GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

SORRY Its been so long since I last blogged. 

Going to give you the quick version of whats been going on in my life! 

I'm still in love with loving Jesus!! I am still walking the talk! 

Since I last blogged my family and I have had lots of "God moments". We have also learned a lot and grown as individuals. Some of the challenges we faced were small.. some where huge! Through it all there was always God and the love I have for him and the faith I carry in my heart. 

The trails:

Teenage rage and a ongoing debate over him not wanting to go to a private christian school

My family and I assisted distant relatives with a place of dwelling for nearly 3 months. Total number of people in my home was 14 this included 10 kids all but one under the age of 10. 

With that, Financial stress and physical exhaustion. 

Marital issues that seemed to stem from stress and lack of peace.

Illness, Every child in my family was sick at least three times over the past three months each episode lasting a week. 

Blessings and growth:

My choice to enroll my son in CCS school has been confirmed to be the right thing for him. God sent me many people who unbeknownst to them, spread to me the good news of CCS and how it has improved/changed the lives of their kids. My son was able to participate in a church theatrical production "Heavens gates Hells flames" where during one of the prayer sessions he was pulled aside and told by a lady who we barely know, that God told her that he was to be a very important/special person. This changed his mind and heart about the school and now things are going smoother. (this was not the first time he has been told this.. God himself talked to my son at a very young age and sent him this exact message).

The family that stayed with us although challenging at times, brought our family closer together and allowed us time to spend doing things outside the house together. We also learned through the changes we had to make, that we are fortunate in this life and we should always keep thanksgiving in our hearts for all that God has blessed us. We learned humbleness, humility and patience.. ( especially me) .

With financial strain came FAITH! and God had taken care of our debt. We had enough money through our tax return, to pay the bills that came with hosting so many, and still some to pay for half the tuition for CCS!

Through the strain, my relationship took a nose dive... But God is able to use it all.. I hit a low in my heart and life.. and wanted out. God gave me the grace and patience to take one day at a time. I learned to just keep my focus on him and let him deal with the rest. "the rest" is getting better day by day. 

With illness, I learned that I needed REST!! And I took it. Slowing my day to day activities and keeping kiddos in bed, left me plenty of time on my hands to CRAFT!! by the end of it I had completed 15 dresses and learned how to sew clothing for even myself. I began an idea that God gave to me, to start a christian line of children clothing. I kick off its debut this weekend!! 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Philippians: 4:13

So that is the short short version. Lots of laughs and tears thru all that.. but in the end.. 

GOD IS GOOD!! and he is good to me!! 

Which brings me to my next thing.. Gonna post an email of mine between myself and a friend. seems like I always get great ideas for blogs just being the light and talking about God to others.....  So here is the email, entitled God is good!

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ME: I better can appreciate my God. He was there... all along. Making sure.. that things never went Too far!

FRIEND: BUT WHY WASN'T HE THERE FOR MANY OTHER CHILDREN IN THE WORLD.  WHY YOU.  WHY ME.  WHY NOT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS?  I AM NOT QUESTIONING HIS JUDGMENT OR REASON.  I AM SURE THEY ARE JUST AND RIGHT.  BUT WHY CAN'T WE KNOW THEY DID NOT GET TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO DISCOVER HIS GRACE.  WHY SO MANY IN AFRICA NEVER WILL NO MATTER HOW LONG THEY LIVE?  I JUST WISH WE WERE WORTHY ENOUGH TO KNOW OR INTELLECTUALLY HIGH ENOUGH FOR HIM TO TRUST US WITH SUCH INFORMATION.

ME :I was never raped, or overdosed. I never wanted to commit suicide, never beat to a pulp and left for dead. Never robbed of my spirit. Then.. when the time was right.. he delivered me. And my life as an adult has been really fortunate.. really blessed. Not because I deserved it.. not because I earned it. but because He loves me! And he delivered me time and time again from the pain.

FRIEND: I DON'T THINK IS JUST LOVE.  THERE HAS GOT TO BE ANOTHER REASON.  I SAY THIS BECAUSE HE LOVES ALL OF US AND YET WE DO NOT ALL GET SAVED.  WE ARE NOT ALL SHOWED THE SAME MERCY.  THERE HAS TO BE A REASON.  MY MOTHER SAYS THAT PERHAPS GOD MAKES OTHERS SUFFER TO SHOW US THE PAIN WE ARE BEING SAVED FROM OR PERHAPS EVERY CHILD BORN HAS AN SPIRIT OF AN ANGEL WITH A LESSON TO LEARN.

ME: I know that now.. all the blessings I have had in my life where gifts.. and I thank him every day for each and every one of them. I cant make up for lost time.. but I am sure to acknowledge him now and forever.

Sure.. life will still have its ups and downs.. cause Im still learning.... but now I know I dont have to do things on my own and if  I listen.. really listen.. He will guide  me to be the best me, and live the best life.

I GUESS WE ALL TURN TO HIM FOR OUR OWN REASON. 

 YOU SEEM TO TURN TO HIM FOR LOVE.  LOVE YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR IT SINCE I MET YOU.  I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT THEN, BUT PERHAPS YOU WERE LOOKING FOR GOD ALL ALONG.  PERHAPS YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR MAN TO GIVE THAT WHICH ONLY GOD CAN OFFER.  OF COURSE I REALIZE THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.  YOU SAID A FEW YEARS AGO THAT I DON'T REALLY KNOW YOU ANYMORE.  PERHAPS THIS IS JUST MY OWN MOVIE IN MY HEAD TITLED: WHAT THE F@#$ HAPPENED BACK THEN? ANYWHO, I AM GLAD YOU FOUND LOVE.  I AM GLAD YOU FOUND IT IN GOD.  HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. 

 I LOOK TO HIM FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

LOVE IS NOT SOMETHING I LACK.  AND EVEN THOUGH UNTIL THIS DAY NO WOMAN HAS EVER HAS EVER LOVED ME AS SELFLESSLY AS I HAVE, EVEN THOUGH GOD HAS NOT YET BLESS ME WITH SUCH A COMPANION, I DON'T EVER FIND MYSELF CRAVING IT, MAYBE ONCE IN A WHILE I WISH I KNEW WHAT IT FELT LIKE, BUT IS MORE CURIOSITY THAN YEARNING.

SO WHY DO I LOOK TO/FOR HIM.  FOR COMFORT.  I LIKE THE FEELING I GET WHEN I AM REMEMBERED THAT NOTHING IS REALLY UNDER MY CONTROL.  I LIKE THE FEELING I GET WHEN I STAY CALM AND TRY TO LISTEN TO HIS GUIDANCE.  I LIKE THE FEELING I GET WHEN I FEEL HE IS TALKING TO ME EVEN THOUGH MOST TIMES I CAN'T REALLY HEAR WHAT HE SAYS.  I LIKE THE FEELING I GET IN KNOWING THAT ALL I HAVE TO DO IS BE QUIETER, COME CLOSER AND I WILL HEAR HIM LOUD AND CLEAR.  AND IRONICALLY, I LIKE THE FEELING I GET WHEN I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN, I DO WHAT I WANT, AND EVERYTHING GOES WRONG.  BECAUSE IS THEN, THAT I REALLY KNOW HE IS THERE.  BECAUSE IF I HAD JUST DONE WHAT GOD TELLS ME, EVERY THING WOULD HAVE BEEN OK... IS LIKE EVIDENCE THAT HE EXIST.  CRAZY HU?

 

MY REPLY VIA EMAIL

 

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! In the bible it says...

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalms 100:5

Jesus was on the road, making His final journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. This time He Himself would be the Passover Lamb, slain for the sins of the world. As He walked along with His disciples, a young man ran up to Him, knelt down in front of Him and asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)

“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked. “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). His comment was not a denial of His deity, as some have suggested, but rather an opportunity for the rich young ruler to confess his faith in Christ’s divine person. That confession never came, indicating the man’s lack of spiritual understanding. But Christ’s statement tells us something about God that we need to consider if we ever hope to know Him intimately. God is good, and beyond that, He is the only one who can rightfully be called good.

Let me tell you thru personal experience .. GOD is good ALL the TIME! Amen! 

Even when Jesus tells us the DEVIl comes to STEAL , KILL AND DESTROY.(Make no mistake.. everything Jesus says is for good and not by chance).  in other words.... think of this.. Why arent there 100's of people every night trying to steal my red unlocked super smooth Ferrari every night that sits outside? Cause there is no car! lol I dont own one. So no one is trying to steal anything we dont have. BUT the adversary  comes to steal my joy daily, kill my dreams of success and tries to destroy my knowledge of salvation. I have something that he doesnt so he tries to rob me of it!  So that is a way is good news... that I have the light.. and the dark hates it. 

When you talk about the "suffering" ... two things come to mind. First is, that the sufferings of the world are not worthy enough to be compared or out shone to the GLORY of MY GOD. We are but here on this earth for seconds of existence. The other thing that comes to mind is that any and all suffering was put here by SIN. Not God!  We are to be conquerors  of the devil, world and the flesh, and we do this by faith in Jesus and what he did for us. We conquer death thru the blood of the lamb. We do NOT have to suffer, because Jesus has paid our ransom. Its up to us to have faith and believe. 

One thing you hit right on.... its is NOT for us to know all of that which God has planned. But we must have faith that the works of GOD are Good! All the time. For he is not a God who can lie... this is the one thing he can NOT DO. 

HEBREWS 6:18 `So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

NUMBERS 23:19`God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Those who die and were never given the opportunity to know of God or Jesus..  they are like children.. unaware to the world, oblivious.. or what some call " under the age of accountability". The easy answer.. is Jesus came to save NOT condemn the world. and he died for ALL sins! Even those who do not know him, are sinful by nature and by birth. To get a better understanding with a bunch of fancy talk.. lol here is a link to a GREAT!! site and explanation. http://www.gotquestions.org/age-of-accountability.html . Do check this out. 

Lastly... as for the "looking" for love saga..lol.. well I guess you are right in a way. lol. I was looking for fullness.. yes. Having been abandoned at an early age left me feeling incomplete. When I found LOVE and all it could offer me.. great as it was, it was still not enough.. because.. I was looking for something only God could fill. See God wants us to see him, wants us to know him.. wants us to love him. So true is it, that when we have voids in our lives.. he crafts them so beautifully that they are only filled by him. Like he said to the Samaritan lady.. " those who drink from My well shall never thirst again" . Amen! 

I have been loved enormously.. and had I loved God then, I would have been able to appreciate and reciprocate it more, I would not have held a person responsible for filling the void in me that was only intended for God to fill. So I was in a constant state of thirst.

 I have now received his love and every day I unlock how vast it is.. the depths of it surpass  any romantic/parental love. And yes I was looking... we all are looking./.. cause he designed it that way. We all are missing something.. but we just cant quite put our finger on it.... When we dont know God.. we believe its other things like ... that new job, that friend, that relationship, that money, that car, that social busyness.. etc. But thats a lie... what we are feeling is the undeniable innate feeling that we were meant for something more.

C.S. Lewis

“If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world”

^{JOHN 15:19} If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

I have found the highest love in God for sure, and he always intended me to.. 

He is Jealous for us. 

Gods LOVE is the point.. His love for us is plainly explained .....

JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Wow.. I could go o n forever!! It really is great news!! God will finish the works he started in you .. just keep seeking him out. Remember...

Do not let your heart be troubled by the worries of THIS world.. for you were never intended for it. 

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LASTLY!!  :) 

I am going to take a new direction here with this blog .. seeing as how life is happening in fast forward these days...

 “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh

would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened” 

Matthew 24:22

I have decided to blog short stories of how good god is. In other words my next few blogs to come will be short stories of how God has shown me the goodness of his mercy and grace. Stories of his words to me, and all experiences that WOW me of  GOD! Then Ill throw an update in there from time to time that give an in depth look.  I think this will help me in keeping up the blog. :)

As always thank you for reading along on this beautiful journey. 

May God bless you!

AGAPE!

Its a matter of the heart!! ~Jesus.

Today I am going to attempt to write a blog that I believe to be the single most important information you must know before you die. Sounds dramatic I am sure, but really its good news!!  I take a risk at offending some "Christians" and others of faith by blogging this.. but it must be said. If Jesus is in their hearts those of you will know that what I write is truth. 

Recently here I have come to understand some interesting things about God and Jesus. How I know, I really cant explain.. its just like I know I know and am in the know. 

I have talked to many of friends and family about God, of course there were the talks before I walked that sounded like this.....

" Sure I believe in a God.. I dont think all these rules and traditions really have to be followed out. Nor do I believe that I have to go to church to know God. I think God knows I know him." and " I have faith.. but Im not crazy to think I or any man can walk on water." further " most things in the bible can pretty much be explained one way or another by science, we cant deny that." ~ The believer yet naysayer!

When I first started going to church again as an adult my talks sounded more like this.....

" I'm going to church, and it feels good." plus " Church is a great place to be surrounded by positive energy, and more positive people.. my family can only benefit from this" finally " I go to a church, but I'm not totally convinced. I still have MY own opinions that I think are still very much valid, still its nice to go and talk with others about their views, but I'm not going to just follow what others think... I dont think I can call myself a Christian" ~ The believer yet knowsitallbetta!

Today I sit in confidence of my abilities through Christ and I am fully in "the know". Today I am born a new, I am washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Today I am REDEEMED! My talks go on and on just like that! No added script given to me through imagination... just proclaimations from the heart!

Still , talking to friends and family and even some fellow church goers I have noticed one very big similarity in quite a few of these people. They don't get it! Some have said they don't get the bible, they don't get the church, they don't know which "religion" is best.. and most importantly... They don't know where THEY FIT IN to all this. Now I don't know exactly what Jesus would say about all this.... but if I could take an educated guess from the heart.. it might sound like this "Ay ay ay!" or if you prefer " Oy vey" .lol. 

Seriously though... God has put into my heart this very important message. What God really really wants you to understand above all things.. is he LOVES YOU. What he wants from YOU... is your WHOLE HEART! Jesus wants to LOVE YOU with an abundant never ending kinda love! And He wants you to love HIM above all others.Matthew 22:37 To believe in your heart that Jesus is your Lord and savior!! That He paid the price for all our transgressions. That means ALL. Ok?!

God wants you to understand what Jesus did for us!John 3:16.

Many people, including some of my family, feel like they have to "be right" first in order to start fully loving Jesus and God and calling themselves a "Christian" or going to church. I know cause I did the same. Some of us think... well I am not ready to give this up or that up or believe everything that is in the bible.... 

Well, ya know what.. I would bet my life, yes you heard right.. my life! That Jesus is saying... THATS OK! Just start by believing in me! Jesus wants to be in your heart! He wants to love you from the inside. All that other stuff, all that mumble jumble is not even enough to compare to what really matters, and that is the LOVE of GOD and the Love for CHRIST JESUS.. He suffered for you so that you may have Mercy and Grace. The best news is you dont have to do anything to gain the kingdom of heaven but ... BELIEVE IT! Wow, tell me that is not amazing!?!

That's not to say that the BIBLE and all its contents aren't important. So my fellow brothers and sisters don't start writing me nasty letters of complaint.lol. The bible contains some of the most important lessons and weapons and super natural gifts that I or anyone on earth has ever seen,there is no denying that in me!

But I say this again, the most important thing you must have is JESUS IN YOUR HEART! 

So what does it mean to have Jesus in your heart? It means just that. Only you know whats in your heart of hearts.. only you know who you love most. And God said to love him first and above all others. Actually I have come to understand God is Love ( See "Oh how I love the ,.let me count the ways"). God is the "feeling" of love but its more than a feeling its beyond that, He is LOVE. Think of it like this..whenever in your lifetime you have ever felt that wonderful, unexplained, un-manufactured , non-duplicatable feeling of LOVE... Rejoice my friend cause you just experienced a slice of GOD within you. Cause God is Love!  (going to leave it there cause that is a whole different topic that I can write a more intimate blog piece on in the future).

So lets keep on.. Here are some things that JESUS said:

JOHN 3:

 ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Jesus said: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

Jesus said: "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17)

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

Jesus said: "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit," (John 13:10).

Jesus said: "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10:16).

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Now, I could try and give you a brief lamen's explanation on the above bible verses.. but I wont. Because really it all comes down to the heart! I cant say it enough! So hear this...

If you're Catholic or Christian 

If you're Protestant or Baptist or Pentecostal or whatchawantstal

If you're Spiritual or Religious

If you're a church goer or not

If you go to a mega church or a small 10 member church

If you understand the Bible or not

If you get the stories in the Bible or not

If you eat pork or not

If you rest on the Sabbath

If you sing along with the church Choir or not

If you partake in the saltine cracker and shot of  grape juice Or not

If you confess your sins to a priest or not

If you wear a dress or pants to church

If you grow sideburns, long hair or sport a tiny black cap

If you speak in tongues or not

If you raise your hands while worshiping or not

If you remember to pray at night before bed or not

All that is second place to the number one thing you MUST BELIEVE and DO... and that is LOVE JESUS and BELIEVE He is the messiah that has been sent to us so that we may be forgiven of our sins by His blood shed! He and only He alone is the only one that walked the earth and died for our sins so that we dont have to! THEN He did RISE 3 days later and is the LIVING SAVIOR! Trust in the Living God! Trust in your heart that GOD loves you this much sooo soo much! That he sent Jesus so that we may be saved!! 

Most of you may think... You heard all this before. Then I say GREAT!! Now do yourself a favor.. put it in your heart!! Put Jesus there FOREVER!! That is the first most important step to the whole big picture!! All else..ALL ELSE will follow once you turn your heart toward God!! He is right there waiting for you!! He loves you and wants to be number one in your life, cause you are number one in His!! This is the Truth!!!

Seek Him with your whole heart and he will meet you there with an abundant LOVE like you have never known! ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 

May the Lord touch you and bless you all your days!

Thank you for reading!

Oh how I love.. let me count the ways.

So here a lot lately I have been reading up on the topic of Love. I have found some interesting things out, in my heart and then in proof. So how does love apply to Christians? What kind of love are Christians to have? Before I "knew" the answer, I knew the answer....in my heart.

On my way home from driving my children to the airport 3 hrs away, I had a lot of time to think and reflect on my relationship with God. As I was driving I listened to my worship music and just allowed my heart to open up to the music, the words, and to the awareness that GOD IS LOVE. All around me I felt his love, I felt it in the songs that made me smile, in the sun that warmed my face, in the formation of the clouds that looked so fluffy and white. I saw Gods hand in everything and in everyone. I couldn't believe how in love I was with loving God. As I sung out the lyrics to songs, I wept and smiled and wept some more...

 I LOVE YOU GOD.. I LOVE YOU! 

I had an awaking to the reason why I loved all these things before me, and the people in my life.. I love because God is LOVE. He is in all things and in all love. I started to think of it as this... My children are gifts that GOD himself constructed for me to raise and enjoy, LOVE and teach LOVE to; so naturally I love them! But all people are creations of GOD ( weather they acknowledge it or not). Our DNA was skillfully handcrafted by GOD himself.. therefore he is the artist of our existence. He is the creative genius that makes all things, from the oceans vast to the smallest atom and its components. GOD has sketched it all. Which explains why I love it all. I love looking into my families eyes and seeing the hand prints of GOD. So therefore because I am so over the moon in love with loving God, I can easily love all of Gods creations. AMEN! 

Need proof God is in all things??? 

Here are a few videos I think can help. The first is a scientific approach to explaining that science can only explain to the limits of their understanding. The ultimate answer leaves us with one conclusion. Bare with the video and try to grasp what they are saying here. 

The second a simple way to show how complex and unique God (not evolution) made even bugs!

The third..explains how vast and complex our DNA is, and suggest there must have been a creator. 

I know so... but you check it out for yourself. 

Science explains GOD!

GOD MAKES BUGS SPECIAL

God Crafts DNA (Lee Strobel)

Science shows, God crafted DNA

Let me not fool you, love isn't always easy. Sometimes its difficult to see the God in all things, in all situations. Why is that so?? Why is it on one hand I can be so over the moon about the creation of things and people because of God.. then other times I am so dismayed by it all. What kinda of love is that anyway. 

For example, have you ever had a close friend that you loved so dear.. and for one reason or another, something goes wayward between you two and now your not so close.. you love them less or not at all. How is it that your love didnt last? Let me even get more personal on you.. are you married or in a long committed relationship? Do you sometimes feel you have fallen "out of love" with your spouse. Some seasons come and things spark all the romance, and then the changing moon takes a turn to a not so sparkly place in your relationship and you're wondering.. do I still love em? What is different? what changed? What kind of love goes Hot then cold? Is it supposed to stay "hot" all the time? Why do people fall in and out of love with others? What kind of love is this? 

You might like to know that this is very common, not only that.. but that there is actually 4 types of LOVE. Let me list them below with explanation from a few different sites:

STORGE:

Affection (storge, στοργή) is fondness through familiarity, especially between family members or people who have otherwise found themselves together by chance. It is described as the most natural, emotive, and widely diffused of loves: natural in that it is present without coercion; emotive because it is the result of fondness due to familiarity; and most widely diffused because it pays the least attention to those characteristics deemed "valuable" or worthy of love and, as a result, is able to transcend most discriminating factors. Ironically, its strength is also what makes it vulnerable. Affection has the appearance of being "built-in" or "ready made", says Lewis, and as a result people come to expect, even to demand, its presence—irrespective of their behavior and its natural consequences.

 ~ Wikipedia

So we see Storge is a "need" kind of love. Think of Mother to child Or kitten to its parent cat. Need to nurse, need to have the affection and care.

PHILIA:

Philia (φιλία philía) means friendship in modern Greek. It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. In ancient texts, philos denoted a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers.

~ wikipedia

We recognize philia and its meaning from the name Philadelphia, that is, the city of brotherly love. This is the love of friendship, best friends, and the fellowship of being with those people you enjoy.

Although philia is wonderful, it too is not reliable since it is also held captive by the sifting sands of situation as well as by ours and other's perceptions and expectations. Unfortunately, we probably all know of a friendship which waned or was severed because of time, distance, harsh words, how someone interpreted another's actions, etc. When the New Testament commends love, philia is the not the word which is used. 

~ sjchurchofchrist.org

EROS:

Eros is a multifaceted mixture of anger, sexual urge, joy, and jealousy. It is consummated in searing ecstasy.

~ Bible teachings

Eros (ἔρως) is love in the sense of 'being in love' or loving me. This is distinct from sexuality, which Lewis calls Venus, although he does spend time discussing sexual activity and its spiritual significance in both a pagan and a Christian sense. He identifies eros as indifferent. It is Venus that desires the sexual aspect of a relationship, while Eros longs for the emotional connection with the other person.

~ Wikipedia

Eros is probably what most people mean when they announce with a smile, "I'm in love." This type of love covers everything from queasy stomachs and warm fuzzy feelings to strong sensual passion.

There are a couple of very interesting characteristics about eros. First, in order to exist eros is dependent upon the situation and circumstances. As long as a couple is enjoying a romantic situation, eros can thrive. But, as soon as hurtful words or actions appear, eros simply evaporates.

Second, eros is also held captive to each person's perception. For example, if someone perceives a particular quiet evening dinner with candles to be romantic, eros will thrive. However, passion becomes squashed for someone whenever he or she interprets the current situation to be undesirable. Eros thus grows strong and then wastes away based upon our perceptions.

Although eros at times might make us feel like we are on cloud nine, it can not provide a reliable basis for building a deep and meaningful relationship since it is so fickle and dependent upon perception and circumstances. Because of such things as accidents, diseases, and the fact that someone can choose to doubt or despise you regardless of your actions, it is clear that we can not determine how others will perceive us nor are we masters of our own circumstances. 

Although eros is exhilarating, this is not the Biblical word used for love.

~ sjchurchofchrist.org

Statistically this is the type of love most marriages start with, ironically this is also the type of love that spouses in marriage also feel that if there is a lack of Eros there is NO love. However this might not be entirely true, there is another type of love above all these. Agape!

AGAPE:

Charity (agapē, ἀγάπη) is the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstance. Lewis recognizes this as the greatest of loves, and sees it as a specifically Christian virtue. The chapter on the subject focuses on the need of subordinating the natural loves to the love of God, who is full of charitable love.

Unlike the previous two types of love, agape is not limited to being held hostage by its environment and someone's perception. The reason why agape can soar above these is because it is based upon the commitment of a decision. It entails the decision to proactively seek someone's well-being. Since it is not a knee jerk reaction nor just a responsive feeling to how I've been treated, agape is capable of acting in a hostile environment where there are no warm fuzzy feelings. For example, Jesus' teaching that we should agape our enemies is intended to show the boundless nature of the Christian commitment toward seeking another's well-being. Luke 6:35

The New Testament is full of examples and teachings illustrating the nature of agape as well as teaching designed to train the disciple's heart to be shaped by agape. A few examples illustrating the active nature of agape include:

• Knowing that sinful man would kill His Son, but also knowing that without Jesus we were doomed, God loved (agape) us by sending his Son. John 3:16

• Those who love (agape) Jesus will do what Jesus taught. John 14:15,23

• If a person has material resources and the love (agape) of God within him, his heart will take care of his brother who is in need. 1 John 3:17

• Just as Christ through love (agape) acted on behalf of the church, so too the Christian husband is to be motivated by love (agape) to act on behalf of his wife. Ephesians 5:25-29

If it were not enough that the proactive nature of agape has the power to rise above its environment, it can also empower passion and friendship! For example, when a spouse chooses to speak and act toward the mate with agape, this creates the loving environment in which eros and philia can thrive! Although the proactive spouse might even perceive the other spouse as being unkind or rude, additional problems can be prevented by responding out of agape while the power of agape works at nurturing the growth of the other forms of love!

Jesus taught his disciples that the world would know that they his people if they would show agape toward one another. John 13:35

http://www.sjchurchofchrist.org/prev/agape.shtml

Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible. 

This Greek word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament. Agape perfectly describes the kind of love Jesus Christ has for his Father and for his followers:

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (John 14:21, NIV)

~ About.com

So now you get a good idea of the types of love in the world. It can become more clear why some fade, and others last unconditionally. Some are natural and others are voluntary. 

My life choice is to strive to love others with Agape love. For me this is the only lasting love. This is the only true love. The only love that will endure forever. And yet even I know try as I might.. I will not accomplish this love as Jesus did. I will merely come close, but never be in true agape love with everyone I meet/ know. I have found the closer I get to God the closer I get to understanding this kind of love. The more I reach out to Him the more thru me his LOVE shines. Then only then am I able to love with perfection. 

God is the LOVE that I yearn to have within me, with Him I am able to remember how complete and unending agape love really is.

Love as it was intended to be, is such a better love then Eros... yet often people feel that if their life is without eros then all is grey and sad, just another sad love song. Really?! I guess I'm strange then,   for it is so much more to know agape love. Romance fades... the same person who loves you with eros, can be the same person that breaks your heart when they tell you "you are not enough".  Why rely on a love that can hurt and heal with the same lips, a love only based on eros? Not to say being "in love" isn't a good thing or feeling, cause it can be a great feeling.....

Its just not enough. 

Its not everlasting or guaranteed. I think for people in relationships the basis should always be an AGAPE love! 

Everything else is just icing on the cake! 

MY 2012 life choice: 

Oh how he LOVES us anyway!

Thank you for reading

May God Bless you