Frank and to the Point
My Sunday nights have become a highlight of my week since beginning Servant Warriors a few weeks ago. Each week about 40 men join me in the First Baptist Nashville Rec Center for a one-hour physical workout using wooden Samurai swords. We spend the second hour looking at the character traits of the mighty men who accompanied Joshua and David in their respective exploits in the Old Testament, seeking to apply what we learn to our hearts and lives.
One of the reasons I’m enjoying Servant Warriors so much is simply the opportunity it gives me to spend time with a group of men. We all bring different levels of fitness training into the room. We also have varying fitness goals. Even so, there is a tremendous energy in the room as we encourage one another and prompt each other on to physical and spiri-tual growth.
I discovered how important the encouragement of a friend can be earlier this summer. After participating in our FBC Bicycle Club for four or five months I signed up for a 42-mile ride sponsored by the Harpeth Bicycle Club. It was my first time to try anything like this. The weather was perfect and the back roads of rural Williamson County were serene and picturesque. However, by the time I got just past the halfway mark I was asking myself “what were you thinking” with just about every pedal stroke.
My riding buddies included two very experienced cyclists, Tim Coble and Jason Rogers, both veterans of several cen-turies (100 mile rides) and other bicycle races. Even though they could have easily left me miles behind finishing that day’s ride with a much more impressive time, they stayed with me to encourage me up and down the hills and over the rough spots. I would have quit without them. Having a friend made all the difference in the day for me. I can’t wait to do it again!
This is the way it is in life. While there are times we enjoy solitude and need it, more often than not we need a group of people around us to help us pull something from deep within when the going gets tough. You’ll find friends like this at First Baptist Nashville. Mine ride bikes, swing swords, and workout like gym rats. Others find friends who scrapbook, fish, golf, play softball or (don’t tell anyone) ballroom dance.
It’s one of the ways we do life together. Doing life together adds a richness to it that we miss doing life alone. Be sure to be in your place for Bible Study and worship in the coming weeks. There’s a group of friends who won’t be the same unless you are there to do life with them on Sundays, Wednesdays, and other times at First Baptist!
Also in the September 10, 2007 Issue of The Evangel
» Frank and to the Point
» Service Projects Through FBC
» Sunday Evening Opportunities
» Grandparenting Joys
» September Staff
» Adopt A Student
» New Class Offerings on Sunday Nights
» First Walk
» Persistent Prayer and Evangelism
» Have You Nominated Deacons Yet?
» This Week in Worship
