Maybe you never notice
The simplicities of life,
But when I come to think about it,
There is something I can’t describe.

It’s the great friendship
That you have for me.
You may take it for granted
But to me, you’re special in every different way.

When I’m down, stressed or mad,
Depressed, confused or sad,
You’re always there for me,
And the fact you care makes me feel better.

Even when I’m happy,
Excited and on cloud nine,
You’re still there to share in the happiness
Or just to have a laugh.

As you can see,
I treasure the friendship we all have,
And I hope that you will realise
How important you mean to me.

This poem is about a time of parting. Maybe its the departing of a friend. An end of a relationship. Whatever it may be, no matter how far away you go, there will always be a connection in the hearts of those you truly cherish.

We’re standing on the crossroads,
A place I never thought I’d be.
All of our childhood memories
Suddenly rush back through me.

I remember the day we first met,
When you were young and naïve,
We’d always be there for each other
And I never thought you’d leave.

The days we just teased each other
And played our childish games,
I never thought this time would end
But now I can only visit it in memory lane.

Now we are standing at the crossroads
And it’s almost time to part,
But no matter where you are
You will always be in my heart.

This poem is about a special person you will only meet once in your life. Love waiting to be returned. A new relationship waiting to happen. The meeting. The first impression. The questions. The future hope...

I remember the day we first met
Two months and three days ago
I knew you were different, special, unique…
And I didn’t want to let you go

Your presence, your smile, your laugh
Created complete chaos in my mind
It was like a distant dream come true
I’d found life’s find.

I don’t want to let you go
Never let you disappear
I’ll protect you like a priceless treasure
Won’t let you shed a tear.

Every day I’ll tell you
That you mean the world to me
I just wish for the future
Will we really be…

Will we really be together?
As the story begins to unfold
Will our relationship last forever?
Like in the fairytales we were once told.

I wish, I hope, I long
For the day when finally
I can tell you just one more time
That we will be for eternity.

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God's power.

In the beginning of this chapter, Paul warns the people of Corinth not to judge other people's faith, not to brag about their 'leader', and not to boast about themselves. These warnings are pointing to the focus of the people of Corinth. The people are looking outwardly, at other people, and also boasting about themselves to others! But Paul brings these people down to earth. He describes his personal experience of being a dedicated follower of Christ in verses 10 - 13.

Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you are so wise! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are well thought of, but we are laughed at. To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, without enough clothes to keep us warm. We have endured many beatings, and we have no homes of our own. We have worked wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We respond gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world's garbage, like everybody's trash--right up to the present moment.

In the real world, being a dedicated follower of Christ isn't all that good. They look like fools, they are weak, laughed at, they hunger and thirst... and so many other things! But we always have to remember why we are enduring all this suffering. Paul says he is warning the dedicated followers by recounting his experience, of what is to come for them. Also with the warning, Paul looks forward to the future kingdom of God, and reminds us of God's eternal plan. The dedicated followers of Christ, who are part of the Kingdom of God, must LIVE by God's power.... not just say they are followers, but don't act it. Maybe you will endure some pain or suffering from the world, but you must remember that you are not of the world, you are part of God's Kingdom, and you must act and live like part of God's Kingdom.

God is the Key

This part of the chapter points out the main source of the division in the church of Corinth. The people were debating over who they followed. Both Apollos and Paul visited Corinth and preached to them God's good news, and the people are torn between which of God's messenger they 'followed'. The people here are missing the point completely! Both Paul and Apollos were sent as messengers and servants by the one Master. They both had their tasks: one was to plant and one was to water. But there is no point in just planting and watering... if the 'plants' don't grow. This is where God comes in. Everything fits together with God and only with God. He's the one that's in control and directing everything, and it's only through His plan that everything works out. This can be applied in many ways. The one that comes to my mind is in church. When God wants to reach out to a non-believer, He will most probably use many people in His 'master plan' for person X. These people all perform different roles, and when successful, the person will cme to the border of becoming a Christian, but in the end it is up to God (along with the person's choice) to bring person X over.

1 Corinthians 3:5-7

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.