Old Friends & New Faces

Last week our good friends John Anthony and Kristen Renwick and their 8 month-old Brennan, came to visit us for most of the week. They are currently missionaries in Aberdeen, Scotland, and they were here visiting their supporting congregations. It had been 2 years since we had seen them and our week with them was such a blessing. John Anthony and Kristen are both friends Angie and I knew at Harding University. We were all a part of the same social club on campus and we have all remained close since our college years. This was the first time we had met little Brennan, and we absolutely fell in love with that kid! While they were we here, we spent an evening with some more of our closest friends from Harding: Marcus and Stacey Neely, and their little guy, Sam.

As we spent the week together I was flooded with memories of the “good ole’ days”, and at the same time I was amazed at how close we all still are, despite the thousands of miles between us. It is so incredible to have friends that you always feel close to, no matter how far apart you live or how long its been since you’ve seen each other.

When I think about those relationships and others in my life, I realize that I shouldn’t be surprised or amazed. The reason we are all so close is because of our bond in Christ. There is simply no better relationship than a Christian relationship. No other mere friendship or acquaintance compares. As I look back on that week, I am reminded again of how God has constantly blessed me with incredible relationships. From my wife, to my family, to my friends I am surrounded by people who love Him. No wonder I love being around these people so much.

Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! NIV

 

Friends

Where would you be without your friends? God has always blessed me with strong, Christian friends. Maybe He knew I would need their influence and support. Whatever the reason I am so thankful. I have friends who have lost loved ones, and I’ve been amazed and encouraged by their faith. I have friends who are incredibly talented, and they constantly seek ways to glorify God with their talents. I have friends who have had every right to question God, but instead they held their head high and praised Him in the midst of their storms. I have friends that have made great sacrifices so that they could serve God. I have friends who have left this world and are now in heaven, and I can’t wait to see them again. I have friends that love me for who I am, and they are always a source of strength and encouragement. And I have my best friend, who also happens to be the love of my life, and without her I would be truly lost. I thank God for my friends.

Philippians 1:3
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” NIV

 

The Wake Up Song!

I wanted to share a song with you that my good friend, Jeff, recently wrote and recorded. Jeff is one of my best friends and he is a talented singer/songwriter. Jeff read my post, “Wake Up?“, and was inspired to write this song. The song is called..you guessed it…. “Wake Up”. You can hear it by clicking here, and the lyrics are listed below. You can also check out Jeff’s other songs on his website. The link is on the left, or you can click here. Just click on Music Studio to find all of his songs and listen to them. He writes and records all of his music himself. Very impressive stuff.

Also, be sure and check out the “The Twin Song” on his website. Jeff wrote that in honor of our friend Tony’s twins that were born this summer. The doctors told Tony and Lindsay that they would only give birth to one of their twin girls. However God had other plans. It is really an incredible story that shows the power of God and the power of prayer. Check out Tony’s site in the links on the left for more about their incredible journey. Here’s the lyrics to “Wake Up”:

Wake up                   by Jeff Hardin

Wake up today and remember what life is aboutMoney and Fame are two things that you can do withoutLife... is short and fades with the weatherLoving... goes on forever (goes on forever)

Wake up my friend and decide for yourself what is keyYour cash and your checks are no substitute for sympathySpend... some time with those all around youThen... you'll find that real love has found you (that real love has found you)

(solo)

Reaching out... to those all around youIndicates... that real love has found you (that real love has found you)

Wake up today and remember what life is aboutMoney and Fame are two things that you can do withoutLife...is short and fades with the weatherLoving...goes on forever (goes on forever)

Wake up today and remember what life is aboutWake up today and remember what life is aboutWake up today and remember what life is about

Enjoy everyone. You can reach Jeff at jhardin73@yahoo.com