Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
7/12/2021
A three-stranded cord is not easily broken – Uncommon Friendships
Courageous is Tonight 7PM
I listened to a Robin Williams movie clip from "Patch Adams". He said, “you treat a disease and you win… you lose — you treat a person, I guarantee you win…no matter what the outcome!” You win.
I am a member of a men’s group of 50 to 60 men that meet once a week. I also attend our Couples Ministry Group with my wife called Home Builders. I have seen in both these settings that people come in with all types of problems and issues; some physical, emotional, some are dealing with family issues, rebellious children, marriage problems, financial hurdles, and work pressures along with in-law problems. Some come because they felt called to try and fill some level of spiritual emptiness in their lives. or find friends or join our community.
We do not have all the answers here, but God’s spirit is here inside the hearts of these group leaders and people who have lived every one of the above and understand the stress and danger of each of these. We are here to listen and offer friendship and a shoulder to vent or cry on without shame or judgment. We offer God’s word and direction and true human and Christian fellowship. Whoever you are and whatever your spiritual condition and regardless of how far you think you have fallen away or gone cold to his spirits calling. Revelations 3:20 "Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! Always.
You will not find judgment here. I will tell you what you will find; Experienced men and women who have been there and struggled through that… Leaders who have matured enough to listen and if those at your table cannot help, they will find someone who can. Many come because they have no friends. They run the gauntlet of industry and look like the picture of Atlas carrying the globe inside themselves. It’s how they feel. They carry their entire world/family/future on their shoulders without a sounding board, without spiritual guidance, without a true Christian perspective to guide them along the dark roads of life and its tempting and alluring compromises.
Too many stand-alone but being alone is not a sin, in fact, it is good to be alone sometimes. Loneliness has more to do with our choices, our friends and our often misdirected feelings, and the negative thoughts that
we have allowed to sneak in, more so than our circumstances.
Jesus understands what it is to be lonely.
So many have been anesthetized by the world, numbed down by its worldly standards as our character goes down the drain one compromise at a time. Often taking those we love most along with us or without the spiritual leadership they need to not fall into your same trap of a world of denying God and embracing the lie that if you feel it, you have the right to do it. That each person can carry their own standard of truth and we must give them that freedom and accept what they believe so we can be inclusive. (There is A truth)
A self-centered life, aka a selfish life, is a wasted life. The person who lives for himself and chooses work, success, fun, sports, and riches over relationships, over God, leads to emptiness. Eccl: 4:8
In our Christian community, we offer fellowship and friendship, and a truly Christian perspective. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.” Two can keep each other warm and living…directed…accountable and walking uprightly carrying God’s light and living out a life’s testimony that others can see and admire and want to be like. Maybe…maybe even our children, coworkers, and neighbors.
Jesus always met people where they were. Those low and humble of heart. He said, Mark 2:17 I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” … “It is the sick people who need a doctor" But sadly the world does not see themselves as sick.
I pray, If you are not already there, that there will come a time when you get it. When we have matured past the drinking of the milk from someone else’s hand and now live to feed themselves on the meat and the substance of God’s inspiring word and with that has come to hunger to share that with others. Literally, a flame that will spread to others like a brush fire. Perhaps like the one in the upper room that ignited the spirit of the 120 that saved 5,000 that day as Peter, the fisherman, delivered his humble message of Jesus Christ risen.
Indeed, they have drawn close enough to the light of the Holy Spirit and God’s all inspiring word that they "live to serve others". That becomes their heart. The things that they looked at, not so long ago that were burdens become a joy of loving God with Excessive Joy and Love that cannot help but permeate into your being and soul that overflows into every aspect of your existence, into every relationship of your life and it will actually change your old filter that you see life through with new spiritual eyes and change you into the new spirit man that is often spoken of in the new testament. A man… A woman, after God’s own heart. Truly that is what awaits you.
Investing in relationships brings many advantages. Strength, accountability companionship, and resilience come to those who choose relationships as a priority. A threefold cord is hard to break.
You’ll never walk alone. Only Boys Aloud
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFr8mPh9wyk&list=RDVhrxRccU3Lw&index=6
