I have a friend that bought one of those little computers and it got messed up, so we have been trying to figure out how to fix it.  I gave up on it about a month ago and just put everything back in the box and sat it on a shelf.  I took the box down yesterday and pulled the computer out and thought what a waste for this thing to sit in the box on a shelf!

Later I got to thinking about my life and ministry.  I work hard to be outside of the box.  There is not much that I can do inside the box to be a blessing to others.  There is not much that I can do inside of the box to bring glory to the One Who gave me life!  To be a blessing to others and to bring glory to God, I have to get out and stay out of the box.

The Bible says that we were created in the image of God.  You can’t put God in a box!  There is not a box big enough or strong enough to hold Him and His glory!  If we are made in His image, then it stands to reason that we were not made for the box either.

Stop putting yourself in the box!  Don’t allow other people to put you in the box!  Be who God created you to be!  Do the awesome things that God created you to do.  Be a blessing to others and bring glory to God by getting out of the box if you are in it and by staying out of the box if you are out of it!  G3!

We are getting ready to begin a new series at Northwood called BFF! – Building Faithful Friends! In preparation for this series, I have been searching the scriptures, reading everything I can get my hands on and observing the lives of others while reflecting on my own, to try to better understand friendship.

I have discovered several principles that we need to consider and reconsider on an ongoing basis, if we are to be a friend and have a friend!  The first principle is what I call The Principle Of Priority! It basically says that “If friendship really matters we will recognize it as a priority that touches every other area of our lives!”

We have a decision to make!  “Does friendship matter?” If it matters, then the next question is: “Is it worth the effort?” If it’s worth the effort, then we must make it a priority, which means that we give it “top shelf” attention, time and effort.

I have to admit that with a lot of my friendships, I have not given them the priority that they need and deserve.  (The truth is – I have not given any of my friendships the priority they need and deserve!)  This is an area of my life that I am right now working to fix, so that my life might bring God greater glory and my friends more special blessing!

If our friendships are right and growing, then every other area of our lives is better!  Thank you for being my friend and know that I look forward to growing our friendship in the days, months and years ahead!