Late last night Kathy and I pulled into the driveway after a two week business trip in Florida and I’m very excited to tell you about the best part of that trip.
I remember a few years ago when internet friends were maligned by so many: “You don’t really know them,” they said. “They’re not really your friend,” they warned. While my sons were growing up I probably made the same or similar statements to them. I’m not saying that’s never the case–all you have to do is watch an episode of Catfish to know there are imposters out there. But the last two weekends I had the most amazing time meeting up with Mark and Mike from Solomon’s Porch Radio, and Adam Parish.
Two weeks ago I had never even spoken with any of them on the phone. But before we left for Florida I arranged to go to church with Mark and Mike. So on Sunday, November 9, Kathy and I had the privilege of worshipping in Clermont, Florida with Mark, Mike, and their families. We all had lunch at Mark’s afterwards. I was supposed to take a picture of us for another internet friend, Peter Guirguis of NotAshamedoftheGospel.com, but we were so engrossed in conversation that I completely forgot about it. (Sorry Peter.)
Later that week I posted this photo on the social networks along with the words, “Behind this guy in traffic. We don’t see these in Oregon. #welcometoFlorida.” Well Adam saw it on Google+ and asked if I happened to be in the Orlando area. Next thing you know Kathy and I are worshipping with Adam and his family in Windermere on the following Sunday.
Mark, Mike, Adam, and every one of their family members all turned out to be genuine, warm, loving, and gracious people. For me meeting and worshipping with these brothers and their families was by far the best part of the whole trip.
God is good. And engaging God’s community is good too.
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another,and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV)
[Handshake image via Steven Leggett – Creative Commons]
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Very cool! Glad you got to meet Mark and Mike – good people. 🙂 Peter is not so bad either. 🙂 You know I’m kidding, all of you including Kurt rock! Blessings to you Kurt. 🙂
” I was supposed to take a picture of us for another internet friend, Peter Guirguis of NotAshamedoftheGospel.com, but we were so engrossed in conversation that I completely forgot about it. (Sorry Peter.)”
Arrrghhh!
Just kidding 🙂 Glad you had a good time with Mark and Mike, Kurt. They spoke very highly of you on this week’s episode of Solomon’s Porch Radio.
Kathy and I were so blessed! Wish you could have been there with us Peter.
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