The Challenge of Hosea

Hosea was a prophet to Israel canonized in the bible as a part of the old testament. In his time he was the only prophet God appointed to Israel and was challenged with bringing Israel back to God as they worshiped false gods. Hosea, whose name means “salvation” was told by God to marry anContinue reading “The Challenge of Hosea”

Characteristics of Love: Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs (Forgives) and MORE!

I’m almost at the end of my series on love as it is described in the bible. I think this one is harder for most people than the rest, but it sure is not hard for God. Love keeps no record of wrongs. This means true God-love forgives, but more than that. It also meansContinue reading “Characteristics of Love: Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs (Forgives) and MORE!”

Have You Been Stricken By Cupid’s Arrow?

For some reason we always associate a heart with an arrow sticking through it as a symbol of someone stricken by love. It does actually mean that but even further, it means a heart that has been tormented by a love that has caused agony. The picture doesn’t have much appeal anymore does it? WhoContinue reading “Have You Been Stricken By Cupid’s Arrow?”

Characteristics of Love: Love is Not Self-Seeking

Not being self seeking can be confusing at first. On one hand we can not give of anything until we have it within ourselves. Being self assured, self giving, and providing self care are all good things. We do need to seek our healing, our inner light, and to seek out what is best inContinue reading “Characteristics of Love: Love is Not Self-Seeking”

Characteristics of Love: Love is Not Rude

God is love. Can you imagine God’s love ever being rude? Rudeness is offensive and God can not create an offense. It violates universal standards and characteristics of God and love. With everything God has created there is a standard that can be aligned with. One of the standards of God’s love is being polite;Continue reading “Characteristics of Love: Love is Not Rude”

Characteristics of Love: Love Does Not Boast and is Not Proud

I lumped boasting and pride together because I think they like to hang out together. Have you ever been at a gathering and overheard someone talking about their latest accomplishment or success? This is different than sharing great news. Boasting and being prideful has an inner working of the heart that states someone believes theyContinue reading “Characteristics of Love: Love Does Not Boast and is Not Proud”

Characteristics of Love: Love Does Not Envy

Envy is an interesting thing. It’s more than jealousy. It wants what someone else has, is or does. Sometimes envy even wants to live the life of another. It can truly go too far, and it happens. In Buddhist tradition, all suffering or discontentment comes from wanting what we can’t have. I think it alsoContinue reading “Characteristics of Love: Love Does Not Envy”

Characteristics of Love: Love is Kind

Kindness shines its light as a reflection of love especially during times of distress. As I explained in a previous blog post, there is a difference between being “nice” and being kind. Kindness takes compassion and empathy. It fulfills its power by giving to another without expectation of anything in return. It is an actContinue reading “Characteristics of Love: Love is Kind”

Characteristics of Love: Love is Patient

As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, real love is not a feeling, although there is a component of love that brings about emotion. Sometimes the emotion gives a sense of “feeling good” or “feeling bad”. I think this is where our painful love songs tend to come from and the ones that addContinue reading “Characteristics of Love: Love is Patient”