A friend died this week.  His memorial service is on Sunday, and we will drive 4 1/2 hours one way after the morning service.  I may even put on a suit.  He was that kind of a friend.

I met Mike at a men's retreat.  He was the camp director.  Two years later I met him again, and within two months I had been hired as the camp's first full-time program director.  Mike and I worked closely for the next twelve years.  We have stayed close ever since.

Of course we had our ups and downs, our times when we just needed to get away from each other, and our times of disagreement.  After all, we were complete opposites.

And yet we came to love each other.  We trusted each other enough to accept each other's strong convictions even when we weren't convinced. Mike allowed me to try an incredible number of new programs, games and ways of doing things.  Many failed, and yet he trusted me to keep inventing and keep innovating.  

Most succeeded, and many of those programs, games and systems are still in place.  I was back for a men's retreat recently with one of my sons, and I had to smile every time the guys would talk about a "new" game or innovation the staff were doing.  They never need to know that several of those new things were created 20 or 25 years ago.

Because I had a director named Mike who believed in me, we were able to build things that still last today.  But things don't matter.  They don't last.

The greatest achievement we accomplished together was to mentor staff and draw campers into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Nothing else mattered if we succeeded in that.  Mike was passionate about his love for Jesus and his desire to see others fall in love with Him.

Mike is with Jesus now, celebrating the lives he impacted for the kingdom of God.  I only pray that I will be as faithful, live as passionately, and die as gracefully as my friend Mike.  I praise God for his influence in my life.  I look forward to the big camp reunion we will have in heaven as we enjoy eternal life with Jesus.

Who has influenced your life for Christ?  Better yet, whose life are you influencing for Jesus Christ?

I know a group of people who love Jesus.  They come together once a week or so around the warmth of a fireplace just to meet in His name.  They open God’s Word, asking Him to teach them.  They don’t so much ask what the words mean as they ask God who He is.  They invite God into their midst, and plead with Him to reveal Himself to them.

And He does.

These remarkable people know that when they meet in Jesus’ name, He is there with them.  They rely on it as an accepted fact.  They tell God how much they love Him, acknowledging that they couldn’t even do that if He hadn’t loved them first, teaching them how to love.

And they love each other.

They share deep needs that they would have a hard time sharing with anyone else.  And they pray for each other.  Sometimes there are tears, sometimes there is laughter.  But there is always joy.

If you are reading this, they have prayed for you.  They pray for everyone within reach of this ministry called Faith Baptist Church.  And even though they may not know you, they love you, too.

Who are these people?  Wouldn’t you like to meet them?  Wouldn’t you love to be a part of a group like this?  We meet every Wednesday night at the church, sharing hot drinks, joys, needs & prayers around a roaring fire.

It is a small gathering.  Just a few people sharing the love of Christ.
​
There is a place for you near the fire.  Come and share the warmth of fellowship in Jesus’ name.

​  

​             ‘Twas The Week After Christmas
‘Twas the week after Christmas and all through the house
The garbage was mounting, which upset my spouse.
Stacked in the corner were six bags of wrapping,
Three huge bags of trash and boxes all stacking.
Recycling was flowing right out of the bin
And leftover food was as high as my chin.
When what to my wondering ears should I hear,
My wife said, “Good news!  It’s garbage day, dear!”
So I packed up the garbage, bags large and small,
The wrapping paper, old food, the boxes and all.
I loaded the car (It took an hour or so),
Then called to the dog saying, “It’s time.  Let us go!”
And I heard my wife say as we drove out of sight,
“We uncovered the bed!  We can sleep tonight!”
 
So if Christmas leftovers are filling your house,
Piled everywhere, and frustrating your spouse,
Fill up your vehicle, pack everything in,
Clean up the garbage and make your wife grin.
Then you’ll hear her exclaim as you nod off to sleep,
“We’ll sleep good tonight.  My, that garbage was deep!”