Meaning of Love

Many people that I have run across associate love with a emotion.

When I ask them, how do they "love a person" I haven't received a reply outside of a monatary gift.In addition, when I ask how do they "want to be loved", I rarely get a answer (It is generally a gift of significant monetary value). The more the cost - the greater the love. Do you see what I am getting at ?

It is difficult to "show love" or emotion that are associated with love. Further there is a limited amount of $$$$ available.

 Yes emotions can "be shared" but they are often fleeting and influenced by bills, children, politics, stock market, and busy schedules. In addition, most emotions fade over time. We remember people we love, trust, been hurt by but the emotions are mere shadows.

Consider trust. It is a action that is associated with a very strong emotion ( a child trust their parent).

May I suggest that love is a action ?

That is why a person feels a emotion, it is by the other persons behavior toward us or a loved one. Btw, CS Lewis wrote a book called The Four Loves of which is a great way to identify different loves (Charity, Brotherly, Erotic, Affection).Here is a run down of what is read at most weddings from 1 Cor 13 on Love:

-patient

-kind

-not envious

-not boastful

-not arrogant  

-not rude

-not insistent on its own way

-not irritable

-not resentful  

-“does not rejoice” at wrongdoing

-“rejoices” with the truth 

-bears all

-believes all

-hopes all

-endures allLove is demonstrative in actions.

Consider a patient parent withe a unruly child,  a wife who believes in her husband after loosing his job.

Hoping and wanting the the best for others despite their many short comings and the same in return.

When I look at this, I am quite humbled. When I have said, "I love you" in word, I have not in action.

It has also forced me to review my intimacy language in relationships. I have come up with stronger and deeper expressions than "I love you".

It is quite possible to love someone (by your action) and have a strong negative emotion toward them.Does that make sense ?

Allow me to use the example of your spouse does something unintentional to hurt you - you still love/act kind toward your spouse but are hurt/anger with them.Get it ? 

To date, I haven't used my new love vocabulary with anyone. These special words/love language "in reserve" (these are from my the depths of my soul - deep calling to deep and carry great mass). I speculate it will be years before I use them. Not because I am that picky or my criteria is lofty ( I am accused of such), but simply because close relationships are like masterpieces. Each one takes time and is truly unique. 

So like great wine held in a reserve, they will get better with age and hopefully I will find more to add to my collection (To date, I have 3 "bottles").

May this serve a gentle reminder to really consider how we act/love toward others. I sincerly believe it will turn one into a saint or into a psychopath. It will take one to peace or into bondage (one could infinitely expound on this- I hope you see it).

Btw, this is from the Old & New testament in the Bible.

Love God first and your neighbor as yourself.

Components of successful marriage

I have my nose in Human Anatomy & Physiology and came up with a couple thoughts on why some marriages work and some don't.

Here is a refresher in Chemistry. There are different kinds of chemical bonds- Ionic, Polar covalent & Nonpolar covalent. 

The strongest bond is the Nonpolar covalent and the weakest is ionic bond.

Thinking about it - marriage bonds ARE exactly the same way.

-Nonpolar covalent is the equal sharing of electrons/ charge is balanced:   O=C=O

-Polar covalent is the electron charge is unequal sharing of electrons:           O- 

(there is negative charge at one and positive at the other end )                    /   \                                                                                                                                                                   H+  H+

-Ionic is the complete transfer of electrons (separate ions):    Na+Cl- 

Here are some thoughts that hit me:

There is NO WAY for a person to find happiness as a individual. 

Men and women are incomplete as individuals.

Marriage / happiness doesn't work with two independent individuals. 

When women choose careers/competitiveness/self will it will destroy Marriage/Children/Family/ Happiness. 

There is VAST difference between a partnership and a union.

Union is when two people separate their individuality/superiority but not their identity.

In other words, united = unity = one being 

Women are designed to be in union with a man. 

Both have to surrender their individuality to form a union

If union can not be made- then impotence, self centeredness,regression are the consequences.

  

Another reason why marriages don't work  - incompatible material (next chapter:)

In conclusion, marriages based on incompatible bond of  partnership  

(multiple independence/money/careers) will be broken.

Happiness will be destroyed.

Marriages that is based on a compatible bond of union (equally dependent) will succeed. 

What do people think of Christianity ?

As a whole, I enjoy learning about science, beliefs, religions,
philosphy (Education, religion, and seeking truth - It beats the

Hollyweird media that is presented as entertainment). I really think,

it doesnt matter what a person believes- as long as people treat each

other respectfully, keeps the peace, and make a good neighbors - all

is well imo. I recently read a article stating a certain religion

(Mormonism) is a cult.

In review of Mormonism (with the majority of religions including the

bulk of Christanity) – it does qualify for a “religious following”

that has some really obvious contradictions against the OT/NT

scripture and history (just as the blog has stated).

( DISCLAIMER -please dont interpret this as a slam against Mormonism -

it isn't. I have a number of Mormon friends and ADMIRE and have the

HIGHEST regard to their family values, practices and character. Being

Jewish and a disciple of Christ, I just don't "get" Mormon Theology).

After thinking about it - I was wondering what do people think of when

they look at the Christianity and what it stands for ? How about a

introspective view ? It is always a good idea to consider both

viewpoints before judging (we are to judge ourselves - this is what

the scriptures say the last time I checked).

In review of Western Christianity as a whole – it does qualify for a

“religious following/cult ” too imo.

There are SO MANY current practices that are clearly against the

OT/NT scriptures.

Allow me to point out a few of the "screaming obvious" Christian practices that are

anti-scriptural points of the teachings of Christ and the apostles.

- TV Evangelist/ Churches begging for money while wearing $1000 +++

suits and other things( Jesus never asked for money)

- Church Laity (never mentioned - Paul mentions the Body of Christ.

What is in place today is modern pagenism from the study of scriptures

and documented history).

- Building Churches and programs instead of giving to the poor,widows,

and orphans as commanded in the OT / NT

- Salvation as "a ticket" to heaven (no where does it say - when one

dies they go to heaven). Salvation involves real repentance and is all

encompassing.

- Accept Jesus / 4 steps of salvation ( Not scriptural - Discipleship

is life encompassing )

- Lack of real discipleship teaching / repentance ( Not scriptural)

- Perversion of Pauls teaching turning forgiveness into license to

continue in sin (2 Peter 3:15-17). This is a big deal. Educated

theologians have jumped on board and have done the same thing.

- Grace/rapture theology that teaches a change in location vs. a

spiritual / moral change into the image of Christ ( this is a whole

different topic itself -it is about change and not change of location)

- Loss of the original message of the Kingdom, Repentance, and,

Baptism ( John the Baptist, Christ, and the apostles taught this –

check it out).

- Casualness of Christianity - Lukewarm is NOT a good thing- Rev. 3:16

and a whole mess of other parables (talents, sower, tares, unfaithful

steward, virgins, wedding feasts etc...)

- Salvation is a process and is conditional (Mark 13:13, Matt 13 just

to name a few)

- Restored fellowship is the goal and the reward is Eternal life

(Eternal life is mentioned 43 times in the NT and a whole mess of

times in the OT)

If Christ were to come today – I sincerely  believe 98% of the

Christian religious leaders would persecute Him just as the Jewish

Pharisees did. Why ? Because Westen Christianity itself has turned

into a money begging religious cult that no longer resembles Christian

Discipleship in the NT bible. Christ always comes in a way we don't

expect Him nor the time ( ie very low key and different than people

think). The Jews didnt recognize their Messiah and neither did Herod.

However, the thief on the cross did ( who would expect to see the

Creator of the Universe on a cross ? May I suggest, He is found at the

least likely and most humble of circumstances).

I have met only a handful of "real deal" Christian disciples that

actually "walk the talk" and it is obvious in their actions,

character, morals, and integrity. They are not flashy and are the most

down to earth humble people I have met. Needless to say, I covet to be

like them  in a "good way" to imitate them as they imitate Christ and

the apostles.

What hit me - God doesn’t need money, someone once said - "He is

literally the richest Jew in the universe".

He always pays for what He orders ( remember Corneilius the Roman centurion ?).

He is after individuals who will lay aside “everything” and blindly

follow after Christ as the Apostle Paul did. God deals with

individuals who obey and love Him – the scripture clearly points this

out in OT / NT.

I concluded if a persons Christianity is a "religion / attending

church" and not a "real relationship with Jesus" then may I suggest

that one is involved in a money grabbing religious cult ? Following

Jesus means obeying His commandments and it is very demanding - if one

is serious about this - Jesus becomes real and a relationship begins

as Christ becomes very very real. It actually becomes "easier" to obey

/ follow despite harder situations (people will do anything for a good

friend - this is where obeying Christ becomes easier).

As usual -  check out the scriptures and if you don't believe me or

them..... ask Jesus for yourself:)