I wonder what the people at the table next to us must have thought. I know they had to have heard us, even without even trying to eavesdrop. Especially when we started laughing at each other.
My husband and I were eating lunch at a local sandwich shop. We had just finished with the how’s-your-morning-been-going-so-far question and answer session and were moving on to a much deeper topic of conversation — a comment my husband had put on his Facebook page.
(For those not in the know, Facebook is an Internet site where the “in” people go to type whatever comes to their mind to share with other Facebook users. The whole thing is designed to be a social network of information exchange. However, in my opinion, Facebook is just one more thing we use that keeps us from having any kind of human interaction with each other. But that’s fodder for another column.)
Back to lunch. My husband told me what he had said on Facebook, and the comments he had gotten from other people about what he had shared. “Really?” I said. “I was just on Facebook and I didn’t read anything you had written.”
“How did you miss it?” he asked. It was then that we looked at each in shock. “Could it be? Is it true? You’re not my friend?” he asked incredulously. “I don’t think you’re my friend, either.” I was as shocked as he was. “How can we not be friends? We’re married!”
“I guess that has nothing to do with the fact that we are not friends, does it?” That’s when we started laughing … and noticing the couple at the table next to us was trying not to stare at us … which made us laugh even more. We laughed so hard we had to put down our sandwiches so we could wipe the tears from our eyes. I had just gotten control of myself when my husband feebly asked, “Honey, will you be my friend?”
So, we decided that, regardless of whether we were registered as friends to each other on Facebook, we would promise to continue to be friends to each other in real life. (We also each left the sandwich shop and went straight to our computers to make sure we were listed as each other’s friends on Facebook!)
Who are your friends? Are you friends with your spouse? Your family members? The Christian brothers and sisters who sit next to you during worship? More importantly, are you friends with God?
Isaiah 54:10 contains this promise from God: “’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” What other God has such love for His people? In Joshua and Isaiah and Hebrews, God told us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” What other God makes that promise to His people?
Jesus talks about the love of friends for each other in John 15:9-17. He said that God loves us the same way God loves Jesus. He said if we obey His commands, we show we love Him, just as His obedience to God shows Jesus loves God. He said we are his friends if we do what He commands. He said, “Greater love has no one that this — that he lay down his life for his friends.” He said we were not His servants, because a servant doesn’t know any of his master’s business. He said we were His friends, because He has told us everything that He learned from His Father, God. He said we were chosen to be His friends.
All this brings to mind that great hymn, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear/What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer/O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear/All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” I especially love the line in the second verse that reminds us of Jesus’ friendship with us: “Can we find a Friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?” And nothing compares to the promise of our Friend, Jesus, that “In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.”
Wow! Can it get any better than that? How could we ever have a better Friend?
Verna Davis, friend of both her God and her husband, can be reached at VrdSpeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: Are you a friend of God?
- Religion
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THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
I just finished up doing a little surfing on some Valentine’s Day sites. After the necessary censoring for language and questionable love hints, I have gathered a few Valentine hints that might make your upcoming Valentine’s Day easier.
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Paris church launches Bible-reading campaign
The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in our communities are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 11, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Doug and I made one promise — to love each other
The first time I met my then future husband, he was no catch. Trust me. It was my first semester in college — August 1970.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 4, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Spurred on to husk out the good works left to do
I’ve got this thing. It was passed down to me inside a tin box that once belonged to my grandfather’s aunt. The thing is about 6-inches-long and 2-inches-wide.
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Maryland Community Church develops app
People can experience a church activity without physically being there. A smart phone helps make that connection for a Terre Haute church.
- Church briefs: Jan. 21, 2012
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BOOKS: Wabash Valley author to sign books at Java Haute on Saturday
Brazil resident Marjorie E. Hopkins will sign copies of her Christian Life book, “Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Java Haute, at 3805 Wabash Ave.
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THE JOY LADY: Be VERY careful with all the words you say
Our language is peculiar, isn’t it?
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 14, 2012
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New Signing for the Savior class beginning
Senior Education Ministries Inc. in partnership with Families by Choice and Park Place Apartments has scheduled Signing for the Savior.
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Holiness Association to offer Indoor Camp
Vigo County Holiness Association will offer an Indoor Camp from Jan. 17 to 22 in 8th Street Wesleyan Church at Eighth Street and National Avenue in West Terre Haute.
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THE JOY LADY: Lyrics of hymns, worship choruses soothe my soul
When my children were teenagers, I annoyed them. On purpose! Of course, their reaction to my attempts to annoy just added to my fun. The frustrated sighs, the shaking heads, the averted faces only served to keep me going.
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Church to break ground on sanctuary
Groundbreaking on new expansion and remodel project at Cross Lane Community Church is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday in the church at 2204 Lafayette Ave.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 7, 2012
- Church Briefs: Dec. 31, 2011
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THE JOY LADY: With forming habits in mind, let’s ask some basic questions
OK. It’s over. Pack up the snowmen, the manger scenes, the mistletoe and the ornaments. Put the tree back in the box and cart it all to the attic. Christmas is over.
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THE JOY LADY: Do we forget that Christmas is all about Jesus?
I have a collection of manger scenes. Seventeen, as a matter of fact. A small one, about two inches by three, was purchased in the Holy Land and is carved out of olive wood. It was given to me a couple of weeks ago by a dear friend (thank you, Norma) because she wanted to add to my collection.
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NEWSMAKERS: Dec. 24, 2011
Seventeen individuals made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a recent Eucharistic Liturgy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods and at other sites across the United States.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 24, 2011
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First Congregational Church offering ‘Longest Night Service’
During this season, we often think of Santa and presents, nativity scenes and the birth of the Savior, as well as family gatherings and meals.
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Independent Nazarene Church plans Christmas concert
The Singing Barrick Family will be presenting a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Independent Nazarene Church.
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THE JOY LADY: He is worthy: Are our hearts full of worship this Christmas?
Those manger scenes I’ve been talking about remind us that Joseph’s heart was full of courage and Mary’s heart was obedient. As for the shepherds — their hearts were full of worship.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 17, 2011
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Christmas Dinner planned at Marshall church
The fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Marshall First United Methodist Church will be on Dec. 25 at the church in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone who lives in the Marshall area is welcome to attend this free dinner.
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THE JOY LADY: Like Mary, we should give God our total, humble obedience
My heart needs to be more like Mary’s. Here she was, minding her own business, busily preparing for her wedding, when the angel Gabriel showed up and told her she had found favor with God and that soon she would be with child. She was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom would never, ever, never end.
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Sponsor a child at Christmas
All 18 elementary schools in Vigo County were able to submit names of three to five families from their school that need the most help for the holiday season.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 10, 2011
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Terre Haute native on her book: It’s a ‘Bible study with a twist’
“Refreshing Bible study with a twist” is how Terre Haute native Mary Ann (Shouse) Crum describes her recently released book, “Live. Learn. Laugh! Stories and Studies That Reveal God’s Amazing Heart” (Xulon Press, 2011).
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THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
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