It is with great pleasure and delight that I shine the "spotlight" on not only a friend, but a hero too! Let's look at how Webster describes the word hero: "any person, especially a man, admired for courage, nobility, etc."; hmmm, courage, and nobility, let us allow Webster to define those words also; courage: "the quality of being brave, valor"; nobility: "being noble"; noble: "having high moral qualities". Yup, that's Jim Mason!

Yes, today our spotlight shines on a friend and a hero. Remember the D-Day anniversary we recently celebrated? Jim Mason was there. He was one who jumped. He was one who fought with valor. He is one who deserves our thanks for his part in the history of our nation. Today he fights a different battle; Jim is a prayer warrior, he meets with the Walnut Hills prayer group faithfully, praying for your children and mine. His "jumps" are leaps of faith, his "battles" are fought with the Sword of the Lord, his "valor" (which Webster describes as strength, courage, bravery) is dependent upon the God he has served for the past 60 years.

Jim came home from the army in 1948 unsure of what to do with his future. He feels the best advice he ever received was at an employment office where he was applying for work in a factory. The gentleman behind the desk said "Mr. Mason, you don't want to work in a factory - go home and go to college." To this day Jim doesn't know the name of this man, but the advice set his feet toward the path that God had planned for him. Within eighteen months of his discharge from the army and entering college Jim surrendered his heart to Christ at a revival meeting, and responded to the call to enter the ministry.

Jim met his sweetheart, Marie, at school and their life together was blessed with four children, and many grand and great-grandchildren. Marie, who passed away May 29, 2008, was a God-given inspiration in Jim's life. He says of their marriage "I was the head of the family, but she was the neck that turned the head."

A recent highlight in Jim's life was celebrating his 88^th birthday with his family. While his children had grown up hearing him preach, his grandchildren never had the opportunity; Jim chose the occasion of his birthday to share his passion for preaching the Word of God with the younger generation of the Mason clan.

Jim is certain that people who know him now would be surprised to know how Christ changed his life completely, from a worldly young man to one who lives and loves in Christ. Jim describes himself as one who is joyful and has a positive attitude. Friends would agree wholeheartedly. Jim has the gift of encouragement, and he shares it freely and frequently.

Jim Mason, friend, hero, prayer warrior, and faithful servant of God.

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