I got a Facebook friend request last week from someone at a former church of mine. I was a bit surprised. Not because we’d drifted apart or we weren’t friends; or because we differ on beliefs. I was surprised because he died three years ago.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s true and what’s false. These days we have an overload of information but a dearth of wisdom. Terry, my beloved, departed friend, was a wise man. He would pause with his wife every afternoon at 2:00pm to pray for the church and our pastors by name. He was a wonderful example of how to live a prayerful life. He showed me passion for teaching the Bible until he died. He showed me the value of being a role model for his family members.
Terry and I were NOT aligned on every issue. He knew that. I knew that. But we still loved each other. We still respected each other. Although we could not agree on the truth when it comes to many issues we did agree on the truth when it comes to faith. We could agree that the way of Jesus was the truth for us. That connection was more powerful than dogma. It was more important than either of our ideas individually.
This Sunday we will look at the connection between Paul and Timothy. They had a mentoring relationship that can be a good model for all of us. They’re relationship is a good reminder of the vows we take when a child is baptized:
With God’s help we will proclaim the good news
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and live according to the example of Christ.
We will surround these persons
with a community of love and forgiveness,
that they may grow in their service to others
We will pray for them,
that they may be true disciples
who walk in the way that leads to life.
I hope to see you Sunday as we strengthen our connections and walk in the truth.
Until Everyone Hears,
