From the pastor's desk

Carl Sandburg was a talented American Poet and Biographer who lived from 1878 to 1967. He once said: “Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it until the test comes.”

I get inspired when I witness someone in our family, church, or community show us the meaning of valor, courage, sacrificial love, and embracing high standards.

• · A married couple go on a Mission Trip to a poor country to provide fresh water and other vital supplies.
• · One spouse sacrifices greatly to take care of a sick spouse.
• · One youth leaves the drinking and drug party to go home and do something productive for his family or finish a school project.
• · One friend sits in a hospital room with another friend and prays for them and helps them recover from their operation.
• · One person develops a new relationship with someone they used to hate or avoid.
• · One person decides to obey God and his commandments even while many of her friends think she is silly or too conservative.
• · One person takes the first step to reconcile and make peace where differences divide.
• · One person works harder to control their anger and prejudice issues.
• · One person ends a terrible and evil addiction and now spends more time in worship, living a healthy lifestyle, and helping others in their family and Church.
• · One person begins to see and understand that she needs to quit judging others so often and begin to love and accept them – for this is Christ’s way.
• · 1 John 3:16 says: “We know love by this, that Jesus laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.”
• · You inspire more people than you know when you try and live the high standards that Jesus teaches in Matthew chapters 5-6-7. Don’t be afraid to show others your courage, your sacrificial love, and the way you embrace God’s high standards. Valor is a precious gift. Use it the next time you are tested.

The Rev. Dr. Theodore Harold Rust