Call it Magic Part 1: Love is...
So as I stated before, we are going to let me run with the idea of magic AKA God's love and miracles. Where better to start than with love? The Bible has many passages about love. Love is broken into four different types: Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape.
Eros: The intimate type of love aka the romantic love. The best example of this is found in the Old Testament, Song of Solomon or Song of Songs. I've read excerpt of this book here and there, it is beautifully written. I will admit that there are part where the words come alive and makes me blush. For those not familiar with this book; the passage that I like the most and is often used at weddings is Song of Solomon 2: 10-13. Which reads:
Storge: The family type of love; relationship between siblings, parents towards their children and vice versa and relatives. This type of love is what psychologist would call natural or obvious. We don't necessarily like our family, but we love them despite their weirdness or pitfall. It is the type of love that 'runs thicker than water.' The passage I liked the most for this example is one of the ten commandments, which is from Exodus 20:12
Philia: The friendship type of love. It is often the type of love we demonstrate towards other Christians in fellowship. Personally, in terms of fellowship, I don't deem it as love ( as we define it in English) but rather compassion and empathy. Then, again, that is why the Greeks have four terms for describing love and not just one. There are many passages in the Bible that describes this type of love. The passage that I believe demonstrates this well is John 13: 34 - 35. It reads:
Agape: The last type of love which by far is the most beautiful and powerful type of love in the Christian world. It is described as a self- sacrificing type of love. This type of love is the love that Christ gave to all of us when he died for our sins upon the cross. Agape has no bounds and is endless. The passage I love for this example is John 3: 16, which reads:
Eros: The intimate type of love aka the romantic love. The best example of this is found in the Old Testament, Song of Solomon or Song of Songs. I've read excerpt of this book here and there, it is beautifully written. I will admit that there are part where the words come alive and makes me blush. For those not familiar with this book; the passage that I like the most and is often used at weddings is Song of Solomon 2: 10-13. Which reads:
"My lover spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
and some with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in out land."
Storge: The family type of love; relationship between siblings, parents towards their children and vice versa and relatives. This type of love is what psychologist would call natural or obvious. We don't necessarily like our family, but we love them despite their weirdness or pitfall. It is the type of love that 'runs thicker than water.' The passage I liked the most for this example is one of the ten commandments, which is from Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in
the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Philia: The friendship type of love. It is often the type of love we demonstrate towards other Christians in fellowship. Personally, in terms of fellowship, I don't deem it as love ( as we define it in English) but rather compassion and empathy. Then, again, that is why the Greeks have four terms for describing love and not just one. There are many passages in the Bible that describes this type of love. The passage that I believe demonstrates this well is John 13: 34 - 35. It reads:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have eternal life. "
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Now that I've cover the basic types of Love found in the Bible, lets get to the fun part. AKA: the reason why I am giving you a window into my personal journey with God.
When we think of love in the Bible, the first thing that
comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8.
We have all seen this; whether its on a pre-teen's post about their first experiences with puppy love or in adult women in their 20s going through a tough break up. You know it's true to a certain extent. This passage from the Bible is well known to many. It is a set of guidelines and instructions for us to love one another as Christ loves us.
This excerpt is beautiful and has, personally, transcended through a lot of my relationships. No, I don't only mean the romantic sense; I mean the love I show to the selected few in my circle. For those who know me, I don't often use the words 'I love you' or even imply it towards many. I feel love is very sacred and should only be given to a selected few. But, perhaps, this is where I lack and I must grow.
How often do we say 'I love you,' but never truly mean it? God doesn't want that for us; he wants us to love without bounds and beyond our tongues. It is difficult to do and stay consistent but God promises great things if we obey. This is stated in 1 Corinthians 13: 12:
Loosely, translated into modern times it basically means: Even though it is uncertain if showing this love will bear fruit. We must trust in the Lord and know that a day will come when it will all makes sense.
So whether it is heartache or the lost of someone; we must continue to love as God loved us. With no restrictions and with great patience.
Window: When my romantic relationship fail; I focus on the verse 12. It soothes my soul to know that God's promises and plans that he has for me are built through my heartache.
Hopefully, that wasn't too bad of a read.
Till we meet again.
Many Blessings.
Linda
Photo: I feel that God's love/ relationship with us is like a beautiful sunset or sunrise. It starts off slowly and with time it emanates and shines so brightly for all to see. Hopefully, I am shinning to a certain extent. lol.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,
they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
We have all seen this; whether its on a pre-teen's post about their first experiences with puppy love or in adult women in their 20s going through a tough break up. You know it's true to a certain extent. This passage from the Bible is well known to many. It is a set of guidelines and instructions for us to love one another as Christ loves us.
This excerpt is beautiful and has, personally, transcended through a lot of my relationships. No, I don't only mean the romantic sense; I mean the love I show to the selected few in my circle. For those who know me, I don't often use the words 'I love you' or even imply it towards many. I feel love is very sacred and should only be given to a selected few. But, perhaps, this is where I lack and I must grow.
How often do we say 'I love you,' but never truly mean it? God doesn't want that for us; he wants us to love without bounds and beyond our tongues. It is difficult to do and stay consistent but God promises great things if we obey. This is stated in 1 Corinthians 13: 12:
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face;
now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."
So whether it is heartache or the lost of someone; we must continue to love as God loved us. With no restrictions and with great patience.
Window: When my romantic relationship fail; I focus on the verse 12. It soothes my soul to know that God's promises and plans that he has for me are built through my heartache.
Hopefully, that wasn't too bad of a read.
Till we meet again.
Many Blessings.
Linda
Photo: I feel that God's love/ relationship with us is like a beautiful sunset or sunrise. It starts off slowly and with time it emanates and shines so brightly for all to see. Hopefully, I am shinning to a certain extent. lol.
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