How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! - Romans 10:15

My father was a veteran of over four years in the European Theater during World War II. When I was a boy there were times when, after dinner, he would be in a talkative mood and would share stories from his past with a group of eager young children (my brothers and me). The stories ranged from family events with my immigrant grandparents and their own large family during the Depression Era to stories about his friends and comrades in the Army, and on rare occasions, even battle stories (our favorite). My father earned five major battle stars during those violent and tumultuous years.

One of the stories that always intrigued me and stays firmly planted in my memory is a story from Christmas Eve 1942. My father's heavy weapons unit was shipped from Iceland to Ireland and were housed in a beautiful old castle. The week prior a shipment of supplies came in for the soldiers, including delicacies for the holidays, like frozen turkey, shrimp, stuffing, and chocolate bars. The men were excited about a holiday feast. During that week, my father (a First Sergeant) took his squad of men for some training to a small village nearby and happened upon a unit of British soldiers who, like the Americans, were away from home during the holidays. However, they were sparsely supplied and had only canned vegetables and rations to eat for the next few weeks, including Christmas. At that time, relations between the two armies were strained because the Americans were acting like Americans in Ireland, and the Brits were growing tired of it (“Over paid, over sexed, and over here!” was the well-known British lament of those years). My father, however, struck up a conversation with the commander of the British unit and heard his woes about the state of morale among his men. Two days later, on Christmas Eve, my father and a few men drove to the British encampment, shared with them a few candy bars, and told them better food was only a few miles away. The Brits jumped into some trucks, followed my father to the castle, and enjoyed a holiday festival with the Americans. My father was an accomplished pianist, and he played Christmas carols while all the men sang deep into the night.

Not a big deal, really, when you think about it. But my father's eyes lit up when he shared that story with us (more than once, because it was an oft requested story). Sharing provisions and hope and breaking down barriers always makes for a good story. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a story of shared provisions and breaking down barriers, it is also a story that speaks a truth that releases men and women from bondage and offers life, and that life more abundant and free. Most of us at LifePoint know that story from first-hand experience. It is a true story that someone, at some point in our lives, shared with us. What a shame it is that some choose to keep it to themselves and will not share the provision that God shared with them.

As we prepare for our Missions Emphasis beginning Sunday, September 15, let’s consider that gospel story and how it impacted us. Justin Williams, a supported missionary at LifePoint and a new Missionary in Residence here will share with us on September 15 concerning what missionary service looks like, followed by Pastor Tony sharing with us on the 22^nd some practical ways we can engage in gospel conversations and share the hope we have in Christ. It is the best of all the true things we can know in this world, and it makes for a great story.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jym