Let's Talk About Love
For all its fluffy, gushy hoopla, Valentine’s Day is a significant day. Sure, the card/flowers/candy companies have inflated it more than a little, but Valentine’s Day is not merely sentimental. If you’re like me, the day is a mile marker of sorts. When I look back on Valentine’s Day five, ten, or twenty years ago, it’s interesting to reflect on what it meant to me at different stages of my life.
Eight years ago, for example, I sat in a swanky restaurant with a man I had only just met. I thought he was crazy to ask me out so soon—on Valentine’s Day, no less!—but ten months later we would be engaged. Valentine’s Day is now our “first date anniversary.”
Fifteen years ago I was a sophomore in college, and very single. Both of my roommates had serious boyfriends, so they were out having a romantic evening. My night, on the other hand, involved some form of wallowing.
Twenty-five years ago, I was a fourth grader. That year, I wrapped a shoe box in red heart wrapping paper, dotted it with more heart stickers, and cut a hole in the top. I then assembled twenty-four Bugs Bunny Valentine’s cards for the annual card and candy exchange. Back then, I wasn’t concerned about finding a boyfriend so much as gathering a stockpile of candy.
The personal significance of Valentine’s Day changes over the years, and for kids it’s usually quite simple: Valentine’s Day is fun. However, as our kids grow older and Valentine’s Day begins to MEAN something, that significance is accompanied by cultural messages about “love.” As a parent, I want to be a part of that learning process.
In our culture, “romantic love” has a rather self-centered bent to it. Romantic love is supposed to complete us. Marital love is supposed to make us happy. “Love” and “self-fulfillment” are nearly one in the same. In fact, our culture (through books, movies, reality television and more) implies that without romantic love we are somehow incomplete (thank you, Jerry Maguire). In a desperate effort to fill that void, people often justify personal compromise and bad decision-making. Alternatively, “love” can also carry less weight than it should, with people demonstrating flippant relationships like one-night stands and “friends with benefits.”
Before my kids absorb those distorted messages about romantic love, I want to counter those messages with truth, and Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for those conversations. So, as Valentine’s Day approaches, here are some fun topics for conversation that can help your kids develop a more Christ-like understanding of love. These questions are appropriate for different ages, and they are only the tip of the iceberg, but hopefully they can inspire you, and your family, to go a little deeper with Valentine’s Day:
• Besides romantic love, what other kinds of love are there?
• Is romantic love the most important kind of love? Why or why not?
• In what ways does God show His love for us (1 John 3:16)?
• How can we show our love for God?
• The Bible says to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). How can you love your friends, or your siblings, as yourself?
• Jesus also teaches us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44)? Who are the hard people in your life, and how do you think you can love them?
• The Bible says it is not enough to love people with our words, but to SHOW them our love (1 John 3:18). Why do think your actions are more powerful than your words?
In John 13:35, Jesus reminds the disciples that they will be known by their love. In a world of conditional love, cheap love and self-centered love, it’s never too early to start teaching our kids about Jesus’ “different kind of love.” And more importantly, it’s never too late to talk about God’s love for us, and how to bear witness to it. God’s love is a whole lot harder, and much more self-sacrificing, than mushy Valentine’s Day love, but it’s also the only kind of love that is perfect, the only kind of love we were fundamentally created for, and the only kind of love that will actually fulfill us.
I want my kids to know that truth, on Valentine’s Day, and every day.
Sharon Hodde Miller is a writer, speaker, pastor's wife, and mom. She is a regular contributor to Her.meneutics, and has also written for Propel, (in)courage, Relevant, Gifted for Leadership, The Gospel Project, and Christianity Today. To read more of her writing, visit her blog at SheWorships.com.
Comments
My Name is Sandra from New York, I want to say thank you to ANNE GUIDANCE for the good thing he has done for me,though am not sure if this is the best forum to show my joy and happiness for what he has done for me but i can’t hide happiness and my Joy so i have to share it with people, my marriage got crashed about two years ago and i tried all i could within my power but to no avail. I saw a post and testimonial about the good things ANNE GUIDANCE has been doing so I decided to give it a try. though he is always a busy man but when he responded back to my email, he gave me 24hours for my marriage to be restored really just like he said my marriage was restored since then I am happy and i am living happily i am so grateful, ANNE GUIDANCE you can always email him here: anneguidance1@gmail.com or WHATSAPP +17405177939 or view his blog his web page https://anneguidancepsychic.blogspot.com/
I would like to express my profound appreciation to Wizard Larry Recovery Expert for their exceptional competence; they are truly heroes, and I wish I had met them quicker before contacting other hackers for assistance. I am posting this comment for those impacted by cryptocurrency investment, mining, and trading scams, and if you read it, you may be able to retrieve your hacked or blocked cryptocurrency investment.
Email:
Wizardlarry (@) mail . (com)
Website:
larrywizard43.wixsite.com/wizardlarry
WhatsApp:
+447 (311) 146 749 and +1(616) 292-4789
Hackers broke into my wallet and stole over 70k worth of bitcoins. Everything occurred so quickly. I was at work one morning when I received an email from blockchain asking me to verify my account for safety reasons, which I did thinking it was the appropriate blockchain email address. I then clicked a file that was attached to the email, and that’s when everything went wrong. My personal computer collapsed for a brief period, and then I got an alert that my Bitcoin request had been submitted to a different wallet. I tried emailing the blockchain support since I was so enraged and perplexed to see if there was any chance I could get my bitcoin back, but they stated there was nothing they could do. I gave up on it for a little period of time. I was informed that I could actually get back my Bitcoin with the aid of a hacker. I requested assistance from jamesmckaywizard who was introduced to me through a colleague. They only required the information from my own wallet. The money was found in my wallet in less than 4 working days, and it turned out that the intruder had already spent some of it, leaving me with only about 53,820.00 bitcoins. I’m still pleased and happy, jamesmckaywizard deserves every bit of praise for the fantastic job they did. They are influential on WhatsApp and email. jamesmckaywizard at gmail dot com or WhatsApp +316…5744…6.248.
Visual Hacker that always gives a perfect job. I needed a Hacker who can help me recover my investment plans, When they denied me the withdrawal of my investment, I saw a testimony about a Great Visual Hacker by name Jamesmckaywizard i didn’t waste time so I contacted him on jamesmckaywizard at gmail dot com or WhatsApp +31657// 446248. He asks for the necessary information and proof that i was scammed, I sent it to him within a maximum of 48hours he was able to give me all the breakdown of my funds and he recovered my funds successfully. I was finally able to purchase my dream house and I would want anyone in need of a competent hacker to reach out to them for various type of Hacking. Mobile spy, Phone Hacking, Bitcoin Hacking/Recovery, Account Hacking, Snapchat Hacking, Instagram Hacking. He is the perfect HACKER
Cryptocurrency Scam/Fraud Tracing & Recovery
I never thought I will get scammed of all my assets on this exchange which I was warned by friends not to invest online or apply for exchange from unknown online investors, they stole all my life savings ranging to a total sum of $68k [sixty eight thousand dollars] worth of bitcoin, I started regretting my life until I came across some article online about jamesmckaywizard a genuine hacker who is into any kind of hacking and helping people recover their lost funds via online scam, I still didn’t believe bitcoin can ever be recovered, but had to once again trust my guts and instincts. To my greatest surprise Mr. James was able to carry out the job neatly without any traces or complications all thanks to him and his team for offering me a top notch services. To that one person or persons out there who really need a true and efficient hacker l would advice you to contact: Email: jamesmckaywizard at gmail dot com or WhatsApp +31… 657… 446… 248..
BITCOIN RECOVERY EXPERT TO RECOVER LOST OR STOLEN COINS CONTACT/iCode cybertech
I still remember the gut wrenching feeling when I realized I had lost 235,000 Ethereum to a sophisticated crypto investment. It felt like watching my entire world crumble in slow motion. The company had all the markings of a legitimate investment opportunity, sleek interface, real-time growth charts, and even verified smart contracts. I had done what i thought was due diligence. But one wrong transaction and my ETH was gone. Just like that. At first, I went through the usual channels, reported it to the exchange, posted on forums, even reached out to the project team. No luck. Most people told me the same thing when I came across Icode Cyber Tech. I was skeptical, of course. By then, I didn’t trust anything that sounded too good to be true. But what set iCode Cyber Tech apart was their transparency and technical depth. They didn’t promise miracles, they promised a forensic investigation, an evidence-based strategy, and a shot. From the moment I contacted them, their team was all over it. Blockchain analysts, cyber investigators, even white hat hackers mapped out the transaction trail and identified a network of addresses used by the scam. They worked with key nodes, utilized advanced tracing tools, and within weeks, something unbelievable happened, they located the majority of the stolen funds
With legal support and cooperation from a global network of exchanges, they managed to freeze and retrieve the lost ETH. Not all 235,000 but 128,700 ETH was recovered, which was more than I ever thought possible. It wasn’t just about the money. It was about hope and justice. If you’ve been scammed, know this you are not alone, and not all hope is lost. iCode Cyber Tech doesn’t just talk, they act. And for me, they brought back what I thought was gone forever.
Email..icodecybertech@gmail.com
WhatsApp..+447563743258
Potential investors are hesitant to seize this profitable investment opportunity due to the depressing rise in internet theft that targets digital assets. I myself lost $123,850 after falling for a scam from an online Pocket Options Broker. They lured me in by promising me large profits on my money, but I was turned away when I attempted to visit the investing website later. I tried to get in touch with their support staff, but I quickly discovered that I had been scammed.
I was desperate to get my money back, so I looked online for answers and found Wizard James Recovery. I was drawn to his stellar reputation for offering top-notch recovery services. I took a chance and contacted him, and to my surprise, he was able to assist me get back all of the money I had lost within 72 hours. My gratitude for his exceptional service is beyond words.
For unparalleled recovery support, I highly suggest contacting James at ( wizardjamesrecovery@usa.com ) if you find yourself in a similar circumstance.
Potential investors are hesitant to seize this profitable investment opportunity due to the depressing rise in internet theft that targets digital assets. I myself lost $123,850 after falling for a scam from an online Pocket Options Broker. They lured me in by promising me large profits on my money, but I was turned away when I attempted to visit the investing website later. I tried to get in touch with their support staff, but I quickly discovered that I had been scammed.
I was desperate to get my money back, so I looked online for answers and found Wizard James Recovery. I was drawn to his stellar reputation for offering top-notch recovery services. I took a chance and contacted him, and to my surprise, he was able to assist me get back all of the money I had lost within 72 hours. My gratitude for his exceptional service is beyond words.
For unparalleled recovery support, I highly suggest contacting James at ( wizardjamesrecovery@usa.com ) if you find yourself in a similar circumstance.
Losing $50,000 to a cryptocurrency scam felt like a nightmare I couldn’t wake from. It began with a convincing online investment platform promising high returns. After transferring funds, the platform vanished, leaving me devastated. I reported the scam to authorities, but they warned recovery was unlikely. Desperate, I found Cyberpunk Programmers through a forum post on Abroad Reviews. Skeptical but hopeful, I contacted them via cyberpunkprogrammers.com.
From the first call, their team was professional and empathetic, understanding the emotional toll of my loss. They explained their recovery process clearly, outlining how they’d trace my funds through blockchain analysis. Over three weeks, they worked diligently, providing regular updates that kept me informed and reassured. Their expertise in navigating wallet addresses and coordinating with legal channels was remarkable. Against all odds, they recovered my entire $50,000—a miracle that restored my financial stability.
Cyberpunk Programmers didn’t just recover my funds; they restored my trust. Their transparency, from detailing costs to explaining technical steps, made me feel in control. Unlike other services I’d contacted, they never pressured me or made unrealistic promises. Their dedication was evident in every interaction, and I’m forever grateful for their persistence. If you’ve been scammed, don’t lose hope. Cyberpunk Programmers is a lifeline, offering unmatched skill and compassion to turn despair into recovery.
Be careful of crypto platforms promising huge returns. They are luring people into fake programs. There is no shame in speaking out, most of us have been there too. We just have to be more careful. I was scammed of 30,450 USD in the middle of last year. I realized it was all scam after i made the third payment. A person from Bitcoin Abuse Forum recommended ZATTECH recovery and he was very helpful especially in recovering my lost funds, you can contact him via email on zattechrecovery ⓐ Gmail com. He could help you track them and hopefully recover your lost funds
Someone cast a black magic spell to separate me and my husband! Dr. Excellent helped me to get my ex husband back after the separation. My Husband packed out to live with his mistress and he sent me divorce papers. I tried all I could to get him back but he refused to return home and I suspected the lady used some magic spell on him to hold him down. I got to know about Dr. Excellent in a YouTube comment where i was looking for help to get my husband back and i contacted him and explain my problem to him and he did the work and my husband return back home and he apologies for the pains he put me through and we are living happily together for good. if you need any kind of help you can also contact him for help. Here his contact. Call/WhatsApp him at: +2348084273514 "Or email him at: Excellentspellcaster@gmail.com , check his website:https://drexcellentspellcaster.godaddysites.com
Being a scam victim can depressing, you were given empty promises. They usually stop replying after achieving their aim with hurts even more, i have been there too as i was too ambitious and wanted financial security which made me invest a huge chunk of my life savings. I never thought i would be getting back a dime back and already lost hope until i contacted a team which was just a leap of faith as i wasn’t going to go down without a fight. CM, a recovery expert that helped me get a significant sum of my investment back. Do not brood alone, make a move too, send a mail to zattechrecovery @ G mail com
I believe that there are individuals who have lost their crypto one way or the other. I strongly advise that you don’t seek help recovering it online because you are likely going to meet a scammer who will steal more of your funds in an attempt to help you recover your lost crypto. I personally have used ZATTPRO RECOVERY when I had to recover my bitcoin stolen by scammers. You can contact this legit recovery firm by email (zattechrecovery @ G mail com)
This is my honest experience.I am open to share my experience with bitcoin investment and losing money to scammers. However, yes it is possible to recover your stolen bitcoins. I never believed in bitcoin recovery because i was made to understand that it was not possible. However, sometime in october i fell for a forex scam which promised overly high returns and i ended up losing close to $70,000. I searched for a month for help until i finally came across an article on reddit in regards to recovering stolen cryptocurrency so i reached out to him at [zattechrecovery [at] gmail com.] I was so scared and skeptical because i have heard of bad experiences but i decided to give them a try and to my greatest surprise i was able to get all my stolen bitcoins recovered from the scammers within a very short time frame. I don’t know if i’m allowed to share the links on here but you can contact if you also need help.
God bless Capital Crypto Recover Services for the marvelous work you did in my life, I have learned the hard way that even the most sensible investors can fall victim to scams. When my USD was stolen, for anyone who has fallen victim to one of the bitcoin binary investment scams that are currently ongoing, I felt betrayal and upset. But then I was reading a post on site when I saw a testimony of Wendy Taylor online who recommended that Capital Crypto Recovery has helped her recover scammed funds within 24 hours. after reaching out to this cyber security firm that was able to help me recover my stolen digital assets and bitcoin. I’m genuinely blown away by their amazing service and professionalism. I never imagined I’d be able to get my money back until I complained to Capital Crypto Recovery Services about my difficulties and gave all of the necessary paperwork. I was astounded that it took them 12 hours to reclaim my stolen money back. Without a doubt, my USDT assets were successfully recovered from the scam platform, Thank you so much Sir, I strongly recommend Capital Crypto Recover for any of your bitcoin recovery, digital funds recovery, hacking, and cybersecurity concerns.
You reach them Call/Text Number +1 (336)390-6684
His Email: Recovercapital@cyberservices.com
Contact Telegram: @Capitalcryptorecover
His website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1
God bless Capital Crypto Recover Services for the marvelous work you did in my life, I have learned the hard way that even the most sensible investors can fall victim to scams. When my USD was stolen, for anyone who has fallen victim to one of the bitcoin binary investment scams that are currently ongoing, I felt betrayal and upset. But then I was reading a post on site when I saw a testimony of Wendy Taylor online who recommended that Capital Crypto Recovery has helped her recover scammed funds within 24 hours. after reaching out to this cyber security firm that was able to help me recover my stolen digital assets and bitcoin. I’m genuinely blown away by their amazing service and professionalism. I never imagined I’d be able to get my money back until I complained to Capital Crypto Recovery Services about my difficulties and gave all of the necessary paperwork. I was astounded that it took them 12 hours to reclaim my stolen money back. Without a doubt, my USDT assets were successfully recovered from the scam platform, Thank you so much Sir, I strongly recommend Capital Crypto Recover for any of your bitcoin recovery, digital funds recovery, hacking, and cybersecurity concerns.
You reach them Call/Text Number +1 (336)390-6684
His Email: Recovercapital@cyberservices.com
Contact Telegram: @Capitalcryptorecover
His website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1
LORD MEDUZA IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER ONLINE
It’s an honor to share my testimony with the world. You merit all the accolades that mention you. Lord Meduza has been a gift to me since our meeting online. He is the only one that knows everything about creating spells. I adore him immensely for his kindness, compassion, integrity, and the support he offers to everyone who interacts with him. Without Lord Meduza, I wouldn’t have survived this difficult situation. His magic turned me into a Lottery winner of £177 Million Pounds, transforming my entire life into something beautiful and extraordinary. The numbers he provided for the lottery were transformative, elevating me from grass to grace, and I want to express my eternal gratitude to him. Thank you, sir, for being a source of help to those in need. Anyone who reads this article and requires assistance can reach him through his Email: lordmeduzatemple@hotmail.com or WhatsApp +1 8 0 7 9 0 7 2 6 8 7 as he is unmatched in spells crafting.
I’m so excited my broken Marriage been restored. My ex lover is back after he left me and our kids for another woman. I was so happy to meet Dr Gerald and how he helped many people to bring their lover back so I contacted him to help me too. That was how Dr Gerald helped me to bring my lover back. A big thank you to Dr Gerald because I never thought my ex lover would be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and the world greatest. If you are here and you need your Ex Lover back or your lover moved to another woman, do not cry anymore, contact this powerful spell caster now. Here’s his contact:
Email: psychicspiritualrealm@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +14242983869
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/Psychicspiritualrealm
I’m so excited my broken Marriage been restored. My ex lover is back after he left me and our kids for another woman. I was so happy to meet Dr Gerald and how he helped many people to bring their lover back so I contacted him to help me too. That was how Dr Gerald helped me to bring my lover back. A big thank you to Dr Gerald because I never thought my ex lover would be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and the world greatest. If you are here and you need your Ex Lover back or your lover moved to another woman, do not cry anymore, contact this powerful spell caster now. Here’s his contact:
Email: psychicspiritualrealm@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +14242983869
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/Psychicspiritualrealm
LORD MEDUZA IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER ONLINE
It’s an honor to share my testimony with the world. You merit all the accolades that mention you. Lord Meduza has been a gift to me since our meeting online. He is the only one that knows everything about creating spells. I adore him immensely for his kindness, compassion, integrity, and the support he offers to everyone who interacts with him. Without Lord Meduza, I wouldn’t have survived this difficult situation. His magic turned me into a Lottery winner of £177 Million Pounds, transforming my entire life into something beautiful and extraordinary. The numbers he provided for the lottery were transformative, elevating me from grass to grace, and I want to express my eternal gratitude to him. Thank you, sir, for being a source of help to those in need. Anyone who reads this article and requires assistance can reach him through his Email: lordmeduzatemple@hotmail.com or WhatsApp +1 8 0 7 9 0 7 2 6 8 7 as he is unmatched in spells crafting.
I sincerely appreciate the help provided by WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY in recovering my cryptocurrency. I had lost all of my life’s savings after falling victim to a fraudulent investment organization. I was distraught and didn’t know what to do. I discovered WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY after doing some internet research. They have an excellent reputation and have helped many customers recover their stolen bitcoin. I am glad I tried them out. The personnel at WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY was very knowledgeable and helpful. Throughout their journey, they kept me updated and provided me with a detailed explanation of the recovery process. All of my bitcoin accounts were recovered using the WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY. With deep appreciation, I thank the Wizard James Recovery.
You can get in touch with them at email : wizardjamesrecovery@usa.com OR WHATSAPP: +44 7418 367 204 if you’ve also misplaced your cryptocurrency wallet, forgotten your password, or had your phone compromised.
HOW TO HIRE A HACKER TO RECOVER STOLEN BITCOIN. CONSULT FASTFUND RECOVERY.
Now, let’s take a closer look at a real-life case where FASTFUND RECOVERY { Fastfundrecovery8 @ gmail dot com } worked their magic and successfully recovered my stolen Bitcoin. Through thorough investigation, collaboration with me, and the clever utilization of their tools and expertise, they were able to track down my stolen funds and return them to my wallet. It’s a story of triumph over cybercrime that will leave you in awe. FASTFUND RECOVERY understands the frustration and emotional toll that comes with losing hard-earned assets, which is why they prioritize open communication and involve their clients every step of the way. By keeping the lines of communication open and working closely with those affected, they ensure a smoother and more successful recovery process and there you have it – the awe-inspiring tale of stolen Bitcoin and FASTFUND RECOVERY incredible ability to turn the tide of cyber theft. So, when you find yourself in a cryptocurrency theft, remember that there are dedicated professionals out there, armed with skills and a touch of magic, ready to help you reclaim what’s rightfully yours. FASTFUND RECOVERY can also be reached via Whats- app: +1 807 – 5 0 0 – 7,5,5,4