Category Archives: 10-Week Book Review Series

Inspirational book reviews related to God, family/home, and friendships

Friendspiration: Friendship Quotes

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While doing some research on friendship, I came across a number of quotes that described friendship and decided to share them at this time.

The following quotes are from a book entitled, “Thank Heaven for Coffee and other little pleasures.”

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand.” –Mother Teresa

“The best mirror is an old friend.” –George Herbert

“I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul rememb’ring my good friends.”–William Shakespeare

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the King for his friend.” –Proverbs 22:11 (NIV)

“Friendship with oneself is all-important because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” –Henry Ford

“Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you–better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” –Proverbs 27:10 (NIV)

“I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don’t believe I deserved my friends.” –Walt Whitman

“Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never ties, and a touch that never hurts.” –Charles Dickens

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of the little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” –James Allen

“The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?” –Henry David Thoreau

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I l earned from my Father I have made know to you.” –John 15:15 (NIV)

“A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad.” –Arnold H. Glasgow

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” –Mother Teresa

From a friend who is “tried and true” to one who shows acts of kindness, herein lies the virtues of true friendship.

Dale Carnegie was quoted as saying, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” –Unknown

Let us all cultivate true friendship with others “for if we haven’t learned the true meaning of friendship, then you really haven’t learned anything.”–Muhammed Ali

Blessings,

Yvonne

Friendspiration: What Is A True Friend

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The definition of True Friendship, according to The Free Dictionary, is as follows:

  • The quality or condition of being friends
  • A friendly relationship
  • Friendliness; good will

According to Proverbs 18:24, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Friendship doesn’t need an invite. They can show up at your door with a caring, loving attitude to help us through a situation/circumstance that is going on in our lives without them realizing there is a need. A true friend:

  • Doesn’t unfriend you even if things get messy.
  • Believes and wants the best for you.
  • Accepts you for you.
  • Doesn’t abandon you.
  • Continues the friendship regardless of distance.
  • True friendship is love.

Just recently my husband and I visited with friends that we knew for approximately 20 years but we had not seen each other for the past five years. Yet, when we stopped by unexpectedly while visiting in the area, it was as if we had never lost touch. We discovered that they had their house on the market and would be moving out of state just as soon as their house sold. We reconnected during our time with them and will keep in touch even when they move away.

So it is with God’s love. He sticks closer than a brother and will never abandon us no matter what. We are a child of the King. Let us walk in love and become true friends who show love towards others.

Ephesians 4:2 says, “Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other.” This is the basis of true friendship.

May the Lord bless you as you rekindle lost friendships and discover new friends along the way.

Blessings,

Yvonne

Friendspiration: True Friendship

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A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

The Book of Proverbs is filled with verses pertaining to friendship and how it impacts our happiness and enjoyment with those who are around us each and every day.

At our local church, we have made it a practice to go out for lunch with our “lunch bunch” group almost every Sunday after the service. We have selected three different restaurants that we currently rotate to throughout the month and we welcome any one who would like to join us for lunch to do so. Sometimes we only have a small group of 5 and sometimes we will have a higher number who join us. For my husband and I, it has been a very rewarding and meaningful time; and the fellowship and friendships we enjoy each week have been such a blessing to our lives.

We have been able to talk about various topics from A-Z and no matter what our differences, we have grown to love and respect each other’s opinions and insights.

At this time, I have decided to do a post or two–or three–on what it means to be a true friend and to see what the Bible teaches us about this particular topic. Scripture verses will be from both the Old and New Testaments, as well as friendship quotes from other sources (individuals from the past/present) . My hope is that you will gain some additional knowledge or insight into God’s word as well.

Friendships can be with our spouses, family members, co-workers and those we grew up with but who live a greater distance away and friendships can also be rekindled as God brings us together through various circumstances that happen in our lives (i.e. graduations, weddings, reunions, deaths).

Let us be open to being a friend not only to those people we know but to individuals we meet that we don’t know as well. God will bless your life immensely!

Blessings,

Yvonne

Friendships Are Vital Relationships–Book Review

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In Dawn Camp’s recent book entitled “The Gift of Friendship”, friendship(s) is defined and explored through the various insights and perspectives of numerous women writers and advice is shared on how to be open to friendships that God brings our way (or we seek out) and what we should or should not do to keep these precious relationships.

Filled with words of advice and wisdom regarding the importance of friendships, the list of contributors share their own personal and inspirational stories which cover such topics as building friendships within our community; being a friend in order to make friends; how to pursue friendships; how and why we need to show hospitality; making friendships on purpose; what we can learn about friendships from our family; being vulnerable in relationships; making a difference in another person’s life; and re-connecting with old friends.

If you are desiring to develop truly vital relationships with others in your community and beyond or want to re-kindle older friendships–those who have perhaps moved to another city or across town–or if you are feeling lonely and just want to develop closer relationships with your friends, then this book will inspire you to reach out and connect with those whom God brings across your path and to re-connect with someone you have lost contact with.

I would encourage you to read this thought-provoking book on the “gift of friendship” which can be purchased through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other book stores and/or distributors.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Book Review: “Girl Meets Change” by Kristen Strong

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Life happens and along with it, changes in our lives inevitably occur.

In Kristen Strong’s book, “Girl Meets Change”, she notes that although changes transpire throughout our lives–whether expected or unexpected–we can go through each one with God in control of the outcome. We just need to believe that whatever happens, God will see us through it.

Filled with personal stories of God’s faithfulness during turmoil and challenging situations that occurred in her own life, the author encourages all of us on how to embrace change and to try and see God’s purpose in everything that happens.

If there is a change or changes coming your way, I would encourage you to read Kristen Strong’s book and seek God’s guidance to help you through whatever life throws your way.

Blessings,
Yvonne