Fortunes Fool

When you think of love a true classical sense of love what do you think of? Maybe you would say Anthony and Cleopatra, or Love in The Time Of Cholera. How about Romeo and Juliet? If you take a look at most literature about love then you will begin to understand why we have such a skewed view of love. From the time we are kids we are filled with a wrong view of love. It's not just in our movies and music but it's even in classic literature. So what is it? What is love if we get the wrong view from our entertainment then where do we get the correct view? Well what does God have to say about it?

1 Corinthians Chapter 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self–seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Romeo And Juliet VS The Bible

So lets look at how this stacks up to what we have been taught about love.

Love is patient

The play opens in fair Verona and Romeo is proclaiming his unrequited love for the fair maiden Rosaline. Later on that night he is forced to go to a party with his friends and begins to declare his love for a woman whose name he doesn't even know. After risking death to stalk her window they pledge love to each other and get married the next day.

This is the equivalent of the modern day Vegas Wedding. Their hormones and impetuous behavior led to their later death. That could be a literal death or a long drawn out divorce.

Love is Kind

“is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like a thorn.”

Does it sound like this is love that Romeo is describing, or is it something else? Instead it wounds like a school yard fight with a bully.

Love does not Envy, it does not boast

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon

Who is already sick and pale with grief

One of the most famous monologues of the whole play is a series of boastful complements where Romeo is poetically felling of how beautiful Juliet is. How even the moon is envious of her beauty. It really doesn't sound like Romeo is worried too much about Juliet's intelligence or who she really is, just the fact that she is beautiful.

Love is not rude, it is not self–seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong

Juliet to Romeo: Romeo, what's here? Poison? Drunk all, and left no friendly drop to help me after?

Tybalt to Romeo: Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this: Thou art a villain.

Romeo to Tybalt: Mercutio is dead Either thou, or I, or both must go with him!

There is a constant sling of insults that spread through out the story, everyone is seeking their own self interest even the friar has his own secret agenda. Everyone also is constantly getting in fights and no one is ever interested in forgiveness just revenge and their own justice.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

In the end tragedy falls these two supposed lovers. Because of the continued deceptions by everyone they complicate the situation and have to come up with failed plan after failed plan. Finally Romeo failed to protect his blushing bride, he failed to trust his friends, he gave up hope and killed himself. Not giving a single thought to his family or the furthered tragedy it would cause a city already torn apart. More importantly their supposed love did not last other than to server as a cautionary tale of woe.

Why is Love important?

So we see there are many ways to misconstrue love. Emotions, thoughts and even the people around us can be deceiving. To find out what true love is you have to really dig down beyond those distractions and get to the “heart” of the matter. So why is it so important to find out what love really is?

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:8

You see to not know love is to not know God. It is impossible to truly love with out him and even then we are human and not perfect. We will inevitably make mistakes and selfishness and pride will mix in with our love but with God's love comes forgiveness and the opportunity to be forgiven by others.

I pray that we will learn to truly love each other, and as always any questions, concerns or prayer requests feel free to contact me.

Treasure Hunters

The Tale

Nathan was 78 years old and had lived a good life, but he was dieing and didn't have very long left on this earth. He had a great family and was proud of his grandchildren. James is oldest grandchild had been in trouble but was a good kid with a lot of unrealized potential. Nathan called James in to his bed side and James came in glad to see his grandfather.

“James,” Nathan said.

“I want you to find something for me. I when I found it, it was the secret to my success. It is the most valuable thing in the earth. More valuable than all the oil in the ground, and more valuable than all the diamonds in Africa.”

With excitement James took the treasure map. The path led right outside of town. James ran out and followed the map and found himself at the local graveyard. Confused he looked on the back of the map and there was a message that read, “Look at the tombstones and you will find the clues there.”

James spent hours reading each of the headstones before giving up and heading back to his grandfather.

Nathan asked him, “Did you find it?”

“No Grandpa, I couldn't figure out the clues.” Said James.

“What where some of the Epitaphs that you saw?,” asked Nathan.

“He Died As He Lived.¹”

“Pard, we will meet again in the Happy Hunting Ground, To part no more, Goodbye²”

“Nothing's so sacred as honor, and nothing's so loyal as love.³”

“Murdered by a traitor and coward whose name is not worthy to appear here.⁴”

“As the flowers are all made sweeter by the sunshine and the dew, So this old world is made brighter by the lives of folks like you.⁵”

“Those are good but you only gave me five, how many graves did you look at?” Nathan replied.

“Hundreds,” answered James. “Most of them just had a Name, date, dash, and date.”

“Let me help you” said Nathan, “The greatest treasure in the earth isn't the diamonds or oil, it is the unrealized potential that people took to the grave with them. It is the dreams, hopes, and destinies that never came to pass. It's that dash that is so important. I don't want you to not use your treasure, and to leave your life as just a dash. God has a glorious future in store for you James. If I can leave you with the realization that trust and obedience to God is the key for turning that dash into into a life of fulfillment then I just might complete turning my dash into an epitaph that will last.”

True Story

It's true God has given each one of us a great potential and he has a great plan for each of us. He has the greatest things in store for us. Great jobs, and great relationships, he knows even the secret desires of our hearts and is working so that we can be fulfilled. Girls are always saying, I wish I could get a good Christian guy. Guys are saying they want a good girl. Family's are needing more to provide for themselves. There are new levels of greatness in us that have not been reached yet. So what is the map to lead us to unlocking these treasures? Well it's all outlined in the Bible.

Trust

Trust is one of the hardest things to do in this world. We view trust based on what we experience in our relationships with other people. Because often we are betrayed by those people we automatically learn not to trust people. However you have to remember that God has never broke a promise. Every time you have a doubt there are simple things to remember so that you can overcome the doubt.

1. God Loves You

   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

2. God Is Merciful

   The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. - Psalm 145:8-9

3. God Has A Plan

   In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. - Proverbs 16:9 NIV

4. God Is With You

   Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua

5. God Will Support You

   The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2

6. God Has A Will

   Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. - Matthew 26:39

7. God Has Perfect Timing

   He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11

Obedience

Obedience is something that everyone struggles with. Our flesh fights to get it's own way and obedience isn't something we can do overnight. It's something that we have to learn how to do. Think about when you where a kid. Did you know to do what your parents told you to do? Did you know what they where telling you was because they had a bigger picture? If your like most people you still tested your boundaries?

It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. - Deuteronomy 13:4

You see for those who haven't learned there is something important about being obedient. It doesn't cause you grief. When you do what you are suppose to do when your suppose to do it, you don't have to worry about it later.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. - 1 John 5:3

Finally the other important thing about obedience is that it will last. Cheating, lying, and any other form of disobedience that you can think of is a temporary fix for a problem that will only grow bigger. Being obedient and doing the the right thing brings about positive change that can last forever.

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. - 1 John 2:17

Have The Strength

So get over the excuses. Don't say I've done too much wrong because what happened in the past is not as important as what is in your future. I've done good enough is not an excuse either. God hasn't done his best work in your yester-years. The best is yet to come. Most importantly don't say you don't have what it takes. You are a child of God, you have the strength of He who created the world. To quote Joel Osteen's new book, Become A Better You. “You come from a bloodline of champions. Your Heavenly Father spoke the galaxies into existence. Your elder brother defeated the enemy. Think about some of your natural ancestors:

Moses parted the Red Sea. There's great faith in your bloodline.

David, a shepherd boy, defeated Goliath with only a few pebbles. That is courage in you bloodline.

Samson toppled a building. There's supernatural strength in you bloodline.

Daniel spent an entire night in a lion's den and wasn't harmed. Divine protection flows through your bloodline.

Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem when all the odds were against him. Determination and persistence pulsate through your bloodline.

Queen Esther put her life on the line to save God's people. Sacrifice and heroism are in your bloodline.”

So grab your shovels and dig that treasure out of yourself. Invest in others and you'll unlock the treasures in them and as always any questions, concerns or prayer requests feel free to contact me.

*Footnote: The Epitaphs where from actual headstones from famous outlaws and cowboys.

1 Billy the Kid

2 Wild Bill Hickok

3 Wyatt Earp

4 Jessie James

5 Bonnie Parker of Bonnie and Clyde

Difference Makers Part 2

Recap

So last week we talked about being a difference maker and how to make changes to yourself. There was changing your thoughts, which is the core that will spread changes to your character. We talked about changing your actions and attitudes. Finally we talked about taking ownership where you accept your gifts and take charge of your life's choices. So now that you have made these changes how do you make the difference for others.

Perpetuate the change to others.

No man is an island . If you truly make a change in yourself, your interactions with others will change as well. Communication is the main key. It's how we interact with each other. I could be verbal or non-verbal communication. Here is a challenge, or a little test to see how you need to grow. You can check out the communication test from Discovery Health.

http://discoveryhealth.queendom.com/communication_short_access.html

Remember you want to be successfully in life, you want to be a successful difference maker, then you need to learn to communicate better. Do you think you are a great communicator already. Well try asking your wife/husband, or friends. Make sure your ready for the response because it's not going to be what you expect.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. - Proverbs 25:11

Listen

Communication is more than just talking and understanding the other people. There is often a very important element that most of us seem to forget. That is how to listen. It is really a lost art for a lot of people and is at the heart for most arguments we have in our relationships. We can really be difference makers if we listen because people are not use to being listened to. A persons self-esteem will be enhanced if they are listened to, heard, and understood. That is a bold statement but it's true. Words carry weight, and even the most self confident person can have doubt if the wrong words are spoken. So how do you listen?

1. Stop what you are doing!

How many times is someone trying to tell you something while your doing something else. Guys how many of you are flipping through the TV channels while your wife is trying to tell you the plans for the weekend? Try this, next time she starts talking, mute the TV, turn around and pay attention. You may want to take a CPR course before trying this so you can revive her.

2. Be patient and let them finish

There is several conversation stoppers. Finishing the other persons sentence, rushing to answer or argue, or any other interruption shows not only disinterest but disrespect. Girls how many times have your guy been talking about his hobby and your response was just short, “whatever” right in the middle of his story. I know we sometimes talk about things your not interested in, but girls do it to. How much better would we get along if we would put ourselves aside and considered how the other person felt?

3. Pay attention to what they are saying.

So what did I say? Seriously, though you are not so poor that you cannot pay attention. If you didn't understand then ask questions. Not only pay attention to what they are saying but how they are saying it. A recent UCLA study shows that up to 93% of communication is non-verbal.

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice. - Proverbs 12:15

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. - James 1:19

Care

There is very little that people care about in this world outside of their own comforts and personal concerns. Stop and think about the last time you felt cared for. Who was it that made you feel that way and how did that do that? Now ask yourself, who was the last person that you expressed care or concern for? Why did you do it and how can you do it for others? The world will tell you the opposite of love is hate. By that standard I'm doing good, I don't hate anyone. However, the opposite of love in life isn't hate, it's unconcern.

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

In James 2:2-6 it talks about caring for people without discrimination. It gives an example of a rich man coming in and getting the best seat, and then the poor man getting the floor. Pay attention to God's warning. The poor are those who are rich in faith and who will inherit the earth.

Appreciate

One of the biggest things you can do for someone else is appreciate them. This can be applied in all of your relationships. Appreciate your significant other, let them know they are appreciated and why. Appreciate your co-workers, because their work affects you. Appreciate the waitress who is working hard to bring you food to the table. Appreciate your children, your parents, your friends and complete strangers. Bobby Soules taught us a very effective way to let other people know that they are appreciated. Look at them and tell them, “I appreciate you.” See it's not that hard, but make sure your actions line up with your words.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

You would be surprised at what blessing you can receive when you open up communications with others. We need to make sure to celebrate diversity and seize the opportunity to learn from each other.

I want everyone reading this to know that I appreciate you, and as always contact me if you have any questions, concerns or prayer requests.