Since today is Valentine's Day, I figured I should post a blog about LOVE. And by the way, I've had some friends tell me recently that they hate Valentine's Day, as they called it a "Hallmark Holiday"!

Here are my thoughts:  We use the word, "love" rather flippantly to describe how we feel about lots of stuff... certain restaurants, sports teams, specific activities, certain people, etc. For example, "I love the St. Louis Cardinals, I love that Chinese buffet, I love to coach my daughter's soccer team, and I love my wife. However, I've learned that in the Bible there are a bunch of words for love in the Hebrew and Greek texts, and, most importantly, that when we're told, "God is love" (1 John 4:8), that that kind of love is completely different and special. That love is unconditional, sacrificial, selfless, and steadfast, and is not based upon feelings at all.

That sure makes me glad that our God is committed to this kind of faithful and gracious love, that reached out to those who were betting on His clothes while He was hanging on a cross... I'm also glad that this kind of LOVE is available not only on Valentine's Day, but all the time.