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Text Box: For Valentine’s Day this year I wanted to do something different. Maybe I am losing the romantic side of me (I’ll leave that for Judy to decide), but I wanted to make the holiday a family-type of affair. My issue with Valentine’s Day is that it seems to really be geared very narrowly. Unless you are drooling and enthusiastically in love, then the holiday seemed to say that there is something wrong with you. If you are not out there buying five Hallmark cards so you can get the free stuffed bear holding a huge heart, or not spending several hundreds or thousands of dollars (the amount is based on how guilty you feel) on Zale diamonds, then you are a major cad and should be publicly humiliated. In particular, I did not appreciate the television commercial from Zale’s that showed a husband giving his wife this expensive diamond necklace. She oh’s and ah’s then gives him a great big smooch with their young son in the background soaking in the scene. Text Box: This inspires him to make a cardboard, string, and glitter necklace that he puts in a box that he writes Zale’s on and then gives it to the girl next door, who must be the same age as him because she is about a foot taller. The girl next door is so enamored by his gift that she gives him a smooch on the cheek. So, why don’t I like this commercial? It is because it is so insanely unbelievable! No young boy wants to be smooched on the cheek by the girl next door. And I doubt seriously that the girl next door wants his cut out heart. As you can tell, if I wanted to hold a successful Valentine’s Day event I needed some help. But I did think that I was on the right track to make it more family oriented. Just as God would have it, I was able to find an open date, Valentine’s Day, on the calendar of my friend, Christian comedian, Lonnie Swonger. I made the arrangements with him and he was able to be with us, along with his lovely wife, April, for a Valentine’s Day dinner and performance at the church that was a family event. Text Box: Lonnie is a very funny guy. He had the crowd in various stages of laughter, giggling, snickering, and down right quiet throughout the evening. There was also some audience participation in which he did not embarrass the audience members, well, not too much. It was a blessing to also hear Lonnie share about his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. His testimony contained a lot of humor, but also contained the glorious hope he found in his risen redeemer. I want to heartily recommend Lonnie to you and your church. His ministry will leave you laughing and thoroughly blessed. You can get more details at his website: www.lonnieswonger.com . May God richly fill your life with laughter, song, and a great testimony of hope!

Love and Laughter

        by Pastor Dave Bassett

 

 

Philippians 4:11-13

 11. . . for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Text Box: Pastor Dave’s book “Have I Got A Secret For You!” is available for purchase at a Christian bookstore near you, as well as on our website. Click here for more details. Text Box: Page #
Text Box: Text Box: A few more pictures of the snow before it all goes away. I’m sure it will have to go away soon—after all, Spring is coming, isn’t it???