From the pastor's heart: 

God’s Word is Sweeter Than Honey

     As our calendar turns to February, our attention is often turned to the third century Roman priest, St. Valentine, who was martyred on February 14, 269 AD for attempting to convert the emperor Claudius.

He was initially arrested for secretly officiating marriages between Christian couples during a period in which marriage was illegal due to Claudius’s belief that young married men were inferior soldiers.

   St. Valentine has been associated with love and romance for centuries, but did you know St. Valentine has been the patron saint of beekeepers since 496 AD? Since honeybees are such a vital aspect of life, early beekeepers chose St. Valentine as the saint to pray for protection over their hives. Honeybees pollinate over 80% of flowering plants and 130 types of fruits and vegetables. Obviously, Scripture does not encourage us to pray to saints or venerate saints, but even strange cultural holidays can be great opportunities to be reminded about God’s love and care for us.

   If you are looking for alternatives to celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, celebrate the honeybee and beekeepers! The honeybee is one of God’s most fascinating creatures that He designed to make life fruitful and sweet for us. So instead of chocolates, roses, or cards, consider gifting your Valentine what they really want - a jar of local honey!

   One of God’s greatest gifts of love to us is the revelation of himself to us in Scripture. Through meditating on and applying His Word, we grow to know God, learn how to receive the gift of salvation, and experience the transformation of our character. This is why the psalmist declared, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)

In His Presence,

Pastor Zach