Steve on the right, and me on the left around 1976.

I’ve had many friends over the years. I remember the neighborhood kids Lil’ Pat, Johnny, Stevie, and Rusty. When I entered first grade and there were even more kids.

My best friend in 1st grade was Jack. I don’t remember his last name at all – just Jack.
By the time I got to the third grade it was Lee Freeman. Lee remained my best friend at least to 6th grade.

Another really close friend I had around the 7th grade was Roy, who still remains a friend today, though he lives in New Jersey and I haven’t seen him in years.

Friends tend to change several times as you go through school. I think it’s because from grade to grade the classroom kids change and many times you don’t end up with last year’s friends in this years classroom.

When the high school years arrive you start making more permanent friends.
My high school buds were Van, David, Brent, and Steve.
Steve was probably my best friend.

The last time I saw him was at the 10-year reunion.
He had entered into the movie industry and is listed in the credits of the Kevin Costner film Dances with Wolves.
Sadly Steve passed away in 2003 of a heart condition. I found out a year later.

It was Steve that gave me the Chick tract that led me to Christ.

Over the years my friends have left me and I have left them. Roy lives in the north, Van near Houston, Brent in Midlothian; I think David is in Dallas, and Steve died.

There is one friend that hasn’t deserted me and has done more for me than all the others.
Since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Rom 5:10-11

Jesus has become my friend and made me friends with the Father.
I just pray that all my old friends find the same friendship that I did!

What a Friend
Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.