Who's Got Your Back?

I preached on the topic, You Were Meant for Community from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 last Sunday. One of the key points was "a real friend will fight to protect you or your reputation." Here's a quote from that section of the message: "The words of this verse were written based on the military strategy of the ancient world. Nearly all combat was hand-to-hand. Soldiers went into battle with a partner, someone that could be counted on and trusted implicitly. The soldiers stood back-to-back in battle, always keeping their backs in contact. They fought whatever enemy came from any side."

It's essential that we have friends who have our backs. No matter how badly you mess up or fall short, it's comforting to know that you have someone who will be your friend. A real friend is someone who when you've made a fool of yourself doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.

A long-term friend told me today that he'd really made a mess of his life and was having to deal with a number of painful results. I let him know that I'd be his friend - I'd have his back - no matter what. He needed to know that no matter his failure he wasn't rejected by everyone.

Do you have friends who "have your back" no matter what? We all need them. And we need to be that friend for others. Think it through...

Agony?

In the Greek language, the word agony has an interesting history. It was originally a term that was an alternative to another word (agon) for a place of assembly. It was later used to denote the contests or games that took place in those assembly areas. These contests usually involved great struggle. Eventually it was used to denote severe emotional strain and anguish.

Have you ever been at a place of agony? Perhaps you know what I am referring to...those places that we find ourselves in where we experience great strain or stress. We tend to agonize over significant things - the death of a loved one, financial pressure, health concerns, a wayward child, a career choice - you can name many more. Sometimes we agonize over things because of poor decisions we've made. At other times we agonize over things about which we have little or no control.

Question: Do we agonize over the same things that God agonizes about? Personal sin? Lost souls? The hurts of others? And then: Does our agony move us to action?

In the weeks that lead up to Easter, let us not forget the agony that Jesus felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. He agonized there for you and for me. That agony led Him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Let us embrace Jesus and allow Him to move in our hearts for all the right reasons.

Investing in Others

My friend, Shawn, is an amazing coach! Once he has entered into a coaching relationship, he has the uncanny ability to see what others either overlook or simply cannot see. He is a blessing to the people he coaches. His investment has saved the ministry life of one man I know, and I'm sure there are others who would say the same.

When it comes to coaching, mentoring, or otherwise partnering with others, I want to ask this question of myself. Perhaps you'll be willing to ask it of yourself. Am I intentional in partnering with another person for the sake of building them up so that the Kingdom of God may increase? And a companion question might be this: Do I care who gets the credit?

Many people around us are drowning spiritually and professionally. Wouldn't it please God if we were to come along side them, just like the Holy Spirit (paraclete) does with us? Would it make a difference if we were to invest ourselves in another so that they might be more fruitful or productive? I believe the answer is yes! You may not feel qualified. You may feel inadequate. But you just might save some one's life if you were to simply invest yourself in another.

Faith Enough

I received a call from a long-time friend who told me that he had just received word from his doctor that he has an aggressive form of cancer in his lungs. Treatment would take the better part of a year and he would then have a life expectancy of 2-3 years afterwards. To do nothing means that he has 6 months to a year. He and his wife have prayed about it and he has opted to do no treatment. He is asking God to heal him, and if He doesn't, then my friend said he has to be willing to get on the bus and go home when God says it's time. My friend is full of faith and is believing God for healing.

Have you ever wondered if you would have enough faith when you needed it? It's one thing to say we have faith in religion-protected America, but when your back is really up against the wall will you trust God to be faithful? When you still have a lot to live for and do, are you able to say, "I will trust Him"?

My friend's name is Dave Terhune. He is the pastor of a new church called The Cross in Rochester. Please pray for Pastor Dave, his wife Susan, and the rest of the family. Please ask God to heal Dave for the Lord's honor and glory.

A Proud Papa

I have to show off my grandson, Micah, who will be one in just a few days. He is one handsome dude!

Living and Loss

My cousin, Sandy Frampton, died on January 7. Sandy was only 49. She died after a return of cancer to her body. I was greatly encouraged at her funeral in Reynoldsville, PA, when the pastor of her home church related her conversion story, her baptism, and her unselfish service over the years both there as well as the church she attended near her work in Johnstown, PA. While her passing was untimely, at least from my perspective, her life was full of family and service for Christ.

For me, the loss was bitter sweet. I knew Sandy, but I'm afraid I didn't know her well enough. You see, over the years I've allowed my busy schedule to interfere with spending time with extended family. At the funeral I found myself being re-introduced to family members I hadn't seen in years - anywhere from 15 to 35 to be exact! For that, there was a profound sense of loss. My children have missed out on knowing much of their family due to neglect.

Let me encourage you to spend time with family. Go see your parents, your grandparents, your aunts, uncles, and cousins. Don't wait for a funeral to see them again. And if the miles are too great to see them in person, pick up the phone, write a letter, or even Skype. But don't let the years go by without connecting.

Vacancy

When you are traveling and in need of lodging, those "no vacancy" signs in front of a hotel or motel are annoying. But when you think about it, a vacancy isn't necessarily a good thing. There may be a reason why that particular establishment isn't full. That reason may not be a good one!

Our nation is definitely lacking in authentic leadership - there indeed is a vacancy in this area. The recent events in Arizona bear this out. The tragedy of a gunman killing and wounding several people, including the injuries suffered by Congresswoman Giffords, is morally reprehensible. But to see people trying to politicize the incident is heartbreaking. Has our nation really descended this deep into the abyss of the absence of decency? Where is the compassion for those who have lost loved ones and those who are trying to cope and heal from this awful tragedy?

Paul's words to the church in Philippi are applicable here. In trying to help the early church work through conflict, he wrote, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit." (2:3).

We need leaders who will put others first. There is a vacancy in leadership in America. Where have all the leaders gone?