Friendships

It seemed like the entire weekend was focused on friendships. Saturday evening I attended the wedding of a daughter of my wife Cindy’s best friend Debbie Detar. They were friends for many years and we spent many of our holidays in their home or them in ours. Bill and Debbie Detar had three children as did Cindy and I, two daughters and one son for each family. We lived little more than two miles from each other which made it convenient to visit frequently. It was Debbie who fixed Cindy and I for our first “blind” date. I met Cindy at my cousin’s wedding, so we knew each other slightly.

After an evening spending time celebrating with my children and grandchildren sharing the festivities, I made my way home feeling tired, stuffed with good food, and with a need to relax.

I was invited to attend a Friends and Family event at my son’ Andrew’s church. The Bible Baptist Church is located in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Sunday morning started with Sunday school taught by Pastor Tommy Dallas’ father-in-law Pastor David Bixler. Pastor Biller drove from his church Emmanuel Baptist Church in Williamsport to speak at this event. Pastor Dallas invited him because he is family and a special friend. Pastor Bixler spoke about friendship, not just acquaintances, but real lifelong bosom buddies. Having a friend with whom another person can rely, no matter the situation or the time of day should a need arise, a special friend who will stand beside them during the thick and thin times with a friendship that will outlast distance and time.

Pastor continued same theme into the message that immediately followed the Sunday school. He mentioned several friendships in the Bible. One of the strongest was with David and the son of Saul the King. It was a friendship that was so steadfast and strong that Jonathan protected David from Saul’s wrath and from the plan to kill David. He shared that we have a friend in Jesus, who gave his life for all mankind. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 A young man and his sister came forward to accept Christ as their Savior.

A potluck meal was served and everyone was invited to stay. As with most Baptist potlucks, the food selection was vast, varied, and very tasty. When our appetites were sated, we waddled back upstairs to have the second service in lieu of a later evening service. Pastor Bixler expanded on the love and friendship found in Jesus Christ.

I made it home in time to attend choir practice and hear another sermon from our Assistant Pastor, Christian Garcia. He spoke on setting goals in our lives, either the things of the world or the things of God.