thegreatestoftheseislove1cor1313com

We live in a society that boosts money and power. We live in a society that values freedom above integrity and justice. We live in a generation that has forgotten our motto: “In God We Trust.” Frankly, I think pledging allegiance to the flag and that statement has lost much of its meaning.

So, I would like to recall what our country was really founded on. “All men are created equal” and are entitled to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” What does this phrase mean?

Am I saying that only the “Rich” are entitled to “Happiness?” Doesn’t seem that way. Am I saying that only “Americans” are entitled to “Liberty?” No. It says very clearly “All men.” So wait…does that mean the African-American? The homeless person? The transgendered? The single mother? The drug addict? The alcoholic? Yes. “All men are created EQUAL.”

This specific principle was founded in 1776 with “The Declaration of Independence.” The document goes on to say that: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.”

Now, the problem with this is that this puts the power into the hands of the people. It requires us to stand up and take charge of our country. It requires us to practice what we preach.

But in an economy where 90 percent of our wealth is controlled by roughly 10 percent of the population, in a nation where “freedom” is phrased as sexism and racism, in a world where children go to bed hungry, and in a generation where sex and violence are becoming a common occurrence in elementary schools, I think we can all agree something is not right.

Let’s resurrect America. Let’s bring our country back to its true greatness. Not a cookie cutter impression.

 

Valentine’s Day has become a commercialized holiday. The greeting card industry has capitalized on the idea that we need to be validated by our spouses and significant others every February 14^th. However, that is not at all what this holiday is about. The holiday itself came about because of a very special man named Valentine. Valentine’s love was not a romantic or commercial hallmark card type of love. No. It was much deeper than that. This is part of Valentine’s story:

A common hagiography describes Saint Valentine, as the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia, a town of Umbria, in central Italy. While under house arrest of Judge Asterius, and discussing his faith with him, Valentinus (the Latin version of his name) was discussing the validity of Jesus. The judge put Valentinus to the test and brought to him the judge’s adopted blind daughter. If Valentinus succeeded in restoring the girl’s sight, Asterius would do anything he asked. Valentinus laid his hands on her eyes and the child’s vision was restored. Immediately humbled, the judge asked Valentinus what he should do. Valentinus replied that all of the idols around the judge’s house should be broken, the judge should fast for three days, and then undergo baptism. The judge obeyed and as a result, freed all the Christian inmates under his authority. The judge, his family and his forty-four member household (family members and servants) were baptized.^[21] Valentinus was later arrested again for continuing to proselytize and was sent to the prefect of Rome, to the emperor Claudius Gothicus (Claudius II) himself. Claudius took a liking to him until Valentinus tried to convince Claudius to embrace Christianity, whereupon Claudius refused and condemned Valentinus to death, commanding that Valentinus either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs, and beheaded. Valentinus refused and Claudius’ command was executed outside the Flaminian Gate February 14, 269 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine).

So you see Valentine’s Day is not about chocolate and roses. It is about a much deeper love. The love that God and Jesus have for us and the love that we should have for one another. Imagine a love so great that you would rather die than to renounce it. That is faith ladies and gentlemen. That is Christianity and that is love. God’s love. It says “he so loved the world that he gave us his only son so that we might not perish but have eternal life.” You see the real meaning is not in that 4.99 dollar box of chocolate that you think symbolizes unfailing love. No. The real love is that there is someone who love you so much that he gave his own life to save yours. Now that is why I love Valentine’s Day. I love it for what it represents. My faith. My love. My God. Most importantly though, it reminds me that there was a man that loved God so much that he would rather die than say he didn’t. That is love ladies and gentlemen. That is love.

“Well mom and dad,” stated Marty “funny story actually. You see what happened was I was a kid and this man came up to me and said I’ll give you a million dollars if you let me change your face. Well, needless to say, I didn’t ask questions. I jumped on that bandwagon faster than a fat man on a doughnut.”
“You’re joking, right?!” said Lorraine.
“I mean honestly…how…why…” said George.
“Yeah I am,” said Marty “here’s the truth. I went back in time using the Doc’s time machine. While I was there I sort off…accidentally…messed up how you and dad met so I had to stick around a while and get everything sorted out.”
“Uh huh…” said George. “Oh just come to clean Lorraine…Did you sleep with Calvin Klein or not.”
“Oh, George! How could you?!” mutters Lorraine.
Marty looks at his folks and whispers to himself, “Well…looks like I’m going back in time…again…how do I fix this one?!”

Marty pondered his predicament for a while. He thought until his brain hurt. Finally, he said to himself, “I wonder what Doc would say about all this?”

So Marty went to the Doc’s place and said loudly, “Hey Doc! Doc!”

The Doc stumbles up to the door. He barely realizes that Marty is talking to him. His mind is preoccupied it seems. Einstein runs up to him and slobbers all over his shoes. Marty grabs his muzzle and shakes it.

“Marty!” says Doc. “I wasn’t expecting you. Is there something wrong? The earth’s gravitational field did seem a bit off this morning.”

“It’s my folks, Doc. They found the picture of me from when I traveled back in time and now my Dad thinks my mom cheated on him with Calvin Klein.”

“Oh, Marty…That’s nothing a little wine and dine can’t fix. I wouldn’t worry so much.”

“I don’t know Doc…he seemed pretty insistent.”

“Trust me Marty. Soon he’ll forget all about Calvin Klein.”

“Yeah, Doc. But what if he doesn’t…”

“Well….then I guess we’ll have to go back in time and correct this little mishap…although I am not quite sure how. I guess we could….No that wouldn’t work. Hmmm….yes this will be tricky.”

 

 

To be continued…..