June 2, 2019 - Pastor Barry Clair concludes the series "Friending God" with the message "Yearning For Closeness"

Over the last several weeks, we've looked at several people in Scripture who had an authentic friend-style relationship with God.  In week 1 we looked at Abraham, the only individual in the Bible that God called His friend.  In week 2 we took a look at Jesus who called all of His
disciples His friends.  Then in weeks 3 & 4, we examined how earthly relationships can function like spiritual friendships with God, and we took our text from the words of Solomon who says more in the Bible about friendship than any other book in the Bible.  And last week, we looked at Moses, who the Scripture says had a face-to-face relationship with God.

Today, we are going to look at one more person who had a very, very artistic, poetic, visceral and experiential friendship with God.  His name is David.

May 26, 2019 - Pastor Barry Clair shares the message "Face-To-face" in the Series "Friending God"

Almost nothing makes m more uncomfortable and downright angry than when someone stares at me.  Ever had that happen?  Why does that make us so uncomfortable?  Is it because we think they are judging our appearance?  Is it that we think they are objectifying us?  Is it too forward?  Challenging?  Even aggressive?  Do we think they might be staring into our soul?  Or is it just too intimate; too intrusive?

There is one man who in at least three places in Scripture the Bible tells us God talks to face-to-face as one talks to a friend.  Face-to-face with God.  He really does stare into your soul.  Could you handle it?

May 19, 2019 - Pastor Barry Clair shares the second half of the message "The Proverbial Friend" in the Series "Friending God"

During my preparation time this week, I read an academic article called, "When God Is Your Only Friend" that was published in the Journal of Personality, the June edition, so it's hot-off-the-presses, 2019.  The article talked about the importance of Social Connectedness, which is a synonym for Friendship, with regards to feeling purpose in life.  The bottom line of the article is this, Studies show that people derive purpose in life primarily through Social Connectedness - staggeringly, even more than religious beliefs.

May 12, 2019 - Pastor Barry Clair shares the third part in the Series "Friending God" with the message "The Proverbial Friend"

Did you know there is a web site called RentAFriend.com?  You can literally rent a friend for about $20 an hour.  No time to make a friend?  Now you can rent one!

How can a service like this be for real?  The more I think about it, the more it becomes obvious to me why a service like this could catch on in our culture today; it's because many people are basically lonely, and too busy, and have few opportunities or time to meet people and cultivate friendships.

May 5, 2019 - Pastor Barry Clair shares the New Series "Friending God" with the message "Friend of Jesus"

It's been over 14 years since that hit sitcom, "Friends," shut down production of new episodes.  But it has not stopped its appeal or diminished its popularity, or lessened its financial growth.  What makes the show so enduring, I think everyone of us can relate in some way, shape, or form to one or more of the characters on that show.  I think what makes the show so enduring is we all want a tight, enduring, band of close friendships to grow up with and to grow up around.

We are in a series of messages that I am calling Friending God, and we are taking a deep look at whether that can even happen, is that something that is even available?  And if so, how?  What would it look like?  How would it function?

Today, I want to turn our focus to Jesus.