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This week I read Michael Haykin’s Iron Sharpens Iron, a short book about great friendships. I found a couple of quotes in the book that I thought would be worth sharing so you can reflect on them as I have.

The first is an excerpt from John Ryland’s sermon at the funeral of his friend Andrew Fuller. Their friendship, he said, had

never met with one minute’s interruption by any one unkind word or thought, of which I have any knowledge. I never had a friend who was so willing to stand by me, even in such services as most others would wish to decline; yet I never had a friend who would more faithfully, freely, and affectionately give me warning or reproof, if ever it appeared necessary; or whom I could more readily and freely, and without the least apprehension of giving offence, tell of any fault which I imagined I could see in him. And this I think is the best friendship in the world. For no man is faultless; and true friendship will not be blind to the failings of those we love best; but will rather show itself in an anxious concern to prevent the least appearance of evil in them, or whatever might occasion their good intentions to be misrepresented. After having lost long ago the venerable Newton and the first Robert Hall, who were the counsellors of my youth; after losing the affectionate Pearce, and the humble and prudent Sutcliff, two other founders of our Mission, this most faithful and judicious friend is also taken from me, and never will my loss be repaired upon earth!

And then, a bit later in the book, is another neat little quote, this one from Robert Hall Jr., who makes some interesting remarks on the nature and benefits of friendship.

He who has made the acquisition of a judicious and sympathizing friend, may be said to have doubled his mental resources: by associating an equal, perhaps a superior mind, with his own, he has provided the means of strengthening his reason, of perfecting his counsels, of discerning and correcting his errors. He can have recourse at all times to the judgement and assistance of one, who with the same power of discernment with himself, comes to the decision of a question with a mind neither harassed with the perplexities, nor heated with the passions, which so frequently obscure the perception of our true interests. Next to the immediate guidance of God by his Spirit, the counsel and encouragement of virtuous and enlightened friends afford the most powerful aid, in the encounter of temptation and in the career of duty.

Perhaps these quotes, or the whole book should you read it, will help you pursue Christian friendships and better appreciate the ones you already have…

Challies, Tim. "The Best Friendship in the World" Challies, January 23, 2022,

https://www.challies.com/quotes/the-best-friendship-in-the-world/

VBS is starting Monday! Thank you to all that have pitched in to make this community outreach possible. You've made decorations, signed up to lead and help VBS kids, bought snacks and supplies, practiced music, and organized.  A big thank you to Paul Brouse and Nicole Barker for their VBS leadership!

If you haven't signed up kids and would still like to do so please click here.

We pray our VBS is an opportunity to show kids that God loves them very much and a way to bless the kids and families in our church and community.  Here's to a safe and fun VBS 2023!

The Lord Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life”. (John 14:6) The apostle John wrote “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood (or overcome) it.” (John 1:4)

So, to choose life is to chose Jesus. He is the way – the only way (Acts 4:12). He is the truth, the spirit of truth, who will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). And He is the life (1 John 5:11-12) – “…and this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
The enemy, the devil, a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth (John 8:44) is the “thief, who comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). He is busy, knowing his time is short (Revelation 12:10-12), convincing many that “self” is of prime importance and will bring most pleasure and human acclaim. He has confused tolerance with love, acceptance of everything with true kindness and mercy.

The enemy, who comes as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), offers many alternative paths to those on their way to the celestial city (Pilgrim’s Progress). He tries to get us alone, distracted, and totally self-focused. He has used cell phones, pandemics, family breakdown, entertainment, self-help gurus, whatever appeals to your flesh, to lead us away from hope,
from community, from abundant life.

So, this is a call to Christian parents to do the Deuteronomy 6 thing! Talk to your children as you sit around the table, drive to their soccer game, hike the trails. Talk about God’s faithfulness, all He has done in creation, salvation, redemption. Remind them of His faithfulness seen in your life and theirs. Build that “altar of remembrance”. And talk about the issues they will need to be
prepared to face in our culture today – truth, deception, hopelessness, feelings of “not belonging”, abortion, transgenderism, social media influence, etc. (age appropriately).

Pray together for your family and friends, community and country. “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God. He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9) “Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.” (Deuteronomy 6:13-14) Talk about these gods of the “peoples around you” who need hope. Pray that they will find life in Jesus. Pray for revival in our land, because our hearts have become proud and we have forgotten the LORD our God. (Deuteronomy 8:14)

Teach your children to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid of the enemies around us, for the LORD our God goes with us, He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8) Pray for tender and caring hearts, who see the brokenness in those so affected by abortion, broken marriages, materialism, financial worries, political strife, physical and emotional health
issues, etc. And pray for opportunity to serve the broken, knowing that God has set before us life and death, blessings and curses.

Now, choose life, so that you and your children may live, and that you may love your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life. (Deuteronomy 30:9-20)

“Hold fast to Him”, because you are in for an adventure as you walk life’s journey with Jesus, the God of the universe. “For the LORD your God is God of gods, Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy
10:17, 18)

In Isaiah 40, our LORD is talking to those who hope in the LORD (vs 30-31).

Get ready to fly!

It's graduation time for so many. High School or College graduates- you are facing so many changes and so many uncertainties.  So much will happen in your life over the next decade and the unknowns can be downright scary.  It won't be free from hardships and trials, but what can we know as truth? As the thing that never changes? Watch below for a quick interview with Pastor Tim Keller.  He has recently gone on before us to be with the Lord, but his words of comfort and wisdom are full of everlasting truth.  Remember, everything is going to be alright........