"LOVE" Day 365

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Love, that four letter word, twice this week I heard the Greek words and their definitions of love.  Hum, twice in just a matter of days, perhaps this is a topic that God wants me to write about!   Here goes.

Pastor Jack came to Generation Station to share a love lesson with the kids; actually he and his wife Jodi, tagged teamed the assignment  Early in the week Jodi read a story about love and Jack used it to bring meaning to the defination.  Great team those two, a pastor and wife who have a passion and love for the children at Generation Station!

Jack presented three Greek words for love; first Eros-- it describes all emotional love: the feeling of love.  Eros love is that insatiable desire to be near the target of this love.  You got it, the Cupid kind of love!  The exciting, passionate, nervous feelings that sweep over people in the appropriate circumstances.  The kind of love that says "I love how you make me feel."  However, as an emotion, Eros changes, sometime suddenly.

Next, Philos-- brotherly or friendship love, describes the love between two people who have common interest and experiences, or a fondness for.  Philos steadily grows, like a building being constructed stone by stone.  For this reason, when close friend are separated for a while and reunited, they will often say, "it is like we picked up exactly  where we left off."  2 Samuel 1:26  I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me.  Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.

Now Agape is the ultimate love.  Agape love is entirely about the lover, and has nothing whatsoever to do with the one loved.  Agape love, in its purest form, required no payment of favor in response.  This is the most common word for God`s love for us, unconditional.....Isaiah 54:10  Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

It was delightful to watch the kids respond to Pastor Jack; they were full of enthusiasm and excitement as they answered  and asked questions.  Perhaps, displaying the need and desire for male and fatherly interaction in their lives.  I pray that they will come to realize how much their heavenly father loves them, maybe I`ll be able to drop a few hints and clues!

Friday evening, as the wedding coordinator at our church, I listened to Pastor Bill, as he officiated the wedding of Amy and Charles.  Once again, I heard the familiar definition of love and three Greek words, Eros, Philos and Agape;  Pastor Bill used them to describe the types of love that these newlyweds would experience.  The reading of E.E Cumming`s poem, I Carry Your Heart With Me, the same poem the groom recited for his bride when he asked for her hand in marriage, led me to believe that this newlywed couple understands and appreciates their love for one another.  I pray for decades and decades of love and happiness for Amy and Charles.

  Really, God twice in 3 days!  Is there some message in this for me?  Saturday morning in a act of Agape love, I took 5 kids from the Generation Station, kayaking.  The beautiful fall morning started in a circle of prayer, as I thanked God for the day, and asked for His blessings!  Immediately, Philos love came into play, as cousins Zakeres and Keyares decided that they would share the two man tandem kayak.  Even though, kayaking together adds a sense of security, it definitly requires cooperation and team work.  Also for me, this required patience, teaching and adequate communication skills , thank you Father God, no doubt a life lesson for my behalf.

Taylor, Courtney and RJ experienced the freedom of a solitary kayaking journey and left us behind.   Tom, the owner of the kayaks, and I soon agreed that tandem kayaking was perhaps a little too difficult for the novice kayakers. However they had to work it out, and I was the instructor.  Paddle left, paddle right together, paddle left, paddle right.......great job girls!

Once everyone got the hang of it we were off on an amazing journey; I even got to explain to Courtney an Agape love lesson.  I shared that Mr. Tom and I freely shared our time and his kayaks, so that they could enjoy a kayaking experience.  We merely wanted them to experience the thrill and beauty of God`s creations from a kayak.  Thank you, God for my long-time friend, neighbor and school mate, Tom Bramble.

Courtney also shared that she experienced and felt brotherly love or Philos love during our time of prayer!  Her brother, RJ held her hand tightly and lovingly as I prayed.  She commented that just never happens, "I love my brother so much!"  Thank you, God.  As we returned to the ramp, I required everyone to personally thank, Mr Tom, also to help load and secure the kayaks. More  team work and cooperation; I believe that everyone, including myself and Mr Tom, enjoyed this adventure in kayaking and love lessons, thank you father God.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  The man who plants and the man who water have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.  For we are God`s fellow workers; you are God`s field, God`s building.

Father God, I thank you for my job at Generation Station, I pray that you will continue to allow me into the lives of these children.  Thank you for the lessons that you so graciously called to my attention.  Thank you for your  Agape Love.

Proverb 19:23  The fear of the LORD leads to life:  Then one rest content, untouched by trouble.

For me, fear of the LORD is my personal desire to listen for instruction, corrections and eagerness to please my Heavenly Father, thank you LORD!  AMEN.....