Valerie is a 42-year-old, single, Reformed Christian lady who lives in Baltimore. She doesn't remember a time
before she knew and loved Jesus, but she does remember accepting John Calvin into her heart in March of 2000.
Valerie is a member of Christ Reformed Evangelical Church in Annapolis.
Though her career aspiration is to be a housewife, Valerie has not yet found anyone suitable who wishes to hire
her for employment in that field (or, more properly, anyone suitable has not found her), so in the meantime she
earns her daily bread working in communications -- editing, writing, print design and website management.
Characteristics of a True Friend
This post is for all my friends at CREC, who fit this description so well, and especially for the ladies I spent time with yesterday, who illustrated godly friendship so well in their conversation -- spurring one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24, NIV).
We need companions and good friends; godly friends are not merely a luxury, something nice to have if one can find them but not essential for well-being. Rather, they are a necessity without which we will suffer.
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We are finite social beings whom God created to live together, and thus it is not good to be alone; we need someone to watch over us, help us, and hold us accountable to our faith; though God certainly does work directly upon us by His Spirit, He uses friends, instructors, and books to bring us to Himself and cause us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus.
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What should we look for in a friend? What are the characteristics of godly friends? The Bible makes it plain: there are two basic things that must be true of anyone who is to be your friend. According to the book of Proverbs, one's friends must be growing in wisdom, and they must be growing in holiness. It does not say that they must be the wisest or holiest people in the world. It does say that they must be growing in these two directions and able to encourage and able to encourage others in both. In the hard reality of life, no relationship is neutral. A friend will always be a help or a hindrance. By them you will either be advanced and stirred up in righteousness pleasing to God or hurt and hindered in your walk with Him.
I wrote before about the good things I have found at CREC. This fellowship of kindred spirits sharing the journey toward becoming like Jesus is a gift immeasurably far beyond what I deserve. I just keep getting more joyful and grateful for my friends. Y'all bless my socks off!
Posted by Valerie (Kyriosity) at 5:31 PM
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