The Storyteller Tells a Story of Faith…
I Corinthians 13:4-8a “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” (NIV)
According to Ron Brehm (B), I Corinthians Chapter 13 is his favorite Bible passage. And why not? Those are words we should all attempt to live by. He says, “Growing up with Christian parents gave me a reason to think that being a Christian was the right and proper way to go. They taught me to treat others as I would like to be treated. My Mother instilled a conscience in me that would tell me if I was doing wrong. I try my best to obey the 10 Commandments.” How wonderful to have this kind of guidance from Christian parents who would lead us through our entire life and to Jesus. Ron adds, “I believe being a Christian (the way you act and behave toward others) makes people notice that you are trying to be a good person.”
Ron says, “I have no regrets in my life and have told many people that if I had my life to live over, I would not change anything. I have had a wonderful life. I’m not sure about and can’t predict my future, but this I know, when the Good Lord is ready for me, I am ready to go. Until then I will enjoy my family, my woodworking and metalworking hobbies and my church family.”
Anyone who knows Ron, knows he is a happy, joyful person. He is a self-proclaimed ‘hugger’, adding he is the “hugger in chief” at Barnitz. In everyone’s life, however, there is usually some sadness. When Ron’s wife died, he says, “People knew how much I loved my late wife, Delores, and knew she was a Christian also, and they showed that love at her passing.” Through that sad experience, he was still able to rejoice in Christian love.
“God invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything.”
Sunday’s Family Circus Cartoon by Bil and Jeff Keane, The Sunday Patriot-News June 11, 2017.
Ron says his favorite songs are “The Old Rugged Cross”, “In the Garden” and “On the Wings of a Snow White Dove”; which are familiar songs of faith and inspiration to most of us. He is also “a very patriotic guy, and I like to show that any way I can. Two things I write on the back flap of all my envelopes: In God we trust and May God bless America”.
Ron has some advice for those who don’t know Christ as their Savior, “Try it, you might like it!” Ron was in the Army National Guard for 42 years. He was a Sergeant who spent many hours training the soldiers who came through his doors. “I believe (and I hope I’m correct) that I might have made a difference in the many soldiers I had contact with,” says Ron. We may never know what seeds we plant and when we plant them, but we must keep planting them nonetheless. It is important to God’s Kingdom to grow fruit for our Lord and to spread His love wherever we can.
On the wings of a snow-white dove, He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above, on the wings of a dove.
When troubles surround us, when evils come
The body grows weak, the spirit grows numb
When these things beset us, He doesn’t forget us
He sends down His love, on the wings of a dove.
(Robert B. Ferguson, Songwriter Published by Lyrics/Warner Chappell Music, Inc. Patent Protected)