Conversation hearts are a part of each Valentine’s Day. Daniel Chase created the first candies in 1866 when he devised a machine that pressed food dye letters into the candy lozenges his brother Oliver made famous as founder of the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO).

Billions are produced each year, making the tiny candies the most popular Valentine candy sold as people use them to select hearts that express feelings they have for others.

What words reflect our relationship with God and reflect truths we’ve learned and particularly treasure from Him? We asked the church’s executive staff for their spiritual “conversation hearts.”

Have a conversation heart and story of your own you’d like us to consider sharing? Email it to connections@tbcnow.org.

One of the most important things you can do in your life is to finish what you start. Jesus himself finished the work that the Father gave him to do. But amazingly, even Jesus struggled to be faithful. He asked the Father three times, Daddy can I quit? Is there a way I can get out of being me and not go to the cross? But Jesus did WHATEVER the Father wanted. I want to be like that! I struggle sometime and ask God to let “my cups” pass from me. Truth is, I do not always want to be faithful. But I take great encouragement in Jesus response where he says, “not my will...” That's where it's at- not my way, not my preferences, not my pleasure, not my style, not what I wanted, and not even what I liked. But WHATEVER you want for me Lord, I want to be faithful.

Lead Pastor Rob Decker

1 Corinthians 12:19-26

¹⁹How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹The eye can never say to the hand, “I don't need you.” The head can't say to the feet, “I don't need you.”

²²In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

In the body of Christ, God has gifted each of us with unique abilities for the purpose of edifying Him. We should be using those gifts as presented without envying the gifts He has given to others. Our job is to serve Him to the best of our ability with the gifts He has given to us.

Dennis Roberts, executive administrator for church and academy operations

As I think about my relationships, with God first, then my family, this common message on conversation hearts reminds me that I must be intentional about my love toward God and those he has placed closest in my life. Sometimes the easiest place to backslide is around the church, although busy in it. Sometimes we can also be around those we love the most but become complacent and take them for granted. My prayer is to be constantly intentional in these relationships, seeking God with my whole heart, every day and in every way. In addition, my prayer is for me to love my wife and family with my actions and time, showing them that they are indeed most important to me. I don't want God or them to ever say that they “miss me” because I am living like they are not top priority to me.

Tim Gerber, executive pastor for children and ministries

I chose this heart because I think it perfectly portrays God's love for us. The sacrificial love that God displayed by sending Jesus to be the propitiation for our sin is the same type of love that we should strive to imitate in our earthly relationships. There are so many superficial and selfish types of love displayed in our world today, even among Christians, that it's important to know what real love looks like. I'm thankful that Jesus showed us. 1 John 4:10 says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sin.”

Jared Hoots, Radiate high school ministry pastor