My Valentine

Question…who is your Valentine? Who is the love of your life? Today is the day that we evaluate our deepest desires. Today is the day that we search our hearts for our truest love. Today is the day that we reflect upon the day we first met our love.
Who is your love? Can you read Reverend Dr. S. M. Lockeridge’s description of his King, and fully embrace his God?
I would encourage you to click and read along.

That’s My King
He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King.
He's the King of Israel - that's a National King.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King. Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King?
David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.
My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful. That's my King.
He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's saviour.
He's the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He's honest.
He's unique.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He's supreme.
He's pre-eminent.
He's the grandest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the supreme problem in higher criticism.
He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology.
He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King. He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King. Do you know Him?
Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the master of the mighty.
He's the captain of the conquerors.
He's the head of the heroes.
He's the leader of the legislatures.
He's the overseer of the overcomers.
He's the governor of governors.
He's the prince of princes.
He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King.
He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible. I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him.
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hands.
You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him.
The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King. He always has been and He always will be.
I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor.
There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him.
You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.
Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever's, then . . .Amen!

Into Daddy’s Arms

I could sense the magnitude of the occasion. As I boarded the American Airlines flight from San Antonio to Colorado Springs, the only thing I saw was camouflage.

The entire section of First Class and most of Coach was filled with soldiers dressed in identical fatigues. The troops were returning from Bagdad. As I walked to my seat, I found myself mesmerized by the faces of these heroes. They were battle-weary. They were exhausted. They were depleted. But deep in their eyes I was able to see anticipation…a certain expectancy for the conclusion of this long journey.

I found my way to 23F, and took my window seat beside a large G.I. After a few minutes, I introduced myself to this gentle giant. He was soft-spoken, courteous and obviously affected by what he had just left. He had been flying for just under 20 hours and was worn out. After I asked a couple of questions, it was clear that he felt uncomfortable discussing the war and their previous whereabouts.

I turned my questioning to what awaited him when he landed. His countenance immediately changed. He perked up and began to tell me about his wife and two beautiful daughters. He had been in Iraq for the past year…missing the birthdays of his 4 and 5 year old girls. He expressed pride when he told me about his wife and how strong she had been, as this was the first time he had been deployed. As we got closer to Colorado Springs, his voice began to change.

And then, all at once, each soldier began to point out of the window, leaning over to catch a view of the 14,000 foot tall Pikes Peak. They were almost home. Weariness turned quickly into smiles. They were taking turns going into the lavatory to freshen up after their marathon plane ride. The anticipation was so thick you could have cut it with a knife.

I deplaned with Private First Class Collins, and I intentionally fell behind so that I could see what was about to unfold. The further down the terminal we walked, the faster his pace quickened. As he rounded the corner, the Colorado sun illuminated two small girls just beyond security. I could read their body language. They recognized this “mountain of a man.” Without regard for the signs that read “No entry,” the girls began to sprint towards their daddy.

He too began to sprint until he dropped down on his knees in anticipation for the freight train headed towards him. The shrill was intense. “Daddy, Daddy!” The high pitched screams were passionate and expressed clearly their longing for their daddy’s return. In tandem, the two curly headed girls jumped to each shoulder of their waiting father. The same arms that 2 days before were clutching his M-16 in the streets of Baghdad were now gripping tightly his beloved children.

My thoughts were immediately turned towards our Heavenly Daddy.

How far away do you feel from Him today? Do you find yourself peering into the distance wondering if He’ll ever return?

Look again. No matter how far that you feel from the warmth of our Father, He is never far away. Look closely and anticipate His arrival. And then sprint. With wild abandon, dash towards the most loving arms and gentle compassion that you will ever feel. No matter how much time you have been away, or how far you have wandered, your Daddy waits.

There is no greater feeling than the warm embrace that awaits. Become a child again Allow your Father to walk closely with you during the day, and tuck you in at night. . Become gripped with the reality of the situation. He is your guardian and your protector.

Rest.