In my first blog I didn’t mention that in addition to writing, I also like to play the guitar. Actually, I just pick at it (a bit of guitar humor). A couple of years ago, I have found several guys who like to play, too. We get together just about every Tuesday night and jam for a couple of hours. It’s a therapeutic thing for me.

My parents gave me my first guitar for Christmas when I was about thirteen. During the next year, they may have thought it was the most unwise thing they had ever done. No instructions came with the instrument, so for about a year my “playing” consisted of striking the strings and pretending I knew what to do with the fingers of my left hand. I think it was out of desperation that my mother ordered a Wayne Raney Learn To Play the Guitar in Five Minutes book for me. From that little paper-back book, I learned the basic chords of C, F and G. Later, I learned G, C and D. However, I have to admit that after over a half-century I still haven’t gotten a whole lot better. Well, maybe a little better, and since I have not aspired to a career in Nashville, my present ability level will have to do. I enjoy playing, and if I don’t abuse the ears of others around me too badly, that is really all that matters isn’t it?

There is something I have learned these past couple of years playing guitar with these guys. Actually, I have known it all along, but let’s say the experience has made it more real. For many years, I played the guitar by myself. I never played with a group or with anyone else for that matter. It was just me. I would often get frustrated at what I felt was my lack of ability. However, when I started playing music with others, I found I could play better than I imagined. The other men helped me, encouraged me and challenged me to do better.

Life is like that. God made us that way. The Bible says, “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Because we are social creatures, we need association and fellowship with others of a kindred spirit. Through these associations, we gain strength and encouragement. Solomon said, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Together, the embers of a fire can burn white hot. They can cook a meal or heat metal until it is malleable. However, separate an ember from other coals and it will soon grow cold and useless. When Christians fail to associate with other Christians, they lose their warmth and usefulness for the Lord. Someone once made this observation to me, "It seems my life revolves mostly around my church and the people I know there." To me, that does not seem such a bad thing. We need fellowship and interaction with other Christians, especially those in our church.

I don’t know if playing my guitar with these guys has really made me play better. However, I do know that being with them has made playing the guitar more enjoyable. When it comes to serving and worshiping God, I can worship any place, any time, however, I know that worshiping Him with fellow Christians in church makes it even more enjoyable.

I suppose anyone who reads this can tell that I am just experiment with this blogging thing. This particular entry is perhaps nothing more than an exercise in free writing. I hope to get better. IF THIS APPEARS TWICE IT IS BECAUSE I WAS EXPERIMENTING WITH EDITING A PREVIOUS POST.

If you will be kind, leave me a comment. Remember guitarists are sensitive creatures, and so are preachers.