14 December 2008
Unconditional Friendship
Is there such a thing as Unconditional Friendship. That is the question I was posed.
I see my friend has posted his answer, and I have not yet responded, so here I go (before reading your answer, Randy)...
My friend Craig would say my answer is a 'Chasism.' My answer is "Yes & No."
The only YES I can come up with would be Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
On a fully man to man (as different than man to God-man) plane I fear the answer is NO. I have always wanted the answer to be yes.
A big portion of my life has been spent in a passionate pursuit of the man or men who would fulfill my quest for unconditional love, acceptance, and yes, friendship. Apart from Christ (and I've discovered He is who I was actually pursuing), these things are most definitely beyond reach, and there is the biggest condition. Christ must be a part of the friendship.
There is another condition.
To the best of my ability I have followed what I know to be God's command to love and role-model that love of God to more than one individual, in essence, be a best friend whether that is returned or not. I have been hurt, abused, misled and occasionally rejected (albeit briefly) as I have attempted to be a friend-that-sticks-closer-than-a-brother.
The condition is that a friendship is a two-way street, walked together, hand in hand. What I have freely offered, w/o condition, still must needs be received.
The human heart according to Jeremiah 17:9 (?) is deceitful and wicked. This side of heaven, I don't see it happening anymore.
I've mentioned friends on this blog in the past. I love them more than I love my self and they know I will not hesitate to do anything for them (if I deem it in their best interest, or feel God's leading that way -- more conditions?), and have on more than one occasion.
Money? Time? A hand? Advice? My life? Love? Patience? Hope? A desire to share the meat of the Scripture? Love for Jesus Christ? A Passionate Pursuit of the Holy One? All these and more I gladly dedicate and consecrate to our friendship and relationship with Abba -- Father God.
Since my love for my friends is from the overflow of my love for God, and by His grace this will not change, than I would say that from this side of the street I pose the offer of unconditional (faithful?) friendship.
I see it as the love of a wife for her husband, but now-a-days that seems altogether too conditional. Many are even skipping the vows.
The love of a Father for his children? I don't know that that would stand the test, either.
In closing I would have to bow to God, the Master of the Universe, and say that Unconditional Friendship is a two way street, based primarily on a love relationship with HIM; the overflow of which can be a conditional 'unconditional friendship.'
Hope you're not too confused.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: Chasism, conditions, Craig, ETC, friend, friends, friendship, Nate, Randy, Ryan, unconditional
29 November 2008
Thanksgiving Spectacular, circa. 2008
The above is from "No More Stupid" - a blog I follow by Teri, a friend from the other coast.Jesus is always there for us and He orchestrates schedules, events and even dinners so that believers can minister to other believers in times of trouble and in times of celebration.
As I read her insightful entry on her family and their resemblance to the body of Christ, I was reminded that the body of Christ is my family.
Holidays have not always been happy times for me.
I recall the occasional holiday growing up when I would be 'banished' to my room for some seemingly insignificant event, causing me to miss whatever I had deemed the 'best part' of that particular holiday. Sometimes it would have been the parades, other times, the arrival of some relation or another. The perception of this young me was that celebrations would be better off without me there.
This philosophy of living carried well into my adult years; likely affecting more than 3/4's of my holidays.
Thanksgiving 2008 was likely the best holiday I've celebrated; although it didn't look like it was going to be from my earlier vantage point.
Working in E.M.S. (9-1-1) I generally go home (the parents) every other Christmas or Thanksgiving. Being scheduled naturally for Wednesday and Friday in November, I will be home for Christmas. Having Thursday off could have meant another sad holiday alone.
Enter Ryan and Nate, two of my favorite people on the planet. These brothers celebrated Turkey Day 2007 at Ryan's house, and thoroughly enjoyed it. They invited me to join them this year, and I readily agreed.
Through a series of events, as the holiday approached Nate decided to travel over the holiday, placing a small quandary in my festivity planning. As a note, I am sooo thankful that he got to head to warmer climates to spend time with a best friend of his from ages past.
The problem, was that this may mean that Ryan and Hilliary may change their plans, which of course, would change mine (you recall, don't you, that it really is all about me). But 'Jesus is always there for us. He orchestrates schedules, events and dinners so that believers can minister to other believers in times of trouble, and in times of celebration.' Isaiah said 'but the Lord is mindful of His own... He remembers His children.' Either way, I'm blessed.
I had resolved to celebrate the day with Jesus, even if other opportunities had NOT arisen.
The confirmation came and the Holiday arrived. Communion Thanksgiving Eve was great. Pastor's Brian and Carlos led a great evening, w/Pastor Joe speaking. Slept in Thursday morning.
Arrived at R&H's and hung w/them and the babies. Watched 'Star Wars: Clone Wars' then more of Hill's fam arrived. They were very pleasant and relaxed. Appetizers, drinks and fun ensued and led through a lunch that would easily compete w/Mom's (sorry, Mom, but Hilliary did a wonderful job...). More of Ry's family arrived for 'desert' and hanging out.
Well after dark the place began to thin out again and the hilarious comedy "Kung Fu Panda" aired on the DVD/TV. I don't know when I've enjoyed a movie so much. The lowest note was the last movie of the night, "Tropic Thunder" which I can't even say was laced with swearing. That was the main focal point, methinks. At any rate, I love Ryan and Hilliary so much the more and am thankful to be a part of their family. Brother Nate was missed, but made an appearance via photo/text messaging that brought a good laugh.
I can hardly wait for the Wedding Feast coming up soon. I'm sure to sit near Nate and R&H and so many of you. The food will be beyond comparison, the atmosphere clean and blessed, the building (which I might add, has been in the works for a couple thousand years) beyond compare! And the Groom: I can only imagine. The spouse of our dreams to spend eternity with.
Thank you Jesus, for a incredible day.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus,
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: family, fellowship, food, God, Hilliary, Holiday, Jesus, Kung Fu panda, Nate, Ryan, Star Wars, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving 2008, Tropic Thunder, Wedding Feast
13 September 2008
R/H/s/m/N/Bw/Bp/F
So the other day, a rabbi/ priest/ lawyer/ peace officer/ carpenter and a duck walked into a bar, and the bartender says, "What is this? A joke?"
But seriously, yesterday was my day off. I was stoked to see Nate's (tcagirlssoccer) team play late in the afternoon. It was a good game. Rained the entire time!
Got to the school early, so got to briefly visit Braden and Brandon, and Ryan. Due to a, ahem, miscommunication, I got to spend the drive over to Ry's house with him, where I got to see his wife and girls (youngest is getting big). Nate and his female friend were over, too. Didn't really get to chat w/him at all.
Pizza and wings, then off to my place to sleep before work this morning.
It was good to hang with this gang, again. Perhaps it'll happen again.
I am at peace.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: friends, joke, Nate, Ryan, soccer
21 August 2008
Friends & Seminar Requests
Friends: First of all, I got to see some good, good friends today, and speak w/some old good friends.
This morning I left home at the early hour of 0630 to arrive at TCA (The Christian Academy -- I didn't name it, it just is what it is) where my friend Nate coaches the girls Soccer. I spent a couple hours 'video-graphing' their morning practice session. I had truly forgotten how much I loved soccer! My Jr/Sr High teams NEVER did some of the drills Nate has come up with. They're going to win the championship if they keep going like this week.
I also got to have lunch w/Ryan (and a few other teachers from the school: Brandon and Braden, whom I knew (actually the lunch was supposed to be with Brandon, but Ryan's back from RI, woot!) and John and Abe. Ryan rode over with me to the diner and back. We chatted a little. I hope we can actually fellowship and pray and exhort and... sometime soon... with Nate, too.
Seminar Requests: Next I'd like to ask for prayer. I'm working on a seminar for Youth Pastors/ Leaders/ Directors/ Workers/ 'Dudes' for HUSA, and am really excited about the new direction we're heading. We truly get to "proclaim Christ as Lord, to a sexually broken world!"
Please pray as a couple of us collaborate. Also: Does anyone know of a GOOD 12-week course already written for Youth Groups to go through each week for a 'quarter?' Why re-invent the wheel if someone's already labored in prayer and writing and has BIBLICALLY SOUND, GOOD STUFF already published...?
Thanks to you all,
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: friends, high school, HUSA, moniker, Nate, prayer, Ryan, seminar, soccer
01 August 2008
A Tale of two Firebirds
Lord have mercy! Jesus must be coming back soon because I'm about to talk for a whole blog post about CARS!
I think my standards may be a little high.
I value friendships, a lot. I hate betrayal, I detest divorce, and I have a sensitive side that is more than half of my personality. I realized a while back that emotional dependency is not just a female issue. I work hard at not growing dependent on anyone but Jesus. He is, after all, my reason for living. He loved me enough to get a whole book written for me to find Him in, and got a whole bunch of people into my life to show me He can really effect change in human lives.
I guess I say all that to say this. I know two brothers that God has raised up and placed into my life who are meeting my standard. Ryan and Nate. Over time I'm sure you'll hear more, but for now I'm sitting on a deck w/Nate, as we wait for today's appointment to purchase a 1990 Firebird (similar to the above picture, but all black w/T-Tops). This is one of God's blessings upon my friend.
A while back his 1992 Firebird was totaled. God miraculously provided this one to meet several needs of this up-and-coming musician. Oh, well the rest is Nate's story, not mine. Not that I can't tell his story, but I don't feel I should at the moment.
At any rate, I get to hang out with my friend and watch God bless his life. Aren't cars grand?
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
I think my standards may be a little high.
I value friendships, a lot. I hate betrayal, I detest divorce, and I have a sensitive side that is more than half of my personality. I realized a while back that emotional dependency is not just a female issue. I work hard at not growing dependent on anyone but Jesus. He is, after all, my reason for living. He loved me enough to get a whole book written for me to find Him in, and got a whole bunch of people into my life to show me He can really effect change in human lives.
I guess I say all that to say this. I know two brothers that God has raised up and placed into my life who are meeting my standard. Ryan and Nate. Over time I'm sure you'll hear more, but for now I'm sitting on a deck w/Nate, as we wait for today's appointment to purchase a 1990 Firebird (similar to the above picture, but all black w/T-Tops). This is one of God's blessings upon my friend.
A while back his 1992 Firebird was totaled. God miraculously provided this one to meet several needs of this up-and-coming musician. Oh, well the rest is Nate's story, not mine. Not that I can't tell his story, but I don't feel I should at the moment.
At any rate, I get to hang out with my friend and watch God bless his life. Aren't cars grand?
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: cars, divorce, emotional dependency, firebird, friend, friends, Jackson, Jesus, Nate, Ryan
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