Obama Archives | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Dec 11, 2013 | Uncategorized

Russell Moore’s sermon manuscript, Joseph Is a Single-Issue Evangelical: The Father of Jesus, the Cries of the Helpless, and Change You Can Believe In, is now online. Here’s how it closes:

The question for us, then, of whether we are truly pro-life or not, has very little to do with how many signs are in our yards or what bumper stickers we put on our cars. Indeed, it may be the case that after this election the abortion debate will be over in this country politically. 

But even if that’s the case, it’s not over. Our churches are to follow in the walk of faith, which means that–like Joseph walking away from stability and comfort–our churches must be different, they must be counter-cultural, the kind of place where the teenage mother is welcomed and loved, where abandoned children are received, and where a culture that is in love with death can come and hear a message saying that life is better than death because there is a man, an ex-corpse, a former-fetus, who is standing as the ruler over all the nations and the universe. And he is not dead anymore. 

 What we must have is a church in which the gospel we give is the kind of gospel that leads people out of death and despair and toward the kind of life that is found in confessing a name–a name that was first spoken by human lips by a day-laborer in Nazareth, “Jesus is Lord.”

 If we follow this kind of pure and undefiled religion, it doesn’t mean we will be shrill. It doesn’t mean we will be culture-warriors. It doesn’t mean we’ll be belligerent. It will mean that we will have churches that are so strikingly different, that maybe in ten or fifteen years the most odd and counter-cultural thing a lost person may hear in your church is not, “Amen,” but is instead the sounds of babies crying in the nursery.

 And hearing the oddness of that sound, when they look around at the place in which all of the Lord Jesus’ brothers and sisters are welcomed, protected, and loved, the place in which the lies of a murderous and appetite-driven dragon are denied, the lost person might say, “What is the sound of all these cries?” And maybe we’ll be able to say with our forefather Joseph, “that’s the sound of life. That’s the sound of hope. That’s the sound of change.”

 You might even say, it’s “change you can believe in.”

You can also listen to the MP3 online.

Despite Obama’s claims last night the record is clear even from his own words watch this.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Theologian Dr. John Frame:

“…in some cultures (like the ancient Roman, in which the New Testament was written) there is not much that Christians can do, other than pray, to influence political structures and policies. But when they can influence them, they should. In modern democracies, all citizens are ‘lesser magistrates’ by virtue of the ballot box. Christians have an obligation to vote according to God’s standards. And, as they are gifted and called, they should influence others to vote in the same way.

This is not to say that political choices are always obvious. Often we must choose the lesser of two evils. Candidate Mershon may have a better view of one issue than Candidate Beates, while Beates has a better view on a different issue. It is an art to weigh the importance of different issues and to come to a godly conclusion. Each of us should have a large amount of tolerance for other Christians who come to conclusions that are different from ours. Rarely will one issue trump all others, though I must say that I will never vote for a candidate who advocates or facilitates the killing of unborn children.” [The Doctrine of the Christian Life (P&R 2008). p. 617.]

Preacher/author Dr. John Piper:

“…When we bought our dog at the Humane Society, I picked up a brochure on the laws of Minnesota concerning animals. Statute 343.2, subdivision 1 says, ‘No person shall . . . unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate or kill any animal.’ Subdivision 7 says, ‘No person shall willfully instigate or in any way further any act of cruelty to any animal.’ The penalty: ‘A person who fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.’

Now this set me to pondering the rights of the unborn. An eight-week-old human fetus has a beating heart, an EKG, brain waves, thumb-sucking, pain sensitivity, finger-grasping, and genetic humanity, but under our present laws is not a human person with rights under the 14th Amendment, which says that ‘no state shall deprive any person of life . . . without due process of law.’ Well, I wondered, if the unborn do not qualify as persons, it seems that they could at least qualify as animals, say a dog, or at least a cat. Could we not at least charge abortion clinics with cruelty to animals under Statute 343.2, subdivision 7? Why is it legal to ’maim, mutilate and kill’ a pain-sensitive unborn human being but not an animal?

These reflections have confirmed my conviction never to vote for a person who endorses such an evil—even if he could balance the budget tomorrow and end all taxation.”

Princeton prof Dr. Robert George on 10/14/08:

“Barack Obama is the most extreme pro-abortion candidate ever to seek the office of President of the United States. He is the most extreme pro-abortion member of the United States Senate. Indeed, he is the most extreme pro-abortion legislator ever to serve in either house of the United States Congress…”

This was snagged from a blog I read here

Have you seen this video yet.  In it the Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan calls Obama the Messiah.  There is one Messiah and he has come and will come again and it is not Barak Obama.

This is something I recently read concerning Obama.

David Freddoso:

When Barack Obama spoke on the Illinois Senate floor in 2001 against Illinois’ born-alive protection bill, did not say that a pre-viable baby is not a “person.” He argued, rather, that even though the state should perhaps provide care for these babies, any recognition of their personhood would create unacceptable consequences. Again, his words, at length, so there’s no uncertainty about context:

There was some suggestion that we might be able to craft something that might meet constitutional muster with respect to caring for fetuses or children who were deliever in this fashion. Unfortunately, this bill goes a little bit further, and so I just want to suggest, not that I think it’ll make too much difference with respect to how we vote, that this is probably not going to survive constitutional scrutiny. Number one, whenever we define a previable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or the other elements in the Constitution, what we’re really saying is, infact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a – a child, a nine-month-old – child that was delievered to term. That determination then, essentially, if it was accepted by a court, would forbid abortions to take place. (Taken from the transcript of the Illinois 92nd Assembly, Mar. 30, 2001.)

Wow. Did you catch that? Since Roe vs. Wade is threatened, then we are allowed to commit murder? You would think it would be the other way around, right? We should not be allowed to kill babies that are born alive from survived abortions and if Roe vs. Wade is threatened, then so be it. Does that logic not follow? But Obama’s stance is as follows: If we have to sacrifice some born alive infants to make sure “women have the right to choose” then that’s what we’ll have to do. How backwards is that?

Read this again: “Number one, whenever we define a previable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or the other elements in the Constitution, what we’re really saying is, infact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a – a child, a nine-month-old – child that was delievered to term…” 

You would think that if you read this paragraph in isolation that what would come next is, “so we need to do exactly that. Protect these persons.” But sadly, it’s not. For Obama, our personhood is not defined by anything specific other than the need to uphold Roe vs. Wade. I think the basis of our personhood should be rooted in ground that is much more solid than the pragmatic need to see the Democratic ticket upheld. Would you not agree? Does this not follow for you Obama voter?

Friends, this man has morally disqualified himself on this issue alone. Don’t drink the Obamalaide.

God Archives | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Dec 11, 2013 | Uncategorized

First let me start this by letting everyone know things have been crazy before the birth of my third child Zephaniah and this just added to the strange and weird experiences that seem to happen to me.  My wife and I have just moved to southern Illinois, Marion to be exact from northeast Missouri as I took a position of youth and children.  In addition to this I am presently enrolled in Seminary and during the move to Marion my wife was 8 months pregnant.  I seem to be one for adventure at times.  Anyway this blog post is not all about my move, me attending seminary, or starting a new ministry though they all could be valid blogs.  I originally started this blog to blog about life and though not many come here to read about my life (the actually come to find a resume example) some do like to come and read.

So I wanted to blog partially so I would have a record of this event while it is fresh on my mind and well to just share the story because it is crazy.  In fact all three of my children have now entered the world in their own dramatic fashion.  In every one of them we have seen God at work.  Here is the scoop

My wife was having contractions lastnight at church but they were far enough apart that really we were not all that concerned with them.  In fact  we went home thinking no biggy, she went to bed and I was working on a sermon for seminary.   Around 10:30 she got up and was in the bathroom and I heard her moaning but me being the loving husband I am was preoccupied with my sermon writing, so I let it go because this sermon was already a day late.  I finally decided I needed to check on her so I got up and asked her if she had been timing her contractions, and  she responded with no, but she did not know if she would get through night.  This was just after 11:oo pm. to which I posted on Facebook at 11:16 p.m.

“Well Tzigane is having contractions as far as we know the baby is still breech her Dr. appointment is tuesday and her appointment for Insurance is late afternoon tomorrow not sure if she is going to make until tomorrow I hope so but I am doubtful.”

So I went back to my sermon and a while later she is still in the bathroom I think this is strange but she knows what she is doing. Finally I go in and start talking to her and I realize ok we have to go, we have waited to long.   Both of her labor times for our previous two children have been short.  With our first child  she was in labor 2 hours 30 minutes and the second 2 hours.  It was late at night so I call the pastor to get someone over to stay with our kids, he sent his wife right over, and we have it planned that  as soon as she gets there we will leave. I know we are roughly 7 minutes if that from the hospital.

I take off doing 70 down the main road with my hazards on, worried I am going to get pulled over or a citation, thinking this is a great way to make a debut in Illinois.   In my excitement between trying to get my wife to breath and driving fast I look up and say “look there is no wait in the ER” as there is a billboard that tells you this.  In reading the sign I drive right by the hospital wasting precious time I now have to turn around.  I speed to the next light thinking I have a red arrow but oh well I run right through it to turn around.  Finally we are there and I am relieved so I thought.

I run into the ER and let them know she is in labor and the response is “come in and go through the door” I tell them “no the baby is coming get someone down here now”.  I then rush back outside to be with my wife it seems like forever and finally I see a nurse come walking out casually I yell at her to hurry up.   When she gets there and takes one look and totally freaks out and tells me to run and tell them “we need a Dr. Now”. Seriously whose to blame her it’s not everyday someone shows up in the parking lot with a breech baby. I run back inside and tell them “we need a Dr. Now”. I then run back out and the baby is now half out breech in our van. I am literally looking at half of my child rear first while the other half is not delivered yet.  The nurse seems almost in shock I can see it inher face, I hear her yelling for the Dr. I see no one, all I see is baby and I am thinking “should I pull this baby out”  I have no clue what to do.  The nurse tells me to run inside because the Dr. did not see us.  I run inside the hospital and yell at the Dr. to come out.  Once again apparently no one trusted I knew what I was talking about the Dr. seemingly rather calmly comes strolling out as I am telling him to hurry.

After what seems like forever the Dr. gets to the van looks down and now he realizes the concern for the situation. For whatever reason I seem to be the only one calm at this point. The Dr. Begins to fly into action I am standing next to the him almost assisting him in this whole ordeal.  The baby had been in this breech state of half in and half out for a minimum of three minutes. He tells my wife to push and out comes Zephaniah in the front seat of our mini van.  It is at this point that calm went away and fear began to grip me.  It was at this point that I realized the time for any human reasoning was over, the time for science was gone, if we had been relying on anything but God we could do so no more, we now had no choice but to rely on Him.

I looked at my precious baby that we had waited so long for and he was lifeless, I remember in my mind crying out to God to let him be ok.  It literally seemed like and eternity My baby is blue he is not breathing the Dr. is wiping his little face, rubbing his chest doing all he can to stimulate him but nothing.  I see fear in the Dr.’s face, he is yelling for the nurses to help him but nothing, no breath, nothing.  Finally a breath, but that was it, one single solitary breath.  He is still blue he is still not breathing the Dr. is talking to him “breath buddy”  I am telling Tzigane not to look, my thoughts are “oh please God let him be ok”  it seems like another eternity a he takes a second breath. Once again he stops he is still blue he is still not breathing and finally I hear what every parent wants to hear that first cry.

We cut the cord suction him out wrap him up and the Dr. and I run to the labor and delivery.  I push the buttons on the elevator he cuddles my child in the blanket. I stay by Zephaniah’s little side the entire time.  We bath him, give him his shots, I even assist in drawing his blood. The nurse was great as she told me everything we were doing. Praise be to God that he brought us our third miracle He gets the glory, He gets the praise.

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

Psalm 127:1

baby Archives | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Dec 11, 2013 | Uncategorized

It was 4am when the phone rang.  As I picked it up my wife was on the other end and she told me her water broke.  Our first child was a fast labor so I woke up my daughter and we headed off to the hospital.  And about 2 hours later Micah John Monda was born.  he was born at 6:17 am and my was at 33 weeks 3 days.  Micah weighed in at 4lbs. 9 1/2 ounce and was 17 1/4 inches long.  My daughter has prayed, and prayed, and prayed for this moment.  Her faith was always so strong believing God would give her a brother or sister.  It took  wife and I over 6 years to have this child and God poured out his blessing on us.

 Its interesting to see how God has brought blessing, after blessing into our lives.  I have been blown away.  Well I could right alot more but to be honest I need some rest and tomorrow I have alot of work to do.  Here is a picture.

I am really tired.  It has all hit me at once. I guess between dealing with my resignation, traveling back and forth to the hospital multiple times, gearing up to move, deciding whether to wait or jump back into ministry, it is just wearing me down.  

Friday my wife will be induced and will give birth to our son Micah John Monda.  Her pregnancy will be at 34 weeks so he will have to spend some time in the NICU.  In addition to that my mother will be here on that same day with one of my friends, and my niece and nephew.  So while my wife is in labor I have to somehow get my mom to the hospital, and I have to pick up the moving truck that day.  In addition to that Saturday it will be time to pack so we have to get the truck loaded and off to Missouri.  Then I have to decide whether to drive to Missouri and fly back to get my wife or do I stay here.  These are decision are weighing heavy on me and so is everything else.  Sorry for the rant.  Pray for strength right now I feel I have little but when we are weak He is strong.

forgiving Archives | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Dec 11, 2013 | Uncategorized

As  I watched this testimony I could not help feel how powerful this testimony is not only to the grace of God but also the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was a busy day for me.  I spent the day seeing patients for the first time and spent the day with several people.  I had a good day it was fun to spend time with some people yet at the same time difficult knowing that these people are in the last days of their lives. 

I enjoyed my time with one patient in particular.  We took time to look at an old car magazine together and I read to him about some of the cars.  We looked at the prices of some of the cars when they first came out and I shared with him what the horsepower was.  Even though he could not speak well enough fro me to understand him I could see in his expression and in his eyes that he liked the fact that I took the time to be with him.  It saddened me to know that perhaps this guy had a very little interaction with men now that he was in a nursing home and more then likely he was lonely and wanted a man to just show some interest in him and who he was.  I knew he liked cars because he had a picture of an old car hanging on his board.  My time with him was valuable.

However, this got me to thinking.  What would it be like to talk to someone and to know that they can not understand you.  I know his mind works but it must be difficult to know you can not communicate in a way that people understand you.  For some reason my thoughts turned to forgiveness.  What would it be like to want to say to someone “I forgive you yet not be able to”.  How difficult that must be.

My thoughts have turned to my father.  My father was alcoholic and that is really all I knew him as.  In fact it was a rare moment that my father was sober.  I remember the yelling and the screaming I remember the violent way he behaved when he was drunk.  I could not stand it.  I wanted an escape a way out.  Eventually my mother and father were divorced and I rarely saw my dad.  It got to the point where I never say him and in fact did not even know where he was.  I remember when my dad first found where I was and I m in that first letter he wrote and asked if I would ever be able to forgive him.  My response was “dad I forgave you long ago”  It was barely a year later that my father was murdered on the street of Arizona for a measly 11 dollars.  But what if I had never had the opportunity to tell him I forgave him and what I he never had the opportunity to ask.

This has been on my mind.  Forgiveness can be a powerful thing and I am so thankful that I have been forgiven by Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for the grace that is experienced through the blood of Jesus Christ.  It took me a long time to get to the point where have forgiven some in my old congregation and how things were handled.  In fact if I am honest bitterness began to take root in me.  Do I agree with how things were handled?  The answer is a resounding no.  Do I forgive how things were handled the answer is yes.  I did not want to forgive but God began to break me and I got to the point where I knew without forgiveness my life would eventually be useless in the hands of the potter.  Now perhaps there are those that think they have done nothing wrong but regardless of the fact I forgive, and have forgiven those that have hurt me.  I pray God’s grace may abound.

I also know that in my life I am not so naive to think that I do not need forgiveness.  I know I have screwed up many times and many times my errors have hurt others maybe those I have hurt will forgive me.  This I know without forgiveness we are not following Christ.  It would be a terrible thing to want to tell someone you forgive them and not be able to say a thing.  

Tomorrow I will spend some time with a man that will most likely be dead very soon I am responsible for his spiritual care.  What would it be like to pass away without forgiving I pray I never know.

love Archives | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Dec 11, 2013 | Uncategorized

Well tonight we had family thanksgiving with my wifes side of the family it really was some good food.  In fact I had some great cranberry relish and some good potatoe stuffing.  As usual I washed it down with my wife’s pecan pie.  I am biased and I know it but my wife males the best pecan pie in the world.      We had a lot of folks here at the ridgeway Baptist church but as I sat hear I was thinking about family and how we are all different.  I am glad that my wife’s family is not the same as my family how boring would life be if we were all the same.  I know for me life would be boring. 

     If I am really honest I use to jot want to come to these things with my wife.  Deep down inside I guess I never really felt welcome but I would always cone to make my wife happy.  I know how lame I am but it is the truth.  Now for the most part I like to come.  But I can’t help but wonder if this is how so many feel coming to our churches.  Do they come in the door looking to be accepted and loved into a family but in the end they feel rejected and not part of the family at all.  I think we are failing miserably in the church and when we stop making church less about our comforts.and more about loving God and loving others we will see Him move.  Lets together change the atmosphere of how we do church.

I read a book that changed my life.  It changed how I look at things and how I do things and how I think.  It was call “The heart of the Problem”  below is kind of some thoughts.

I am not sure why it is so hard for us to say we are sorry or to simply ask for forgiveness.  I am assuming it really boils down to pride and for whatever reason our fear.  We never want to admit that perhaps we said something wrong or did something wrong.  We don’t want to admit that perhaps we handled something wrong or that perhaps we should have our could have handled things differently.  We don’t want to admit that perhaps we had a bad attitude, or a wrong attitude, or a critical spirit when we should not have.  Why?  Why do we carry around strange feeling for other people.  Why do we want that baggage with us.  Why do we sit and wonder what others are thinking about us or whether they think about us at all.  Why are we so willing to harbor bitterness or to deny that we are at fault in anything.

To many times Christians have broken relationships and for whatever reason we think it is ok or that it will just go away.  I find nowhere in scripture that it is just ok.  I can not find anywhere where if we have offended our brother or sister that the best way we handle it is to do nothing.  I also do not find anywhere in scripture that if we have offended another or sinned against them and they ask for forgiveness that we can just assume that we have no responsibility.

The world looks at us as Christians and the very thing that we are to show them we lack.  We lack the desire to truly forgive, we lack the desire to love our neighbor as ourself, we lack the desire to ask for forgiveness.  Really we lack humility and somehow we gloss over it and we think that it is all ok.  Well it is not all ok.  It is sin and there is no human remedy for it.  It will not just fix itself.

I am sure there are people that dont like me much and I am sure there are those that are holding a grudge against me or even are bitter towards me.  I wish I knew who they were I wish they would be brave enough just to tell me so I could say I am sorry so I could ask for forgiveness, so restoration could take place.  So they could deal with any sin of bitterness or anger they have towards me, and so we could display to a world that is looking for christians to be real could see what Christianity is truly about.

So if you are reading this and I have offended you or you are angry at me or bitter towards me for some reason.  Wherever you are, whatever your thoughts I would ask for your forgiveness and say I am sorry for anything that I have done that may have caused harm.

The phone rang at about 7:35 this morning and my wife woke me up and said it was a school wanting me to sub.  As I answered the phone and was asked if I could come in an sub this morning I agreed and then asked what class i was subbing for.  The response Kindergarden.  I have greatly enjoyed my time in the classroom and my time substitute however I have not subbed for elementary in a long time much less I have never subbed for Kindergarden.  Suddenly I had vision of the Movie Kindergarden cop and I wondered how in the world will I deal with 21 Kindergardeners.  

I arrived to the classroom and immediately had two teachers helping me out and showing me the ropes.  A day that I thought might turn out to be a day that I definitely would loose my last few hairs turned out to be a day that was awesome and a day that God used to teach me more about acceptance than anything.  I walked into the class with some preconceived ideas but I left with not only a greater appreciation for Kindergarden teachers everywhere but with a realization of how we can influence such young children.

Granted my day was filled with alot of tattle tailing, whining, and crying but that is not what the day was about.  The day was bout the kids that accepted me as their substitute and how they listened and most of all about all of the hugs I received from these little children and how they would tell me how much they liked me and even tell me they loved me.  Now we might say that is just the way these kids are but in them I saw Gods wonderful creation today.  I could not help but wonder what if we accepted others the same way these children accepted me.  What if we hugged on one another and let others know we loved them and we really did care about them.  What if we took the time to love on those that we barely even our acquaintances.  many times in the church we find it difficult to love those we know well this way much less those we barley know.  What would it look like if we only learned from these little kindergarden students.  I wonder.

The other day I was in talking with two pastors.  After about 30 minutes or so we broke the conversation off and the other Pastor asked if I would talk with him in his office.  I took him up on the offer.  We discussed many different things during that time but what impressed on me the most was his desire to meet with me consistently.  This pastor really did not know me he knew about me but did not know me yet he asked if I would be willing to allow him to hold me accountable.  This impressed me because often times I have wanted this type of a relationship or even mentoring but rarely have people had the time or desire to do so.  I am excited to see what God is going to do in this relationship.

My first assignment was to pick out a book of his.  I selected “The Bruised Reed” which is part of the Puritan Paperbacks.  In the first chapter I found it quite interesting that we must be bruised before we come to Christ which calls us to cry out for His mercy.  However after conversion we still need bruising because of the pride in our nature.  

I reflect on the times I often need bruising how often I led pride stand in the way.  These are the times that I am thinking more highly of myself than I should.  These are the times I experience a bruising.  When I was younger my stepfather would spank me so hard that my bottom would be left bruised.  He did this because i would not cry.  I would not forget those spanking and remember them to this day.  Sometimes God has to give me spanking bruise me so I can see myself for who I really am.  

The second part of my assignment was to read Hebrews 13.  Verse 1 says Let “love of the brethren continue.”   This is one of the marks of Christian conduct.  ”brotherly love”.  Believers are supposed to have a special kind of love it is a brotherly love.  The greek word for “brethren” is (adelphos) which means from the same womb.  The Greek word for love is (phileo) which means deep seated affection or care.  People that have this kind of love come from the same womb or in this case the same source they have been born again.  This is the kind of love we are called to display as Christians.

I saw this type of love displayed recently in a church.  It is hard to believe I saw this take place in a business meeting of all places.  You see earlier that day the Youth Pastor had announced his resignation.  He had been at the church for 2 years.  At the business meeting it was recommended that they gave him 6 months severance and a full year of insurance.  This nearly brought tears to me eyes.  When I talked with one of the Pastors he said it is what we had to do it was the right thing.  Brotherly love was indeed displayed.

I pray that one opportunity arrises I will display that brotherly love that is discussed here in Hebrews 13.

Many times I feel one of the greatest failures in Christian live is our inability to love one another.  In addition it is also our inability to show the world that we love one another.  We all know the verse right  ”By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).  I know alot of Christians that say they love one another.  I mean that is an easy thing to say right “I love you” well it might be easier for some then others.  The reality of it is we do not have to work that heard many times to tell someone we love them.  We hear it from Christians all the time “I love you in the Lord”  not sure why we need to add in the Lord, but we say that.  I think it has become all to common place to say it and not really show it.  

I often think of this when someone is hurting and I hear someone say “they love the person” and often I want to ask “really how are you showing it”.   Why do we get caught into this trap of saying we love others but not displaying that love.  I am so often reminded of

James 2:15-16 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Sure we may not do something that seems so drastic but we do this very thing all the time.  We know someone hurting or in need and we know we are called to show love but instead we make excuse.

This verse has been on my mind lately “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8)

This verse very plainly and clearly ells us to have a “fervent” love for one another.  The word for fervent ther is (eketenes) which is an athletic word.  It means to stretch and to reach out; to strain and exert to the utmost degree just like an athlete in a race.  This is telling us to be passionate about loving our brothers and sisters in Christ.  This is not just some warm fuzzy feeling that we often have or that we say to one another it goes beyond that.  It is more then just even having some sentimental or caring feeling for another person.  

This verse is commanding us to love with this great love this love of fervency.  But here is what is even greater the verse says “above all” this love is to be put in front of anything else.  This is the most important duty of a believer in Jesus Christ.  We are to put every once of energy in our minds and hearts to love.  This means that we love others even when they have hurt us, or abuse us, or persecute us, or oppose us, or ridicule us, or speak bad about us, or injure us, or make fun of us.  We choose to love regardless of circumstances.

You know what the greatest part about all of this is.  When we love each other with this fervent love “it covers a multitude of sins.” Wow only if Christians to grasp on to this.  Only if we could understand what it means to love in this way. what does it mean?

1. It means that we are not saying we love and at the same time hating, and reacting, and sinning.
2. it means that we are loving with a spirit of forgiveness, not living with some sort of sinful unforgiving spirit.
3. It means that this kind of love will help us to reach those who do evil to us and win them to Christ.  

I pray I will love like this love with a fervent love instead of the typical love I see christians proclaiming.

 

 

 

friendship Archives | Bad Days Better

by Josh Monda | Dec 11, 2013 | Uncategorized

When I was just a boy I remember reading this poem by Helen Steiner Rice.

Friendship is a priceless gift That can’t be bought or sold, But its value is far greater Than a mountain made of gold. For gold is cold and lifeless, It cannot see nor hear, And in your times of trouble, It is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen, No heart to understand. It cannot bring you comfort

Or reach out a helping hand.

So when you ask God for a gift, Be thankful that he sends, Not diamonds, pearls, or riches,

But the love of a real, true friend.

If my memory serves me correct I was at my aunts house and read those words and they have stuck with me ever since.  I have found in my life that some people obviously value friendship far greater than others.  I believe there are those that actually understand friendship and those that do not.  I have been thinking about this alot lately and am not sure why God has placed this so heavily on my heart.  I do know this I thankful for some great friends.  Some I have had for a very long time and some are new friends that I have made.

You know actually the Bible has alot to say about friendship.  For instance I love Proverbs 17:17 when it says “A Friend loves at all times”  friends really do love no matter what.  It does not matter your social statues, wealth, or anything else.  A true friend stand beside you not matter the circumstances.  I have found in my own life it is during those tough times that you find out who your true friends are.

Proverbs 17:9 reads “Whoever covers an offense seeks love,”  This is a real friend.  Some people are constantly looking for whats wrong.  Continually trying to find fault in you they was to judge and criticize in fact that is the first place they often go.  I believe that a true friend helps you be the best you can be.  Friends that d0 not do this really are not friends at all.  I know this is just aspects of friendship and God’s word has so much more to say but when I think of that poem from Helen Steiner Rice friendship really is a priceless gift.

A true friend is hard to find.

This Sunday we were looking at the life of Jonathan a little bit in our small groups.  As we talked about Jonathan and David’s relationship we all agreed that indeed Jonathan was real friend and we discussed a little bit about what is a real friend.

I know that in my life I have had many people that have said they were my friend but when push came to shove in reality instead of showing me friendship I was shown a boot in my seat.  It comes easy to tell people we are their friend but unfortunately words mean little and actions mean so much.  When adversity strikes and troublesome times come you begin to see who really is your friend and who in reality may have pretended to be your friend for whatever reason.

When we looked at the life of Jonathan and we saw loyalty, trust, love, and Jonathan’s unswerving ability to stand with David no matter what the cost.  I see in Jonathan what I would love to have in any friend.  Unfortunately a friend like Jonathan seems rare.  What causes people to look you in the face and tell you they love you but then to give you the boot and forget all about you.  Unfortunately I had to go through some of the most difficult times of my life without some that said they were my friends.  I am unsure what causes people to say they are your friend and yet during those times when you need a friend the most they do not call, they do not email, they do not really do anything.  How unfortunate it is when our friendships are based on feeling instead of on God.  How unfortunate it is when instead of loving our friends we disown them, as if they are some piece of garbage that we really know longer need.

I am so thankful for those that have been just like a Jonathan to me, they know who they are and I am also thankful for those that I have had the opportunity to be a Jonathan to.  So do you have real friends?  You know the ones that are like Jonathan who will stay by your side through it all.