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Health and Lifestyle

Q/A: Is it right for a believer to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

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Is it right for a believer to celebrate Valentine’s Day?



This is a question which is frequently asked among believers. Some are of the opinion that due to the sinful acts that are carried out on Valentine, it is not worth celebrating in Church.


For this to be clarified, one has to understand the etymology of the word “Valentine’s Day” and the purpose for which it was intended.


Far back in 270 AD, Emperor Claudius II Gothicus concluded that single men were more useful in battles than the married counterparts. On that note, he vetoed marriages for every single man in Rome.


Valentine, a Christian priest around the time realizing the injustice of the decree decided to help the unmarried men escape the unjust laws made by the Emperor, by secretly joining them in marriage with their lovers.



However, the outcome of this sacrifice was fatal for St. Valentine when the emperor, Claudius II learned of his actions, as he was later clubbed to death.


Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on 14th February, to commemorate the martyrdom of the 3rd Century Christian priest, Valentine.


Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is closely linked to expressing romantic love, but there’s no definite association between romantic love and the ancient figure, St. Valentine.


However, it is believed that mid-February shows the first whiffs of Spring. Spring represents a new beginning and pleasance in life. It is also known to be the copulation season for most bird species.


Hence, St Valentine’s Day became closely associated with romantic love through its coincidence with Spring season.


Today, we commemorate Saint Valentine’s selfless sacrifice for the Romans.


With this in mind, celebrate this year’s Valentine differently. Celebrate it, not only with love but also with the consciousness that sacrifices are elements of love.


Note that your first sacrifice must be presenting your body as holy and acceptable to the Lord.

Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”



Love God with all your heart, remembering that we love Him because He first loved us.



Likewise, love your neighbour as yourself. These are the greatest commandments. It is upon them that the Law and The Prophets are built.


Finally, love is not a thing to be emphasized only on Valentine’s Day.


Rather, always plant the seed of affection and kindness in every place you find yourself.



Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Written by Ada Mbamalu

POETRY

BEHIND THE SCENE

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See them!
Single ladies,
garnished with beauty
from head to toe.
With snow like teeth
smiling for the camera
and confidence hugging them tightly,


On their foreheads written
“single not searching”
But behind the scene
in their wardrobes they sit
mourning the pangs of
“single at thirty”
What they feel they don’t show us!

See them!
single guys,
dressed in designers,
too attractive to be called handsome,
dangerous flirts,
can’t control the-in-between their legs,


on their foreheads written
“single, want to mingle”
But behind the scene
their minds sing a sorrowful song of
“I wish I had something serious, not an unstable existence”
what they feel they don’t show us!

See them!
Married couples,
in public sugarcoated love,
a mixture of chocolate and honey romance,
and two glasses of wine for both.
But behind the scene,
wife yells at night,
“jobless man, you do nothing,
I get to pay all the bills’!
and husband with a slap replies,
“watch your mouth woman
or you get another slap for a goodnight”
what they feel they don’t show us!

See them!
public figures,
with smiling faces on TV,
cute winks for the camera,
three times a day,
confident speeches,
and the”I rule the world” looks
riding in big cars in show off dresses,


Celebrity lifestyle at it’s peak
coupled with the “I am fine” gesture,
But behind the scene,
there’s a ripped soul,
drowning in salty eye juice,

A broken spirit,
and a “your condition is critical” note
from the surgeon
what they feel they don’t show us!

See them!
Everyone,
physical perfection,
An “I don’t care about what people say about me” attitude
comedy tanks,
brainiacs,
with heavenly looks,
A dozen of hangout friends,
A touch of crazy
and a”never sad” body language
But behind the scene
Mental disorder!
An “I never fit in” feeling
and a suicide note under the cabinet,
what they feel they don’t show us!

© Oshen Gift

© Koinonia Art

GENERAL

A STRANGE LIFE

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We are in a world where thorns and pain seems to be our daily bread; where sorrow is like a friend banging on the door, and we have no choice but to open up to it.

It’s a dark world filled with gross darkness, so much that we have to do almost everything with uncertainty.
“What if this is just the end of this strange life?”


Our trust and confidence have been taken for granted numerous times.
When we look back, it’s a big regret of so many wrong decisions we have made due to pressure and fear.
It’s pain in me! It’s pain in you!
It’s pain in us all!
“What if this is just the end of this strange life?”


While we live on, truth is, we have longed died inside of us.
Pain, fear and sorrow have put us in a place worse than the grave itself, a state of depression and confusion, and we count towards a time and a moment when we will finally live life or probably LEAVE THIS LIFE.


“But, What if this is just the end of this strange life we are living?”


Yes! It’s the end of this strange life friend!


A life without God brings all these; a life void of the presence of the Loving Father, full of grace and mercy.

So how about we come to the end of this strange life now,
How about we embrace the One in whom true life and peace dwells.


For strange life is a life outside the Lord,
But TRUE LIFE is one found and established in CHRIST JESUS!

Embrace Jesus now. Receive His true life and cast you cares upon Him!

Shalom

© Precious Wilfred.