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Good Deeds at the Feast, 2005
My name is Patricia Garland. I am 46 years old and
I'm in a wheelchair. This is about my 2005 Feast of Tabernacles at Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina.
My Mom isn't able to handle my wheelchair a
whole lot. But at the Feast I had some angels. Until we could make
arrangements to park where services were held, John Proffitt came to our
motel room to push me to services everyday. Joyce Plique took me to Bible
study one night. Margie Proffitt, John's wife, and Joyce came and got me at
6:30 one morning and took me to the beach to see the sunrise. The Myrtle
Beach police department gave me a beach going wheelchair and Rich, Ruby and
Brian Plique took me to the beach.
Like I said, I had an abundance of angels that
helped make my Feast perfect.
Trish Garland
What Is a Friend?
By I.B.
Are you one? Do you have one?
If so then …….
Today is a day to celebrate - rain drops, rainbows, laughter and magic; and
best of all - memories. Friendship is so many things. It’s feeling
completely natural with one another, forgetting all pretense-just being
yourself - sharing both big and little things joy and sorrow, laughter and
tears. It’s counting on each other to understand your moods, put up,, and be
patient, with your failings - to be there when needed most with a word of
encouragement, a smile, a look, a touch to let you know they care. God
personifies these attributes in Ps. 145:8-9, “The LORD is
gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The
LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” And
in II Ch. 30:9, “For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren
and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive,
so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is
gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye
return unto him.”
There’s a place in our heats where we keep our favorite memories - the ones
that never fail to make us smile when life becomes too hectic it’s such a
special feeling to just close our eyes and thinking of our brothers and
sisters in Christ who have added to our joyful and love filled moments we
have shared over the years. These memories of friends are the dearest of
all. Just to know that they will go to God in prayers for us. He has given
us laws for our benefit which are to be obeyed. Deut. 4:2, “Ye
shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which
I command you.” These laws are important to Him; and are not for us to
pick and choose which ones we will obey. We must remember that He knows what
is best for us.
He does not change His plans for us – the rewards nor the punishments.
Mal 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob
are not consumed.” He symbolizes what a real friend is. Prov. 17:17,
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
If we want friends we must show ourselves friendly. Prov. 18:24,
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend
that sticketh closer than a brother.”
So, if we’re to be God’s friend, and He ours, we must let Him know that we
want to be his friend by being obedient to all His laws and not just the
ones we want. He’s a kind, loving, patient, forgiving friend who will never
forsake us; and wants us to be happy and enjoy life to the fullest – secure
in the knowledge that He is our friend. III John 1: 2-4, “Beloved,
I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as
thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and
testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I
have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” That
He watches over us and supplies all our needs. Phil 4:19, “But my
God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.” And Deut. 31:8, “And the LORD, he it is that doth go
before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake
thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
Do you have a friend? Are you a friend? Most importantly – Are you God’s
friend?
May your day be blessed and touched by our God – our friend – in special
ways.
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