Rainy day, dark and dreary as those days go – fits my mood today, so just taking it easy. 

Had some lab work done this morning, next few days include several doctor appointments, wanting to make sure I am still with them, I guess.  We do have to see a specialist next week in Portland, getting so I hate that drive.  Not so much through the gorge but once we hit that Portland traffic.  Fortunately they are getting us in late enough to miss the morning commuter and early enough to be home before evening commuters.

I think we pretty well have all our canned fruit and vegetables labeled and ready for the basement.  Not sure what this rain is going to do to the tomatoes, but we will deal with it one way or another.

We will be working with chicken breasts later in the month, but that is a ways away.  Winter time is coming and we will be hunkering down and waiting it out – I hope.  

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10   Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Of the billions of people on this planet, there is no one that can walk my walk with Christ for me.  Salvation is a very personal thing; no one can make a decision for me when it comes to the acceptance of Christ.  The church can’t make the decision for me, neither can parents, siblings, friends or even spouse; it is a private individual decision.

However, when it comes to living and service for Him, we do not have to stand alone.  As a matter of fact He encourages us to band together with other Christians; in doing so we can lift up and encourage each other. 

When Christ sent His first workers out, He did it twos and that combination has been a staple and example for us for the past two millenniums. 

The Apostles had men that they were very close to, men they could talk with and confide in.  They gave each other support and help keep each other true to God. 

Each of us needs a person we can talk with, openly and honestly.  While those of us who are married have our spouses to talk with we also should have someone in addition to them to have as our confidant.  Often our spouse’s eyes are blinded by love and while they are supportive of us, they may also be more protective of us than is good for us.  That person should be of the same sex to avoid any appearance of impropriety or temptations.

The person should be someone who we can trust with our private concerns, fears, temptations and failures.  Someone who will lift us up when we are down, correct us when we are wrong, walk with us when we are tired, rejoice with us in our victories.  Someone we can depend on to pray for us and be there when we need them.  These are people that we can trust not only to give us advice, but to keep confidences to themselves and share it with no one, not even their spouses.

For some of us – and I mean ME – this is not easy.  We are private and do not like to give insights into our minds.  It is something we must deal with and overcome.

This is not a quick decision or a short time friendship, it should be done with great care and prayer. 

There are times that we must be alone with God.  Time spent in prayer, reading God’s Word, meditation and listening to Him.  God wants us to do that, so He can guide us.  However, He also wants us to lift each other up and be there for each other.  

As Jesus had His disciples – and He had His select few He trusted with His most intimate moments:

Mathew 26:37-39    And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

³⁹ And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

As a man, Christ wanted support from His most trusted disciples, as we know they let Him down, as they did not stay awake while He prayed.  However, it doesn’t mean that we should be fearful of doing the same. 

God understands man needs for human interaction and He shows by the examples in His Word that He approves and encourages us to develop relationships that will help those involved be lifted up.  He created Eve because He knew Adam needed that companionship:  Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

If we are trying to ‘go it alone’ we really need to look at what God is saying to us and develop a relationship(s) with a trusted fellow Christian to help us grow in Him.

Later, Art :-)   

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again