I just came across this incredible article on Relevant Magazine's Web site. It struck a cord with me and perhaps it will do the same for you. Webster defines "love" as: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

The author (Jim Palmer) paints such a clear picture of what we were truly made for.  Love is an act and not a thing. Enjoy!

Define love. What exactly is it? Is love a thing? Can you hold it in your hands? Is it an emotion that comes and goes?

Is love that dreamy romantic state that intoxicates you? Is love something you fall into, and out of?

We know for sure that love is the greatest single need and desire of humankind. Everyone wants and seeks love. Love is considered the highest expression of humanity, religion and spirituality. Love has the power to heal, set people free, make whole and put one at deep peace and joy. There is only one force proven to be more powerful than hate--love. Love has inspired the greatest works for art and motivated the greatest movements of compassion and justice. Pierre Teilhard Chardin said, "Someday, after we have mastered the wind, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness the energies of love. And then, for the second time in the history of the human race, we will have discovered fire."

And yet you can't define love. Try as you may, but then at the end of your definition you must footnote an acknowledgement that love is deeper and wider than whatever you came up with. You're getting closer if you say love is like God. Love is the Ultimate Reality. You can't define God or love, but if you could, you would be bumping into the same thing. In fact, the Bible says, "God is love," which is why I capitalize the word (Love) when referring to it in this sense. Those three words radically changed my understanding of God. 

To read the rest of the article, go here.

who were you meant to be?

God doesn't give you the people you want,

He gives you the people you need....

to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you

and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

This could not be more true.  Sometimes I have to read this several times before it actually sets in.  The people in our lives make us who we are today and who we're meant to be.  Thank you Jesus for giving us family, friends and everyone in-between.

Obsessed with today....

Today was a glorious day.  

Those five words do not give today a very accurate description but it's all I could come up with.  Waking up for church, hearing an incredible sermon, enjoying a relaxing morning, spending 45 quality minutes walking on the Trinity Trail alone (with the exception of my iPod), sharing a glass of ice tea at Starbucks followed by a football game.  

My walk on the Trinity Trail this afternoon was INCREDIBLE! I spent 45 minutes outside in the 70 degree weather on the first day of February with no interruptions.  I cranked the volume on my iPod (Mamma Mia filled my ears) and since the walkers were few and far between today, I sang along while walking.  'Dancing Queen' really moved me today! There wasn't a cloud in the sky and I had nowhere I had to be at that moment.  The whole way home, I was smiling ear to ear.  

Thank you Lord for giving us warm sunshine, relaxing weekends and healthy bodies to be outside and enjoy days like today. Amen!

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. 

-John Piper