REST

Easter was amazing at Church by the Glades 2010.  We had 12 Services between two locations and I’m guessing over 10,000 people in attendance… Can I admit that I’m pooped.  If I were to mention this to anyone else on our staff, they would punch me.  I’m the Student Pastor, and was probably the least involved in making the weekend happen… but, I’m still pooped.

Today is Monday, April 5th and I took the day off to REST.  Today I’m going hang with my wife, some friends, and my dog Boomer, and we’re going to enjoy this amazingly beautiful, sunny south Florida day.

SO…

How important is REST to you?

Rest… to break, calm down, be tranquil, vacate, stop, relax, quiet, lull, doze, compose yourself, loaf, get comfortable, unwind, take some time, stretch, recline, lie still, sleep in, be lazy, lounge, re-energize… REST.

How important is REST to you?
What are some ways you practice REST?

friendship

friend : one attached to another by affection or esteem
: a favored companion

acquaintance, ally, alter ego, associate, bosom buddy, buddy, chum, classmate, cohort, colleague, companion, compatriot, comrade, consort, cousin, crony, familiar, intimate, mate, pal, partner, playmate, roommate, schoolmate, sidekick, soul mate, spare, well-wisher

How influential have friends been in your life?
In what ways have your friends influenced your life?

At THE WAVE, we are about to kick off a series called Pirates vs. Ninjas.  It’s going to be all about choosing your friends, fighting battles together, picking your friendship battles, ect.  When I think back on the history of my friendships I think about those friends who have really sculpted me into the person that I am… the person God continues to shape me into.

Preston taught me how to fight for the underdogs and introduced me to Christ.  John showed me to laugh at life and myself.  Erick taught me to what it is to really be a nice guy (I wish his coolness had rubbed off).  Jay taught me how to talk my way into or out of just about any situation in life.  Rusty pointed out how to be giving and to love Christ more deeply and authentically.  Micah helped me to develop discipline, and to understand discipleship.  Pete helped me to see how to be motivated and content at the same time.  Currently I have a whole new crew who are helping to show me wisdom, consistency, compassion.  My best friend:  Summer Joy, constantly teaches me about love, peace, trust, hope, and home.

*by the way, I’ve left out dozens of people, friends who have shaped my life and whom I love deeply.

Friendship is a powerful thing!  How has friendship moved you, changed you, developed you???
If you were teaching teens what would say to them?  What would you warn them of?  How would your encourage them?

¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

How influential have friends been in your life?
In what ways have your friends influenced your life?

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Pirate or Ninja??? What say you…

BFF

Sitting outside on my back porch and putting the finishing touches on a talk that will kick off our new series at The Wave called BFF.  Mostly talking about the purpose and importance of friendships.  Thinking back through the years some things I valued in friends have changed some, but some of those things have been cornerstones of my relationships.

Friend Values that I held tightly on to:
1.  Friends who Esteem me – one may sound selfish, but it’s so important to me.  I’ll go to battle for someone who lives out that they value and respect me.

2.  “Go to Battle” for me friends –  I’ve always loved hearing that someone out there was trash talking me a bit, but my friend __________, had my back.  I value that.

3.  Constructive Criticism.  Not often, but when I really need it.  I appreciate those who care enough to speak truth in my life.

4.  Learning and Teaching Friends – I hold tightly to those that I can learn from, but they are humble enough to allow me to teach them also.

5.  Encouraging Friends – I just need it from time to time.

6.  Christ following Friends – Christ is my foundation.  I need to be reminded of that often and in every way.  Great friends do just that.

What do you value most about your friendships?