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Key Bible Verse: If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone … are in real trouble (Ecclesiastes 4:10). Bonus Reading:Eccles. 4:9-12

Brian Dawkins and Troy Vincent, All-Pro defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles, have been Christians for years. But it's only recently that both began living passionately and purposefully for Jesus. For Brian, pressure from his new job as a free safety, stress from the relocation, complications in his wife Connie's pregnancy, and problems with his extended family drove him into depression and suicidal thoughts.

But that first season in Philadelphia he met cornerback Troy, and their budding friendship helped Brian. "He's very quiet, but we talked about it so I knew he was struggling," Troy said. " Then our wives kind of clicked. That's when our relationship began to deepen."

The families began spending time together, and eventually grew close enough to take a mini-vacation together. Invited to attend a Christian conference in the Bahamas, they figured it would be nice to hear messages, see friends, and relax. The first night there, speaker Myles Munroe talked about purpose. "That seed from the Word was planted in our lives at the same time," Troy said. "Brian was right there with me." [continued 12/4]

—William Campbell in Sports Spectrum

My Response: How much does my best friend know about my struggles, my weaknesses?

Thought to Apply: It is impossible to estimate the value of the moment when two lives intersect for the first time.

—Michael Card (musician)

Adapted from Sports Spectrum (9-10/02) by permission.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, I need a serious believer to regularly challenge me to grow. Help me initiate that kind of relationship.

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