A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:24 KJV)
I’ll never forget the very first youth group I pastored. There was a girl who was always so sad and depressed. She would just stand in the corner of the room by herself before and after each meeting.
One night she came up to me and said, “Pastor Blaine, nobody in this youth group likes me. They’re not very friendly.”
She had absolutely never made any attempt to talk to anyone. She always looked so mean and depressed that most were afraid to even approach her. I told her that she-not everyone else-was the problem.
“Put a smile on your face. Introduce yourself. Take an interest in others. Friends will follow,” I told her.
On the other hand, we once had a really odd-looking young man in our youth group. He was a happy, outgoing, friendly young man and had girls constantly vying for his attention. All the other guys who thought they were better looking than he couldn’t figure it out.
The world says looks, image, and beauty are the highest priorities in relating to one another; but in truth good character and the fruit of the Spirit are what will make you attractive to others. Kindness is what makes you desirable to be around. 1
How do you come across to others? Determine to smile and speak to
everyone you see today. A smile from you will inspire smiles from others.
People like to be around those who make them feel good.
1 Blaine Bartel Copeland, Oneight(r) Devotional, pp. 64,66.
by Lindsay Roberts
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Blaine is a modern-day Lazarus.
Jesus resurrected him out of 23 years of sexual addiction and the death of everything he held dear. Today he coaches men out of sexual brokenness and into the Jesus life.
Blaine and his wife Lori reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They love going on long walks from the kitchen to the living room and have a weakness for reality shows. Along with his speaking and coaching, Blaine is a writer and has recently shared his resurrection story in his latest book, "Death by a Thousand Lies."
For the inquiring mind, a complete history is below.