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Let's Hang Out

Let's Hang Out

I recall my 1st grade teacher sending home old retired readers so that I could enjoy reading. My 2nd grade teacher sat with me while I turned the hands on a clock in her room to better understand “telling time.” My 6th grade basketball coach opened the gym early so that he could help me shoot free throws. My 8th grade science teacher (who became my first wrestling coach) walked me through video after video after each wrestling match. My first varsity wrestling coach awarded me as a freshman for “harboring the most potential.” The list goes on and on of adults, peers, relatives, parents, grandparents, youth leaders, pastors, professors, colleagues, school administrators, and even random strangers on occasion encouraging me to stay the course and meet the goals at hand.

Our life in Christ is no different. Our faith walk is directly related to those who come around us with words of encouragement, inspiration, and expertise. We may all agree that it is our closest relationships with others that enable every success in life. We desire to be on a team to learn a sport as a child. We seek out quality coaches, tutors, and mentors for our children. As adults we attend meetings and conferences and take courses to learn and to be inspired and encouraged by others. Yet, in our faith journey, we often make every attempt to go it alone.

We sit at a meal and discuss trivial events of the day — yet never connect with our family about our walk with Christ. We lie in bed at night next to our spouse trying desperately to stay awake while praying — yet rarely reaching over to grab their hand and pray with them. We arrive at church moments before the service begins to sit anxiously for an hour only engaging in “small talk” or the “business at hand.” We depart quickly shaking a few hands and passing around a hug or two. But connecting — really encouraging and mentoring one another as Christ followers — we are not as intentional in this pursuit.

Scripture and experience tell us over and over again the importance of setting aside regular time to come together with other believers.

Let’s make this a priority at SFC for 2022!

 

Hebrews 10:24, 25 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more. . .”

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”

 

Eric Bowman

 

Eric Bowman ovalEric is our associate pastor, working with outreach and youth ministry as well as adult discipleship and growth. Eric retired from a 28-year career in public education as a high school band director in 2019 and is now living his lifelong dream as a pastor. Eric and his wife, Diana, continue to live in Henry County where they have been lifetime residents. They "raised" three children and are now making their best attempt at "raising" themselves.


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