Good morning: Do you know what your friends are saying about you? I’m not suggesting that they’re gossiping behind your back or posting comments about you this morning on Facebook. But our friends do say a great deal about us just by being our friends. The ancient Greek storyteller Aesop is credited with the moral: “A man is known by the company he keeps.” In other words, if you want to know about someone’s character, observe their friends. Friends can either be a great blessing or a hindrance to our lives as Christians. Solomon writes, “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Prov. 12:26). “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Prov. 17:17). A true friend is always there to lean on and to rely upon for encouragement and good advice. A true friend is not going to lead you away from following the Lord, but will rather be a help in your Christian walk. Thank God for those friends who care enough to correct you when you begin to stray from the Lord’s path and who apply the healing word of Christ’s forgiveness when the Spirit works repentance. Friends who listen and then bring you the Lord’s comfort and promises when you’re facing the troubles of life are priceless. Friends like that are God’s love in action. They are His gifts, because their love flows from His love. Jesus told His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends” (Jn. 15:13-14). Jesus laid down His holy life for us too. By faith we are His friends and share in all the blessings of forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. Thank the Lord for being our friend and Savior. May we choose our friends carefully, so that what they “say” about us is that we are children of God by faith in Jesus. Treasure the friends He provides in fellow believers. Let them know how much they mean to you, and may we be true friends to others as well. In Christ, Pastor Tomorrow is our annual Friendship Sunday. The service begins at 9 a.m. As always, visitors are welcome. Our two new Christian day school teachers, Mr. Paul Tiefel and Mrs. Carrie Reim will be installed. Newly elected church board members and officers will also be installed. The VBS children will be singing. The congregational picnic will begin shortly after the service at Calhoun Park (shelter 2), 5400 S. Calhoun Rd., New Berlin. Please bring a side dish to pass (dessert too if you’d like), lawn chairs, and softball equipment. The main dish of brats and hot dogs will be provided, along with water, soda, and lemonade. Everyone’s welcome!
