"Best" friend?

Before I begin, I must make one off-topic comment, why is it that so many "creative" people do their best work at night?

Could it be that it simply takes us forever to wake up? I'm kidding, kidding!

I just think it's funny that things can seem so clear and alive and my imagination is best when it's too late and I know I'm going to have to wake up early the next day... Or in some cases "today", given the fact that it's well past midnight.

Is it also possible that when it's late you tend to ramble?, you ask...

Eh, well, I like to consider this writing with a sarcastic wit to it, I kinda like it myself!

But, enough is enough of that... Moving on!

Have you ever thought about the term "best friend"? I guess, in our culture context, it usually

Means favorite friend or closest friend..."best friend" hmmm

Maybe you have an X-best friend (I have a couple of those), or several people you call your bff's, just one who has known you for years, or maybe you don't have any and either you wish you did because you feel like you're supposed to, or you just don't care...

Either of a thousand ways, many people have/have had a "best friend".

What are they "best" at?

What classifies them as your "best"??

That precisely is what I am thinking about tonight.

You see, to a lot of people I have been a friend in some capacity, some people return the favor and some do not.

But I can and YOU can be the "best friend" of anyone we meet...

We can be the "best" listener

-it could be someone in front of you in the checkout line whom you've known a total of 4 minutes

OR

- it could be your spouse who you've been listening to for 15 years.

We can be the best host/hostess, advice giver, pair or eyes, trustworthy confidant etc, you get the idea?

There's a ton of different "bests" and we can be those things to people everywhere anytime.

Even if you're without our common definition of a "best friend" for yourself, you can be THE best friend!

Do you get it?

And basically, being the "best" is doing something where you put other people first, and selfless people make the best of friends!

It's easy to get burned in relationships.

Relationships are hard, friend, roommate. Parent, neighbor, co-worker, they all present you with situations you'd never face if you only had to communicate with yourself!

But, there is a satisfaction that makes it worth-it in finding a connection with those around you, finding a community, people that care...

Some people seem to think they are your friend, but if you're really honest, you know all about them, but they only seem to take 50% interest in you...

Are you the giver or taker in the relationship?

If there is a good solid share of both, you are on the right track.

But anyway, the point I am making is this- I want to be worthy of being a true "best friend", not only someone who fits in or is fun to be around , so I'm going to start now, just with the people around me,

And I'm not going to base my actions off of how others treat me, because people don't listen; they dont keep their word!

But either I act out of bitterness towards those who act wrongly, or I do the right thing and LOVE people.

I like that idea. Will you join me?

DESIGN

This is just the coolest thing

kind of a side blog - different from my usual themes :-)

but, seriously, this makes me want to smile so stinkin' big: I am in art school!!! WOW! Like, this is so ME! haha, I LOVE IT!

In our first chapter of our DESIGN book, it talks about what DESIGN is... how it is something planned and mapped out, it takes PURPOSE & INTELLIGENCE.

Again, I thought, "Hello, proof #1 of creation! AND an intelligent and purposeful creator!"

NO ONE would believe that a building just evolved or a huge glob of paint thrown onto a canvas made an amazing reflection of a sunset.

God is a master builder, master designer, engineer... all that stuff!

We get to design on a small scale, when compared to the grandeur and intricacy of what The Creator has done!

Secondly, no one of us can create from nothing...

Only He can do that - that is stunning, brilliant, sweet - pick your favorite adjective to punctuate that thought!

A-wesome!

Do SOMETHING Now

I started off this year by attending the Passion conference here in Atlanta.

(If you haven't heard about it-just go and thank me later;-))

One of my favorite parts is an area called DO SOMETHING NOW. It's filled with interactive exhibits of global causes represented. We give small amounts towards a huge goal to fund a huge need. TOGETHER WE BECOME A FORCE FOR GOOD!

It's amazing.

Anyway, this year, I gave to IJM (International Justice Mission) they go undercover into the brothels and rescue women and children. Everyone who gave had their picture taken and it was hung on this wall. Here is mine:

This photo is being used in my school's photo of the week. I was asked what made me give to this specific cause and it really got me thinking... here's what I wrote and I wanted to share it:

"When I entered the Do Something Now center at Passion2011, I was immediately drawn to the human trafficking area.

I knew I was going to give to the cause before I even walked through the exhibit area.

I believe the free people of the world have an obligation to help those who are bound and not turn away and choose ignorance.

All of us got together (Passion2011) because of Jesus Christ. His mission was to "proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners". By being apart of rescuing those in chains, I am making that my mission as well.

Giving to support a rescue mission for human trafficking victims in the Phillipines is the least I can do.

I gave because I want to be apart of something bigger than myself.

Every minute two more children are sold into slavery...

There are more slaves on our planet today than ever before in history.

That is a number so big, it seems impossible to change.

BUT, if together we can rescue even one... even one girl, we will change her entire universe...

to help go to IJM.org"

As I said before, Do Something Now's idea (slogan, if you want to label it that) is

"Together we are a force for good"

and literally, by the end of our days together, you could totally see how that is true.

It's NOT just a catch-phrase or slogan, even tho it sounds just nice. IT'S NOT, it really is true and it can be a REALITY!

That's an exciting idea and an exciting thing to be apart of!

don't count THEM out!

Let us not forget that the man (Saul/Paul) who became one of the strongest champions of The Name, was before an instigator of violence against it's followers.

Even the most vile, angry haters can radically change and be used to do amazing things.

Don't count God out.

Don't count yourself out.

and Don't count THEM out...

"them" being whoever is doubting, whoever is sneering, whoever is scoffing around you...

Serve ME!

The world is shouting,

"Serve ME! Serve ME! Serve ME!",

under the guise of,

"Serve yourSELF! Serve yourSELF, Serve youSELF!"

But, Jesus is saying,

"Serve Me! Serve Me! SERVE ME! Because, I AM worth it.

Because, I have Loved you. I have SERVED you, because you're WORTH it!"

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matt 6:24

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matt 10:39 NIV