So, on Monday nights our Life Together Group (LTG for the hipsters or small group for the masses) meets at our house.  Most of the evening is just friends joining in common conversations of life, struggles, humor, etc. with some pretty in depth decision about what GOD is doing in our lives.  Stuff deeper than the “water cooler” friends that we always say “fine” to in response to the question “How you doing?” which could be a total lie because your dog just got hit by a car, your truck wouldn’t start and your wife ran off with the postman…

I may have just gone a little over board in that last few comments… I’ve been listening to the radio a lot the last few days and have scanned through many a country station and apparently, it’s takin’ it’s toll.  See, I even just used “takin’.”

Regardless, I find that Monday nights motivate the rest of my week.  And, then we close our group with an invite for anyone to watch with us to see what kind of crazy antics Jack Bauer is going to get into tonight.

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I find that friends make the world better.  I like my friends… obviously, or they wouldn’t be my friends. Each has a different connect for me.  Some it’s music; others, it’s art; still others it’s TV shows.  But, all make life worth it.

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Just today, I found more common ground with another worship leader friend of mine and some similar situations that we’re going through with our ministries.  A reminder that I’m not alone in the thick of things is nice, but someone to battle with you is great.

Then, just now, I got an email from another friend who regularly signs off his emails with “Stay black and angry.”  I have no idea why.  I think he’s just being funny.  But, anyone who’s ever met me can attest, that I am clearly neither!  In fact, I’m so white… there’s probably a little glow coming from the top of your web browser next to your address bar where you can see half of my face.  Angry, I get there from time to time, but it’s not very long lasting usually.  But, ultimately, he makes me laugh.  He helps be question life and challenge my Midwest worldview (usually for the better).

I have another friend that I process with.  Pretty deeply, we challenge each other over lunch from time to time.  He thinks he’s a downer, but he’s not as much of one as he thinks.  I like challenge.

These are three that I interacted with today.  Tomorrow, I have appointments set up with other friends that all hit different aspects of my life.  One just went through a pretty rough divorce.  I don’t know all of what we’ll talk about, but I hope it’s real.  Another I helped plant a church three years ago as a volunteer and now I with him.  Just two more of the many I meet with.

Difference is good.  Friendships are good.
If my math skills are working, then that means that “different friendships” are twice as good.

At least they are for me…

+PJT

PS – be honest… how many of you saw the blog’s title and are now disappointed that I didn’t talk about Monica, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Pheobe & Ross?