My Pastor Friend

 I really appreciate my senior pastor at my church. We have a very good relationship. As a matter of fact, I was part of the search committee that brought him on board. I'd better have a good relationship with him, right? ( Just joking). He's a great man! To him and to all the pastors in my church that have responded to this high calling, I want to dedicate a statement I recently read. John McArthur in his book "the power of integrity" writes the following about William Arnot, another preacher: "His preaching is good, his works are better, but the best of all is his life". Pastors, never forget your church loves you, prays for you and blesses you as much as it can. Thank you for your work.

However, I want to talk to you about my pastor friend. Who is this guy? It all started when I was trying to find a church for my mom's celebration of life. She used to live in Chicago so I tried to find a church there, of course. I agreed to find  a church of a difference faith as long as they allowed me to do the service  my way. I wasn't trying to be dictatorial, I was just trying to honor my mom the best possible way. I did find that church, but they were beating around the bushes, telling me they were trying to find a minister who was available for the date I had appointed. Three days before the set date, they still hadn't found a minister. So, I decided to look for Christian churches around the place where my mom was cremated. I was googling and googling without ceasing until I found this welcoming, little church in the outskirts of Chicago. I called and guess what? The pastor himself answered the phone. Right there and then, I knew something special was about to happen. I asked him if it would be possible to hold my mom's memorial service in his church and at first, he wanted to get back to me the following day but I explained I was desperate and didn't have much time to wait. He told me:  let me make a couple of phone calls, and I'll get back to you today". He did! And to my surprise, his answer was a resounding yes! I told him: " You don't even know me" and guess what he said? He said : " That's what brothers in Christ are here for". What a great testimony of Christ's love this pastor showed me that day. Shouldn't we all be this way? Aren't we supposed to show the love of Christ even to strangers? Didn't Jesus say: "Love your neighbor as yourself? And this is exactly what this pastor did! I don't know how many times I said thank you, but I'm pretty sure it was plenty. This pastor went to the extent of even being willing to open the church for me if he wasn't available for the set date. He was a little under the weather, but God is so gracious, that he was available, not only to open the church, but also to organize the order of service and preach a beautiful sermon. He now is my pastor friend. No only did God show me an example of how we're supposed to treat strangers, but he also found me a friend. The Books of  Proverbs says: "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed". I was very refreshed and I know He was refreshed also, because there's no better thing than to serve others even if they're not within your  circle. God called us to bless everyone. He's not a respecter of persons, neither should we. Since then, we've been in contact and I try to pray for him, his family and his ministry as much as I can.

When was the last time God blessed you with a friend like that? When was the last time you were refreshed, even when you thought that was almost impossible? God can bless you my friend. In His sovereignty, he put my pastor friend in my path. He put him in my path during one the most desperate circumstances in my life. He can do the same for you! You can trust Him. He's the Rock of our salvation!