A preacher was asked to describe church folks in one word and he said, "fellowship."

The Bible teaches us that fellowship is important. One fellow told me they started a men's fellowship breakfast at their church that met once a month on Sunday morning at 7 a.m.. There was a fellow at the church who would hug him and say, "I love you, brother." Then he in turn said the same and included, "Come be with us at the men's fellowship." To that the other fellow asked, "What time?" "7:00 a.m.," was the reply. He quickly said, "Now, I don't love you that much."

In recent modern time some act like they invented fellowship, when in fact the entire New Testament is just full of references to fellowship. Going back a while we had the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship of which some charismatic churches developed One fellow said he got caught up in this new fad religion until they went to learning and limbering up their throats with a little speaking in tongues exercises and a little wine (Boone's Farm or T.J. Swan) was okay for the stomach's sake.

Pat Boone was heavy into that, singing "Amazing Grace," then unbuttoning his shirt down to his belly button and did the hoo chee choo chee with Cher Bono on a nostalgic rock 'n' roll down memory lane television show.

Then going way back to the late 1800s you've got the greatest fellowship of the 19th Century that was ordained by God, is not a fad, was started out of a sincere heart, and while other fellowships have faded, this one remains strong. Yes, I'm talking about the Gideons which started from a fellowship of Christian traveling men of which some

were sales- men. Can you believe that? Salesmen! Now in these modern times we've got all kinds of fellowships from male bonding groups to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

And it is very good that athletes are Christians and are proclaiming their faith in God, but it is also good that plumbers are accepting Christ and are proclaiming their faith in Him. I've been waiting to see if some of the movie stars would form a fellowship of Christian actors. Then I really had an unusual thought, "A fellowship of Christian politicians." Hey, why not? God can save politicians too. But you see, the way society is, they've praised some groups and beaten down others to the point that they stereotype all in that group to say that no politicians are Christians and that's not true.

In conclusion, one fellowship that I'm blessed to be a part of, one that's been around forever and will never fade away and that's the one the old hymn talks about, "What a fellowship, what a joy divine; leaning on the everlasting arms. I have perfect peace with my Lord so near; leaning on the everlasting arms."

Praise God! Glory to His name! Can you say amen?