February 10, 2009

Number 6

VIEWPOINT

After she woke up, a woman told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine’s Day.  What do you think it means?”

“You’ll know on Valentine’s Day” he said.

On Valentine’s Day, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife.  Delighted, she opened it to find a book entitled . . .  “The Meaning of Dreams.”

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A High-School English teacher was well known for being a fair, but hard, grader.

One student received a B minus on a theme paper.  In hopes of bettering his grade and in the spirit of the valentine season, the student sent the teacher an extravagant heart-shaped box of chocolates with the pre-printed inscription: “Be Mine.”

The following day, he received in return a valentine from the teacher.  It read: “Thank you, but it’s still Be Mine-Us.”

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Did you know the Bible doesn't just say, “God loves you?” But don't be confused:   it does say God loves us many times. Each time it does, though, it shows us that love as well. God loved us so much time he didn't just say I love you with a “valentine;” he showed he loved us by sending his Son! For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word.                                           RA

Give a Broken Heart this Valentine's Day

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:17).

When we think of Valentine's Day we often think of hearts.  If we are blessed, we think of the sweet love of someone dear. Others, however, mourn over a heart that has been broken.

How does our passion for God display itself?

Do we busy ourselves in Christian service?

Do we painstakingly count our tithe, making sure we give precisely ten percent and no more?

Do we wear the Christian t-shirt so everyone will know we are a Christian?

How about my favorite: the fish symbol on the bumper that is attached to the speeding car that is cutting off other drivers.

Do we wear the amazingly popular WWJD wrist band in assorted colors?

We do, we say, we act, we show . . . but do we mourn?

Yes, mourn.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines contrite as, “Feeling regret and sorrow for one's sins or offenses; penitent.”

We sometimes think that God delights solely in all our efforts and sacrifice. The psalmist paints a different picture, however. God delights in a broken and contrite heart.

I think sometimes we do all the other things so that we don't have to focus on our sin and how utterly broken we are. God sees through all of this and it saddens Him.

There is no amount of Christian service, tithes, or any other thing that will cover the sin that resides in our heart.

God doesn't want your chocolate hearts, your little candy hearts with endearing words, or even your food for the masses.

He wants a broken and contrite heart for Valentine's Day and every day.

Will you give it to Him?                                    (by Fred Alberti)