Comforting Relatonionships
the Italian word for influence is influenza. The word influenza was introduced into English in the mid-1700s, apparently coming from the Italian phrase which attributed the origin of this malady to an influenza di freddo (influence of the cold).
We are, by our very natures, very contagious people—our example tends to spread to others as easily as the flu. Everyone exerts influence.*
A farmer, troubled by a flock of crows in his corn field, loaded his shotgun and crawled unseen along the fence-row, determined to get a shot at the crows. Now the farmer had a very “sociable” parrot who made friends with everybody. Seeing the flock of crows, the parrot flew over and joined them (just being sociable, you know). The farmer saw the crows but didn’t see the parrot. He took careful aim and BANG! The farmer crawled over the fence to pick up the fallen crows, and lo, there was his parrot—badly ruffled, with a broken wing, but still alive. Tenderly, the farmer carried the parrot home, where his children met him. Seeing that their pet was injured, they tearfully asked, “What happened, Papa.” Before he could answer, the parrot spoke up: “Bad company!”
A new homeowner’s riding lawn mower had broken down, and he had been working fruitlessly for two hours trying to get it back together. Suddenly, one of his neighbors appeared with a handful of tools. “Can I give some help?” he asked. In twenty minutes he had the mower functioning beautifully.
“Thanks a million,” the now-happy newcomer said. “And say, what do you make with such fine tools?”
“Mostly friends,” the neighbor smiled. “I’m available any time.
From Pain to Joy in Repentance
I. That sorrow, even for sin, may be overmuch.
II. That overmuch sorrow swalloweth one up.
III. Therefore it must be resisted and assuaged by necessary comfort, both by others, and by ourselves.
From Punishment to Praise in Fellowship
From Death to Life in Christ
The verb θριαμβεύω is from the noun θρίαμβος, which was a hymn sung to Dionysus (Bacchus) during festal processions, a title of Dionysus, and also a rendering of the Latin term triumphus.14 Linguistically θριαμβεύειν corresponds to the Latin verb triumphare, “to celebrate a triumph” (intransitive) or “to lead in triumph” (transitive). The Roman triumph was a victory procession celebrated by Roman generals on their return to Rome after a successful foreign campaign, although during the empire the privilege of celebrating a triumph became the prerogative of the emperor
The triumphal procession was one of the greatest displays of Roman grandeur. After conquering an enemy, the victorious general, adorned in a purple toga, rode into Rome in a chariot drawn by four horses (or elephants). The procession behind him included his army and the spoils of war—plunder and prisoners. The procession culminated with a sacrifice to Jupiter, the chief god of the Roman pantheon, and the execution of the prisoners who had been “led in triumph” (Witherington 1995, 367–68).
Although the procession focused on the triumphant general, Hafemann (1990, 30) notes that “the procession itself, as a whole was intended to be an act of worship to the god who had granted the victory.” The extensive festivities associated with the procession were a way to offer thanksgiving to Jupiter for granting Rome victory (Hubbard 2002, 206).
Christ is the rose, the gospel is the savor of the rose.
When God sends a messenger that faithfully preaches the gospel among a people, it will be effectual either for the great good or great hurt of every one that hears it.
What are your relationships doing to you?
What are you doing with your relationships?
The most important relationship is the relationship we have with Christ.
But God hath an awakening day for all, and he will make the most senseless soul to feel, by grace or punishment.