Inspire yourself, family, or friends with two must-read books over the holiday season.
They are written by a wealthy art dealer and a homeless ex-con.
Ron Hall and Denver Moore shared their remarkable story at my wife’s book club 2007.
I will never forget it, nor will you if you join their magical ride.
Continue Reading “Two must-read books make perfect holiday gifts” When despair sticks your heart in the mud, the best way out is an express elevator.
The fastest elevator ride in my life was recently with my son, Jack, on the outside of the Comcast Center building in Philadelphia.
As soon as we stepped on, the door shut and we shot off the ground like a clown in a circus cannon.
The sky shot reminds me of three express elevators beckoning all of us out of the pit of despair.
Continue Reading “Escape the pit of despair with these 3 powerful elevators” I needed a big favor recently from a good friend.
Our air conditioning failed on a hot Sunday afternoon. 106 outside.
Fans inside only stirred the misery. I knew hundreds would be calling the AC company on Monday morning. I was desperate.
So, I called my friend, Jim, who referred me to this AC company months ago. Jim handles their commercial insurance. He knows the owner well. I asked Jim if he’d do me a favor and call the owner, Mike, and put me on Monday’s list for service. Jim said he’d do it right away.
My phone rang a minute later from the AC company saying they’d be there Monday afternoon. Fantastic!
Reminds me of three simple steps for getting a favor.
Ever feel like you need a favor from God? After all, good friends do favors. How about God?
While He is holy and amazing in a realm of power and glory beyond human comprehension, God is available like a good friend.
I have memorized and often thought about a statement by the Apostle Paul on favors.
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” 2 Cor. 1:8-11
If the Apostle Paul, who personally encountered Christ after his resurrection, says that favors from God come through prayers, then that’s good news for us.
It’s not a guarantee. But, it’s always a possibility.
“Gracious favor” is like a special favor.
I was encouraged by Jim’s willingness to call the AC company owner “right now.”
Clearly, Jim responded to my call because I match up to his liking as a good friend.
Can you be good friends with God?
Biblical authors often refer to God or Jesus walking with friends.
Why not approach God like a friend?
But, what are His terms?
Faith.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:5-6
Jesus was ridiculed for his friendships with women, tax collectors and “sinners.”
He didn’t care. They loved him and he loved them.
There’s no doubt that the Supreme Being of the universe wants to be your friend.
I have learned, at 68, that love and affection spice up favors.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:13
As Ora, the lady who washes my hair at the barbershop says, “If you can’t be friends with those who you see everyday, how you gonna be friends with God who you don’t see”?
Good friends . . .
The fruitful result is love.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
Thank you Jim for the AC call. Thank you God for reminding me to call Jim.
