05 February 2006
What's Love Got To Do With It?
Love! We all need that warm, fuzzy, feeling we call love. Love is a strong positive emotion of regard and affection, and love makes the world go around. This wonderful emotion makes us feel wanted and appreciated.
We have love for our family and children and the love for each is different and unique to each individual. This love is unchanging no matter what situation occurs or what these individuals do. This type of love is truly unconditional love - a love that will not leave us no matter what and a love that would make us jump off of cliffs for.
The love we feel for these individuals is different than the: “shaking in the knees, heart fluttering” kind of love we may feel towards someone we are dating. Oh, the awesome feeling of first love and infatuation is one you will never forget... (I haven't!) This type of love is romantic, intimate and this same type of love is felt between an engaged or married couple.
Yet this love can change and should grow. It can be the most beautiful feeling and it can be the most heartbreaking. It’s this romantic, intimate love between a man and a woman that must be worked at each and every day in order for it to endure.
So what can one do to keep the romance in your life alive? Here are some tips that my late wife and I did for each other to help to keep love alive: Do little things in the course of a day such as leave notes, send gifts, bring home flowers or call just to say you love each other. Now how much does that cost? Make a date with each other.
If you don't have children, have some dates out together. And if you do have them, then schedule regular dates without the kids, if possible. Always make time for each other. Show affection by holding hands, embrace, and kiss. Yeah, I am a man that is not ashamed to show his feelings! This will keep the one you love happy and again, if you have kids, this also sets a positive, healthy example for them. Show your appreciation for each other every day. Keep the communication lines open and truly listen to the one you would lay down your life for if need be. Always give 200%!
C'est la fête de l'amour! La Saint -Valentin! Valentine’s Day! It is a day to celebrate love and romance, and the bonds you have created with your one and only. Plan to make it an unforgettable day and add more dynamite to the love and romance in your life. Make your own Valentine’s Day card for example, write a love song or write a sincere love letter. I still have all the ones my wife wrote me way back in the '60's! It does good for the heart to open old love letters and read them again. Precious!
Way back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth (in the '60's for you young folk!)...I reserved the honeymoon suite of a hotel. It wasn't the Ritz in Paris nor does it have to be. It is after all, the thought that counts and not how many stars the hotel has... Just because you are married doesn't mean that romance must die. Just the reverse! Plan a romantic getaway.
Prepare a candlelight dinner. With my french family roots, we know that a man in the kitchen is the way to a woman's heart! Watch a movie that has special meaning to both of you, such as the movie you saw on your first date. Ours was: "Lady Sings The Blues" starring Diana Ross. I even have it now on dvd and it brings back so many wonderful memories.. You could be really old-fashioned and propose all over again...
There are many ways that you can be romantic, but the most important is to simply say: “I love you” on a frequent basis. Those three words go a long way. So what does love have to do with it? Love has everything to do with your relationships and your life. Without love, our existence would be dark and dreary. It feels wonderful to love and to be loved.
This article written by a widower who was blessfully married for many years. And even though she is no longer with me, the memories remind me still today, of what unconditional love is all about. So I had to write about them to you and remind you, thatthis special kind of love has a lot to do with it!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Christian-Charles de Plicque
February 2006
14 February 2006
The 
of
the Matter
First of all, what do we know about the heart? The heart sits in the center cavity of a man’s chest. It controls the flow of blood to the body. It is an involuntary muscle (you can’t turn it on or off when you want to). A person could live without a finger, a leg, an ear, etc. But a heart a man cannot live without. If the heart stops beating for more than a few minutes, a person will die. This is why when doctors attempt to necessitate those who are sick or dying, they pump their heart first before anything…because it’s a very important and vital organ.
Let’s take a look to see what Mr. Webster says about the word: "heart." Heart: "härt" noun -
- a hollow muscular organ that by it's rhythmic contraction, acts as a force pump, maintaining the circulation of the blood.
- the whole personality including intellectual and emotional functions or traits.
- generous disposition, kindness: (a person with a heart)
- the central part: (heart of the forest)
- the most important part: (heart of an issue).
I’d like to primarily focus on definition: b: (the whole personality, including intellectual and emotional functions or traits) and I'd like to demonstrate how it relates to the Word of God. What does God say about the heart, how it relates to us spiritually, and our Christian walk.
The heart (spiritually) is at the core of our soul. Our soul controls our mind, our thoughts our personality, etc. When you fall in love with someone, your love for them, or your infatuation begins in the heart. You can literally feel your love for that someone or something in your heart.
This is nothing more than your mind, agreeing with your spirit and manifesting itself physically into a feeling. The same goes for when you intentionally sin or do those things that are contrary to God’s Word such as lying, or stealing. This is an indication that something is wrong in a person’s heart. Remember your soul, which is where your heart resides, interacts with your mind.
For the joy of it, let’s take a look at a few scriptures: "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." This was the very first verse that my late mother taught me as a child...- "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." In the Book of Matthew: "Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'"
Everything that is good and bad inside of a man resides
in his/her heart and comes from the heart first.
Out of the Abundance of the Heart the mouth speaks…
King David in the Book of Psalms, (Book of Songs literally!), understood how important the heart of a man was. He knew that if he were to truly serve the Lord and do His will, he’d have to get his heart right. That’s why he said: "Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Well what does it mean to have a pure heart? Let’s look at the dictionary again: Pure \'pyur\ noun - a: not mixed with anything else b: free from dust, dirt or taint c: free from sin or moral guilt. You see, King David knew that it was possible for un-Godlike elements to exist in his heart. So he asked the Lord for a pure heart...to keep it only focused on the Lord’s will. This is what it means to have a pure heart. David grasped the concept of having a pure heart so much that God describes him as "a man after mine own heart".. .
We see the words "pure heart" again in Psalms when the psalmist says: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to the Word of God. I seek you with all of my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
On a side note, the Hebrew word for Pure is: "Zakah". It means to be transparent, clear, innocent; to cleanse, purify.
Love makes hearts pure.
Angel House International Missions Ministries r.f.
Karleby Finland
(Article available also in French)
14 February 2004
The
History of Valentines’ Day
Kärlekshälsningar
(Österbottningen Tidning: 14 Februari 2002)
Every February, across the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?
This history of Valentine’s Day--and its patron saint, is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this holiday? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine, or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young, single men--his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who may have been his jailer’s daughter--who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed: “From your Valentine”, an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and mostly importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial, which probably occurred around 270 A.D., others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival.
Pope Gelasius declared February 14th, St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D. the Roman “lottery” system for a romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England, that February 14th, was the beginning of birds’ mating season, in which added to the idea that the middle of February--Valentine’s Day--should be a day for romance.
Cupid, the child-like, winged “angel”, often associated with our modern Valentine’s Day, is in no way associated with the christian church, as he was the so-called: the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. In Greek mythology, Cupid is known as Aphrodite's’s son Eros. The One true Giver of Love, Christ, is our example in spreading it to others, especially to those nearest and dearest to us.
The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his while while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, can be viewed today at the British Museum in London, England.
In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affections or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology.
Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentine’s in the early 1700’s. In the 1840’s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines’ in America.
According to the American Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year around the world. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas world wide).
Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in all Scandinavian and Central European countries, as well as most countries around the world.
Christian-Charles Milton de Plicque
Angel House International Ministries rf.
14 February 2002
14 February 2004
“Be My Valentine!”
(also available in french)
“Be My Valentine”. This is a phrase that stirs up a lot of different images associated with the celebration of Valentine’s Day. Cards with hearts and little poems on them. Candy and flowers given to someone you love. And images of cupids flying around shooting their arrows of love into unsuspecting youths. Young and old alike expressing their affection for their sweethearts, this is what February 14th means to many.
Our Mothers and Fathers in the Christian Faith would be surprised at what has become of Valentine’s Day. What we call Valentine’s Day was at one time the Feast of St. Valentine. It was a religious holiday. They would be especially shocked at the use of cupid since he was a character from pagan mythology. For Christians in the past, this holiday was a day to remember and celebrate the life and death of a Christian martyr.
St. Valentine was a priest near Rome around the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor was imprisoning Christians for not worshipping the Roman gods. During this persecution Valentine was arrested. Some say he was arrested because he was performing christian marriages., but others say it was for helping Christians escape prison. During the trial, they asked Valentine what he thought of the Roman gods, Jupiter and Mercury.
Of course Valentine said they were false gods, and that the God that Jesus called Father, was the only true God. So the Romans threw him in prison for insulting the gods. While in prison Valentine continued to minister. He witnessed to the guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. Because these people had come to know Jesus, Valentine praised God right there in his prison cell.
When the emperor heard about this, he as furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he had Valentine beheaded. Valentine knew that he might get caught in his Christian activities. He knew that if he told the court the truth about the Roman gods that he would be thrown in prison. And he knew that if he continued to witness for Christ in the prison, he would make his captors angry. But he continued, because he loved the Lord and his fellow man.
He was willing to risk his life to free the prisoners and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who needed to hear it. The Bible says: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) God showed us this Love by coming in Christ to die for our sins. And St. Valentine demonstrated this Love when he died for his friends. This is the kind of Love that Valentine’s Day is really about.
Christian-Charles de Plicque
Angel House International Missions Ministries r.f.
Karleby Finland
Februari
www.deplicque.net
2004
14 February 2004
The Greatest Lover!
The Bible speaks not only of ardent Love between men and women, but It presents God Himself as a Lover and His courting of Creation as The Great Romance.
The symbol seems a strange one, considering the Christian reluctance to embrace romantic love. Yet it is distinct throughout Scripture. In the Book of Isaiah God desires Israel for His Bride: "For, as a young man weds a maiden, so you shall wed Him who rebuilds you". Jeremiah says that He fondly recalls the days of harmony, "the Love of your bridal days, when you followed Me in the wilderness". Yet Israel is unfaithful—God is the unrequited Lover.
"Will a girl forget her finery or a bride her ribbons? Yet My people have forgotten Me over and over again. How well you pick your way in search of lovers!" (Jer. 2:32). God is a passionate Lover, and passion can fuel anger. Like the country singer who wonders, "if I saw you, would I kiss you or want to kill you on sight?" God storms at His lover for her prostitution.
After all, The Book of Ezekiel says that He rescued her as a newborn baby lying in her own blood, raised her to full womanhood, gave her fine clothes and jewelry, provided for her the best of foods, and presented her with sons and daughters. In return, she imperviously fornicates. "How you anger me!" shouts God. He threatens to turn her over to her many lovers, to strip her naked before them. The lovers will rob her jewelry, stone her, and hack her to pieces.
Which is it, then, kiss or kill?
Wait, for God is The Perfect Lover. He vents His anger, then whispers in Hosea: "But now listen, I will woo her, I will go with her into the wilderness and comfort her". He follows her through fires, floods, dark woods, wherever she goes, then pleads: "How shall I deal with you? Your loyalty to me is like the morning mist, like dew that vanishes early."
Don't you see, He adds, "loyalty is My desire, not sacrifice". Love will heal: It will reveal the Eternal identity and make all things new. Come, God says, and Israel may be "fair as the olive" and "flourish like a vine".
Then the Persistent Lover takes another tack. He is not out to woo only one tribe, one people, but all, and all of Creation. This Wild Lover will stop at nothing. He condescends and assumes the nature of a slave. He walks among us and heals and proclaims peace and routes demons (and takes up a whip to show some of that old anger too).
He demonstrates His power over death by raising the dead. He tells story after story to win our trust. He looks on us adoringly, and yearns... in the Book of Luke: "How often have I longed to gather you children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings: but you would not let me".
And still we will not let Him. He is embarrassing us. He keeps company with prostitutes, for one thing. Sometimes He acts too happy, and He eats and drinks more than a holy man should. Worst of all, He makes outlandish claims that He is the same God who has been chasing us all along. Finally, cruelly, we turn our backs on Him once more, and nail His back to a Cross.
But He is God, and mad in Love enough to bear it, to take all our anger and guilt. Three days later, He is back and this shocks us into trying to Love Him better. Our infidelity is long and habitual, though, and we still slip often. There are yet many other gods winking at us, seducing us... Our resolve to be unfaithful is weakened, just the same.
We have been betrothed to our: "true and only Husband" (2 Cor. 11:2). We have seen that Love really is stronger than death, stronger than life or angels or principalities or powers or anything else.
In the end, there is no fighting It. We already hear fiddles scratching away at a distant Feast, and we wonder more and more why we ran so hard from this Lover. "Happy are those who are invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!".
We hear much of The Wedding Day, of great, jubilant crowds rumbling like a dozen waterfalls or rolling thunder. They have stopped running and, at long last, accepted true Love. "Alleluia!" they cry. "The Lord our God, sovereign over all, has entered on His reign! Exult and shout for joy and do Him homage, for the Wedding-Day of the Lamb has come! His Bride has made Herself ready, and for Her dress She has been given fine linen, clean and shining".
Ah!: The Bride. Finally She is made new. God's people bear renewed bodies; bodies sown in humiliation but raised in glory, mortal bodies clothed with immortality. And so suns and moons, rocks and trees, all Creation drawn into the heart of God, consummating the praise for which it was made. Consummation is what weddings are all about.
Soon, very soon, the Wedding of all weddings will begin. Heaven will crash open and the Bridegroom appear on a White Horse. God's people may yet be panting from their headlong dash away from Him, but they will gather breath to shout. "'Come!' say the Spirit and the Bride. 'Come' let each hearer reply".
Angel House International Missions Ministries r.f.
Karleby Finland
14th February 2004
(Available also in French)
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