Grace Church Of Evergreen

Friends

Everybody is hungry for friendship. So they say.

The Facebook frenzy testifies to that as people connect with hundreds of ‘friends’ across the globe. But friendship is not valued today as it was in the past. That is why meaningful friendships are becoming harder to find.

A 2004 study showed that each of us had less than three people with whom we can discuss matters of importance. This is one-third LESS than 20 years previous. Those close friends today are most likely to be family members. The number of persons we are able to share matters of importance with are dropping.

Previous generations would find this situation quite strange. In older times happiness was gauged by the number and depth of friendships. So fewer friends translated into less happiness. The former generations are right. We are a lonelier, stress filled unhappy society. We are a less friendly generation. The art and skill of friendship making is dissipating.

Friendship is a close-at-hand, face to face relationship. It shares interests, insights, is accepting, loving despite our imperfections. Friendship enhances our strengths. It appreciates, encourages, serves, believes in our gifts and talents. It listens with empathy, learning our hopes, dreams, fears, struggles. True friendship celebrates our success and accomplishments without envy. Friends are trustworthy, maintain confidence, share honor, self respect, no gossip. Friendship embodies loyalty, defending character, reputation, resolving issues promptly and privately. This cannot be accomplished on a Facebook account.

It is no wonder that Jesus called his disciples his friends. He was not interested in a casual friendship. Jesus wanted his disciples to know Him intimately as he knew them intimately.

Unfortunately, today there is a penchant toward ‘self’ and ‘selfishness’. Image and reputation are front and center. Image is measured by where you live, how you fit in, what you wear, drive, own or lease. It is fleeting.

Friendship is anchored in Character, ‘the real me’. That is why friendships are becoming harder to find. Character the real me, when front and center, is the gateway to lasting friendship. Friendships will be hard to come by so long as we find image of greater importance than character. And of course, being a true friend, finding happiness is part of who we are meant to be.

Come join us this Sunday and learn about the art and skill of friendship. Your life will never be the same.

Sundays at 10.30am

Children’s Church held during worship.

Pastor John


	Friends Everybody is hungry for friendship. So they say. The Facebook frenzy testifies to that as people connect with hundreds of ‘friends’ across the globe. But friendship is not valued today as it was in the past. That is why meaningful friendships are becoming harder to find. A 2004 study showed that each of us had less than three people with whom we can discuss matters of importance. This is one-third LESS than 20 years previous. Those close friends today are most likely to be family members. The number of persons we are able to share matters of importance with are dropping. Previous generations would find this situation quite strange. In older times happiness was gauged by the number and depth of friendships. So fewer friends translated into less happiness. The former generations are right. We are a lonelier, stress filled unhappy society. We are a less friendly generation. The art and skill of friendship making is dissipating. Friendship is a close-at-hand, face to face relationship. It shares interests, insights, is accepting, loving despite our imperfections. Friendship enhances our strengths. It appreciates, encourages, serves, believes in our gifts and talents. It listens with empathy, learning our hopes, dreams, fears, struggles. True friendship celebrates our success and accomplishments without envy. Friends are trustworthy, maintain confidence, share honor, self respect, no gossip. Friendship embodies loyalty, defending character, reputation, resolving issues promptly and privately. This cannot be accomplished on a Facebook account. It is no wonder that Jesus called his disciples his friends. He was not interested in a casual friendship. Jesus wanted his disciples to know Him intimately as he knew them intimately. Unfortunately, today there is a penchant toward ‘self’ and ‘selfishness’. Image and reputation are front and center. Image is measured by where you live, how you fit in, what you wear, drive, own or lease. It is fleeting. Friendship is anchored in Character, ‘the real me’. That is why friendships are becoming harder to find. Character the real me, when front and center, is the gateway to lasting friendship. Friendships will be hard to come by so long as we find image of greater importance than character. And of course, being a true friend, finding happiness is part of who we are meant to be. Come join us this Sunday and learn about the art and skill of friendship. Your life will never be the same. Sundays at 10.30am Children’s Church held during worship. Pastor John