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My Ode to Romance Countdown To Valentine Day

Chivalry is still alive today

#2 of 14 Chivalry

“Love suffers long and is kind” 1Corinthians 13:4

Tristram and Isolde, 1916 - John William Waterhouse
Tristram and Isolde by William John Waterhouse- 1916

In medieval times, acts of chivalry were used by knights to demonstrate commitment, respect, compassion and trust as well as to show noble bravery to a lady when pursuing an honourable relationship with her. 

Chivalry is still alive today and can be seen in acts of kindness such as opening a door, pulling out a chair or as simple as returning a warm greeting.  Valentine’s Day supports a somewhat chivalrous behaviour by the giving of flowers, chocolate, having a candlelight dinner or showing love and compassion to others in kind words and deeds.

My Ode to Romance countdown to Valentine’s Day

Thou hast ravished my heart.

“Thou hast ravished my heart.” – Song of Solomon 4 verse 9a

#1 of 14 Romance

Romance is defined as an emotional attraction towards another person and the courtship behaviours undertaken to express these feelings ( Wikipedia 2021) Romancing someone can be expressed by giving gifts, spending time together or saying special words of affirmation.  These could all be examples of courtship, which is a period where a relationship develops.  (The Five Love Languages – Gary Chapman)

Yet To Be #19

The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will neve forget any of their work. Amos 8 verse 7

Who has wronged you? Who has caused you pain? The Lord said that He would never forget.  He will make it right in His own time and in His own way.  (Vicissitudes of Life, 2007)

Yet To Be #20

How easy it is to wish another evil

Seek good and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.  Amos 5 verse 14

How easy it is to wish another evil especially when we are hurt. How about that promotion that should have been yours? How about the paper that you know was worth an “A” but you got a “B”? Did you receive that than you for a work will done? Did not our Lord receive evil for good?  Did He not say forgive them? When are we going to stop saying it is hard, when we know that He is there to help?

Yet To Be #18

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalm 91 verse 1

Secret place is a personal relationship with God which guarantees full and complete insurance coverage – “He will hide me, safely hide me in the shadow of His hand”. The name of the Lord is a strong tower.

Yet To Be # 17

God of the impossible

And Jesus saith…”with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10 verse 27

God is the God of the impossible.  He is the creator, all things belong to Him.  (Vicissitudes of Life, 2007)

Yet To Be #16

Believe without doubting

Jesus saith to him, “if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9 verse 23

Believe means:

to accept that is true

without doubting

to have faith/trust in someone

to all is possible or expected.  Lord Jesus give us unwavering (firm, lasting) faith.  (Vicissitudes of Life, 2007)

Yet To Be #15

he would supply all our needs

…as having nothing, and yet possessing all things…I will be your God and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6 verse 10 and 16

Jesus told us that he would supply all our needs. We know that “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills”. Jesus is Lord ( Vicissitudes of Life, 2007)

Destress and Breathe and Exercise

slow controlled breathing can help lower your heart rate, your blood pressure and ease anxiety

Can breathing exercises help strengthen the lungs against Covid- 19?

As per an article from aarp.org, strengthening the lungs with deep breathing is good for pulmonary health by clearing out the lungs to help reduce the risk of infection and pneumonia.  Exercise does the same thing.  Aerobic exercise helps to keep your heart, lungs and circulatory system healthy.  Aerobic exercise means with oxygen which includes brisk walking, swimming, running, cycling, dancing any form of exercise that elevates the heart and forces oxygen into the lungs.

So does exercise and deep breathing protect you against Covid 19?  Experts cannot totally agree, but according to research Covid 19 attacks the lungs and if deep breathing and exercises are beneficial to increase lung health, why not do them?

Slow controlled breathing can help lower your heart rate, your blood pressure and ease anxiety. 

So, take another breath and relax or go for a walk.

 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air ( not without purpose) But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection (discipline)…1 Corinthians 9 verses 26 and 27a

Yet To Be #14

We always doubt God and think He does not answer fast enough.

As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. Psalm 18 verse 30

We always doubt God and think that he does not answer fast enough. We want to tell Him what to do. We become so impatient. We forget that He is in control.  How simple it would be to just hand over the reins to Him and enjoy the ride. (Vicissitudes of Life, 2007)