Friendships

Today God has reminded me of the value of friendships. I received a timely and encouraging email from a friend. It was the kind of note that the Holy Spirit used throughout the day to lift my spirits.

We were invited to go to the beach yesterday (we weren’t able to make it) by 2 of our deacons. Their families were spending some “down time” together at Ocean City, NJ. As I thought about it, God reminded me of the great chemistry and synergy He has sent our way. Don’t underestimate what a big deal this is. These guys spend a ton of time serving on weekends and at our famous short board meetings that always seem to last until after 11:00 PM. The fact that they enjoy each other’s company enough to vacation together is another testimony to God’s grace. That is really how it is for many of our Fellowship family. They are forging deep friendships and making life-long memories.

Last night, Michelle and I saw the movie Live Free or Die Hard with two of our close friends. What a cool movie! I wish I looked as cool as Bruce Willis with no hair…It was a great time. Michelle and I hadn’t done the “dinner and a movie thing” together in sometime. The icing on cake for us was sharing the evening with good friends.

You know, following Christ is all about relationship. He wants us to be aware of His presence as we journey through life. Life is not some vacuum in which we were created to walk alone. For many, friendships are a natural part of the way God has wired us. For some, it doesn't come so easily. Unfortunately, we all let down our friends from time to time. Most of us have also felt the searing pain of betrayal from someone with whom we have been close. The temptation moving forward is to pull away…to put up an invisible wall between ourselves and others. Hey, if I don’t reach out, or if I don’t open up about my life then I can’t get hurt. I have had well meaning mentors in ministry warn against getting close to others. Here is the problem with all that…it doesn’t work. More importantly, it is not God’s plan. Jesus lived in concert with those around him. He opened up his life to the twelve. Some were closer than others…He didn’t treat everyone the same you know,but he shared his life!

So today I am thanking God for the friendships that I enjoy in our Fellowship family…and I am especially grateful for the times He gives us together outside of serving… and finally, I am thankful for you…because it is usually my friends that log on and take the time to read as I ramble on about the stuff bouncing around inside of my head.