Positive Friends

Holding the Keys to Spiritual and Social Transformation

Friendship is the cutting edge of influence. Friends influence us in positive and negative ways. We influence are friends in positive and negative ways as well.

Jesus was a model of the transforming nature of friends. He described this in His own life in this way:

John 15:12-17
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

There are certain types of friends that we all need. Every relationship that we have is unique, expectations vary and God's purposes for those relationships are different.

1. We need friends who function as mentors to us.

2. We need friends whom we serve. Making disciples is one of our main purposes in life.

3. We need friends we are reaching. Friendship evangelism is the most effective form of evangelism.

4. We need friends who are peers.

5. We need best friends. For those who are married or engaged, it is probably you spouse. In addition to that person, there are other "best friends" that bring us strength anencouragementnt.

6. We need friendship with God. This is possible through Jesus Christ. This is the transforming friendship. This is central to the Good News. It also makes allows us to be a better friend as we learn grace, forgiveness and unconditional love. It reminds me of the old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Written in 1855, Scriv­en wrote this hymn to com­fort his mother, who was across the sea from him in Ire­land.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

I want to suggest to you that learning to be a good friend is the key to influence and happiness. Try applying this challenge to all levels of friendship.

New Places

What does it take to keep moving forward and upward? I've never been able to be idle for long -- it is against my very nature. I have a zest for risk, exploration, new challenges, and am a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I have more interests than I have time to entertain. I think this is my challenge -- keeping focused on what really matters. Lately we've been especially busy getting settled into a new home. It has been quite a distraction for the past eight weeks.

Last week I took the photos that are on this page. The photo was a difficult one to take. To get to that spot I spent 3 hours running, crossing streams, route-finding, finding my way across brittle, deep, wet snow. The snow hadn't thawed so finding the trail was periodic and difficult. Losing the trail under the unmelted snow and having no tracks to follow made for slow and treacherous progress. My leg show the marks of stepping through a hollow snow pocket and banging my shin on a log.

This hike/run reminds me of life - we sometimes lose our way and things can get tough. Perhaps we can keep going in the right direction, but we long for a clear path.

Back to my first question: What does it take to keep moving forward and upward? Well, we have to keep taking steps, and it helps to keep on a good path. After our recent "move" (from Lynnwood to Bothell), I feel like I am again back on a path that is much more enjoyable. Moving is about the most disrupting thing a person can experience. But now that we are settled in life is becoming a bit more routine -- It is far from boring, but it has some basic elements that are the steps of life that keep me moving forward-- consistent study, journaling, time with family and prayer. I have a stack of books next to my computer that I am again reading. I also have re-engaged my Bible reading and study plan. I feel like I'm making better progress once again.
I look forward to tomorrow and I can't wait to see what is around the next corner. This journey is an adventure! So keep taking the steps that work for you -- sometimes you may lose the path but focus on your values and find return to the path.

Golf Tools for Dads (Even if they don't golf)

Happy Father's Day Dads!

This weekend at church we gave all the dads a small bag with some golf accessories. Being the one who distributed these gifts, I gave some thought to each of these items and wanted to share my thoughts.

Item #1: Ball Mark Repair Tool
This tool is used to repair the marks sometimes left by balls when they hit the green at a high speed.
Have you ever noticed that dads naturally want to fix everything? They're there to fix everything from broken toys, to broken hearts and broken relationships. They use their hands and their words (which can be extremely powerful) to make things better. Fathers, "Keep fixing things!"

Item #2: Golf Tee
A golf tee is used to help a person have a successful drive. It is a set-up for success (not a guarantee). Good Fathers desire that their children be successful in life, and they do everything they can to ensure this. They do this by encouraging their kids to grow spiritually, emotionally, socially, ethically and physically. Fathers, "Set up your children for success!"

Item #3: Ball Marker
A ball marker is put down on the green when your ball is in the way of another golfer. This "tool" is a reminder to dads that there are times when we also need to get out of the way. Trying to fix everything is not always possible -- sometimes we can make things worse. We need to let God work -- focusing on prayer, faith and trust in Him. For our Father's love for our children is greater than our own. Fathers, "Let God work in your children's lives."

Consumer Christianity

What is it that people want from a "church" (local congregation of believers)? People are often shuffling from one to another. What are they looking for? I am disturbed by some of my observations -- It seems as though "excitement", trends, and "popularity" are high on the priority list of church shoppers. It seems to me as though less consideration is given to doctrine (what is being taught), vision, or the ethics of the leadership (how money is managed, character issues, etc.). Granted, no one is perfect and I may just be being judgmental myself, but I always put a high emphasis on ethics and belief. But it seems as though many people care little about these two issues and are more interested in excitement and popularity. Am I wrong? What do you think? Help me out.

Movie Review - The Runner

I just picked up an interesting and inspiring documentary - whether you are a runner or not, you would enjoy it.

THE RUNNER follows Extreme UltraRunner David Horton through the desert sun, the high snowbound mountain passes, the pain, the emotion, and his revelation. Join him as he runs more than 40 miles per day for 66 consecutive days in an attempt to set the speed record on the 2,700 mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.

One of the coolest things about this movie is that David Horton is a Christian who shares his faith and his life openly! It is powerful to hear his "testimony" as he makes this epic journey. It is one of the best documentaries of a Christian I have ever seen. It will inspire and motivate you - -physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I also enjoyed seeing some of my friends and fellow-runners who appeared in this movie -- including Scott Jurek and the owner of the Seattle Running Company -- the store that I run for.