As Iron Sharpens Iron Part 1

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17  I’m living this  proverb this week.  I just finished spending 24 hours with my good friend Mario Zandstra.

We met together in Annapolis, Maryland, the home of our nation’s Naval Academy. An appropriate place to meet because, in many ways,  it symbolizes our friendship and work together.

As we walked around the Naval Academy and through its Chapel we saw this book. The 2010 graduating class all signed it “dedicating their commissions to the Glory of God.”  I think Mario has signed the same kind of book for his “commission.” This is why his “iron sharpens my iron” and why I love being him.

Mario is a committed husband and great father of 7 children.  I know these things because Denise and I have spent time with he and his wife and Monday night Mario and I had dinner with one of his sons, Will.  I believe that a man’s spouse and children are a reflection of who he is as a husband and father.

So being with him is to have his “commission” as a husband and father sharpen mine.

He is the CEO of Pine Cove Camps in Tyler, TX.  http://www.pinecove.com/.  Pine Cove is a camp ministry much like SpringHill.  Mario has provide leadership that has led to an expanded reach, increase in effectiveness and improvement in the quality of their work.

So being with him is to have his “commission” as a leader sharpen mine.

Mario is a man who passionately wants to grow in his relationship with Christ and to live out that relationship for the “Glory of God.”

So being with him is to have his “commission” as a follower of Christ sharpen mine.

I’m thankful for my friendship with Mario.  He has helped me become more faithful in my “commission.” My prayer is that I would do the same for him.

By the way does anyone know why we kept seeing this photo all around campus?