More on wuv

Saturday 10.10.2009 03:31PM

In my last post I asked what it meant to you to be “in love” with someone. I said I would chime in with my thoughts, which I should have done sooner, but better late than never.

I have loved, but until recently I don't think I could say I've really been “in love.” I have loved strongly, and probably been close to being in love before, but I held myself back from it. That's another topic entirely, but suffice it to say, at least I learned from that experience and will hopefully avoid holding myself back again.

I believe love is a choice. As Doug commented, it's “seeking another's good.” I think being “in love” is a deeper connection, something within our soul or our spirit. When you're in love with someone, that person truly has a part of you, and will always have a part of you.

I think being in love means you can see things you may not like in a person, but still choose to be with them – with no intention of trying to change them. It is not rose-colored glasses. It is desiring the best for that person, above all else.

Love is patient and kind;
love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.

– I Corinthians 13:4-7

Tagged: /
comments (0) | add to del.icio.us

Wuv, twue wuv

Friday 09.18.2009 03:04PM

Open discussion post:

What does it mean to you to be “in love” with someone?

Do you use that term, and if so, what's the differentiation between loving someone and being in love with someone. For the sake of discussion, let's presume romantic interest / attraction – so we're not just comparing “I love my friends” to “I'm in love with my spouse”, per se.

No right or wrong answers, just had a chat on the topic so I figured I'd open a discussion post to get others' thoughts. I'll chime in with my own thoughts later.

Tagged: /
comments (11) | add to del.icio.us

Find and respect the human dignity

Saturday 11.18.2006 12:35PM

Last Saturday night I went to hear Sister Helen Prejean speak about the dignity of human life and her experience ministering to death row inmates. As a result of her experiences, she has become an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. I'm really glad I went, it was very thought-provoking and inspirational.

She spoke about the journey she's taken and how it's a journey we all must take - dealing with the tough questions of human dignity in relation to giving the State the God-like power to take life as punishment. Her experience ministering to many death row inmates has shown her the frailty and humanity of the system, which she documents in her most recent book, “The Death of Innocents”. The story of Joseph O'Dell really struck me. Steve Watson testified that O'Dell had confessed the murder to him while they were in jail; as a result O'Dell was convicted and executed. Watson later admitted that he had lied, and was continually haunted by images of O'Dell.

She explained how difficult the death penalty can be for both families. Sometimes the victim's families are under a lot of pressure because the language of our society tells us “in order to love and honor the victim's life, we must ask for the life of the criminal”. Where does the vengeance of the death penalty really get us, though? The father of one victim told her, “They killed my son, but I cannot let the anger take control or they will have killed me too.” Further, she emphasized that “forgiveness is not weakness; it does not dishonor the victim and it does not condone the act.”

“Whenever we say that someone must die for our safety - whether it's a criminal, a terrorist, or whoever - we are failing to view them as children of God, as made in His image.”

“No human being is one act.”

“[God's] call to reconciliation is deeper than the polarity of our culture that tells us to choose sides. It's about respect for life on all sides.”

She summed up the heart of the challenge with, “abhor the evil; find and respect the human dignity.”

If you get a chance to hear her speak, I highly recommend it. She will challenge you and hopefully spark a dialogue in your community.

Further information:
Helen Prejean official web site
“Dead Man Walking” (book)
“The Death of Innocents” (book)
Dead Man Walking (the movie)

Tagged: / /
comments (6) | add to del.icio.us

next »