A Revolutionary Valentine's Day

*Note: this post is a collage of our discussion from girls' group; it is not specifically by one author.

This past girls' group, we redefined Valentine's Day:

Valentine's Day is...

John 15:1-13

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, the same is cast forth as as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my  love; even as I have kept my Father's commandment, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, that ye love one another.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Well, those verses have alot in them! Our goal is to keep these commandment verses in mind!

The following is a list of characteristics of love from 1 Corinthians 13. As you read this list {preferably out loud}, insert your name very time the word "love" appears. Does this list truly describe you?

If the list did not truly describe you, note the specific areas that you need to work on, and make a conscience choice to work on those areas. But, as we read in John 15, we cannot do it on our own; we must abide in Christ!

Our definition of Valentine's Day prompts us not only give out cards, but pour out ourselves! True love is following the outline given in 1 Corinthians 13. True, authentic love begins in the heart, and fills us so much that it pours out on others.

This is revolutionary! If we all recognized this,  how different our lives would be! List specifically what ways you will pour out yourself to others on Valentine's Day. And don't stop there; love goes beyond Valentine's Day!