Chinese – English
The concept and definition of friendship the world has pales in comparison to what the Lord calls it. In fact, there is only contrast and no comparison. Friendship in the world means to receive, to have those who are an advantage. It is a self-centered thing. “I have a lot of friends.” And those friends are there to receive too. True friendship lays down the life in wisdom and understanding. True friendship is founded on truth, justice, righteousness (right doing and being). It is more interested in giving than receiving. More, I say, because there needs to be both.
The only good friend is a dead one, dead to self and to the world, but alive unto God, our One True Friend.
Friend, where will you be when I fall?
Can you tell what you have?
Do you know who I am?
Take your hand and reach down deep within yourself,
As deep as you can go.
See what you come up with.
Do you know why I am here?
Have you known the price?
Have you known there is a price?
Have you known that the price quite consumes the goods?
There is no time to muse and play;
Death and life are as night and day.
Choose to live and you cannot die
But choose to die and you will live;
There is no life but in death.
There is no friend but one who knows
The price of life.
Can I introduce you to the Friend?
Are you able to come to where He is?
Which do you choose, to stay or come?
We are ready to receive;
Are you ready to be received?
When the fire falls next week,
Where will you be?
The lines are drawn in everything,
In simple things, leading to the greater.
Where does the line fall with you?
It cannot fall on you;
It must be on the one side or the other.
There is no time to muse and play;
Death and life are as night and day.
Choose to live and you must die
To be a friend indeed.
Lethbridge, Sept. 11, 1984