Let's BE Friends!
Katelyn Tumia, FBBC Teen

Katelyn Tumia, age 17, is a part of FBBC's SUMMIT teen department. She is a homeschooled junior, who loves to sing and write. Her future plans include trying out for Encounter Revival Ministries to travel for a year, and then going to college, possibly Pensacola Christian College, to major in photography.

This past summer I spent 8 weeks working at Mt. Lou San Bible Camp in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It was the greatest experience of my life! But when I came home I felt as though I was on the outside looking in. There was a terrible disconnect between me and my friends. I felt lonely and missed the amazing people I had met at Mt. Lou San. I longed for things to be the way they were before I had left but didn't know how I could possibly break through. As I was looking through the Scriptures for what Jesus had to say on the topic of friendship and how to find a good friend, I was reminded of the well-known verse in Proverbs 18:24, "A man that hath friends MUST show himself friendly..." Jesus gives us the simple answer! We MUST show ourselves friendly. The key to having friends is to become what we want in a friend, and in return a true friend will be that back to us.

Imagine if we all sat around wishing for that special friend who loves you for who you are, but isn't afraid to push you to higher levels - the type of friend who is always there to listen or lend a hand, putting your needs above their own. Imagine if we expected that person to be that incredible friend to us while we just sat back and enjoyed the fruits of their love and attention. We would all remain lonely. Friendship is a two way street. Both sides must give of themselves in order for a friendship to work. We can't expect everyone to "do unto us", if we aren't willing to do the same unto them.

My story doesn't end with me feeling alone and disconnected. I had to push aside all my feelings of not fitting in and anxieties of not belonging, and simply "show myself friendly". Once I applied those words, things slowly began to return to the way they had been. Even better perhaps! I'm so thankful for God's truths that are still applicable to life today!

All of us have experienced casual friends, back stabbers, fake friends, true friends, "cliques", and outcasts. Why is that so among God's children? What if the Body of Christ all stepped out of the comfort of their circle of friends to befriend that one sitting alone? What if we were to stop a rumor about a friend whom we care about, instead of passing it along; or just be friends with someone without selfish reasons or backward motives? If we simply, "showed ourselves friendly", as God taught both in word and in deed the body of Christ would be free to experience the genuine friendships that God had planned and that all of us desire.

I hope everyone brought to this article has a person in their life that fits the description just given. This kind of friend seems to be rare, but they are definitely not impossible to find. I know I have been blessed greatly with people in my life that are true friends to me. But if you find yourself lonely, searching for that true friend, or even just hiding in the comfort of your close circle of friends...to this God says, "Show yourself friendly."

John 13:35 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Friends in Prayer
Anne Warnick

If I have learned nothing else but this one true thing, God has made His point clear to me. He has a plan for me! I often miss it in the present, but looking back, it is very evident. His ways are somewhat mysterious but always full of purpose.

I wasn't looking for a Prayer Partner; in fact I refused almost everything that would add to my busy schedule. About nine years ago, He placed someone in my path, someone who was and is my polar opposite, Barbara (Caruso) Matrachisia. We were serving in a ministry together and there were frustrations every step of the way. Nothing was going according to plan - my plan of course! At the end of one especially difficult evening after practice, as four of us were brainstorming a possible solution, she said, "We need to pray about this! I'll call you Monday morning!"

We did pray together on the phone that Monday and every morning for an entire week. We weren't the only ones praying, but through the power of prayer, He brought a solution and a better plan for our Christmas Pre-Show Program. As far as I was concerned, He had answered our prayer; but He had something more in mind, as Barbara and I continued to pray Monday through Friday each week for about six years. Many changes have taken place since then, so we now pray together three days each week, and we pray on our own for each other on the alternate days. Thanks to Verizon-to-Verizon, we can even keep our pray dates when one of us travels! I called her this week in Florida where she is vacationing to see what she might want to add to our story. As different as we are, we see our Prayer Partner relationship exactly the same way! It is a God thing!

As we drew closer by sharing prayers for each other's families and health, we began to truly know each other's hearts. In the beginning years, we seemed to limit our prayer focus to our families and ourselves, often sharing scripture that spoke to what was on our minds at the time. As our prayer life matured, we opened the prayer to include our friends and church family, our country, and our personal ministries.

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To learn more about how much God loves you, click here: Salvation.

Friendship
Lisa Wegman

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself, he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job. (Laurence J. Peter)

No man is an island... (John Donne)

Friendship plays an important part in our lives. What constitutes friendship? Why is it valuable? And what justifies certain friendships?

Friendships develop in many different ways, but usually have three common denominators: Mutual caring, intimacy, and shared interests or activities.

Many people go through life with only a few friends. Others seem to have a multitude of friends and, wherever they go, people know them, are attracted to them and like to be around them. They lead full lives because it is full of friends. But it is not so much the number of friends that is important as the possession of friends, period. Friendship is a blessing, and a friend is the channel through which great emotional, spiritual, and sometimes even physical blessings flow.

There are many types of friendships and they can be hard to classify, but I have noticed at least three different types in my own life:

- Situational friends: You see each other regularly, have fun together, and may even share occasional disappointments. This may be someone you see every week at the gym, at work, or at the PTA. When you move or something changes, you usually don't stay in touch because your friendship is at a fairly superficial level.

- Casual friends: You meet each other occasionally, maybe go out for lunch and dinner to catch up on each other's news. You like each other, appreciate the company, but are not best friends.

- Close friends: They understand the REAL you, help when you're in trouble and are people you can rely on. You're not ashamed or afraid to open your heart to them completely to cry, rant or whine. Yes, that's what we do! They are loyal, will never betray you, and they let you in their lives and care about you deeply. Such people don't come along often and such relationships are to be cherished.

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Distant Sisters
Friendship, Far and Near
Denise Hutchison

Denise Hutchison ministers as a missionary in the country of Ukraine.

When I was first asked to write an article about friends and friendship I thought, "You are asking the wrong person". I can probably count the number of close friends I have on less than one hand and have never been one to hang out with my sister-chicks. But then I thought about the last 5 or 6 years of my life and realized that God has done something really special in me and for me. He engulfed me with dozens of ladies and families who have become dear friends and supporters of my missionary service in Ukraine. It is that friendship that means as much to me as any other friendships I have formed throughout the years.

In addition to the many individual friends with whom God has blessed me, one of the greatest groups I know who have truly become dear to me is my prayer group. Sure, I knew these ladies before, but knowing that we share a common ground has really knit our hearts together, and I feel blessed to know that they are praying faithfully for me and are willing to help provide for my physical needs and uplift and encourage me emotionally. That is true friendship. I thank God for them regularly and try to keep them and their needs in prayer as well. I just wish I could remember their birthdays.

It is sometimes easy for me to lose focus or get bogged down with the affairs of every day life, and then I walk down the street and see someone that resembles someone I know in America. A smile forms on my face and I think how that person has been a blessing to me and I pray for him/her. All of a sudden my world becomes a little bigger and my step becomes a little lighter. I also love to check up on my friends via Facebook. Just a simple "hello" or "I'm praying for you" is a great encouragement. I try to send regular updates about my ministry, but the Lord has convicted me recently about being more "sociable" with my friends.

It has been great to make new friends and strengthen old friendships over the last several years. When I am back in the states it amazes me how God encourages me and confirms His love and care through the friendships of others - friends I didn't even know I had. With true friendship there is a connection that miles and time can't sever. And when the love of God melds our hearts as kindred spirits we can be blessed to know that whatever continent we are on or whatever town we are in, we will always have friends. Dear friends.

Learn more about Denise by visiting the site available by clicking online here.

One Heart Women's Ministry Leadership Team

Mrs. Loreen (Lolly) Daphne Beikirch: A Princess on the Team
Janet Erikson

Gary and Lolly Beikirch first came to FBBC in July 1979; Lolly was still a young Christian. She says, "I came to the Lord when I was tired of my old life and seeking true joy. I went to a New Year's Eve church service rather than a party and accepted Jesus Christ Dec. 31, 1974 - and all things became new!!"

What would surprise you about Lolly? She likes to target shoot...and she's a pretty good shot! Her older grandkids sometimes call her "a walking devotional"; her prayer is that they will always remember the stories she shares of how God has always walked with her.

Married to her best friend and "my gift from God", she and her husband Gary have been married for 34 years. "He is a wonderful father to our three children..., and also a wonderful Papa of our twelve grandchildren." Gary is also a recipient of the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor. His position as Chaplain for the Medal of Honor Society sometimes causes Lolly to find herself with very prominent people. They have personally met more than one President. Both Gary and Lolly have a sweet and humble spirit that demonstrates Christ at every level of society.

Asked what she loves about ministering to women and what the Lord has been showing her, she said,

I love the different personalities I see in ministering to women, as well as the gifts of the Spirit that each one brings into the ministry of helping and encouraging one another. Since I found out that I have cancer... that BIG "C" (Christ) is much bigger than the little "c" (cancer). When I am weak then am I strong, grace is my shield and Christ my song. 2 Corinthians 12:9: "For my strength is made perfect in weakness." Each friend I have has brought the gifts that God has given them to help me get through this. I am so blessed to have my women friends; it reminds me of the friends in Matthew 9 who brought their sick friend to Jesus. Thank you all, my women sister friends... we are Princess Prayer warriors for our Big "C" Christ!!

We are thankful that Princess Lolly is part of our One Heart Ministry leadership team!

Nearly 80 women gathered for the Heart-2-Heart event on Feb. 21, enjoying a delicious breakfast, excellent classes, fellowship and fun. From planning children's parties, to cooking, to receiving spiritual instruction, every class was highly rated, with comments lsuch as: "It was great!", "Very enjoyable!", "Interesting and fun!", and, "Awesome day". We are thankful for those who prepared and for those who partook, and we are already planning for a similar event next year. Plan to come next spring!

Team 1: Pray for the Ladies Bible Study ministry. Receive weekly requests via email.

Team 2: Pray for the upcoming Frindship Dinner. Receive specific prayer requests unique to the Friendship planning team.

Team 3: Commit to pray for the One Heart Women's Ministry for one year. Receive prayer requests for the overall ministry.

Amish Friendship Bread

This Amish Friendship Bread recipe passes from friend to friend. It includes the recipe for the Amish Friendship Bread starter, and gives complete directions for how to make it once your starter is prepared. When you pass the starter on to a friend, make sure it is understood preparation begins by following the instructions at day one, continuing through to day nine, and then on Day 10, the Amish Friendship Bread Recipe (with the oil, eggs, vanilla, etc.) is used.

Amish Friendship Bread is not just a delicious and sweet bread, it's also a way to bond friends by sharing countless loaves of bread baked in different kitchens that all began from the same bowl of simple ingredients. Choose a few friends and start this wonderful tradition, they'll thank you for it!

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

Day 1 - receive the starter (the recipe for the starter is below)
Day 2 - stir
Day 3 - stir
Day 4 - stir
Day 5 - Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.
Day 6 - stir
Day 7 - stir
Day 8 - stir
Day 9 - stir

Day 10 - Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Divide into 4 containers, with 1 cup each for three of your friends and 1 cup for your own loaves. Give friends the instructions for Day 1 through Day 10 and the following recipe for baking the bread.

After removing the 3 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:

2/3 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Using a fork beat by hand until well blended. Add 1 cup raisins and 1 cup nuts (optional).

Grease two loaf pans with butter, sprinkle with sugar instead of flour.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread.

Amish Friendship Bread Starter

This is the Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe that you’ll need to make the Amish Friendship Bread (above). It is very important to use plastic or wooden utensils and plastic or glass containers when making this. Do not use any metal when preparing this bread!

Ingredients:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110°F)

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.

2. In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.

3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.

For the next 10 days handle starter according to the instructions above for Amish Friendship Bread.

Treat your friends as you do your pictures and place them in their best light."

- Jennie Jerome Churchill

'Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one."'

- C.S. Lewis

"Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget."

- Anonymous

How did you meet your best woman friend?

My closest friends are ones I have met at church and have known and grown with over many years. We have the most in common, with the Lord and ministry being our bond. The only close friend I have outside of church is one of my sisters-in-law, and we have family and many interests like reading and gardening in common. - Lisa Wegman

Forty years ago, we were neighbors and became very close. Her name is Gail. We are still friends today although she lives in Florida now. We e-mail each other and I get to see her when she comes to New York to visit her children. - Phyllis Dutton

I believe God, through our children and grandchildren, brought my best friend and I together. Lolly and I, loving our grandchildren together, have a beautiful bond that makes one of the sweetest of friendships to last forever. - Cathy Hinds

I met my "best friend" at church. She was a nurse who enjoyed and excelled in many areas of life. We kept each other's children, canned together, studied the Bible and prayed together. She died young from heart complications, but she remains my friend in my memories. She is one of the few who "walked in my soul." - Nancy Motley

I met my BFF, Jennifer Hale-McGinn at First Bible Baptist Church. On July 8, 2002, I gave my testimony as I got baptized. She sat in the audience and heard my testimony about being a "bus kid" when I was a little girl and some 20+ years later, came to know the Lord and got baptized at the very church that "bused me in" as a little girl. After several times passing in the hallway, she stopped me one day and said, "I'd like to hear more about you and get to know you because of the testimony you gave." In January 2003, I asked her to be my roommate at the Ladies’ Retreat to give her that opportunity, and she agreed (how crazy was that!). During break time on Saturday, we locked our room in Bethany House, shared a box of Kleenex and some Starbucks and almost everything about ourselves in entirety. After that, there was no turning back; we became BFFs and remain even closer today (although the journey hasn't always been easy)! God bless that woman for giving her the compassion, strength, grace & truth to love me no matter what! I know that there is no better friend than Jesus, but if you know my friend Jen--she's pretty close! - Christina Lievense

We met in elementary school and have been friends ever since. - Lynn Black

Friends in Prayer (cont.)
Anne Warnick

We may not pray together as often now but the prayer time is as deep and meaningful as ever. In a way, it is like a marriage. You cannot spend the quality of time in prayer with someone without falling in love with them. We are still as different as ever and sometimes it surprises me that we haven't become more alike. When we are not praying, we are discussing healthy eating and exercise, second marriages, hopes we have for our children, and laughing, laughing, and laughing. We counsel each other in love, never judging words or actions. Our partnership is a safe place where we can open up and encourage and strengthen each other. We are sisters in every sense of the word.

I have never had what most would call a "best friend" and never really wanted one, and neither has Barbara. I am a very private person, not usually quick to share intimate details of my life with someone. The Lord knew that I needed Barbara to pull that out of me, to help me not to take myself so seriously. I am not sure what she would say about why the Lord chose me for her Prayer Partner, but I do know that our prayer time together is precious to both of us. All of our family members understand the significance of our prayer partnership and often ask us to add them to our prayer list.

Then there are the answers to prayer we have experienced! We have seen Him heal relationships, broken hearts, and broken bodies. We have seen spiritual growth, and solutions to financial issues and job loss. Through our prayers we have learned that what we desired was not always the outcome the Lord had in mind, and of course we have praised Him for His mercy, never-ending love, and wisdom. We have vowed before God that we will continue our prayer mission as long as He desires!

Friendship (cont.)
Lisa Wegman

Friendships are valuable because friends can cheer us when we're sad or depressed, challenge us when we get beyond our reasonable boundaries and motivate us when we're ready to give up. They are there when we need a shoulder to cry on, and they are there when all is well and we want someone to rejoice with. We often want them around to have fun with, to laugh with, or to just act silly or to share our deepest thoughts and feelings. Friends enrich our lives and make us feel loved, accepted, respected and cared for.

As with all human relationships, friendships take work. Friends can take time and energy that can sometimes tax our own emotional resources. Friendships require give and take, and sometimes it's more give and sometimes it's more take. That's what makes a great friendship - when both sides are committed to giving to each other's needs. I love it when the Lord brings someone into my life with a need that I can meet because I know that, when I am in need, He will provide for me in the same way through someone else. The thing is, God made us with needs that can be met through friendship.

A number of years ago, I went through a major illness that required chemotherapy. My friend, Betsy, came and sat with me through several 2-hour treatments that would have been so boring and lonely without her. She also set up meals for my family for 3 weeks after my treatments. All of those meals were brought by good friends. It was a blessing to be able to come home and not have to worry about anything but getting myself over the treatments. One of my favorite ministries to be involved in today is making meals for anyone recovering from illness, whether it's surgery or childbirth, because I know how truly valuable and meaningful it is. I also think about how often in scripture Jesus ministered using food. He has told us to be followers of Him, and I truly believe this is a ministry that honors His example to us and His command to love one another.

I know you are probably thinking of someone right now who God has used in your life as a true friend. Why not take a moment or two and thank someone today for being a friend to you? How about Jesus, the best friend we have ever had; a friend who was willing to give His life for ours? Song of Solomon says, "His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."

May God bless you with all the friends you need, and may He turn you into a blessing by using you as a friend to others.

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