Every day I search... trying to find the truth of Friendship.

Where is it? I mean, within the church? Have you ever noticed how many of your secular friends from way back have been much more consistant than many of the Christain ones! Where is friendship without striving for position? Without ambition? Without hierarchy? Without barriers? Without bias? Without excess busyness? Friends not just on meeting days.

True friendship was the first thing I ever preached about. That particular place won't speak to me anymore. Seems the message didn't work too well!

How can we establish relationships that last? Seems that the common theme these days is that God has something to do with it! Lives change and we must abandon cherished friends and move along! The religious say things like, "God is changing the SEASON of my life." "The Lord has said to go a new direction and therefore my relationships must change."

Throughout history, friendship has been a central theme. Why is it that now friendship are so easily discarded? Make a small mistake and find out! To keep from getting hurt, people by the millions have turned to online relationships - where they won't be as disappointed. It's a safer environment. Internet Web 2.0 "Friending" on Social Sites like MySpace, FaceBook, etc. are showing us the astounding and incredible need for "safe friends." The popularity of distancing ourselves from close relationships increases.

There are varying degress of relationships. But, to me, true friends are real people who don't go away just because things change. The Scriptures say that King David loved Jonathan more than his own soul! More than the personal choices for himself. Real friends are there in difficulty; they are there in times of sorrow. They are there when we're too busy.They are faithful.

The VALUE of true friendship is found in consistency.

It seems the vogue these days to look for relationships that are stepping stones to greater success. Well sure, it could be benificial to have some relationships that can help us... But, what greater value is there than the old friend? The ones who have stuck with you through all your learning processes. The ones who really know you and love you anyway...

My search for the reality of ONENESS continues. But somewhere along the line I learned to STOP looking and just BE a friend. It really doesn't matter what others do anymore. My determination to find true friends can only be fulfilled as I become one.

The center of who I am calls out to BE a loyal, faithful., enduring friend. To enjoy the koinonia of communion with others. Perhaps you're looking for this Spiritual idealism as well. Jesus said that UNITY (oneness, koinonia) was necessary so that the world would know that God sent His Son. When He said it, it was finished. We are ONE already. Spiritually, we must apprehend this Truth. It REALLY IS FINISHED. Even though most are too preoccupied to even look for it.

Jesus said that greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Who would you die for? Who would die for you? It's a grievous question to ask these days! What is your answer? Loving one another as friends is the pinnacle of Gospel truth. Friendship is THE irreducible minimum of the Gospel.

If we don't truly love one another, we don't know God (1 Jn.).

Jesus calls us friends. If He is your friend and mine, then we can be friends. Therefore as Saint Thomas said, "Go as instruments of God's peace.

Where there is hatred, sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord; union;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy."

Let us go forth into the world as true friends, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

If you want to learn more about living a successful life as a Christian, there are lots of books and free articles on my website at kluane.org -- just click on the RSS to your right!

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Let's learn together and build the Third Day Church!

Thanx. Your online pastor, Dr. Kluane Spake