Today, is a day for love. That’s the way it is explained, anyway. Valentine’s Day is billed as a time to celebrate love and those in love. In spite of its historic foundations, it is a nice sentiment, but sentiment is part of the challenge.

It is far too easy to substitute sentimentality for real love. Numerous people will be making stops today to grab something fast so they have a gift for the one they love. It will be one more thing to check off of the daily action list, or even delegate to someone else. A token and a card and everything will be covered for another year, but is that what love looks like? Can love be reduced to a gift, a dinner, or a card?

Several years ago, I asked a man I knew if he was ready for Valentine’s Day. He responded, “I don’t participate in that. Once you start, they come to expect it.” I suggested that was a little harsh and he silenced me by saying, “If my wife doesn’t know that I love her every day, then a gift doesn’t help, and I am failing to do what I should do.”

There is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating today, and nothing wrong with sharing expressions of our love, but if we reduce love down to a heartwarming verse or a fancy dinner, we are missing the point. Real love is an investment. It is sacrificial, and can never be relegated to a few kind expressions. Love requires work, and sometimes, the work is hard.

Often, when I perform a wedding ceremony, I am asked to include a reading from 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. It is an appropriate passage, but it is not just for weddings. It is the definition of what real love looks like. Consider these words once again:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Love like this takes effort. It is an intentional action, not a sentimental feeling. Love puts the other first. It patiently cares and easily forgives. Love believes in the possibilities of what is yet to come and presses on until those possibilities become reality. Love does not find pleasure in self-seeking, but in the truth. Love does the hard thing and expresses itself in integrity. This real love is so much more than making someone feel good. Instead, it is a deep desire to help someone experience goodness.

So, on this day when we celebrate love, give the chocolates, flowers, and cards. Enjoy a dinner out. Tell the people that matter that you love them. Then, after the symbols are shared and the sentiment expressed, choose to actually love. Be deliberate, persistent, and hopeful. Resolve to love with intent and integrity every day. Rejoice in the truth as you humbly consider others ahead of yourself, and always remember, “Love never fails.” (13:8)

The post Love Never Fails appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

I find it striking that this teenage girl, when confronted with an amazing reality, and with many potentially negative implications in her life, chose to respond with praise. It would be one thing if she said, “If that is what God wants, I will do it, but I’m honestly a little intimidated.” Instead, she accepts the calling with joy and begins to declare the praise of God.

Praise is a powerful tool, but at its root, it is the spirit’s reaction to the greatness, and the faithfulness, of God. More than just some songs we sing, or words we say, praise is the response that bursts forth from within as we encounter the Spirit of God. You may remember Jesus saying, as he entered Jerusalem to the praise of the crowds, that if they did not praise the very rocks would cry out. An encounter with God produces a spirit of praise.

There are currently, many postings on social media and Christian media, along with numerous Christian cards and items that proudly declare, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” I respect the sentiment. As a Christian, I believe this season is dedicated to the praise of the Savior. The bigger picture, however, is that, as a Christian, Jesus is the reason for my praise every day and in every season. The One who captivates my heart and calls me to know him more is worthy of my praise in every moment of my life, as he is for all who bear his name.

When John was expressing his vision of the throne room of heaven early in Revelation, he makes it profoundly clear that everything gives praise to the Lamb of God, Jesus. The whole worship of heaven is offered in praise of him. If all of heaven continuously stops to give praise and glory to the Savior, then our lives should be marked by that response of praise as well. It is the cry of our heart to offer praise and worship to God, through the Son, Jesus Christ.

In our second worship service this morning, the children will take over the message with their Christmas play. They practiced for many weeks to come and share this powerful story. Through the voices of these children of God, we will once again be reminded of Mary’s praise, and the praise of the angels. We will watch as shepherds and kings come to worship and adore the newborn King. We will be reminded of God’s gracious gift in the infant Christ, and we will be a part of the body of Jesus’ disciples who join in the offering of praise.

Today, as we move closer to Christmas Day, let us set our affections on him of whom the angels sing? Like Mary, let’s respond to God’s call in Jesus with a song of praise that declares the promise of hope, joy, and peace. May our spirits burst with praise for the Holy One, for he alone is worthy.

The post The Gift of Praise appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.