Reinventing Valentine's Day

Ah, Valentine's Day. A holiday of crushes, boyfriends, girlfriends, dates, flowers, chocolates, cheesy romantic comedies, and general goosh-ery of every variety. We see the store displays with the chubby Cupid with his bow and arrows with the heart tips. We see those nasty little heart-shaped candies with little phrases like 'BE MINE' or "I LUV U' on them. We embrace telling out sweethearts 'I love you, babe' or 'You are beautiful!' or if, you're a fundimentalist Christian, 'I enjoy your presence and would like to pursue you with a friendship outing.' Gag. Not to mention the singles that decide to pout and sit around wishing they had a boyfriend or a girlfriend or were married, etc.

What, really, is the point of all this? One day of the year to focus on... romance? Love? What is Valentine's Day really about? I'm about to give you the Linus answer; you know, where Linus on 'Charlie Brown' stands up on stage and tells the Christmas story? Well, imagine I'm Linus, and it's Valentine's Day.

The Legend of St. Valentine is just that - a legend. There's little historical record about him, and in fact, there were several St Valentines recognized by the early church. I think, though, the idea of his story is what we should look at; the man, yes, but more so his message. If St. Valentine exists only as a parable, so be it - the story is still one of the deepest love. Love you won't find in a Hallmark card or on a balloon or in a sappy romance song.

In a time when Christians were being persecuted for their love for Jesus Christ and the life they led because of that, St. Valentine was a brave man. When they could dip you in burning oil, feed you to lions, or just corner and slay you in the street because of your devotion to Christ, St. Valentine saw that as a problem. Legend has it that Valentine helped many Christians escape the harsh torture and even murdering of his Christian brothers and sister, which perfectly exemplifies John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

For this, the Roman government had Valentine killed. He died for the sake of the Gospel - showing such TRUE love, and not the sappy romantic crap that ends up on cakes, cards, and Facebook that has been associated with his name these days. What a shame, eh?

Love is a theme that is probably the most profound theme in the Bible. Besides salvation itself, which is basically God proving his love for us, love is an obvious main bullet point in scripture and Jesus' teachings. Love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Love is patient, kind, doesn't envy or boast, is forgiving rejoices in truth, it protects, trusts, hopes, preserves (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). It is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). It is God Himself! (1 John 4:18). Doesn't that sound like something you'd devote a holiday to?

What if this year, we forgot all the generally mooshy and sappy traditions and connotations associated with this holiday, and look at it from a Christian perspective? What if we focused on TRUE love, and not the love of some star-crossed teenagers, a dozen roses, or posting the lyrics of out favorite love songs on the internet? What if we treated Valentine's Day like Christmas or Easter? We complain that those holidays are losing their 'true meaning,' but we still celebrate Jesus at least a little bit on those days; why not Valentine's Day?

Think about it: a day devoted to love! Christian love! A type of love that when you see it in others, you don't get depressed; you are filled with joy! A love that when shared can literally change the world! A love that saved you, and a love that is perfectly exemplified in our God.

The Beatles sang 'All you need is Love.' Switchfoot calls the love of God 'A symphony, a melody, a song...' They also say 'Love is the Movement; Love is the revolution.' Jars of Clay says 'Love is the protest!' Muse says 'Love is the Resistance!' Steve Fee says the love of God 'is better than life.' Now, doesn't that sound a lot better than 'BE MINE' or crappy dollar store candy?

I dare you to look at Valentine's Day differently today! Look at it still as a day of love, but as a day of TRUE love. The Christian Love. The kind of Love God has for us. I promise, your holiday, as well as your life, will be much better when we take that into practice.

So Happy Valentines Day! Love this day!!

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Also, thought this would be cool. I made a playlist called 'Love Is...' and it has a bunch of great songs, all having some variation of the phrase 'Love is.' Enjoy!

Love & War - Part One - Single Dude

Ransomed Heart Ministries was kind enough (and awesome enough) to give me the opportunity to review and send me a copy of John and Stasi Eldredge's newest book, 'Love & War: Finding the Marriage You've Dreamed of.'

I know what you're already thinking. "Matt. You're not married."

I know, you're right - I'm not married. I'm not engaged, and I don't have a girlfriend. Why on earth would I be interested in reading this book?

The opening pages make it very clear - nothing is what it seems.

As I begin reading through this book, I'll be blogging. I plan on writing at least a few of my thoughts for every chapter. I think that this book will offer a fresh, great perspective on marriage, and my future role in it. John Eldredge has been used by God in incredible ways in the past - including using his work in my own life - and there is no doubt this book (about marriage) is sitting on my desk for a reason.

I think that, at least to my readers and those who stumble across this blog, it will be interesting to see what I learn as a 'single dude' making my way through this book. Marriage and starting a family (as my Pastor Steve Whipple says, 'You don't start a family when you have kids, you start a marriage when you say 'I do.') is something I am, actually, looking forward to in the future. No way am I ready, nor have I found anyone to take with me on that journey, but it's exciting to think about. That's exactly what it is, though, isn't it? A journey together (at the risk of sounding cheesy and wedding-priest-y.).

So, right now, my mind is clear, and I don't have any expectations for 'Love & War,' except for one: it's got a message I should hear.

Keep coming back for more on 'Love & War' from the perspective of Matt Walker - me, you're friendly neighborhood single dude. Thanks for reading!

'Christian' is a BAD WORD!

...and I don't mean to non-Christians, either!

Tell the truth - have you ever been embarrassed to say 'I am a Christian?' Now, now, I'm not asking 'Have you ever been embarrassed to BE a Christian,' but what I've found in 'Church World,' is that a lot of Christian (including myself, sometimes...) shy away from using the word 'Christian.' Think about it - you know it's true.

We use more spiritual terms, like 'Jesus Follower' or 'Christ Follower,' but we really don't seem to even want to even say the word 'Christian' anymore. How sad is that, huh? I know, personally, sometimes I will try and find a new term for what I am.

I know, one time, someone asked me 'Are you a Christian?' I hesitated. Not because I am ashamed of my love for Jesus or his love for me, but the word. 'Christian.' So guess what I said? 'No.' In that small amount of time I was thinking of another word of term I could use, I could have said 'Why, yes. I am a Christian.' Instead, because of not being able to think of anything, I say 'No.'

I know some people who go around thinking that the last thing they want people to label them is is 'Christian.' I completely understand. 'Christian' implies religion, ritual, tradition, sterile lifestyle, and years of Christian oppression. But when it comes down to it, we are Christian. Say that with me. 'I am a Christian.' Think about how okay it is to say that. 'Christian' is not a bad word.

If someone asks you 'Are you a Christian?' and you feel hesitant to answer them because of the word, think about what's behind your fear. What do people think the word means? Explain it to them. 'Yes, I am a Christan.' 'Why?' At that point, that is the perfect opportunity to present the gospel. Explain how Jesus isn't what the word 'Christian' often implies. If more people were proud to wear the badge 'Christian,' images and thoughts of generous, loving, passionate people would fill their head upon hearing the word, rather than thoughts of oppression, slavery, and hate.

If you're embarrassed to call yourself a Christian, other people might be embarrassed to become one.

Live it out!

-Matt