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The following is supposedly a true story. Shortly after the 911 emergency number became available, an elderly and quite ill lady appeared in a Rochester hospital emergency room, having driven herself to the hospital and barely managing to stagger in from the parking lot. The horrified nurse said, 'Why didn't you call the 911 number and get an ambulance?'

 

The lady said, 'My phone doesn't have an eleven.'

 

That makes you smile doesn't it but there are many in our world who do not know to call on Jesus. And they stagger, barely managing through life. That is our subject for this morning some one not knowing Jesus.

 

It was the first day of basketball practice at Wingate High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Coach handed a ball to each player.

A couple of days ago I arrived at the church in the morning on a beautiful sunny day. Allen Houghton arrived at almost the same time for a meeting we would both attend.
"Another meeting", I thought to myself.
As Allen walked across the parking lot, I found my key and was getting ready to unlock the door when I rather impulsively said to him, "Allen, I am having a moral dilemma."  I think that may have caught him somewhat off guard but if it did, he didn't show it.
"Really", he said in British understatement.
"Yes", I replied. "It's like this. It's a dilemma between living a life of purpose and meaning on the one hand and pre-occupied self absorbed hedonism on the other. What's your vote?"
As my key was poised in the lock, I said, "Once we cross the threshold, you know we are committed. If you want to make a break for it, now's the time." I think he smiled wryly, but I may have been mistaken.

Valentine Day is upon us again . I reflect back to the time when my husband and I were dating. We started dating in March, so we missed that year's Valentine Day. And, when the next year's Valentine Day came along, he was in the Air Force, many miles away. So, we were apart once more. But, he didn't forget. A package came in the mail for me just around Valentine Day. My heart was ?in my throat?, as I opened the package. When I opened it up, there was a gorgeous pink box, in the shape of a heart, with pink ribbons and roses, and it was full of chocolate! What a way to a girl's heart on Valentine Day.

That day took place 41 years ago this Valentine Day. We've had many of those romantic days together, and look forward to many more. He no longer has to be ?after my heart?, for he's had it for so long. But, women are a little different than men, in that . . .

The title says it all--it's either all or nothing for the Valentine lovers or ex-lovers preparing to celebrate - or un-celebrate Valentine's Day on its way to the USA. You either catch the fever and keep it as long as you can--or else, you de-bug yourself as best you can and vow to never catch it again! Love can be wonderful--or awful--depending on which side of the fence you sit!

When the light comes on, it illuminates the world. The sky is a sweeter blue; the grass, a greener green; the rain, a romantic grey! "Love makes the world go round" and we do celebrate it....but when that same love's light goes out, the mood changes--and "Don't darken my door" becomes the post at the gate. No longer welcome here--love, you've hurt and wounded me--and I?ll have nothing to do with you again!