Changing times

By this time in my life, I expect that I've seen a lot of things and I think that's a fair assumption for me to make. It seems almost amazing to "step back" from life and watch the amount of people, in recent years, that have the tremendous influence that they have on this earth; to watch these people have all of their influence erode away, in the blink of an eye, because of some type of sexual allegation. My fear, as I am finishing up the pursuit of my degree in ministry, is that I too will fall headlong into some type of catastrophic sin(and it doesn't even have to be a sexual sin) that will greatly affect the way that people today see the people they call "Christians."

It is truly unfortunate that the world stands back and watches Christian after Christian fail to live up to the expectations and rigorous rules that we place on our own lives. Not only this, but the fact that every time one Christian falls, the world becomes a little more hardened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My heart is utterly saddened by the way that sexual sin has literally ripped apart our culture. We fail to really see a detrimental error in our lives, until it is at the "point of no return," and our pedestals, that we have been balancing on with one leg for so long, is knocked out from underneath us. Nothing is truly more scary than to be exposed, in the light, for the monsters deep inside our own hearts.

I pray that God changes our hearts soon, before things get worse!

The simpler things

So . . .I'm sitting at work, thinking about the list that we were to compile about the 10 most important things in our lives. I am reminded that I won't have these things forever, and I thought it would be good to let you know what I think is important (in my life). Here is that list, in case you were wondering (And yes, it is in random order, just because I can):

# 3 - My Friends

I have absolutely no idea where I would be in my life without the A-M-A-ZING people that mean so much to me. There have been so many times that I have been able to laugh, smile, and have the best of times around each one of you. My heart is overjoyed when I think of each individual person that has graced my life with their friendship. How thankful that I am to know each person in my life, as well as I do, because friendship is something that I have never taken very lightly. I know there are lots of days when I am not at the peak of my friendliness, but I would more than be overjoyed to sit and listen to ANYTHING that you have or want to say. If I had anything that I would want to tell people, it would be to come and sit a while . . . and simply talk. I would love to listen to your stories about life, however tough, amazing, sorrowful, or joyous that it has been for you. In all of that, I was saying this . . .

"Thank you for being my friend. Yes, to each of you that is reading this. I can't thank you for all the smiles, the hugs, the words of encouragement, the love, and - sometimes - the swift kick in the butt (when I needed it). We have been through so much together, and I think those of you will know who you are. You remind me of who I am, and the man that I want to be. I simply don't know where I would be without the reminder of your friendship that is brought new each morning. Thanks for being there - through all the times that I thought I could do it on my own and whatnot. I am truly blessed! If all I know was taken from me, I would be blessed for having your friendship in my life. I couldn't ever say it enough . . . . . . Thank You!"


With all that said, here's a little side note:
To love, to live. . . was the purpose we were given when we were created. Our conception was no mistake . . . and we must live in a manner that is worthy of that calling. As simple as it is, it's very hard for each of us to do, consistently, on a daily basis. Love, laugh, live . . . that's the saying that I have seen all over the internet, especially on girls' facebooks!!! As funny as it may seem, there is an inherent truth to the matter. Created to love, living to love, dying for love - that's what my Savior did. This is the calling I was given when I was born.

Stop yo' High Horse . . . and Wait!

So many times, we get caught up in the things that don't truly matter in life. Think about it, there are tons of things in our culture that draw our attention away from the Lord - music, celebrities, sports, class, among other things. When we reflect back on those things, there should be no legitimate reason that we focus so heavily on those things. Other than the fact that we, as humans, have our own agendas in mind . . . there are many times in life when we are too impatient to really know that waiting, in some instances, is the best thing for us - in those certain moments.
In Psalms 37, King David shares some practical insight into this situation of waiting (vv. 1-7). I'll let you read it for yourself, and see what you think:

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourselves over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Ok, I admit it. I made some emphasis on certain words, but this is the true message of these verse - the true message that King David was trying to get across. I truly believe that King David said these words to motivate the people to wait, in a time of great prosperity for the kingdom of Israel. Right at the time when Israel's borders were expanding and growing, the King called on his people . . . to wait.
You know, this really and truly relates to our lives as Christians. As our "borders" are expanding well into new areas, and our lives are growing and prospering; God calls us to wait on Him. We should trust that the Lord has a plan for our lives. It even says in verse 3 to, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness." When we truly trust in the Lord, in all the areas of our lives, the Lord promises to bless us with the "desires of our hearts." This promise is so much more than just the physical or relationship aspect of our hearts, because God, in His ultimate wisdom . . . knows us better than we know ourselves! Think about it! Why do we get one thing, when we "expect" to get something completely different? I truly and honestly believe, with all my heart, that God knows each of our hearts more intimately than our friends, parents, acquaintances, and peers ever could! God knows all and sees all, even beyond all the hype and circumstances that make us want something other than the things that we truly need.
Take a moment and look around you. Wherever you are, just look around you. Look for the things that you value most, the things that you own and really treasure. Now, picture those things in your mind, and think about whether you really need those things to survive or not - My guess is that you don't.
It's amazing to think that God created us to survive on the most basic of things, but, essentially, they are the most important things in our lives; although they may not receive the thanks and praise that they are due. This may seem a little like fourth grade, but . . . What do you need to survive?

1. Food
2. Water
3. Shelter and, most importantly,. . . . . .
   
4. other people

God created us to need so little, so that we could focus on the things that we could focus on Him and enjoy the things in this life. Everything in life can be summed up in two categories: (1) Things that draw us towards an intimate relationship with God, and (2) Things that don't.

The challenge that is laid on my own heart, as I write this, is to learn to wait on the Lord . . . with everything that I have. It isn't good enough just for me to say that I am waiting on the Lord, but to actually do it; if the saying is true . . . to, "put my money where my mouth is." It's one thing for me to say that I wait on the Lord, and another thing to go out and make decisions that affect my life, towards a future that meets the expectations that I want for my own life. The difference between a want and a need, is that you don't really need what you want. In all reality, you need very little. I'm not saying that it is a bad thing to want things, but I think we should check out motives about why we want something. To evaluate the reasons that we want it, and if they don't line up with Biblical truths . . . then we don't really need it.
Even in the area of waiting, it's easy to get caught up in the moment. I'm as guilty of this as much as anyone else. The thing that we must do, from here on out, is to begin learning a pattern of trusting and waiting and to develop a sense what we truly need.
This is my prayer, that you might exceed in the knowledge of Lord, even more so than I have.

Stormy seas on the horizon

I've been thinking a lot lately, and yesterday was one of those thinking days (especially in the Bible study I attend). It's been a rough semester for me, and I have done my fair share of failing and messing up all along the way. In the course of this semester, I have had my up and downs, highs and lows, and I have been reminded of why I am who I am. God has definitely blessed my life, in ways that I still don't understand, and put me into places where I have learned so much - even from my failures. He has given me so much grace and mercy, guiding me and leading me through ever moment of my life.

I realize, with some thinking at Bible Study last night, that my life is a lot like the story of Jonah. God has placed a supernatural calling on my life, and I have run from that calling for quite a while now. Reading back on my notes from last night, I can see so much resemblance in the life of Jonah and my own life. I have seen all the astounding, miraculous, and amazing things that God has continued to surround my life with; little reminders of the future He has in store for my life. Even with all the amazing things that God has done in my life, like Jonah, I have continued to run from that calling. All the while, God has been drawing my heart back to Him. . . steadily, patiently waiting for me to give up my fighting. I have fought God in so many ways that it is hard to even begin counting the things I have done to go as far away, from what I am called to do, as I can.

Last night was one of those nights, when God spoke to me and asked me one thing. One thing to completely blind side me, to lower all of my defenses, to penetrate deep into my heart. God called me out last night on the things I had been doing; it was straight-forward, blunt, and I definitely needed to hear it. See, God put up a literal roadblock in my path (just like He did with Jonah --> making the sea storm violently) so that I couldn't run away anymore. It was a good thing that He did though, because I have been so weary from running and the guilt of my unfaithfulness has haunted my every thought. God knew it. I knew it. And God was tired of it. I honestly believe that God spoke to me last night to just ask me a question: "What in the world are you doing, my son? Really. . . what in the heck are you doing?" I think it was all I could do at that moment not to burst into tears, but I knew that God was right.

I was like Jonah, asleep below deck while the sea was beyond violent around him - literally scaring the well-experienced sailors aboard the boat, to the point where they threw their cargo (their livelihood) overboard . . . afraid that they were going to die. I was just like that! I was asleep while God was creating a violent storm all around me . . .trying to get my attention . . . and what was I doing? Sleeping. Running from my purpose, blind to the things bigger than me. Boy did I feel naive!

I tell you this not for sympathy, but to serve as an example. I ask that you examine your own life. Are you running from God? Why? Why are you running? God always grabs the attention of those He loves . . . one way or another. Whether through a quiet whisper, or a booming, violent storm; God has His own ways of grabbing our attention. Would you rather run from God and face being wrapped up in your own desires (most likely ending up being miserable), or letting the God of the universe, who knows you best, make the most out of your existence? It's up to you, because only you can choose.

It's a small world, but a there's lots of love out there

This morning, while in one of my university's chapel services, I believe that God had a message for my heart. Standing there in chapel, listening to others sing praise to God, and just standing there, God spoke to me. Let me preface why I wasn't singing (like everyone else) by letting you know why I was doing what I was doing . . .

I read a quote, somewhere along the way, that said to something to the effect of: "Too often, we rush into God's presence with words - but is that all that God is really worthy of, in our lives?"

With that said, I have been doing everything I know how to not rush into God's presence with words, but by worshiping God for all the things He is worthy of. So, there I was . . . standing in chapel, listening to a couple thousand voices singing around me. As all this was going on, I closed my eyes to pray and meditate. During this point, the "worship leader" (who was an older lady) is singing the song Breathe. It's a song that I've heard thousands of times before, but today God spoke softly to my heart, in a way I didn't see coming.

As I was listening, the chorus of the song came around and this is the part of the song that says: "I'm desperate for you" and this repeats several times, ultimately leading up to a very intense, emotion-filled moment for everyone. As I was listening to this part, I heard such a beautiful voice standing next to me - singing her heart out to God. She wasn't loud at all, in fact, she was very quiet about the way she was singing. . . but I could tell that she was literally pouring her heart out on the altar of worship, before the Lord. This is the moment when God's revelation hit me so hard! I could literally feel him moving in, through, and all over today's chapel service! God was audibly speaking to the hearts of thousands of people, and He took the time to individually speak to me. . . how awesome is the God we serve?!?!

Obedience has a price

First off, I probably need to apologize for not having a new post in a while. It is probably best summed up in the fact that I've been pretty sick for about 4 1/2 to 5 days now. Anyways, that shouldn't have be an excuse. Onwards with the posting!

I was reading today in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, and he was talking about the cost that other people must endure for us (Christians) to follow God. He brings up the passage in Luke where Simon was chosen from the crowd to carry the cross that Christ was burdened with, on his final walk to the place where he would be hung. Chambers says (in the reading) that:

"If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything, it is a delight, but it costs those who do not love Him a good deal. If we obey God it will mean that other people's plans are upset, and they will gibe (tease) us with it - 'You call this Christianity?' We can prevent the suffering; but if we are gong to obey God, we must not prevent it, we must let the cost be paid."

While reading this and the other thoughts that Chambers brought up, on this particular day of reading for me, I was brought to my own realization. The fact that I want to obey God will cost everything for those that I love the most. I know that this has happened countless times in my own life. I have pushed people away, hurt people with words, and so much more - just because I thought I was doing the right thing at the time. Maybe I was, and then again, maybe I wasn't. I won't really ever know if I don't do all that I know to follow my Lord. . . my God . . . my King. All the sorrow, pain, heartache, loss, frustration, and grief that I have cost to the people I truly care about is in vain if I chose to disobey my God. "When we immediately obey God," Chambers says that "others are affected."

If a life is measured in inches and miles, instead of actions and deeds done for others, then the resounding chorus of a life devoted to following God stretches far beyond the horizon, far beyond the mountains, and far beyond the seas.

Walking moment by moment

While the fellas were playing paintball on Saturday, I was watching, taking photos, and thinking a lot. To be completely honest, it was a hard thing to watch my good friends go through – nor was it the most exciting tournament, on our end. If we were playing golf. . . we would have won by 4 points. Though it was a hard day to get through - near the end, there was a point of triumph. Triumph came in the form of a blowout win. In paintball, maxing another team is when all 5 of your players eliminate the other 5 players on the field of play. We had gone the entire day winless, but this was the match when we vowed to never let up, never let down, never quit.

Coming out of the gate, 3 eliminations were credited to our team of fearless gunners. While I was taking photos of this particular match, I was unaware that these events had happened so quickly. I was caught up in the moment of taking the perfect photos, and they guys were blasting their way to victory, on opponent at a time. Within the next minute and a half, our team had blown the door open on the opponents by eliminating their remaining two teammates.

The game of paintball consists of a series of point values: points for eliminating the opponents players, points for retrieving a flag in the middle of the field of play, and points for placing that flag on the opponents’ bunker/starting area. When all five eliminations had happened, that’s when I realized what was going on. Our guys had done it, when everyone else thought that they couldn’t pull it off! I was shocked, amazed, proud, and so happy for our team (I think I said “Wow!” about 20 times)!

Thinking back on this momentous moment, from our tournament yesterday, I was also struck with another though. This type of victory, the cause for celebration type of moment, doesn’t happen very often in our lives as men and women; but when it does, there is all the more cause for celebration. I think it’s the little victories in life, when it seems like the whole world and everything/everyone in it is against you. Life can be a cruel teacher, that’s for sure! The thing that we should do as believers is to celebrate the small things in our lives . . . the ones that mean so much to us – enjoying each moment that we are given – because no one ever knows how many of these moments that we are given.

In the Philippians 4:4 it says “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.” Think about it with me, what in our lives is a cause for this type of celebration? And do we really take the time to “savor the moment” like it is talking about in Philippians? God has created each day, as a new moment to rejoice and delight in the things that He has created for us to walk in.

David, a man after God’s own heart, wrote in Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Not that we should delight in the Lord for the desires of our heart, but that when we do delight ourselves in God’s presence we are content with all that God is and not worrying about what He gives us. It’s not about the material gain that comes from this type of delight, but God will provide everything you need according to his rich mercies. I think this is a call for us to slow down, in this crazy technological world we live in, and just enjoy each moment that we are given. To live without worry, without regret, without any reservations of what could or will happen, and just . . . live!!! Really and truly live!!!

I think that these passages speak to my heart, if not more so than the hearts and lives of everyone around me.

So what would it take for you to slow down and enjoy the moments that God has made specifically for you today?

Avoid the boring morning drive

I was doing a lot of procrastinating today, and ironically it got me thinking. I was thinking of all the stuff that I struggle with, from the really big things all the way down to the smallest things. I think that God has been working on me a lot this week, and I feel like it’s starting to rub off on me – instead of when I usually just hear what He is saying and completely ignored it, by going back to the same lifestyle that I was involved in.

Sorry, I got a little off task. . . back to the issue at hand. I feel that God has been using music for a long time in my life. The emotional highs and lows that I get from certain types of music, songs, and genres definitely is a way that God has a hand in showing me lots of things in my life. For instance, I am currently sitting in a vehicle (on the way to Dallas, Texas ) and the song that was just playing is called The Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin. Everyone that knows me pretty well can tell you that I love rock music. It gives me such an emotional high, and gets my adrenaline flowing . . . which is, by the way, one of the best feelings on earth. I feel like I can conquer the world when certain songs are playing (usually the ones that I really get into). I was thinking about how music effects my emotions, my mood, my work ethic, my personality, and a lot more in my life – and I was thinking about the songs that I was listening to while I did my workout earlier this morning. While reflecting on all these thoughts about music, God pulled the switch on the light bulb in my brain. It was one of those “Ah Hah!” moments. That was when it donned on me; if music can have these kinds of effects on people, then why in the world is Christ not effecting more and more people like the music industry is? Let me explain this idea a little better . . .

See most people view Christ as viewed as far away, and sometimes distant, but the music of today is catchy, influential, and speaks to the hearts of the audience that chooses to hear the song. Music is relevant, not always glamorous, and straight to the heart of the issue.

Why in the world can’t the message of the gospel be more like this???

See my idea is that the message we use to portray Christ should be not only relevant, catchy, and creative . . . but we shouldn’t have to use the world’s best techniques or programs, we need to quit beating around the bush and shoot straight to the heart of the issue! How much more important is the newest techniques, ministries, or programs in our churches, homes, and families if the word of God is not penetrating the hearts, minds, and souls of not only our youth, but their families and the rest of our culture? I contend that new programs, ministries, etc. don’t mean a thing if the heart of the issue (Jesus Christ) is not in the middle of everything we do.

We really need to get our stuff together and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing!!!!

From my own experience, today’s youth are not searching for new programs, opportunities, or ministries but they are searching for someone that cares for them. Someone that will listen to them, take the time to hear and share in their ideas, fears, failures, joys, and tears. Today’s youth don’t want anybody that is going to judge them, but a person that is willing to take the time and invest in them. We have to spend time with our youth where they are at, not forcing them to come inside the walls of a “church.” The fear for most youth is that when they are inside the walls of a “church,” they will be judged and/or condemned for the things that they do. I believe that we must meet them where they are, and get outside of the traditions of the past, getting to know what our youth, and their families, do for fun. What are their favorite things to do? What are their least favorite things? And can we adapt some of those things that they love to do into our ministry to our youth?

We have to get outside the walls of our comfort zones, i.e. the “church,” and meet the youth of today where they are – because it adds to the genuine nature of any ministry if a minister really and truly gets to know the hearts, minds, and the actual people that they are reaching with the Gospel. Without actually getting to know a person, I believe that there is no realistic way of meeting their needs with Christ. Showing people who you really are, in their context(s) and environments where they are comfortable, gives you an opportunity to relate with your students and their families . . . as well as giving them a way of relating to you when you start talking to them about Christ. It’s sort of a launching point, or a diving board, to how you can share the Gospel with people, inside and outside of the church.

Being an effective minister of God’s Word, to the people of today’s culture, involves taking off our “masks” that have long plagued the congregations of our church, our teachers, and our church staff. People respect and respond to genuine people, and when someone is genuine more and more people will take the time to listen, ask questions, and try to understand the essential Truths that come from the heart of Christ, into the messages we teach. Please . . . (really hear my heart when I say this) take the time to be creative when you are sharing your story and the message of Christ to others . . . because let’s face it, nobody wants to listen to a boring, 3 point sermon. And yes, if you’re wondering, I have given my fair share of the most boring 3 point sermons, anywhere around. This is why my heart is pleading with you to break outside the walls of tradition, and to find your own ways of effectively ministering to today’s generation of youth, young adults, and families. Creativity is a must if we are to translate the texts of the Word of God into a manageable way for our culture to not only hear, but to really understand and apply to their lives.

As I begin to wrap up this blog post, I’m listening to a new song; Disturbia by Rhianna. . . and it’s kind of funny, but there are a lot of truths inside this song that can be used to translate the message of Christ to the culture of today. So start with a little creativity, add a little part culture, and remember to avoid the boring and you will have an beautiful meal of Christ that most everyone will be satisfied with! Just remember to enjoy!

Spirit studies

I was doing my Bible Study earlier tonight in 1 Corinthians, and I was really challenged by what Paul had to say about relying on the Spirit of God. It made me realize that I don't completely let the Holy Spirit do what He was designed to do! Crazy, right?!? Let's look at this a little more. . .

In Chapter 2, Paul tells the Corinthians that the Holy Spirit imparts wisdom, reveals the Truths of God, searches the depths of God, knows my individual thoughts, speaks on my behalf (especially when I have no idea what to say), interprets spiritual truths, and instructs me in the ways of the Lord.

Now, to be completely honest . . . I'd have to say that I don't do a very good job of most of the things in that list, but I earnestly want and try to. Just ask yourself the same question, "Do I let the Holy Spirit guide and direct my life in the ways described in 1 Corinthians 2?" The answer, for most of us, is probably a big fat no. See, God doesn't ask that we be "good enough" or "clean" to follow him; Jesus chose the lowly, the dirty, the weak, the poor, and the foolish to follow Him.

Jesus was a maniac to ask these people to follow him!!!!!

At least, that's what the Pharisees thought about him . . .

If we go back a chapter, to 1 Corinthians 1, verses 18-31 talk about how Jesus is the wisdom that we follow - even though it seems like a complete load, of you know what, to the lost and dying of our generations. These people are so blinded by their own sin that they can't see the only Truth that really matters! And Christ called us to share His message with all those that are blinded by the darkness of their own sin. Christ called those that were lowly, dirty, weak, poor, and foolish to follow him because they had nothing to hold back (no holds barred). These individuals had absolutely nothing!!! They were completely empty of themselves, to the point that Christ sought them out and let them follow after Him. <----------------This is how we Christ called us to live!!!!!!!!!!!!

Listen to me when I say this . . . We are called to live the kinds of lives that are completely empty of ourselves, so that nothing else can be seen but Christ! This is the time that Christ can most effectively use a life - this is the true identity of a warrior. Someone with nothing to hold back, rushing into battle with all his hopes, fears, strength, and pride laid aside; trusting in the blade that he holds. His very life is depending upon that blade, and the blade upon the skill of the bearer. One faulty move, and the warrior can be severely wounded or killed. This is the same as the spiritual war that we wage both night and day. We are walking around, with our swords dragging the ground, and we're not even aware that the enemy is poised to strike right at our heels! I'm just as guilty of this as the next person, but from reading tonight I understand a little more about who I am called to be.

So now the ball's in your court. . .

What will it take for you to get in the fight?

The fight's not gonna go away, no matter what we wish or pray for. In fact, it's about to get worse. So I think it's about time that we pick up our swords, and wage the good war!


Onward to victory Christian soldiers . . . because the war is already won. The enemy just doesn't know it yet.

Jesus was a dangerous man

I was reading, just a minute ago, in the book Jesus Centered Youth Ministry by Rick Lawrence and it made me think a lot about the trends that we, as ministers of the Gospel of Christ, use to communicate to today's generation. Lawrence talks, in Chapter 2, about how we have lost sight and passion about what our ministry should be focused on - Christ. We have completely lost sight in the search for new programs, new styles of worship, new ministries, new this, and new things that we have lost the passion that we first felt for Christ when we first "married" our Savior. He describes it as a midlife couple that has lost the passion for the other partner - like living different lives inside the same house. We have drifted from the passion that once was, in search of something bigger . . . turning to other "gods" in search of what we failed to look for and find in Christ. Lawrence states that we have "de-clawed who Jesus really is" and substituted a "nice Jesus" in his stead.

Think about it. What is the first thing that you think of when you hear the name Jesus? Is it the word . . . . "nice"? Have we really become comfortable with Jesus enough to think that he is always a nice guy? The Gospel describes Jesus in such different terms, aside from Christ healing people and inviting the children to sit on his lap. Christ was a rebel and renegade, taking his generation by storm of a radical message of love, redemption, and forgiveness. In Luke 11:37-45, Jesus calls the Pharisees "unmarked graves", and if that's not a blatant enough insult the teachers sitting around him ask if he really intended to insult them. Of course, Jesus responds by telling them that he knew he was insulting them!

I think that we take little pieces of the story of Christ and "run with it", because we want a neat, squeeky-clean image of Jesus. The contrary is that Jesus wasn't always what the people expected him to be. So what does this mean to us, in our daily lives? I believe that our culture can't be transformed by the type of Christian that is willing to live an anonymous life, but by a Christian that focuses all their gaze upon Christ . . . and nothing less.

The question is . . . are we willing to do what is necessary, even if it's not the "polite" thing to do?

What do we really think of the L word . . . Love?

I've noticed, more and more lately, that the L word (Love) gets thrown around more and more lately. . . but what do we really think?

Is it possible to love someone that you've only just met?

I have a hard time believing that love is a feeling, or an emotion - because when emotion fades what is left? Is it really that state of euphoria or infatuation that is supposed to last forever? Let's be realistic. Does that honestly happen forever, not just in relationships, but in work, classes, friendships, and anything else that we get involved in?

I don't know about it all, and I know that even I (a guy at almost 21, scary! I know!) have a lot to learn about love. . . but what does the Bible say about the topic of love?

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (yeah, it's the verses that almost everyone quotes on love) the Bible says that love is so much more than we could really comprehend. It is patient when we have no tolerance for those around us. It is kind, when we really want to say some choice words to that guy that just cut us off in traffic. It is not arrogant or rude, when we want to tell that cheerleader what we "really" think of her. It doesn't want it's own way . . . and the list goes on and on. See love is more than just a word, a feeling, or an infatuation - it's a choice to make the most of each moment by giving the best pieces of our heart to everyone around us.

Continually in Scripture, Christ, his disciples and his followers call us to love one another with a type of affection that transcends words. It's the type of love that you can't really put into a sentence or describe to people, but you just have to experience to understand it. This is the type of love that was meant to ooze and flow out of every crack, pore, and facet of the body of Christ. We were meant to give our whole hearts, affections, trust, patience, time, possessions, effort, and everything that we are as humans to one another. . . sharing in both the good and bad times. Grieving with one another when one grieves, and celebrating with each other when there is a cause for celebration.

So if I would have anything to say, that you could remember from reading all of this, it would have to be that love isn't something that is just said . . . it's given, time-tested, and experienced.

So today, why don't we really try and love someone - the way that Christ intended.