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Levels of Friends

2010-03-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Saying the word friend is like saying the word callipygian. What does it really mean? I have friends that I never call. I have friends that never call me back. I have friends that I haven't seen in years. I have friends that I tell everything to. I have other friends that I never tell anything personal. I think there are various levels of friends.

Acquaintance Friends = Friends that you like but don't make the time to hang out with.
High Maintenance Friends = Friends that you are close to but you can only take them in doses.
Cyber Friends = Friends that either you stalk or they stalk you via Facebook, Blog, or Twitter. This is a person who is a friend according to the world wide web, but you don't have a relationship with outside of Cyberspace.
Frenemy also spelled Frienemy = Friends that talk poo behind your back. You still get along with them but they will throw you under the bus when it drives by.
Best Friends = Friends that you are closest too. This is probably a friend who is interested in things you are interested in because you are interested in them. These are my friends who ask about the Lakers when they don't give a rip about basketball. These are my friends who call just to say what's up. These are the friends that you can hang out with and not do anything. These are the friends who love you but aren't afraid to speak truth into your life.
Need You Friends = Friends that only call when they need you. We all have them and we are all that friend to someone.
Friends of friends = Friends that you are friends with because they are friends with one or more of your friends. You probably wouldn't hang out with them without your mutual friend but you like to hang with them when you do.
Out Of Site Friends = Friends that when you or they are out of site you don't think about them. These are probably friends that live far away. Whenever you get together with them you pick right back up, but when you are gone they don't call.
Work Friends = Friends that you have because you work with them. You hang out at office parties and have work in common. Most likely though this friend isn't someone you spend the weekend hanging out with.
Spouse Friends = If you are single this is something you get to look forward to. When you are married you get your spouses friends. You better get along with them because your spouse cares a lot about them.

I'm thankful for friends...no matter what level they are on I like having them.

Tyler Stanton has a book

2010-03-10T21:48:00.003-05:00

About a year ago I saw the following video by Tripp and Tyler.

It made me laugh, and that's not always easy to do. I like to laugh, but for some reason it takes a lot of work for someone to make me laugh out loud. After I saw the video I discovered their blogs. Very funny stuff.

This week Tyler released his first book. I haven't read it yet, but I plan on getting a copy soon. I'm predicting it's going to be funny. Here's a preview of the book. If you like it buy a copy here.

Everyday Absurdities Book Promo from Tyler Stanton on Vimeo.

Kick Them Out of the Church

2010-03-10T07:21:00.003-05:00

I recently had a conversation with a guy who wanted me to kick someone out of the church. He was justified in his request. He had been wronged. The sin committed was ugly.

I shared with him that even though he was justified (the Bible even talks about doing this) if we kicked her out we would have to kick him out as well. When it comes to kicking people out if you do it for one sin then you've got to do it for all. I'm just not ready to start kicking people out of the church. In fact if there is a any place "sinners" need to be it's at church.

I think it was an eye opening conversation.

Grace is getting what you don't deserve. I don't deserve God's forgiveness. I can't earn God's forgiveness. God demonstrated grace when He sent His son to die on a bloody cross for imperfect people. I deserve to be kicked out of the church, but God has shown me grace. When I remember grace it causes me to...

Forgive even when people don't deserve it
Show patience when people fall short
Be humble because even on my greatest day I still don't deserve God's grace
Reach out to those that are difficult to love
Resist the temptation to judge others
Not want to kick people out of church