Good Friends

Good evening! Another great day, wouldn't you agree? We really needed the rain and the trees just popped over night. The woods around my deck are just the way I like them, green and leafy. I can't wait for Saturday! I am going to grab my coffee, my bible and my chair and I am going to sit out and relax. I may even put some Norah Jones on, or maybe Chris Tomlin... great praise music. I'll just have to wait and see how I feel.

Tonight was bible study night at church. I am really excited about it because we started our discipling group tonight. There were three girls plus myself. We were missing Julie, but she will be there next week. I am really looking forward to talking with them, wrestling with scripture and faith. I want them to ask questions, look for answers, wrestle with things until they feel their faith turn into a rock solid form that they can stand on for the rest of their lives. I know that God has put us all together for a reason and I just pray that we will grow together, learn together and become great friends. I enjoy each one of them for who they are, for what they bring to the group, and they each have something wonderful to contribute. I am blessed to be not only be leading the group but learning from them as well.

After bible study, we always go out somewhere to grab something to eat or drink. Each Wednesday is a different place. First Wednesday of the month is Backyard Burger, the second is Godfather's Pizza, the third is McDonald's, the fourth is Wendy's, and for the fifth Wednesday we go to Burger King. We pick kid-friendly places and inexpensive places for families. There are usually about 30 of us that go and we have a blast. Tonight was Backyard Burger night. We put all of the tables together and we all just sit, talk, laugh, and eat. All Church of Christ people know how to talk, eat and drink! It's what we do best. Besides sing! :) Anyway, we had a great time. I heard one of our friends quietly say, "I really have missed this." She has been gone for awhile and this was her first time back with us in a few months. We have missed her too because fellowship is so important. It binds us together. It allows us to enjoy each other's company and then we begin to feel more like a family. We will come closer to opening up when we're worried, anxious, battling some internal sin, or whatever ails us. God knew this. He made us this way. When we stay away from each other, it's easier for Satan to get a foothold.

While we were at BYBurger, Cheryl asked me to tell the "Fiber One" story. We all laughed so hard, I think we laughed all the pounds off from the cherry cobbler we had eaten earlier. Just let me say, if you want to watch your stomach stretch beyond imagination, just grab one of those bars and chow down. You'll be feeling it man... just trust me on this one, ok?

Well, enough of this for tonight. I have to check some other blogs, some mail, and listen to some Mayer before I head off to bed. I hope you have had a good evening. When you lay your head down tonight, thank God for your friends. Without them life would be like ..... broth. However, you need to add some carrots, celery, potatoes, meat, onions, salt, pepper, seasonings, corn etc to make a really great soup. And that is so much better than plain ol' broth. Season your life with friends.

Thank you, Lord, for my friends. You have blessed me with such a wonderful group of people who laugh with me, cry with me, challenge me, talk to me, listen to me, and love me with a faithfulness that only could come from you. You are a mighty God, and you know how much we need each other and you bless us with what we need, when we need it. Thank you.

Have a good evening my friends. God bless you.