A few years ago The New Times, an online news source, published the results of this question: “What does love mean?”
It was posed by professionals in human behavior to a group of 4-8 year-olds. Here are some of their answers”
“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” Rebecca – age 8 Continue reading
Filed under Love
On this day, February 14, 270 A.D., a man by the name of Valentine, a religious leader in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed.
According to History.com, The Roman Emperor, known as Claudius the Cruel, “was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns.” Apparently, he was having a difficult time getting men to join his army because of their attachment to the wives and families. So, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome.
According to one of the legends, Valentine, “realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.” Continue reading
Filed under Love
A group of first-graders were on a field trip to a hospital. At the completion of the tour the nurse who had directed them asked, “Does anyone have a question?”
“How come the people who work here are always washing their hands?” a little fellow asked.
After the laughter had subsided, the nurse gave a great answer: Continue reading
Filed under Love
Yesterday, I shared with my marriage class the 10 emotional needs from Dr. Willard Harley’s book HIS NEEDS HER NEEDS. He says five are typically male needs and the other five are female needs. He writes that meeting these needs will “affair proof your marriage.” He also affirms that when you discover your own needs and identify your mate’s needs that it will “deepen your love and desire for each other.”
So, last night I come home and find a face book notification from an old friend and former college room-mate, David Lewis. The post was from Jani Ortlund’s blog entitled “The Six Second Kiss.” Here’s what she wrote. Continue reading
Filed under 2012 Top Posts, Marriage
February has long been identified as a month of romance, particularly because Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 14th in the Western world.
The history of the day is shrouded in mystery around one of the early “saints” Valentinus who was imprisoned for performed weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. According to legend just prior to his execution, he wrote a letter to a woman he loved and signed it “Your Valentine” as a farewell. Continue reading
Filed under Love, Word of the Week
A couple was having some marital problems and sought counseling. After interviewing both together the Counselor separated them to discuss the issues individually.
When alone with the husband he asked, “What do you feel is the biggest problem in your marriage?”
“Well, every time we get into an argument,” the husband responded, “my wife gets historical.” Continue reading
Filed under Forgiveness, Love
50 years ago I bought my first little heart-shaped box of Valentine’s Day candy, walked across the Florida College campus from “C Dorm” to Sutton Hall and said “Happy Valentine’s Day” to a young lady I had only been dating a short time.
By the next Valentine’s Day, Norma Jean and I were talking marriage. By our third one together we were married. Over the years we’ve celebrated Valentine’s Day where ever our ministry has taken us. Ohio. Kentucky. Tennessee. Back in Florida, twice. Missouri. And now Texas. Continue reading
This morning I’m preaching on “Love is Kind” from 1Corinthians 13:4. Here’s a touching story from that lesson about Joseph Bayly. Three of his seven children died at young ages. So he was intimately acquainted with the pain of death and was all too familiar with what he once called the enemy’s “grim violence.”
From Bayly’s book, A View from the Hearse, he shares this emotional encounter following the burial of one of his sons. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Paul Fritz calls them “the triad of Christian virtues.” R. Davies wrote, “These three graces form the essential elements of the Christian character. An unknown author referred to them as “the holy and beautiful sisterhood of Christians virtues.”
In fact, without these three virtues it’s impossible to make it to heaven.
What are they? Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
“Pope stresses spirit over rules” read the front page headline of Saturday’s Kansas City Star.
The article reported Pope Francis’ news conference at the Vatican Friday unveiling his latest 260 page writing entitled “Amoris Letitia” or “The Joy of Love.” According to the article “Francis’ worldwide challenge (is) to minister to the consciences of people in all their fragile imperfections and not be cornered by rigorous doctrine.” Continue reading
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