SOON WE WILL BE OBSERVING VALENTINES DAY once again. It’s that time of year when romantic love is celebrated. I don’t have to tell you that the greeting card, candy, and floral companies keep it ever before us. And we husbands need all the help we can get!

I’m always on the lookout for stories that illustrate the power of love—love that transcends the shallow romantic kind. Some years ago, UPI carried the following story:

Zadok Nager, 35, and France Peretz, 28, of Kfar Sava, Israel, proving that love conquers all, even the thirteen sub-machinegun bullets he shot into her, were married for the second time.

The couple, who had already divorced each other once, were courting again when Nager suspected his ex-wife of being unfaithful and as a result shot her.

After recovering from the shooting, Miss Peretz visited Nager in jail, pending his trial for attempted murder. Nager told a district court judge in Tel Aviv, “She forgives me and we love each other.” Guarded by two plain-clothes policemen, the two were wedded. Then Nager was escorted back to his cell.

Hey, I’m not making this up. I realize that this is an extreme example, but love is a powerful thing. It goes beyond the ordinary. A little boy, being asked what forgiveness is, gave this beautiful answer: “It is the odor that flowers breathe when they are trampled upon.” Miss Peretz understood this definition and acted upon it.

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

FOGHORN LEGHORN. Do you remember him? Probably not if you’re under 40. It’s the name of a character appearing in numerous Warner Brothers animated cartoons. He is a large, anthropomorphic adult rooster with a strong Southern accent and a penchant for mischief. He was patterned after the character of Senator Claghorn, a blustering Southern politician who was a regular character on the Fred Allen radio show.
I thought it was appropriate to bring him up, seeing as how we are smack dab in the middle of a political campaign. Leghorn is reminiscent of some of those running for office today. Bombastic, promise-makers who are full of themselves (not all, of course, lest I seem too cynical). They remind me of something I learned way back in grammar school.
We learned about camouflaging animals. They can use this ability to help them remain hidden from predators or prey. Some animals can change their appearance as their surroundings change. An octopus can change the color and texture of its skin extremely quickly in order to hide in the changing terrain of the ocean floor. An Arctic fox will change the color of its fur based on the seasons. In the warmer months, the Arctic fox will grow brown fur to hide in the trees, and in the winter, it will grow white fur to hide in the snow. And, some animals change colors not to camouflage themselves, but to express their mood. Chameleons can turn yellow, dark blue, or even black if they become angry.
In a similar manner, some politicians have learned the art of camouflage as well. They do not change their outward appearance; they simply alter their positions to satisfy the crowd they happen to be appealing to at the moment. In an effort to elicit votes, they throw caution to the wind; integrity is tossed to the side in an attempt to “blend in” with the environment. How sad. I think most people would rather have a forthright politician, even if he/she is not in complete agreement with the masses.
Here we are in the midst of an election year, when the word “change” is prominent in the candidates’ speeches. It’s one thing to promise and another to hold to it. The promises seem to change according the latest polls. Don’t you think it is ridiculous for a candidate to make vows as if they can accomplish it separate from the Congress? I do. My earnest prayer is that we can elect someone who will be honest with us and KEEP their word.
Perhaps we should take to heart the words of our Savior in Matt 5:33-37: "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

I RECEIVED SAD NEWS OVER THE HOLIDAYS regarding the passing of a dear friend and mentor. Rev. Robert Mattke, one of my professors at Houghton College went home to be with his Lord whom he had successfully served as a pastor, missionary, and educator. A finer man, I could not have known. I am internally richer for having known him; he made a lasting impact on my life.

As a freshman in college, I came to the point of being very discouraged regarding my academic abilities. I had graduated from high school fifteen years prior to this and was accepted as a “probation” student, due to my poor grades. I had entertained the thought of dropping out after the first semester even though I had a strong sense of call to the ministry. I was struggling because I hadn’t yet learned how to study properly. That’s where Professor Mattke came in.

One day as I was walking across campus, feeling very dejected, he stopped me and said something to the effect, “Bruce, I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that you are a part of our student body. The fact that you are slightly older than most students has a positive effect on your fellow classmates. I can tell that you really are making a difference here.”

That one statement kept me trying. Rev. Mattke believed in me. His words refreshed my spirit. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and dug in to the books. The good news is that I finished. And not only that, but I graduated magna cum laude…thanks to those encouraging words. In fact, I can’t remember how many times I have used this experience to illustrate the impact of a word of praise fitly spoken. I am reminded of a quote from Mark Twain: “I can live for two months on a compliment.” Well, I have lived and ministered for far more than two months.

It was also this man of God who encouraged me to go on and earn my Master of Divinity degree. He not only encouraged me to pursue it, but in fact, took me to Asbury Seminary for a visit so that I could catch the spirit of the place. I spent three of the greatest years of my life at this facility where my horizons were expanded and my faith deepened.

My wife worked with Mrs. Mattke in one of the offices at college. They became friends and as a consequence we established a social relationship with she and her husband. We remained good friends all these years.

I am quite sure that I am only one of thousands who have been influenced by this one man. One day I fully intend to resume that relationship on a higher order. Thank you Robert Mattke. Save a place for me in the celestial classroom. Together we will continue to learn and grow as we worship and serve our blessed Lord.

DO YOU LIKE TO READ? If so, may I suggest a book that could change your life? 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper is a must read. It is the incredible story of one man’s journey to the portals of eternity and his return to this planet of pain. Actually, the title is a little bit misleading. Let me explain.

Don Piper was critically injured in an auto accident. His heart stopped beating and he was pronounced dead by medical authorities. 90 minutes later he revived and believes that in that interval, his spirit ascended to the gates of heaven. In the first few pages he describes that journey. It is both mysterious and wonderful. But the bulk of the book is about his slow recovery after his spirit returned to his body. It is the inspiring story of the love and prayers of his family and friends who believed for his healing when he couldn’t.

It seems to me that there are at least two primary messages in this writing: (1) Get ready for another life beyond this one; (2) make the most of this one, knowing that God is present, that He shows Himself through the loving hands and prayers of His people.

I was also struck with how willing the author was to expose himself (inner fears and faithlessness) to his readers. He doesn’t present himself as a “super Christian.” I’m certain that there will be many that will benefit from this honest portrayal of one man’s struggle with the question of, “Why do the righteous suffer?”

So, let me recommend this book to you for information, inspiration, and illumination. It will serve as an encouragement to the grieving and hurting of this world.

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS MUST BE A NIGHTMARE FOR MOST RETAILERS. Hoards of people flock to the stores to return gifts in exchange for money or credit or another similar item. The reasons offered are multitude: wrong color, wrong size, needs repairing, wrong model or type, received another just like it…and on and on it goes. There is lots of activity but little profit for the merchants, not only on that day, but most days between Christmas and New Years.

Of course, there are gifts that should never be exchanged---those that fit just right; they’re perfect, exactly what we wanted. That’s a parable of life, isn’t it? Our unique personalities, talents and gifts are from above. They suit us just fine. The happiest folks are those who are content with who they are.

And then there are the gifts that cannot be exchanged. You’ve seen the signs, haven’t you? IF YOU BREAK IT, YOU BUY IT! You can’t exchange something if you’ve broken it or torn it, not if you want a clear conscience. This is also true with regard to the things we have received at birth---family, race, heritage, I.Q., hair color, etc. You can’t give them back. We have to make the most of what’s been given!

Someone has said that the beginning of the 20th century was the ideal time for living—after plumbing and before the world wars. But we know that no age has come even close to perfection. This is all the time we have. This is our generation. This is a time for us to spread the love of God!

There are at least 3 things in the spiritual realm that cannot be returned or replaced. First, the soul. We can’t give anything in exchange for it (Matt.16:26). Next, the Bible. Nothing can take its place; it is unique, the Book of books, God’s love letter to us. Lastly, the Holy Spirit. No substitutes for Him. He transforms, guides, teaches, rebukes, and empowers.

But, there are some things need exchanging—something old, or wrong, for something better. For example, frowns for smiles, criticism for encouragement, excuses for commitment, doubt for faith, stinginess for generosity, pessimism for optimism, gossip for praise, laziness for action.

2008 is an open door. As we enter, there are three things that all of us will take into it: time, opportunity, and ability. We can grow, we can change. We can exchange our weaknesses for God’s strength, our fears for His power, and our selfishness for His love.

Thanks to Marilyn for the beautiful card that contained the following anonymous poem. I can think of no better advice for the New Year.

To leave the old with a burst of song;
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the things that bind you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that's past;
To have the strength to let go your hold
Of the not worth while of the days grown old;
To dare go forth with a purpose true,
To the unknown task of the year that's new;
To help your brother along the road,
To do his work and lift his load;
To add your gift to the world's good cheer,
Is to have and to give a Happy New Year.