My advice to young people, and to people of all ages, is this same thing: “Choose your friends wisely.” Don’t just let friendships happen by circumstance. Make them happen by choice—careful, thoughtful choice.

We are in a season where it seems there have never been more strong opinions about a variety of topics, and more opportunities to offend others. So how do we navigate that with grace, and work towards reconciliation when we do offend one another? Here are some thoughts I shared with a reader who asked for advice.

In her book Friend-ish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion, Kelly Needham skillfully points us toward true biblical friendships. She shows us the beauty and necessity of biblical friendships and the ways friendships can assume the wrong place. Hope you enjoy this excerpt from the book.

If your closest friends don’t follow Jesus, you’ll have all kinds of daily reasons not to follow Him. If they do follow Jesus, positive peer pressure will hold you accountable to the life of discipleship.

Com demasiada frequência, como crentes, não nos damos conta de que a coisa mais bondosa que podemos oferecer uns aos outros é a verdade. Nossa tarefa não é apenas nos ajudarmos a nos sentirmos bem, mas nos ajudarmos a sermos bons. Frequentemente, parecemos pensar que nossas únicas opções são: 1) falar a verdade rispidamente; Ou 2) não dizer nada em nome da graça. Isto é um engano.

God’s plan doesn’t stop on the New Earth; it continues. God doesn’t abandon His purposes; He extends and fulfills them. Friendships begun on Earth will continue in Heaven, getting richer than ever.

In this audio clip Randy Alcorn answers the question, "Is it true you use friends' names for characters in your books?"

Randy's book If God Is Good deals with your friend’s questions as well as many others agnostics may have.

In this interview with former NFL coach Joe Gibbs, Randy Alcorn talks about the importance of investing in what matters in life along with people who have a common vision.