Hard Things of Faith

I have a childhood friend who prayed his salvation prayer several years ago and today he has no more relationship with Christ than before he said his prayer.  I desperately want to believe that my friend knows Christ, but from his own lips, he does not.  He has been gracious in allowing me to share his story. He and I are part of a group of friends that have ebbed and flowed since we were kids.  A few years ago, our group of friends came back together and it quickly became evident that several of us had come to know Christ.  The natural thing was to share our faith with our friends. Our testimonies were well received. Our walk with Christ; well respected. After spending time with those of us walking with Christ this friend was hungry to know more of what we had found. He has known us for most of our lives and could see changes for the good and wanted to know more. We were happy to share all the Lord had done and was still doing in...

My time with the Lord started quietly in confession last Sunday morning.  I had been up for hours and had sat through a good sermon, but my time with the Lord began at the end of the service when the pastor invited us to the communion table. It was at that moment I remembered that the Lord was with me, he knew what no one else could see. I was saddened by loss of friendship and connection. It's tempting to look back and grieve what was because it’s gone.  It’s a much harder task for some of us to look back and rejoice for having moments that have brought joy when they are no longer there. As a Military Spouse, you learn quickly that things change fast and that means that friends come and go in what seems like a blink of an eye. Before you know it time flies and it’s been 5, 10, or 15 years since you have seen people you once did everyday life with. Sometimes there is a friendship that comes along where the connection is immediate. It's l...