As children, we used to receive Valentines from classmates, cards and candy that somehow always seemed to strike fear and trepidation in the boys each February. Our culture has turned this month into the "love" month, but unfortunately most who celebrate "love" during February are led only by giddy emotions, rather than by other, more important characteristics of love.
Of course, as Christians, we are familiar with a deeper kind of love--agape love--that remains rock solid despite our feelings at any given moment. It's a mature love, a love that was ultimately and perfectly expressed by God, who gave His Son as a sacrifice for us.
The simple fact is that God loved us, and therefore chose us. And He loved us despite our sinfulness (Romans 5:8).
Deuteronomy 14:2 tells us that God has "chosen" the Jewish people from out of all the other peoples of the earth. Why? What was special about Abraham and his descendants? Were they a mighty people? A sophisticated people? A noble people? No.
Earlier, in Deuteronomy 4:37, God stated that it was because of His love that He chose to make Israel His own special possession (see also Deuteronomy 10:15). God said, in essence, "I know who you are, what you were, and what you will become, and still I love you, and I want you to be Mine." And He's still saying that today. Not with cards and candy, but with daily demonstrations of His unwavering love and commitment.
February ought really to be the month we count our blessings, for every good thing we receive from Him is an expression of His love for us.
Here at ICR we are also counting our blessings. God's love for us is most often seen in your faithfulness to the work of ICR, now in its 40th year of ministry. Thank you for choosing to express your love for God through our continued work in creation science research and education. Communicating the wonders of creation is our labor of love, even in the midst of opposition from those who would seek to rid our culture of God. And yet we press on with this vital work in defense of the authority and authenticity of God's Word.
In this issue of Acts & Facts, we've devoted considerable space to geology research, one of the hallmarks of ICR's legacy since 1970. Drs. Steve Austin, John Morris, and Andrew Snelling have all contributed significantly to the understanding of Flood geology and fossils, evidence that supports the biblical young-earth timeline. This month, Dr. John Morris releases his new book, The Fossil Record. Co-authored with Senior Science Lecturer Frank Sherwin, this is a beautiful book with stunning images and insightful commentary on the whole subject of fossils and how to interpret them both from science and from Scripture.
Also, take note of our lineup of ICR speakers who go out each month around the country to churches, schools, conventions, and other venues to share biblical and scientific evidence for creation. Contact our Events Department (events@icr.org) for information on how to bring a speaker to your area.
And may you share God's great love gift--Jesus Christ--this month as you consider His love for you.
* Mr. Ford is Executive Editor at the Institute for Creation Research.
Cite this article: Ford, L. 2010. Be Mine. Acts & Facts. 39 (2): 3.
