Going With Steve 8/3/2014

Good Morning,

My coffee this morning is Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti. Nothing like being greeted by a 39 pound English Springer Spaniel who's cold nose is the alarm clock that wakes you up at 5 AM. He wanted to go outside and chase the doves away from the window. So much for sleeping with the window open!

This morning my friend Steve and I are going out with doughnuts and coffee and some packed lunches with bottled water. Unfortunately, Milwaukee has an area of homeless people that we are going to try and help out this morning. The reason I am writing about this is not to draw attention to ourselves. Glory to God that we have some food and water that we can share. The reason I am writing this is to talk about my friend. Steve has a disease that causes his body to be riddled with pain and now just recently he tore up his shoulder and has added to that pain. He will certainly need a surgical repair. Most people will never know how much pain he is in. He hides it well when seen by others.

But Steve insisted that he should go and deliver food, comfort and fellowship today to others.  My point is this. I have been blessed to have a friend that always puts others first. If there is a problem for anyone in our church that needs some assistance, Steve is there. He does so much without asking for anything in return. When you ask if he needs anything when the pain becomes unbearable he replies "prayer".

Steve is an example of what we all should be in Christ. Others see Jesus in Steve. When I think about it my first sentences in the blog were about whining because our dog woke me up. Steve on the other hand would say. "What a blessing to wake up. You should share your dog with the elderly and visit them."

Two things here.

Have a friend who's actions and lifestyle bring you up to a higher place in life.

1 Corinthians 15:33        

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

         

Proverbs 13:20         

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

         

Proverbs 18:24        

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

          

Proverbs 27:17         

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Secondly have a friend that you can see Jesus working through.

 

2 Corinthians 13:5        

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

God bless,

Marty