Sunday, February 13, 2011

Is Valentines day a Pagan or Christian Holiday ???

Who knows the answer to this question ??? In my own personal quest to read the book of GOD, The bible, It seems it has become my turn again to preach or give sermon on an American "holiday" time. So is Valentines day a Christian or Pagan holiday ??? I will have to search the history books and not the bible for this answer. First off isn't it St. Valentine's day. One would assume that makes it a Christian holiday. But I doesn't say that in the bible. There is no real correlation between saints and romance, So I'm leaning toward the Pagan side, But history will sort it out.
In fact the Romans celebrated February 14th to honor Juno Fructifier, Queen or Roman gods and goddesses, as well as goddess of marriage. On this day Roman woman would place there name in a box, Roman men would take a name, Which would entitle them to couple together for one year, thus promoting fertility to spread the Roman seed, Making the tribe or culture stronger. The process would start all over again a year later and every year after,,, Now that's not very Christian is it ???
Where or how does Christianity come in, Who is St. Valentine ? This is where it became interesting to me and I hope you too !!!
According to the stories Through history Roman Emperor Claudius II imposed a ban on all marriage because a married man could not be drafted, So early draft dodging marriages came about, Only single men could be in the army, This also made the Pagan February 14th celebration appealing, Single men could spread there seed and fight for the Roman army. Along came this priest of Christianity named Valentios, He would perform marriages before the lord and this made him a martyr. Upon waiting for execution many young lovers would visit and leave love notes which mostly said "love is better than war" He was killed on February 14th 269 AD.
The next Valentios was a priest that also was jailed for helping Christians. While jailed he fell in love with the jailers daughter. He would send her notes and sign "From your Valentine" He was beheaded on February 14th
Lastly the third Valentios was a bishop of a place called Turni, He to was spreading love not war and was martyred and killed on February 14th
All killed on this day by Pagans to keep there traditions alive and squashing a way of love and peace. How did we get to Love with the little cupids and heart stuff. Well in 469 AD Emperor Gelasius declared February 14th a holiday in honor of the Velantius men, Instead of the former pagan god Fructifer Lepecus. This allowed Christianity to take precedence over the foul seed spreading lust and fertility,,,But the pagans fought back hard.
It wasn't until the 14th century when the renaissance began. The customs of love and romance began again. The poets began sprouting love about, Authors wrote books of romance. Society became about love and life not death of faith. Humanistic views of nature, social thought, Sensual art and literature. The flowers bloomed, Love, sexuality and fertility were alive in a civilized Christian way
Today our society with capitalism has taken this to a greater level and the true meaning has been forgotten. We spend millions upon millions of dollars on chocolates, candies, flowers, dinners, hotels, jewelry, gifts and trinkets Celebrating Valentines day. You must decide on your own, Make your own decisions or resolution about another over commercialized holiday.
In the song of Solomon it says "Many waters can not quench love, rivers can not wash it away, if one were to give all the wealth of his house for love it would be utterly scorned" So gifts don't just show love, They do help though. Love can hurt, Love can and is beautiful,,, Just say it to some one and watch them smile. We need to love more, if you don't feel you share it enough share it on February 14th The day of love ST. Valentines day. Let us not forget there sacrifice for our little cupids, cards and candies. I hope you learned something, I know I did, I love you babe, Everyone else, SPREAD LOVE NOT WAR... Until next time "Jeff da Plumber" OUT

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Meditation and Love

Alright So how's it going people, The world makes life fun doesn't it ??? 16 days in to The 40 day Zuda transformation class, What is that about,I'm changing in multiple facets. My personality is who I am, My mind can be changed, My body has issues (well really I have issues with my body) It is strong and changing. I want those tight abs, But learning it's not that important. I think because I wasn't prepared for the other changes. Like sharing my feelings more. Or even having any. As a man formerly from N.Y., my friends would always say I was heartless. I felt but hid them in order to appear strong. I'm not saying I'm sitting and crying all the time, but if so what's wrong with that it's OK if one does. Nothing has brought me there yet but I'm felling I will. However I am feeling sadness in my heart more just listening to others out side my circle. My new friend Susan shared with us recently and the first thing I did is text my wife Saying I love you and thank you. She is thinking I'm going crazy right now and that in itself is exciting, After 20 years a little extra spice is good. In fact When we had our date the night after learning about "YOGIC" eating, 20 minutes into it, she said what's up with you your quiet and you keep putting your fork down. Once I explained it to her she understood and appreciated the no talking with food in your mouth. Where was I ??? Oh yeah So Susan shared with us and I just wanted to hug her, I didn't since we are new friends and I didn't want to creep her out. But I did hug my wife so tight that evening and she said I should have hugged Susan. So Susan I owe you a hug. Everyone else Really just Love the ones you got, period !!!
So were meditating twice a day. Has or does any one else feel that this is making life more organized. I got super busy with my business, ran and went to yoga class for doubles. Not to mention all the other life chores. No slipping, I even did a double the other night and made it to a 6:30 plumbing job. The customer asked why I was so sweaty, I told them I was running to them since I thought I would be late and I'm never late. She made me a glass of iced tea,,, If she only knew I was loving my body so hard for "SICK ABS".
Back to meditating, I'm loving it even though it kind of confuses me. Should I use it as prayer time or should I use it to set my life intentions. Staying or getting back on point in life. Should my mind be silent or noisy. I have found all of the above is what meditation is (Yogi's you can correct me if I'm wrong)
Funny story to share with you, I have been meditating after my 6 mile runs. I just pushed my body and mind and 15 minutes of silence, stillness is what feels good for me. So the other night after my run about 8pm. I return back to my home, kneel on my lawn and begin meditating, It's dark the birds are settling in, the bugs are doing there thing, I can even hear the bats getting out for chow time. So I'm about 8-10 minutes in and hear a voice and it's getting louder and closer. I open one eye to look for what it is, the voice appears again, so both eyes open and in front of me about 10 feet away in the middle of the street is an older lady probably out for her nightly walk, Asking me if I was OK, Did I need help, Was I OK, She could call 911. I said no I'm fine explained I was meditating, she said she has never seen anyone do that before, I explained it helps clear my mind after the run she should try it, She thought I was strange and walked away talking to her self out loud. I was done, there was no way I could refocus but I got a great laugh and I hope you do to now.
Since I'm sharing I must explain something, I have an expressive personality so some times it may seem like I jump around in my writing, But don't worry I always get to the point. It about the journey for me not the final destination,,, Again back to my thought,
As we travel on this path together many things are clear to me. 1-you must slow down to move fast (Thanks Nick) 2-Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all (sounds like a song) 3-follow 1 and 2 closely and your life with every one in it WILL be great,,, No better yet It will be AWESOME,,, Till next time Namaste and Shalom my peeps,,, "Jeff da Plumber OUT