The month of LUV

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love, love, love...all you need is Love!  That's what the Beatles said, right?  Yes, they did-but Love comes in so many realms don't you think?  I wish it was a longer word so I could make a curvy roller coaster analogy with all it's letters in a cool clip art cartoony metaphor, but our English language gives us only four letters.  So I wanted to share the different spellings of love in various languages and cultures.  There are many different forms of the meaning in different cultures but it's a snippet of trivia.

• Greek, one form is Agape

• Latin, one form is Amo (with a line above the o)

• Persian, shares a few which are Rumi, Hafiz and Sa'di

• Chinese, one form is Ai

• French, is Amour

I like to lean towards the meaning of Agape which means "unconditional love",  It is often referred in Christian theology as referring to God's unconditional love for man kind as well as reciprocating love to each other. 

• Wikipedia states-In the New Testament, agapē is charitable, selfless, altruistic, and unconditional. It is parental love, seen as creating goodness in the world; it is the wayGod is seen to love humanity, and it is seen as the kind of love that Christians aspire to have for one another.

In the spirit of the month of love, I want to share a Christian website a good friend tapped me into, and toss a couple challenges your way.  Family Life  This site has invaluable resources, especially in the art of LOVE.  The radio broadcasts are great-filled with authentic conversations and powerful tools for your heart's tool belt.  I'm thinking that's what cupid has wrapped around his waist too...

How Do I Love Thee-this broadcast gives a wonderful perspective on the verse above; 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 God's Extravagant Love-Your kids!-this was a great broadcast for perspective with your children.  The speakers wrote the Love Dare for Parents.

10 Valentines Ideas for your Family - AWESOME, AWESOME ideas to share with your family for showing Love!

14 Ways to Love Others-I found these ideas to be easy, everyday things we do to show love as well as respect to others. My first challenge to you is listen to these broadcasts, pod casts or however you can make these digital bytes sync into you.  I encourage you to be filled with the joy this information can open up to you-gotta think on a deeper perspective. My second challenge to you is to implement at least 50% of these Valentine ideas for your family and others.  Having fun and paying it forward fills your heart more than any'thing'. My last and final challenge for you is to go rub your dog behind it's ears.   If you don't have a dog, grab a cat (they have it there-under their independence), and if you don't can't find a cat-a horse works, but I wouldn't suggest a fish.  So maybe go borrow a friends pet, if all you have is a google-eyed fish, like one of the above...but back to the dog.  He'll look at you with those big puppy eyes, lean into your hand, and show you a truly grateful and loving response for the simple gesture. Often their response is much more genuinely loving than many people react for far greater physical efforts.  That'd be one form of Agape love-unconditional love.  This is a simple snippet of the blessing God gives us with His pure unconditional love-given freely and filled with Him.  Look to Him, lean into his hand, share your gratefulness and be filled with L-O-V-E.