may I add this too:
i was studying the Word and this came up:
Psalms 73
(please bear in mind that i do not mean to put your friends in this list at all! I know they are precious to you, and you can use this to help yourself and them)
1. Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold. (like many of us)
3.For I envied the arrogant when I saw the
prosperity of the wicked. (your friends? again, i am no saying they are wicked, but are away from God's Will)
4.They have no struggies;
Their bodes are healthy and strong.
5.They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6.Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7.From their callous hearts comes inquity;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
8.They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9.Their mouths lay claim to haven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10.Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
11.They say, "How can God know?"
Des the Most High have knowledge?"
12.This is what the wicked are like-(non-followers??)
always carefree, they increase in wealth,
13.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hand in innocence
14.
All day lon gI have been plagued;
I have been puniched every morning.
15.If I had said. "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.
16.When I tried to understand all this,
I was oppressive to me
17.till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood
their final destiny.
18.Surely you place them on slippery ground;
You cast them down to ruin.
19.How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
20.As a dream when one awakes, so
when You raise, O Lord, You will
despise them as fantiasies.
21.When my heart was grieved and my
spirit embittered,
22.I was senseless and ignotant; I was a
brute beast before you.
23.
Yet I am always with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24.You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward You will take me into
glory.
25.Whom have I in heaven but You?
and earth has nothing I
want (might read once again Ellie's post #4)
besides You.
26.My flesh and my heart may fail, but
God is the strength of my heart and my portion
forever.
27.Those who are far from You will perish (reach for your friends!
)
28.
But as for me, it is good to be near God
I have made the Sovereing Lord my refuge;
I wil tell of all your deeds. (reach for your friends!)
There's many more psalms you can look for, but this one, really reminded me of you.
God Loves You!! no matter what!!
