I wrote this in my journal eight years ago: I am turning fifty five this year, which pretty much means nothing, to many of the people I know who are in there sixties and seventies, I'm just a kid. During my life, despite MY best efforts to learn, the Lord has been able to teach me a few things. The hardest to grasp seems like it would be the easiest, true love, what it is, where it is from, and what to do with it. Love! what a simple concept, yet how misunderstood it is. I am barely old enough to remember the "Love" movement of the sixties. "Love is the answer! Love will change the world!" As true as that is the wrong source for that love was used so what they referred to as free love became unrestrained sex, their communes, which as I understand it was patterned after the communities of Christians in the first century church, became orgies. It happened again in the eighties only instead of communes there were discos, and the "love" sharing was a little more discreet. The source for true love they used was the human heart and the love it contains, hundreds of thousands of books have been written of this love, many end in tragedy. Love songs have filled records stores, radio, and now the internet, love story movies are everywhere, yet the world is still mired in the mess of hatred and war, why? Because the human heart that has not been redeemed and transformed is corrupt! The love contained within it is spoiled, it does manage to produce a very limited quantity of good love, for certain people, but trying to share true love with a community is beyond it's capability. The True Source For True Love is GOD! He IS love, His love doesn't corrupt it purifies, it flows in an inexhaustible abundance, and He offers it to us freely if we agree to His terms which are: Turn from your life and the life of the world and take up the life I have for you. Make me your master, obey only me and do what I instruct you to do with love and gladness in your heart. Ouch! Give up everything I am, own, and depend on? I would bet if you asked people to give up all and serve the master of love, most of them would say yes. But the world has made the true master of love into a hard demanding old codger who is best avoided. And the church! "I have put aside and given up much to pick up the cross and follow him, it is a heavy burden but I bear it gladly for his sake." YUCK!!! Anyone with half a brain would be running away after hearing a testimony like that! I have learned that the best testimony is the power of true love. It is not warm and fuzzy, though it gives you joy. It is not touchy feely, though the touch of a hand extended in true love encourages and enlivens, it is not of the body, yet it can heal, strengthen, and comfort the body. So how do we get true love? Get to know the master of true love, his invitation is open to you, accept his terms and receive love that has no bounds, is deeper, higher and more joyful than anything you have ever known.