Let's be Friends.

So, this past Friday, 13 July (that’s how we write it in Ghana): I did teach the Youth about friendship.  Initially, I had planned to focus on some of the essential characteristics of genuine friendship (support, trustworthiness, honesty, love…) and to urge the young people to pursue these qualities in their own lives before seeking out a friend with those particular traits.  However, when I arrived with my brother and two friends of mine, I was quickly—perhaps I should say abruptly (although, in retrospect, I am not sure what else I was supposed to expect from a Youth Week program)—made aware that I would be preaching.  Such clues as “…before we hear from our preacher…” and “our dear reverend will come and share with us…” gave me notice that I should do more to ‘sermonize’ that about which I had anticipated speaking.  Why, you might ask, would I not have already thought this to be a sermon?  Well, that is because I had replaced someone else for this talk.  That someone was scheduled to give a health talk that night!  So, naturally, I think, a sermon was not the first idea to make its way into my head.

Having already felt unsure of my readiness for the night, I began to look through the Scriptures to solidify more of a story-type approach, rather than a lecture.  A couple of prayers and an hour later, I was through, and had added the spiritual dimension to the evening, that the love God has for us is our basis for loving ourselves and others, and that friendship with God is more highly to be valued because it leads to eternal life.  Amen!

This week and next, a short-term team is here with my family, and will be teaching on biblical counseling; giving such counsel and training in the development of said skill.  I am looking forward to the impact they will have on people in the community, especially because pastors in the area are encouraging their members to attend.

There are more opportunities ahead, I am sure!  I have heard about a couple of Youth Week activities from various congregations, and have yet to speak with the secondary school I mentioned in an earlier post.  I’m still trying to find a steady posting rate; the Internet can be frustratingly slow at times, so please bear with me.

I hope that you are being challenged by God to draw closer to Him than you are right now.  It is so important to keep getting closer.  You will find out what you didn’t know before, I guarantee you.  May the Lord be your all, always.  Live in Love.