| We
have been so incredibly blessed through the years
by people who have generously given in many, many
different ways in order to help us. All the ways
that God has used Valor's music to touch listeners
would not have been possible without the kindness
of these friends:
Michael and
Joanne Gilkey, Bryan and Wendy Hall, Bob Hosteter,
Bruse and Marilee Jacobs, Paul and Dorothy
Kennamer, Kenneth and Helen Loga, Leonard and
Jodie Mize, Ted and Kelly Mowrer, Mike Pennington,
Marie Rundio, Michael Smith, Richard Stair |
When
it came time to put together something for the
liner notes of this project, we thought we'd each
write down some ides, then talk about them and
combine them into a final statement. Paul David
finished his thoughts first and when he read them
to us we all immediately knew that he'd said
everything we wanted to say and had put it
together better than anything any of the rest of
us might write. So although these are his words,
he speaks for all of us in Valor...this is our
purpose and prayer.
Signed, John and Ben
I wish I could
say that when Valor first started this journey
several years ago, we defined our objectives, put
forth a mission statement, stayed the course and
God worked out all the details just as we prayed
He would. But that would be less than true. Don't
get me wrong, We believed in God and wanted people
to be blessed by our music. However at that point
in our lives, fame and fortune and the limelight
guided some of our steps a lot more than seeking
God's purpose for each of us individually or as a
group. Over the last few years, it's been amazing
to all of us to watch God use people and
situations to minister to Valor. As Christian, I
believe we are all to be in a constant state of
change, always looking for His purpose for our
live. By attempting to follow that road, Valor's
focus is different now. The result is a group of
people who don't feel as wise, or as capable, or
as qualified to SERVE anyone, much less God, in a
full time ministry. All these things might be
viewed by some as weakness, but we see it as a
strengthening faith-in-progress
As a child at
Christmas time, I was always told that the fun is
in the giving. But when it was hard for me to go
to sleep on Christmas Eve, it wasn't because of my
excitement to see my mom's face as she opened the
pair of slippers I gave her (and that my Dad had
paid for), but only the thoughts of myself and
what was under the tree for me. The saddest part
is that, as an adult, and even as a Christian, I
still look for my joy and happiness in receiving.
Oh, it doesn't have to be Christmas. It can be a
Thursday night at a restaurant buying myself a
nice meal or at TJ Maxx where you get the maximum
for the minimum. I think now, for me, it must be
exactly the reverse the minimum return to me for
the maximum service to others. I'm ashamed to
think of all the countless times I have found so
called joy by spending whatever money I had to
shop with others needing far more than I.. Maybe I
should also add that I still do buy clothes, and I
will still frequent a restaurant or two.
But the point
is, where is my focus? Do I still try to find
satisfaction by receiving or by giving and
serving. And not just serving, but sacrificing to
serve. My dad has often discussed with me the
testing of metals to understand their strength. In
the same way, when I attempt to make a life of
pushing for my desires, if I respond well only
when things go my way, that's not much of a test.
But when I try to drop selfishness and serve God
by sacrificing for others, then I have a chance,
through faith (because I don't do it naturally),
to understand joy and happiness and true peace.
And when things don't go my way, it's okay,
because therein lies my chance to try to do things
His way. And through those thoughts and decisions
I get closer to Him
So now Valor is
a few people desiring to be used in whatever way
God would see fit whether from a stage, through
our music, or simply through our everyday lives.
And our prayer is to continue to grow closer to
God through our families, our children, our music,
and our friends.
Paul David |
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NOW
AVAILABLE!!!
