JEFF'S JOTTINGS

Jeff Fishel
Board President

I am very fortunate to have grown up in a home where my family loved me. From my earliest years, my parents, brothers and sister have supported me. I feel blessed to be able to spend time with them, and know they are with me when I need them. Recently I told my parents – who are both now in their eighties – that their love serves as a standard for the love I provide to my family.

As I contemplate the concept of love, I generally find it attached to actions of kindness offered by those around me. For example, when my friend forgave me even though I didn’t deserve it. Or the time my brother helped me with something, although he had more important things to do. Or how my parents were patient with me during my episodes of immaturity and impatience.

I have found I Corinthians 13:4-7 profoundly inspiring in my Christian walk regarding love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. . . . It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

These are such beautiful words! When I consider that this is how my Savior loves me (and how he expects me to love others), I am overwhelmingly grateful. Even though I am blessed to have family and friends who love me, their love is a lesser reflection of the love we have in Jesus Christ. For as John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

We thank all who love and support this ministry, making it possible for God’s love to be proclaimed on Christian Crusaders each week. We thank you for your kindness and your prayers.

Jeffrey L. Fishel