CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

April 18, 2004

LIFT UP THE FOLLOWING TO GOD:

Our congregation                                                    Our leaders, military and nation

Our college students                                               Various friends, relatives and co-workers

The Stolte’s in Germany                                         David and Leon in the Navy

Yevette’s dad will have bypass surgery Tuesday      Her mom is doing well at this time

Our sympathy to Mick at the loss of his grandmother last week

LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING:

May 6 - National Day of Prayer

May 11 - Mother’s day pot luck

June 6-12 - Encounter

FRIENDS

“A friend loves at all times…” (Proverbs 17:17).

We all have friends, some more, some less.  There are different circles of friendship.  The outer circle is the largest and would include neighbors, co-workers, fellow believers and classmates.  These are people we would talk with about general things, enjoy sharing some experiences with them, and attend various events with.  If they are in trouble or troubled, we would pray for them and even visit them and hopefully they would do the same for us.  The second circle are closer friends, those who we have more trust in and can share more intimate matters with.  We enjoy being with them, talking, sharing, and visiting.  We can be open about shared joys and troubles.  They would make an effort to check on us when we needed to be visited and encouraged.  It is a small but powerful circle.   The inner circle of friends is extremely small.  These are friends that we can share the most intimate matters with, who would travel great distances to stand by us, and who we have cried with, stood with in good and bad times, who hold us accountable, and will always be with us.

When we look at Jesus we see something similar.  He was “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19).  Many would come to Him, He listened and helped those who were willing or in need.  Then there were His followers and disciples, that circle of friends who followed Him throughout the land, listening to His teachings and even being involved in the proclamation of His message.  Finally, there were three, James, John and Peter, who were special to Him, His closest friends.  They shared some unique events with Jesus and each played an important role in the early church. 

Paul had his circles of friends.  We all do.  Sometimes the circles change for various reasons.  We grow apart from those closest to us; others become most trusted.  There is nothing wrong with this.  Then there are those who we haven’t seen for years, yet nothing has changed; we are still friends.  Ralph and Janet Royse fit that category for Yevette and me.  We don’t get to see each other much but when we do nothing has changed.  Oh, we are a little older, a little grayer, a few less hairs, and a few more pounds, but our friendship is still close.  Michael W. Smith wrote a song with those thoughts (as well as others) in mind called Friends.

            Packing up the dreams of God planted   In the fertile soil of you

           Can’t believe the hopes He’s granted   Means a chapter in your life is through

           But we’ll keep you close as always   It won’t even seem you’ve gone

           Cause our hearts in big and small ways   Will keep the love that keeps us strong

           And friends are friends forever   If the Lord is the Lord of them

           And a friend will not say “Never”   Cause the welcome will not end

          Though it’s hard to let you go   In the Father’s hands we know

           That a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends

            With the faith and love God’s given   Springing from the hope we know

            We will pray the joy you’ll live in   Is the strength that now you show

            But we’ll keep you close as always   It won’t even seem you’ve gone

            Cause our hearts in big and small ways   Will keep the love that keeps us strong

           And friends are friends forever   If the Lord is the Lord of them

           And a friend will not say “Never”  Cause the welcome will not end

           Though it’s hard to let you go   In the Father’s hands we know

           That a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends.

We’ve heard this song sung at graduation banquets knowing that our friends and children would be leaving home in a new chapter of their lives.  But there is so much more to the song and to friends.  As I listened to the song again, I thought of several things.  Could we not sing it at the funeral of a friend?  Or when we move away?  And what about just singing it to one another as God’s family?  I thought of Abraham being called a friend of God.  What a friendship! 

In John 15, Jesus called is disciples His friends.  I am thankful that I have friends in each circle of friendship.  I’m thankful that I make new friends each year.  I’m thankful that I have a number of friends in that second circle.  And I am especially thankful that in my inner circle I have friends who stand by me, who I can trust and appeal to and who are willing to admonish and encourage when needed. 

Jim McGuiggan tells a story of a well respected and known educator who was accused of wrong doing.  Many wrote to him saying that they could not believe the accusations.  But one wrote saying that “whether true or false, I will stand by you, and if you need me I will be there.”  Now that is a friend!

If you haven’t told your friends lately that you are thankful that they are your friends, then you need to, if you want.  And if that second circle of friends haven’t been visited recently, it might be time to contact them.  And those really close inner circle friends, they know who they are but it will still be good to say, “That a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends.”

                                                                                                 George B. Mearns