I’m enjoying spiritual resources on love, companionship and marriage  in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

And I appreciate the cards and Facebook status’ I’ve seen, which show that today is more than a romantic holiday, but really an opportunity to celebrate the love that is around us all the time.

One person on Facebook wrote “enjoy all whom you love and realize their love comes from God.”  Folks are enjoying dinner with families and I’ve appreciated Valentine’s Day cards from church and family members.

 

The Bible says that “God is love” (in fact, John 4 is pretty much a chapter on love), and when we see that there isn’t love that is separate from Him, then we know that love has to be honest, just and pure.  Perhaps you are dealing with a false sense of love – a relationship that includes dependency, insecurity or violence.  We never have to earn love; it is freely given to us by God.  God loves us unconditionally, abundantly and provides us with that which is pure and good.  God is our real Mother and Father who is giving us infinite blessings including companionship.

It’s interesting that the first two “great commandments” both include love: to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22).  You might say this is a true Valentine’s Day wish! 🙂

 

And, of course, I Corinthians 13 is a great description of what real love is and what it does (not the Hollywood kind) and is worth a perusal.

 

Here are some spiritual articles and resources I’m enjoying.

 

A ‘union of hearts’—where harmony in marriage blooms by Kevin Graunke offers insights on how to value your home and spouse.  The author refers to Paul’s statement in the Bible “be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-24, Amplified Bible).

 

In addition, there is an audio chat tonight with two people who prayed about marriage before they met.  There will be a diverse range of ideas about being single, dealing with pressures from family or friends to be married, meeting the “right” one, and being married.  Listen in and/or ask a question!

 

This is a live event at 9pm EST (8pm CST, 7pm MST, 6pm PST), and you can join here.  If you can’t make it tonight, it will be archived and you will be able to replay it in a couple of days.

 

 

I hope you will feel love that is filling all space — spiritual, divine Love; the  love that is enduring, eternal and unconditional.  We are the expression of this Love.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!