LOVE

It's something each of us wants, but many never find:  genuine love.
All around us we can see an endless pursuit of love.
We look for it everywhere; in our homes and families, friendships, dating, relationships, marriage and religion.  But, what is love, and where can we go to find lasting love for our lives?

Speaking about the "fruits" of spiritual well-being the Bible states in 1 Corinthians 13:13.....
"...But the greatest of these is LOVE...."
                                                                 

So, what is LOVE?   "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."     (1 Corinthians 13:4)

"......and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

(1 Corinthians 13:1)

There are several different meanings of LOVE.... in all cultures, languages and religions.  This may be seen as a defining trait of humanity, this is, love is a quality that makes one human. 

                       Love is essentially an abstract concept, easier to experience than to explain.  

In the Christian faith, it is believed that God is the source of love.       "Let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love."  (1 John 4:8)  

There are several Greek words for LOVE that are regularly referred to:

**Agape - Agape is charitable, selfless, altruistic and unconditional.  It is love that requires nothing in return.  It is parental love seen as creating goodness in the world, it is the way God is seen to love humanity.

**Phileo - Phileo is a human response to something that is found to be delightful.  Also known as "brotherly love".

**Eros - Eros is passionate love, with sensual longing and desire.  It does not have to be sexual.

**Storge - Storge means affection; natural affection like that of a child-to-parent love.

Regardless of your cultural or religious view - Love is a splendid thing!  It is powerful!  

We must love our Creator, love ourselves and love one another.  We must even go so far as to love our enemies and those who try and hurt us.  

Matthew 5:43-48

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁴³ You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;

⁴⁴ But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

                                                

A Brisk Morning Walk

A BRISK MORNING WALK

A brisk morning walk, allows you to be, all that you can be.
It causes you to look at things in a way so differently.
You observe much closer the smaller things that many times go unnoticed;
the things that we would appreciate most, if only we took the motions.

A brisk morning walk gets your heart and your soul up pumping.
Your mind begins to clear of all the noise and mumbling.
You get time to spend alone with yourself and your God that comes so scarcely.
These are the times that you will cherish most, both in near and distant reverie.

A brisk morning walk begins the day with a brighter can-do attitude.
Even though you may be tired and grouchy, it can turn into an excellent mood.
It's hard to not stop and pat the head of a puppy, or say good morning to a stranger.
Somehow it brings the "humanity" back and takes away some of the danger.

A brisk morning walk has affected and changed many a life I'm sure.
It has kept many walking and strengthened others wounded and maybe even been a cure.
Your lungs can't help but to breathe in deeply, the wondrous breath of life.
Your heart will pump strong and steady while oxygenating your body with less strife.

A brisk morning walk can renew a body, old and tired and worn.
The walk can do so much good, and change an attitude of scorn.
If people would park and walk instead of driving, no matter how hard it seems to be,
we wouldn't have an epidemic of overeaters and the diseases it causes to many.

A brisk morning walk can start your day off in a positive way.
It's good to take a little more time to get to where you're going.
We miss so much for so little time captured that passes on fleetingly.
Sometimes we may even get there sooner as we plod along consistently.

A brisk morning walk can bring a pleasant surprise if you stop for a cup of coffee.
You might see old friends stopping there too, and you can talk together softly.
But then it's off again to finish up the walk you'll come to treasure.
As time goes on more good will come as the inches grow less you'll have to measure.

A brisk morning walk is a wonderful gift from God that many persons miss.
Be sure to take your opportunity to open up your present that so freely gives.
A gift of life, breath, and appreciation for nature and others is what you will receive.
You've got to take personally the first step in receiving; on faith first, later believing.

Author - B.J. Olvera

Be An Advocate - and Be Radical

The definition of ........      ad·vo·cate:
1 -recommend or support something: to support or speak in favor of something
2 - somebody giving support: somebody who supports or speaks in favor of something
3 - helper: somebody who acts or intercedes on behalf of another
AND..
1- one that pleads the cause of another; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
2 - one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
3 -one that supports or promotes the interests of another

                                                                       

I am on a roll today........and my word is "advocate".
I feel like we as American citizens are just sitting back and letting life go by; complaining as we're rockin'.
Every day each of us are waking up to a government (locally and federally) that is striping and undermining our freedoms and our rights.   I'm sure you feel the same....Absolutely nothing surprises me anymore.  Unfortunately, because we are no longer moved with much emotion we are becoming very complacent.
Just look around you.... right now.....your immediate circle, your local community, your state and on a major scale, your federal government and globally.   We all want to "do something" about the ridiculous, daily changes, but......we continue on...ever so quietly with our lives.
I firmly believe that it is time for  EVERYONE  to become an advocate......for something...or someone!  We can begin with our own families.  Our elders, our parents need an advocate.  Their issues range from healthcare to taxes, Social Security, and so on.  Some of our children may or may not need an advocate.  Again, their issues often include healthcare, social injustice, school, relationships and much more.  Outside of your family - support, defend or promote something.  I'm cautious about using the term "cause" as many individuals associate it with someone being "radical".   Yet....let's examine the definition of "radical".

                                                           rad·i·cal

1- basic: relating to or affecting the basic nature or most important features of something
2- pervasive: far-reaching, searching, or thoroughgoing
3-favoring major changes: favoring or making economic, political, or social changes of a sweeping or extreme nature

For purposes of this blog, we'll use definition #3.   Wouldn't you agree..........not only does every American citizen need to become an advocate......we need to become radical about that which we have carefully chosen to support.

On a local or state level, become an advocate for the commercial fisherman, for the farmer, the small business owner,  for the school system, (both private and public) and yes, even the local churches; no matter the denomination.  Take back control of your communities!  Be aggressive with tackling crime whether it is drugs, domestic violence or animal abuse.  Teach the young children how to love one another, earn and demand respect and most of all, invite God back into every aspect of our lives.  
                            
                                                          Get radical!

To be an advocate on the federal level many times begins at or on the local level.  The opportunities to let your voice be heard are unlimited.  When Congress, the Legislators and the Administration in-charge proposes or passes law(s) that you know are wrong, and go against that which our Nation was founded upon, then speak up, pick up the phone, email.....whatever - but, be heard!

EVERYONE  reading this.....become an advocate.  Don't just sit by and complain about how things are declining and changing.  Get radical!

   

Make A Difference...Hug

                                                                         Hugs

It's wondrous what a hug can do.

A hug can cheer you when you're blue.

A hug can say, "I love you so," or,

"Oh, I hate to see you go!"

A hug is "Welcome back again!"

"Great to see you!" or "Where've you been?"

A hug can soothe a small child's pain

And bring a rainbow after rain.

The hug!  There's just no doubt about it,

We scarcely could survive without it.

A hug delights and warms and charms,

It must be why God gave us arms.

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,

Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers.

The chances are some favorite aunts

Love them more than potted plants.

Kittens crave them.  Puppies love them.

Heads of state are not above them.

A hug can break the language barrier,

And make the dullest day seem merrier

No need to fret about the store of 'em,

The more you give, the more there are of 'em.

So stretch those arms without delay

And give someone a hug today.

_Dean Walley -

Quotes.......about MOTHERS

                Unless otherwise noted, authors are unknown.

                                                                                 

                      "Mother is a verb...........NOT a noun".


Tenneva Jordan is quoted as saying, "A Mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces that she never did care for pie".


"I remember my Mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  The have clung to me all my life".   Abraham Lincoln


The definition of a sweater....."a garment worn by a child when their Mother is feeling chilly".


Spanish Proverb - "An ounce of Mother is worth a pound of clergy".


The heart of a Mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness".
Honore de Balzac

                                                                             

"A Mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible".
taken from A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul - Marion C. Garretty


Emily Dickinson says it best..."A Mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled".

Don't ever tell the Mother of a newborn that her baby's smile is just gas!

Mommies are just BIG Little girls...........


Did you know that any Mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease?

                               

Here's a quote I've always appreciated....... "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool Mom". Author Unknown......"A Mother's hug last long after she let's go". Another definition of a Mother - "a bank where we deposit all our hurts and worries".

A Cherokee Legend - Two Wolves

Two Wolves

An old Cherokee was teaching his grandson about life.

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, 

greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment,

inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other wolf is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope,

serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy,

generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then

asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

A Cherokee Legend

Drop A Pebble in the Water

                                                                               

Drop a pebble in the water;

just a splash and it is gone;

But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.

Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.

And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you forget,

But there's little waves a flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,

And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;

You've disturbed a might river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless; in a minute is is gone;

But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.

They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,

And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness; just a flash and it is gone;

But there's half-a-hundred ripple circling on and on and on,

Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave

Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness; in a minute you forget;

But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy a -circling yet,

And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard

Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

-James William Foley -