The Four Degrees Of Friendship

While in one of many deep conversations with an "intimate" friend of mine the subject of friends came up and she took me on a journey I'd never considered when it comes to "friends".

Frist let us consider that "friends" can be divided into four categories.
(1) Acquaintances: people you know but your
conversations are limited to the weather.
Nothing personal, only generalities. These
"friends" can be anybody.
(2) Associates: People you may spend some
time with but you don't make it a habit
of being together too often. Conversa-
tions are limited but they donot go past
weather conditions, not much personal
information only what is generally
known. Warning these are friends that
you want to be careful with because
they don't always have your best in-
terest at heart. These can be coworkers,
relatives but not just anybody.

(3) Close Friends: People who know you
on a personal level. They know your
family, they know you. You can count
on these friends through thick and
thin. You share just about anything
with them. They know your shortcomings and
love you anyway. Most spouses are close
friends.Close friends are personal.You
have alot in common ...you enjoy each
other's company; you can laugh and cry
together and have. This can be a tricky
friendship due to the fact that close friends
often feel  they have the right to
judge you or even make decisions for you
without your consent. Usually we call these
best  friends.

(4) Intimate friends: These are people who know
you even more than close friends. These
friends are connnected to you in a special
way. First let's get a clear understanding
of intimate. You are associated in close
personal relations mentally but
not physically...there's nothing
phyical about the relationship
other than it is unconditional.
Intimate friends understand you on a level
that not any of your other friends can
understand. You are so closely connected
that one feels what the other feels,
you see the world with the same vison.
They know you TRULY...there are no
limits with these friends. These are
friends who at no cost will ever di-
vulge any of your personal information,
they will and can tell you about your
shortcomings and never be judgemental.
They only and always have your best interest
at heart.This friendship is priceless. There aren't
 many on this list. Actually this list is very short.
* Just because this is an intimate relation-
ship it does not automatically place your
spouse in this category.*

Finally, now that we have some insight on friendships we can reevaluate the "friends" in our lives. Some may have moved to a more trusted degree
of a friend, some to a lesser degree or not even considered at all. Therefore we should always be mindful when using the words "my friend". Of course there is One other friendship not mentioned above and that's because this relationship cannot fit on this list ....it is in a category all it's own. A relationship with Jesus Christ.

To Whom Much Is Given...

To Whom Much Is Given

Luke 12:48

But the servant who did things that deserved a beating without knowing it will receive a light beating. Much will be required from everyone to whom much has been given. But even more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted."(ISV)

but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few.From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.(NASB)

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.(KJV)

    We are so familiar with this passage of scripture at least a portion of it anyway. The first part of it simply says if we do something(unworthy,not right) and don't know it's not the right thing to do we will get off lightly. Now, here's the biggie...the more we are entrusted with the more will be required of us....But more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted...I meditated on this for awhile and I started thinking (yeah I am at that thinking thing again)...anyway I got this revelation...When we are given much (and I am not necessarily talking money) but talent, fame ,fortune education...whatever.... but when we realize we have much we should also take into account what comes along with having much...the requirement...what's demaned of us...not asked of but demanded of....how do we give if much has been given to us...first I guess we must take into account what the much is...or does it matter...Famous people are always giving (not sure if the giving is always because they have been given much or if the giving is to get more i.e publicity) The oddest thing gave me revelation on this scripture (death of a dear friend) but it made me realize what's meant by to whom much have been given..It doesn't say anything about if you are a superstar and have lots of money it says to whom...meaning anybody...but if you've got a demanded call on you ...you are given a lot because that is the prerequiste to what will be demanded and the kicker is you don't have a say so in how you meet the demand...once the requirement (you've been given much) is meet the demand follows...I almost want to say once you have fufilled your purpose(much have been given to you) the only thing left in your life is what's demanded (more is being asked of you) and I believe now that that more is a unique special gift that only you can give...I don't believe it has anything to do with the material but the demand is intangible...Start paying more attention to your life and evaluate if you have been one of the fortunate to whom much has been and entrusted and remember even more will be demanded...2 fingers peace out

April Is Autism Awareness Month

My name is Alexis....April is Autism Awareness Month...Me and my mommy will be participating in the annual autism walk, Saturday April 25th...We would greatly appreciate your support.....Thanks in advance...

Saying Something...or Saying Nothing

"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." Plato

I am the the person in the crowd who likes to stand back and listen to who is saying what...When you listen to what a person is saying and keeps taking the conversation back to the same topic that's what dominates their life....A person who wants to impress is usually talking about where they've been, who they know and what some one elese doesn't know..Which brings us to today's quote...A wise person speaks not to impress but to enlighten, a fool speaks to embellish himself or herself...don't quote me I know there are exceptions to every rule....Try standing back at the next gathering and see who is saying what...Embellishment and enlightment can easily be determined...The person who says I, I, I, me, me, me put a pin in it...If you want to learn something about a person shhhh and listen to what they are saying.....That's why I keep my mouth shut...I say what I need to say and let it go....Ask me a question I'll answer...But I don't usually talk unless I am being talked to or if I am nervous....So to all of my sisters here's one for you (unless it is a private setting with just you and your girls) at the next party don't keep talking about designer bags, expensive cars and things like that because guys will call us gold diggers...Guys you do it too I don't care how many cars you drive and you only wear designer shirts and you own how many pairs of Jordans?... Guard your thoughts and tame your tongue...The things we say can make or break us...I know you've heard that a million times....But it's true, words can come back to bite you or brighten you...For a person who doesn't talk alot I sure have said a lot.....OK until next time....

OMG...Now I See

I haven't blogged for awhile now...after sitting down and carefully reading my very own words I thought how much of me showed in what I wrote. I've always been a very guarded person when it comes to my feelings or my thoughts...no one can say I wear my heart on my shoulder for sure...but then I thought how freeing it is to write and read your own words... I experienced an epiphany...I have tried for years to keep a journal but I couldn't or wouldn't keep it at least for a long period of time anyway... I suddenly realized why ...because I was afraid of sharing my feelings (even on paper) or facing those feelings...Now the question is what was I afraid of or why was I afraid?...Maybe of being judged or maybe by sharing what I thought or feel in some way it meant an invasion of my "personal space"...what's in the head is in the heart....That means if some one reads what I write they know who I really am and after much consideration and trepidation I concluded that is not such a bad thing...(it takes me back to "Say what you mean, mean what you say."...."Those who mind, dont' matter. Those who matter, don't mind"...I love that quote I  believe it was Walt Disney who said that....You know I'm real and I don't say (write) something just for the sake of doing so but it is to make a difference in some one's day day, lift your spirit, make you smile even laugh, give you hope let you know that you are not alone....So now that I've faced that I can move on with this journey that I've started...By the way I am keeping a journal, again...this time I plan to keep it up...At the end of the day or evening it is a good way to unwind and relax....Jan, I'm back at it....(smile)

New Year, New Start, New You

It's a new year and I have decided to use the new year for a new start in some areas of my life and refreshen others.... I have decided that the only way to be the best me is to first allow time for me...Me time is a priority on my list....I have recommited myself to my meditation time...During this time it's just me and the Lord, I talk, I listen and I just let stillness and quietness consume my mind and body...This gives me strength for the day....I recommend early morning  for those of us who have busy lives.....It sets the tone for the day...I'm sure you're thinking this is selfish....self first...We can only perform at our highest level for those we serve or care for or work for only if the mind is well...."And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
When we renew the mind we can hear the directions and instructions of God....we open ourselves "up" so He can pour into us. I hope you understand why I call it me time now...you see I am nothing without Him and  the only way to be in His presence is to make time to be with Him when not distracted with the concerns of the day.....So I start my dy with Him so whatever I am faced with during the day He is right there to "order my steps".... Gift yourself a new you with a new start by renewing the mind.

PURGING FOR PEACE

"If you want things to be different, perhaps the answer is to become different yourself."  Norman Vincent Peale

Slowly the year 2008 is creeping  to an end.... do something for yourself. ...Now is a good time to take inventory of your life, yourself..... Look around and inside yourself and see what is of no use to you, what is it that's in your way (old clothes, shoes, pictures, people)...I did some house cleaning this year(maybe a little longer than a year) but anyway I am finally rid of somethings (a lot of it was purely insecurity).... I had held on to stuff for so long until I felt that if  I tossed it out I would  toss out a piece of myself...It was just the opposite...By letting go of the old I discovered the new...Simple things that bring me joy....I am doing things that are purely for my enjoyment...It's okay to put self first (sometimes)....We can not enjoy life if we are not living life....This kind of goes back to an earlier entry where I talked about just being...Not being a mother, a sister or whatever but just being...I discovered by just being it helped me to get to know me...Don't  be fooled I love being a mom or whatever but knowing what's on the inside of me has made a world of difference...It has opened new doors.....It's made me a better me ...a happier me... Time is winding down there are only a few days left in '08 and now is as good a time as any to discover a new more exciting, happier you that is if you are feeling as if the world is passing you by....My final inventory tally was peace, joy and happiness...Be blessed and be a blessing to someone.