I Will Be Your Friend

People weren't made to live alone and thus the importance of good friends are important in everyday life. Its a small book but one that I'd reccomend even to those who think that they've "got it" when it comes to friendships. It talks about why its important to have friends, how to be a good friend, how to fix broken frienships, and how to be good friends with those that aren't Christian. I haven't read too many friendship books but this one seems to cover a lot of stuff, and though its a small book, it comes in handy.

I've been a fan of Michael's music for a number of years, so when he began to write books, I was eager to see what he had to say. And I haven't been disappointed yet. He has a very readable and personal writing style, and he's not afraid to be transparent. As for content, it's always relevant and based on tested Scriptural principles. It's awesome to see how strong his faith has remained during his high-profile years in the music business, where temptations are many and humility is easy to lose. A major contribution to his stability lies in the solid friendships he has maintained with other strong Christians. Friendship is important to him, and he wants others to reap its many benefits as well. That's a major reason why he wrote this book. "I Will Be Your Friend" attracted me because of relational issues I have recently encountered in my own life. As I've entered my thirties, my desire to improve my current friendships has increased, since they have sustained me through a number of tough times. I want the ability to properly edify, encourage, and even rebuke my friends for the benefit of their character, and our relationship. In addition, I'd like to gain skills on forming solid new friendships, which is sometimes difficult for an introvert like myself. So, when I came across this book I knew it was one I needed to read. And I'm glad I did. Michael illustrates a number of truths he's learned over the years about friendship. He touches on such topics as setting boundaries, accountability, the importance of being vulnerable, mentoring, and servanthood. Michael shares a lot from his own personal experiences, and it's refreshing to see that he even records his own relational missteps. Even better, his insights are tied to Scripture, and he is clear that God is the source of whatever wisdom he has. I particularly recommend this book to men, since we seem less capable than women (or at least less willing) when it comes to forming deep friendships. It's important that we cultivate this ability, since the benefits are many and the alternatives are definitely less than God's best.