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Monday, February 28, 2011

Is Love Enough?!?!



What's life without love? "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13) 


What I find, sadly, is that people want love in abundance but they don't want to practice love, ESPECIALLY patience. People "believe" in love and yet don't believe that it always perseveres or never fails (13:7-8), IF they put childish ways aside (13:11). Ways of one who's grown up from their childish ways are indicative of never giving up, never losing faith, always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (13:7). Love is more selfless than it is selfish (or self-seeking; 13:4). And Lord knows love defies logical sense, hence the love act of God ("For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16) being difficult to comprehend. We can't even imagine such a sacrifice, hence questions like "Is love enough?" 


Is this question that deep? YES, because love is the gift that keeps on giving--it heals, it saves not only the one who chooses to receive it but the one who chooses to give it. [And if we have to question love (& all it's power for good; "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:10), I'd say a "deep" answer is in order.] It's a gift of much responsibility, but we all know that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48), right? We can either choose to give a good fight one good time (keep in mind a war consists of many battles, so there will always be a need to fight in the name of love (ask any couple who's been married more than 10 years)) & win the prize OR quit & settle for less than love (which we often find ourselves doing when we give too much of ourselves to non-deserving people (over & over again; back to the same one only with a different face); people who have no idea of our worth and therefore use us improperly (usually for their own selfish gain)) all the while wondering what the hell we're fighting for. At least when the question of love is not in question, you have security in knowing you're enduring the battle for a good reason.


If you're not sure love is in the equation, then NO, it's not enough to justify why you're going through whatever you may be going through. BUT if you're sure love is in the equation, YES, it's worth it. How much do you want your dream to come true? My point is this, if love's not worth it, what is? 


...The gift of love comes with a price. Everybody wants the gift, but no one wants to pay the price.


Love is enough.


"Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised." Song of Songs 8:7

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Near His Heart To Be Beloved...



That the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved. (Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume I (Genesis to Deuteronomy))


Being that it's February, there is a lot of discussion (and humorous jokes) of love and Valentines. Well, it is my sincerest hope that all those that have a significant other can see themselves and their partner in the following writing; men, protectors and cherishers of women; women, supporters and cherishers of men, both complementing each other and yet one in a harmonious state of love. God bless all the lovers!

--- --- ---
“When I created the heavens and the earth, 
I spoke them into being. 
When I created man, I formed him from the dust of the Earth 
and breathed life into his nostrils. 
But you, woman, I fashioned. 
I breathed the breath of life into man 
because your nostrils are too delicate. 
I allowed a deep sleep to come over him 
so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. 
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with 
My creativity. 
From one bone I fashioned you. 
I chose the bone that protects man’s life. 
I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs 
and supports him, as you are meant to do.”

“Around this one bone I shaped you. I modeled you. 
I created you perfectly and beautifully. 
Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. 
You provide protection for the most delicate organs in man, 
his heart [and lungs]. 
His heart is the center of his being; 
his lungs hold the breath of life. 
The rib cage will allow itself to be broken 
before it will allow damage to the heart [and lung]. 
Support man as the rib cage supports the body.”

“You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, 
nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. 
You were taken from his side, 
to stand beside him and be held close to his side. 
You are my perfect angel. You are my beautiful little girl. 
You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, 
and my eyes fill when I see the virtue in your heart. 
Your eyes: don’t change them; they are the windows to your soul
Your lips: how lovely when they part in prayer.
Your nose so perfect in form, your hands so gentle to touch. 
Oh yes, I've touched your hands.
I’ve caressed your face in your deepest sleep; 
I’ve held your heart close to Mine. 
Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like Me.
That is why I made you the mother of life. 
You see, woman, you reside in Me.

“Adam walked with Me in the cool of the day 
and yet he was lonely. 
He could not see Me or touch Me. 
He could only feel Me. 
So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with Me, 
I fashioned in you: My holiness, My strength, 
My purity, My love, My protection and support. 
You are special because you are the extension of Me.”

“Man represents My image; woman – My emotions.
Together, you represent the totality of God. 
So man, treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. 
In hurting her, you hurt Me. 
What you do to her, you do to Me. 
In crushing her, you only damage your own heart [and lungs], 
the heart of your Father and the heart of her Father. 
Woman, support man. 
In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. 
In gentle quietness show your strength. 
In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.”

 – Author Unknown

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