“Love That Binds Us Together”

Hello everyone! It is a pleasure to with with you today to talk about such an amazing word. It is the underlying and intertwining of this word that holds couples, families, communities, and nations together in unity.

It is like an electrical charge which is activated in us into action with our genuine gestures, sincere and thoughtful words, and unselfish act of kindness to others. The intentional activation compels others’ hearts to soften and openly receptive for true connection.

When it comes to romantic love, loyal commitment, unselfish motivation, and a forgiving heart to one another are vital ingredients to a lasting relationship. Every day is a fresh start to a new beginning and restart to a new outlook. Purposely move to improve in communication and understanding for each other in a safe environment. Sincerely forgive each other without grudges.

In family love, demonstrations of respect, loyalty, deep affections, and healthy attachments are important to bring a strong togetherness. Although one cannot choose the family one has, you can choose to lovingly embrace who they are. Regardless of their corkiness, accept them with warts and all!

It is in times of difficulties, turmoil, and uncertainties that the demonstrations of sincere affections can be easily seen, felt, and sensed. However, it should be depicted in our lives daily with one another. No matter the circumstances whether good, bad, ugly, or indifferent, let the action shown always be of GENUINE LOVE.

Love with your honest encouragements, unselfish deeds, real smiles, thoughtful gifts, and true dedications to those you deeply care and love. Enjoy each other’s company. Love affectionately!

“Love is to be sincere and active (the real thing - without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness); hold on tightly to what is good. Be devoted to one another with authentic brotherly affection (as members of one family) give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:9-10

Peace, Love, and Joy!

Sandra Miranda

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

For many, this question is a valid one because all they have experienced was contrary to what was informed, believed, and lived was true. Hurts, disappointments, broken promises, betrayal, and mistrust were the outcomes felt that left permanent marks in their lives.

So, then what? Do you live a cynical life that questions everything with a lens that has been broken into millions of pieces? Many would say, “Yes!” why be vulnerable and gullible and get hurt again. Although there is no guarantee that you may never get hurt again. I say that is NOT living. What if you allow one that can heal your heart and mend all your brokenness?

Who would that be? Can he truly be able to heal me and I then would be able to love again. Is there really such hope? I say without a shadow of a doubt, “Absolutely, YES!!” His name is Jesus and His essence is LOVE. “The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God (does not and never did know Him), for God is love. (He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.) 1 John 4:8 AMP

Agape is the word that describes selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the bible. This Greek word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament. It perfectly describes the kind of love God the Father for Jesus Christ. As well as Jesus has for his Father and for his followers: Jesus lived out agape by sacrificing himself for the sins of the world. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 AMP

Agape love destroys division, loneliness, strife, anger, hatred, and envy. It is caring for others who are lost, lonely, hurting, needy and the unlovable. But how can one have this type of love? God is the one who will deposit this kind of love in you. It originates from Him and pours into a willing heart. The heart must be receptive and desiring to be healed by the past negative experiences.

It is not to deny what had occurred but to release those negative emotions attached to the person and circumstances. Letting go is freeing! Let go of hatred, anger, bitterness, frustrations, and anxieties. Then He will be able to pour mercy, forgiveness, peace, joy, and His love into you.

Demonstration of agape love can be displayed by active listening to the other person, respecting differences, willing to understand the other person’s viewpoint, and sincerely asking for their opinion. When problem arises, which they will, be ready to talk about it openly and candidly. Truly pray for the other person’s complete well-being.

Billy Graham stated, “Agape love is selfless love…the love God wants us to have isn’t just an emotion but a conscious act of the will- a deliberate decision on our part to put others ahead of ourselves. This is the kind of love God has for us.”

Peace, Love, and Joy!

Sandra Miranda

Love Affectionately!

Welcome my friends to another moment we can be together and converse about a very important topic. The topic for this month is all about love. Many songs have been written about this subject, from The Beatles with “All we need is love” to Tina Turner singing “What’s love got to do with it.” So many definitions of love that can be found while researching its true meaning.

I am going to be writing about different relationships and the thread that holes it together is this four letter word we know as LOVE. In order to proceed, let us find out it’s meaning to provide clarity in what is and what it is not. It is a verb which implies that you can feel it, see it, and sense it. It is demonstrative in essence that words are not necessary to elaborate nor articulate to prove it is present.

1 Corinthians 13:4 - 8 gives a very descriptive list of what love looks like:

1. Endures with patience and serenity

2. Kind and thoughtful

3. Not jealous or envious

4. Not rude, self-seeking, or provoked to anger

5. Forgives - doesn’t hold grudges

6. Does not rejoice at injustice

7. Rejoices with the truth (when right and truth prevails)

8. It bears all things (regardless of what comes)

9. Believes all things (looking for the best in each other)

10. Hopes all things (remaining steadfast during difficult times)

11. Endures all things (without weakening)

12. Never fails (it never fades nor ends)

This clearly provides a keen snapshot of what to look for when seeking, showing and living out love. Now, I’m going to ask the question, “How do you rate yourself from the descriptions above?” Honestly, how many can you say that you are doing or being in the different relationships you are involved in. I mean as a son or daughter, husband or wife, fiancé, sibling, etc...

In the next few Mondays, I will be elaborating on the five different types of love which are Philia, Storge, Eros, Philautia, and Agape. It will guide you to a better understanding and shed light into your heart to heal from past hurts as well as strengthen the present relationships. It will also spark a new hope that may have been dormant for a long time. Or increase the capacity to express and show your true feelings toward others.

My desire is to stir pure emotions and sincere feelings to be able to express externally what is on the inside with a genuine heart without any hidden agendas. By diving deeper internally, you will be able to evaluate your own state and make adjustments to be able to live a life that loves affectionately!

Peace, Love, and Joy!

Sandra Miranda