Loving Mandy

     My relationship with a girl I'll call Mandy has been an unusual one, to be sure. This pint-sized, loudmouth freshman is not the average type of person that I'm apt to befriend. Not to say that I would be unfriendly to her, but generally, our stereotypes do not associate. I, being religious and a model sophomore, m..ight scorn or at least avoid slackers such as her. She, being a slacker, might scorn me for not having any fun. But that's not the way our relationship has ended up.

Loneliness & Other Church Stuff

     Alone. So alone. In an empty or crowded room, indoors or out, even in our own minds, we sometimes feel desperately, utterly alone. We wonder, does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone understand? Does anyone even care? We can be present with our very best friends, and still feel as isolated as a lone human being on a deserted island.

     We human beings are social creatures. We are meant to exist within communities; ideally, the church is the primary community that we belong to. In the church, we can support one another in prayer, give godly guidance, and worship together, all of which form a greater bond than can be found in secular circles. Or at least, it should.

Awesome Promises

     Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)