Monday, February 14, 2011

THE GRAMMY'S

Best Rock/Rap Gospel Album:
Switchfoot "Hello, Hurricane"

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album:
Israel Houghton "Love God. Love People."

Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass
Gospel Album:
Diamond Rio "The Reason"

THE HISTORY OF
VALENTINE'S DAY

While the cynic in me wants to declare Valentine's Day a creation of Hallmark to spur on a card-driven economic cash cow, the truth is Valentine's Day was sanctioned by the Catholic Church (pre-Reformation) back in 498 A.D. by Pope Gelasius. It wasn't until the 1840s that Valentine's day cards began to be produced!

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

So for over 1,500 years February 14th has been a day for grand gestures of love! That's four times longer than the United States has been around! Like most of our major holidays - the celebration was probably a pagan festival co-opted by the early Church (just like Christmas and Easter). According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year - which means you only have a 1-in-7 chance of getting one (although the third world population probably scews those odds a bit).

So tell your loved ones that you love them. Show them you love them. And read all about REAL Love in this months MANNA!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Austins Bridge



The story of Austins Bridge began in early 2006 when Jason Rivers and Justin Baird (formally of the Crabb Family) set out to form an all male trio named Austins Bridge. Their southern sound mixed with a bit of country and bluegrass was different from anything on Christian radio at the time.

As former music ministers, Austins Bridge has a passion for the church. Their mission is to build up the body of Christ, and reach as many unbelievers with the message as possible. While bridging the gap between different genres of music, they want to show the world that the gospel can be portrayed through different types of music and still have a huge affect on people.

A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Justin plays piano, drums, bass, acoustic, electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. Each member brings a diverse set of influences to Austin’s Bridge. Pressed to define how they’d categorize their unique sound, the guys may even reply, “contemporary pop country bluegrass with a little bit of funk.”

Latest Album: Times Like These

Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: Which Old Testament book compares a loved-one's teeth to a flock of newly shorn sheep?

A: Song of Solomon (SoS 4:2)

Congratulations, Shawna!