A Friend

The other day I was talking to one of my dearest friends on the phone.  I was calling him to update him on how the process was moving at the Church I am currently preaching at.  They are looking for a Pastor and I hope that I am the man God has for them.

As I told him how encouraged I was he made a statement in jest that stuck in my mind for the next day or more.  He said, “I will finally have a friend in the valley.”  The valley he refers to is a literal valley in the landscape.  This kept repeating over and over in my mind.  I thought to myself, “He knows he has a Friend of friends in Jesus.  He is kidding me.”  Yes, I know he was kidding; but, truthfully there are multitudes of other people who have no friend in the valley.  This valley is the valley we call life.

The thing is as we go through life we need friends, desperately.  Now, I mean good friends that will walk with us, cry with us and even share ice cream with us (their treat or ours).  Good, solid friends are few and far between.

Let me ask you a penetrating question.  Are you the kind of friend that walks into someone’s life when everyone else is running out?  I mean will you be tried and true no matter how bad your “friend” messes up and makes a shambles of their life (and others)?  These are questions to ponder in light of our friendships.

Jesus is the Example of a friend!  Look at Proverbs 18:24, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  I do not have brothers or sisters by blood; but, I do have brothers and sisters by Christ’s blood by the bus loads.  I thank God for them.  A very few of them are God’s kind of friend and for them I shout, “Thank God!”

So, how are you doing?

Friends

When I was growing up my Dad was a truck driver and was seldom home.  Because of this I suffered as a boy growing up.  My Grandfather was a carpenter above all carpenters.  He build an addition in our town and the house he and my Grandmother lived in when I was growing up.

The problem with this is that none of these skills were passed on to me.  I have no mechanical ability at all.  When thing break I am at the mercy of someone else to get it fixed.  This is a real bummer for sure.

My wife and I needed a new garbage disposal and dishwasher.  Thanks to our income tax refund we were able to purchase both of these and were able to get quality appliances for both.  Then comes the problem.  After I purchased these appliances I took a look on the internet for videos on how to install them.  Well, there was no way that I was going to do these jobs on my own.  I had delusions of granduer thinking that I could do it.  No way!

I called a brother from Church.  He came over and brought his brother-in-law and together they whipped out the installation in four and one half hours.  It would have taken me four weeks, I am pretty sure.  As I thought of their kindness I was reminded of what the Bible says.  Look at Proverbs 18:24, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  It would very difficult for me to repay the debt I owe these men.  Until then, all I can say is God bless them real good please.

So, how are you doing?

A Gift From God

I am a firm believer that God sends you little gifts from time to time to remind you of something or to encourage you in some situation.  We experienced one of these such gifts the other evening.  We are doing some research that I called someone else for help who has more experience in that area.

It was determined that Friday evening would be the best option.  Tara has been working a lot of overtime due to being short of people at her job.  She called on her way to the grocery after working.  She was exhausted to say the least.  I explained to her that it worked best for our friends that we go over after she got home from the grocery.  So, she finished grocery shopping and came home.  I did my best to help her unload and put the cold and frozen stuff away.  Then we loaded up and left.

We had a hard time finding the house which was really easy to find.  The problem I turned down the wrong county road one mile too far east.  So, we called and got directions again for the third time.  We made it.

We were not sure if our son would be comfortable in this new place and that always keeps us on edge until we see how he responds.  He could not have been more comfortable.  He laid down on their couch with his music and headphones and watched their television and even dosed off some.

We sat with our friends around a piano and keyboard with a sound system for about two hours or maybe a little more.  We arrived home at 11:30pm.  We were refreshed.  Why?  God gave us the gift of unconditional friendship.  My mind went to Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  These are true, blue friends that truly “loveth at all times,”.  We are so blessed!  Thank you friends!

So, how are you doing?

Friendship

A couple days ago I was looking through things on social media and I ran across a video that is heartwarming and deeply touching.  It is a video about a 3 year old little boy and a 98 year old man.  They live next door to one another.  You can watch the video here.  Get some facial tissues ready.  I promise you will need them.

The reason this struck me is the unlikely friendship that was created.  Even the parents speak about how priceless the bond between their young son and the elderly man next door.  This man next door is a WWII veteran.  He seems like a man I would love to know.

They are shown playing in the yard together.  My favorite part is where they “race” their John Deere’s against one another.

I think the Word of God says it all in Proverbs 18:24, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Take an inventory today.  Do you have many friends?  I hope you are blessed with many friends.  If you find yourself without friends the place to start is to look within yourself and see if you are worth having as a friend.  This is a sobering thought to me, I know.

So, how are you doing?

Friends

I cannot boast of a lot of close friends; but, I do have some.  I love them deeply and appreciate them.  One characteristic of real friendship; I think, is the ability to discuss opposing views without killing one another.  Oh laugh…  look at Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

We love to be around other people of “like precious faith” and we should.  When was the last time you talked with someone; especially a friend, with an opposing view?  A true friend will listen without passing judgment.  After we gather all of the facts then we need to filter the facts through the Word of God and then see how the issue boils down.

Let’s face it, we don’t “feel” equipped to defend our position.  You know the one that is like cutting the ends of the ham off.  The story goes that a newly married man asked his beautiful wife why she cut the ends of the ham off before baking it.  She told him that her mother did that too and she just followed suit.  He asked his mother-in-law.  She gave nearly the same answer that she was doing as her mother did.  He asked his wife’s grandmother why she cut the ends of the ham off.  Her response was great.  She told how in the late 1940’s her husband purchased for her a baking dish.  This dish was a little too short to fit the entire ham into so she would simply trim off some at both ends.  Then the ham fit into the pan.

So, when someone presents to you some “new idea” don’t immediately pass judgment.  Filter this idea through the Word of God and pray asking God the Holy Spirit to show you if this is indeed truth.  Pretty simple, right?  Nah.

So, how are you doing?

When Your World Falls Apart

I have many friends.  Some of my friends have experienced pain and suffering so unspeakable.  One friend in particular saw many people who called him their friend not only walked away from him in a great hour of need; but, they stood publicly against him.  Truth be known, these were no friends that did this.

Someone said, “When it is your hour of need those who run in are your true friends.  Those who run out were never truly friends to begin with.”  This was in response to a similar quote that I cannot recall.  You get the gist.

Being parents of a child with deep special need will sometimes make you fell like someone pulled the fire alarm in your life as you watch those you know and love either stand and look away or worse yet they run away.  I think some of them mean well; but, they don’t know what to do or how to handle the situation.

Let me tell you; if it is not too painful for you, please stand and stay with your friends who are going through the wringer of hell that some days describes life for these parents and their special children.  We have had two such weeks at our home.  Many gallons of tears have been shed by all members.  Yet, there were the faithful few who called to say they love us and are praying for us.  For this I cannot thank my Father enough for nor can I thank these friends and family enough.  We would never make it if it were not for the prayers of God’s people.

I hate to admit it; but, I truly believe I know first hand what drives people to take their own lives in suicide.  The pain is so intense that you will do anything to make it go away.  Do not fear I am not contemplating suicide.  Not even close.  My family needs me too much to take my own life.  My Father sustains me and He sustains my wife.  We have experienced the truth of Psalm 38:11, “My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.”  But then there are the faithful few who lovingly stand by us.  I thank God for those who stand with us, by us and especially for us.  God bless you richly!

So, how are you doing?

Stand Or Run Away

There have been a few times in my life that I have not been a blue ribbon, true blue through and through friend.  This makes my heart ache at this late stage in life.  To sit, soak and sour over this would be pointless.  Yet, the devil keeps bringing this to the forefront occasionally.

What do you do when someone speaks against someone you know?  If it is truth then you need to acknowledge it.  If it is a lie then you need to refuse to accept it.  If you are a real friend you need to stand up for your friend.  Don’t let peer pressure dictate to you what you will do and how you will respond.

When Jesus preached Truth He was thought to have a devil.  People came to Him as either LORD or lunatic.  We see the response of the latter group in Mark 3:21, “And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.”  We need to support our friends so long as they are not violating the clear commands of the Scriptures.  Maybe, your not spiritually chopping them up will be what they need to continue to stand in an evil day.

So, how are you doing?

A True Friend

I must say that my heart is broken right now.  I just had to pleasure of spending time with friends and was able to hear some wonderful true stories about Church camp.  I love it!  It brings such joy to my heart to hear how God works in the hearts of the children and even the counselors.

One such young man grew up in the home of atheist parents.  He said that he had to walk great distance to even get to a cross.  I had to fight back tears as the story was unfolding.  This young man had never been taught how to sing the hymns of the Church and had a cracked voice that would not bring joy even to a mother like Joan of Ark.  While at Church camp this young man heard the Gospel and prayed and asked Jesus to save him.  In his own way and in his own words he ask Christ to save him.  Glory to God!

The counselor reminded this young man that now he had three friends (the young man confessed that he had no friends).  He was referring to himself and two other people that were there.  The young man corrected him and said, “I have four friends.”  This young man was giving testimony that he now had Jesus.  Glory!  Look at Psalm 139:7-8, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?   If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”  This is a friend that will go anywhere for you (not as an errand-boy either).  Is Jesus your Saviour and Friend of all friends?

So, how are you doing?

 

The Christian’s Job Description 5

Philippians 3:13, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

In this installment of our series on “The Christian’s Job Description” we are going to look at the truth that we need to Exhort the Church.  To exhort means, “Spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts, Force or impel in an indicated direction.” (definitions taken from the Word Web dictionary)

Several things came to my mind here.  When I thought about “cheers and shouts” I thought about the preaching services at Church.  Some people are too dignified to shout in Church.  They find it distracting.  For them that is their opinion.  As a Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I find it encouraging.  This tells me that people are “with me” so to speak and that they are paying attention to the message.

Sometimes we need to cheer on at shout and impel people in a right direction.  As the mini marathon took place on May 4, 2013 there were people along the route and they were shouting and cheering for the runners.  They were exhorting the runners.  Why don’t we do this at Church?  I think we are too burdened down with the nasty now and now.  We don’t take time to see others need encouragement and thus we do not encourage them.  We need to be people that exhort the Church.  Oh, by the way, the Church is not the building that we meet in each week.  The Church is the people that make up the body of Christ.  Cheer them one and exhort them!  They need you to do this.

So, how are you doing?

Pointed Out

Today is another copied writing of my friend Russell Dennis Jr.  I hope you enjoy this on as well.

Pointed Out

In history, he is only known as Farmer Roberts, but his encouragement directed the way to victory in Texas.

In the late winter of 1836, Mexican General Santa Anna had crossed the Rio Grande River with 6,000 troops.  After annihilating victories at the Alamo and Goliad, in which over 500 men fighting for Texas independence had perished, General Santa Anna pushed forward to defeat the main army commanded by General Sam Houston.

Houston, whose ragtag forces numbered less than 1,000, had cautiously retreated towards the then existing boundary of the United States.  General Houston harbored the hope that the United States military might help and engage the Mexican forces.  Like George Washington 70 years before, Houston sought to save his army for one decisive battle.  That battle occurred in April when General Santa Anna divided his forces.

The road that the Texas army was traveling came to a fork on Farmer Robert’s land, with the left branch leading to the Trinity River and retreat, while the right fork led to Harrisburg and the enemy.  As the column approached the fork, everyone wondered in which direction the general would lead.

Farmer Roberts had his own view on the subject, and when Houston drew near, Roberts pointed to the right and shouted so loudly that all could hear:  “That right hand road will carry you to Harrisburg just as straight as a compass.”  The marching men took up the cry: “To the right, boys, to the right!”  And all proceeded to the right, with General Houston not saying a word.  (Brand, H.W. Lone Star Nation. New York: Doubleday, 2004. p. 442.)

On April 21, 1836, 25 miles southwest of present day Houston, TX, the defining battle erupted.  In eighteen minutes, the motley, but determined group of Texas freedom fighters defeated the larger Mexican force at the Battle of San Jacinto capturing the Mexican President.

Pointing people in the right direction sometimes brings wonderful and lasting results.”

So, how are you doing?