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February 2007 |
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and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Dear Friends: Greetings in Jesus’ mighty Name! St Valentines day is only a few days away and every child in the neighborhood is making or buying valentines to exchange with friends. The florists, candy makers, jewelry and department stores are all capitalizing on the legend of St. Valentine and “luv.” (My term for the romantic, short lived, excited feeling that is often confused with true lasting love.) I am a bit aggravated by this exploitation of romantic love because it creates in young people unreal expectations that a real life spouse could never match. I researched St. Valentine and found many legends and a few facts. There were three men named Valentinus martyred during the reign of Claudius II in the late 3rd century. One, or all of them, is our St. Valentine of February 14. In the Legenda Aurea of Jacobus de Voragine (1290), the very brief vita of St Valentine has him refusing to deny Christ before the "Emperor Claudius" in the year 280. Before his head was cut off, this Valentine restored sight and hearing to the daughter of his jailer. The name Valentinus is derived from the Latin for valor. The Legenda Aurea does not contain anything about hearts and last notes signed "from your Valentine," as is sometimes suggested in modern sentimental legend. So who was St. Valentine? He certainly was not a cherub with a bow and arrow! He was martyred for his faith and refused to deny that faith under pain of death. He must have loved his Lord! He understood there is only one king—King Jesus. That is true love and true valor! And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11 KJV He restored the sight of the daughter of his jailer. When faced with certain death he did not think of himself but the wellbeing of another. There is no evidence of him witnessing to this jailer or daughter or Claudius II but I’ll bet he did. Knowing this, I think the connection between Valentine and love is a creditable one but by love I mean “love” not “luv.” Love can be agape or divine love, filios or the love between parent and child, and eros (romantic love) between a husband and wife (note—not tawdry one night stands) . What the media portrays as romantic love is really just lust. One key ingredient in true love is the lack of self. God’s Word gives us a good description of this kind of love. If you look at this passage in the Latin Vulgate the word for love is caritas —a selfless love! Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; 1Corinthians 13:4-8a NAS This is the love of a mother who says she is not very hungry when there is not enough food for all. This is the love of a father who would willingly lay down his life to protect his family and daily lays down his desires for those of his family. This is also the love of the Christian who stands in rain, heat and bitter cold outside a killing center to offer hope to a woman in crisis. This love makes a pro-lifer risk his comfort, money and sometimes even his reputation in a seemingly hopeless battle to save a tiny life– an unborn baby who may never thank him for the effort. This love does not look for an earthly reward—only the words from His Lord, “well done good and faithful servant!” This love, caritas, is what I will celebrate this February because: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Happy Valentines Day! You have caritas! Next month we will travel to Israel to spread the word of “life” and “love.” Would you please begin to pray for divine appointments in Israel? Thank you for your prayers and support as we labor to spread the gospel of Life throughout the nations. You have chosen to support Life Coalition International with your donations and prayers when you have many worthy causes and ministries to choose from. Thank you!! A servant,
Pat McEwen P.S. Thank you for supporting us. Each gift is needed and each prayer sustains us. We cannot do this without you.
love) between a husband and wife (note—not tawdry one night stands) . What the media portrays as romantic love is really just lust. One key ingredient in true love is the lack of self. God’s Word gives us a good description of this kind of love. If you look at this passage in the Latin Vulgate the word for love is caritas —a selfless love! Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; 1Corinthians 13:4-8a NAS This is the love of a mother who says she is not very hungry when there is not enough food for all. This is the love of a father who would willingly lay down his life to protect his family and daily lays down his desires for those of his family. This is also the love of the Christian who stands in rain, heat and bitter cold outside a killing center to offer hope to a woman in crisis. This love makes a pro-lifer risk his comfort, money and sometimes even his reputation in a seemingly hopeless battle to save a tiny life– an unborn baby who may never thank him for the effort. This love does not look for an earthly reward—only the words from His Lord, “well done good and faithful servant!” This love, caritas, is what I will celebrate this February because: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Happy Valentines Day! You have caritas! Next month we will travel to Israel to spread the word of “life” and “love.” Would you please begin to pray for divine appointments in Israel? Thank you for your prayers and support as we labor to spread the gospel of Life throughout the nations. You have chosen to support Life Coalition International with your donations and prayers when you have many worthy causes and ministries to choose from. Thank you!! A servant,
Pat McEwen |
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From the desk of Pat McEwen, 2/12/07 22
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