Smartphone insanity

Something that makes me shake my head with a “really?” is the note of origin stamped on every email sent from a smartphone. “Sent from my iPhone” “my Andrioid” “my Blackberry” “my Windows Phone!” they shout. Really?? I have never in my life gotten an email declaring the computer of origin, or a letter declaring the quality of pen.

Just imagine that in other situations:

Person 1: Have you got the time?

Person 2: Yes, it’s 3:15, provided by Rolex.

Person 1: Do you have any gum?

Person 2: Sure, here you go.

Person 1: Um...why is this gum stamped with the words “Carried by Gucci?”

Linty spearmint will taste the same no matter what brand of purse it is carried in. So why are messages sent from phones touted as the best words on the planet? It’s so absurdly narcissistic.

Thoughts? Contradictions? Other examples of smartphone insanity?

The Story of St. Valentine

Long ago, Roman Emperor Claudius II was a fierce conqueror as well as a persecutor of the Christian church. As his empire grew, Claudius needed more soldiers in his armies. He believed that many young men were not joining the army because they were afraid of what might happen to their wives and children if they were killed in battle. So, in an attempt to increase his armies, Claudius passed an edict banning any new marriages.

Valentine was a bishop in the Christian church at that time, and continued to perform secret marriages within his church. Eventually he was caught and dragged to prison. Claudius was impressed with his bravery and told Valentine that he would be freed if he declared his belief in the pagan Roman gods. Valentine refused. Enraged, Claudius sentenced him to death.

As he awaited his execution, Valentine befriended his jailer, Asterius, and his blind daughter. They came to love Valentine as he shared his faith and told beautiful stories for the blind girl. When the day of his execution came, Valentine wrote a last letter to the girl telling her to be strong in her newfound Christian faith. He signed the letter “from your Valentine.”

St. Valentine was martyred for his faith on February 14, 270 AD and has become the patron saint of love and marriage. Something to remember is that Valentine’s Day is not only a day to celebrate romantic love (eros), but also brotherly love (philo/a) and the unconditional love (agape) that God has for us.