Band of brothers


I can just imagine the dialogue between them. One said to the other, “Hey what if he can help?” “You think he could?” The other responded. “I hear that he does it all the time, it’s natural to him.” He replied. “Well, let’s do it. Call the others.” Four men that showed the world the power of friendship. Four men that would risk their own reputations and social standing in order to help their buddy. Each took one corner of the mat where their friend was, and lifted it because he was paralyzed.

When they got there, a huge crowd separated them from the miracle. There was no way through. One said to the others, “Now what? It’s impossible to go through.” One replied, “Yes, it’s impossible to go through, but not impossible to go over.” Wow! Everyone needs friends like these. There is no question of their commitment and faithfulness. There is no question that the interest of others came first.

What about you?

Will you stand still and submit to the circumstances and the obstacles or will you go beyond your duty? Which friend are you? The one that sees what needs to be done and does it, or will you close your heart and hands in the cold name of convenience? Real friends walk two, three, four miles and more to see the miracle happen. They don’t need to do it, but they want to.

Which corner will you lift? What role will you play? How strong will you lift? Are you deterred by the seemingly impossible in front of you? Do you say, in any event, I did what I could why push it further? Why go through so much inconvenience? Why bother?

Books, and stories that are worth saying and emulating are not written of those that stood still and did nothing or just did what conveniently came their way. The stories that stir our hearts and move us to actions are those in which we see those who were daring enough to break the norm. The stories of those that decided to be bold in a world of mediocrity. History remembers the deeds of those that decide that good is not good enough, but being great is a way of life.

We do not know the name of these four men that carried their friend to the presence of Jesus. Yet a story was written of what they did. This tells us that our name is not as important as what we do. They carried someone to their miracle without prevention or asking for attention to themselves. Let us do the same.

What story are you writing? Which corner are you lifting? Who are you carrying to their destiny? What are you doing for others that they cannot do for themselves? You and I can be part of a select few if choose to do so. A band of brothers that will change the world. Let’s do it!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2013
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. 2005. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide

A true friend


by DP

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. – Proverbs 17:17 NKJV

The proverb states it clearly, a friend loves at all times. Not only on the good, plentiful and drama free times, but in the stressful, shameful and shunning moments. The times when everyplace we look at, the only thing we see is everybody’s back walking away from us. It is in those bleak, gray and shady moments in which we don’t know or understand all of the facts, that true friendship flourishes.

It is a privilege to be a true friend. It requires character, love and an unyielding commitment to remain a friend. A friend is needed the most in the times when anguish and finger pointing is the order of the day. When being associated, equates to staining your image, your judgement, and your possibilities.

But being a friend is much more. It is opening your heart to the spirit of love, compassion, and of a better future. It is knowing that maybe showing support may bring consequences, but in spite of them, you still do it. Being a friend is not ignoring the truth, but in spite of the truth, you love, you care, and you lift another soul. You help them amend their life. You make them dream, and hope again. Being a friend, is becoming vulnerable.

Being a friend is guiding, restoring, and lifting someone else that has drifted, that has been broken and has fallen. Being a friend is always remembering that it could be you seeking for friendship, when the colors of the world turn gray and the smiles of men, turn to stone cold walls.

Being a true friend, is very powerful. You get to witness the transformation of a shunned life, to a shinning star. You get to see the love of God transforming not only the recipient of your friendship, but also your own life.

Being a friend, is loving yourself. We should all learn how to be, a true friend.

“The power of friendship is not in the desire to have a friend, but in the commitment to be one” – Eddie Lee Long

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright DP, 2011
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.