Happy Valentine's day!

Today is Valentine's day...what is that all about?

The story of St. Valentine has two different versions - the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Education declined, taxation increased and trade witnessed a very bad time. The Roman empire faced crisis from all sides, from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asia. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Naturally, more and more capable men were required to to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers.

The ban on marriage was a great shock for the Romans. But they dared not voice their protest against the mighty emperor. The kindly bishop Valentine also realized the injustice of the decree. He saw the trauma of young lovers who gave up all hopes of being united in marriage. He planned to counter the monarch's orders in secrecy. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine who met them afterwards in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. And thus he secretly performed many marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before Claudius came to know of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested.

For more history click... History of Valentine's Day.

I also found this great poem that demonstrates a discovery of how much God cares and loves us. Hear the words and find new contentment in the reality that God loves you.

* A Valentine may play a love song for you, but God sings you the sweetest love song in the universe. "The Lord your God... will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

* A Valentine may give you flowers, but God sent you the most beautiful rose of all. Jesus. "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." Song of Solomon 2:1

*A Valentine may bring you chocolate, but God provides you with something even sweeter, His Word. "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103

*A Valentine may love you for a lifetime, but God loved you before you were born and will love you for all eternity. "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love...with loving kindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3

Happy Valentine's day and You know I love ya too, Don