Volume 6 Post/Email 3 – Christian Fellowship
by brian
Today (Sunday) has been a bundle of blessings for me. The time spent in worship this morning and evening were both edifying. My youngest brother joining Jamie and I for worship and lunch was a pleasant surprise. Visiting in a home this afternoon with 7 other Christians for visiting and prayer was encouraging. And the icing on the cake was spending almost 3 hours at JA this evening. After an hour of worship, we spent almost two more hours in fellowship. I was blessed by the many personal and positive conversations and quality time building closer relationships. I thank God this evening for my church family. James Avenue is a congregation with immeasurable love and heart.
I was especially uplifted toward the end of the evening by the 20 minutes or so of talking with and listening to Tim share with me more about the details of their journey with Caleb. When you consider the time that passed until the news could get to the top where there was cell phone service, to the forty minutes it took for the helicopter to arrive after the 911 call and all the critical time that passed, to the numerous scary occasions after Caleb came out of his coma concerning his brain and even liver, kidneys, etc., it is truly incredible to see him walking and playing [and "amening" 
] tonight at James Avenue. It all goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway), Caleb's story is one incredible testimony to the power of prayer. His healing and progress throughout the past 3 months is a tremendous encouragement and blessing to all of us. And as Larry mentioned tonight, seeing Tim and Tiffany's faith through this adversity is also a positive testimony and example for us.
I realize this elguy is a little more "informal", but I just decided to share some of the blessings of this day concerning the handiwork of God and a brief expression of my gratitude for times of fellowship and for Christian friendships.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 9 – Proverbs 18:24
by brian
This past week my brother Robert (Bob) has stayed with me while in Nashville for extra training for his job. He is with me this week also. It has been extremely fun to spend time together. Now Landon is back in Nashville for school and I'm looking forward to spending more time with him. They were both over at the house tonight and we watched the comedy "Death At A Funeral" and laughed our heads off. Monday night Bob and I are going to the Titans game and Thursday Landon is meeting us at Buffalo Wild Wings. So we're trying to make the most of it.
Anyway, we have always had that bond as brothers, though we have been more distant geographically the last 10 years. Spending time with Bob and Landon makes me reflect on the proverb, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
It is difficult to imagine having a non-family member willing to accept and love me more than a brother, a parent, or spouse, but the Bible states the possibility.
My question for you and me: Are we a friend who sticks closer than a brother?
Are we a fair-weather friend? Or are we there for others whenever there is stormy-weather?
Are we only a friend when it's convenient, or even when it's not?
Let's be grateful for close family and close friends. Let's be a family member and friend who sticks close by.
-Brian