Friendship - Edition #10: The Joy of a Friend

May 12th, 2006

Happy Friend’s Day!!!
Friendship – Edition #10: The Joy of a Friend

I have been struggling again with depression. The IV Steroids are somewhat to blame, so say the side effects. Last night was really tough for me. I sat next to my wife and tried to talk and it was just really hard to get the words out what it was that I was feeling. I struggled with words and they did come out… and it wasn’t easy. I will say that through this whole ordeal, this whole journey and wherever it takes me and my family, that I can truly say that I am blessed. And that is a wonderful to thing to say. It is an amazing thing to say. I am surrounded by a group of friends whose outpouring of love is never-ending. I have family who come over on a daily basis to help with my son. The phone calls and emails never stop. A friend gave my wife a card yesterday with a little gift and it was very touching. It’s good to have friends in all kinds of places.

John 3:22-36
After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan - the one you testified about - well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

“The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.”

John 3:29 friend:
philos
fee'-los
Properly dear, that is, a friend; actively fond, that is, friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.): - friend.

John 3:29 joy:
chara
khar-ah'
Cheerfulness, that is, calm delight: - gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

John 3:29 mine:
plēroō
play-ro'-o
To make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

This one is very short today. But my idea is this: if I can’t get joy from hearing God’s word, maybe I can get joy from hearing someone’s voice, such as the voice of a friend. Get a little delight from a buddy, a friend, who can cheer you up when you are down. Galatians 6:2 does say to help carry each other’s burdens. The only way we can do that is to be there comforting each other. I just want to let you know that, I appreciate you all, your prayers, your thoughts, and your studies. Ladies, have a great Mother’s Day on the 14th, should I not catch you prior, and, of course, Johnny Out.