The 4 loves

Taken a bit from C.S. Lewis and a lot of other smarter guys than me...

There is this word that we throw around a lot called LOVE. But, what is love? (and I'll try and resist going into the Haddaway song)

The english language is so complex, and yet, so limiting in what we say. Like the word "praise". The hebrew language has 7 different words for praise, depending on what type of praise.

Well, the same is true of LOVE. The greek language has 4 different words for love: Agape, Phileo, Eros, Storge. I wanted to take a few minutes here and talk about what each of the different words mean, and why when i say "I love you" to one of my best friends, it is different than when i say "I love you" to my parents, and how that is different than when i will say "I love you" to my wife (when i have one).

So let's start with Eros. I want to start here, because I think this is one of the most common defenitions we in america use for love. We actually get the word Erotic from the greek word Eros. What Eros means is a romantic love, like that of a husband and wife. This is what gives us the desire for sex with our spouse, to hold them, to cuddle with them. Eros is a love that finds its ultimate fulfillment in marriage.

The next one I want to talk about is Phileo, the next most common. This is often called brotherly love (side bar, this is where we get Philadelphia from, and why Philly is the city of brotherly love). Phileo can develop between two friends who have gone through life together. This is the type of love when you say "I love you" to your best friend who has been there through fire and hell.

Third, I want to talk about Storge. Storge is like a family love, a love of a parent and child. This love is instinctual, but also develops over time. Storge expresses itself in loyalty to the family and looking past each other’s faults. Storge is expressed in respecting and honouring others.

Lastly, I want to talk about Agape, my favorite kind. The kind that I pray God gives me every day for every one I meet. Agape is an unconditional love, and this is, in my opinion, the best love, and I think in Jesus' opinion too, in John 15:13 he says,“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Wow. NO GREATER LOVE!!! Agape is not earned, and can never be un-earned. It is not a response to something someone does for you or a feeling inside. It is a force within you that makes you act to help, save, give or sacrifice, so that someone else may benefit. This is how God loves. Agape sees past colour and race, past faith and beliefs, past support for football teams that aren’t the Eagles. This love is hardcore. Agape expects no reward; no payback. You love with agape because you can’t help it; it flows out of you. We love this way because we were made in God’s image and this is how God loves.

I want to end by saying that you can feel more than one type of love for a person. For example I feel both Phileo and Agape for many of my best friends. I will probably feel Eros and Agape for my wife, and when I have kids, I will probably feel Storge and Agape for them. I believe (and this is just my opinion, i have no real biblical base other than God=Agape, that all of the other 3 loves, should also include agape, and for those who you don't love with the other 3, you should love with Agape. Agape should be your base on which to build the other 3 loves.

That's all I have to say on that...

That's What Friends Are For

By Dionne Warwick

"And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you

And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try to feel
The way we do today
And then if you can remember

Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

Well, you came and opened me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you

Whoa, and then for the times when we're apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
These words are comin' from my heart
And then if you can remember, oh

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
In good times, in bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
Oh, that's what friends are for

Whoa... oh... oh... keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, oh, for sure
'Cause I tell you that's what friends are for
For good times and for bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for (That's what friends are for)

On me, for sure
That's what friends are for
Keep smilin', keep shinin'."

I am working on a video for my church, and this is the song that was requested for me to use in it, and as I am listening to it over and over again, I couldn't help but to be thankful for all of my friends that God has put into my life. My UMC family: Shannon & Ashley, Kaytee, Steve, Jonathan, Bekah, Teresa, Josh; my GMC family: Dan, Jenn, John, Paul, Robbie, Charity, Leah P, Amber, Erica, Sara, Leah J, Stacey, Angie, Amberlyn, Jenni P, Jessica; my friends here in Gap: CJ, Tyler, Jordan, Sticky, Cody & Stephanie, Glenn & Luli, Jonathan, Colby, Burnie, David, Chris, Erin, Susan, Rodney & Stephanie, Merrill, Buck, Jody & Rob, Austin, Dave, Caleb, Trevor, Dylan Ryan, Jeff, Scott, and so many more. I'm thankful for my family: mom, dad, sister, adopeted family: Josh, Beth, Kristin. My camp friends: Patrick, Cynki, James, Harry, Derick, Boss Lady; My friends from K-town: Mike, Sam, Scott, Tay, Joe, Ricky, Daniel, Alex, Henry, Sam, Sean, Dennis, Danny, Nate, Stefan, and a lot more. God, I could go on for ages and pages (yes, i did write ages and pages on purpose) about all of the friends I have had and the many ways they have encouraged me. I love you so much, and I don't know where I would be today without you guys. I pray for you all constantly, and I love you so much. In the words of the song above: "I'm glad I got the chance to say that I do believe I love you, keep smilin', keep shinin', knowin' you can always count on me, for sure, that's what friends are for. For good times and bad times, I'll be on your side forever more, that's what friends are for." I love you, you have helped me through so much, and many of you don't even know or realize it. I will be your friend forever, if you ever need anything...

Mighty to Save

By Hillsong United

"Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

(Chorus:)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears & failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender (I surrender)

(Chorus:) (2x)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

(Bridge:) (2x)
Shine Your light &
Let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory
Of the risen King
Jesus

(Chorus)
You're the Savior
You can move the mountains
Lord You are mighty to save
You are mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
You rose & conquered the grave
Yes You conquered the grave"

How comforting is that? We all need someone to comfort us, to forgive us, love us, accept us, and we look for it in so many different people, but we are never quite able to find it there, because we are looking in people, we look to people to save us, but only God can save us. Only Jesus is strong enough to move those mountains in our life, trust me, I've tried moving the mountains in my life on my own, and it doesn't work, you think you've moved it, and you go to take a step forward, and bam! there it is, so we try again. and again, the mountain is still there. Over and over again, we push ourselves at this mountain, trying to move it, but we can't. Then we finally call on Jesus (which is what we should have done in the first place, but for some reason we don't). And Jesus comes in to save us, only he can really move the mountain in front of us.

Proverbs 25:26

“Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.”
Proverbs 25:26

This one is pretty hard hitting. We think “oh, I’ll just let them get away with it this one time” but then this verse says that you are like a muddied spring or a polluted well. Have you ever been thirsty and looking for water, and the only water you found so far is muddied and dirty? You don’t want to drink it. So it is with a righteous person who gives way to wicked, if a person is very, very, very, very, desperate, they might drink from you, but not for long, and only just barely to quench their dire need, then they leave you in search of clearer water. Think about it. We all know people whose water is muddy and unclear, and people whose water is clean, and who do you want to spend time with? So it is with you, people's desire to hang out with you is based often times on how clean your water is. So that is my challenge to you, evaluate your water, see how clean it is, and how pure is your well?

Dr. Horrible

For those of you who haven't seen it, this is hysterical, and should be watched by all...

Joss Whedon (writer of great shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly) wrote this during the writers strike, and got acters he knew from his various shows and movies, and made this hysterical little show/blog thing...

Waiting For The Rain

Sorry about the delay, but between our trip to erie (when i had no internet all week...) and then thanksgiving break (where i had no life and played like 26 hours of a game and read a 700 and something page book) i kinda pushed this aside, and today, i realized how much i missed writing, so...

"Oh I’m waiting in this desert
Just waiting for the rain
Oh but I won’t leave this desert
Until I see the rain

And I’m waiting in the wilderness
Of promises yet fulfilled
Oh but I won’t leave this wilderness
Until I see the rain

I’m waiting for the rain
Oh I’m waiting for the rain
I’m just waiting for the rain
Oh I’m waiting for the rain

For I have heard the story told of a prophet who prophesied
Of the rain that would come in the middle of a drought
As a sign of the rain to come

And though years have come and years have gone
We’re still waiting for the rain
Oh but I can see the clouds gathering now
Are you ready, are you ready for the rain?

Open up the heavens and let it rain, let it rain, let it rain
Open up the heavens and let it rain, let it rain, let it rain
Open up the heavens and let it rain, let it rain, let it rain
Open up the heavens and let it rain, let it rain
Just let it rain, let it rain
God let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain"

~“Waiting For The Rain” by Misty Edwards

There are many times that we find ourselves in the desert, and we just don't know what to do. We have tried everything we can think of to get out, we've prayed, we've fasted, we've read God's word, but nothing seems to work & get us out. This is the story of my life right now... I'm in this desert place right now, where God seems so far, and yet so close at the same time, but even though he is there, I feel like he isn't pouring the water on me, and it's leaving me feeling very dry. I used the image of a giant rubber band yesterday. I feel like I have to get to a finish line, but strung across the course is a giant rubber band, and the harder I run, the more it stretches, and the harder it gets to push forward. Then at some point, it snaps back, and sends me flying back on my butt where I first was. Then I got up, and tried again. And again, I found myself flat on my butt where I started. And I just can't seem to push past the breaking point of that rubber band. I know if I could just get past that point, the rubber band would break, and I could move forward, but I have pushed and pushed and pushed, and I can't do it. I know that God is there with me, and as I go running at the rubber band again, he is running along with me, and adding his strength to mine, but I just can't feel it. How I long for God to rain down and wet my dry soul. "I'm waiting in the desert, just waiting for the rain" I want to give up so bad, and be like "well, this is as far as i can go, i push the rubber band, and i always fly back, I'm done." But I just can't seem to let myself do that, because I know that just a little bit more and I will break through. "Oh but I won't leave this desert until I feel the rain" I know it feels like i have been pushing for a long time, and that I can't seem to break through, but I can feel it starting to break, the rubber is growing brittle. "And though years have come and years have gone, we’re still waiting for the rain, but I can see the clouds gathering now" God, please just open up the skies and let your love fall down on me, wet my spirit, break the rubber band and let me keep running on with you by my side..............