The CIS Mission Board of Directors has approved Colin Campbell, chaplain with the “War on Cancer” in Charlottesville, as a special ministry project. The decision was ratified at a regular board meeting in October, 2008. [read more]

For over 30 years Dr. Bray has used the YWAM Prayer and Planning Diary as a way to stay on track with his personal piety and as a prayer guide for the whole team. "Next to the Bible, this is the most life-changing devotional book I have ever used," says Dr. Bray. "It takes you right into the heart of Jesus for the lost world-it is like walking with God. Plus it helps you plan your daily apostolic action." [read more]

THE volunteers who serve at the CIS Mission Book Table Ministry are offering two free gift books this season as part of their 2008 holiday ministry to needy students, supporters and the whole body of Christ. [read more]

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
I Corinthians 13:13

By Pam Baker

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This beautiful Valentine’s Day essay was printed in a secular periodical and is reprinted without change from Her Magazine ™ because the agape love described here is exactly what missions is all about. I hope it blesses you as much as it did us! Love must motivate all we do and it did Christ who came to die for us because of God’s love!)

WHEN did Valentine’s Day go from an all-to-nothing affair? Not so long ago, many of us were happily addressing paper Valentines for everyone in our class at school; later we whittled the list to a special somebody, then we cut the list to none. Why, exactly, do we do that?

If Valentine’s Day is strictly about romantic love, why do we tell children to engage in it at all, much less include everyone in the holiday ritual? If Valentine is about love in general, why do we get so stingy with it when we’re older?

St. Valentine’s life provides no clue to our current behavior. Some say he was killed because he married young lovers in spite of a war-time marriage ban; others say he was executed because he would not denounce his love for Christ. Either way, St. Valentine died for love. Does it really matter what kind of love?

Is not love, in any form, worth celebrating?

I think it is.

Going solo on Valentine’s Day is not about feeling lonely and deprived. After all, St. Valentine was single, imprisoned and then executed, and look what he started!

Valentine’s Day is about rejoicing in the love that surrounds you everyday. It is about illuminating, on this special day, the people and the kind acts you take for granted on ordinary days.

If you really want to feel the love this Valentine’s Day, get out and spread it.

Give a single flower to each of a bunch of friends, mail a card to a faraway relative, call an old person, leave a tiny bag of candy hearts on co-workers’ desks, take your parents to lunch, give your kids a homemade Valentine cookie, admire a sibling out loud. Look at each of them with fresh eyes. What would your life be without any of these very special – the true and the many loves of your life?

But why stop there?

Donate food or clothing to a homeless shelter, serve a meal in a soup line, visit the forgotten in hospitals and nursing homes, smile at a stranger, shower a store clerk with patience, visit an ailing neighbor or listen to a child.

Love benefits all, it seems; yet another reason not to limit its expression.

Numerous scientific studies show that acts of love and kindness result in significant health benefits, both physical and mental. Here are some key points courtesy of The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, The Niagara Wellness Council, and the book The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others by Allan Luks:

• A rush of euphoria after performing a kind act, often referred to as a “helper’s high” causes physical sensations and the release of the body’s endorphins. This initial rush is then followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being.
• Stress-related health problems improve after performing kind acts. Feeling of depression, hostility and isolation that can cause stress, overeating, ulcers, etc are reversed. A drop in stress can also reduce the frequency of asthma attacks.
• The health benefits and sense of well-being return for hours or even days whenever the helping act is remembered.
• Once we establish a relationship of friendship, love or some sort of positive bonding, the resulting emotions strengthen the immune system and increase physical healing benefits.

Love and kisses to you, dear reader. Happy Valentine’s Day!