> General Discussions
Proclaimations of Love
javajoe:
Joe,
I do see your point. We can only hope that more people will come to truth.
Craig:
Love like anything else in our measly existence can become an idol of our hearts.
And too much love mingled with our fleshy desires can be as dangerous as anything. Let's say you love your children so much that you don't want to see them burn in hell for eternity so you kill them to save them. That is an example of love gone awry. Or I love my wife so much that I don't want her to get in a car accident or possibly find another person to compete for my time so I lock her at home. People love in this way too. Or you can love someone so much that you can not exist without them, when they leave you, you shut yourself off from the world and dwell on your love for them, this can become a bad thing also.
In the end the love we give others is really the love we desire others to give us, and when they don't return it to us as we feel they should, the blanket gets pulled back and the carnal beast who really can't understand love is revealed.
Some people want to make a whole doctrine out of love. No doubt love is an important element in the message of scripture, but it is one of many, and when we try to hang our hat only on this hook it will eventually give way. We can piously state we love everyone, and quote scripture to justify our thoughts but in our human existence I don't believe it is entirely possible (in our flesh), some will fair better than others, but only our Father and Christ can give us the total love for each other, and one day They will.
Joe, I don't know whether the person you talk about feigns love or uses it as an idol of the heart but proper temperament and discernment is as important here as with anything, and without those things, their house will eventually fall like a house of cards. And when that happens they will be left with the choice of looking inward to their own failings or outward to the failings of those around them. Unfortunately, the beast within always looks out. My prayer for us all is to look within.
Blessings!
Craig
skydreamers:
Really good points Craig!
Peace,
Diana
YellowStone:
I share this thinking that some will slam me, but I feel many will see the wisdom of truth behind these words, irrespective of who penned them.
LOVE from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them.
And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
I hope I am not the only one who is able to feel the Love of Our God in these words, and what it means to love and be loved.
Love in Christ,
Darren
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: pylady on September 06, 2007, 08:29:17 PM ---Hi Joe,
Thank you for this thread. Your post and all the responses have really hit home for me . this scripture comes to mind:
1Tim1:5 "Now the end of the commandment is charity (agape) out of a pure
heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned."
--- End quote ---
Hi Cindy,
You are very welcome, the verse you quote fits here perfectly, it really underlines what this journey is all about and where it ends and true life (spiritual life) begins. Our failures are a constant reminder of how dependent on Him we really are. I know the minute I start to feel comfortable maybe even satisfied that a stumble or fall is right around the corner.
Thank you for the thoughtful response!
His Peace to you,
Joe
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