ho is your hero? We asked our elementary aged children Sunday morning at Hillside to answer from the heart. Many said that it was Jesus or God or a parent. Others might suggest Superman or a legend of old. The heroes we hold in high esteem say a lot about what we value in people and even us. Many serve the image of a hidden hero they haven't even identified. We go about life trying to please one who may not be the way we think they are. We just never quite live up to the false perfect image we hold.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews lists a group of heroes of the faith from Old Testament times. They are considered heroes because they obeyed God and acted in faithfulness toward Him. They often suffered great personal cost in doing so, but were undeterred from their personal mission for God. They believed Him and it was counted as righteousness on their behalf. They set the stage for the real meaning of "the faith that saves" in Christ. Many of them fought personal battles with sin and discouragement in their daily lives. These difficulties did not cause them to quit or give up on God. They acknowledged their fears and weaknesses, repented of their sin, and were restored by God. They went on to serve Him with great distinction.

The book of Acts in the New Testament also contains the accounts of several heroes we can look to for encouragement. The people in the original church encountered all sorts of challenges. People who were coming to God came from many different backgrounds and traditions and races. Acts gives a faithful account of how these real seekers of God found salvation in Christ and acceptance by His church. These are real heroes too. They overcame prejudice of all kinds coupled with real fear about how they would live after accepting Christ as Savior. They were not willing to give up on knowing God on His terms for anything or anyone. They made the choice to live for Jesus no matter what. They put serving Christ before social status, job status or anything else that seemed more important. These were first class "everyday heroes".

We all have the opportunity to live the same way today. We can make the same choices about Jesus and His church. We can make the same choices about the relationships in our lives with job, family, and our social circles. If our commitment to Christ isn't above everything else then who is our hero, really?

We are anticipating a great Sweetheart Banquet this Saturday night. Approximately forty couples have reserved a table in anticipation of an evening of warm fellowship and great food from Dancy's.

Work on our education addition is coming along. Heating and air work is in progress this week along with electrical and other preparatory activities for the next phase of construction. We praise God for His provision and faithfulness in our endeavors for Him.