so as tbV and i are nearing the end of our time here at the Simple Way in Philadelphia, Americaland, we have had to focus a lot on looking forwards at the exciting times and opportunities that lie ahead, but i also want to be mindful of taking some time to look back - there is a lot to be grateful for... there is a saying that 'God owns the cattle on a thousand hills' [...]
so this is the last of the ten ways to Love and it might be good to mention again that i got these on a list and just expounded on them - this was originally number 4 but i bumped it to the end, not because it is any less important but because the others were more relevant to everyone whereas this one is specific to people of faith... Colossians 1.9 reads, 'For this reason, [...]
so wot an amazing weekend then... i started watching Formula 1 Grand Prix racing about 26 years ago when one of my Portuguese friends from Hillcrest Primary school in Johannesburg, South Africa invited me to watch this race - i remember it clearly because Nelson Piquet and his teammate led from start to finish and at the end of the race Piquet's teammate was the only person he had not lapped and so from then [...]
'you will be known by the Love you have for each other.' [Jesus Christ, john 13.35] that's almost very completely different from 'you will be known by the lack of love you show to each other' it blows my mind that this concept has been abused all over the world in many different ways by people quoting scripture '[or at the very least chanting 'the bible says' in response to any criticism] to justify things, [...]
Proverbs 13.12 says 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.' which is nice and everything so if you give someone your word then make sure you are true to it otherwise you will give someone a sick heart. is what i think the author of the Ten Ways to Love list [which remember is not me, i am just expounding on this list] was meaning with this [...]
1 Corinthians 13.7 says 'It [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.' this Corinthians description of Love is a huge one and is one of the most quoted Christian passages at weddings and i really do love it - what stands out for me is that the Love described here is very different to what the world suggests in terms of feeling and passion and sex, but the Love mentioned here has largely [...]
Philippians 2 verse 14 to 16 says, 'Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.' [...]
Ephesians 4.15 says, 'Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.' Ah, i get it now! When i read 'Share without pretending' i had no idea what this was going to be about, but the verse link cleared it up. We are talking about speaking the truth in Love. And i would add in Proverbs 27.6 for [...]
Proverbs 21 verse 25 and 26 read, 'The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.' Okay, so my hand is up again, but this time i think it's a good thing. Giving generously is a way in which we can show Love well. In fact when I read the words "without sparing" the [...]
James 1 verse 19-20 says, 'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.' Oh no, why is my hand up again? Anyone else got their hand up in the air for this one? Really not starting so strong there, mister Fish. Another way to definitively show love to someone [...]