FROM THE PULPIT: YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN JESUS

We just completed a week of Vacation Bible School at our church and I was reminded of this wonderful story about a boy who was asked about his family, when he enrolled for Vacation Bible School. The teacher responded with a quizzical, "Oh," after the boy revealed he had no brothers and sisters. To which the youngster piped, "But I've got friends!"

It is a real blessing to have friends. I have been blessed in my life by the friends who I continue to keep in contact with in many different locations and from many different stops along my life's journey. Some of those friends are only special memories that inspire me to keep going and never quit. Some of those friends I can confide in with my most deepest thoughts and concerns. And some friends are just simply fun to have around to talk to or play a round of golf with.

William Arthur Ward wrote a column called "A Friend Is." Included in his column are many definitions of what "a friend is." Two of the phrases that caught my eye were: "A friend is one who strengthens you with his prayers, blesses you with his love, and encourages you with his hope." And the second one is " a friend is one who joyfully sings with you when you are on the mountain top, and silently walks beside you through the valley."

Christ's ministry, suffering, death and Resurrection remind us of a friendship that is everlasting. Although sometimes our earthly friends fail us as Christ's followers we know that we truly have a friend who is always there to listen, love and comfort us. The ageless hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," reminds us of that loving, caring and trusting friendship we now have in the God of all.

This weekend let a friend know how much they really mean to you because of the powerful friendship you have been offered in the gift from God in the Risen Savior.