In elementary school, a holiday typically meant an excuse to eat homemade cupcakes at the end of the day. Further, as a young boy, I always looked forward to that cupcake. Yet, there was one holiday party that involved a quid pro quo for that delicious handheld treat—Valentine’s Day. In exchange for that sweet, you had to give a valentine to every single person in the class. I dreaded the inevitable hand cramp that would certainly come after signing “From Mark” twenty times. It was almost not worth the cupcake. So what’s the story behind the candy hearts and roses and my sore valentine writing hand? In the early records of the martyrs, three Valentines are mentioned, all dying on February 14th. These all died in third century persecutions. One Valentine, a Roman priest, is said to have sent a letter to a female friend on the day he died (February 14, 269 AD) and it was signed “from your Valentine.” By the eleventh century, a gate in Rome was named after this Valentine. However, it was in France and England a few hundred years later that February 14 became associated with couples in love, due more to the mating habits of birds rather than the third century martyr. Handmade Valentine’s Day cards were traditional in England, and that tradition continued in Colonial America. In the mid nineteenth century, the New England Valentine Company gave birth to the mass produced greeting card industry. As for Cupid (god of Desire), who today is

Another school year is upon us and many of last spring’s high school graduates continue their experiences in education. Whether in college, trade school or the military, teenagers leave home to face their first steps of adulthood. Satan’s snares are set along the path as they take those steps. So it is my prayer for these children that they all be like Joseph. Joseph, at age seventeen, found himself far from home. Yet, with a few good choices, he served the Lord and accomplished God’s Will. First, Joseph had godly dreams. Joseph literally had dreams inspired by God. More pointedly, Joseph had godly expectations and goals for his life. Teenagers are encouraged to have goals to direct their education, careers and even retirement! Christians must emphasize goals of righteousness. Paul reminded us that regardless of his riches or poverty, he had contentment (Philippians 4:11ff). Paul also encourages us to always abound in our good works (1 Corinthians 15:58) while pressing forward to our goal of heaven (Philippians 3:14). Second, Joseph honored his father. By the time Joseph was a child, Jacob’s fickle faith had been strengthened. Jacob was a good example of a living faith for Joseph, and Joseph understood the value of following such an example. Long before Isaiah answered the Lord, Joseph said to his father, “Here am I” (Genesis 37:13). One of the great relationships in Scripture is the parent and child relationship. Throughout the Bible this message is clear: Parents, train your children in the nurture