Friday, February 19th, 2021
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What does love look like? Love is many things to many people and for a variety of reasons. My favorite author, C.S.Lewis writes about love in his book, “The Four Loves.” Lewis goes into great detail discussing each brilliantly. *(personal opinion).
These are the Four Loves that Lewis describes:
• Affection (storge)
Affection covers an array of loves. Like animals, the care of mother to babe is a picture of affection. It relies on the expected and the familiar.
• Friendship (philia)
Friendship is the love dismissed. “To the Ancients, Friendship seemed the happiest and most fully human of all loves,” says Lewis, “the crown of life and the school of virtue.
• Romantic (eros)
Different than friendship, lovers, “are always talking to one another about their love” and “are normally face to face, absorbed in each other,” says Lewis.
• Charity (agape)
This is our chief aim, the unconditional love of the Father given to us through his Son. Affection, friendship and romantic love are each the training ground for charity to grow. It’s also a rival to the three.
*Link for additional information: https://www.cslewis.com/four-types-of-love/
As we continue our journey of Lent, today I want to share with you, “The Love of God” based upon my own experiences and thoughts from Henri Nouwen. In his book, “Show Me The Way,” Nouwen explains that the love of God has become visible in Jesus. God, sent his son Jesus to be born and be human. He is fully divine and fully human. Jesus descended from heaven to earth to live life as a human and to live along side other humans. Jesus not only lived human but also died; being condemned and crucified. He was sinless and had committed no offenses yet died a horrific death. That my friends is the picture of love. Jesus, shows us love in many ways, his obedience to his father, and his actions to care for the poor and afflicted. Jesus chose to do these things as a way to know God, and to teach us to know God.
I used to think that the best way to know God was to read my Bible, read books about the Bible, and take classes to learn about the Bible & God. These are wonderful things to do and I encourage you to pursue them, along with a prayer life. The true essence of God can only be grasp in a healthy prayer life. Listening for God’s voice and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. God’s voice invites each of us to “follow Jesus.” Just as the disciples “followed” Jesus.
Is the voice of God calling you to “follow?”
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” ~John 10:27 (NRSVA)
As for my own experiences with love, it has been both beautiful and terrifying. God has blessed with me according to Lewis, all four kinds of love. I’m better at some than others but I’ve not given up on any of them. The ability to love or even recognize love is because God loved us first. “We love because he first loved us.” ~1 John 4:19 (NRSVA)
It is in our stillness, it is in our relentless patience and in our deepest desires that will we hear the voice of God and begin to grasp his unconditional love for us.
Yes, Jesus Loves You!🤍
Lenten M•I•C•R•O Practice for today:
~Simplify Day 3
What is over-complicated in life that can be simplified?
Perhaps a simple meal. I have opted for white bread and bologna sandwiches for my lunch this week. Another good choice is rice & beans, it’s simple, nutritious and is found in many cultures around the world. How about you(?) anything come to mind…
~Prayer~
God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul is thirsting for you,
my flesh is longing for you,
a land parched, weary and waterless.
I long to gaze on you in the Sanctuary,
and see your power and your glory.
Your love is better than life itself,
my lips will recite your praise;
all my life I will bless you,
in your name lift up my hands;
my soul will feast most richly,
on my lips a song of joy and, in my mouth, praise.
On my bed I think of you,
I mediate on you all night long,
for you have always helped me.
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings;
my soul clinging to you,
your right hand supports me.
— Psalms 63:1-8
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
Reference:
Four Types of Love
HOPE SEEKER 
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