Gentle Moments in Time

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In the following verses, substitute your name for the word "love" or "it."

4.  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (NIV)

This is what I found on the history of Valentines Day, but I am not sure how completely accurate it is.

Every February we celebrate Valentines Day by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love.  We do this in honor of Saint Valentine.  You may be wondering, "Who is St. Valentine?"

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome.  There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II.  Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married.  With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base.  Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decreee just wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly.  When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.

Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter.  Before he was put to death he sent the first "Valentine" himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it "Your Valentine", words still used on cards today.

Perhaps we'll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure...  February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating clear back to the Middle Ages.  In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.

Another Valentine gentleman you may be wondering about is Cupid (Latin Cupido, "desire").  In Roman mythology Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love.  His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love.  Cupid is often said to be a mischievous boy who goes around wounding both gods and humans with his arrows, causing them to fall in love.

This information was found at www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/val/history.html

It is almost here, that special time of year.

When hearts and flowers by the hours

are brought to all who seek;

When kisses swirl and words do peak

into little tufts of cotton candy, my sweet.

So be my love and be my own

and call me on the telephone

or send a card, that is not hard,

right to my waiting door, and I'll be yours forevermore.

~unknown

HOW DO I LOVE THEE

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My sould can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need; by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --I love thee with the breath.

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

JUST BECAUSE

By Missey Butler

CBN Staff Writer

Of all the lovely things my husband has ever done for me, one thing he did early on in our relationship will forever linger in my heart as special.

For no apparent reason, I opened the door one morning to find the florist guy standing there holding a bouquet of the most beautiful coral-colored roses.  My heart leapt as I reached out, took the flowers, and just about shut the door on the poor fellow before realizing I had to sign something.

I was so taken by the moment that for a split second I lost myself in anticipation.  I closed the door, leaned back against it, fumbled with the little envelope, and finnally got the envelope open.  With a soft sigh I read the two words on the card: "Just Because."

Immediately, I felt my heart and my cheeks flush warmly.  My sweet guy could not have spoken his unconditional love to me more clearly.

I've often thought about just how lovely and fitting it would be to send the very same message of love to God, a "Just Because" in response to His unselfish love toward all of mankind.

• Just because You created life in all its wonder and beauty.
• Just because you clothed yourself in humanity and walked among us.
• Just because You so loved the world that You gave Your only begotten Son.
• Just because You are the Great I Am... and there is no other.

All of these and a thousand more beside are the reasons for our complete and total love, just because... of "Who" You are!

The Heart of the Matter

by

Cathy Irvin

CBN Staff Writer

The day when all the candy disappears from the shelves, the flowers are gone from the florist shops will soon be approaching and for some of us Valentines Day is just another day.  Someone once told me: "You have to have a 'Valentine' for it to matter."  I know some single men and women in a class at my church who call it "Singles Awareness Day" if they are not in a relationship.

The restaurants love this day, it is special to them, all the sweethearts are romancing that special someone, whether it is their girlfriend or if they're married then their wife.  More chocolate and roses are sold on this day than any other.

I am single and not in a relationship at this present time in my life.  I suppose I could buy some flowers for myself or candy that I shouldn't be eating but I don't, however I do celebrate it though just in a different way.

I am in love with Jesus; He is my valentine so this day I usually spend it reflecting on how much He loves me.  I will still give my children and grandchildren some token of my affection, cards or candy because the joy for me is letting my family know that I love them and telling them that Jesus loves them even more than I ever could.  It is a good day to interject that nugget of truth about the love of God.

Wherever you shop you'll always see an abundance of hearts, the chocolates are wrapped in beautiful red and pink heart shaped boxes.  The theme is hearts and roses for the most part.  Well, 30 years ago I gave my "heart" to the "Rose" of Sharon, a name given to Jesus and every day is Valentines day to me because he makes me feel loved and special so that's the heart of the matter as far as it goes for me.

A close friend of mine cooked a special dinner last year for us both, the table was set for the occasion because she had just been separated for 3 months and it helped her to get through that time.  Perhaps you can't wait for this day to come and go because you are alone, my advice is to take a different look at how you can use this day to witness the love of God to someone else, or invite some friends over for your own perhaps "Single Awareness Day" party.  Whatever your status is be sure to let Jesus know that He is the love of your life no matter how you celebrate and have a Happy Valentines Day.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 (New International Version)

"Love the LORD you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."  Deuteronomy 6:5 (New International Version)

*Note:  Use wisdom when visiting sites as all content may not be Christian.

http://www.bethanyroberts.com/lovepoems.htm

http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/val/history.html

http://peggiesplace.gospel.com/valentine.htm  I highly recommend this site

My husband, My friend, My life, My love. 

I love you more today than yesterday.

Your words are poetry to my heart.

You've captured my heart.

Love doesn't make the world go 'round.  Love makes the ride worthwhile.

Volumes of love are written in your lives.

The best things in life are made with love.

You have to kiss a lot of toads before you find your handsome prince!

Love puts a twinkle in your eye and a smile in your heart.

No door is too difficult for the key of love to open.

A hug a day keeps the meanies away.

Love is a gift we can give every day.

It doesn't matter where you go in life - it's who you have beside you that makes it worthwhile.

Today's happy together times are tomorrow's warm with memory times.

A grandma fills the world with love.

A mother's love is the heart of the home.

Home is where you hang your heart.

Home is where your honey is.