It’s always interesting to see what God puts on my mind when I sit down to write my weekly email.
This week I’ve been reminded of the importance of three relationships in one’s life.

FAITH, FAMILY & FRIENDS

These reminders occur for various reasons but this week was due to attending a memorial service for a Christian friend from a previous church we attended.

Some of you may know Roberta Piecnik from Lake Cowichan.

This morning a neighbour was taken away by ambulance, seeming to be quite sick.

These events remind us of the frailties of life and the whisper of time we have on this earth.

With those thoughts in mind let me outline why the three “F’s” are so important.

FAITH:

So how is your faith doing? Is it strong? Or is it faltering? How do we keep our faith at its best?

Three ways! I believe!

• Bible reading
• Prayer
• Assembling ourselves together for worship

Here again a verse of scripture from Hebrews says it all.

So our Faith is the cornerstone and foundation of our time on earth and our relationships of all kinds.

That faith is the backbone of our joy and strength on earth. Strength in knowing our future is secure in heaven with our Saviour.

FAMILY:

Our Bible presents family as a foundational institution established by God.

Ephesians 5:25 & Colossians 3:13commands family members to love, bear with one another and, and forgive just as Christ forgave.

Our Family should also include our spiritual family. Jesus included His spiritual family creating a global bond of believers.

Sadly we see families under attack today from many sides. Materialism, ambition, relational and on it goes.

Even governments are approving things that are a direct attack on the family as a solid unit.

As Christians we are obliged to do everything possible to maintain our families both blood relatives and spiritual relatives.

• Pray for one another.
• Love one another, (in spite of our faults).
• Care for one another.
• Spend time together to strengthen those family bonds.

FRIENDS:

Our Bible views friendship as a sacred, intentional bond based on loyalty, mutual upbuilding and sacrificial love.

The scripture is filled with references to the value of friends.

I have heard some say “I really enjoy my own company” I’m not sure that’s entirely true but yet some seem to feel that way.

Personally I appreciate the joy of spending time with others.

First of all in prayer with our Savior, meeting with fellow Christians,
as well as being in contact with, and spending time with, family, and friends.

I have a couple of male friends. One is a born again Christian which I’m able to get together with often.

We share things that we probably wouldn’t with most but our friendship is such that we’re comfortable doing so.

My other good friend, among many, is a friend through my love of all things railroad.

However, his friendship is limited to our secular mutual interests. Although I take every opportunity to share the Gospel with him.

So we see how important these three relationships are.

• Our Faith keeps us on track foundationally,
• Our family is our support structure.
• Our friends keep us going through thick and thin.
• I trust that all three, in that order, combine to give you the joy of life that Christ would have for us.

No matter what’s happening, it depends on these three relationships to make life worthwhile for the short time on earth while we look forward to eternity with Jesus our Savior.

I know I’ve touched on this before but I believe my reminder came from God making it valuable.

May God richly bless each of you. Through the hard times and the good times. Lean on your Savior, your family and your friends. Your strength will be renewed.