Pastor Craig - February 2019

 A prosperous young Wall Street broker met, fell in love with and was frequently seen escorting about town a rising actress who was beautiful, compassionate and kind. He wanted to marry her, but being a cautious man he decided that before proposing marriage he should have a private investigating agency check her background and present activities. After all, he reminded himself, I have both a growing fortune and my reputation to protect against marrying the wrong sort of girl.

 The young man requested that the agency was not to reveal his identity to the investigator requesting a report on the actress. In due time the investigator’s report came back. It said the actress had an unblemished past, a spotless reputation, and her friends and associates were of the highest quality. The report concluded, “The only shadow is that she is often seen around town in the company of a young stockbroker of questionable business practices and principles.”

 Making sure. . . .How hard it is to “find” someone to love and care for in this world? I think about how much easier it was in the “old” days. People did not move around as much and so you really did get to know your neighbors and their families. You grew up with kids your own age and love seemed to bloom as you got older. There was no such thing as Match.com, or eharmony, or farmers.com or any other of the sites which helped you in the search for “true love”. But the old days, still had their issues. You knew each other too well.

 My mom and dad lived about 6 miles from each other in the country. They were in the same grade, went out in High School and as far as I can tell were one of those “it” couples that were involved in many different activities. So that later in life they led and organized one of their class reunions. Mom tells the story that Dad had to ask her to marry her 3 times over a period of months. Mom said she finally said yes because she did not know if he would ask again. Sometimes you know each other too well.

 Each of us have our own stories. I believe that the common aspect is that one or the other of you decided to put yourself out there. Risking rejection. Figuring out that the pain was worth taking the chance for happiness and love.

 Here is the message. When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, we don’t have to worry about rejection. We don’t have to contemplate the pros and the cons of following him. We don’t have to wonder what the future will hold with our decisions. We don’t have to wonder what our parent’s will think. We can just know what it is to be loved by one who knows all our faults.

 This month is the time when Valentine’s Day shows up. The time when the stores are filled with red hearts and red roses. I join the countless men, who stand in front of the many Valentine’s cards finding that ONE card that captures the emotions and the feelings and that will touch her heart.

 Today, know and believe that Love is Real and God through his Son has shown us how.

 In Christ,

  Pastor Craig