The problem with this, is that many people don't believe in God, or they have a quite distorted view of Him ...because they don't believe in the Bible, as being accurate and true.
It's really rather difficult to change that ...as the ultimate choice is for every person to decide what they believe. It may seem like a wonderful freedom that we have ...but, it's not like a young adult child sincerely asking his dad to not smother him with expectations, and just wanting to do it himself with the option to live his life and experience and grow the way everyone should have the freedom to.
It's more like a crime being committed, and we stand by to watch it happen, that which will happen, and do nothing about it.
To me, that's not love ...it is void of caring, and rather callous and cruel.
To me, that's not love ...it is void of caring, and rather callous and cruel.
I do believe that having a son be sentenced to life in prison ...is a rather harsh reality. And I know there are dads & moms out there who are in this situation, and the best they can do is to write their son and visit if they can. But, that reality is nothing in comparison to sentenced to eternal life ...without parole, and without visitors.
Now many people find this to be a reason why they don't want to believe in God as presented to us in the Bible. It would be somewhat comfortable to not believe in our prisons either, but I worked in one. And it wouldn't be very comfortable for the majority of people if the prison didn't exist, allowing all those to roam free ...without rehabilitation.
(http://weareallsearchingforwhat.blogspot.com/) ...We are all searching ...whether we'd like to admit it, or not.
(http://aneighbortomydadandafriend.blogspot.com/) ...Bridges??? ________or________Walls??? (On a spaceship they say to report to the bridge. Hopefully, in the end, it is not just for an appointment with the awaiting barber.)
(http://thestoryofthetomato.blogspot.com/) ...The story of the tomato ...
(http://donotbarkupthewrongtree.blogspot.com/) ...Can't we see the forest for the trees??
But, I cannot even begin my conversation about love without first mentioning this, and mentioning God. That would be less practical for me than to talk about the Pacific Ocean, while denying the existence of water.
So, I will start with the One who walked on water ...Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Now, it is much easier to love selectively as we choose. If we can define love, choose the criteria that fits our desires, set the parameters and our own limits, and have those significant select few to support our image ---then that might win us the admiration of others, but that is not what Jesus was talking about.
Right after this, the challenge was put to Jesus, to explain who we are to love, or more precisely ...who is our neighbor??
Jesus then proceeded to tell the story of the Good Samaritan ...making mention not only that the Samaritan did show love, but also making it clear that the priest and Levite did not.
There was no consideration whether someone had/or would in return act neighborly ...rather the love was extended because that is what love does, not restricted by past feelings or impressions.
Perhaps you haven't seen these two on the news, as it seems that too many people seem to prefer joining in with stoking the fires of hate rather than the overcoming of it.
Right after this, the challenge was put to Jesus, to explain who we are to love, or more precisely ...who is our neighbor??
Jesus then proceeded to tell the story of the Good Samaritan ...making mention not only that the Samaritan did show love, but also making it clear that the priest and Levite did not.
There was no consideration whether someone had/or would in return act neighborly ...rather the love was extended because that is what love does, not restricted by past feelings or impressions.
“How can you hate me if you don’t even know me?” Daryl Davis asks in the new documentary “Accidental Courtesy.” Perhaps most of you don't know that he is an accomplished keyboardist, let alone having heard what he's been doing lately.
He has been dealing with people who have promoted and practiced genuine hate ...very violent hate, an evil kind of hate. Yet, the hate of hate should stir up feelings in all of us to overcome those wicked feelings.
There is a sharp contrast of emotions that are felt when the subjects of love and hate are brought up. But, Daryl has responded to the hate through showing his genuine love.
There is a sharp contrast of emotions that are felt when the subjects of love and hate are brought up. But, Daryl has responded to the hate through showing his genuine love.
We can all learn something from Daryl. Too often today, hate is expressed not in real terms, but as an excuse or as a ploy. This was perhaps not the case with Samson's wife, whose people it is uncertain whether they merely spoke idle threats or whether she was actually afraid of what they may do ...but she was nonetheless intrigued to find out Samson's secrets. We read that because her husband, Samson, didn't tell her the answer to a riddle, she cried, "You hate me! ..." (Judges 14:16)
After prolonged weeping, Samson's resolve weakened after a week ...and he told her.
Later, her dad also expressed those same careless sentiments, giving his daughter, Samson's wife, to another man because he said he felt Samson hated her. (This also happened much later with King Saul giving away David's wife ...yet, possibly Saul had a hatred mixed with jealousy, and he felt since most all the people in his kingdom loved David too much ...it was unbearable to think his daughter could also love him.)
Anyway, back to Samson ---with his anger over his wife being sent from him ---this emotional torment must've contributed to his next committed fondness ...for Delilah. She was also being used by her people, but she seemed more willing. She also was successful with manipulating his emotions, and persuading him to tell of his greatest secret. It is an understatement to say that Samson then had a bad hair day ...but God used the situation to His glory.
Today, I see little substance to those statements, "You hate me!!" It is very sad if those who say it, do feel they are hated ...but, much of the time I see it as manipulation for selfish reasons, and an excuse for hastening the end of a losing argument.
(http://howdyhowdyhowdyyoubekiddin.blogspot.com/) ...Do you want help ...or do you insist on going it alone?
(http://itismypartyandmyway.blogspot.com/) ...In defense of misery ...
After prolonged weeping, Samson's resolve weakened after a week ...and he told her.
Later, her dad also expressed those same careless sentiments, giving his daughter, Samson's wife, to another man because he said he felt Samson hated her. (This also happened much later with King Saul giving away David's wife ...yet, possibly Saul had a hatred mixed with jealousy, and he felt since most all the people in his kingdom loved David too much ...it was unbearable to think his daughter could also love him.)
Anyway, back to Samson ---with his anger over his wife being sent from him ---this emotional torment must've contributed to his next committed fondness ...for Delilah. She was also being used by her people, but she seemed more willing. She also was successful with manipulating his emotions, and persuading him to tell of his greatest secret. It is an understatement to say that Samson then had a bad hair day ...but God used the situation to His glory.
Today, I see little substance to those statements, "You hate me!!" It is very sad if those who say it, do feel they are hated ...but, much of the time I see it as manipulation for selfish reasons, and an excuse for hastening the end of a losing argument.
(http://howdyhowdyhowdyyoubekiddin.blogspot.com/) ...Do you want help ...or do you insist on going it alone?
(http://itismypartyandmyway.blogspot.com/) ...In defense of misery ...
July 2012 ---(http://whoisahater.blogspot.com/) ...Haters???
Real hate is what Daryl Davis saw in others, and put his whole heart in attempting to overcome it. That is true love.
e. e. cummings wrote poetry, his style being rather different, and he often also did not capitalize. The book, entitled, edgar allan, was nothing of that style other than the title ...which likely was intentional, as it showed no capitalization in a way that perhaps was consistent with how little the townspeople thought of him. But, this book by John Neufeld is an excellent read. One of my favorite quotes from the book, is as follows: "Mother likes to say that God is everywhere, and you can only hope to understand Him by seeing where He is and where He isn't. She thinks that where He isn't, is often more interesting, and tells us more about Him and His ways, than where He is."
Of course, love is usually more appreciated when looked at in contrast to where love isn't. And Daryl Davis was sure to be able to love in a very hard place ...because he had the greatest of love, to overcome the horrific lacking of it that he saw in others. That greatest of love was shown to us by God ...when Jesus died, making it possible for death not to be a guaranteed and unavoidable consequence for our sins.
(http://thetwowaystreetisoftenupmyalley.blogspot.com/) ...The 'Love Chapter' ...
(http://whatshouldcomefirst.blogspot.com/) ...Tell 'em each day I love 'em, more often that you love 'em, and especially ...
(http://loveisnotdefinedbyus.blogspot.com/) ...No greater love ...
(http://doweworshipthesamesupremebeing.blogspot.com/) ...Sameness?? ...Unity?? ...& Peace???
(http://suddenlyputincharge.blogspot.com/) ...If you believe in a Supreme Being ...
(http://whomtogoto.blogspot.com/) ...National Day of Prayer ...reflections
(http://isitnotsurely.blogspot.com/) ...Do we hear ourselves saying???
As I will have a section where I will continue to be focused on the seriousness of this, for now, this will suffice ...and I will add a little more lighthearted expressions of love. It should perhaps be called something else, as it never reaches the depths that God has shown ...but, even it, in its more pure form, requires some sort of commitment.
It may begin as a brief encounter, with no more expectation than a moment's acceptance and a smile.
(http://howdoeyeloveyouohletmecounttheways.blogspot.com/) ---July 2013
.......First Love
Or it can be a much more long term commitment.
(https://notremotelylikeinthemovies.blogspot.com/) ...Happily Ever After ...
I guess, when we look at the good, there are times when it is not ...and traveling down the rough road of comparison ...we find a perspective on life that some feel they get a disproportionate share of that which is not so good. They feel others get all the good. This comparison is drawn out through cartoons I read when I was young.
(http://somethingtoquackupabout.blogspot.com/) ...A different version of Duck Dynasty
"No, I'm not quacking up ...I honestly didn't hear you!"
(http://whereareyouplanningtogo.blogspot.com/) ...I'm sorry, can you please repeat that? What exactly was your plan?
(http://toeverybodytherecomesaseason.blogspot.com/) ...Why do bad things happen?
(http://paintingtaintingfainting.blogspot.com/) ...What should be clear thinking, our heart often blocks from our mind. (Our heart can be vulnerable when coated with wishful thinking ---and it's good to attempt to look on the bright side of things ---but, we can in this way also think well of deception. Yet, the worst is when the blackened heart of of a continuously unrepentant sinner ...will fog a person's clear thinking.)
(http://camefirstchickenortheegghead.blogspot.com/) ...Why do bad people happen to good things?? ---(you may think you have a good thing going, then ...)
(http://whatreallyends.blogspot.com/) ..."The end justifies the means" may actually hasten the end.
(http://couldshouldwouldoneisgoodwhoisthree.blogspot.com/) ...Are people born good?
(http://whatwillprecipitate.blogspot.com/) ..."Not a cloud in the sky! Oh, wait, I think, ...No forget it, it was nothing!"
(http://ratherbeamingwithdelight.blogspot.com/) ...First remove the speck ...??
(http://canbeinginsinbeadvantageous.blogspot.com/) ...The sin advantage
(http://orisitahumptydumpty.blogspot.com/) ...The Domino effect ...
(http://whatwelaughandcryabout.blogspot.com/) ...He made people laugh ...he made some people cry, yet there's more to what made me cry ...
(http://howgoodareweatbringingasmile.blogspot.com/) ...What do we prefer ...wipe that smile off your face, or put a smile on your face??
(http://realdealfeelheal.blogspot.com/) ...Guilt and blame ...are either or both bad?? Should we rid ourselves of both?? (Well, in a certain sense we know we are all guilty ...and acknowledging this gives us a new dimension of freedom, but it can also be an enemy to love. Bloviated comparisons, blaming, bitter insults, biases ...all work against love. But, there is one that seems often innocent with no bad intentions, that can be the worse ...and that is 'doubt'.)
(http://doyoupreferwordofmouth.blogspot.com/) ...What is the main reason why people don't believe the Bible is the Word of God??
(http://childrenofthebridechamber.blogspot.com/) ...Do you know who the "children of the bridegroom" are?
(http://billyandnanniemovetoananniestate.blogspot.com/) ...Something to nibble on ...
(http://whenwillitcometoenoughbeingenough.blogspot.com/) ...Jesus will return to rule ...how soon?
(http://timeinviewofeternity.blogspot.com/) ...What is the benefit of time ...and why does it exist??
(http://othersusorwhoistosaytrulyledbyspirit.blogspot.com/) ...Not of any private interpretation ...(this also goes along with the discussion in the 'In the Beginning ...' section ---which is the next section)
(http://whatisthelimittowhatwebelieve.blogspot.com/) ...Mere men like me, or much more than that??
(http://itmaynotbewhatitappearstobe.blogspot.com/) ...If Satan broke tradition,, actually telling the truth ...which nation would he be most proud of?
(Yes, to understand love, we need to understand truth ...which brings us to God, if we accept the absolute truth. And as was alluded to in the book, 'edgar allan', sometimes seeing the lacking tells us much ...or where the true enemy is working.)
(http://inheriteddifferencesorselective.blogspot.com/) ...We are not a nation divided by inherited traits such as racial differences ... (Taking pride ...well, at least being content with being Looney.)
(http://mostpeoplecannotguessit.blogspot.com/) ...What are the biggest injustices looming within our country??
(http://aconspiracyweignore.blogspot.com/) ...With so many theories out there, why do we ignore the greatest conspiracy of them all?
(http://bowlaquariumorocean.blogspot.com/) ...The Fishbowl ...
If it seems that I'm sort of jumping around with this 'love' section ...that is sort of what love does, when we try to be the author & promoter of it, without looking to God's Word.
(http://donotlookattherainbutatwhoreigns.blogspot.com/) ...It rains on the just ...and on the unjust.
(http://thecycleoflifenotalionbutalie.blogspot.com/) ...From bad times to good times ...to now, what's happening??
(http://bringingglory.blogspot.com/) ...You say you believe in God ...but do you glorify Him???
(http://howimportantisittomakeourpoint.blogspot.com/) ...How important is it to make our point?
(http://dowereallyknowwhatisbest.blogspot.com/) ...What is of first importance to you??
(http://ourstylecanbetoourdetriment.blogspot.com/) ...Do we feel comfortable with our 'give-and-take' world???
Real hate is what Daryl Davis saw in others, and put his whole heart in attempting to overcome it. That is true love.
Of course, love is usually more appreciated when looked at in contrast to where love isn't. And Daryl Davis was sure to be able to love in a very hard place ...because he had the greatest of love, to overcome the horrific lacking of it that he saw in others. That greatest of love was shown to us by God ...when Jesus died, making it possible for death not to be a guaranteed and unavoidable consequence for our sins.
(http://thetwowaystreetisoftenupmyalley.blogspot.com/) ...The 'Love Chapter' ...
(http://whatshouldcomefirst.blogspot.com/) ...Tell 'em each day I love 'em, more often that you love 'em, and especially ...
(http://loveisnotdefinedbyus.blogspot.com/) ...No greater love ...
(http://doweworshipthesamesupremebeing.blogspot.com/) ...Sameness?? ...Unity?? ...& Peace???
(http://suddenlyputincharge.blogspot.com/) ...If you believe in a Supreme Being ...
(http://whomtogoto.blogspot.com/) ...National Day of Prayer ...reflections
(http://isitnotsurely.blogspot.com/) ...Do we hear ourselves saying???
As I will have a section where I will continue to be focused on the seriousness of this, for now, this will suffice ...and I will add a little more lighthearted expressions of love. It should perhaps be called something else, as it never reaches the depths that God has shown ...but, even it, in its more pure form, requires some sort of commitment.
(http://howdoeyeloveyouohletmecounttheways.blogspot.com/) ---July 2013
.......First Love
Or it can be a much more long term commitment.
I guess, when we look at the good, there are times when it is not ...and traveling down the rough road of comparison ...we find a perspective on life that some feel they get a disproportionate share of that which is not so good. They feel others get all the good. This comparison is drawn out through cartoons I read when I was young.
(http://somethingtoquackupabout.blogspot.com/) ...A different version of Duck Dynasty
"No, I'm not quacking up ...I honestly didn't hear you!"
(http://whereareyouplanningtogo.blogspot.com/) ...I'm sorry, can you please repeat that? What exactly was your plan?
(http://toeverybodytherecomesaseason.blogspot.com/) ...Why do bad things happen?
(http://paintingtaintingfainting.blogspot.com/) ...What should be clear thinking, our heart often blocks from our mind. (Our heart can be vulnerable when coated with wishful thinking ---and it's good to attempt to look on the bright side of things ---but, we can in this way also think well of deception. Yet, the worst is when the blackened heart of of a continuously unrepentant sinner ...will fog a person's clear thinking.)
(http://camefirstchickenortheegghead.blogspot.com/) ...Why do bad people happen to good things?? ---(you may think you have a good thing going, then ...)
(http://whatreallyends.blogspot.com/) ..."The end justifies the means" may actually hasten the end.
(http://couldshouldwouldoneisgoodwhoisthree.blogspot.com/) ...Are people born good?
(http://whatwillprecipitate.blogspot.com/) ..."Not a cloud in the sky! Oh, wait, I think, ...No forget it, it was nothing!"
(http://ratherbeamingwithdelight.blogspot.com/) ...First remove the speck ...??
(http://canbeinginsinbeadvantageous.blogspot.com/) ...The sin advantage
(http://orisitahumptydumpty.blogspot.com/) ...The Domino effect ...
(http://howgoodareweatbringingasmile.blogspot.com/) ...What do we prefer ...wipe that smile off your face, or put a smile on your face??
(http://realdealfeelheal.blogspot.com/) ...Guilt and blame ...are either or both bad?? Should we rid ourselves of both?? (Well, in a certain sense we know we are all guilty ...and acknowledging this gives us a new dimension of freedom, but it can also be an enemy to love. Bloviated comparisons, blaming, bitter insults, biases ...all work against love. But, there is one that seems often innocent with no bad intentions, that can be the worse ...and that is 'doubt'.)
(http://doyoupreferwordofmouth.blogspot.com/) ...What is the main reason why people don't believe the Bible is the Word of God??
(http://childrenofthebridechamber.blogspot.com/) ...Do you know who the "children of the bridegroom" are?
(http://billyandnanniemovetoananniestate.blogspot.com/) ...Something to nibble on ...
(http://whenwillitcometoenoughbeingenough.blogspot.com/) ...Jesus will return to rule ...how soon?
(http://timeinviewofeternity.blogspot.com/) ...What is the benefit of time ...and why does it exist??
(http://othersusorwhoistosaytrulyledbyspirit.blogspot.com/) ...Not of any private interpretation ...(this also goes along with the discussion in the 'In the Beginning ...' section ---which is the next section)
(http://whatisthelimittowhatwebelieve.blogspot.com/) ...Mere men like me, or much more than that??
(http://itmaynotbewhatitappearstobe.blogspot.com/) ...If Satan broke tradition,, actually telling the truth ...which nation would he be most proud of?
(Yes, to understand love, we need to understand truth ...which brings us to God, if we accept the absolute truth. And as was alluded to in the book, 'edgar allan', sometimes seeing the lacking tells us much ...or where the true enemy is working.)
(http://inheriteddifferencesorselective.blogspot.com/) ...We are not a nation divided by inherited traits such as racial differences ... (Taking pride ...well, at least being content with being Looney.)
(http://mostpeoplecannotguessit.blogspot.com/) ...What are the biggest injustices looming within our country??
(http://aconspiracyweignore.blogspot.com/) ...With so many theories out there, why do we ignore the greatest conspiracy of them all?
(http://bowlaquariumorocean.blogspot.com/) ...The Fishbowl ...
If it seems that I'm sort of jumping around with this 'love' section ...that is sort of what love does, when we try to be the author & promoter of it, without looking to God's Word.
(http://donotlookattherainbutatwhoreigns.blogspot.com/) ...It rains on the just ...and on the unjust.
(http://thecycleoflifenotalionbutalie.blogspot.com/) ...From bad times to good times ...to now, what's happening??
(http://bringingglory.blogspot.com/) ...You say you believe in God ...but do you glorify Him???
(http://howimportantisittomakeourpoint.blogspot.com/) ...How important is it to make our point?
(http://dowereallyknowwhatisbest.blogspot.com/) ...What is of first importance to you??
(http://ourstylecanbetoourdetriment.blogspot.com/) ...Do we feel comfortable with our 'give-and-take' world???
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