The Food of Friendship

Giving that which they have been freely given- food and smiles!

 

On December 5, 2007, a friend of mine gifted me with the book: "AS A MAN THINKETH" by James Allen. I have read this book many times over and I would strongly suggest, for your own character growth, that you read it too! My friend Trey Randle exemplifies the character of a true and real friend. One of the highest compliments that we could bestow upon somebody is calling them "The Real Deal!" Trey, his wife Suzy and their son Simon are the real deals. They spend their lives being spent for other people. Having a meal with them is like someone feeding you the broken bread and poured out wine of Jesus. They are generous and compassionate in their display of loving God and loving their neighbor.

We serve hors d'oeuvres called love.

Here is the personalized inscription in the book, written by Trey:

 

12/5/07

 

Bob,

May God continue to guide you in your work and on your journey.

 

"Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set

Thanks Trey for helping me set my face upon a Stone.

my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph." 

Isaiah 50:7

 

"Trust, pray to be given the strength to accept what is in God's plan for us." 

Mother Teresa

In Jesus name I pray for you always my brother,

Love, Trey

College students receive food for thought.

I have shared this little book with countless numbers of students in elementary schools, high schools and colleges as well as youth groups in churches and on wilderness treks with Youth With A Purpose. A godly character is a cup overflowing with goodness and kindness, there can be no containment of such character. Gratitude for what they have been given is spread about as seeds of eternal life. Trey, Suzy and Simon are already in God's hall of faith. They inspire others to live lives of generosity through faith. This small family is leading multitudes on a journey called: "The Way, the Truth and the Life." 

 

Today's Wise Saying is from Proverbs 23:6-8 

 

Proverbs 23:6-8

New International Version (NIV)

Saying 9

⁶ Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,

    do not crave his delicacies;

⁷ for he is the kind of person

    who is always thinking about the cost.^[a]

“Eat and drink,” he says to you,

    but his heart is not with you.

⁸ You will vomit up the little you have eaten

    and will have wasted your compliments.

Proverbs 23:6-8

The Message (MSG)

^6-8 Don’t accept a meal from a tightwad;

    don’t expect anything special.

He’ll be as stingy with you as he is with himself;

    he’ll say, “Eat! Drink!” but won’t mean a word of it.

His miserly serving will turn your stomach

    when you realize the meal’s a sham.

Proverbs 23:6-8

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁶ Eat not the bread of him who has a hard, grudging, and envious eye, neither desire his dainty foods;

⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].

⁸ The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up, and your complimentary words will be wasted.

Proverbs 23:6-8

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

⁷ For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

⁸ The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

 

I know what it's like to spend time with somebody who only wants a relationship with you to benefit their own life circumstances. They could not care to be around you otherwise. People who manipulate others for personal gain are stingy people. Spending time with a manipulator leaves one with a queasy stomach.

Here are some aphorisms that came to my mind after reading today's Wise Saying:

 

A miserable soul is distasteful food.
A tightwad and his money soon choke on each other.   
Character is not built by chance. 
Our lives should be meals of encouragement for others.
You never exhaust the giving of God.
 Fill your mind with good things and your heart will hand them out.

How do you build your character?

Do you teach good character by your actions?

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.

Jesus loves you and so do we.