My California Easter Weekend

Last Updated on June 13, 2017

I hope all of you had a nice Easter, and I apologize for a lull in regular posting over the last few days. &nbsp I even missed last week’s Thursday’s Trivial Ten. &nbsp But I had an excellent excuse: &nbsp I spent Easter on the west coast with the team at South Bay Church in Santa Clara.

It was the fourth Easter in South Bay’s existence, and I’m proud to say it was the fourth Easter that I’ve been part of the team. &nbsp The worship pastor of that church, a man named Archie who I have written about before on this blog, was the worship pastor of the church I still attend in Charleston. &nbsp When he and his wife moved so far away, it could have gone one of two ways.

The first is that we could have lost all contact with each other, and our friendship would have just faded away into nothingness like so many friendships do when distance enters the picture.

The second is that we could have worked a little harder than we had to when we lived in the same place, formed an even closer bond, and ended up better friends than either of us would have guessed possible. &nbsp I’m so blessed to be able to say that this is what happened.

Blessed? &nbsp Yes. &nbsp Without a doubt.

At my church, we’ve been talking about the importance of various kinds of social interactions in the church body. &nbsp One of the most critical is the intimate, accountability partner type. &nbsp The kind of intimacy that involves the sharing of the deep stuff — fears, regrets, dreams, hopes and burdens — that you share with almost no one. &nbsp In some cases, it’s the kind of stuff you hope that no one ever even finds out about.

If you don’t have an accountability partner in your life, someone who will help you stay on the right track, who will encourage you when you’re down and celebrate with you when you’re up, but most of all someone who will pray with you whether you think you need it or not, I encourage you to seek one.

I can tell you from personal experience that it is a relationship that can change your life in ways you can’t possibly imagine if you’ve never experienced it.