It's Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, friends! In my Internet wanderings in recent days, I came across something I never knew before... and that is, the history of Valentine's Day! Did you know that one of the theories of its origin is based on this...

Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailer's daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailer's daughter a farewell letter, signing it "From Your Valentine." Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him.

Source: The History of Valentine's Day, About.com

In light of this story, will you follow in Valentine's footsteps today, on this Valentine's Day... spreading Jesus' love across our world... and being the miracle, bringing hope to so many in the margins who are waiting?

Will you carry the LOVE of Jesus to the little ones?
Will you sponsor a Compassion child today?
Will you *be* the hope they are waiting for?

So, how did Valentine's Day evolve to the way it is celebrated today?

In 1537, a Royal Charter by Henrry VIII officially declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day. By the next century, Valentine's Day was widely celebrated in Britain and, by the 1700s cards were exchanged on a regular basis, which became one of the precursors to how the holiday is celebrated today.

Source: The History of Valentine's Day, History.ca

In light of this, let me tell you about my Valentine...

Chocolate Hills, Bohol (Philippines), Summer 2011.

He is my best friend, the man my soul loves. He is the grace of my life… a man who “fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.” (from Psalm 112:1 NASB). I am blessed beyond measure.

If I need evidence God is good
Just looking at you is enough
You are the grace of my life
For you grace my life with your love

~ Brian Littrell, Grace of My Life.

In my devotional reading yesterday from Girlfriends in God was this prayer... quite appropriate for this day, Valentine's Day... but I think it's a great prayer for everyday as well!

Lord, I pray for my husband, from head to toe:

:: His Head - That he will look to You as Lord of his life. (1 Corinthians 11:3)

:: His Mind - That he will have the mind of Christ and think as the Holy Spirit would lead him and not the flesh. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

:: His Eyes - That You will keep his eyes from temptation and that he will turn his eyes from sin. (Matthew 6:13, Mark 9:47)

:: His Ears - That he will hear Your still small voice instructing him. (1 Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:8)

:: His Mouth - That his words will be pleasing to You. (Psalm 19:14)

:: His Neck - That he will humble himself before You and be strong, courageous, and careful to do everything written in Your Word so that he will be prosperous and successful. (James 4:10, Joshua 1:8-9)

:: His Heart - That he will love and trust You with his whole heart. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 3:5)

:: His Arms - That You will be his strength. (Psalm 73:26)

:: His Hands - That he will enjoy the work of his hands and see it as a gift from You. (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 5:19)

:: His feet - That You will order his steps and that he will walk in Your truth. (Proverbs 4:25, Psalm 26:3)

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!
Let us love... "because He first loved us." ~ 1 John 4:19.

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