Celebrate Love

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow. Let's celebrate love. Real love- the kind that lasts. This kind of love you won't find celebrated at Disney's Magic Kingdoms. Not at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris or even the original park.

Everyone looks for true love, but how do you find it? Can it be found in marriage?

Back almost 5 years ago, the United States Supreme Court has decided that same sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states. People  that are disagreeing with the decision said it is not our court's position. They were opposed on grounds of their traditional understanding that God designed marriage for one man and one woman, referencing both the Old and New Testaments that make up the Bible.

Those folks celebrating the court's decision said "Love Wins", claiming marriage is only a legal bond between two people of any gender. They believe the availability of the institution should be made for all. Regardless of how they identify.

What do I think? The truth is "Love Already Won". It won two thousand years ago, when the ultimate act of true love was taken by Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sin of all mankind. His death and resurrection made a way to eternal life for all who would turn away from their sin by trusting in Him and His work on the Cross. He was raised from the dead proving He is God. The offer is yours. Choose to live a life that honors God by following the law he gave. The problem is, following Jesus means changing our lives in humility to His Authority regardless of how you feel.

What constitutes civil rights will change from county to country, decade to decade, and even President to President in the United States. Although Obama stated one thing and Trump another, God's Word and his law are never changing. They are eternal - in fact through the Ten Commandments, He did legislate morality- and He does not change. 

Regardless of where you stand on these issues, the most important question we will ever have to answer still remains: Jesus asks "Who do you say I am?" 

Your answer is of ultimate importance. The relationship you have (or don't have) with God in the Flesh, the creator of the universe, the only one who paid the price for your sin and mine, is the first and most important relationship you need to have settled. The one that determines your eternal future. Every other aspect of your life is very important, they are but secondary compared to how you answer this question. 

Did love win? How you answer and then how you love people, even those you disagree with, will show whether or not real love has won in your life. It really is that simple. 

Show real love to each other and celebrate Valentine's Day by loving those you agree with- and those you don't.

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Here's a great video from Dr. Michael Brown discussing God's love for ALL people, including the gay community. 20 Minutes worth your time- minus the slightly dorky music...

Beautiful Romance

"Romantic love is blind to everything except what is lovable and lovely..." It's a nice beginning to a beautiful and timeless truth. This quote by Frederick Buechner strikes me for its encouragement and also, surprisingly, its bluntness. Continuing "...but Christ's love see us with terrible clarity and sees us whole. Christ's love so wishes our joy that it is ruthless against everything in us that diminishes our joy. The worst sentence Love can pass is that we behold the suffering which Love has endured for our sake, and that is also our acquittal. The justice and mercy of the judge are ultimately one."

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

To My Only Valentine

We have such a wonderful story to tell! One of God's goodness beyond what we ever guessed...

So many years ago- 33 in fact- on this day, my wife and I met on a blind date. She went a bit begrudgingly but not me, as this was the daughter of one of my friends. Neither of us thought about it being Valentine's Day. (Good thing because Valentine's Day had been permanently stained years prior- too private a story to tell, but it wasn't pretty!) To us it was just a three year old girl's birthday party; the same little girl who would be the flower girl at our wedding in the Spring. 

What a gift my wife is from Him! After all these years, her beauty shines brighter and her heart to love and serve God continues to delight and impress me. Thank you, Stephanie,  for being my best friend, for being the wonderful mother of our children, and my favorite person to spend the day with... at home or overseas, for work or for play. (And by the way, you're also a terrific grandmother! Oh, how the years fly...)

Happy Valentine's Day! You are still the only one for me!

To My Only Valentine

Happy Valentines Day to my one and only valentine! After meeting on this day many years ago and now 30 years of marriage, there's no one I'd rather spend my life with. Here's to all that God has ahead for us - with much thankfulness for His faithfulness and your love for the years behind us.