“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.”
Psalm 24:1-2
Happy Earth Day! You can celebrate today by
How will you celebrate Earth Day?
International Mother Language Day is celebrated every February 21 to encourage people to use their mother language and teach it to their children, and to commemorate those who died on this day in 1952 while demonstrating for Bengali, their mother language. I will be celebrating today by speaking only in my mother language – American English! You can celebrate with your mother language today as well, whether it’s English, Spanish, Chinese, Bantu, Japanese, Yiddish, French, Italian . . . okay, I think you get the idea.
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”Revelation 7:9 & 10
Posted in World Holiday
Tagged february 21, February holidays, international mother language day
As everyone knows, February 14 is Valentine’s Day. The history of this day is debatable (see the history channel’s websitefor more info.), but today we use it to celebrate love, especially romantic love.
For all the romantics out there: February 14 is also Ferris Wheel Day, in honor of George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., who invented the romantic carnival ride in 1893. (picture of London Eye, from wikipedia)
“I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.”
Song of Solomon 6:3
Although many argue that people shouldn’t participate in Valentine’s Day because it’s too commercialized, others think it’s great to celebrate anyway. Thankfully, for those of us that dislike the commercialization, homemade, handwritten notes and quiet dinners at home are often more romantic than a fancy night out. (And does anyone even like candy hearts?)
On the other hand, many people celebrate Singles Awareness Day (SAD) on February 14 instead.
Although some people celebrate it alone, on the couch with ice cream and a romantic comedy, I recommend grabbing all the single friends you can and spending it together on the couch with ice cream and a romantic comedy … unless you’re the kind that would prefer to go out for a party. Group SAD parties can be some of the best fun!
*update: Apparently, a lot of people celebrate Singles Awareness Day on February 15, as a kind of payback: couples take over the world on the 14th, but singles rule on the 15th. Who knew? I always thought they split the holiday in half!
Child soldier in Central African Republic, picture from Wikipedia
Red Hand Day is not so much a celebration as a time to spread awareness. Every February 12 since 2002 the United Nations has encouraged people to do what they can to stop the use of child soldiers – boys and girls (whether teenagers or as young as 8 or 9) who are kidnapped and forced to be soldiers.
“Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.”Isaiah 1:16 & 17
Child soldier in Vietnam, picture from Wikipedia
More information: The Red Hand Day website (here) lists countries known to have child soldiers in recent years. The Invisible Children website (here) and movie documents the child soldiers of northern Uganda extensively.
Posted in World Holiday
Tagged child soldiers, february 12, February holidays, red hand day
February 4 is World Cancer Day. You can celebrate this day by remembering loved ones who have died from cancer, praying for healing for those who are battling cancer now, and encouraging everyone you know to do what they can to lower their risks and to follow recommendations for testing.
In loving memory . . .
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Since 1986, January 21 (the midpoint between Christmas and Valentine’s Day) has been known as National Hugging Day. The holiday began in the U.S., was copyrighted by Kevin Zaborney, but has spread to many countries including Canada, England,
Germany, Russia, and Australia. Zaborney wished to encourage people to show affection.
Even if you aren’t much of a “hugger,” you can still find ways to show affection today – spend time with your loved ones, smile at those you pass in office or grocery store, or even stop by a nursing home and hold a resident’s hand for a few minutes while you talk. A nursing home resident is often starved for human touch.
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Posted in U.S. holiday, World Holiday
Apparently 2012 begin at midnight last night, even though I was fast asleep. It would seem time still waits for no man – or woman for that matter.
Check out http://allrecipes.com/recipe/new-years-day-black-eyed-peas/ for a traditional New Year’s Day dish. The tradition originated when some people thought the black eyed peas would bring good luck and wealth throughout the year since they look somewhat similar to coins. I doubt that any of us will see a great change in our finances from eating beans on New Year’s Day, but I still enjoy the tradition.
Here are two verses on beginnings to consider as we start the new year:
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10 (NIV)
“This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 (NIV)
