My friend Dave Dunlop and I as college students working together as assistant directors of the Conneaut Valley Recreation Center. (Playing chess on the diving board?)
From Genesis to Revelation the Bible makes it clear that God’s people are to live in community. In the Garden of Eden, God pronounced, “It is not good that man is alone.” King Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one… because if one falls down his friend can help him up,” and, “As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another.”
The New Testament instructs us to “love one another,” “pray for one another,” “spur one another on to love and good deeds,” “confess your faults one to another,” and “forgive one another.” The Bible and experience both make it clear: we are more likely to be faithful in the Christian life if we are living it in tandem with others.
Friendships have meant a lot to me over the years. I’ve been blessed with many casual friends, a number of close friends, and a handful of intimate friends that have contributed significantly to my life. When asked what I miss most about Southeast Christian Church my answer is always, “I miss seeing casual friends in the hallways every week. I still see my close friends but there were casual relationships I really enjoyed which I no longer have.” On the other hand, I am happy to say that my closest friend is my wife of 47 years. And now that they’ve matured, I’ve become close friends with my two sons and their wives. I am indeed a rich man.
Dave Dunlop (#10) Bill Johnston (#24) and me (#3) on our high school basketball team. By the way, #22 is Jim Komora who played football for The University of Kentucky and was a part of Bradshaw’s Thin Thirty (‘61-‘65) Some of my Kentucky friends went to college with Jim.
This past week I renewed friendship with Ron Eversole, a former college roommate who is now retired from ministry and living in Leesburg, Florida. He’s been a great friend over the years. I also spent an afternoon with two high school friends, Dave Dunlop and Bill Johnston who now reside at The Villages in Florida. Dave, Bill and I played basketball and football together in high school. Above is a picture of Dave and me in our college years when we worked together one summer as recreational directors at the Conneaut Valley Recreation Center. (My grandson asked, “Is that REALLY you, Pop?”)
The remaining pictures are of us then and now. Our high school football team was undefeated. Our basketball team was the league champion and lost only two games all year. Those successful experiences really bonded us together.
Dave Dunlop and I were best friends in high school. We spent time in each other’s homes and shared many common interests other than sports. We had few secrets. Dave went on to become a college professor and eventually the president of Shepherd University in West Virginia. We’ve maintained an unusual friendship over the years. Even though there were long periods of no communication, every time we renewed the relationship we picked up right where we left off. Within five minutes it was like there had been no separation at all. Much of that is directly attributed to Dave’s gregarious personality and transparency. He’s an extremely interesting conversationalist. But I think that kind of friendship is rare….and special.
Bob and Judy Russell, Dave and Cathy Dunlop, Bill and Pat Johnston.
Now that we’ve both retired, Dave and I have begun communicating more often by email and visiting more frequently – and that’s been an enjoyable experience for me. While we probably differ on some political and theological views (I’m one of the most conservative people I know!), our friendship transcends those differences. Dave and his wife Cathy are fine Christian people and I really enjoy their company. Today, I’m very thankful that God has been so gracious to me in providing lifelong friendships like Dave Dunlop.
“A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses” (Prov. 13:20 LB).
