English: Everest – photo by Ryszard Pawłowski – Polish International Mt Everest expedition 99 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Grace Church Summer Reading Program: Lord, Make My Life a Miracle by Ray and Anne Ortlund. Chapter Six: “Have a close friend”
You need a Sherpa to help you get where you’re going.
You remember who the Sherpas are right? They’re a group of Himalaya-dwelling Tibetans that are renowned, among other things, for their expertise in mountain climbing.
Sought after for their skill in mountaineering, Sherpas often serve as guides for those daring people who desire to climb Mt. Everest.
Climbing Mt. Everest might not be a top priority on your bucket list, but you still need a Sherpa—you need a friend to journey through life with you. In their book Lord, Make My Life a Miracle Pastor Ray and Anne Ortlund describe what that friend should be like.
- They should faithfully love you, never leaving any doubt that they are on your side
- They should be skilled at killing giants so you never have to face Goliath alone
- They should to be brave enough to confront you when you wander off track
- And they should love your children as much as they love you
At the end of this chapter the Ortlund’s wrote: “Do you have a loving circle of friends with whom, when they live, you live; and when they die, in a sense, you die? Do you have friends who will love you and your children and your children’s children? If you don’t have anyone like that, step out by faith. Live a little dangerously, and give your heart away. Find someone who will be a godly friend to you, who will strengthen your hand in God. I plead with you for this.”
And as you set out to identify your Sherpa, remember what the Proverbs says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly” (Proverbs 18:24 NKJV).
Sometimes the first step to identifying your Sherpa is to become a mountain guide for someone else’s journey.
For more information about our summer reading program go to www.gracechurchlaverne.org.
Hi Pastor Chris. I wanted to introduce myself to you. I was back in Newport Washington with your mom and dad when The House of the Lord first started. You and my son Brandon Endicott were good friends. He is a deputy sheriff in West LaFayette, Indiana. I sent him your blog also and he said he was going to get in touch with you. I am so proud of you and what you have done in your life. Your mom gave me your book Praying through Sorrows. It is a wonderful book. I’m so sorry about your loss. The Lord has blessed me. I am currently living in Florida with my husband George. My daughter lives in Newport with her husband and 5 children. Her name is Jessica Anderson, and Jacob Endicott my other son lives in Sandpoint Id. He was Cheyenne’s age and they hung out together. I was in Newport last October and saw your mom at the playhouse in Newport. My granddaughter was in the Wizard of Oz playing Dorothy and I surprised them. It was awesome. It was so great to see your mom and dad. I went to their home and Bobbi and Phil came over. We got to catch up on our lives!! Well I just wanted you to know I am really enjoying your blog, and I know the Lord is blessing you and your family. I am on Facebook and your mom keeps me updated. God Bless, Denise Varga (Endicott)
Hi Denise,
Of course I remember you (and Brandon and Jacob and Jessica). Thank you so much for reaching out to me. 🙂 I’m glad you are well!
Christen