Key Bible Verse: As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend (Proverbs 27:17). Bonus Reading: Hebrews 10:23-25

Jacob started jogging with another guy at noon at a nearby YMCA. Over two years they built a foundation of mutual trust and often shared concerns with each other. One day, they felt the freedom to talk about deeper doubts and struggles. "It was great to finally get it out," said Jacob, "but unfortunately, our business commitments took us in different directions. I still haven't found anyone to take his place."

If you've ever had someone close enough to be real with (and you know how long it takes to build trust), you know how draining it can be just thinking about starting over. But we must.

I need to be an open book to at least one other man. Otherwise, I'm setting myself up for big-time problems. Over the last ten years, I've lived in four different cities. Each time, I've had to initiate new friendships.

I ask God to show me at least one guy—preferably three or more—to meet with. Once I find several interested men, we start meeting weekly. After about nine months, it's time to open the closet. In my last group, I tested the waters first. Once we opened up, our relationships rocketed to a whole new level.

—Greg Johnson in "Daddy's Home"

My Response: Is there anyone with whom I have an open-book relationship?

Thought to Apply: Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us what we can be.—RALPH WALDO EMERSON (essayist & poet)

Adapted from "Daddy's Home" (Tyndale, 1992) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me connect honestly with other men, men who share my desire to take being Your disciple to a new level.

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