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Where Strength Comes From

Be strong and courageous (Josh. 1:9).

Is there such a thing as "pre-forgiveness"?  If so, then will you 'pre-forgive' what must surely be a self indulgence I'm about to share?  I'm half way through a grand book, the latest by David McCullough:  The Wright Brothers (I recommend it without reservation, a testimony to hard work, perseverance in following one's dream, attention to detail, enduring hardship - the mosquitoes at Kitty Hawk were like a thick black cloud) and I can't resist sharing the opening quote by one of the famous brothers:

If I were giving a young man advice as to how he might succeed in life, 
I would say to him, pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio.

Mr. Wright is, of course, speaking of the importance of having both parents, good parents, and those values of hard work, down-to-earth, humble, quiet strength that are often attributed to the Mid-West.   I'm grateful for Mom and Dad and for growing up on a farm and for knowing hard work from an early age, and we - again with Mom and Dad's encouragement and support - arranged for both our kids to spend much of their summers back on the farm.

Where does strength come from?  For the amazing Wright brothers, it was from their parents and their Ohio roots.  Oh, I forgot to mention that their Father was a Minister and then Bishop in the Church called Evangelical United Brethren which merged with the Methodist Church in 1968, so it's clear that their strength came from deep spiritual roots as well.  Be strong and courageous.  

Love and prayers, Dan


P.S.  Be sure to send your Lenten Devotional writing to 
Jim Cook by Feb. 1; the theme is "How Do I See Jesus?" 

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