Ash Valentine's Wednesday

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26) 

Today millions of believers are observing Ash Wednesday while hundreds of millions of believers and unbelievers alike are celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day. What do Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day have in common? Certainly this: they both deal with the deep longings of our hearts to love and be loved, to have a significant relationship with someone who cares for and accepts us forever, without condition. The two events are not that different, nor are their symbols: paper fades, flowers wither, sweets are consumed, dinners are digested, and all our endeavors to love and be loved ultimately become ashes and dust. Praise be to God that there is a love in the universe undiminished by time—the love of God that is ours in Christ—and in that love we are able to love each other for eternity. Our flesh and our hearts will ultimately fail, but God is the strength of our hearts and our portion forever.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for strengthening our hearts through Your eternal and unconditional love. Enable us to love each other as You love us: sacrificially, unconditionally, eternally, in Jesus’ name, amen.” 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHO SAYS ROMANCE IS DEAD?

A man asked whether his friend had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day. 

“Yes, of course” came the reply, “I've bought her a belt and a bag.”

The first man was impressed, not thinking his friend to be very considerate.

“That was very kind of you,” he responded, “I hope she appreciates the thought.” 

The man smiled as he replied, “So do I, and I hope the vacuum cleaner will work better.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After waking up from an afternoon nap, a young woman told her husband, 

"I dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?" 

His eyes lit up, as he had been at a loss for a Valentine’s gift. "You'll know tonight." he said. 

That evening, the man came home with a small wrapped package and gave it to his wife. 

Delighted, she opened it—to find a book entitled "The Meaning of Dreams."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A young man walks into a post office one to see a middle-aged, balding man at the counter.

He sees the man methodically placing "Love" stamps on bright red envelopes covered with hearts. 

The older man then takes out a bottle and sprays perfume all over the many envelopes. 

His curiosity getting the better of him, the young man can’t resist asking what the other is doing. 

The older man says "I'm sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed, 'Guess who?'"

"Why would you do that?" asks the younger man.

The older man replies, "I'm a divorce lawyer.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit preserve you in Christ Jesus!

Pastor Kirk