The Journey

Love Is

Love is a mysterious thing.  It's certainly not something you can pin point as visible as the screen you're reading right now.  It's a feeling?  It's an action?  It's a word you say before you lay your head down to sleep?  It's a food?  It's a car?  It's a dog or cat?  It's an interesting study to try and nail down the reality of love in the world.

Jesus says to "Love God...and Love your neighbor."  (Matthew 22)  In fact, the section He preached the greatest sermon, these were the two greatest of all commandments.  And so, if Love is the core of all we do to follow Jesus, just how are we suppose to nail down what love actually looks like.

It's a great exercise to write a book, and this was one of my favorites.  The publisher was insistent that we release the book around valentine's day so we could identify true love, as all the candy and roses start flying off the shelves. 

If you're interested in identifying true love this year, click on the book above.  It will take you to Amazon.com where you can purchase a real life study in what it means to love your neighbor. 

I'm convinced our culture, our social interaction, even our churches have gotten this concept wrong.  Love isn't about sexuality.  It's not always about just saying 'I love you.'  Loving your neighbor means reaching out to people, and investing your life.  It means dying to yourself and showing someone that you care.  (1 Cor. 13).

It's not judgmental.  It's not prema donna.  It doesn't mean you have to buy something for someone else.  Actually love is quite simply treating people with value, ALL PEOPLE.  This valentine's day, don't be satisfied with little candy hearts, try out LOVE THIS! and see if you think I'm on to something.

365/12/52/7 It's all the time you have this year.

Where did it go?  It seems like just yesterday I was writing about a new start to 2008, making new year's resolutions and all.  Where did the first part go?  Already we're 20 days into 2008!  WOW!

My son looked at me today as we were walking out of church and said, "Dad, just remember 365/12/52/7.  That's all the time we have this year." 

He's right.  That's all the time we have. 

The Old Latin phrase Carpe Diem means more today than yesterday, after the conversation with my boy.  Seize the day.  To make sure every second counts, because we're only guaranteed the second that just past. 

Are you maximizing every second?  Have you kept your Resolutions? 

It's an awesome concept when you think about all the relationships we are involved in.  Mom, have you told your kids you loved them?  Dad, have you peeked in on your sons and daughters and said, "I'm proud of you."

Teenagers, do you tell those who've invested their lives to make yours successful that you notice?

For sure the worst place to be is at a funeral or a tragic accident with someone you love and regrets hang in the air.  Pay it forward a bit, and tell them today how much you care. 

That's all the time we have this year, and it's flying right by.

Do you ever feel like the hamster in the wheel?

He sits in a 2ft x 4ft clear box in the middle of some middle schooler's room.  They feed him pellets from a box, and change the cedar shavings in the bottom of his cage every now and again.  A small water bottle hangs from the left wall of this clear prison, and his only joy for the day is getting on the wheel. 

You know, the infamous hamster wheel. 

He only gets on it when he's sure he wants to stay, because to stop takes a lot of effort, and may end up being severely dangerous.  He starts running out of excitement and exercise, but soon his legs are on auto pilot, and he can't find a way to slow down. 

The wheels bearings are throwing his tiny little limbs into warp speed, and sweat begins to lather the hyde of this small little rodent.  Running.  Faster.  Running, Fast.  Running Faster.  There's no end in sight.  And then he starts thinking, "Why the heck am I doing this?"

Do you ever feel like you're running a hamster wheel?

You get in a job or a relationship, and you start off slow and exciting, but soon find yourself running with no end in sight.  The job might be giving you perks or cash you feel like you need so you just keep running.

Your relationship gives you excitement and nurtures the sense of loneliness, and you feel like you can't do without it, but if you end it, it's gonna be BAD NEWS!

I was talking with a friend yesterday in Florida, and I just kept praying, "God help him get off the wheel."  And by the end of our conversation, he totally had. 

He's found re-focus in his life helping orphans.  He's working on some really neat projects.  And, he's found joy in the middle of his family that proved to me, the wheel has stopped.  This guy is living free.

So naturally last night I was thinking about the wheel, and praying "God, please don't let me even entertain the idea, if all it's going to turn into is a worthless wheel."

What do you think? 

Are you spinning on the wheel, or do you feel like life is purposeful, filled with rich relationships that are meaningful? 

I'd love to hear from those of you reading this. 

Sometimes I feel like it's just my thoughts, but it's fun to begin discussion.  Leave a post this time, and let's start this community to be a place where honest discussion can be revealed.