Friendliness Exemplified
Dennis Gulledge, Mablevale, AR

A recent trip to a McDonald's restaurant was a pleasant experience for me. It is not the food of which I speak. I am rarely moved one way or the other on that count. It was an older gentleman, an employee, whose job it apparently was to greet and service customers, who gave my day a good start. I had to took up from my magazine and coffee and just watch him, a master at the craft of friendliness.

The old gentleman was apparently "in his element." He moved about the room graciously and provided a wide range -of services. He greeted customers as they entered the door. He- spoke to everybody with a friendly, "How are you, this morning?" He went around warming up people's coffee. He gassed up balloons for the children, and even some adults. He wiped off food trays and straightened up all around. The man enjoyed what he was doing, and I enjoyed watching him. It felt good to be there. It was a welcomed sight in a cold and crazy world. I was transfixed for a few minutes of watching friendliness in action. I hope that McDonald's pays him well, but even if they don't, I have an idea that he is well rewarded.

It served to remind me that Christians have the best reasons in the world to exemplify friendliness. Here are two of those reasons, as I see them.

First, we have the inspired Old Testament reminding us that "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Others have reflected the first clause of this verse in their own words: "Let no man think he is loved by any man when he loved no man" - Epictetus; "the only way to have a friend is to be one" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. Nobody said it better than Solomon did. If you have trouble making friends you might ask yourself, "Am I being friendly?" Actions, not just words, are the true criterion of friendship.

No congregation of the Lord's people should ever be marked as unfriendly." All of us have visited at places where people have left that very impression upon us. It is never pleasant, and we never forget it. Neither is it excusable. Every church of Christ should leave its mark on the side of friendliness exemplified. Every visitor should be greeted warmly and showered with attention, not in some artificial way, but sincerely.

The second reason we have for exemplifying friendliness is that we have Jesus as our friend - a friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19). Although spoken in derision, the statement is a characterization that is true. Matthew Henry wrote, "It was true in some sense, that Christ was a Friend to publicans and sinners, the best Friend they ever had, for he came into the world to save sinners, great sinners, even the chief ... " (Luke 19: 10; 1 Timothy 1: 15). Indeed, if we would walk in the Master's footsteps, we will exhibit that same friendliness to all. Friendliness does not equate with weakness and compromise of truth - Friends, not enemies, tell the truth (Galatians 4:16).

Ladies' Devo Luncheon
The monthly Ladies Devotional/ Luncheons will resume beginning Monday, Sept. 10^th. The group will meet in the annex at 11:30am and the topic for discussion will be Galatians 6:1,2. All ladies are encouraged to attend. Bring your list of sick and shut-ins so visitations to carry food can be made after the luncheon.

Bible Bowl Lock-In
Bible Bowl participants should be prepared to stay after evening services tonight for a preparation session for the Bible Bowl event scheduled for this coming Saturday, Sept. 8^th. See Matt Faneuf for details.

Children's Class
The scheduled teacher for this evening's Children's class at 5:40, is Greg Littleton.

Change Your Directory
The Patnaudes have moved. Please make the following address change:

PATNAUDE, Clayton & Annie ***-****
**** ********** *** - Lakeland, FL *****

The blessings that come into our life are often taken for granted. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which you are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Col 3:15)

Upcoming Events

Bible Bowl 2001
Sat. - September 8
Pinellas Park church of Christ

Third Sunday Singing
Sun. September 16
N. Jackson Ave., Bartow