Real Love

So I was on a walk today in the rain this afternoon and I was thinking about what's bothering me and getting me upset in my life right now. I realized, that most of the time, when I'm angry or upset with someone, frustrated, or feeling any kind of negative emotions there's something inherently bad about it and that got me thinking about whether or not that's actually true.

Way I had it figured, if I looked at how God acted/felt in certain circumstances and his emotions (to the extent that I could), then I'd be able to determine what types of emotions are okay and which ones aren't. I'm still reading, researching, and thinking about this so I won't write about it just now but I did find this awesome paragraph from an article about God's emotions that I found online. It gives a little insight into what real love really which I thought was pretty cool. I also included the verse which it references (a favorite of mine). I think I'll look into this idea of what real love is for the next few weeks. Anyway, here it is:

From: God Without Mood Swings (http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/impassib.htm)
'If we consider how the Bible defines love rather than how we experience the passions associated with it, we can see that human love and divine love both have all the same characteristics, which are spelled out in detail in 1 Corinthians 13. But notice that not one characteristic in the biblical definition of love has anything whatsoever to do with passion. Real love, we discover, is nothing at all like the emotion most people refer to when they mention "love."'

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

Scripture Passages

New American Bible - Full Text

Catechism of the Catholic Church - Full Text

Two Greatest Commandments

• You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind, and with all your strength.
• You shall love your neighbor as yourself for love of God.

The Ten Commandments

• I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
• You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
• Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
• Honor your father and mother.
• You shall not kill.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
• You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
• You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

Beatitudes

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
• Blessed are they who mourn, they will be comforted.
• Blessed are the meed, they will inherit the earth.
• Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, they will be satisfied.
• Blessed are the merciful, they will be shown mercy.
• Blessed are the clean of heart, they will see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called children of God.
• Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Scripture Passages

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for."
-CCC 27

"Then each went to his own house, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Wo what do you say?' They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, 'Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.' Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She replied, 'No one sir.' Then Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin anymore.'"
-John 7:53-8:11

"When Christ Jesus comes as king, He will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead.
So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it is not the popular thing to do.
You must correct people and point out their sins.
But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient."
-From the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy

"When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."
-Matthew 5:39-42

"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength. You guide me along the way of righteousness for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage. You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come."
-Psalm 23

"A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings. Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him. For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress. Another is a friend who becomes your enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame. Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes. When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants; But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you. Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends. A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself."
-Sirach 6:5-17

"For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, says the Lord. Return and live!"
-Ezekial 18:32

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:10

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid? When evil doers come at me to devour my flesh, these my enemies and foes themselves stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; though war be waged against me, even then do I trust."
-Psalm 27:1-3

"He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed."
-Proverbs 19:17

"And it shall be that everyone shall be saved who calls on the name of the Lord."
-Acts 2:21

"For whatever is not from faith is sin."
-Romans 14:23

"We accept good things from God; and should we not accept evil?"
-Job 2:10

"... All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose."
-Romans 8:28

"One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
-Mark 12:28-32

"To overcome evil with good is good, to resist evil by evil is evil."
-Prophet Mohammed

"The greatest gift you can give to your child is another sibling."
-Pope John Paul II

"... for it is better to marry than to be on fire." [true and funny]
-1 Corinthians 7:9

Red River Valley

Red River Valley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ALVDLiVWNw&feature=channel

Come and sit by my side, if you love me,
Do not hasten to bid me adieu,
But remember the Red River Valley,
And the cowboy who loves you so true.

From this valley they say you are going,
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile,
For they say you are taking the sunshine,
That has brightened our pathways awhile.

Do you think of the valley you're leaving,
O how lonely and how sad it will be,
Do you think of the fond heart you're breaking,
And the grief you are causing to me.

As you go to your home by the ocean,
May you never forget those sweet hours,
That we spent in the Red River Valley,
And the love we exchanged 'mid the flowers.

I've been thinking a long time, my darling,
Of the sweet words you never would say,
Now, alas, must my fond hopes all vanish,
For they say you are going away.

I have promised you darling that never,
Will a word from my lips cause you pain,
And my life it will be yours forever,
If you only will love me again.

They will bury me where you have wandered,
Near the hills where the daffodils grow,
When you're gone from the Red River Valley,
For I can't live without you I know.

O there never could be such a longing,
In the heart of a poor cowboy's breast,
That now dwell in the heart you are breaking,
As I wait in my home in the West.

Come and sit by my side, if you love me,
Do not hasten to bid me adieu,
But remember the Red River Valley,
And the cowboy who loves you so true.

I'm Sending You Red Roses

I'm Sending You Red Roses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfPzHjSYeqE&feature=channel_page


I'm far away from home out on the dashing foam,
Just how far I have travelled I'll never know,
Sometimes I feel so blue and I long for home and you,
But I must stay and fight the foe.

CHORUS
So I'm sending you red roses to tell you my love is true,
And I send them so you will know dear that I'm always thinking of you.
Enclosed you will find my heart dear so treat it with tender care,
And ev'ry time you look inside dear you'll find my love is there.

May each petal be a memory of the happiness we knew,
Each thorn may tell a story of the heartache that I've been thro',
So I'm sending you red roses although we're oceans apart,
And remember when they fade dear that you'll always have my heart.

Judging Others

Judging Others
http://www.eternallifeskills.com/judging_others.htm

While waiting at a traffic light...

• You are waiting at a traffic light and you see a woman in a new Lexus stopped next to you on the street.
• You might think to yourself, “Isn’t that great. She seems to have her life together and is experiencing the pleasurable things of this world. She is living the abundant life that God has for us all.”
• Or, you might think to yourself, “Some people have all the luck. She has such an easy life, everything she wants, while I have to struggle and suffer. I could never afford anything life that. She probably cheated or did something else ungodly to get that car.”

It's hard to be happy for others

• It’s probably easier for most of us to think the second way rather than the first. Unless things are going great for you, it’s hard to be happy for others when it seems like they have it ‘all together.’

No one in this world escapes struggles, trials and difficulties

• Let me assure you that no one in this world escapes struggles, trials and difficulties. No one! That woman in the Lexus has difficulties in her life just like you and I have difficulties in our lives. The only difference may be her attitude about all that she has gone through and her will to continue on and not give up; her decision to rise above negative situations, or let them take her down.

We only see each other's outside presentation

• We only see each other’s outside presentation. Our true inner worlds are unseen. We see the wrapping that each person’s spirit is in and the small portion they want us to see.

We don't know all there is to know about someone

• No matter how well we think we know someone, we still don’t know all there is to know about him or her. Their inner struggles, fears, hurts, joys. Even our spouses or our children – we think we know them, but we really don’t know everything that there is to know about them.

Only God sees each person's true inner heart

• Only God sees each person’s true inner heart. He sees all the events of a person’s life and how that person has handled them. He sees the scars as well as the victories. He judges each person according to the whole picture. Something we will never be able to do.

We can only judge people by the partial picture that we see

• We can only judge people by the partial picture that we see. We see a woman driving a Lexus at one moment in her life and think “What did she do to deserve this?” “Why don’t I have this too?”

You can't see all of the ups and downs

• What you can’t see is all of the ups and downs that she experienced in her life that got her to the moment you saw her.

You didn't see the women when...

• You didn’t see the woman when she was a child; how she ached for the love of her father who struggled with alcoholism and didn’t spend enough time with her. How she longed for the love of a father, of a man.
• You didn’t see the futile way that she tried to find that love.
• You weren’t there when she was searching for that love in every man that she met, only to find loneliness at the end of the evening.
• You didn’t see when she was strangled and raped by a complete stranger hiding in her apartment late one night, and the scars that it left.
• You weren’t there when she got married too early in her life to the wrong man. Or the divorce that followed.

You weren't there when...

• You weren’t there when she tried to balance her needs with the needs of her young child as a single parent, and the guilt that went along with it. How she was torn between the love for her daughter and the need to find love for herself.
• You didn’t see the years of drug abuse that hid the loneliness and insecurities in her life, and how it nearly cost her her life.
• You weren’t there when her father committed suicide. And the hurt she felt seeing her mother in so much pain – so distraught and all alone.
• You weren’t there when she herself contemplated suicide. When she was depressed about her drug problem, her sad mother, and her bad job – when everything in her life was at its lowest point.

You weren't there when...

• You weren’t there when she turned to Jesus Christ in her darkest hour. How He comforted her and gave her a new life. You weren’t there when she accepted Him as her Savior and He lifted all of her burdens and set her free from drugs and alcohol and gave her a new vision and purpose for her life.
• You weren’t there when she finally met the man of her dreams. A man who truly loved her and gave her the love that she had been searching for all of her life. The joy and completeness that he brought to her life.
• You weren’t there to experience the miscarriage of the child she and her husband tried so hard to have together.
• You weren’t there at the joyous occasion when her second child was finally born.
• You weren’t there when she suffered her second, third, and fourth miscarriage, or how her heart broke when she learned that she would not be able to have another child.
• You weren’t there when she was in so much financial trouble that she didn’t know how she would pay each month’s rent payment. The stress that blinded her to everything else around her except the debt.

You didn't see her when...

• You didn’t see her reading the Bible every day and absorbing God’s principles into her life and how she strived to change the way she thought and acted.
• You weren’t there when she kept on following God’s principles no matter how the situation looked. How she and her husband worked and worked. How they sowed the seeds of prosperity by giving even though their needs were great.
• You weren’t there when the seeds finally sprouted and the Lord blessed their hard work by increasing her husband’s salary to a level they could only imagine before.
• You weren’t there during the years of special treatment that her husband’s job afforded them. The special trips that she experienced because of the business that her husband was in - ski trips, golf outings and private planes.
• You weren’t there when her husband’s company closed and all of the special treatment abruptly ended. The disappointment she experienced when she realized that people treated them specially only because of the position her husband was in, not because of who they were.
• You weren’t there when she supported her husband through a job search that lasted for two long years. The discouragement they both faced. And the faith that they clung to for strength that got them through.
• You weren’t there when her husband finally got a job again and their lives were finally taken off ‘hold.’

You weren't there when...

• You weren’t there when she had physical problems that took over her life. When she was housebound, couch bound, for years and was unable to experience much of her life except for pain.
• You didn’t see her sadness and frustration when all she could do was watch everyone around her live their lives.
• You weren’t there when she finally got cured. When her husband bought her the Lexus as a ‘get well gift’ and she was able to start rebuilding the life that was lost.

But, you were there that moment when you saw her in the Lexus

• BUT, you were there for the moment you saw her in her Lexus waiting at the traffic light next to you on the street that day.

Are you qualified to judge her?

• Are you qualified to judge her? To determine if she should be driving a car like that? If she looks worthy enough, friendly enough, good enough?

We never see the whole picture

• You see, we never see the whole picture. We just see a momentary glimpse of a person’s life. Our lives are composed of so much more than what others can see. We all have hundreds of experiences that bring us joy and hurt, victories and defeats that no one will ever know about.
• And they affect us all in different ways. The real test is - do we keep on going? Do we keep on striving, planting seeds for the next harvest - the seeds that no one but God can see?

The next time you see a women in a Lexus, say a little prayer

• So, the next time you see a woman in a Lexus, instead of judging her, say a little prayer for her, because she is going through struggles of her own.

You see, no one gets through this life totally pain free

• You are both in this journey called “LIFE” together. No one gets through totally pain free – no matter what type of car you are driving.

Oh! Susanna

Oh! Susanna

I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee,
I'm going to Louisiana, my true love for to see
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death; Susanna, don't you cry.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

I had a dream the other night when everything was still,
I thought I saw Susanna coming up the hill,
The red, red rose was in her hand, the tear was in her eye,
I said I'm coming from Dixieland, Susanna don't you cry.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

I soon will be in New Orleans and then I'll look around
And when I find my gal Susanne, I'll fall upon the ground
But if I do not find you there, then I will surely die
And when I'm dead and buried, Susanna don't you cry.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

On Top of Old Smokey

On Top of Old Smokey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwqkKUsz22c&feature=channel_page

On top of Old Smokey,
All covered with snow,
I lost my true lover,
For a-courtin' too slow.

Now courting's a pleasure,
And parting is grief,
But a false hearted lover,
Is worse than a thief.

A thief will just rob you,
And take what you save,
But a false hearted lover,
Will lead you to the grave.

And the grave will decay you,
And turn you to dust,
Not one girl in a hundred,
That a poor boy can trust.

They'll hug you and kiss you,
And tell you more lies,
Than the crossties on a railroad,
Or stars in the sky.

They'll tell you they love you,
To give your heart ease,
But as soon as your back's turned,
They court whom they please.

So come all you maidens,
And listen to me,
Never place your affections,
On a green willow tree.

For the leaves they will wither,
And the roots they will die,
And your true love will leave you,
And you'll never know why.

Stand By Me

Stand By Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

No matter who you are
No matter where you go, in life
You gonna need somebody
To stand by you

No matter how much money you got
Or the friends you got
You gonna need somebody
To stand by you

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me-e, yeah

Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

Darlin', darlin', stand by me-e, stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

Shady Grove

Shady Grove (thanks to Alex for teaching us this wonderful song)


Peaches in the summertime,
Apples in the fall,
If I can’t have the girl I love,
I don’t want none at all.

Chorus:
Shady Grove, my little love,
Shady Grove , my darlin’,
Shady Grove, my little love,
I’m bound to Shady Grove.

Wish I had a needle and thread,
Fine as I could sew,
I’d sew that pretty little girl to my side,
And down the road we’d go.

Chorus

Wish I had a banjo string,
Made of golden twine,
And every time I played on it,
I wish that girl was mine.

Chorus

Some folks come to fiddle and dance,
Some come here to tarry,
Some folks come to fiddle and dance,
I come hear to marry.

Chorus

Every night when I get home,
My wife I try to please her,
The harder I try the worse she gets,
Damned if I don’t leave her.

Chorus

Flyin’ around my little miss,
Flyin’ around my daisy,
Flyin’ around my little miss,
Damn near drives me crazy.

Chorus

Down In the Valley / Birmingham Jail

Down In the Valley / Birmingham Jail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHyznIf0XLc


Down in the valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow,
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.

Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in heaven, know I love you,
Know I love you, love, know I love you,
Angels in heaven, know I love you.

Writing this letter, containing three lines,
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
"Will you be mine, love, will you be mine?"
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"

Write me a letter, send it by mail,
Send it in care of, the Birmingham jail,
Birmingham jail, love, Birmingham jail,
Send it in care of, the Birmingham jail.

If you don’t love me, love whom you please,
But let me be near you, give my heart ease,
Give my heart ease, love, give my heart ease,
Let me be near you, give my heart ease.

Throw your arms ‘round me, before it's too late,
Throw your arms ‘round me, feel my heart break,
Feel my heart break, love, feel my heart break,
Throw your arms ‘round me, feel my heart break.

Bessie my darlin’, Bessie my dear,
Trust me when I say, my love is sincere,
My love is sincere, love, my love is sincere,
Trust me when I say, my love is sincere.

Build me a castle, build it so high,
So I can see my, true love go by,
See her go by, love, see her go by,
So I can see my true love go by.

Down in the valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow,
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.

Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.