Breaking Down the Components of Love

Perhaps the most common scripture that is read at a wedding is from 1 Corinthians 13. This is beautiful scripture that defines what is and what is not love and is a favorite of mine.

I encourage you to read 13:4 and substitute your name for “love.” Our goal in life should be to achieve the characteristics that are described in this scripture. God is love and if we want to be closer to God we must show His love to the world.

13:1-13:3 are very close to my heart. I think far too often we focus on learning and understanding the Bible and doing good deeds to try to earn favor with God. The most important thing we can do once we have accepted the love of Christ is to show the love of Christ to others. This love starts with our spouse and family and works outward to the world in both word and deed.

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
13:3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
13:4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant
13:5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
13:6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
13:7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
13:8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.
13:13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Love is also making time for those you love. Love is listening not just hearing. It is crying together and rejoicing together. Love is when two become one body and love each other as Christ loved His church. Tell your loved ones that you love them and reinforce it with your actions.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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What Is A “Real” Man?

I recently heard a term that caught my attention. A friend commented on a movie actor that he liked because the actor is a “real man.” He plays tough-guy characters that don’t put up with any nonsense. A segment of pop music encourages boys and men to be “real men” by selling drugs, killing rivals, and prostituting women. Some TV sitcoms portray “real men” as clowns, grouchy, or unable to communicate with their family. I reject all of these notions of a man and submit to you five characteristics of a real man:

- - - A real man honors and respects his wife above all else. He affirms her with his actions and words and supports her at all times. There is nothing or no one more important to him than his wife, including his own children
    - A real man bows down before he ever attempts to stand up and lead his family. He recognizes that all authority on heaven and earth come from God.
    - He knows that upon his death Christ will say to him “Well done my good and faith servant” (Matthew 25:21). A real man straps on the armor of God and encourages his family and others in spiritual warfare.
    - A real man accepts responsibility and is able to freely accept AND give grace and forgiveness. He does not carry grudges and realizes that before he throws any stones or criticizes his neighbor for the splinter in their eye, he must carefully examine himself and recognizes that he himself is not without fault.
    - A real man is committed to The Great Commissioning and understands that before he can be the hands and feet of God he must first disciple himself and then his family.

In summary, a real man loves his wife as Christ loves the church. He earnestly prays every day for her physical, mental, and spiritual well being. He realizes that he and his spouse are one body and that anything that affects his wife also affects him. A real man is not perfect nor without sin, but he is constantly striving to grow closer to Christ and bring His light into the world.

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A Joyful Life

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV).

Our society has achieved a point of technological advancement that was unthinkable a mere 10-20 years ago. In the Western world, we have freedoms of speech and access to clean drinking water that are unheard of in other countries. All of us, even those barely out of diapers, have smart phones. However, many Americans are without joy and are seeking answers from pharmaceutical companies to the bottom of a beer bottle. I have found a few universal truths that can help bring about joy.

1. Read and BELIEVE God’s Promises

Reading the Bible is a great thing to do. However, you must do your part. James 1:22 reads “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” The Bible is a road map to peace and joy. We should all pray each day for God to remove all that is bad from within us and replace it the light of Christ.

2. Recognize the connection of mental, physical, and spiritual health

Great strides in mental health can be achieved by improving our physical health. My mental health improves after a walk in the woods or by a stream. Nature has a great calming effect. Our mental health can also be improved by focusing on our spiritual health. Studies have shown that people that engage daily with the Word have a better spiritual life. The Bible is a love book from God to us and full of his promises of forgiveness and desires for our happiness.

3. Smile

Even if you don’t feel happy you can think of a happy memory and smile. Smiling has a proven health benefit on your health and happiness. Natural hormones that make us “feel good” are released when we smile. I like the old song “Smile and the whole world smiles back at you.”

4. Surround Yourself With Positive People

Life is hard and we need positive people to yoke up with and support us. Positive people will have a positive effect on you. Eventually, they will be in need of support and it will be a blessing for you to support them. If you are married, communicate with your spouse. The two of you are one body. If half of your body is unhappy, you are unhappy.

5. Guard Your Brain

Focus on positive thoughts. Negative thoughts drain our energy and lead to negatives thoughts and actions. Proverbs 4:23 tells us “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” Life represents happiness and joy that originate in our mind. Negative thoughts of self doubt and worry are tools of Satan and should be rebuked in the name of Jesus.

Always remember that God loves you and walks with you every day. Be blessed.

Prayer: Dear God, Help us to to be thankful not for all circumstances but through all circumstances. May we find our joy in You, and peace knowing that nothing can separate us from Your love. Amen.

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Finding Peace in Times of Adversity

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV ).

We learn at a young age that there are two things certain in life – death and taxes. I would add a third to that list: adversity. We all have experienced some form of adversity in our life from death of a family member, loss of a job, divorce, etc. My first real experience with adversity was when I was 9 years old and my sister died in a car crash. My Christian roots were shallow and so my coping skills ranged from very limited to non-existent.

Thirty-one years later my father died and I began to hear a calling which I discerned was from God. I attended the Walk to Emmaus after wandering this earth for 40 years. The Walk is a three-day spiritual retreat with talks by laity and clergy and lots of fun and fellowship. I left that weekend on fire for Christ and with a strong desire to learn more about God through the Bible, small groups, and being the hands and feet of Christ. I learned that Christ does not want His people to suffer. The Psalmist writes in 149:4, “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; He adorns the humble with victory.” I am comforted that the creator of the universe takes pleasure in me and knows every detail about me but yet loves me anyway.

If you are dealing with adversity now, I encourage you to meditate on this scripture from Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and learn not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” We are made for community and this is never more true than during a time of adversity. Speak to your pastor, yoke up with a close friend, spend time alone with God, and cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Remember God’s strength often begins when our strength ends. Once we submit to God, His promises will come true in His perfect time. My favorite promise is found in Jeremiah 29:11 “For surely I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” May God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace.

Prayer: Dear God, Help us to cast all of our anxiety on You and abide in Your love and grace. Amen.

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Opportunities Abound For Those Seeking Volunteer Roles With Christian Organizations

Opportunities Abound For Those Seeking
Volunteer Roles With Christian Organizations

“The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11 NIV)

Volunteer work should be seen as a hallmark of every good Christian’s character. Those who want to live a life in God’s good graces should feel compelled to help out their brothers and sisters around them. The next question then is how to get involved with a volunteer effort, as it’s often one of the only ways to accomplish the goodwill work that needs to be addressed in this world. Fortunately, there is no shortage of organizations that need volunteers. I would begin by speaking with your pastor and ask her or him about any volunteer opportunities. Some may exist inside of your church and others maybe found outside the church. Another option is that your church may have an evangelism group that seeks to take the church to those outside of the church to meet people where they are.

As you speak with your pastor, discuss with her or him your interests and strengths. Your best ministry will combine your unique gifts and talents with your interests.

The service: There’s no shortage of need in this country. From general social services roles where volunteers will make home or site visits to work with clients or more specialized tasks for those with a teaching background, there’s plenty of chances to get involved. Medical professionals can start their volunteer work by working events such as Adopt-a-Senior on holidays or the opportunity to help out in an orphanage, the highly-specialized skills here are always in demand.

The sector: From your local church group to international missions, the type and duration of your visit is up to you. When searching for volunteer opportunities, it’s important to state to the organization running the effort what you’re comfortable with and capable of. Some commitments will require no relocation and come in the form of a comforting phone call to those in distress while others are going to have you in for the long haul.

The state: No matter where you are located in the U.S., there’s an organization carrying out selfless volunteer work. By visiting www.christianvolunteering.org, you’ll be able to find the right fit for you. The search for a local Christian volunteer organization can be broken down by country, state, metro area denomination and more. For those in the Louisiana area, a number of hospice, youth care, and pregnancy resources are available to serve as a conduit between your volunteering and helping to make the word a better place.

Prayer: Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the opportunities to be vessels of Your love. Help us to recognize and act upon these opportunities. Amen.

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“Four Ways To Turn Father’s Day Into A Celebration Of The Selfless Service Men Do Daily”

While we’d rather see more than one day per year dedicated to recognizing the fathers in all our lives, we’ll take one and seize upon it for now.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, now’s the time to start planning the best ways to mark the occasion. From family outings to intimate sit-downs with like-minded family and friends, Father’s Day is a chance to show respect, appreciation and utmost gratitude for the

sacrifices our fathers have made throughout their lives and ours to better our quality of living. I am a firm believer in Father’s Day (and Mother’s Day). That’s because it can be used for purposes beyond a card in the mail or a nice dinner.

With that in mind, here are four ways to spend the upcoming holiday thanks to suggestions from the Charlotte, North Carolina-based arm of Band of Brothers. For more information on that organization, click here. For ways to turn this upcoming Sunday into a celebration of men everywhere, keep reading.

– Angels in the Outfield: What says “spring has arrived” more than an afternoon at a baseball game? If sports aren’t your thing but you still want to spend time outdoors with your family, try a nature walk, day at the beach or visit to an animal sanctuary.

– Leading by Example: Reach out to your congregation and see if they will allow you to use the church for an educational seminar on the modern role of a father. Invite the community at large and be surprised at how much new information and insight into other’s lives that you’ll walk away with.

– Sunday Service: When it comes time to attend church on Father’s Day, those in the position to preach should take their role to heart and spread a message that will reach all men – not just fathers. Encourage a handful of men in the congregation to share stories of success through faith. You can also distribute a survey to men in attendance to get a better idea of issues they face today. That survey can then be used by your church’s leadership team to shape fall programming in hopes of reaching more with resonating messages. Some churches have a Men’s Sunday that occurs on or near Father’s Day (and a women’s day that occurs near Mother’s Day). The service is lead by the men of the church and they select a special guest speaker to bring a powerful message of God’s love and grace.

– Rest and Relaxation: After church, head outdoors for a family picnic or to a site with recreational options for you and the family to consider. It’s both a team-building exercise and quality time well spent with loved ones.

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Thank you for visiting. We trust that you have enjoyed reading our articles.

Breaking Down the Components of Love

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What Is A “Real” Man?

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A Joyful Life

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Finding Peace in Times of Adversity

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Opportunities Abound For Those Seeking Volunteer Roles With Christian Organizations

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“Four Ways To Turn Father’s Day Into A Celebration Of The Selfless Service Men Do Daily”

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Opportunities Abound For Those Seeking
Volunteer Roles With Christian Organizations