happy valentine's day!

ok, so those who know me well, know that i joke around about valentine's day... and in the past i've worn all black to symbolize my mourning on this day... but i haven't been able to do that the past couple of years because i truly LOVE this day! how can i deliberately mourn on a day that God has given to me?! He has blessed me with so MUCH that i cannot even pretend to dislike this day. so, when i say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY... i really mean it!

if you're still not convinced, maybe you'll look at this day differently once you read the origin of valentine's day... it certainly changed my perspective.

Who was the real Saint Valentine? St. Valentine was a Roman Christian who, according to history, was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the third century by Emperor Claudius II. The only thing certain about the day we remember as St. Valentine's day is that it commemorates a martyrdom. Claudius II declared all Christians illegal citizens. By his definition, they were guilty of treason because Roman citizens were required by law to worship the Emperor by declaring publicly, "Caesar is Lord!" Of course, no Christian would do this.

St. Valentine was put in prison because of his beliefs, but continued to minister in prison by witnessing to his prison guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. When the Emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he sentenced Valentine to death. Just before being led out to his execution, the young Christian wrote a note to the jailor's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." The first valentine was really a Christian witness. Growing out of this story we participate in a custom of sending cards to people we love.

It wasn't until the 1300's when Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem called, "Parliament of Fouls" that linked Valentine's day with lovers.

Isn't that COOL??!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Here's my opinion... what's yours?

I am sure you all have caught the story in the news about Denmark publishing controversial drawings of the prophet Mohammed. While I don’t know the whole story or what these articles portrayed, and I don’t condone the violence that has spread as a result of these drawings, the situation has made me think these last few days. I find it interesting that drawings of the prophet Mohammed can be published and Muslims all over the world stand in protest for such drawings as it is sacrilegious to them. Yet, as a Christian, any time of the day, I can turn on the TV and watch a sit-com or read a newspaper article that makes fun of Jesus Christ and Christianity, and not say a word. It saddens me that we, who are Christians, don’t have the same reaction when people make fun of Jesus Christ as the Muslims have when people portray Mohammed negatively. If you are a Christian reading this blog, it should hurt you to hear people use God’s name in vain, it should anger you to hear people make fun of His statutes, and it should sadden you when people portray Christ as anything other than your Savior. Do you believe He is who He says He is? If you do, you wouldn’t sit and listen to the world make fun of Him, but next time, you’ll stand up for Him… after all, He died for you.

That's my King

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews
He's the King of Israel, He's the King of righteousness
He's the King of the Ages, He's the King of Heaven
He's the King of Glory, He's the King of Kings
and He's the Lord of Lords
That's my King!
I wonder do you know Him?

My King is a Sovereign King
No means of measure can define His limitless love
He's enduringly Strong, He's entirely Sincere
He's eternally Steadfast, He's immortally Graceful
He's imperially Powerful, He's impartially Merciful
Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world
He's God's Son, He's a sinner's savior
He's the centerpiece of civilization, He's unparalleled
He's unprecedented, He's the loftiest idea in literature
He's the highest personality in philosophy
He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology
He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient savior
I wonder if you know Him today?

He supplies strength for the weak
He's available for the tempted and tried
He sympathizes and He saves
He strengthens and sustains, He guards and He guides
He heals the sick, He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors
He delivers the captive, He defends the feeble
He blesses the young, He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged, He rewards the diligent
He beautifies the meager
I wonder if you know Him?

He's the key to knowledge, He's the wellspring of wisdom
He's the doorway of deliverance, He's the pathway of peace
He's the roadway of righteousness, He's the highway of holiness
He's the gateway of glory
Do you know Him?

His life is matchless, His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting, His love never changes
His word is enough, His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous, And His yoke is easy
His burden is light

I wish I could describe Him to you...

He's indescribable, He's incomprehensible
He's invincible, He's irresistible
You can't get Him out of your mind
You can't get Him off of your hand
You can't outlive Him, And you can't live without Him
The pharisees couldn't stand Him
They found out they couldn't stop Him
Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him
Herod couldn't kill Him
Death couldn't handle Him
And the grave couldn't hold Him
That's MY KING!

Go to sermonspice.com to hear the original... it's the greatest!