Regardless of what we call it, February 14th is a day when we acknowledge those special people in our lives. February 16, 2025
It reminds me of another day — a day when ultimate love was declared and demonstrated for all of us. It wasn’t a day of eros love (romantic love). Rather, it was a day of agape love (perfect love). A love letter was written — but not on a Hallmark Card. It was written on the palms of Jesus’ hands.
with Pastor Terrell
God the Father, was not willing that anyone should perish for their sins. However, not one person was innocent before the Holy God — and not one of us could pay the price for our sins. God did what only He could do. He sent Jesus into this broken, sin filled world over 2,000 years ago. He allowed His only Son to become our sin — and die on a cruel cross in payment in full for our sin.
“Love never fails ...” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV) ~ SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY: WHERE IT CAME FROM
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ~ John 3:16 (KJV) ~
About the time most of you will receive this edition of CONNECTIONS, it will be Valentine’s Day. For those who receive this through email — and forgot what day this is — you may still have time to go find a special card for your Valentine. For those who will get this in the mail and forgot the holiday — I have no real advice for you but to grovel really well! There are many ideas about the beginning of Valentine’s Day — but most people are unaware of the actual story behind the holiday. Valentine lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. He had everything going for him: he was young, wealthy, healthy, and passionately in love with his fiancée. As the day of his wedding approached, Valentine’s future looked storybook–bright. However, his world suddenly began to fall apart when the emperor declared all Christians to be guilty of treason. In order to escape punishment, all citizens had to declare “Caesar is Lord.” Valentine refused to make such a declaration. Worldly success and worldly love were secondary priorities for him — he was first and foremost a follower of Christ.
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands…” ~ Isaiah 49:16 (KJV) ~ That is the ultimate love story! Friend, if you have not allowed Jesus to come into your life as Savior and Lord, why not do so today. That will be the greatest Valentine’s gift you will ever receive. Blessings on your week. May we each discover Jesus intersecting our lives as only He can do. I do look forward to seeing you this Sunday, as we look at KINGDOMS: A Crash Course on Emotional Freedom. Pastor Terrell
As a result, Valentine was arrested and put in jail. There was no trial, just a sentence to public execution in the Roman arena. While awaiting death, Valentine wrote love letters to his fiancée — beautiful romantic letters assuring her of his never-ending love. On February 14, 259, he became another of thousands to be martyred for faith in Jesus Christ. Since then, Christians have celebrated his fidelity to Christ and romantic love by sending love letters to special people.
P.S. The tradition of written Valentine’s Day cards began after 1400. The oldest written Valentine’s Day greeting still in existence today dates back to 1415 — and no, it is not one that I wrote to my Valentine, Barbara. It was written by the Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
A funny–but–sad PS to this story is that the Hillsborough, New Jersey school system, decided a few years ago that the name St. Valentine’s Day created an oppressive environment since some students and faculty were not comfortable with the implied religious overtones of a day named after a Christian martyr. Fearing that celebration of the day constituted a violation of church and state, the school board voted to rename February 14th Special Person Day. continued
King Henry V also allegedly sent a Valentine written by a hired writer to Catherine of Valois.
So, there you have it men. You may still have time to hire someone to write a Valentine to your special lady — or you could just stop at Walmart and pick one up at the Greeting Card aisle!