True Friend and Writer

       "It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both." This is the famous quote from Charlotte's Web spoken by Wilbur the pig.

        Charlotte the spider gives insight into what makes for a true friend. "I’m not going to let them kill you. Promises are something I keep," she tells Wilbur. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be blessed with a true friend like that?

        As I thought about the unusual relationship between these two friends I realized that I had someone like Charlotte who does all three. He is my friend, a good writer, and he keeps his promises.

        He is a true friend. He comforts, counsels, and always looks out for me so my enemy doesn’t kill, rob or destroy me.

When he tells me something he keeps his word. Always! “For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

        My friend is also an author. He wrote sixty-six books. "All scripture is God-breathed..." (2 Timothy 3:16.)  I love to read his books.

Talk about an unusual friendship. My friend created the heavens and the earth and everything in it. The Creator calls me his creation a friend. I am so blessed. Is he your true friend, too?

“I no longer call you servants…I have called you friend.” John 15:15

Selective Hearing

The adorable little boy sitting in a grocery cart at the checkout was about five with chunky cheeks. His pudgy hands covered his ears. His large brown eyes spoke “no” while he shook his head from side to side. “Mama has to take you to the day care.” Head and hands continued to shake back and forth vigorously as his mother spoke.

            “ You’ll get to play with the other children.” Staring straight ahead he continued to shake his head and refused to hear her.

            “Marcus, I have to go to work,” she spoke sternly. His eyes changed from stubbornness to sorrow, and his head shook slower. Tears began to flow.

            “Sugar, if you’re a good boy this week, Mama will take you to Chucky Cheese when I get my paycheck.” He removed his hands, and his smile told everyone that these words he had heard.

            I had just studied the book of Mathew and decided Marcus reminded me of Jesus’ disciples. They also had selective hearing. In Matthew Jesus told his disciples clearly that he was going to die and be raised from the dead in three days. Five times he referenced his death! The disciples were like little boys who refused to hear words they didn’t want to hear.

            However, when the disciples heard they were to be honored and sit upon thrones their hearing improved. This statement, recorded only once in chapter twenty is heard clearly. James and John with their mother’s help connive to get the two best thrones. Jesus’ words about his crucifixion are forgotten and they think only about themselves. I decide that young and old put their hands over their ears to stop words we don’t want to hear.

Scripture: "In this world you will have trouble. 

                  But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NIV