Judi: I've never thought about this before, until your posting. The expression "God is love" is familiar enough, I've listened to it many thousands of times but never heard it once. That's a problem with being forced to go to church.

Love obviously takes many forms. Is the love I feel for, say a family member, in actuality God? Also if I have love of a cat, or of a work of art?

This might help me understand the concept of God a little better.

Judi,

Great question. How does one be brief when exclaiming the experience of a transformed life? How can one condense endless examples of an intimate reciprocal relationship with the Most High God?

As a seeker myself, had I not found that which fills that void inside (and refills and refills), I would keep searching.

This adventure is been the wildest ride on earth!

The ups and downs, the twists and the turns. Yet He calls me to keep going, for I know not whats around the next corner. I believe He knows me intimately. And I continue to know Him better as He reveals and proves Himself over and over.

I would say to someone searching Go to God for yourself, ask Him to make Himself real. I know thats one question that will not go unanswered.

"For if you seek Him with all of your heart you shall find Him"

Selah

LQ

"Christianity is not a commitment to a method of self-improvement like the Eight Fold Path or the Five Pillars, or meditation, or good works or even the Ten Commandments. These seem clear, well-defined, easy-to-follow paths for spirituality. But they become a burdensome striving for perfection, and connection with God is still distant.

Our hope is not in following laws or standards, but in knowing a Savior who fully accepts us because of our faith in him and his sacrifice for us. We don't earn our place in heaven by religious efforts or good deeds. Heaven is a free gift to us, when we begin a relationship with Jesus Christ." Author unknown

Thanks for getting this started, Tony & LQ!

God's love, or as LanSr likes to write, "agape", is a manifestation of spiritual maturity. It is an impersonal, unconditional love, and is not something a Christian automatically possesses.

Agape love comes from having "the mind of Christ". It is a relaxed mental attitude you have toward others no matter what is going on around you, or no matter what the other person is or isn't, does or doesn't. It is based on who & what you are, as the subject or giver of that virtue love, and not on who and what the object of your love may or may not be.

It is not a huggy-feely kind of love like you will see with philios or eros love. It is what you will find in the famous I Corinthians 13:1-7.

I am not a great writer but reading your comments I wanted to add my comments about my relationship with the living Jesus Christ. Over 35 years of knowing Him I have found that the connection to Him and to Him alone brings real joy. Many times I have gotten off track and the connection has broken and I have wanted only to be reconnected and feel close to Him again. There is no other feeling that compares, nothing on earth that can take His place. No matter what is going on around me I know He loves me, will guide me, and wants the very best for me. What a great feeling that is. And to think that at the end I even have heaven. How rich I am.

Thank you for your comments, litllincombs, and welcome to TBD. I feel honored that you have made this your first posting. There is also a very good Christian discussion group that is monitored by our member, editor. I go there for peace & harmony while on TBD. This site will be for exploration of the truth in the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, from both a faith-based belief, and fact-based belief. I hope you will join us and assist in this endeavor.

It is hard, or even impossible, for those who have not known Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, with His healing power, His words of wisdom & strength, & God the Holy Spirit, God the Father, & Jesus Christ all dwelling within us, to comprehend the peace, joy & contentment that is ours.

Shalom & maranatha!

Judi

"God is love" sounds a bit abstract to me.

I guess until I realize that God loves me, and really experience that, I wouldn't have much to say.

Cheers,

TJ