So this is LoVe? or is it Infatuation?? pt.2

So now that we have explored the meaning of LOVE. I am now going to attempt in my best efforts to shine an understanding on what INFATUATION is. Understand that my purpose in doing this is because often so many of us are experiencing feelings of infatuation with those that we claim to love.

Given the same biblical guidelines that we covered in pt. 1 we will approach it in the same manner. So I ask the question again that was asked to me, "What is the difference between LOVE and INFATUATION?"

So this is Infatuation?...

INFATUATION IS PATIENT?
Infatuation does not have the ability to wait. It is moved by the moment and it is hurried by its emotions. Infatuation does not allow the natural progression to take place within its relationships. Infatuation seeks a destination (often marriage for most) rather than genuinely enjoying the journey with the other person. Infatuation moves out of season and acts prematurely.

INFATUATION IS KIND?
Infatuation hears but does not take the time to listen. Infatuation is argumentative and oppositional with their partner. Infatuation is mean spirited and is often cheap and tight. Infatuation driven parties are intense and hard-skinned.

INFATUATION DOES NOT ENVY?
Infatuation is possessive and jealous. It is full of insecurities because it is rarely content in with what it has. Infatuation wants more for itself but places restrictions on the lives of their partners. Infatuation does not know the other person well enough, which is why it is distraught by petty issues.

INFATUATION DOES NOT BOAST?
Infatuation is overly confident in itself. It is loud and rambunctious with its attempts to gather others to join its bandwagon. It is constantly seeking approval and by doing such it convinces itself that it is better than others. Infatuation holds its head to the sky with thoughts of self and its head is only lowered when it is looking down upon others.

INFATUATION IS NOT PROUD?
With similarities of being boastful, infatuation is also prideful. Infatuation believes that it knows all, therefore, its growth is consequently stunted. Infatuation can hear the voice of God within them and also from others but is reluctant to change. Infatuation is stuck in its ways because it is firm that its ways are what is best.

INFATUATION IS NOT RUDE?
Infatuation is harsh and abrasive. It is impolite and disorderly because it disregards civility. Its driving force is not based on peaceful outcomes and acts out as such with crude behaviors.

INFATUATION IS NOT SELF SEEKING?
In direct contrast to love, infatuation is selfishness in its absolute form. Infatuation seeks pleasure for itself. Infatuation will do for the other only to bring gratification to itself. It does not do things without looking for something in return. Infatuation has its hand out because it always wants and it always will take whatever it is given.

INFATUATION IS NOT EASILY ANGERED?
Infatuation has a short fuse that goes off often when it does not receive what benefits it. It is easily offended because it is always in defense. Infatuation is weak and feeble. It is afraid of being vulnerable in front of others.

INFATUATION KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS?
Infatuation holds on to disappointments and failures. It is very judgmental and does not take others off of the hook. Infatuation lives by fairy tale standards and holds their partners to that image. Infatuation becomes bitter by its inability to forgive. Anger is regularly a choice by infatuation.

INFATUATION DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH?
Infatuation is cloaked in fantasy. Based off of its sheer self-centeredness, infatuation is of the flesh. It seeks pleasure foremost and will ignore the morality or ethics to fulfill this desire.

INFATUATION ALWAYS PROTECTS?
Infatuation is only concerned with protecting itself. In prayer, infatuation will go before God with a wish list with extensive use of the pronouns such as me and I. It is unstable, shaky and insecure. Infatuation is immature and not properly grown. It does not have the capabilities to provide protection because it is ill equipped.

INFATUATION ALWAYS TRUSTS?
Since infatuation is based off of falsehoods, it is impossible to trust anyone or anything because it can not believe in its own self. Infatuation is a facade and is dishonest. What it is, is what it gives out. Infatuation is panicky and anxious, it is afraid of being seen and figured out and so it wears a mask that we tend to call love.

INFATUATION ALWAYS HOPES?
Infatuation's only hope is the hope that this feeling will never end. It has limited aspiration and unlimited expiration. It becomes its own god and lives through its revelations that are technically adolescent imaginations. Infatuation only sees with their natural eyes and not with their spiritual ones. What is impossible with infatuation is also impossible with God.

INFATUATION ALWAYS PERSEVERES?
Infatuation can not weather the storm. In the face of difficulties, challenges and adversities, infatuation fades and then once the smoke clears it is completely gone. It can not handle differences and imperfections.

INFATUATION NEVER FAILS?
Above all else, infatuation is short lived. It is a temporary passion filled moment in time birthed by intense physical affections. Unfortunately, for infatuation, it was written in Proverbs that beauty is fleeting and thus so are the effects of infatuation. Infatuation is merely just a beginning without a finality.

Back in 10

One of the worst feelings, is one that comes when you reach the entrance of your favorite store only to find a handwritten note posted on the door that reads, BACK IN 10.

It is usually there on one of those days where you had limited time to spare. When you just needed to pick up an item briefly. It is there on those days when you knew exactly what you needed and exactly where it was located in the store. You mapped out your entire route to get you there and back with time left over.

But there it is...

An empty store with no one in sight and that note which is often written on a napkin saying how the clerk had to momentarily step away. Yes, I understand fully that when nature calls, we must answer. I get it! I totally empathize with the busy clerk who had no one else to cover for him.

So much to my dismay, I as well have to leave a back in 10 notice on the front door of this store. I'm aware that many of my readers come here to browse around my thoughts and take a stroll through my perceptions, imaginations, experiences and ideas.

Recently, I have come to a point in my life where I must walk through certain doors and face certain obstacles and there is no one to cover me on that end or on this one. When the Lord loves you, He will make sure you take the necessary steps that He needs you to take in order to fulfill the purpose on your life.

I love So this is LoVe and I love how it frees me to be me and I love the overwhelming feeling I get in knowing that I am possibly helping others. I am in no way saying that I will not return to this site, just as the clerk is not saying that store permanently went out of business.

I will be back in 10!!!
Nature is naturally calling me and that is requiring all of my attention, it is requiring that I step outside of myself and push further than I have before. There is power awaiting me and I have to receive it by giving it my all.

So, to all my So this is LoVe lovers. I shall return. In the meantime, I ask that you stay connected to the Truth. Whenever needed, please feel free to re-read through the previous posts and if you chose, leave comments.

Shalom

So this is LoVe? or is it Infatuation?? pt.1

I was asked, "What is the difference between LOVE and INFATUATION?"
Full of confidence I answered, "Well, you know, love can not be defined for what it is because it is different for all people. On the other hand, it can be defined by what we know that it is not. Thus, infatuation is everything that we know love is not."

The question was so prevalent that to fully show the significant difference it will take us going beyond the surface. In this three part series I will expose exactly what LOVE and INFATUATION is and just how easily we often confuse the two.

So this is Love?...

LOVE IS PATIENT.
The word patient explains to us that love endures situations that will bring forth pain, suffering and difficulty with calmness. Being patient in love means pressing forth together in the face of adversity. Being patient in love requires constant communication, understanding and an acceptance that God will lead the way.

LOVE IS KIND.
Kindness is an expression of generosity and warmness. Love is being agreeable with your partner, even if that means sometimes having to agree to disagree. Being kind in love means being gentle and tender with the life of another.

LOVE DOES NOT ENVY.
Love is not jealous or insecure in what it knows is rightfully theirs. Love is content with all that it possesses and it is joyous about the qualities of others. Love looks with thanksgiving at what is in its own hands and not at what is in their neighbors. Love does not envy because love knows that each of us have been purposely placed according to the will of God, so therefore, we have no cause to want the position or possessions of another.

LOVE DOES NOT BOAST.
Love needs not to brag of itself in a prideful manner. Love is silent confidence, it does not boast because love knows its self worth and value and is internally glorified in that alone. Love does not boast or become conceited because it does not need the approval of others.

LOVE IS NOT PROUD.
Love is not proud because it is not prideful. Love has the ability to be taught and has the desire to grow. Love is not arrogant because in our loftiness we are never higher than the One above. Love is humble and humbling. Remember, the meek shall inherit the earth.

LOVE IS NOT RUDE.
Love is gracious and not rough. Love listens to the God in others, young and old. Love allows compromise and its roots are planted firm in peace. Love respects order and civility. Love in its naked form is not cruel.

LOVE IS NOT SELF SEEKING.
Love is selfless and is not selfish. Love is putting the best interest of others before your own. It is courteous and thrives off of giving rather than receiving. Love is of the spirit and is not of the flesh. Love volunteers, love mentors, love donates, love does without expectation of a return.

LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED.
Love commits to a resolve. Love adds and multiples as opposed to subtracting and dividing. It welcomes disagreements as opportunities to become closer. Love is not hostile or quick tempered. Love is accepting the other for who they were, who they are and who they are to come. Trying to change someone is where most of our anger exist.

LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS.
Love forgives. Love knows that we are all human and are prone to making mistakes but walks under the teachings of Jesus. Love does not forget but it also does not throw the past into the present. Love looks forward in faith and not behind in fear. Love is honest about its imperfections so it does not judge others on theirs.

LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH.
Love loves righteousness and is motivated by being morally strong and good. Love is knowing that sin lives within us but choosing life over death. Love fights for a greater purpose beyond its own being. It lives, loves, speaks, and walks in reality. Love does not survive on falsities created in a realm of fantasy, it is honest.

LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS.
Love means praying fervently for one another because love guards the heart of others as well as itself. It also keeps their mates soul in tact. Love defends and assists in all areas. Love provides safety and comfort.

LOVE ALWAYS TRUSTS.
Love says what it means and means what it says. Love's yes is its yes and its no is its no. Love is not double minded or doubtful it is free of suspicions and assumptions. Love is not afraid to be led or walk into the unknown. Love is faithful and it is real.

LOVE ALWAYS HOPES.
Love is optimistic about its expectations of the future. It is a source of positive energies. Love sets goals and takes all necessary steps with confidence towards achieving them. Love is believing that God really does know the desires of our hearts and responds to the world accordingly. Love is having wholehearted assurance and faith.

LOVE ALWAYS PERSEVERES.
Love is persistent and diligent in the face of obstacles. Love stands firm and puts forth a constant effort towards the plan and purpose of God. Love does not give up, quit, or walk away. Love loves the development of its character and understands that learning is a life long process and love does not despise the process.

LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Above it all, love stands the test of time. Love is heaven sent and heaven bound. It is endless. It is perfection. Love is God.

The Fine Print

This spectacular package of love called ME, requires that you read the fine print carefully.

I AM CUSTOM MADE.
Meaning that I come with instructions to 'Handle with Care.'

Proverbs 4:23- Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

The HEART is the wellspring of life, therefore it is necessary that it stays protected. Like many others, I too have had my share of disappointments, of heart breaks, and upsets. I was more focused on defending and defining myself rather than guarding what was sacred. But...

I AM CUSTOM MADE.
Meaning that I come with instructions to 'Handle with Care.'

I Corinthians 6:19- Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.

The BODY is a temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore it is necessary that it stays in optimal condition. Like many others, I too have had my share of fad diets, drugs use, and tattoos. I was more focused on instant gratification rather than maintaining a vessel worthy of housing my Comforter. But...

I AM CUSTOM MADE.
Meaning that I come with instructions to 'Handle with Care.'

Ezekiel 18:4- For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son— both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

The living SOUL within me has an owner, therefore, it is necessary that I not give it away to death. Like many others, I too have had my share of temptations, low points, and wicked behaviors. I was more focused on functioning in the pains rather than in the promises. But...

I AM CUSTOM MADE.
Meaning that I come with instructions to 'Handle with Care.'

And that is exactly what I have been doing. I went before my Maker and He graciously provided me with a copy of His owner's manual. From that day forth, I have been handling myself with care. I value my value and those around me are expected to do the same.

Because see, I am custom made and I know that not everyone reads the fine print and therefore, they miss out and lose their goods.

An Ode to Rose

Rose is red,
And I'm no longer blue.
The tears have dried up,
And it's all because of you.

Thanks Rosie Livingston. Today was a rough day and you mellowed it all out for me.

Death of a Writer

"The dress code is business casual", she said looking at me from across what appeared to be a mile long desk.
I sorrowfully bowed my head in agreement.

As I walked out of the 12 story building and headed out to my car, I was suddenly awakened with the epiphany of....
Working a 9-5 kills one's CREATIVITY!!! I'm so not cut out for the corporate world.