I recently heard a program on the Economist podcast about the increasing loneliness of people world wide. The problem is especially acute among American males: we don’t make or keep friends very well. SNL hit a nerve with this skit(a warning, its condescending(not crude) but art makes its point by being extreme: Here’s a link(its 2 minutes and funny) https://youtu.be/9XOt2Vh0T8w
The most important word in the Bible is not love, its with. Christ didn’t say, I love you, he said “I am with you”. You can’t see love: you can only see with. You can’t see beliefs, you can only see deeds.
If you haven’t recently, invite someone to coffee, or to play golf, or for lunch. (Start with small steps) If you’re turned down, try again, try elsewhere. Join a group, go to a lecture, talk to your neighbor, more; ask someone how they like their truck; volunteer, anywhere; call an old high school friend; join a book club; take your dog to the dog park; talk to the lady(or man) at QT; compliment a stranger; go outside and pick up trash; take your headphones off at the gym and ask someone about their workout; surprise someone with an unexpected gift; take an adult ed class on auto mechanics, or cooking, or whatever. If you need more ideas, write me(patstarke@msn.com)
These are a type of “deeds” Christ meant. Its how we can be with others. Do it every day, all day. Ignore failure. Sure you’ll skin your knees, but did that ever stop you from getting back on your bike? Too much fun to be had not to.
We are born with someone, we die alone. There’s no reason to start death early by self inflicted loneliness. God didn’t want us to be alone. That’s why he gave us the gift of each other. Shouldn’t you use his gifts?
If you haven’t recently, invite someone to coffee, or to play golf, or for lunch. (Start with small steps) If you’re turned down, try again, try elsewhere. Join a group, go to a lecture, talk to your neighbor, more; ask someone how they like their truck; volunteer, anywhere; call an old high school friend; join a book club; take your dog to the dog park; talk to the lady(or man) at QT; compliment a stranger; go outside and pick up trash; take your headphones off at the gym and ask someone about their workout; surprise someone with an unexpected gift; take an adult ed class on auto mechanics, or cooking, or whatever. If you need more ideas, write me(patstarke@msn.com)
These are a type of “deeds” Christ meant. Its how we can be with others. Do it every day, all day. Ignore failure. Sure you’ll skin your knees, but did that ever stop you from getting back on your bike? Too much fun to be had not to.
We are born with someone, we die alone. There’s no reason to start death early by self inflicted loneliness. God didn’t want us to be alone. That’s why he gave us the gift of each other. Shouldn’t you use his gifts?
Someone out there is waiting for you.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.
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