We’re Talking!

That’s ‘our’ table in Armend's, second from far right. Empee and I meet there at least once a quarter just to chat.  I’ve written about her before, and Tuesday we were able to meet there for lunch.  If you’re ever in Southlake, Texas, I suggest you eat there, too.

Yes, we go for their good food – but the service!! Even though we’re in there no more than five times a year, they know what we order (yes, our drinks and the garlic cheese bread don’t change, and usually it is the meat tortelli with aurora sauce, even if it’s not a Tuesday!)

Better than the food, though, is Christian fellowship. We differ in many ways yet we mesh -- I'm her mother's age, she's younger than my youngest daughter. We both held the same job, for a while, she moved up while I stayed on.  We were both raised Baptist, but that’s a huge umbrella and we fall into differing sub-categories.  As adults we’re both in sub-categories that differ from our childhood.

I thought about that and yesterday’s post. What a tendency people have to apply labels, to ourselves and others.  Still others apply labels to us whether we like them or not.  Often the same word used to label us is a pejorative to one on the opposite end of the spectrum.  Doesn't mean the same thing, either.

I like the label Christian, and I hope a lot of people apply it to me. It’s earned when people see that one is a follower of Jesus, the Messiah. Barnabas and Paul were in Antioch, preaching for a whole year, then it was written:

And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26b KJV)

Because we’re each unique individuals, there could be a multiplicity of sub-categories and we’d still find ways of splitting us. Perhaps those of us who follow Jesus’ teaching should be called Ones:

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV)

There is but one heaven, and those who believe that only their sub-category will have mansions there haven’t paid attention to His word. Might do well to spend some time studying, researching, praying and most of all – listening.

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. (Jeremiah 22:29 KJV)

That word tells us there is but one LORD.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV)

That’s the same LORD God Jesus described to Nicodemus:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

If you have it, what a blessing!  If you don’t, just believe. We’ll be happy to have you join us in Jesus’ invitation:

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. (John 21:12a KJV)