Each year after Thanksgiving, a group of pastors gather for two days of fellowship and golf at Bay Hill. I have gone for like 15 years and rarely miss it because of the fellowship and joy. The golf, well, that is another story! This golf course is rated as one of the toughest that the PGA professionals play every year on tour. There is water and sand a-plenty.
One time I hit my golf ball on the tenth hole, and it was one of those rare occasions when it went right down the middle of the fairway. When I turned around, there was Arnold Palmer watching me. After I hit my shot, he turned and walked away. I am so glad I did not know he was watching me! Had I known Palmer was standing behind me and watching, I probably would have swung and missed the ball entirely!
I have met Mr. Palmer on a couple of occasions. He along with Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan signed a golf hat that I have in my office at church.
Arnold Palmer was an acquaintance of mine, but Pastor Rhys is one of my best friends. He serves as the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. He and his wife Louise are some of the finest people you will ever meet. They moved from Wales to the USA to serve at New Hope. Rhys is one of those friends who, despite going without speaking together for a few months, when you do connect again, you feel like you talked just the day before.
One of the sad realities, especially for men today, is a lack of genuine friendships. The Lord has blessed me with two family members who are not just family but are also dear friends. There are a few others, like Rhys, who if I need counsel or prayer, they will be there in a moment, and I will likewise be there for them without question.
Proverbs 18:24 states,
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." I love this verse. In order to have friends, Solomon advises, we must be friendly toward others. Making and maintaining friendships takes effort. But the rewards of close friendships are worth every effort we make.
Many of you faithfully pray for and support our ministry at DFEA. Ashley and I and the six employees that work with our ministry sincerely thank you. This ministry is funded primarily through the generosity of God's people like you. We, like many nonprofits, have struggled over the last several months. We have hit some near record lows in our finances. In order to continue this ministry of daily devotions, weekly podcasts, and helping many people, we need some support. We know this ministry is in the Lord's hands, and we trust that He will keep us going according to His good will.
If you would like to donate to DFEA, large or small, one time or monthly, please
click this link or the button below. Thank you, and have a blessed weekend.
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