Hello ,

Senator John McCain knows how to bleed. His well-documented experience in the
Hanoi Hilton has been recounted in his book Faith of My Fathers (Random House, 1999). No matter what one's party affiliation, you cannot help but respect the man for his service.

Peter Kann observes: "It is faith in himself--today's concept of 'self-esteem'--that prisoner McCain discovers to be the 'least formidable strength' in withstanding these trials. Faith in self alone, absent larger and higher allegiances, is no match for systematic inhumanity. What sustains him and others through all this is 'faith in God...without faith we would lose our dignity and live among our enemies as animals live among their human masters."

We serve a God that loves us uncondtionally.  We are divinely cherished, and this fact alone can bring a smile to almost anyone's face who truly internalizes it.

May your day be filled with even MORE reasons to smile and feel loved.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word 

* -Peter R. Kann, His Crucible of Character Makes Politics Look Tame, 
The Wall Street Journal, 
September 8, 1999 A24..