The Christian life is a pilgrimage. At times the road is difficult, and we get lonely. Sometimes we may become discouraged and consider abandoning the journey. It is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us. One of God’s most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to 'keep going.' According to Scripture, a friend is one who challenges you to become all that God intends.
The mark of biblical friends is that their friendship draws you closer to Christ. They 'sharpen' you and motivate you to do what is right. True friends tell you the truth,
and even risk hurting your feelings because they love you and have your best interests at heart .
Be careful in your choice of friends. Jesus did not look for perfect friends, but friends whose hearts were set to follow God. It is equally important to examine the kind of friend you are to others. Strive to find godly friends who will challenge you to become the person God desires. When you have found them, be receptive to the way God uses them to help you become spiritually mature. Strive also to be the kind of friend that helps others become more like Christ.
Henry Blackaby, Iron Sharpens Iron
We are not remote elites or ascetic philosophers, who dwell alone and exile themselves from ordinary human life. We do not forget the debt of gratitude that we owe to God, our Lord and Creator. We reject no creature of His hands, though certainly we exercise restraint upon ourselves, lest we make reckless or sinful use of His gifts. And so for now we travel with you in the world.
Tertullianus, Apologeticum, Carthage, 197 AD
They devoted themselves to the teachings and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need.
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
Stocks were sagging today as the markets squared up for the end of the month, and the PCE inflation data coming out tomorrow morning.
This may move the markets, although the punters seem to be taking the Fed's jawboning a little more seriously.
VIX opened higher again but faded a bit as the day wore on.
Stocks went out near the lows.
The Dollar slumped back. It is all a part of the endless wash and rinse of modern money.
Gold was unchanged, but silver was hit harder by the wavering of risk that brought down stocks.
The pretense to humanity are falling away. It's almost shocking at times what we have come to tolerate.
We may truly deserve the choice between Trump and Biden. But we do not have to make that choice.
What all these very exceptional and impressive personages have in common is their lack of empathy for others, and an overwhelming lust for money and power.
Our professional and moneyed class have deftly shed the constraints of
morality and the obligations of duty. This has always been their
tendency, but of late it has become more acceptable, almost fashionable.
Not a good situation. Most do not understand how perilous the times may be, and they do not want to know it.
But in the end we have each other, and the help of the Lord. And so we cannot despair.
Have a pleasant evening.
