitely am not old – ha-ha.  It was a surprise and garnered many emotions.  Did you know about it?

Many people felt like they knew Matthew, so his death seemed like the loss of a “real” friend.  However, we see that a lot – don’t we?  Celebrities die.  Politicians die.  People that we have never met but have watched from afar die, and we feel the loss.

But what about those who are physically in your life?

Life is short.  Life is chaotic.  Life takes unexpected turns.  Psalm 39:4 reminds us of this by stating: “Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am.”  Also, Psalm 90:12 states: “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”

With each passing year, we recognize how quickly life moves ahead.  Christmas is almost here, but I feel like I just put the Christmas decorations up a few weeks ago.  My adult son and teenage daughter were toddlers a few months ago (in my mind).

And what about those “real” friends we have?  It is easy to think that we will get together in a few weeks even though it rarely happens.  It is easy to think that we will catch up on the phone in a few days even though life throws something else at us that causes us to put it off – again.  How are you helping, enjoying, and investing in those friendships?

And what about the most important relationship in life?  What about your relationship with God?  It is easy to think that we will get things right with Him when life calms down – though it never does.  It is easy to think that we will get more involved in things that please Him when we have more time – though time seems to be moving faster and faster.

Perhaps it is time for us to stop letting life dictate OUR lives.  Perhaps it is time for us to begin doing and being what we should do and be.  Perhaps it is time to allow a wakeup call to actually wake us up.

Let us enjoy life the way God intended.