愛神丘位元是情人節最著名的象徵，也一直被人們喻為愛情的象徵，相傳他是一個頑皮的、身上長著翅膀的小神，他的箭一旦插入青年男女的心上，便會使他們
深深相愛。在古希臘神話中，他是愛與美的女神(阿芙羅狄忒)Aphrodite與戰神(阿瑞斯)Ares的小兒子Eros。在羅馬神話中，他叫丘位元
(Cupid)，他的母親是維納斯(即阿芙羅狄忒)。單身的你，情人節來拜拜愛神，說不定就會被丘位元幸福的射上一箭哦。
Cupid is the most famous of Valentine symbols and everybody knows
that boy armed with bow and arrows, and piercing hearts . He is known as
a mischievous, winged child armed with bow and arrows. The arrows
signify desires and emotions of love, and Cupid aims those arrows at
Gods and Humans, causing them to fall deeply in love. Cupid has always
played a role in the celebrations of love and lovers. In ancient Greece
he was known as Eros, the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love
and beauty. To the Roman's he was Cupid, and his mother was Venus.
丘位元是情人節最著名的象徵。這個帶著弓箭的小男孩人盡皆知，被箭射穿的心亦是如此。相傳他是一個頑皮、身上長著翅膀的小男孩。箭象徵著愛的慾望與激
情，丘位元的箭不僅對著神也對著凡人，被射中者便會陷入愛河。丘位元一直扮演者慶祝愛與愛人的角色。在古希臘神話中，他被稱作厄洛斯，是愛與美之神阿佛洛
狄忒的小兒子。在古羅馬神話中，他就叫做丘位元，其母是維納斯。
There is a very interesting story about Cupid and His mortal Bride
Psyche in Roman mythology. Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche,
and ordered Cupid to punish the mortal. But instead, Cupid fell deeply
in love with her. He took her as his wife, but as a mortal she was
forbidden to look at him.
在古羅馬神話中，有一個關於丘位元和他的凡人新娘普賽克的有趣故事。維納斯因為嫉妒普賽克的美貌，便命令前去施加懲罰。但是，丘位元確深深愛上了普賽克，並娶她為妻。但是作為凡人，普賽克不可以看丘位元的臉。
Psyche was happy until her sisters persuaded her to look at Cupid. as
soon as Psyche looked at Cupid, Cupid punished her by leaving her.
Their lovely castle and gardens vanished too. Psyche found herself alone
in an open field with no signs of other beings or Cupid. As she
wandered trying to find her love, she came upon the temple of Venus.
Wishing to destroy her, the goddess of love gave Psyche a series of
tasks, each harder and more dangerous then the last.
There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.
關於情人節的起源有許多種說法。有關人士認為情人節是一個名叫桑特-瓦倫丁的人士發起的。他是羅馬人，因為拒絕放棄基督教而於公元前269年2月14日慘遭殺害，這一天也正好是全城盛行彩票抽獎的日子。
而另外一種說法更具有傳奇色彩，相傳桑特-瓦倫丁曾留下一本日記給了獄卒的女兒，署名為 你的情人 ，據說這名獄卒的女兒就是桑特-瓦倫丁的情人。
Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
還有其它的說法也頗為有趣。比如說有人認為在克勞迪亞斯君王統治時期，桑特-瓦侖丁曾經是一名神父，因為公然挑戰克勞迪亞斯君王的權威身陷囹圄。所以公元前496年羅馬教皇格萊西亞斯特意將2月14日作為一個特別的日子以紀念桑特-瓦倫丁。
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.
此後2月14日就成為了一個具有特殊意義的日子。在這天人們向自己心儀的人傳遞資訊以示愛意。而理所當然的桑特 瓦侖丁也就成為了為戀愛中的男女們牽線搭橋的人。在2月14日這天人們會特意做詩或者用一些小禮物送給自己心愛的人。而且人們還會組織各種各樣的聚會來慶祝這個特殊的節日。
艾瑟-霍蘭德小姐是美國第一位因為傳送情人節卡片而受到榮譽獎勵的人。早在19世紀初情人節就已處露商業化的端倪。而如今情人節已經完全被商業化了。 比如每當每年2月14日來臨的時候，一些城鎮如羅夫蘭、克羅拉多等，這裡的人們都要派送大量的為情人節特備的卡片。
The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.
而在這天人們往往吟歌做詩並且把這些寫入卡片中送個自己喜歡的人以表達自己的愛意。而在學校裡孩子門也喜歡互增賀卡來度過這個特殊的節日。久而久之就形成了一種習俗並且延續至今天。
There are varying opinions as to
the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St.
Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.
died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love
lotteries.
關於情人節的起源有許多種說法。有關人士認為情人節是一個名叫桑特-瓦倫丁的人士發起的。
他是羅馬人，因為拒絕放棄基督教而於公元前269年2月14日慘遭殺害，這一天也正好是全城盛行彩票抽獎的日子。
Legend also says that St. Valentine
signed it From Your Valentine .
而另外一種說法更具有傳奇色彩，相傳桑特-瓦倫丁曾留下一本日記給了獄卒的女兒，署名為 你的情人 ，據說這名獄卒的女兒就是桑特-瓦倫丁的情人。
Other aspects of the story say that
Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor
Claudius.
Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope
Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
還有其它的說法也頗為有趣。比如說有人認為在克勞迪亞斯君王統治時期，桑特-瓦侖丁曾經是一名神父，因為公然挑戰克勞迪亞斯君王的權威身陷囹圄。
所以公元前496年羅馬教皇格萊西亞斯特意將2月14日作為一個特別的日子以紀念桑特-瓦倫丁。
Gradually, February 14 became the
date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of
lovers.
The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers.
There was often a social gathering or a ball.
此後2月14日就成為了一個具有特殊意義的日子。在這天人們向自己心儀的人傳遞資訊以示愛意。
而理所當然的桑特
瓦侖丁也就成為了為戀愛中的男女們牽線搭橋的人。
在2月14日這天人們會特意做詩或者用一些小禮物送給自己心愛的人。而且人們還會組織各種各樣的聚會來慶祝這個特殊的節日。
In the United States, Miss Esther
Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards.
valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very
艾瑟-霍蘭德小姐是美國第一位因為傳送情人節卡片而受到榮譽獎勵的人。早在19世紀初情人節就已處露商業化的端倪。
而如今情人節已經完全被商業化了。
比如每當每年2月14日來臨的時候，一些城鎮如羅夫蘭、克羅拉多等，這裡的人們都要派送大量的為情人節特備的卡片。
The town of Loveland, Colorado,
does a large post office business around February 14.
The spirit of good
continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children
exchange valentine cards at school.
而在這天人們往往吟歌做詩並且把這些寫入卡片中送個自己喜歡的人以表達自己的愛意。
而在學校裡孩子門也喜歡互增賀卡來度過這個特殊的節日。久而久之就形成了一種習俗並且延續至今天。
St Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 of each year, the reason why it is celebrated on this day is because this was the day that the Patron Saint of Lovers "St Valentine" was supposedly executed on.
On this day lovers all around the world mark this occasion as a day for sending poems, cards, flowers or candy, etc. They might also be a social gathering or ball to mark the occasion.
Many Valentine's Day customs involved ways that single women could learn who their future husbands would be. Englishwomen of the 1700's wrote men's names on scraps of paper, rolled each in a little piece of clay, and dropped them all into water. The first paper that rose to the surface supposedly had the name of a woman's true love.
Also in the 1700's, unmarried women pinned five bay leaves to their pillows on the eve of Valentine's Day. They pinned one leaf to the center of the pillow and one to each corner. If the charm worked, they saw their future husbands in their dreams.
One of the oldest customs was the practice of writing women's names on slips of paper and drawing them from a jar. The woman whose name was drawn by a man became his valentine, and he paid special attention to her. Many men gave gifts to their valentines. In some areas, a young man gave his valentine a pair of gloves. Wealthy men gave fancy balls to honor their valentines.
Valentine cards became popular in Great Britain in the nineteenth century. Noted artist Kate Greenaway created cards which featured joyful children and beautiful gardens. Esther Howland was one of the first Valentine card manufacturers in the United States.
Inspired by a British card, she began production in 1847. Her cards featured lace and paper flowers and leaves. Other card manufacturers emphasized Cupid, the pudgy, winged son of Venus, the goddess of love. In Roman lore, Cupid is known as Eros, the son of Aphrodite.
In the United States and Canada, children exchange valentines with their friends. In some schools, the children hold a classroom party and put all the valentines into a box they have decorated.
At the end of the day, the teacher or one child distributes the cards. Many children make their own valentines from paper doilies, red paper, wallpaper samples, and pictures cut from magazines. Sometimes they buy kits that include everything needed to make valentines. Many children send their largest, fanciest cards to their parents and teachers.
In Europe, people celebrate Valentine's Day in many ways. British children sing special Valentine's Day songs and receive gifts of candy, fruit, or money. In some areas of England, people bake valentine buns with caraway seeds, plums, or raisins. People in Italy hold a Valentine's Day feast.
Valentine's Day曾是英國人喜愛的節日，隨著新大陸的開發，英國移民把這一富有浪漫色彩的節日帶到了北美，逐漸在美國生根開花。
年輕人是聖Valentine節當之無愧的主角，他們要在這一節日裡鄭重其事地為戀人選擇禮物、贈送鮮花，表達自己的愛慕之情。痴情的姑娘可能會按照古老的傳說，在聖Valentine節前夜把月桂樹葉放在枕頭上，盼望在夢中同自己的心上人相會。
現在情人節已經不單是情人們的節日，也是各種朋友之間交換感謝的一個日子，是一個大眾化的節日。情人節這一天，不僅僅情侶們互贈卡片和禮物，人們也給自己的父母以及其他受自己尊敬和愛戴的人贈禮物和卡片。Valentine's Day就是這樣一個充滿愛情和友誼的歡樂節日。
There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.
關於情人節的起源有許多種說法。有關人士認為情人節是一個名叫桑特 瓦倫丁的人士發起的。他是羅馬人，因為拒絕放棄基督教而於公元前269年2月14日慘遭殺害，這一天也正好是全城盛行彩票抽獎的日子。
Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
而另外一種說法更具有傳奇色彩，相傳桑特 瓦倫丁曾留下一本日記給了獄卒的女兒，署名為“你的情人”，據說這名獄卒的女兒就是桑特 瓦倫丁的情人。還有其它的說法也頗為有趣。比如說有人認為在克勞迪亞斯君王統治時期，桑特 瓦侖丁曾經是一名神父，因為公然挑戰克勞迪亞斯君王的權威身陷囹圄。所以公元前496年羅馬教皇格萊西亞斯特意將2月14日作為一個特別的日子以紀念桑特 瓦倫丁。
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.
此後2月14日就成為了一個具有特殊意義的日子。在這天人們向自己心儀的人傳遞資訊以示愛意。而理所當然的桑特 瓦侖丁也就成為了為戀愛中的男女們牽線搭橋的人。在2月14日這天人們會特意做詩或者用一些小禮物送給自己心愛的人。而且人們還會組織各種各樣的聚會來慶祝這個特殊的節日。
In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.
艾瑟 霍蘭德小姐是美國第一位因為傳送情人節卡片而受到榮譽獎勵的人。早在19世紀初情人節就已處露商業化的端倪。而如今情人節已經完全被商業化了。 比如每當每年2月14日來臨的時候，一些城鎮如羅夫蘭、克羅拉多等，這裡的人們都要派送大量的為情人節特備的卡片。 而在這天人們往往吟歌做詩並且把這些寫入卡片中送 送個自己喜歡的人以表達自己的愛意。而在學校裡孩子門也喜歡互增賀卡來度過這個特殊的節日。久而久之就形成了一種習俗並且延續至今天.
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
He asked me, "Do you love me?" I answered, "Of course, God!
You are my Lord and Savior!"
Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."
Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you."
The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word." The Lord then asked,
"If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?" How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?" With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You ause You are the one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but...
God asked,
"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
I answered, "ause I am only human. I am not perfect."
"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST?
WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship?
Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.
I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?"
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief.
I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child." The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My Child." I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"
The Lord answered, " ause you are My Creation. You are my Child. I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry ! with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you! When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold?
How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.
一天清晨，我早早醒來去看日出。
啊!神的創造之美遠遠超過人所能描述的。在觀看時，我為主如此美麗的創造之工而贊 美。我坐在那兒，感到主就在我的身旁。
主問我：“你愛我嗎?”我答道：“當然，我的神!您是我的主，我的救贖者。”
他又問我：“如果你身體有殘疾，是否仍舊愛我?”我有些糊塗。於是低頭看看我的胳 膊、腿和其他部分，我懷疑有多少事我原以為是理所當然的卻不一定能做到。但我還是 回答說，"主啊，這是很難的，但我仍舊愛您。"
主接著問我：“如果你是瞎眼的，你仍愛我的創造之物嗎?”我該如何去愛那些我無法 看見的東西呢? 然而我又想到世上那些失明的人們，他們中間有許多人仍愛著神和他 的創造之物!於是我回答說：“ 想起來很難，但主啊，我還是願意愛您。”
主又問我：“如果你是一個聾子，你是否仍願意聽我的話語?”耳聾的如何能夠聽見呢 ?然而我明白 了。聽神的話語並不僅僅用我們的耳朵，而是用我們的心。我回答說： “主啊，會很難，但我願意聽 您的話語。”
然後主問我：“如果你是一個啞巴，你是否仍願意讚美我的名?”沒有聲音我如何能贊 美呢?然而一 句話啟示了我：神希望我們從心底和靈魂的最深處發出讚美，他並不在 乎我們的聲音如何。於是我回 答說：“即使我不能發聲，我仍將讚美您的名。”
主又問我：“你真的愛我嗎?”帶著勇氣和信心，我大膽地回答說：“是的，主啊!我 愛您是因您是那唯一的真神。” 我想我已經回答得很好了，但是……
神繼續問我：“那麼為什麼你還犯罪?”我回答說：“因為我是人，我不完全。”
“那為什麼在平安無事的時候你迷失得那麼遠?在遭遇難處的時候你又那麼殷勤地禱告 ?”
……沒有回答，有的只是眼淚。
主又繼續：“為什麼你只在團契和教會中歌唱?為什麼你只在敬拜的時候尋求我?為什 麼你每次都如此自私地只為自己求?為什麼你求的時候沒有信心?”
……我的眼淚 順著我的脖子一直往下流。
“為什麼你以我為羞恥?為什麼你不傳福音?為什麼在受逼 迫的時候，你不靠著我的肩膀去哭泣卻去靠著人的?為什麼我給你機會去為我的名服事 的時候，你總是找藉口?”
我嘗試著去回答，但卻無言以對。
“你的生活如此蒙。是我不讓你把如此好的救恩禮物扔掉。我保守你擁有聰明才智 是為了讓你服事我，但你卻繼續逃離我。我用我的話語啟示你，但你卻不在知識上追求 長進。我向你講話，但你的耳朵卻閉著。我把我的傾注在你的身上，但你的眼目卻 離開這。我派使者幫助你，但你卻懶散地坐著把他們趕跑。我卻聽了你的禱告並都 作了回答。”
“你真的愛我嗎?”
我無法回答。我該如何回答呢?我在信仰上是如此的羞愧。我別無藉口。我能說些什麼 呢?我的心 開始哭泣，淚水湧出來，我說：“主啊，求能饒恕我。我不配作你的孩 子。”
主回答說：“那是我的恩典，孩子。”
我問道：“那麼您為什麼一再原諒我呢 ?為什麼您會如此愛我呢?”
主答道：“因為你是我所創造的，你是我的孩子。我永遠不會撇棄你。當你哭泣的時候 ，我憐憫你， 我與你同哭泣。當你高興地高呼時，我與你同笑。當你洩氣時，我鼓勵 你。當你跌倒時，我扶起你。 當你疲憊時，我揹著你。我將與你同在直到最後的日子 ，並且我將永遠愛你。”
我前所未有地傷心痛哭著。我怎能如此心硬呢?我怎麼如此這般地傷神的心呢?
最後我很想問神：“那麼，您愛我有多深呢?”
主伸出他的臂膀，我看到他那釘痕的雙手。
我在基督——我的救主腳下深深地伏服下來。
第一次，我發自內心地禱告。
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