we see Jesus choosing three close friends for one of the highlight moments of his life. And it’s not just about connecting with Moses and Elijah - also part of Jesus’s chosen family - but about connecting with the Trinity!

Jesus had chosen family. He aligned himself so closely with people that he considered them family and called them such

And yet, Onesiphorus came through for Paul in his time of need. He demonstrated faithfulness and sacrifice. And he showed up. Some people say that showing up is 90% of friendship.

900 years ago a fourteen year old boy named Aelred went off to become a monk in Yorkshire, England. He was known for having and making good friends. Later in life he would become an author and a leader in his monastery.

As we all know, good friends give good advice. Typically not too much of it!

Regardless of what form it takes, it is often the component of challenge that shifts an acquaintanceship to a friendship.

One of the key attributes of friendships is just showing up. A friend is one who “sticks close” according to this verse in Proverbs. This isn’t the only way to think about a friendship, but it’s certainly an important one.

It may be helpful to think about intentionally making friends instead of just letting friendship happen.

These thoughts come from a wise old pastor who recently passed away. He shares two key thoughts on what it means to mentor well. His advice is relevant not just for mentoring relationships.

In Paul’s remarkable speech in front of the philosophers in the center of Athens, he makes that claim that “God is not far from any one of us“ (Acts 17:27).

In the very same book where Paul highlights two of TImothy’s key mentors (his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois), it’s also quite obvious that Paul himself was one of Timothy’s mentors. It’s crucial to have more than one mentor.

One of the roles of mentors is to give a fresh perspective with directness and encouragement.

Timothy was mentored by the Apostle Paul. But Paul is smart enough to know that Timothy’s mentoring didn’t start with him. It started with his mother and his grandmother - women of deep faith who trained Timothy up in a way of life that oriented towards God.

Ultimately the book of Revelation paints a picture of the renewal of all things - where Jesus gets his Bride (which is you, amongst others!) and she is beautiful. She’s fully herself - just the way she was meant to be.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. - Revelation 7:9

The book of Revelation has dragons, beasts, swarms of locusts, and angels wiping out entire nations. It’s like a science fiction book on steroids.

One of the keys to unlocking the book of Revelation is asking the power question.

Have you ever sat down to watch a comedy and it turned out the movie you chose was actually an action flic? There comes a moment when it dawns on you… this is not what I thought it was! That often happens when Christians read the book of Revelation.

Today’s devotional is a little whimsical. Feel the embodied nature of what it means to really live, and let the Spirit speak to you today of joy and blessing.

Jesus points out that there’s a whole lot in your life you didn’t earn. It was just plain given to you.