the golden sessions

My brother Josh is graduating from Asbury this week. Over the last three years, we have had the honor and pleasure of sharing this seminary experience with each other. Who gets to do that? Who gets to walk through seminary with his brother? I am humbled by the privilege.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about friendship and brotherhood. I have been blessed in my life, with two brothers that are my best friends, and friends that are like brothers. They are sure signs and symbols of God’s grace in my life. And I am deeply thankful. C.S. Lewis said it right (imagine that) in his rich work, The Four Loves:

“…each member of the circle feels, in his secret heart, humbled before all the rest. Sometimes he wonders what he is doing there among his betters. He is lucky beyond desert to be in such company. Especially when the whole group is together, each bringing out all that is best, wisest, or funniest in all the others. Those are the golden sessions; when four or five of us after a hard day’s walking have come to our inn; our feet spread out towards the blaze and our drinks at our elbows; when the whole world, and something beyond the world, opens itself to our minds as we talk. Life- natural life- has no better gift to give. Who could have deserved it?”

shared ordeal 2

A few weeks ago, our small group (which I like to call The Fellowship: Wilmore Chapter, because I am a dork) set out on our second 'shared ordeal.' Every now and then we like to throw ourselves in over our heads, and find a way out together. This time our wives blind-folded us, drove us out into the middle of nowhere, and left us for dead. Having to find our way back home, we walked for three hours, and almost died...twice. It was awesome. I kept having flashbacks of 'Goonies.'

To see video footage of the shared ordeal, check out our small group blog at http://asburyfellowship.blogspot.com/