Relationships 3

A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring. - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Before we left Nampa, Idaho, my passion was men's small groups.

Monday 7 a.m., 12-16 men - mostly Bible study, a little prayer. Great group of mostly retired guys wanting more of the Lord. Minimal self disclosure.

Monday 10 a.m. "quarterback club" atmosphere,15ish guys solving the world's problems in Nampa. No self disclosure, just a fun group of men.

Tuesday 6:30 a.m. Carrim teaching very effectively from Scripture, whetting our appetites for more of the Lord in our lives.

Wednesday 7 a.m. Fairly tightly knit group of 5 who did life together. Praying for each other. Carrying burdens with each other. Challenging each other. S, M, T and G, I sure miss you guys.

Then there were usually two or three groups that Theresa and I were involved with... firmly believing that "church" happens in small groups. Out of these groups have developed some deep, wonderful friendships.

Vawter and Wetherbe challenge us to choose friends wisely. "We are well served by positive friendships and, as we mature, we learn to discern those that are not positive. Sometimes that results in painfully having to choose to end a friendship that is not positive while taking care to cherish those friendships that inspire us to be better. And we contend that those “friends” who would try to shape us by subtle peer pressure should be left behind. At the same time, we are not best served by only choosing friends that think like we do. Friends who think alike can fall into what can be a dysfunctional dynamic called group think."