On the other hand: the best of friends cannot all be found upon bookshelves

A friend challenged me this week about the meaning of reciprocal friendship and whether I could really call a dearly-loved author, my close friend. So to clarify, while I benefit much from the companions on my bookshelf, by no means do I take lightly the gift of real-life fellowship. (Pr. 27:17).

Mrs. Groveman captures well my sentiments:
An old friend visits, and time passes by. Memories upon memories knit together the tapestry of friendship bonded; love molded. What is it that draws two people together? Is it common likeness, or interests and intellect? Is it gifting, or some mirrored reflection of your very self seen in this new person? Time reveals the hidden motives, and tests the bond of true fellowship. It indeed is a mystery why two people become friends. I am convinced it is the blessing of God. Unity is a gift from above, and it is that unity that draws you together. You enjoy a similar author, or painting, or a reflection on a particular Bible passage. Somehow, you realize that in all the vastness of this universe, there is someone who sees the world from similar eyes. This too, is the blessing of Him who watches over us. It becomes like the spring rain on the mountains; the balm of Gilead; touched by the Spirit of God. A gift given from Him to a most undeserving recipient. It is rare in this life, and there are many who walk through this world without ever experiencing true friendship. The vulnerability that is required in giving of oneself, requires the cross of Jesus Christ. It is only in giving that we truly receive; and it is this vulnerability that opened the way for all men to find freedom from sin. His example of friendship to His redeemed, sets the stage for all true friendship. Only in embodying this example do we find true peace and joy. "We love, because He first loved us" 1 John

And Mr. Lewis writes of this costly gift:
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable...."

transparent, vulnerable, sweet and costly fellowship.
only grace makes this possible...

what a gift.

Some of my best friends... are dead.

It may seem strange to count someone who is no longer living and whom you've never met as a dear friend, but I think these two would qualify as such: Charles Spurgeon (an old friend) & Thomas Watson (a new friend). These men challenge the way I think, compel me to know and love Christ more, and spur me on to serve the folks I interact with on a daily basis. I would read these books aloud to you if I had your permission and you happened to be sitting in my living room right now. But seeing as that's not the case, I hope this brief glimpse would encourage you to pick up a book or two.

Mr. Watson Writes: His Exact Curious Working, Every providence has a mercy or a wonder wrapt up in it. God's wisdom is never at a loss; but when providences are darkest, then the morning star of deliverance appears. It is hard to have the heart low when comfort is high. God sees humility to be better for us than joy. It is better to want comfort, and be humble, than to have it, and be proud. In case we are low in the world, or have but little oil in the cruse, let us rest in God's wisdom. He sees it best; it is to cure pride and wantonness.When we wonder what God is doing with us, and are ready to kill ourselves with care; let us rest in God's wisdom. He knows best what He has to do. "His footsteps are not known" (Psalm 77:19). Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. God is most in His way, when we think He is most out of the way (from "A Body of Divinity").

Mr. Spurgeon Writes: (Regarding Psalm 44:17-19, "All this has come upon us; but we have not forgotten You, nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from Your way; but You have severely broken us in the place of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.) Though utterly crushed and rendered desolate and driven as it were to associate with creatures which haunt deserted ruins, yet Israel remained faithful. To be true to a smiting God, even when the blows lay our joys in ruinous heaps, is to be such as the Lord delights in. (from "The Treasury of David").

And one more from Mr. Spurgeon: It is always the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us pay attention to ourselves instead of to Christ. He insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you do not have the joy of His children; you have such a weak hold of Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self. He tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you; it is Christ! It is not your joy in Christ that saves you; it is Christ! It is not even your faith in Christ that saves you, though that is the instrument, but it is Christ's blood and His merits that save you! Therefore, do not look as much to your hand, with which you are grasping Christ, as to Christ. Do not look to your hope, but to Jesus, the Source of your hope. Do not look to your faith, but to "Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith" (Hebrews 12:2). We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our actions, or our feelings. It is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan, and have peace with God, it must be by looking unto Jesus. Keep your eyes simply on Him. Let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, and His intercession be fresh on your mind. When you wake in the morning, look to Him. When you lie down at night, look to Him. Oh, do not let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus. Follow hard after Him ad He will never fail you (from "Morning and Evening").