This is my dog, Dennis J. – wishing he could be your Valentine, I think.

He wrote a Valentine Haiku:

My name: Dennis J.
Play time, nap time Valentine
You would like to play?

Okay, maybe he didn’t, but who wouldn’t want to give this little guy some Valentine love?

So cute.

Happy Valentines day, friends. From me…

And Dennis J., too.

video link for mobile devices

Ever wonder how an illusionist would propose?

Probably with his best illusion ever.

This video of illusionist Sean Emory proposing to his long-time girlfriend is cool, clever, smart, sweet and romantic.

Good for him.

And good for us.

Inspiring.

Guys, we still have a few days to plan something for Valentine’s Day.

{hint}

Thirty years ago today, Debbie and I were married. (yes, that’s her in the pic above – couldn’t resist)

Thirty years… wow, where did the time go?

My words are not even remotely adequate to express my love and gratitude for a much better life than I could have ever imagined back in those days. I give the glory to God and the credit to Debbie. She is a Proverbs 31 woman: smart, funny, adventurous, full of life, and the most loving, caring and nurturing person I have ever known.

Debbie is simply amazing. I jokingly and lovingly call her “Mary Poppins.” For a myriad of reasons. She does difficult things with grace and ease, like… you know, Mary Poppins.

She is the one for me. Hands down. I love her every December 18th. And every Tuesday. And every other day that ends in “day.”

Tonight we are celebrating with a quiet dinner, and again with our kids later this week. Celebrating the first thirty years of our life together. Celebrating enduring love. Celebrating each other.

I love you, Debbie Allen. Every December 18th.

And every Tuesday.

And every other day.

“Apart from blunt truth, our lives sink decadently amid the perfume of hints and suggestions.” ~ Alfred North Whitehead

On most roads there are two ditches. The “truth-telling” road is no different.

I know people who, at all cost, avoid telling people what they need to hear – especially their boss, pastor or anyone influential in their life. I know others who feel they are “called” to say whatever they perceive to be the truth, yelling it at the top of their lungs, wounding people with their sword of truth almost as often as they speak.

These, my friends, are the two ditches of truth-telling.

In reality, the ability to “speak the truth in love” and have it bear fruit comes through relationship, trust and permission to speak into another person’s life. It is NOT our responsibility to sound the alarm, constantly correct others and think of ourselves as the only one God can use to get the message across to the world.

It is everyone’s responsibility to lovingly tell the truth. Yours. Mine. Everyone’s. It is also our responsibility to surround ourselves with people who love us enough to tell the truth and commit ourselves to heeding their counsel. According to 1 Corinthians 13, love “always protects.” Truth given in that atmosphere feels safe, protective, and that the other person genuinely has your best interest at heart.

“Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth.” ~ Proverbs 16:13 (NLT)

Do you have trusted advisors who will tell you the truth?

Are you a trusted advisor committed to telling the truth?

Let love be the measure you use.

“Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” ~ Ephesians 5:2 (MSG)

A life of love is something to behold.

Many of us have encountered at least one person in our lifetime unselfish enough to turn our heads. Even if we don’t know them personally, we’ve all been a bit bewildered by lives unreasonably dedicated to others – extravagant lives seemingly unconcerned about themselves and unaware of the possibilities of personal gain or sketchy motive.

Mother Theresa comes to mind.

She’s one I didn’t know personally, but a famous mystery. She was something to behold, and yet seemingly unaware of her greatness. To her, that kind of love was normal. Her astounding compassion, a daily endeavor.

I have been blessed to witness extravagant love by some I do know as well. It is astounding to behold. It is challenging to receive. It is humbling to measure yourself in its shadow.

According to Ephesians 5, a life of love is marked by:

• Extravagance, not caution.
• Giving everything, expecting nothing.

This is our example, whether we find it on earth or not. This is the mark of our high calling, whether anyone else lives it or not. This is the mark of Love Himself.

I want to live like that.

I want to love like that.

I want to be like that.

I really like this video. So cute. And touching. Today it reminded me of how love behaves.

Love rescues. Always.

No matter how much trouble you’re in, no matter how impossible it looks, Love himself has planned and paid for your rescue.

Today you can be the rescue someone else. Be on the lookout. Someone may really need it.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked. ~ Psalm 82:3,4 (ESV)

“Men become accustomed to poison by degrees.” ~ Victor Hugo

“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong].” ~ Luke 11:4 (AMP)

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings” Mark 11:25-26 (AMP)

Unforgiveness is poison.

We become accustomed to it by degrees.

It can sneak up on us if we don’t watch over it.

“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.  It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (AMP)

I am the problem.

If I keep track of how I have been wronged, it’s on me. If I let unforgiveness take root in me, it’s my fault. No matter who has hurt me, no matter how they have hurt me it’s my responsibility to keep my heart pure and walk in love.

Otherwise… I am the problem.

Listen up, me:

Today is a great day to take inventory and forgive.

Do it quick.

Do it by faith.

Whether you feel like it or not, just do it.

original photos by Scott Allen

Today is the day I give my precious daughter to another man, the man of her dreams.

Today is the day we walk down the aisle together, then I to my seat, and she to the altar.

Today she will be a beautiful bride, and he will finally see her in her wedding dress for the first time.

Today is the day she makes the commitment of a lifetime, to a man worthy of a lifetime commitment.

Today is the day we celebrate the goodness of God for the last 23 years, and celebrate His goodness to them in the next 23. And the the next 23 after that. And so on.

Today is the day we release her into the family she will build with her husband-to-be, and also the day we drop the “to-be” part.

Today is the day I get a second son, and my first son gets a brother.

Today is the day we dance.

Today is the day we eat cake.

Today is the day we send them on their honeymoon with the showers of hundreds of sparklers.

Today is the day my precious Nicole Frances Allen becomes Nicole Frances Covarelli.

I love you Nicole Frances Covarelli.

I always will.

I am so thrilled for you, and for the joy of this day.

Love,

Dad

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” ~ Mark Twain

Have you ever laid out your clothes the night before a big something the next day? I bet when it was time, you remembered to put them on. If you didn’t… well, that would just be wrong. And weird. And foolish.

No matter who you are, clothes are just a necessity when you’re in public. But, even in the awesome outfit you’re sporting right now you might be naked.

On edge?

Crabby?

Short-tempered?

Touchy?

You forgot to put on some of your clothes.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14 NLT)

According to this passage, Paul tells us we should be wearing:

• Tenderhearted mercy
• Kindness
• Humility
• Gentleness
• Patience
• Love

What a list. If you forgot them, it’s not too late to put these clothes on today.

You should. It’s your only hope of having the kind of influence you hope to have. Plus, we all like you MUCH better when you’re wearing all your clothes.

“Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.” ~ C. S. Lewis

How great is it that we have a day set aside to celebrate love?

So, should today be a throw-away day to those with no romance on the horizon? NO WAY! I think we’re a little short sighted in tending to limit our Valentine thinking to romance only. Romance is great, don’t get me wrong. You see, I’ve got this 30+ year love affair going with Debbie Allen… and it’s getting better every day, too!

My point?

Kind words, kind acts, and remembering to thank others are all things that will never be overrated or under-appreciated.

Vicky Beeching posted an interesting blog yesterday that echos this sentiment well:

 ”I wish Feb 14th could be a celebration of all four of the loves – a reminder that we are all equally valued, regardless of whether we have a ring on our finger and a ‘special someone’ on our arm, or not. A reminder that all 4 loves are amazing, exhilarating and worthy of being spotlighted.

Lets make this Valentines Day one where we remember to celebrate all four expressions of love. And one where we  make sure we don’t idolise or distort the value or eros, or make the single people in society feel left out

Yes, of course, celebrate your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, partner! Even buy them a card with a fluffy hamster and a heart shaped cushion on it if you really must…! But also reach out to those around you and celebrate friends, church community, family, and above all our love for God.

Let’s make it a true day of love for all, not just for a select few. And a day that honours ALL kinds of love, not just a selective portrayal of just one type.”

So, my Valentine friends…

Why not take this Valentines Day to extend the love to everyone in your reach?

“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.” ~ Romans 12:9-10 MSG

“… to knowledge add self-control; to self-control add endurance; to endurance add godliness; to godliness add Christian affection; and to Christian affection add love.” ~ 2 Peter 1:6-7 God’s Word Translation

Affection, Christian affection is the order of the day. Let’s love others – the way we’ve been loved by God. Give it a shot today. You may change somebody’s life.

What do you say?