Friday, August 13, 2010

Simply being a friend to count on


Counting friends on facebook, friendster or other social networking sites could be as easy as 1-2-3, you can add as many and as fast as you can. But did you try recently counting friends you know you can truly count on? Can they also count on you? How should we act and react towards them?

Being faithful

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Prov 18:24
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you, better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Prov 27:10

Goes well with the saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed!” There are times when we have gotten into a very difficult situation or bewilderment when we need support from people whom we thought are our friends, but to our disappointment they have abandoned us instead, we only came to realize who are true when we have gotten into a situation where it can be proved. Yes it could be late, but it is really worth knowing this people. Family members or relatives cannot always be there to help us in times of need, friends could really come handy when something happens.

Being unselfish

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" when you now have it with you. Prov 3:27-28
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Prov 17:17 

Being generous and kind to others would make them want to do the same to you in return of what you did for them. Kindness cannot be easily forgotten, it could start a relationship involving mutual exchange. Filipinos would call that “utang na loob”, it is a cultural trait similar to a debt of gratitude.

Being nonjudgmental

A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of uderstanding holds his tounge. Prov 11:12

We often befriend a person because someone is like that or someone is like this, then we suddenly become disappointed upon knowing that particular person is not whom we thought they could be. Who are we to judge anyway? Are we doing what is right most of the time? Let us put ourselves in a reverse situation, what will you do if you are in your friend’s situation? Nobody can stop us from stating our opinions but we should know our place, especially when something is at stake.

Being wise

A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Prov 12:26
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. Prov 22:24-25

We are often labeled as someone depending on whom our companies are, a very popular adage “Birds of the same feather flocks together” and “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are” would describe how society labels a person. So do we want to be associated with the people that surround us at the moment? These people can influence us greatly, they could shape our personality, so better be a wise chooser of friends.

Being truthful

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Prov 27:6
If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early morning, it will be taken as a curse. Prov 27:14
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. Prov 28:23

Knowing the truth could really hurt sometimes, but would be better than living a life full of lies. Correcting someone’s bad habit could never really be easy without that particular person trying to help himself. Telling someone something that would hurt would at times takes courage to do, but if it would be for the better cause, then do not hesitate.

Being a counsel

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Prov 17:9
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Prov 25:20
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Prov 27:17
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Prov 27:9

In desperate times, literally or not, people need a shoulder to cry on. We need people to listen to our sentiments, may it be outburst or tranquil. We often look for advice from people whom we trust, and even share the darkest of secrets to people whom we thought would not betray us. And being so, we should also lend a shoulder to our friends in distress. Comforting someone could not be so easy at times when our words or act often end up aggravating pain or hardship instead of alleviating it, thus we should be very careful.

Being sensitive

Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who decieves his neighbor and says, " I was only joking!" Prov 26:18-19

Better know when a joke is getting too far, some supposedly harmless pranks or jokes could provoke a person and start a pointless quarrel. Be sensitive to what others feel, as what the golden rule emphasizes, you should not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.

It is fun to have friends, I am very grateful to all of my friends, thanks for the acceptance and companionship, this blog section is dedicated to all of you.


Monday, August 9, 2010

Places of refuge for those involved in accidents, not crimes



Accidents can occur anywhere, anytime and to anyone, living cannot always be so easy, accidents often causes friends to betray you and take advantage of the situation you are in, and only few friends can actually keep a secret, when a friend share it to another so-called friend that you have not conversed with, it messes up everything, and it`ll be the only time when you’ll know who you can trust. In such scenario, realization always comes at the end.  But be glad for you will always have a friend in Him, even in the worst case scenario.


On the book of Joshua 20:1-6, God ordered the designation of places known as the “cities of refuge”, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may stay there and be protected from revenge, and that man is to be admitted and be given a place to live with them. If the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the one accused, because he killed his neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought.


This yet again proves that there’s always a light that shimmers even in the darkest hours of our life. There’s always a way out, there is nothing impossible to Him! Be always thankful for the Lord, our best friend! He is our refuge.


Saturday, August 7, 2010

Destructive Inner Attitudes



After a very disturbing incident I was trying to rebuild myself. I look at the Bible for enlightenment when I ran into many interesting passages, I decided I should write a blog and post some of my extracted phrases and views so it would be very easy for me to review, and maybe others can read it and probably help them too in any way it can, and in my quest for interpersonal development I would like to share what I read on the book of Proverbs, it mentions about inner attitudes that destroys a man and these are:


Anger will destroy you before it destroys anyone else. You should at all times control your temper. Lack of good sense or judgment is often present if you are easily made angry or impatient, you are frequently unsure of the correctness of your act or words. It displays folly, stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins, because the fool gives full vent to his anger. A wise man is a patient man that has control, he has great understanding and calms quarrel. If you are wise, do not associate with a hot-tempered man, because you may learn and be fascinated in his ways.
Pride will cause your fall, better be humble. Proud mockers are prevented from succeeding in a way that causes frustration or humiliation, pride only breeds quarrels. It is better to be lowly in sprit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. The humble take advice and are shined upon, with humility comes wisdom.
Jealousy grows like cancer; do not let it destroy you. You should not envy sinners, do not desire their company. Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? A truly cheerful person had a heart at peace, because the peaceful heart gives life to the body.
Fear no sudden disaster or ruin, fear of man will prove to be a snare, be confident, pray and have faith. Whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Conceit or excessive self-pride of your own qualities or abilities, especially one which is not justified is very unpleasant. A man may think his actions are right because it pleases him and is good for him, everything may seem blameless and childlike. It may seem so, but what matters is our intention which we need to evaluate and reflect upon. Do not be way too proud of your achievements, do not boast much of your accomplishments, let another praise you instead, it should be by someone else, and not by yourself.


We can always be tempted, resisting cannot always be easy, but we must try, we must always be zealous for the fear of the Lord!