Oasis in the Desert

April 1st was John Junghans's 21st birthday. My bible study meets on Wednesdays, so awhile ago we realized that John's birthday fell on a Wednesday. We planned to go out that night as a study so for a long time we had looked forward to it. We all headed to a favorite site in Hyattsville, Franklin's. It is a small brewery pretty close to our house. I like the beer, not so much the tableclothes.

John is the youngun of our study, and the last to turn 21. It was a great joy for me to celebrate this momentous occasion with such fine men. It was an awesome opportunity to build fellowship, breaking the habitude of study together. Our bible studies are an important source of formation for young men. But an important part of that formation is fellowship; and especially, how to enjoy one another in a way that is truly loving and appropriate. The strengthening of the bonds of fellowship is an investment in character that will long outlast much of what students learn in lecture halls. What an honor to present and promote the gift of fellowship and fraternity that God blesses us with! The occasion provided us with a little extra feast in the midst of our journey through the desert toward Easter.