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Be A Friend To Win A Friend
Proverbs 18:24 'A man who has friends must show himself friendly...' (KJV)
 In his classic book, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People', Dr. Norman Vincent Peale used Bible principles to teach people about building friendships. One of the tips he offered was this: to win friends, you must help people to feel comfortable around you. It's been said that, 'a man rarely succeeds at a thing until he has a good time doing it.' That applies to meeting people as much as anything else. Most people find breaking the ice with new acquaintances a stressful thing, but nothing puts people at ease like a smile and a few positive words of encouragement. Another simple key to making friends is to practice remembering names. There are very few sounds as attractive to a human being than the sound of his or her name. We can usually pick out our name even when it's spoken across the other side of a crowded, noisy room. When you first meet a person, try to fix his or her name in your mind. If you forget it, or you don't hear it properly, ask them to repeat it. Then, try using their name a few times in that first conversation, it will help you remember it. Probably the most important thing of all, though, is to learn to be a great listener. Ask people questions about themselves in a positive, interested, enthusiastic but not prying or intrusive way. Focus your complete attention on the person you're with and shut out other distractions. Making friends is not as difficult as it sometimes seems.
Prayer: 'Lord Jesus, you were very good at wining friends and influencing people. Help me to develop my skills in that area so that I can form friendships for the long-term, relationships that honour you.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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In the UK in 2008, the Church does not seem to do well on broadcast media. Yet it has important things to say. I want to thank you Mal for your forward-looking approach to sorting this out.
Alan, United Kingdom
Thanks so much for visiting Speak The Word Church International (Minneapolis). I am a baby boomer who sat with a GenXer - we both knew that what you said was right on. It made me think. I like that.
Norma Buchanan, United States
Mal Fletcher, I would just like to take this opportunity to say thankyou for the inspiration you are. I was at Rock Nations and found your ministry incredibly refreshing especially when you spoke on Celebrity and what happens when that creeps into the church.
Kendal , United Kingdom
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