Thank you Indianabob, great advice. My wife is from Indiana, too, by the way. Crawfordsville - I love it there, it's actually got 4 distinct seasons. (in a sense, so do we: drought, fire, rain, mudslide)
In regards to my friend, I think I'll see where God takes us. Originally I was going to do the adult thing and lie and tell him we weren't going to be home that weekend. Confronting the situation is the better plan of course. In the end we'll both be blessed by it. From what it seems, he has started his religious journey a while back and now wants to sort of thank me for being one of his inspirations by going to church with me.
Speaking of which, right now I'm a bit nervous because my wife has told me yesterday evening (Saturday) that she, too, wants to go to church today because she hasn't been in such a long time and misses it. She didn't say if she needed me to go too but I'm assuming so. The last time I went there I was feeling physically sick to my stomach after having to listen to the "story" of Lucifer. We had a short conversation about it afterward but obviously the pastor has far more credentials than I do.
Sometimes (often) I wonder why God has brought me to know the truth but those around me can't see it. I'm sourrounded by so many people whom I cherish and love and yet I'm lonely in a way. I'm sure many of you are going through similar trials. It's good to have this place to come and retreat to.