Comments on: La Amistad #2 http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2 Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:01:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Amy http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60699 Amy Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:14:50 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60699 You need to check out Terri's post from yesterday. You have a new name. [I do not know how to link in comments, but she posted a comment above signed as "That"]. You need to check out Terri’s post from yesterday. You have a new name. [I do not know how to link in comments, but she posted a comment above signed as "That"].

]]> By: Gayle Crowe http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60541 Gayle Crowe Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:49:22 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60541 Interesting to find these comments. For 42 years I was the pulpit guy, the last 20 years in one place. Lots and lots of fellow-travelers there, lots of great and sweet friendships, but I tended to spend time with people who needed me (that's what the preacher is for, right?). Occasionally I would wonder what it would be like to have a friend who didn't "need" me to hold his life together or answer his questions or teach him, but just to be his friend. It never particularly bothered me, but occasionally I wondered. Three months ago I shifted careers (and moved 360 miles away) so I'm no longer in the pulpit. Very unexpectedly the Lord has resurrected a friendship from grad school days. This guy doesn't "need" me -- we just enjoy getting together for breakfast once a week. We talk about and pray over our respective families, careers, politics, churches -- all the sorts of things "normal" people do. It's one of the really nice serendipities of this change. Viva male friendship! Interesting to find these comments. For 42 years I was the pulpit guy, the last 20 years in one place. Lots and lots of fellow-travelers there, lots of great and sweet friendships, but I tended to spend time with people who needed me (that’s what the preacher is for, right?). Occasionally I would wonder what it would be like to have a friend who didn’t “need” me to hold his life together or answer his questions or teach him, but just to be his friend. It never particularly bothered me, but occasionally I wondered. Three months ago I shifted careers (and moved 360 miles away) so I’m no longer in the pulpit. Very unexpectedly the Lord has resurrected a friendship from grad school days. This guy doesn’t “need” me — we just enjoy getting together for breakfast once a week. We talk about and pray over our respective families, careers, politics, churches — all the sorts of things “normal” people do. It’s one of the really nice serendipities of this change. Viva male friendship!

]]> By: paul http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60518 paul Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:53:19 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60518 Friendship is one of the greatest gifts of grace that God gives us. I would die for my friends...but you are right, time and distance do nothing to a quality friendship. I too have friends all over the world although I rarely see them or talk to them. If they walked in I would love them and feel connected to them. Some of my closest friends are my buddies from the mission field. I have a special bond with them. I am SO glad to have friends! Friendship is one of the greatest gifts of grace that God gives us. I would die for my friends…but you are right, time and distance do nothing to a quality friendship. I too have friends all over the world although I rarely see them or talk to them. If they walked in I would love them and feel connected to them. Some of my closest friends are my buddies from the mission field. I have a special bond with them. I am SO glad to have friends!

]]> By: Keith http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60511 Keith Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:49:15 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60511 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

]]> By: Brandon Scott Thomas http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60501 Brandon Scott Thomas Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:15:57 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60501 (Amen)3 ...musicians do math too! (Amen)3 …musicians do math too!

]]> By: Roger Butner http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60496 Roger Butner Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:14:45 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60496 Well said, Mike. I'm for it, too. I am so grateful for the Real friends who have helped me become who I am today. And wouldn't it be great if we could live out these same friendship qualities between churches - different congregations and different denominations. Mike, I was so encouraged to hear about your involvement in the special Holy Week meetings with some of the other Abilene churches last week. One of the things Chemaine and I always appreciated about you was the wonderful example you offered in your close friendship with Phil Christopher from the big Baptist church in town. May we continue to grow in the love of Christ. I also just want to say thanks for creating and facilitating your blog as a forum for people to come together and think and grow and disagree and share and learn and support. What a great community! Well said, Mike. I’m for it, too. I am so grateful for the Real friends who have helped me become who I am today.

And wouldn’t it be great if we could live out these same friendship qualities between churches - different congregations and different denominations. Mike, I was so encouraged to hear about your involvement in the special Holy Week meetings with some of the other Abilene churches last week. One of the things Chemaine and I always appreciated about you was the wonderful example you offered in your close friendship with Phil Christopher from the big Baptist church in town. May we continue to grow in the love of Christ.

I also just want to say thanks for creating and facilitating your blog as a forum for people to come together and think and grow and disagree and share and learn and support. What a great community!

]]> By: preacher man http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60495 preacher man Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:39:40 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60495 I have a question: Do ministers find it hard to make frienddships in communities where preachers come and go? Is it hard to make friendships within those kind of churches and towns? Is it easier to make frienships with in ministerial alliances? I have a question: Do ministers find it hard to make frienddships in communities where preachers come and go? Is it hard to make friendships within those kind of churches and towns? Is it easier to make frienships with in ministerial alliances?

]]> By: Hooteewho http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60485 Hooteewho Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:21:17 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60485 Since moving to a new locale two years ago, we desperately want friends, but find the church to be closed and cold to newbies. Perhaps God is pushing us out of our comfort zone? I have friends from my youth group from 35 years ago. We stay in touch and pick up right where we left off, and laugh a lot! Since moving to a new locale two years ago, we desperately want friends, but find the church to be closed and cold to newbies.
Perhaps God is pushing us out of our comfort zone?

I have friends from my youth group from 35 years ago. We stay in touch and pick up right where we left off, and laugh a lot!

]]> By: Terry http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60478 Terry Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:37:37 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60478 T. Sherwood I see that in my family too. It is so sad. It was like their own thoughts were always about themselves. I wonder how their young lives were? I pray for my mom everyday. Without her guidance I would probably not be as outgoing as I am-yet she is not. I love keeping in contact with my friends from all stages of my life. I got an email from an old chum in high school yesterday talking of retiring. I think of that person as 16,17,18-how in the world could he be retiring? T. Sherwood
I see that in my family too. It is so sad. It was like their own thoughts were always about themselves. I wonder how their young lives were? I pray for my mom everyday. Without her guidance I would probably not be as outgoing as I am-yet she is not.
I love keeping in contact with my friends from all stages of my life. I got an email from an old chum in high school yesterday talking of retiring. I think of that person as 16,17,18-how in the world could he be retiring?

]]> By: Serena Voss http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60476 Serena Voss Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:36:21 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60476 Deanna, What a precious comment! Deanna,

What a precious comment!

]]> By: clint http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60475 clint Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:35:03 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60475 A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

]]> By: Deana Nall http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60472 Deana Nall Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:19:23 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60472 My best friend from when we lived in Baytown is 83 years old. We were, in a sense, the "renegades" of the congregation. She was an elder's wife and I was a minister's wife, and we were both determined to not fit into the expectations that churches have traditionally had of women in our positions. She has all the wisdom that goes along with being 83, but she never let go of the fun from her youth. She's every bit as irreverent as I am. I've missed her terribly since we moved to Arkansas. She still calls me every week and says "Want to go to lunch?" Even though we know we can't. We believe God put us together for a reason, and our friendship is one that age difference and distance cannot sever. My best friend from when we lived in Baytown is 83 years old. We were, in a sense, the “renegades” of the congregation. She was an elder’s wife and I was a minister’s wife, and we were both determined to not fit into the expectations that churches have traditionally had of women in our positions. She has all the wisdom that goes along with being 83, but she never let go of the fun from her youth. She’s every bit as irreverent as I am. I’ve missed her terribly since we moved to Arkansas. She still calls me every week and says “Want to go to lunch?” Even though we know we can’t. We believe God put us together for a reason, and our friendship is one that age difference and distance cannot sever.

]]> By: Chris http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60467 Chris Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:56:43 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60467 The last few months I have seen the word "community" over and over again. What gives? Was there a big meeting to pick this as the latest buzzword? Was it made popular by Rick Warren? Is it a communist plot:) (Just a little humor to start the day) The last few months I have seen the word “community” over and over again. What gives? Was there a big meeting to pick this as the latest buzzword? Was it made popular by Rick Warren? Is it a communist plot:) (Just a little humor to start the day)

]]> By: Paul Mathis http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60465 Paul Mathis Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:50:50 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60465 One of my high school teachers once told my dad he never knew a group of 5 high school students stay so close so long after high school ended. Fourteen years after graduation, some of my most enduring friendships are with the guys who walked across the stage the same night I did. We don't agree on all things, I don't live close to them anymore, and I have probably made more mistakes than they have. What treasures they are. One of my high school teachers once told my dad he never knew a group of 5 high school students stay so close so long after high school ended. Fourteen years after graduation, some of my most enduring friendships are with the guys who walked across the stage the same night I did. We don’t agree on all things, I don’t live close to them anymore, and I have probably made more mistakes than they have. What treasures they are.

]]> By: Stephen http://preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60464 Stephen Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:46:07 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/04/10/la-amistad-2#comment-60464 I'm blessed to be able to read your words and have a friend who immediately comes to mind. He fits all the criteria. That kind of friendship is a treasure. Thanks for the reminder that I should never take it for granted. I’m blessed to be able to read your words and have a friend who immediately comes to mind. He fits all the criteria. That kind of friendship is a treasure. Thanks for the reminder that I should never take it for granted.

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