One of the most popular subjects in song is love. One of the most popular bands of all time, if not the most popular band of all time is The Beatles. Here is a song mash of their songs by a tribute band that has 22 songs mashed in, all of them about love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y5KshXHB-E
While the Beatles sang a lot about love and we often talk about it, do we really know what it means to love and to be loved?
February is the Love Month and the Bible gives a perfect definition of love, I would say it is even the best definition, and anything outside of the definition, really isn’t love.
1 Corinthians 13
1) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3) If I give all I possess to the poor and gie over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
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.
8) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10) but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12) For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. We live in an age and time where divorce is rampant and people opt out of marriage to live together as opposed to being married. Yet, we know that the commitment made in marriage, especially when the vows are kept, is the ultimate form of love that a loving couple can share with each other.
Unfortunately, people rely on love or what they think love is. More often than not it isn’t so much love as lust that we base our emotions on. We think we know what will keep us loving each other but it is only from following the definition of love in 1st Corinthians 13 that we learn how love will keep us together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G0sOA6hTg0
We often enter into relationships, whether a friendship, brother to sister type of relationship or a romantic relationship where we think we love one another, but we just aren’t sure. One thing I have learned in life, is there is a difference from thinking we are in love, or love each other, and knowing that we actually do love someone else.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJYSu2OVCGM
Each of us has to come to an understanding of what love it and love with our all. Barry White gives a good definition of love when he sings of; Our First, Our Last, Our Everything. While a song about romantic love, it is also a good description of how we should love God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtwOeoeWhoo
We have to be at the place where we are given the option to love, either others as brothers and sisters, a loved one as a lover, and especially God as our father, where we give our best, we must give everything when we love others. Unfortunately, we tend to be selfish as opposed to loving others the way God would have us love, unconditionally with our all.
I have learned after 33+ years of marriage that there are times my love for my wife has to start over. We get into arguments, disagreements and so forth, I suspect it is that way for everyone whether a romantic relationship or a friendship brotherly, sisterly love. We have to be willing to start over with each other and sometimes, in our relationship with God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6duFe_VnzY
Are we willing to admit our mistakes in life, especially when it comes to us loving others the way we should? Are we willing to take that definition given to us in 1st Corinthians 13 and apply it to our lives? If we want to experience the fullness of love, in our relationships with our friends and family, our loved ones, spouse, partners, etc…, even a love affair with God that allows us to experience His perfect love, maybe it is time we surrender and love the way God has instructed and shown us. Remember, out of faith, hope and love, there is no contest, the greatest of the three is without a doubt, Love!
The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry. Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the material is provided.
Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid
Click here to visit the web page The Virtual Pew
Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter
Mike Furches on Faceboook.
Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor
The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards
Click here for booking information to have Pastor Mike come speak or perform, from speaking to music or magic, something for all groups.
Click to visit with Pastor Mike regarding any of your needs. He will respond to each request personally, and if need be refer you to one of our other pastors.
Click to subscribe to my blog
There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ . Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.
Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information
The Virtual Pew
6441 N. Hydraulic
Park City Kansas, 67219
Email: mike@furches.org
Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew
Donations to The Virtual Pew
The Virtual Pew Blog
Personal Furches Web Site
Mary Jane Furches MySpace Page
Mike Furches MySpace Page
Mike Furches MySpace Blog
Hollywood Jesus
Reviews With Mike
The Virtual Pew Sermons
The Virtual Pew News
MySpace Hollywood Jesus Group
MySpace The Virtual Pew Group
The Virtual Pew Live Radio Web Page
To Subscribe to The Virtual Pew Live Feed
