Quote of the Day

“I recall Decimus instructing me while at work that wrong friends will make my heart yearn for sin more than it usually does. Compromises will be easier and wisdom will be replaced with folly. I just figured that they didn’t know him, and therefore were judging him. Plus, I told them that Erebus …was interested in becoming a Christian, and that was the basis of our friendship. My biggest mistake was when I told John that Jesus spent time with sinners far worse than Erebus. ‘Oh foolishness, you forget I was with Jesus when he was in the homes and company of sinners,’ John chided. ‘Jesus did not come to make friends, but to call sinners to repent. Do that long enough and let’s see how many friends you pick up…His visits were hardly a social call…He did not save any lost soul by living like that lost soul…until Erebus sees Christ in you, you are guilty of leading him astray as I’m afraid he is leading you astray...As I see it, friendships are grown when you are all going in the same direction, and can help, encourage and protect all involved. Friendships are not to be reckless, but constructive and purposeful where you are building each other up and improving each other’s character. If this isn’t that inner, guiding principle of all the friends you hold, then in what direction is it actually going, and what good will be derived from it? If friends are not making each other better, then they’re fulfilling the role of our spiritual enemy by tearing down what is good and ruining what had potential……”

- Rick Lambert
from his book-  Polycarp: A Destroyer of our gods

Quote of the Day

As Peter mentioned, so we also must be always ready to remind others of the truth.  To do this, we must keep it current in our thinking.  We must also be prepared to face opposition to those that react.  Peter was not saying they did not know these truths, just that they needed reminding.  Sometimes, this reminding is of scope not of detail, of importance (priority) not content; just because we know the Truth, dos not mean we are currently practicing it.  I may have a 'tool' at my disposal that fits the need and may need reminding that it is there or how to use it.  For us, this should be the core of our 'counseling' - the Truth.  It will involve 'stirring them up' in their memories (memorials) of the Truth.  The True Truth, not just because it is God's word, but because it identifies and clarifies what reality really is (it is true truth!). 

It is the 'right' thing to do (it is just, righteous and fair).  Especially considering the short stay we have in this 'tent' - The tent concept communicates that when we leave it, we leave for a permanent dwelling.  It is not only right, it is the best I can do, it is what we should aspire to.  The Truth will be used to 'stir' others (and ourselves) up.   It will be used to waken us from drowsiness or outright sleep, it is useful to pull us back to reality from our often visited dream worlds) - false realities.  It will be used to 'shake' us up - it may shake up what we are currently standing upon and may seemingly knock us down, but it is needed, lest our footing will always be upon unstable, fluctuating ground and we will be toppled by circumstances (and those, sometimes only small things).  Our goal should be to be surrounded by such faithful friends and to be such faithful friends!    We must realize though, that this stirring up with Truth reminding may be deemed as trouble-making or 'rocking the boat' - it may not be popular, but it is right.

Don Lambert