Ahava Love Letter (#55) - Lost, But Not Forgotten, Friends

“Lost, But Not Forgotten Friends” "The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding  our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every  other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts  we see and the parts we don't.  If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in  the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the  exuberance. You are Christ's body — that's who you are! You   must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body  does your "part" mean anything.” (from THE MESSAGE: 1 Cor. 12:25-27)

Dear family of friends,

My nephew Chris is in the Army. He has been a member of the USA armed services for many years now, serving proudly and courageously. I think he will be a “lifer”, if that is the proper wording. (I hope my military friends will inform me of the correct terminology! Or his mom Linda!)

Chris has never told me personally, but I would think he may have lost a few, close buddies while he was on tour of duty in Afghanistan. I am almost certain several were injured and taken out of action. Some may have gone AWOL, and others later may have tragically committed suicide. Far too many are no longer part of the unit.

War is never pleasant, but because of the world we live in, it is often necessary to defend and maintain our freedom, and the life Americans take for granted. We are to hold tight our relationships with friends. They can easily be picked off.

For me, I have never been in the military. At least, not in the natural realm. But I have lost a few buddies, and hoping a few are just temporarily AWOL, and yet still coming back.

Often I think of Mike, the worship leader who had a big heart and was great on the guitar, adding to his pleasant voice. I have his name on a 3” x 5” note card on my office desk, to remember to pray for him.

And there was Ben, who faithfully helped me in the ministry back in the day, with his computer skills, when I knew nothing about that stuff, and so desperately needed those skills and the Lord’s gifting.

I am not sure what happened to Michelle, who served with gusto alongside her husband for years.

Even a real close friend, whom I worked with on two different ministry staffs for so long, had many vital and meaningful times together. And yet I never see or hear from him now, three years later, after repeated attempts. (His picture is on my office desk, along with others I hired, blessed, and encouraged in the Lord.)

They are missed. And my “body” feels the longing to be in fellowship with them once again.

I often think about what my friends from times gone by are now doing. Are they still walking with the Lord? Have their lives gotten better, or gone in the opposite direction.  You know the Liar hates us all.

There are just too many of them who once were, and now lost in contact. His Body hurts.

When Yeshua (Jesus) said He was coming back for His Bride, there is no way she won’t be the most beautiful creation He has ever created. Every part, every connection, every cell necessary to move in graceful form, power and agility, will be in perfect function and shape.

I miss my buddies, my friends, parts of His Body that I was connected to. But I know I serve the living God of Israel, and what He says, goes. Therefore, His Body will get it together. He will see to that. Thank you Lord that Your promises are true. I hope to see those friends again, and to reconnect.

In the meantime, thanks for the work You are now doing in reconnecting Your Body here on earth. Your purposes will be accomplished. Your will – WILL be done.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

P.S. If you see any of my old friends, tell them I think about them, pray for them, and hope to get together again. Send them this ahava love letter, because I do love them.

I hope many of you, who once served together as friends in churches and ministries, make it to the “ReUnionize Time” set for Aug. 10, 2013 in Pineville, NC. Please search for that Ahava Love Letter on the Love For His People blog. That edition is the same title as the event.

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Ahava Love Letter #55   Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (05/17/13 Friday, 5:00 pm. Charlotte, NC)