Friday, April 12, 2013

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Relationship


Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: relationship

What is the meaning of the word relationship?

What makes a relationship different than an acquaintance?

What does it mean to be in a relationship with God?

How can you nourish and enhance your relationship with God?


Let me know what you think!!


"You must worship no other gods, but only the LORD, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you." (Exodus 34:14)

"So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God -- all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God." (Romans 5:11)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

5 comments:

  1. I think what makes a relationship is how honest and caring you are to the other person. With the Lord - you have to be there and be with Him daily and with friends - you also need to work at it. Have a good weekend.

    Sandie

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  2. Blessings Sharon, I can't believe that I am your first comment.

    Anyways, much to ponder when it comes to this word and your great questions!

    However, per your most recent comments to me (many throughout our blog time together)... I am thankful for our relationship, which is more than an acquaintance, even though we have never met. Kinda like it is with God: Though I know Him through our prayer 'communication' and His Word (written) I have never met Him. The more time I spend with Him or share with Him, the closer we get. The more we(you and I) or hopefully God too... have in common the closer our relationship becomes and is based on commonalities that click. You and I since we met via blogs, have had that 'click'.

    Now I know I have not answered your questions but I have in a way told you what relationship is to me. A relationship is how we relate one to another. It builds over time. It strengthens, weakens and at times fades away... but it remains. An acquaintance
    is someone that you first meet and do not know very well, you may pass them by and say hi but it's surface talk, nothing in common that you know because you don't take the time to develop it. Maybe they don't strike you or seem to be of like nature. A relationship is "nourished" as I think one of your questions asked. It develops and grows it the quality of time, not always the quantity, but that certainly doesn't hurt. I have friends from childhood, high school and beyond, that even though we have lost touch or not been communicating as much, we remain as close as if we never parted when we get together again. All the old time memories and bonds draw us back to that relationship.

    Well, I just wanted to thank you for your prayers and our relationship because I know I can count on you to be honest and share from your heart. You share God so well and that makes me magnate to you! Thanks Sharon, my dear sister in Christ, for all we share and all we are yet to share in our blooming relationship!

    Love and hugs,
    Peggy
    GREAT WORD! I will ponder on the questions but I really like being first!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. correction, by the time I posted my comment I was second ... oh well.

      Delete
  3. Relationship is much more meanigful than just an aquaintance. You need to give your all in a relationship. I daily work on my relationship with God.

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  4. What is the meaning of the word relationship?

    I think it means two people who enter into a sort of communion - where they choose to share themselves in honesty and vulnerability. Relationship occurs when there is affection between the parties involved, when communication is held as a priority, and when time is spent together.

    What makes a relationship different than an acquaintance?

    A relationship is something that goes deeper, that involves feelings. An acquaintance is just someone you know. I think of it like this - you might just say "Hello" to an acquaintance, but you'd probably stop and talk for awhile, or schedule lunch with someone whom you had a relationship with!!

    What does it mean to be in a relationship with God?

    I think it means the same as being in a relationship with anyone else. Time, feelings, communication, honesty, vulnerability, etc. The difference is this - we only have the opportunity to be in relationship with God because of HIS love, and the gift of reconciliation through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.

    How can you nourish and enhance your relationship with God?

    In all the same ways that I might nourish any other relationship. I try to spend more time with God - and not just do all the talking! Relationship occurs when we LISTEN to the other person, too. I invest my heart in Him, and let my love for Him flourish.

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)