With Friends Like That...

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside. The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”

"Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”

“if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.”

The words above are found in the Bible and I think we can all agree that they speak the truth about the depth of God’s love for us, his children. These verses could certainly be used to give encouragement and hope to a friend going through a difficult time. However, the people who spoke these words did not speak them in love or with the intention of lifting up a hurting friend. In fact, it was quite the opposite. When Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar said these words to their friend Job, their intention was to convince Job that it was the sin and error in his life that caused God to punish him.

Remember, Job had just lost his home, his children, his wealth and his health. Instead of empathy, these three friends only offered judgment and condemnation. And, God was not pleased with their advice to Job. In fact, the bible tells us that, “After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” Job 42:7-8

I believe the lesson here is that there is a big difference between speaking the truth and speaking the truth in love. We can say all kinds of holy and truthful things, even quote scripture to people, but if it’s not done with a spirit of love and grace it is worthless, a “folly”. It is so tempting when someone comes to us with a problem to point out what got them there in the first place, but when is that helpful? It’s also important to remember this when we are the ones listening. Be wary of very “religious” people that use their biblical knowledge like a magnifying glass to expose the sin.

Will you join me in praying that God will lead us to people who are filled with wisdom and love. And, that we will remember to carefully search our own hearts before we offer advice to others.

On the Road Again

The WBFJ team invites you to join us this weekend at a couple of fun for the family events. The first stop is this Saturday morning (10/28) from 10-1 at Piercing Light Christian Books and Gifts located in the Summit Square Shopping Center on University Parkway in Winston-Salem. You can spin the RAM Fabrication Prize Wheel and win some fun prizes including Mark Lowry CD's, DVD's and Tickets to Mark's upcoming "Crazy About You" tour. Plus, you can register to win a pair of tickets to see the Carolina Panthers. There will also be free hot dogs and drinks, bible stories for the kiddies, a concert from the Bethany Baptist Church Praise Band and the Winston-Salem Police Department will be there offering free child fingerprinting. SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) will also be there with information about child abuse prevention. For more info, visit www.shoppiercinglight.com.

The second event is Saturday afternoon from 3-7 at Chick-Fil-A, Whittaker Square on Peace Haven Road. Bring the kids for a carnival to support the Royal Kids Family Camp, a camp for abused children. Some of the fun will include: Kiss the Cow Booth, Carnival Games, Spin Art, Face Painting, Inflatable Rides and a free concert from Cindy Johnson. Verne and I will be there broadcasting from 3-6. For more info about the Royal Family Kids Camp, visit www.rfkc.org .

eBay on Opposite Day

There's a new website where the lowest UNIQUE bidder wins the goods. Hmmmm, very interesting. Check it out:
www.41414.com

Make Money not Excuses

Can't figure out why you never have enough money? Then, you need this book from "Today Show" and "Oprah" money guru Jean Chatzky. For more info, go to www.jeanchatzky.com .

...But Nobody Wants to Die

OK...no one wants to talk about this kind of stuff, because when you make plans for the end of your life it confirms your mortality. But, for your own and your family's sake it is necessary to plan now for the inevitable. Today we talked to Dee Leahman of Hospice. October is "Healthcare Decision Month" and Dee answered questions about things like living wills and healthcare powers of attorney.

Hospice is hosting several educational sessions this month. They will also help folks prepare their own living wills and powers of attorney at no charge. For more information, call 768-6157, ext. 622 or visit one of the following websites:

www.hospicecarecenter.org

http://fsdcms.org/mednews_dt.asp?article-id=523962746

http://www.blogger.com/www.seniorservicesinc.org

Everybody Wants to go to Heaven...

I've just finished reading a book by David Crowder and John Hogan (David Crowder Band) called "Everybody Wants to go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die". I don't exactly know what to say about it. It was perhaps the unusual book I have ever read. But it was also gripping, funny, tragic and thought-provoking.

David & Hogan wrote the book while in the midst of profound grief following the death of their close friend Kyle Lake. Kyle was the pastor of the church (University Baptist) in Waco, Texas where David is the worship leader. You probably heard about his death, he was the pastor that was electrocuted while doing a baptism.

This book opened many wounds of my own that I thought had closed long ago. Namely those coming from the death of my father 11 years ago. About halfway through reading it I became angry at David and Hogan for forcing me to feel the deep ache of loss and grief again. But, by the end of the book they helped me to realize that I must fully feel and embrace the sorrow brought about by the people I have lost in my life in order to be able to fully feel and embrace the hope and joy that we are promised as Christians.


Intrigued?
www.everybodywantstogotoheaven.com