True Friendship

My Best Friend
by Jackie Sagner

My best friend is always there.
When I am sick, he is by my side.
When something good happens he is there to share it.
He is there when I wake up, there when I go to sleep.
When I eat, he eats too.
When I watch TV he tags along.
When I talk on the phone, he listens in.
When I have friends over, he is there to greet them at the door.
When I am afraid he is there to protect me.
When I am angry, he stays out of the way.

Oh, did I mention my best friend is my dog?

Do you have a true friend? Consider yourself blessed! That is one of life’s most treasured jewels. How do you find a true friend? You need be a friend to find a friend. Commit to your friend. Be there for your friend when they need you. Always be honest to your friend. Never betray your friend. Honor your friend. Sacrifice for your friend. Love your friend.

One practical suggestion in finding that true friend, is don’t try to be best friends with someone you don’t even like. That sounds simple, but in our desire for friendship we sometimes try to create a friendship with people we don’t even like. That is a mistake. Christians are committed to love every single person on this planet with the love of Jesus, but that doesn’t me we must like everyone and be their special pal!

Another problem in developing a special relationship is that often times we overcommit in relationships and can’t be there for that special friend.

When you do find that true friend, guard that friendship like Fort Knox. It is more precious than gold or silver!

Proud Brother!

My brother, Mark Hawkins was inducted into the Milan High School Hall of Fame. Mark is a 1977 graduate of Milan High school. He currently serves as one of the top executives of Dell Corp. Mark is the Vice-President for finance for Dell’s World-wide business, overseeing billions of dollars in investment.

Mark attended Michigan State University as an undergrad, and the University of Colorado as a graduate. He started his career at Hewlitt-Packard. H/P sent him to the exclusive Harvard Business College, where he graduated at the top of his class.

Mark has literally traveled the world. He swam in the Red Sea, floated in the Dead Sea, strolled on the Great Wall of China, stood side by side with Pope John Paul in Rome, and many other adventures like that.

Mark is also an elite marathon runner. He has run in the Motorola marathon twice, once finishing with a personal best time of 3 hours flat (for a 45 year old guy, that is pretty darn good!) He has run the Boston Marathon during record heat with seasoned runners half his age falling out of the race on his right and left!

On top of all this, Mark is the best brother in the world! He is a committed family man with a devoted wife and two handsome and brilliant sons. His wife, Laura, has a masters degree in nutrition and is a professor at the local college. One son, Matt attends the University of Colorado and is studying business. His other son, Dan is attending UCLA and is studying art. Mark loves has a deep love for his family that is felt and experienced by all. He is a role model for the entire family.

We are all proud of you Mark and you deserve all the accolades you receive!

Lighten Up!

This is one of my favorite pictoral interpretations of Jesus. There are plenty of examples of Jesus using humour in the scriptures.

The story of a man with a huge log sticking out of his eye as he helps another with a little piece of sawdust…if you can visualize it….is hilarious!

A man trying to strain a gnat out of of his drink and then swallowing a camel is a gut buster! (pun intended).

I’m so sure Jesus could rear his head back and just laugh….we need to do the same…especially when it’s about ourselves! Amen?

This Is Funny

A drunk stumbled along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeded to walk down into the water and stood next to the Preacher.

The minister turned and noticed the old drunk and said, “Mister, Are you ready to find Jesus?” The drunk looks back and says, “Yes, Preacher. I sure am.”

The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up. “Have you found Jesus?” the preacher asks.”No, I didn’t!” says the drunk.

The preacher then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up and says, “Now, brother, have you found Jesus?”"No, I did not Preacher.”

The preacher in disgust holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this time brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, “Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?”

The old drunk wipes his eyes and says to the preacher…”Are you sure this is where he fell in?”