Love

Love has many personal definitions, as well as the dictionary definition. My personal experiences have shown me there are many feelings attached to it. Love is a powerful word evoking strong emotions either good or bad.   So let’s begin by looking at the definition from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia online:

Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment.^[1] In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. In some religious contexts, love is not just a virtue, but the basis for all being, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels.^[2] Love may also be described as actions towards others (or oneself) based on compassion.^[3] Or as actions towards others based on affection.^[4]

In English, the word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure ("I loved that meal") to intense interpersonal attraction ("I love my partner"). "Love" can also refer specifically to the passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love, to the sexual love of eros (cf. Greek words for love), to the emotional closeness of familial love, or to the platonic love that defines friendship,^[5] to the profound oneness or devotion of religious love. ^[6] This diversity of uses and meanings, combined with the complexity of the feelings involved, makes love unusually difficult to consistently define, even compared to other emotional states.

Love in its various forms acts as a major facilitator of interpersonal relationships and, owing to its central psychological importance, is one of the most common themes in the creative arts.

Science defines what could be understood as love as an evolved state of the survival instinct, primarily used to keep human beings together against menaces and to facilitate the continuation of the species through reproduction.^[7]

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Much of this definition make sense as I reflect on my life and as I relate it to my own personal experiences.  However, the actual process of learning about love has been an ongoing journey, a journey of pain as well as a journey of joy. 

There was a time in my life that I had very little understanding of love. As a new little life in this great big world, I experienced bits and pieces of love. However, many negative experiences from abuse confused my understanding of love.  I grew up not really feeling truly loved, so I searched to find the true meaning of love.  Little did I know just how important it was to learn to love and accept myself before I would truly learn real love.  

As a result, my journey took me in many sad directions that only reinforced "more the lack of love" than helping me gain the understanding of the meaning of love.  I experienced so much hurt and abuse that the confusion grew. I had no idea of the true meaning of love. A deeper sadness filled my mind and heart.  Soon, a wall began to grow, as I began to build it up stone by stone to keep others out. It was the only way to protect my heart from the hurt and pain. 

However, not many knew all the hurt and pain I kept hidden inside. I worked hard to keep everyone at an arm’s length, far away from my heart.  I did not want to let anyone inside my world or to know my heart. It was way too wounded and needed my wall to protect it.  Yet, because I took "to heart" the golden rule, I continued do all I could do to love others, to show compassion and to give others what I lacked in my life. I felt so undeserving of love, yet, longed for it so deeply. I did not want anyone else to go without love. 

As time went by, many people tried to love me back, but I continued to reject it. My heart just could not understand the love they were trying to show me. I felt so unworthy to accept their love while at the same time, fearful that if I accepted their love I would only get hurt.  Yet, on the other hand, I did not know how to actually accept it. The problem was if I did accept it, I would not know what to do with it. It felt to foreign. All I knew in my heart was that I wanted to "do unto others, as I would have others do unto me."

My life continued to feel so very empty inside although many strived to show me that they loved me. However, the fact was, my heart was still surrounded by the stone wall I had built around my heart and my mind...although I saw it as protection it really was keeping me wounded.  So no matter how hard those around me tried to show they cared, I just could not "feel" loved.  I sank into a deep depression...to the point I did not want to live.

It was during this a time that a friend offered God as a solution.  She told me how God loved me unconditionally and that He understood all my pain.  I began to open my heart to God. I pleaded for Him to help me learn the meaning of love.  But sadly, more trials poured into my life, one being that I lost my job and then physically attacked which resulted in a long court trial.  So instead of gaining an understanding of love, I felt more pain and hurt...my stone wall grew stronger and taller.  I begun to scream out at God saying, "God if this is your love I do not want any part of it!" 

Again, those people I had began to let into my life, I began to push aside.  I went back into my own world in order to try to block out the hurt and pain.  I felt numb...Life did not feel worth living.  I knew I did not want to keep going on this way.  However, God works in mysterious way, for little did I know, a seed had been planted, it was the seed of God's love.  He began tugging at my heart and whispering His message of love into my heart and mind.  He wanted me to trust Him and rest in His arms, but I continued to resist and I continued to push Him away.

I figured education would help me understand my life so I began taking classes. I took classes teaching about Family Dynamics and Relationships, as well as Interpersonal relationships.  I wanted to understand my life and family and their type of love. I wanted to be sure that I did not carry out the same patterns of what I had learned throughout my life. I wanted to break the cycle of abuse and pain. Strangely enough, the more I began understanding my life and family the more my heart began to open up to "God" and His love.

However, the pain I had endured throughout my life continued to keep my heart and mind walled off. I continued to fight deep depression.  I knew I must seek help beyond myself, so I began to get counseling.  My counselor opened up her heart to me and presented me with a God who was sad for my suffering. Teaching me how He had been walking with me every step of the way.  Showing me He wants to hold and comfort the "little child within" and show that little girl how loves and values who she is...all I must do is accept the gift...the gift of His love.

Through many tears and many more years, my heart finally did learn of love and the greatest love of all, God's love.  He did stand by me each step of the way.  His patience with me was beyond words. It was clear He had brought many people into my life to be "His hands and feet" to show me the meaning of His love.  

It is true that one never stops learning about human love or the love of God.  As we journey on we never stop our search for the meaning of love.  We continue to learn how to show love, accept love and to live a life that reaches out to others with the love that God has given us to share.

When I read the love chapter in the Bible, I realize how much more I have to learn when it comes to real love.  Yet, at the same time, it shows me how "perfect" God's love is for each of us. His love is amazing, just read all that this verse speaks of...for God is Love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

God's Promise for Us: His love will persevere through every situation.


God's love is relentless and consistent. His love for us does not change like shifting shadows, but perseveres through every situation. His love will always surround us, it will always forgive, it will always believe the best about every situation and it will always stay true. He will not keep a record of wrongs or be angry with us. He has hope for our lives. This is the love that God has for us. His love is real.


His love is not like any love we have experienced here on this earth. The fact is, even the love from the most amazing father, mother, brother, sister, friend, spouse, or whoever cannot measure up to the love of our Father God. His love is perfect. 


The love of others is only a shadow of the unconditional, everlasting love that God has for each us. God's love is immeasurable. If only we could have, the power to grasp the vastness of the immeasurable love that God has for us.  Paul the Apostle prays in Ephesians 3:14-19 for us to be rooted in His love.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

So if God is Love: How does God Define Love?


The Bible tells us that, "God is Love" (see 1 John 4:8). But how can we even begin to understand that truth? There are many passages in the Bible that give us God's definition of love. The most well known verse is John 3:16, 

"¹⁶ 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." 

So one way God defines love is in the act of giving...giving of oneself.  However, the gift God gave  was not a mere wrapped present; God sacrificed His only Son so that we, who put our faith in His Son, will have eternal life...so nothing will allow us to be separated from His love. This is an amazing love. Even when we choose to be separated from God, He is patient and waits for us.  It is God who mends our separation from Him through His personal sacrifice of His Son. It is up to us...All we have to do is accept His gift. 

Just as it was in my own personal life, I continued to push God away.  I separated myself from Him and pushed away His love.  I viewed love through the hurt and pain I had experienced in my own life.  I had to be willing to view love through His eyes and allow Him to touch and heal my heart. It is His love the chipped away at the wall around my heart.


Another verse about God's love is found in Romans 5:8, 

"⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

Notice in this verse and in John 3:16 above, we can find no conditions placed on the love God has for us. God's love is unconditional.  He does not say, "as soon as you clean up your act, I'll love you;” nor does He say, "I'll sacrifice my Son if you promise to love Me."  In fact, in Romans 5:8, we find just the opposite. God wants us to know that His love is unconditional, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us while we were still unlovable with our sins unforgiven. We did not have to "get clean," nor did we have to make any promises to God before we could experience His love. I could have continued to push Him away and He would have just continued to wait.  Yes, that is what He did for me, He waited. He waited for me to open my heart and accept His gift...For His love for me and for you has always existed. He did all the giving and sacrificing long before we were even aware that we needed His love. He truly loves us. All of us.

God is Love: It is Unconditional


Can you believe it? Can you let your heart and mind accept the fact, God is Love? His love is very different than human love. God's love is unconditional, and it is not based on feelings or emotions like our human love. He does not base His love for us because we are lovable or because we make Him feel good. He loves us because He is love. His love is perfect. He created each of us to have a loving relationship with Him. He sacrificed His own Son, who willingly died for us, in order to restore our relationship. He does not want puppets...He wants all His children to be all they can be.

This may be hard for you to wrap your mind around.  I know it was for me and at times, I still struggle with it. I wonder why would He do such a thing? How can I trust this is true?  The fact is we can continue to doubt His love and even push Him away, but He will remain there...patiently waiting with His arms open wide.  Yes, I know that all this is true because He has done this for me and I know He will do it for you too. He wants you to know His perfect love.

The fact is, true love only comes through a relationship with him...It is the only way we can learn the true meaning of love.  It does not mean that we will not struggle or feel pain. We will continue to journey on learning a little more each step of the way.  We must rest in Him and walk with Him. We must learn from Him. He is patient and will be patient to teach each of us, as He loves us each step of the way.  It is sort of like the "Footprints" poem where God carries us in His arms of love through all the trials of life...for He is Love!  He wants to carry our burdens and fill our hearts with love.

Therefore, with all of that let me leave you with one last passage for God's love can be summed up in this scripture:

"⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."  1 John 4:7-11 

God is love...So may you know I write this blog because no matter who you are I love you.  I love you with the love of God.  It matters not what you have gone through in this life or the pain you carry.  He is here for you.  You can give all your pain and hurt to Him. I long for you to know the true meaning of love...the love of God.  He longs to know you too...He is there waiting...waiting to give each of us His gift of love...So I leave you with this...

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. 
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. 
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. 
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. 
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. 
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. 
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. 
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book. 
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live. 
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. 
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. 
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love. 
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father. 
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. 
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. 
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. 
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. 
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. 
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. 
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. 
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. 
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. 
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul. 
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. 
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me. 
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. 
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine. 
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you. 
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart. 
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes. 
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. 
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. 
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you. 
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you. 
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love. 
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me. 
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child? 
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. 
Luke 15:11-32

Love, 
Your Dad, Almighty God

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My Grown Up Christmas Wish

I want people who are sick with no cure to be cured.

I want those in pain to have no pain.

I want children with no family to be adopted and be loved.

I want people with no food, shelter and heat to have all those things and have no worries in how they will have them.

I want families to love one another.

I want everyone to forgive one another and have love & compassion for others.

I want the Golden Rule to be a part of life.

I want wrongs to be righted.

I want justice for all.

I want there to be peace in the world and in our lives.

I want love and understanding to rule our hearts.

I want those in prison to truly find God and turn their lives around and make a difference it this world for good.

I want friends and family to know they are loved, appreciated and my heart is grateful they are in my life.

I want everyone to be loved and cared about.

I want broken hearts to be mended.

I want each lesson “learned” to be remembered and carried out.

I want everyone to have joy in there heart in spite of circumstances.

I want everyone to know they are never alone; for God is always there, even people are not.

I want everyone to know God always loves them.

I want everyone to know the truth and allow the truth to set them free.

I want all Christians to truly live the life as Christians so that the world will know we are Christians by our love (fruits).

I want hearts to be humbled and pride put away.

I want hearts to be open and ready to let God’s love abound in their lives.

I want wars to stop.

I want pollution to end.

I want God to send His Son once again to take us out of this world and make things right once and for all.

I want the miracle of God to rule our hearts, bringing perfect peace…the peace that the world cannot give.

I want the Christ’s perfect joy to tickle our hearts and echo His love.

--------------------------------
Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. He had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. He had no medicine, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. This is the greatest miracle of all.  May a miracle happen in our life today.


"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
~Bobby (age 7)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
God is Love!

IS THERE A GOD OF LOVE?

IS THERE A GOD OF LOVE?

Some days it is difficult to feel God's love for us. Some days it feels there is no God.  At times, we struggle to believe there is a God who loves us and cares about what we are going through.  We cry out to Him, shouting, "God where are you? Why won't you answer me? Where is the love you talk about in your word?"

It says He knows our every struggle and feels all our pain. It says He will never forsake us. But yet, life continues to happen with all its hurts and pains. Often we feel abandoned and even betrayed. We ask, "Where is God is all our trials and pain?"

Yet as we suffer, even every detail of every man's life, who has ever walked on the earth, has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus' life. The Word says Jesus was not just a man, He was God's son, manifesting himself in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). He suffered and died for us so He could rescue us.

So why do we feel so alone at times...Why does He seem to abandon us? Is there really a God of love out there?

Let's take a glimpse into the life of Christ. In Acts 10:38 Peter gives a very brief, yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus was annointed with power and with the Holy Ghost.

The Word says, He used this power to do good, not evil. This is one of the main characteristics of Christ and is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil. God is a good and therefore the devil is bad. So one good say, if it's bad, it's from the devil and if it's good, it's from God. However, this still doesn't help us know if God's love for us is real or why experience so many trials and pain in our life.

If you think of it, tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law. God has used nature to bring judgment to human kind. However, according to the Word, the New Testament believer is exempt from this punitive judgement of God since Jesus bore it for him at the cross.  Christ says, "I have come so they may have life and life more abundantly." He also declares, "I know the plans for you and they are for good not harm.".

John 10:10 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jeremiah 29:11 New American Standard Bible

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:10-12 (in Context) Jeremiah 29 New Century Version

I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

Satan is the source of much of the calamity that people often ascribe to God. Many problems arise because people violate the natural laws that God put into motion. For example, if a person drives recklessly and kills himself, it's not God or the devil that killed him. He violated natural law and thus paid the price. God will not push His will upon us, we must make the choice to be in His will and to understand the natural laws. So He allows natural laws to operate on this earth and for us to make choices regarding them and how we interact with them on this earth.

Please understand God is in control, protecting us and proclaiming that He want us to have life more abundant, yet, I ask you, is it incorrect to believe that God takes controls of everything?  I know He doesn't want us to be His puppet.  It is clear He allows us choices...to be in control and interact with the natural laws, as well as choose to follow Him.  Therefore, God surely aches when we make choices that will harm us...He wants to work all things for our good and not bring harm to us. 

Many times, when bad things happen God is just waiting for us to ask Him to intervene, to work the tragedy into something good. However, we must be willing to allow Him to do so. God always has some redemptive design in tragedies. He is there to comfort....reaching out His hand. If we truly listen, He cries out, "I love you my child. I am here for you...just reach out for me and call out to me and I will answer in due time." Often the situation, the pain, and the suffering drown out His voice and we feel alone. He wants to shine light into our darkness.

2 Corinthians 4:6  New American Standard Bible

For God, who said, " Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

1 John 1:5 New American Standard Bible [ God Is Light ]

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

New King James Version 

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

God's love is great for us and that is why He sent is son to this earth as a lowly child born in a manger. He wanted a way to relate to us on a human level. -A way to experience life as we know it, so He can relate to our pain and sorrow. To reach out and touch us on a human level...to make a bridge so we could know His love.  If you have not watched the YOUTUBE video, you MUST see it to understand God's true love for us.  Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQwI7EY4KM   Please take the time to view it.  It is so powerful.  It helps us understand how God choose His son, just one to save many...it is how great His love is for us, that He gave His only son to reach out in love to each of us.

Be cautious about thinking God has taken control of everything because that will lead us to ignore the devil, thereby giving him a free hand to destroy our lives. We must use wisdom concerning natural laws and not think that things happen unless God wills it. He does allow us to choose. We must remember that God is a good God and God is Love.  He wants us to choose His love, His protection....He wants to help us make wise choices and to be there when we fall.

1 Chronicles 16:34 The Message

Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits. Say, "Save us, Savior God, round us up and get us out of these godless places, So we can give thanks to your holy Name, and bask in your life of praise." Blessed be God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then everybody said, "Yes! Amen!" and "Praise God!"

II Samuel 22:29 The Message

Suddenly, God, your light floods my path, God drives out the darkness. I smash the bands of marauders, I vault the high fences. What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it.

His love is so great that He does not force Himself on us...so during this holiday season when we remember the Christ child in the manger, take the time to listen...hear His cries...He is reaching out to us in love.  He is “loving us” every step of the way and is there when we call.  Let His cry this season touch your heart...Let Him hold you and comfort you...Let Him help guide your life and find the blessings He has given in each day.

Luke 2:12 New King James Version

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Isaiah 9:6 New King James Version

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So you ask, "Is there a God of Love?" The answer is, "YES!" and He is right here waiting for you to reach out and take His hand...to give your hurt and pain to Him...to know you are loved!

Isaiah 41:13 NKJV

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Psalm 59:10 New Century Version

My God loves me, and he goes in front of me. He will help me defeat my enemies.

Psalm 59:17 New Century Version

God, my strength, I will sing praises to you. God, my defender, you are the God who loves me.

Psalm 107:1 The Message

Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out. All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas.

New Century Version [ God Saves from Many Dangers ] Thank the Lord because he is good. His lovecontinues forever.

There is a God who loves you...and it all began in a manger...