Friday, November 30, 2007

A True Friend

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. Proverbs 18:24
(The Message)

Recommended Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

At one time, the Sydney Swans were the laughing stock of the Australian Rules football league because they had the worst record, the worst players, the worst coach, and the worst fans. Needless to say, most of their games were played in front of empty stands. But something strange happened. The team got a new coach and a few new players and began winning. Suddenly, everyone was a Swans fan, and the stands were filled to capacity at nearly every game. On one such occasion, as TV cameras captured the joy and excitement of the crowd, one zoomed in on a man holding up a homemade sign that read, I WAS HERE WHEN NOBODY ELSE WAS!
Scripture tells us that "A friend loves at all times," setting the standard by which we should choose our relationships (Proverbs 17:17a). Fair-weather friends are easy to come by, but those relationships that are built on agape love are a rare find and a treasure to be sure; they will stick with you through thick and thin, not just during a winning season.
In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends. [John Churton Collins]

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?

Charismatic: Only 1 - Hands are already in the air.
Pentecostal: 10 - One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians: None - Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic: None - Candles only. (Of guaranteed origin of course.)
Baptists: At least 15 - One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.
Episcopalians: 3 - One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks, and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
Mormons: 5 - One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists: Undetermined - Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.
Nazarene: 6 - One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
Lutherans: None - Lutherans don't believe in change.
Amish: What’s a light bulb?