Wintercreeks.net Statement of Faith, Hope and Love
written by Richard Thomas / December 31, 2005
Every year on February 14th the occasion for sending cards, flowers and gifts of love around the world moves into full swing. "What the world needs now is love..." made popular back in the 1960's by Jackie DeShannon expresses the anthem in the heart of all humanity to love one another. However, love interpreted differs in the heart of many. The free love movement during the rebellious �60's soon turned into fleshly promiscuity.
In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius declared February 14th the day to honor St. Valentine for his unselfish acts of love. Through the centuries the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.
During the second half of the 3rd century three priests bearing the same name were martyred on February 14th. Each Saint Valentine died in separate locations. One was a priest in Rome, another was Bishop of what is now modern Terni. The only thing known of the third Saint Valentine is he was martyred in Africa.
One version of history states that during the reign of Claudius II - Emperor of Rome - the Roman legions were dwindling due to unsuccessful military campaigns. As a result, the lines to volunteer for Claudius II's army were growing very short. Some obeyed the kings command to join his legions, while other young citizens set out on a campaign to make love and not war.
Marriage was on the rise as Claudius II's troops became vulture fodder. To counter this movement toward marriage and raising a family, the Emperor in his wisdom declared all marriages - past and present - null and void. As a result, young lovers began making vows officiated secretly by priests performing the newly illegal ceremonies. Saint Valentine was one of the priests arrested for performing weddings. And soon his popularity betrayed him. While Saint Valentine was in prison he healed a jailer's daughter of blindness. Yet another story claims that Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter and wrote her letters that were signed "From your Valentine." Claudius became enraged and had Saint Valentine clubbed and beheaded on February 14, 269 A.D.
In 496 Pope Gelasius declared February 14th the day in honor of St. Valentine. Through the centuries the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Lovers' quarrels come under his jurisdiction and, naturally, he is the patron saint of engaged couples and of anyone wishing to marry.
What has been lost during the centuries of celebration of Saint Valentine's day is the testimony that these men of whom the world was not worthy gave evidence of the work of God in their heart, they did not count there lives dear to themselves, echoing the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." [Philippians 1:21]
The heart has become the symbol of Saint Valentine's day. Jesus tells us as recorded by Saint Matthew chapter 12 verse 34 "...For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." The heart is the symbol - in the Bible - of the core of human expression. Human expression cannot duplicate the love of God. It must come from a metamorphosis of the human heart - his core [Psalm 51:10].
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another." [1 John 4:7-11 NASB]
Love is the song of the heart. When people fall in love, there is a heart connection. God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, so that all who believe in His Son would never die.[John 3:16] Jesus Christ is the physical expression of God's heart.[Colossians 1:13-17] God expressed His loved toward a sinful humanity, while we were helpless to save ourselves, traded His life for us when His heart was nailed to the cross.[Romans 5:1-11]
True Love in a World of False Hope: Sex, Romance & Real People
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Legend of the Valentine: An Inspirational Story of Love and Reconciliation By Katherine Grace Bond / Zondervan Corp. Valentine's Day means chocolate and roses and pretty cards decorated with hearts, right? But that's not the whole story. The true meaning behind the holiday is love, real love - the kind of love Jesus showed on the cross. Following in the success of best-sellers The Legend of the Candy Cane and The Legend of the Easter Egg, Katherine Grace Bond takes readers into the life of 9-year-old Marcus who is living in Alabama during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Marcus's daddy is in jail even though he didn't do anything wrong. To make matters worse, Marcus is having problems too. Some of the children in school are mean and tease him because his skin is a different color. As Valentine's Day approaches, Marcus doesn't want to make cards for the children who are hurting him. He is faced with the difficult question of forgiving his enemies. It's then that his granny tells him about the first Valentine - not a card, but a person. This wonderful, character-building story weaves together the faith and bravery of a third-century Christian with the courage of the Civil Rights Movement and the call of Jesus to love our enemies. Children from ages 4-8 will gain a new appreciation for Valentine's Day and will learn what it means to celebrate and express true love. |
No Greater Love Expressed Than This
The Gospel of John the best loved of the four Gospels, vividly comes to life in a faithful and powerful dramatization of the Biblical text. The Gospel of John meticulously recreates the era of Jesus during a tumultuous period that changed the course of history. Starring Henry Ian Cusick as Jesus, and narrated by Christopher Plummer, and with a cast of 2500, The Gospel of John has been adapted for the screen, word for word, based on the American Bible Society's Good News Bible by Emmy nominated John Goldsmith and is directed by acclaimed British director, Philip Saville. Rated PG-13 (for violence involving the crucifixion), Color, 2002.Find More Online Inspirational Christian Bookstore Gift Shopping Catagories to meet Your Specific Need
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