This year I turned 50, and my wife posted on her social media about my birthday. I don’t use social media, so she showed me all the people who commented with their greetings. One was a friend from high school. He is the only one of many friends from high school that I have stayedContinue reading “Why do some close friendships fade? – 2 Samuel 16—20, Preview”
Tag Archives: friends
How to have friendship that supersedes any divisive categories – 1st Samuel 20, Part 5
Let’s consider how the friendship of David and Jonathan might help us learn to be better friends. As we saw last week when we studied 1st Samuel 18 & 19, their relationship began with Jonathan in the power position. At that time, Jonathan is the crown prince, and David is a peasant. They are inContinue reading “How to have friendship that supersedes any divisive categories – 1st Samuel 20, Part 5”
The resolution of the crisis in David and Jonathan’s friendship – 1st Samuel 20, Part 4
David’s life hangs in the balance. But he has proposed an idea to his best friend, Prince Jonathan, in which Jonathan will try to discover if his father, King Saul, truly intends to kill David. Jonathan, though he doubts David’s interpretation of the situation, agrees to the idea. Jonathan will tell his father Saul that DavidContinue reading “The resolution of the crisis in David and Jonathan’s friendship – 1st Samuel 20, Part 4”
Are you a good friend? – 1st Samuel 20, Preview
When my kids were younger, especially in upper elementary or middle school, some of them tended to label multiple friends as “best friends” at the same time. When I first heard them declare that Friend B was their best friend, I was confused. I questioned them, “I thought Friend A was your best friend.” Continue reading “Are you a good friend? – 1st Samuel 20, Preview”
What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2
Who is the most powerful or wealthy or famous person you know? I know a state senator, and he’s often in the news. We worked together for three years right after college, we were in a Bible study together, spent a lot of time together. But it’s been a while since we hung out orContinue reading “What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2”
College was not what I expected (…and how that relates to Palm Sunday) – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 1
Editor’s Note: This week at Faith Church we welcomed one of my current students, Molly Stouffer, as guest preacher. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Here is the first in her series of posts guest blogging her Palm Sunday sermon! When I arrived at Lancaster Bible College, it wasContinue reading “College was not what I expected (…and how that relates to Palm Sunday) – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 1”
Relationships: Series Preview
Who are your closest relationships? Think about the top five to ten people who are your best friends. When I mention the category “friends,” that list could also include family members. Sometimes we have the distinct pleasure of being friends with our family. Michelle and I have thoroughly enjoyed the transition from being parents ofContinue reading “Relationships: Series Preview”
Do you have family drama? Characters – Joseph, Part 1
Family drama. None of your families have drama, right? Yeah, mine neither. (I hope you don’t believe that.) Actually, family drama is the stuff of life. We all have it. Think about all the words we use to describe it. Some of you might remember the classic line from the sitcom Friends, “We were onContinue reading “Do you have family drama? Characters – Joseph, Part 1”
3 ways to pray for your friends – 3rd John, Part 2
How should you pray for your friends? As we continuing studying the letter called 3rd John, after greeting his friend Gaius, instead of conveying a blessing from God, as so often happens in the biblical letters, John next describes how he prays for his friend. It’s a great prayer, too, one that you can useContinue reading “3 ways to pray for your friends – 3rd John, Part 2”
When you start to change and your friends don’t like it
Have you ever gone through a life change, and that change affected your friendships? You know who your real friends are when you start changing. Perhaps you believe new things, or maybe you have shed a long-held belief, and your friends are pushing back. It could be that you have stopped doing something that youContinue reading “When you start to change and your friends don’t like it”
Engaging Scripture 