Miscelaneous items for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here is a photo of me with my sweetheart, taken over 30 years ago. How time flies when you're having fun. (And Greenwalds, if you read this, this photo was taken by Randy at your rehearsal dinner!)

One of the most touching articles I have read so far this year came (amazingly) from the NYTimes. This columnist captures the reality of love. (WARNING: this short article talks pretty honestly about many aspects of marriage. It may embarrass younger readers, so read with care.) Thanks to T.C. for posting this link.

I found an interesting update this morning from Joshua Harris, author many years ago of the book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, one of the books that launched the modern courtship movement. He says, in part:

I still stand by the message of that book that premature, short-term romantic attachments can be a big distraction from serving God—especially for teenagers. But in the years since I've also seen that a legalistic application of these ideas can be unhelpful, too. One of my main concerns in my church or any other church is that there be no disunity among Christians over issues of dating and courtship. We need to learn to hold our own convictions on this matter with charity. Most importantly we need to make sure that our convictions are shaped by scripture—not culture, church culture or my books.

Harris links to several sermons on the topic that sound helpful as well.

And finally, how about rethinking our two-kid culture? Here are some interesting thoughts on large families, again from the NYTimes (and linking to the NYT twice in one post, both positively, should show my open mindedness...)

Now, don't spend all of Valentine's Day reading blog posts. Hug your sweetie, and appreciate the great blessings of family and love in your life, Gentle Reader. And praise God, who is the author of all good gifts. After all- He is the definition of love.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
~James 1:17-18