Day 11........Best friend???

Oh boy, oh boy. We have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Isn't that great news? Let's face it.....friends come and go. Sure we have high school reunions and we shake hands and hug, but we're different people now. We aren't really "friends" anymore.....the only thing that bonds us is that we grew up together. Friends I used to get drunk and buy drugs with (and from) aren't close to me anymore. They'll still say "hello" if I see them on the street, but they don't want to talk to me anymore. We have nothing in common now. I told them when I received Jesus that I wasn't going to stay up all night and drink with them anymore. I had a new drinking buddy (the Holy Spirit).......and we were drinking in the Word of God. Even some family. We're just not close, or perhaps just out of touch. We've lost a relationship with them because we stopped talking to them often. How do you get to know someone? If I were to pick up the phone and call you, those of you who KNOW me, would say, "Hey there James, whatcha up to?" Those of you don't would be polite, but you'd ask, "Uh, who is this?" But as we talk more and more, and we build a relationship, man I won't have to tell you who I am, you'll know right away. That's why Jesus said, "My sheep know My voice." When a Sheppard calls his sheep, they run to him. They won't run to just anyone. As a Sheppard brings his sheep to the corral (still done like this in Israel) he'll lead them through an opening in the corral......there's no gate, just an opening. He stands at the opening with his legs open and calls to them. They go in through his open legs and enter the corral. He is the door. When all the sheep have gone into the corral, he lays down in the opening. He keeps them safe from harm. They cannot escape without jumping over him, and no predators can reach them unless they go over him.

I used to really struggle with "Pray without ceasing" scripture. I just didn't get it. In time I did. As I grew in my relationship with the Lord, I spoke to Him more and more as the day went on. I do need to practice more meditation, and more simple prayers. It's so funny that folks think it's necessary to pray these rehearsed prepared prayers. Talk to Him like you would talk to your closest friend. Be real with Him. Tell Him your problems, fears, what angers you, and whatever else is on your heart. He will listen, and He will guide you if you will allow Him to.

"What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to Him more often throughout the day?"

Listen to Christian music while I'm working, driving, or just relaxing. What say you???

PS: I changed the look of the blog again. I wasn't happy with the last Template that I was using. It seemed that some of the words would disappear as you were trying to read them. Perhaps it was only on my end, but it happened on two different computers for me. It was then I decided to change it.