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February, 2003 Here's My Heart... From a very early age I heard it called "the LOVE month". And, from as far back as I can remember, I always seemed to have that one special "Valentine", you know, the one who got the biggest card and a box of candy, and the "mushy stuff". Now, where we got the little "cherub", with bows and arrows and red hearts, I will never know. But, greeting card companies, candy manufacturers, and that "Special" Valentine all think it's important, so we continue to make it important, don't we? Yet, there is probably no word in the English language that has been cheapened, maligned, and dirtied like the word LOVE. We use it now to refer to our "emotional attachment" to everything from ice cream to automobiles, from songs to movies and television programs, from sports teams to toys. "Oh, don't you just LOVE ____________ (you fill in the blank)?" is one of our favorite questions! We also use it to "permit" ourselves to do and say things we know in our heart are wrong. "I am only telling you this (usually something negative) because I LOVE you", sometimes means we are about to be put in our place by someone who speaks about love, but exhibits very little. How different the use of that word is in the Bible. Yes, I know when the Bible speaks about "eros", it speaks of a passionate love, a physical love of the member of ONE sex for a member of THE OTHER sex (an idea that I realize is not "politically correct"). And, when the Bible speaks of "phileo", it speaks of a kindness type of love, like one family member, i.e. one brother or sister has for another brother or sister. But, when the Bible speaks of a very special kind of love, it uses a very special kind of word...."agape". It is a completely different kind of love, like the love the Father has for us. It is a selfless, self-giving type of love that neither demands nor expects anything in return. It is a love which says, "I love you REGARDLESS, because God, through Jesus, loves me REGARDLESS." It is a love which denies itself, and empties itself, for the other person. It is a love which is not cheap or dirty. It is special, very, very special. So, I hope you have (or still have) a special Valentine in your life. I know I sure do. She is the same one I have had for the past thirty-two years. And, while I usually forget the flowers, most of the time remember the card, and can't ever seem to find SUGAR-FREE chocolate, my heart still "flutters" when I am in her presence. My goal, every waking day, is that my love for the "love of my life" will be "AGAPE" in it's expression. Don't miss this opportunity to say to someone, "I LOVE you, not because of anything you can, or should do for me, but because God, through Jesus, loves me." That may be the best Valentine you can give.... or receive. God bless you. And, thank you for visiting our web site. Jim Clayton |