Divine Definitions: (1) Showing loving interest and amiable goodwill; congenial; (2) Always ready to comfort, help, and be supportive; loyal; (3) The Person who knows you completely and is intensely fond of you; amicable; (4) The Person who is considerate of your every want and need; (5) Willing and able to take you into His heart; endearing; inviting; hospitable
Comments:
• God is the friend of each and every individual. Friends do not like to see friends hurting themselves or other friends, therefore God is the ultimate promoter of peace. If there is a conflict, He will let each individual know what is the best right action.
• God is not only a judge. He is also a companion. If you do not recognize Him, look at your human and animal friends. All good-natured compatibility is shared and enjoyed by the creator of relationships.
• We normally take God very seriously. That does not change the fact that He has the best sense of humor in the universe. He knows all the incongruous situations we put ourselves into. His empathy for our difficulties is not diminished. We will be able to best surpass ourselves when we get to the point where we do not take ourselves so seriously.
The cynic says the universe is just a big joke. But God does not laugh at us; He laughs with us. He is the embodiment of compassion. It is we who make mistakes and treat each other foolishly. Humor is the general anesthesia for being born human. Humor clarifies the facts and purifies the truth.
FRIENDSHIP
Human Definitions: (1) showing kindly interest and good will; amicable; (2) comforting or supportive of others needs and wants; helpful; (3) attached to another by affection or esteem; a favored companion; (4) disposed to peace; ; amity; (5) cheerful; (6) entente <friendly understanding between factions>
Synonyms: a buddy, conciliatory, hospitable, playmate, propitious, sympathetic
Complementary Qualities: communication, forgiveness, respect, sharing, silliness, tolerance
Consequential Quality: love
Proverbs:
• A man who would have friends must show himself friendly. — Jewish
• True friendship is like sound health, the value of which is seldom known until it is lost. — Chinese
Quotes:
• No man is a failure who has friends. — No man is a failure who has friends. — Philip Van Doren Stern (1900–1984) American writer, editor, & historian, His story “The Greatest Gift”{1943} inspired the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life {1946}
• To find a friend one must close one eye – to keep a friend, two. — George Norman Douglas (1868-1952) British writer
• Become interested in your fellows; learn how to love them and watch for the opportunity to do something for them which you are sure they want done. — Jesus of Nazareth (7 BC-30 AD) The Urantia Book (130:7.2) {1955}
• So long as we love, we serve. So long as we are loved by others, I would almost say, we are indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a friend. — Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish novelist
Comment: True friendship is a gift of sublime self-forgetfulness. Being overly focused on oneself will drain your energy. But if you focus on your task or your loved one, you will have more energy and motivation to persist.
Symbols: 1) shaking hands; 2) petunia flowers; 3) crossed arrows (Native American)
Legendary Figures: 1) Damon and Pythias. Pythias was condemned to death but was allowed to return home to finalize his affairs. Damon took his place on the chopping block, but Pythias returned in the nick of time to save him from execution. In reward for this show of friendship, they were both set free. 2) Nisus and Euryalus. Nisus died valiantly attempting to save his best friend Euryalus. — Virgil (70 BC-19 AD) The Aeneid {19 AD}