" If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't LOVE others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all the knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could moved mountains, but didn't LOVE others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't LOVE others, I would have gained nothing. "
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
The feeling of experiencing a love that I am so unworthy of.
To be saturated daily with a deep comfort of being held.
Knowing I will NEVER ever be able to reciprocate an agape Love to those around me yet I am loved this way in every moment of my life.
Being allowed to lift my hands and voice to sing praises of thankfulness freely.
Knowing I am in the right place, that I was guided here so strategically, because of God's unique love for me.
I want to bring Him praise and make this life, my life, right here, right now WORTHY for the One who created me by loving those around me the best I can because He loved me first.
To grow in my understanding of what it truly means to love.
Storage - affection: fondness through familiarity
Philia - friendship: Friendship is the strong bond existing between people who share common interest or activity
Eros - romance: sense of 'being in love' or 'loving' someone
Agape - unconditional love: the love that brings forth caring regardless of the circumstance
I believe that we all will experience one of these kinds of love throughout our life. Its in those moments where we find ourselves with a deeper yearning and questioning of what that feeling is when we experience a deeper love that feels foreign to us.
"My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God." 1 John 4:8 (message)
I am more and more overwhelmed when I think, or try to wrap my mind around how much God loves me. Through my sin, selfishness, negativity. He still finds me worthy, worthy of a life that is surrounded by His beauty, His blessings and His unceasing love.
** I keep finding tears welling up when I am in moments of singing feeling God just surround me with His love
He is digging deeper into my heart, bringing out emotions and desires that I have never felt before.
what a comfort to know that He is continually working in my heart and recapturing it everyday.
I find myself asking how can I love others deeper.
How I can serve those around me in an unfathomable way.
What does it look like to love with an agape love?
"God’s love for us is a sacrificial love, the kind that sent Him to the cross for our sins. He didn’t save us because we were lovable; He saved us because His love caused Him to sacrifice Himself for us. Do we love others enough to sacrifice for them, even when they are not lovable? Loving others is a matter of the will and the volition, not the emotions...... Loving others is difficult because they are human and we are human. But in this difficulty we come to better appreciate the quality of God’s love for us. And when we love others in spite of their lack of lovability, God’s Spirit shines through, He is glorified, others are edified, and the world sees Christ in us. "
I am praying, seeking & opening my heart to God and His answer for my life.
It is such a personal answer to each of us. There is no one right way. I just want to glorify Him through my loving of others so that they will see Christ in me.
I have been so incredibly loved by everyone through infinite support, whether its words of encouragement, prayers, or financial support. The love that I get from you ALL keeps me going, keeps giving me a focus and drive. I am beyond blessed by the friendships from all around the world, those who I have met or not even met. God is abundantly blessing me with an incredible amount of LOVE and I want to say thank you. Thank you for showing me this love.
The world I think has lost sight of what it means to love ceaselessly. With everything going on, it breaks my heart that people are missing out on such a love as this.
The Bob Marley song "One Love" keeps popping in my mind.
There really is only ONE LOVE.
and that is God.
"God is love"
The day where everyone is singing together. Giving praises to our True Father. Gives me chills. My heart aches for this. Every tongue, nation, tribe and people together, shouting praises of agape love to our Creator.
I urge everyone to examine their hearts.
As Your love, in wave after wave
In Christ's Love that allows me to love
Something I always like to say when people ask me why I do what I do... of course its because God has called me to this beautiful adventurous life but also....
Being allowed to lift my hands and voice to sing praises of thankfulness freely.
Knowing I am in the right place, that I was guided here so strategically, because of God's unique love for me.
I want to bring Him praise and make this life, my life, right here, right now WORTHY for the One who created me by loving those around me the best I can because He loved me first.
To grow in my understanding of what it truly means to love.
Storage - affection: fondness through familiarity
Philia - friendship: Friendship is the strong bond existing between people who share common interest or activity
Eros - romance: sense of 'being in love' or 'loving' someone
Agape - unconditional love: the love that brings forth caring regardless of the circumstance
I believe that we all will experience one of these kinds of love throughout our life. Its in those moments where we find ourselves with a deeper yearning and questioning of what that feeling is when we experience a deeper love that feels foreign to us.
"My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God." 1 John 4:8 (message)I am more and more overwhelmed when I think, or try to wrap my mind around how much God loves me. Through my sin, selfishness, negativity. He still finds me worthy, worthy of a life that is surrounded by His beauty, His blessings and His unceasing love.
** I keep finding tears welling up when I am in moments of singing feeling God just surround me with His love
He is digging deeper into my heart, bringing out emotions and desires that I have never felt before.
what a comfort to know that He is continually working in my heart and recapturing it everyday.
I find myself asking how can I love others deeper.
How I can serve those around me in an unfathomable way.
What does it look like to love with an agape love?
"God’s love for us is a sacrificial love, the kind that sent Him to the cross for our sins. He didn’t save us because we were lovable; He saved us because His love caused Him to sacrifice Himself for us. Do we love others enough to sacrifice for them, even when they are not lovable? Loving others is a matter of the will and the volition, not the emotions...... Loving others is difficult because they are human and we are human. But in this difficulty we come to better appreciate the quality of God’s love for us. And when we love others in spite of their lack of lovability, God’s Spirit shines through, He is glorified, others are edified, and the world sees Christ in us. "
I am praying, seeking & opening my heart to God and His answer for my life.
It is such a personal answer to each of us. There is no one right way. I just want to glorify Him through my loving of others so that they will see Christ in me.
I have been so incredibly loved by everyone through infinite support, whether its words of encouragement, prayers, or financial support. The love that I get from you ALL keeps me going, keeps giving me a focus and drive. I am beyond blessed by the friendships from all around the world, those who I have met or not even met. God is abundantly blessing me with an incredible amount of LOVE and I want to say thank you. Thank you for showing me this love.
The world I think has lost sight of what it means to love ceaselessly. With everything going on, it breaks my heart that people are missing out on such a love as this.
The Bob Marley song "One Love" keeps popping in my mind.
There really is only ONE LOVE.
and that is God.
"God is love"
The day where everyone is singing together. Giving praises to our True Father. Gives me chills. My heart aches for this. Every tongue, nation, tribe and people together, shouting praises of agape love to our Creator.
I urge everyone to examine their hearts.
Do you love those around you to the fullest?
We all have flaws yet God sees through all of ours, can we learn to do that too? To love without judgement. To love in new ways through serving others. To take those 5 minutes to stop and ask how your neighbor, best friend, sister, barista, taxi driver is doing. To show them that you care no matter if you know them or not. You never know who will need that tidbit of encouragement or attention that day.
As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in
- You make me brave, Bethel Music
As God continues to love us daily, wave after wave.
lets take that love and radiate it to others.
You don't have to do something big and showy.
Pray and ask God to open your heart & eyes in that moment He is putting before you to love on someone who is in need of knowing that they are loved.
Lets make this life, which is all a gift to us, worth it through L.O.V.E
I pray that God of Heavens Armies will cover you in His agape love and show you just how remarkable you are. That in those times of stress, doubt and darkness you will feel His arms around you, holding you tight and whispering those three beautifully honest words.
I LOVE YOU.
In Christ's Love that allows me to love
Emily Elizabeth
** Highs & lows of my week.
- started language school. My brain hasn't worked this hard in... FOREVER. Its a pat on the back feeling when I already can understand this language. but only a tiny bit. 7 more weeks of breaking barriers between me and Filipinos.
- Had my first shift friday night. 10pm-6am. unfortunately there were no births. But for my fellow sisters here they have all got to see a birth or 4 on their first shifts : ) I am so thankful that God is blessing us all here in ways we could never imagine.
- Went on a 2.5 hour bike ride around Davao yesterday. I am so thankful that I can go out and explore this city in a way I couldn't living in Haiti. Almost got in a few crashes but came out with only a sore butt : ) I am asking for a bike for my birthday now... something I never thought I would ask for!
Prayer Requests:
- Our continual understanding of this culture and language. That our minds will continue to soak up Cebuano in incredible amounts.
- Erin & Dorval as they are FINALLY stateside. That she will be able to get much needed rest and family time & for continual guidance as she is now a mom : ) ( got to skype with her last night and it made my heart so happy to see them again. I sure do miss them both)
- My parents leave for Europe on tuesday with two of their friends. Please pray for Safe travels, beautiful experiences & memories together.
How can I pray for you? please message me as I would love to be your prayer warrior.
Something I always like to say when people ask me why I do what I do... of course its because God has called me to this beautiful adventurous life but also....
I love to love.
and I hope that I am able to show that to those near and far to me.
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