Who's Your Friend?

I wanted to share something profound with you this week. So here goes. Enjoy!



Is Jesus your friend? :)

God Used a Whopper!

My wife and kids left recently for a doctor's appointment several hours away. They took the opportunity to use the weekend to visit friends and have a "mini vacation", before returning home. Needless to say, I had some time on my hands.

At one point during the weekend, I went to a fast-food restaurant where I'd planned to eat and read. Upon receiving my meal, I found a seat and opened my book. A gentleman from the next booth caught my attention and politely asked, "Excuse me. Can I ask what book you're reading?" He went on to say he had seen several people reading the same book in the last week and "didn't want to miss out."

The book I was reading was Sex God by Rob Bell. I began to explain to the guy that it probably wasn't about what he thought. I also told him how I didn't agree with everything in the book. But it really made me think. As most conversations with men, our conversation led to what we did for a living. He, a landscaper. Me, a pastor.

My new friend Julian has the opportunity to speak from time to time at a small church. He told me how the church had gone through some financial struggle before finally splitting. As always, the church split was hurtful. I encouraged him as much as I could. I gave him the book and promised to pray for him.

He said he would pray for the church I pastor as well. After his departure, I thought of how grateful I was for God-appointed times with others. This guy needed some encouragement. Because I was alone for the weekend, I could use some as well. There was no burning bush. I didn't hear any angels singing. And we weren't near a well in Sychar. However, God was there. He used a fast-food place to allow two believers to visit, encourage one another, and pass the peace. God is good!

Brother's Keeper

I deeply desire to be the man God wants me to be. From time to time, I hear someone accuse the Church or individuals within the church to be less than genuine. If I had a choice of what my legacy might be, I'd wish for people to say, "He was genuine, sincere, or real."

I pray often for accountability. I truly believe God places within our lives someone to walk with us hand-in-hand. Our spouse can be that person within certain areas in our lives. However, I need a man or men to know me more than just a casual acquantaince. Men understand how other men are "wired". Men can say things that women don't always understand. I'm sure it's the same for our sisters as well. Leonard Sweet mentions this type of friendship as few and far between. In fact, many times these relationships can be counted on one hand.

Recently, I was invited to a small group for men. I went for the first time this morning. Different churches are represented. Diversity is obvious. And the only motivation for those in the group is to help one another grow closer to Christ. It's what I think a picture of the Church looks like. I'm not sure my time with these guys will grow into the relationship Sweet describes. I pray that the group or within the group there's an answer to prayer.

In Genesis 4:9, Cain inquires of God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Read in context, it seems to me that he is. Cain is. And I am as well.

What do you have to add/subtract in regards to accountability?

Things Learned On The Road

The family and I had the chance to return to the Austin area last weekend. The primary reason for going back was performing a wedding; however, the visits we had with those people we love was unbeatable. Here are a few things learned or confirmed from the recent trip.

1. Somehow, the stress of a wedding (rehearsal, planning, order of service, weather, etc.) is always worth it.
2. Traffic in central Texas is definitely getting worse. With a few rare exceptions, people are in a hurry and their errand is more important than anyone else's errand.
3. The people who had become our family at a recent ministry (and allowed us to become a part of theirs) still love us. Sharing memories was priceless.
4. We stayed at friends house who also hosted evacuees from Ike. During the stressful time of watching the news coverage, I was reminded of how much I take for granted. It could all be gone tomorrow and insurance doesn't bring it all back.
5. There are 433 miles, 15 towns or cities, and 1,573,829,001 bugs between here and there. BTW, we hit all but 4 of the bugs.

It's good to be home!

Friday Fodder

Friendship has always been a prayer for my life. I don't mean acquantainces or relationships we have that never seem to move from the shallow end of the pool into something a lot more dangerous. The relationships I think of include transparency, honesty, accountability, etc. These are people who laugh with you and cry with you. They know much about you and love you anyway. Most people believe those relationships to be few and far between.

I've even been told those relationships should be counted on one hand. They're that special. A few people mention their relationship with their spouse being this way. They're blessed. My wife and I have a great relationship. We share many things. However, I'm thinking of men challenging men to be spiritual leaders. Relationships that entail women challenging other women to provide spiritual nourishment for the home.

If God created us to encourage and challenge one another, shouldn't this deep relationship be a huge part of our lives? Is this something we should pray for?

A Second Self (Relationship #2)

Philosopher Cicero is quoted as saying "A true friend is, so to speak, a second self."

You and I need a Nathan to confront sin in our life. We also need someone in our "corner" - someone who cares about helping us become better people. We need, as Cicero said, a second self. A second self is someone who sees me just the way I am. For King David, his second self was Jonathan.

Jonathan had lived with David through thick and thin, through good times and bad. Jonathan had seen David through depression (consider the laments through Psalms), helping him run for his life, and defending him before Saul. Without Jonathan sacrificing his own life, David would have never become king. He was a true friend.

True friends know your "ins" and "outs." They know your strengths and weaknesses. A true friend knows what makes you tick and what causes chaos in your life. And a true friend doesn't cringe when you do some of the things you do.

Sweet maintains that the reasons we don't have close relationships or Jonathans in our lives is one or more of the following: 1) our ego. In other words, we live in such a competitive society that we always have to be on top, or know the most, or have the most toys. And when our friends begin to do a little better, we get offended (ego) and we choose friendship elsewhere; 2) a lack of intimacy. For most of us (especially men), our relationships are superficial. We talk about weather, politics, or our favorite sports teams. Anything "deeper" is taboo. We've been burned in the past and remembering the pain causes us to live a "safe" life with no chance of being burned again; 3) sacrifice. True friendship (intimacy) takes time and effort. In our society where time = money, true friendship requires sacrifice.

So how about it? Got a Jonathan in your life? Got someone who will be your checks and balances, your second self? If so, consider your blessing. Jonathans are few and far between. If not, are you looking for a Jonathan? Will you pray God will provide that second self?

Friday Fodder

I had breakfast with a good friend today. In fact, we've had breakfast on most Fridays for a little over a year. It's always a good conversation. He challenges me. Hopefully I do the same for him. It's what I picture when I read of encouraging one another (1 Thes 5:11, Heb. 3:13). We eat, pray, and ask one another's advice. There are times we give advice, without being asked. I'm really going to miss our time together. Thanks friend!

Today, several people came over and shook hands or gave hugs saying, "I heard you were leaving. We're going to miss you. etc." After thinking about those relationships, I'm grateful for each. I'm thankful that many people have nice things to say. I'm thankful that God brought each one into my life.

Here's the dilemma life throws at us. When relationships change, there is some sadness. Anticipation of new challenges leads to anxiety and excitement. I could end with a cheesy cliche. But I won't put you through that. Life is ups and downs. God calls us to new places knowing the relationships built will change. And this is the way life is supposed to be.

Thoughts?

Happiness Is...

Years ago, Charles Schultz wrote "Happiness Is..." with the wisdom of Linus, Lucy, and Charlie Brown. For Linus, of course happiness was a blanket. For Lucy, happiness was basically anything to annoy Charlie Brown. For CB, happiness was ice cream.

When I reflect on the previous 3 years, I see some great things. The ministry here has been fruitful. We've seen God strengthen faith, allow us to celebrate conversions, and meet together with a common goal. I'm grateful to just have experienced the blessing of being a part of what God is doing at New Hope.

Most of you reading know I've resigned from New Hope and will be moving near the end of the month. Shae and I have accepted a call from our home church. Although we are really excited, we are saddened by leaving friends and those we consider family. We've been in this situation before. And it never gets easier.

Living life includes throwing everything you have into relationships. Shae and I have attempted to do that. If we hadn't come to Hutto, we would have never experienced those relationships. We've experienced life with people (good and bad). For that, I will always be grateful. Sure the relationships will change but the relationships built on a good foundation will last (even into eternity).

Happiness Mr. Schultz is relationships, close friends, and family!