Remembering the example of Valentinus

 

One week ago today we celebrated Valentine’s Day. After work last Thursday I stopped by the florist and was extremely glad that I had both pre-ordered and pre-paid for my order as the shop was packed like a toy store on Christmas Eve or Card shop on Mother’s Day. That night we took the girls to Granma’s to drop off their valentines then enjoyed a nice dinner out. (For an extra special romantic night we went as a family to my daughter’s Upward Basketball practice-- fellas-- my example here may not be one you want to follow.

It’s a good thing to set aside special times where we express our love and devotion to one another and thank God for the blessings of marriage and family. St. Valentine’s Day is named after Valentinus who was imprisoned in the 260’s (martyred in A.D. 269) for performing weddings for soldiers who were legally forbidden to marry. Valentinus also was passionate in remembering and serving fellow Christ-followers suffering persecution. Today let’s follow the example of this “Giant of the Faith”, Valentinus and “remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3).

 

-- On Sunday, February 17^th four Christian men, a South Africaian, Egyptian, South Korean, and Swedish American were arrested in in the eastern city of Benghazi,  Libya for distributing Bibles. Pray for the release of these courageous men and  for the protection of their families. Read more of their story here.

 

-- Pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini who is imprisoned in Iran for working with underground churches and for his effort to build an orphanage. Read more of his story here. Pray

also for U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry to speak out boldly and repeatedly for justice and the release of Pastor Saeed, who is a U. S. Citizen.