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LOVE, WHAT IS IT?....Happy Valentimes Day!

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Matt22:37-39, Feb 10, 2013.

  1. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    LOVE WHAT IS IT?....With Valentine’s Day right around the corner this subject always gets me thinking. Why does true love escape me? The kind of LOVE that goes both ways, cause really only TRUE love, that which is UNCONDITIONAL, is perfect. According to the Greek when the word “LOVE” is mentioned in the bible it has four meanings.

    EROS LOVE: That is what most people think of when they hear the word LOVE. Words that often relate are LUST, SEXUAL ATTRACTION, DESIRE, INTIMATE, and ROMANTIC…This is often what draws a person to another, but it is a SUPERFICIAL kind of love…one that cannot be maintained long term on its own without the next two.

    PHILIA LOVE: Is a “brotherly Love” in which the state Philadelphia was named after. This is a friendship love, I like you, we have things in common, you “complete me”…again, if not maintained with one or the other putting on the next kind of love it too can quickly fade.

    If one notices both these types of love include what I CAN GET from the relationship…what is in it for me?…it may not seem that way, but when you really look at it, the focus isn’t so much the other persons well being as much as it is “if I do this then this will happen for me, hopefully”…see what I mean?…the bible even says that “ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AS FILTHY RAGS”…(menstrual rags back then) meaning we have none, because often when we think we or others are doing something good it is usually because we or they are gaining something from it….take Oprah giving all those cars away…believe me there was a reason, even if it’s ones ego getting stroked… just saying….Below is TRUE LOVE.

    AGAPA LOVE: This love comes from God, it is an UNCONDITIONAL LOVE…I have noticed in my life, the closer I was to God the more UNCONDITIONALLY I LOVED PEOPLE. It just flows naturally. And believe me it didn’t come from me. I do think for some based on their personality and temperament that it is easier to be “others” centered, but for the most part we all struggle with applying AGAPE LOVE, I know I do. It is made easier by keeping to a few rules and practiced behaviors as I’ve learned over the years. And again as I said by drawing closer to God He will help you see others as He does.

    1) Seeing people through God’s eyes is a big one…. 2) Allowing people to be who they are, as long as they are not sinning against you or keep crossing your personal boundaries, but you have to let them know they did this first. Basically let them be DIFFERENT!...3) Keep short accounts by nicely confronting when offended or apologizing when you are wrong. ….4) By not focusing on the minors issues and not picking everything and everyone to pieces!.... 5) Let people do things “THEIR” way, as long as it goes done…..6) Don’t NAG, tell them once or twice your need or want, then leave them alone and do it yourself....Having renters has really helped me in all these areas, and I find it personally educational, and gives me many opportunities to grow in the areas of not reacting badly (which I’ve done many times) but reacting in a way that is constructive to all parties involved…even had a few meetings, or offered mediation. It’s about learning how to be diplomatic instead of relying on our emotions or having to be “right”…isn’t that where it all began in the first place? EGO, PRIDE = the fall of Satan and 1/3 of the angles, and then mankind…Without AGAPE LOVE, how do relationships last? And that makes me doubtful I will find one that will. Then there is another type not often talked about.

    STORGE LOVE: This an AFFECTION, like towards your kids or animals…I find this one interesting and is one of the reasons that got me thinking about LOVE. I’ve experienced both sides of this type of love…meaning this is one of the LOVES that has escaped me, yet I know is real…I never had a parent (I’ve had many) have the kind of love for me that I had for my boys, I cannot recall ever wishing I didn’t have them in my life, like they did and to think everyone who was suppose to be there for me from day one wasn’t, is mind blowing…yet I know was God willed. I could not imagine doing to my boys what was done to me, physically, mentally, emotionally etc….children are a gift from God and should be treated as such, not that they don’t display a little demon now and then. But they, like animals were put here to be under OUR CARE and NURTURE…who knows maybe there is someone out there who I can EXPERIENCE ALL THREE LOVES WITH….:)…until then I will trust in God’s unconditional love for me and that He has what is best, cause His love for me is beyond any human understanding…..HAPPY VALENTINES DAY…<3
     
  2. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    St. Valentine was a priest assisted many Christians who became martyrs. He was beheaded under Aurelian in 270. Valentine was a Roman citizen.
     
  3. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    Ok not sure what that had to do with what I wrote...but thanks for the info???
     
  4. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    listen...when you get to the age of my wife & I, the love has moved from eros to (appreciation, fondness, shared togetherness, respect & cherishing one another)...... maybe you have to experience it....thats where time rears his head. :godisgood:
     
  5. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    It is relevant I think as the man so loved His God and in his charity assisted many of his neighbours, and in doing so laid down his life for that love. That surely is LOVE.
     
  6. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    Not sure what I said wrong, maybe you can point it out? All I was saying was many people don't know what true love is...they think it is based on Eros or Philia...the only love that will last is Agapa...if you guys didn't love with an unconditional love, you still wouldn't be married or you would, but not with LOVE in the home... just because people are still together doesn't mean they are experiencing true love....why can't anyone say anything nice about what someone writes, instead they all want to find fault...no wonder so many have left this site!!!
     
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