Real Life Real Faith February Edition

Valentine's Day is approaching. And, with it, expectations for husbands to demonstrate their love and affection for their wives. I would like to suggest Ephesians 5:25-33 as a template for that love, not just for this Valentine's Day, but for the new year and beyond. Not only is it instructive in it's advice to the often relationally-challenged sex, I believe that it could be at least part of the very inspiration for romantic love.

In verse 25, Paul tells the husbands in the Ephesian church, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Surely, every husband is familiar with at least one occasion on which their wife swooned from an account of that ultimate expression of love in a novel, movie or television show. Be it fictional or historical, an example of the ultimate sacrifice, borne of such true love touches a woman's heart like almost nothing else.

Granted, that's the extreme example of love. Though we all would undoubtedly give our very lives for our spouse, there are even more practical applications to be found in this passage.

In verses 28-29, we read, "...husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church...".

Now, imagine what would happen if husbands were to begin loving their wives "as their own bodies." In other words, putting them before ourselves. What if the first thoughts in our heads each morning were of their welfare instead of ours? Besides making every effort to provide for all of their needs and even most of their wants, it would undoubtedly mean seeking to make them comfortable in even smaller, yet important ways. Opening doors for them. Listening when they want to talk. Taking the kids out once and a while, giving mom a day, or maybe just half a day, to herself. Even a simple yet sincere "thank you" for a well-kept house and the many meals provided by the average American wife. For me, it would include taking out the trash without being asked. I'm sure each husband could think of at least one equivalent in their own relationship. And, I'm sure we could all agree that the little things sometimes earn the biggest dividends.

Pulling off a successful Valentine's Day is easy. A successful marriage, on the other hand, takes work. With the overwhelming evidence that the traditional family is in trouble in our society, today, I contend that it's up to the husband to take the lead in building a strong marriage, thereby greatly increasing the family's chance of success. After all, the children are watching. What might it mean to the future of the family, the church and even the nation if they grow up seeing Dad loving Mom as he loves himself? I'm not a prophet, but I'd imagine it would also pay great dividends.

Mark Nickles is a husband, father of three, and a pastor in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Copyright, Mark A. Nickles.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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Husbands Love Your Wives

A Valentine's Wish

Steve Countryman

First I have to admit that I'm not the

best husband. In fact just ask my wife and she'll tell you that I have a long way to go to achieve that. One evening I was rubbing her feet after she had a painful day. As I was rubbing them the Lord shared this with me. How many men in the world, whose wives have died, who would give ANYTHING in the world just to have their loved one back long enough to rub her feet, hold her hand, stroke her face, rub her neck, a relaxing massage, run his fingers through her hair or just to touch her once again. Suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks,

rubbing her feet would never be a chore to me again!

Flowers and cards are nice but this Valentine's day also include a surprise for your wife or girlfriend by doing something special for her that you know she would like. Something that she normally has to ask you to do but not this time. A foot rub, a neck rub, a relaxing massage something personal. God's love is always looking to "show love" and to "give love" and we should do the same with our gifts from God known as our wives. This is my Valentine wish for you. For you to show and give love to your wife!

Happy Valentine's Day

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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Happy Valentine's Day, Jesus

Maggie Brittain

My fairest Lord Jesus

You are so beautiful

So strong and magnificent

You never stop amazing me!

True Love, You are without a doubt

Love in all it's splendour

Purity and glory

For all who come to You!

Such love, such strength

All in One Who opened His arms

To be nailed to a cross

With all our sins hung upon Thee.

Dear Sweet Jesus

You are beyond comprehension

You are God, You are Truth

Love in it's purest form!

I look longingly to the day

When our hearts will beat as one

In all Your magnificence

My heart desires Thee!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VineyardofEncouragement/

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History of Valentine Kathryn Frazier

Americans exchange 180 million Valentine's Day cards annually. And that number doesn't include the boxed children's cards exchanged in classrooms. How did this all start? Who was Saint Valentine, anyway? And why do we send cards on his day?

Saint Valentine (Valentinus) lived in Rome in the third century CE under the rule of emperor Claudius II, when Christianity was expressly forbidden.

Valentine was a Christian priest, and a physician who treated people with prayer and with medicines. He often waived payment or took whatever the person could afford. By some reports, he suffered from epilepsy, and had a special consideration for those living with that challenge. Some say that he treated the son of a Roman orator for a seizure.

Because Claudius II believed unattached men made better soldiers, he declared marriages illegal. He encouraged temporary partners. Once a year, the Romans held a festival honoring Juno, one of their twelve gods. During the festival, young men drew names, lottery style, to determine their partners for the coming year.

To help cement the temporary coupling, the man wore the woman's name on his sleeve throughout the festival. This is where we get the expression, "Wearing your heart on your sleeve."

Against Roman law, and in defiance of the Pope, Valentine secretly married couples in Christian ceremonies. When caught, he was arrested. During his time in prison, fellow Christians slipped Valentine notes of encouragement. The jailer's blind daughter, Julia, visited him often. Valentine prayed for her, and God restored the girl's sight.

Valentine was held until the day of the lottery. On that day, February 14, he was made a public example, beaten with clubs, then beheaded.

The last thing he wrote, on the eve of his execution, was a note to Julia. He signed it, "From Your Valentine".

Kathryn lives with her husband and children in Tampa, Florida. It's hot there. And swampy. With gators. She's really brave. [email protected]

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS.

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Sunday, December 12, 2016, page 4

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