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"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." -Proverbs 12:25

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." -Proverbs 12:25
Midnight Blue (1963): Jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell featuring Stanley Turrentine on tenor saxophone, Major Holley on double bass, Bill English on drums and Ray Barretto on conga. Midnight Blue is one of Burrell’s best-known works for Blue Note Records. In 2005, NPR included the album in its "Basic Jazz Library", describing it as "one of the great jazzy blues records".

He said, She said...

"You are not designed for everyone to like you - Wise Man Phil


FRAGILE: Sting, Yo Yo Ma, Dominic Miller & Chris Botti


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Masterpiece

Art: the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.



Self-Portrait (Bonjour Mlle Cone), 1907
-Pablo Picasso

On Tuesday, October 25, 1881, a young boy was born. This promising boy was born in Malaga, Spain (Google) to Don Jose Ruiz y Blanco (1838-1913) and Maria Picasso y Lopez. The young boy's name was Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso.

Many, if not all, know him as Pablo Picasso. (1881-1973)

He was the first child and the older brother to three young sisters.

The Picasso family was a middle class family; their father a painter, an art professor and a curator of a local museum.

Picasso demonstrated extraordinary talent in art, and a great passion, and skill, for drawing in his early years. According to his mother, his first words were "piz, piz", which is short for lapiz, the Spanish word for pencil.


Portrait of Franèoise (1946) 
-Pablo Picasso

By the age of thirteen Picasso's father determined that his son was a better painter than he and gave up painting. 

After the family moved to Barcelona in 1895 following the death of Picasso's young sister, Conchita, from diphtheria, he became enrolled at the School of Fine Arts where his father was a professor. Story has it that Ruiz persuaded the school officials at the academy to allow his son to take the entrance exam for the advanced class. This process often took students a month, but Picasso completed it in a week, and thus, the impressed jury admitted him immediately. 

Picasso was just 13. 


Portrait of Igor Stravinsky, c. 1920
-Pablo Picasso

At 16 years of age Picasso's father and uncle sent him off to Madrid’s Royal Academy of San Fernando, the country's foremost art school. This was the first time Pablo was away from home and on his own, but with all his talent, and with such a grand opportunity for formal art training, it still couldn't eliminate his dislike for formal instruction, leaving him to quit attending classes soon after enrollment.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Picasso would go on to become one of the greatest and most influential artists of all times. Picasso is commonly regarded, along with Henri Matisse and Marcel Duchamp, as one of the three artists who most defined the revolutionary developments in the plastic arts in the opening decades of the 20th century, responsible for significant developments in painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics.

He is widely known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and for a wide variety of styles that are encompassed in the most commonly accepted periods of his work: the Blue Period (1901–1904), the Rose Period (1905–1907), the African-influenced Period (1908–1909), Analytic Cubism (1909–1912), and Synthetic Cubism (1912–1919).


-Pablo Picasso

Webster defines masterpiece in three ways; a person's greatest piece of work, as in an art, secondly, anything done with masterly skill, and finally, a consummate example of skill or excellence of any kind. I think a fourth definition could easily be added that simply states; see Picasso's work.
 
Picasso's lifetime work is full of masterpieces.

And as I sit here reflecting upon the many masterpieces created by Picasso I can't help but wonder what masterpiece I'm capable of creating.

Many of us diligently try to create masterpieces in our children and though our intentions are noble and grand it is often without fail that we come miserably short of that irresistible, albeit well intentioned, but misguided and dangerous goal.

Children are to be raised in a manner that will provide them with the greatest opportunity of becoming a civil human being; caring for others more than themselves, and with an eye on becoming a productive person that will value the importance of a job well done. They are not to be painted into a perfect corner for the world to admire like piece of art in a museum, with the praise directed towards the parents with little regard for the integral part the child and, or young adult, played in who they've become. We as parents will greatly aid our children in becoming who they will become, but ultimately the child will make the final decision upon who they want to be and what they want to do with their life as they grow older. We as parents can only give the painter- the child - the right tools to create with, at the end of the day they will be the one that signs their name to their work.

The masterpiece is as much about the journey as it is about the final product.

"Mother and child" (1922)
-Pablo Picasso

There are other times that our masterpiece is painted on the canvas that is called our profession, career; our work. We give long hours to our work to gain success, grow our position within the company and to increase our finances. And though being good at what we do and taking our work serious is vitally important, perspective and balance must be obtained or our painting will become a flawed rough draft that shows signs of promise, but is dominated with fundamental errors and a lack of any value; artistic or otherwise.

So what masterpiece is worth creating and vesting our time in while pursuing?

The answer; our life.

I think we would all agree that there is nothing more important than our life, and what we make of it.

Like a piece of art, our life will always be on display for the world to see, observe, analyze and to judge. People will create and develop their own opinions concerning the shape and angle, the color and hue of the artwork displayed on the canvas that is called our life.

This is a good news, bad news proposition.

The good news about this fact is that we all have a direct and influential impact on our life; our masterpiece. The bad news is that we all have a direct and influential impact on our life; our masterpiece.

Our life is what we make it.

"The actor" (1905)
-Pablo Picasso


Masterpieces often stand on their own; apart from the others. They are unique, inspiring and become the standard, an example of excellence, in their given genre and, or art-form.

Our life can take on those same qualities and attributes of inspiration, uniqueness and examples of excellence.

Remember the good news, bad news scenario?

Well, the choice is entirely ours on the outcome of our gem; our treasure.


INSPIRATION

Picasso, like many great artists, found inspiration in other things to create his wonderful works. Inspiration is powerful. One who watched this year's Academy Awards, or any year for that matter, can attest to the power and inspiration many silver screen gems can, and do, provide. Both art, and film, have a profound ability to initiate a conversation in our mind, stir excitement in our heart and to resonate deeply within our soul. They are that powerful. And though film and art have been around for centuries the greatest masterpiece ever created has been present for more than 2000 years; the Bible. In Greek the word inspiration literally means 'God-breathed'. 2 Timothy 3:16 gives us these words; "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" God's word is powerful; God's word is encouraging; inspiring. The key point to remember, like God's word, our life can be encouraging and inspiring to others also. It will never reach the amount of people the bible has, or touch souls as profoundly as His word has, but we can still have an impact far greater than we could ever imagine on others. We all have the potential to inspire others. Our life truly can be a masterpiece, void of perfection, but attractive still the same, for the others to take notice; to be inspired.

 
"Acrobat and Young Harlequin". 1905
-Pablo Picasso 


 UNIQUE
   
I think the singular thing that one needs to be reminded of is the fact it's a poor decision to be unique just for the sake of being unique. There has to be substance that transcends any style that may be involved. We all have idiosyncratic behavior that is all our own; individual to us, but we have to be very careful that our sometime odd and offbeat characteristics don't become the distinguishable qualities that we are known for and recognized by. Odd, anti-social and eccentric behavior doesn't make you unique, it often is the backdrop for a person who is desperately lost and lonely, wanting only to be recognized and wanted. When I think of unique I think of rare and uncommon; singular and standing alone. John 1:14 states; "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth". The fact that God's word became flesh and produced Jesus Christ, who later would die on the cross to save mankind from his sin's, is remarkable, uncommon, and rare. The fact is it's singular and stands alone. God is eternal, all knowing and perfect. He is unique. And it is this kind of uniqueness that has the ability to transform one's life and save one's soul.


Leaning Harlequin. 1901
-Pablo Picasso


STANDARD

In order to get to your final destination, or experience a vision, or a dream that you cling to, you first must have a standard that is greater than yourself, a standard that will enable and aid you in getting where you want to go; where you want to be. We all believe in something, and greater the resolve and intensity in which we believe in something the more that idea, philosophy and belief is cemented in our mind; deeply rooted in our heart. Picasso was the standard for many things pertaining to art. His work in the area of Cubism still stands alone some 100 years later. It is the standard. It has been reported that Picasso looked at very few paintings to get his inspiration, but did consider three pieces of art beautiful, and to be standards in their own right. They were, "The Luncheon on the Grass" by Édouard Manet, painted in 1862 and 1863, " The Maids of Honour " by Diego Velázquez in 1656. Velazquez was considered the leading artist of the Spanish golden Age. And finally my personal favorite, "The Women of Algiers (In Their Apartment)" painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1834. After the death of Delacroix the painting was moved to the Louvre in Paris, where it is still held today.


"The Women of Algiers" (1834)
-Eugene Delacroix

And like art life has a standard and that standard is Jesus Christ, and His word. The bible states that Moses wrote 613 laws, David wrote fifteen, Isaiah wrote eleven and Micah reduced it to three; "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). In the end, God gave us two commands in Matthew 22: 36-40;

 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." 

In the end, we are to love God with all our heart and soul, and to love others as we would love our self, that is the standard. And out of that standard; belief, flows every decision and choice we make. That standard will shape the masterpiece we paint that is called our life. 

That standard will shape our heart.

-Pablo Picasso

Masterpieces are valuable.

Very valuable.

The highest priced painting ever sold was the creation of Paul Cezanne. His painting, "The Card Players", painted in 1892-93, sold for $250 million to the Royal Family of Qatar in 2011. 

"The Card Players" (1892-93)
-Paul Cezanne

This famous painting has been praised for its fabulous psychological intensity in the faces of the players, thus deeming it a post-impressionist masterpiece.

Picasso has three of the top ten paintings ever sold. His painting entitled "Dora Maar au Chat", painted in 1941, sold for $106 million in 2006 and his 1932 painting entitled Nude, Green Leaves and Bust sold for $110 million in 2010. The highest selling Picasso ever sold was sold in 2004 for $124 million. This painting by Picasso of a little boy holding a pipe was painted in 1905. Picasso painted this during his Rose Period; he was 24 years old.

The painting is entitled; "Garcon a la pipe".

-Pablo Picasso

And though those pieces of art are the highest priced Picasso pieces ever sold, it is his masterpiece entitled "Guernica" that he is remembered for most and is considered one of his  most recognizable pieces, if not the most recognizable.


Guernica (1937)
-Pablo Picasso

Guernica was created in response to the bombing of Guernica, Basque Country, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist forces, on 26 April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. It was during this time the Spanish Republican government commissioned Picasso to create a large mural for the Spanish display at the Paris International Exposition at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris. Guernica painfully displays the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace. On completion Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour, becoming famous and widely acclaimed. This tour helped bring the Spanish Civil War to the world's attention.

The original resides in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid.

A little side-note... I think it is worth mentioning that three of Picasso's four greatest works of art were all created after he turned 50.

In the end, our masterpiece is never fully finished, never fully developed or created until we pass from this earth. Every day that we are living, and breathing, we have an opportunity to brush the canvas of our life with meaningful relationships, color it with worthy choices and selfless behavior, and draw upon it with good decisions. 

We are all capable of moving beyond living a rough draft of our lives.

The choice is ours.

Our masterpiece is ours to create.

Let's begin today! Remember, Picasso greatest work occurred well into his fifties, and beyond. Picasso lived to be 91 years of age.

It's never too late to start anything.

What self portrait are you painting?

How much is your masterpiece worth?



"Olga in a Hat with Feather" (1920)
-Pablo Picasso


In the next couple of weeks I will share how we live this masterpiece that is called our life. I will write about the 7 most important questions we all need to ask our self and reflect upon. The answers we have will determine how we live our life, and how well we will live the rest of our days. The questions have to do with origin, morality, meaning and destiny. And finally deal with answering the haunting questions: Who are you? What do you believe? What is your life's purpose?



sbb 27.2.12
2522





Friday, February 17, 2012

Love: 2 becoming 1 (re-post 2.13.11)

Together: in cooperation; with united action; conjointly: to undertake a task together.


Below is a piece I wrote in February of 2011. Valentine's Day was fast approaching and I was questioning what real love was/is. Was I "displaying love" correctly? Silly, but I wanted to know, so I wrote about it. Therapeutic I must say. It was also during a time of reflection for me once I heard our senior pastor discuss Love, and what it looked like. I hope you enjoy. -sbb


 The Lovers, 1923.
 Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).


As Valentine's Day makes it yearly rounds many of us are again cornered by cupid for just a small moment and we are summoned to answer the little question that swirls around inside our head: What is love?

As I ponder that question I can tell you right off the bat that I'm not going to try to write a long and exhaustive piece on such a huge topic.

What I do want to share is one of the best sermons I've ever heard on love. This morning at Cypress Wesleyan Church, the church our family attends, Senior Pastor, Ken Murphy, discussed and educated everyone in attendance on the finer points of a relationship between a husband and wife.  

Today's sermon is part of an ongoing series entitled "The Cleavers vs. the Kardashians."

I take notes every Sunday... this Sunday was no different. 

Let me share.

Before I share this morning's notes and discuss marriage I think it's important to acknowledge the very beginning, the genesis if you will, of the institution we call marriage. In the beginning God created and ordained the institution of marriage. Genesis 2:19-24 states:

 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

As you can see marriage finds its foundation in God.

God intends for those who choose marriage to come together and become one.

Lovers of the street, 1900.
Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).


In the same vein of having children versus raising them, it is much easier to get married than it is to stay married. Statistics conclude that 48% of all marriages end in divorce.

With that large percentage of failure staring at us straight in our faces it is imperative that we educate ourselves of some fundamental truths when it comes to building a successful marriage.

Let me share "5" truths that will, if taken seriously, empower us to live better lives with the one we love.

1. LITTLE THINGS ADD UP... 

Galatians 6:7-9 states; "Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time."
  • It is our personal responsibility to "do good" to one another.
  • It is important that we express our love through action.
  • Develop the mentality that we will always keep "winning" our spouses heart.
The little things really do add up. They can add up in our favor or not. The choice is ours.


2. EXPECT CONFLICT...

Ephesians 4:26 states; "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry."
  • Conflict is normal and necessary. Conflict resolution is the key.
  • When there is a conflict stay on point. Tackle the problem not the person; remain issue based not person based.

3. COMMUNICATION...
 
  • Communication is the key to unlock your greatest future.
  • We as married couples live in three zones:
    • Really Good
    • OK... Fine
    • Really Bad
No couple got into one of the zones over night, but we can in the blink of an eye, and with one bad decision, leave the "really good" or "OK...fine" zone in a heartbeat. Ask yourself, and your spouse, what zone you are in. Be truthful, you are only hurting yourself by being in denial.


4. INTIMACY...

Different roads lead to the same destination... intimacy.
  • Top need, whether communicated or not, for people is to be unconditionally loved and accepted.
  • Talking leads women to intimacy. Men starve their wife's soul when they don't communicate or talk with them. Listening is vitally important also.
  • Sex leads men to intimacy. Don't shoot the messenger... I'm just sayin'.


5. CHOOSE COMMITMENT...

Don't wish, don't hope, don't fantasize and don't even dream... just choose. Choose commitment to one another over all else.

In the end, love can simply be summed up in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

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. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 
Here is to all that become one and that they stay "one" forever.



sbb  13.2.11
939




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Google Love (re-post 2.17.11)

Profound: penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: a profound thinker. (2) originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being; profound grief. (3) being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious: profound insight.



Below is a piece I wrote last year for Valentines Day. I hope everyone enjoys today and realizes what a true blessing it is to love another. -sbb






Peace & Love

Earlier this week I wrote a piece on love entitled; "Love: 2 becoming 1". The piece was inspired in part by Valentine's Day and a sermon (CWC - 2.12.11) by our pastor this past Sunday. The piece was also inspired by the question I posed in the previous post and the same question that has been on my mind all week.

What is love?

The Beatles told us that you can't buy it and Tina Turner asked us what does it have to do with anything. And with that, like all great research, I turned to the almighty Google for help. And when I Googled the word love 2,940,000,000 results appeared in 10 seconds.

Wikipedia's definition topped the search list for love. 

Go figure.


Gamble...

Wanting to get a clearer understanding of the word I visited two of my sturdiest and truest friends: Merriam and Webster. Merriam-Webster defines love as "a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person or a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend."
 
I love the word "profoundly". It is such a descriptive and powerful word.


Perspective & Passionate...

As I continued on my search, and research, for a deeper meaning and for true insight into the concept of love I was reminded that no research can be complete without conferring with the Greeks.

Thank you Wittenberg University. I took a Greek Mythology course my freshman year.

And my parents thought they wasted their hard earned money sending me to college.

Please.

Anyway, the Greeks have the love thing down.

As many of you are well aware of there are three types of love that are commonly referred to in ancient Greek. 

They are Agape, Eros & Philia.


Appreciation & Attachment...

Much has been written on each of these 'types" of love, but for the sake of time, and sanity, I want to give a small, very small, overview of what each one means. 

Agape in the King James Version of the New Testament is translated to mean charity which has a contemporary connotation of giving to meet the needs of the less fortunate. When the early Christians refereed to agape love they were speaking to the "self-sacrificing" love God had for all humanity, which they were to reciprocate and practice towards God and among all people. In the end, God's love is unconditional, sacrificial and all encompassing. As 1 John 4:8 states; "God is love".

Eros is the type of love that most of us are very familiar with, and the one that is displayed on the grocery store newsstand, on the TV and the silver screen. Eros is the educated term for the human sexual desires that reside in the depths of all of us; it's a nice way of saying lust. From this Greek term the word erotic is derived and the phrases "love sick" and "love at first sight" are born. Though this type of "love" is, and can be, overwhelming and addictive it has no emotional depth or lasting value. No relationship can stand upon this foundation.

Philia means friendship in Modern Greek. From Philia Philadelphia finds is name and its trademark motto: "The City of Brotherly Love." Philia type of love is about loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. Aristotle divided Philia, or friendship, into three areas, based on the reason why the relationship was formed: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure and friendships of the good. As we can see Aristotle realized a long time ago that not all friendships are created equal. I would pay to hear Aristotle's commentary on Facebook and the depth of the so called "friendships" on this "social network". The motto for all social networks should be; "You got 20 minutes? I'd like to tell you about myself." Upon further review, maybe that should be the motto for people that like to blog? Anyway, the Facebook thing can be a topic for another day. I will say this, Facebook feeds into the human condition that many people need to be heard on so many different levels. Many, not all, people on Facebook want to submit every aspect of their lives for public consumption. Facebook, as well as twitter, are a narcissist's nirvana. Aristotle would classify the reason why Facebook friendships are formed is because of need; a need to be heard and on some level to have our daily actions affirmed and validated. I currently have 1188 "Facebook friends"... go figure. Any other time I would explain the reasons for my many Facebook contacts, but at this moment neither do I feel compelled to nor do I entertain the desire to share my reasons. I think that is a very high browed way of saying "I'm not really sure why I have so many FB friends."


"Love is saying I have you covered."

Let's reign this piece back in, Facebook is not where I wanted to go this morning.

The reason I was talking about friendship in the first place was because the Greeks spoke of three different types of love, and in my research on love I wanted to gather as much information from as many sources, and resources, as I could.

So with that I would like to extend a special thanks to Google, Webster's, Aristotle, Wikipedia, Facebook, the Beatles and Tina Turner for your thoughts, philosophies and opinions.

They were greatly appreciated.

But as much as the resources mentioned were helpful I was still left with the same question: What is Love?


Profoundly together?


As many of you know that have read any of my thoughts in the past that my research often, scratch that, always begins and ends with God's word. 
 
Today is no different.

Whether you read the bible or not we all have heard 1 Corinthians 13 recited at many of the weddings we have attended in the past. 1 Corinthians is considered the love chapter in the bible and though I would suggest reading the entire chapter (don't worry, it is only 13 verses long) I want to focus on verses 4 through 7 and point out what I think are the three main ingredients to what love truly is.


"Love is patient and kind."
-1 Cor.13:4

The first trait of true and authentic love is selflessness. It is impossible to be selfish and in love at the same time, it is like swimming in the ocean while trying not to get wet. It is impossible. Out of the three traits that I will share in the following paragraphs this is one I embodied the most in the past. I was a very selfish person. The sad thing is I didn't even realize it. It isn't really a shock that my past relationships failed. I was a selfish person and everyone around me suffered the consequences for my actions. Love is truly selfless; it is putting others ahead and above of one self. I'm not talking about false modesty, entertaining a low self esteem or becoming a martyr, what I'm simply stating is that we need to have a sober assessment of ourselves and realize that our needs do not trump others. Many things fall under the category of selflessness, but simply put, people who routinely and habitually view others more important than themselves are truly selfless.

"Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way."
-1 Cor. 13: 4-5

If selfless is the arm on the body of love then humility is the hand; it is impossible to be selfless without being humble. Humility is the key to all successful relationships. Having the ability to give up our right to be right when a disagreement arises is what mature relationships are built upon. Selflessness and humility go hand in hand. And with that said, there is nothing more attractive than a humble spirit and a humble person.

"Love is not irritable, and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustices but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never losses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
- 1 Cor. 13: 5-7

True love is unconditional. A lot was said in those verses, but it always comes back to enduring, never giving up and never losing faith. You can do none of those things if your love is conditional. God is the greatest example of this kind of love known to mankind. He gives us his love freely, without judgment and with a full measure of grace and mercy. God's gift of love cost us nothing and cost Him everything. John 3:16-17 states; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone that believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."  True love is truly unconditional.


Warm embrace...

So there it is love is selfless, humble and unconditional.

But remember, to display this type of love that embodies all three of theses quantities and characteristics takes time; it takes patience. Its important that we develop patience with ourselves, but it is paramount that we are patient with others. The best way I know how to accomplish this is through prayer and taking the time to become the right person instead spending great amounts of time looking for the right person.

It takes patience. 

In the King James Version of the bible "love" is refereed to 314 times. Out of the 185 times love is mentioned in the New Testament 140+ deal with sacrificial love. 

Jesus Christ is the greatest example of sacrificial love.

Finally, men and women are completely different. I know, shock right!


Innocent & Tender...

Women speak about 30,000 words a day, where as men speak roughly 10,000 words a day (the numbers are debatable, but most research uncovers that women talk 3 times the amount of men). Women are perfectly familiar with every aspect of their children's lives; men know their kids name... most of the time. Women on average have 363 products that they use in their bathroom; a man has about 6.

We men grunt, we are clueless and we stink... go figure.

In the end God created men and women very differently, and how we love and perceive love is going to be challenging at times, but when all is said and done -and usually more is said than done- the love that is displayed the greatest among individuals is the love that is in constant pursuit of selflessness, humility and unconditional parameters and boundaries. 

If we are to imagine for a brief moment that selflessness, humility and unconditional love are passengers in the car of love then sacrifice is the air in the tires and the gas in the tank.

Love cannot operate without sacrifice.

Sacrifice...

As you finish this piece go to, or call, your spouse or love one and let them know how much you love them. Hug them and look them in the eye, if possible, and say with all the meaning and conviction you can muster; "I Love You". Then quietly begin the journey of living out and displaying sacrificial love in your life on a daily basis. That will be the greatest gift that you will ever give to the people you profess to love. 

What is love you ask? Love is sacrifice.

I know, I Googled it.

Awesome...


sbb  17.2.11
1986