In TOK class we have been learning about languages and how they are so closely connected to knowlege, in fact, without some way to communicate, knowledge would be quite unuseable. Similarily, love languages bring people together in a way that would be impossible without them. The five main love languages are:
Touch ~ a hug, holding hands, or even a simple squeeze on the shoulder
Words ~ saying I love you, thank you or wishing them a great day
Gifts ~ a card, flowers, anything, no occasion needed
Time ~ taking time out of your busy schedule just to spend time with them
Service ~ babysitting the kids, making their favorite meal, doing something to help them out
The range of importance of these depends on each individual so it is important to be observant and figure out which of these is most important to your loved ones. Once you know each other's prime love language, you will be able to love more effectively and deeply!
As for me (hehe), I think my main love languages are touch, time, and words. I guess that would make me a very touchy feely person ya? Hahaha..well, honestly hand hold is one of my favorite acts of affection. I also feel loved when I know someone has put effort into spending time with me, it's called sacrifice. And last but certainly not least, words. It is true that words can either build a man up or tear him down. A simple "I love you" straight from the heart is one of the most beautiful uses of language ever made.
Now it's your turn. Go through the list and decide which love language or languages is the most important to you. Look for those acts of love when you are around your loved ones, you may need to let them know which make you feel loved the most, they may have no idea. Then observe or even ask them which are most important to them and try your best to live up to it. Without a doubt, whether it is one of your family members, spouse, your bestfriend, boyfriend or girlfriend, you will develope a better relationship with them by putting their needs infront of your own and show them the kind of love they yearn for.
written by kendal m.
posted by four and a half at 7:08 PM
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The Bible is our handbook for each and every issue we come up against in life, it is the key to knowledge of what is right and wrong. Racism and prejudice corresponds directly to favoritism, treating others indifferently, and showing a lack of love, all of which are talked about in the Bible.
Favoritism has been one of man’s down falls in life from the beginning of time and leads directly to racism and prejudice. The Bible talks about favoritism numerous times, James chapter two being one of them. In his letter which purpose is to “expose unethical practices and teach right Christian behavior” (Student’s Life Application Bible), James says, “ My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if your favor some people more than others?” (James 2:1) Another example of partiality resulting in racism and prejudice is the conflict between God’s chosen people and gentiles. In the early era of Israel, the conflict between these two people groups was constant, they thought it was even scandalous to talk to gentiles. This is because the Jews thought they were more important than everyone else which lead to prejudice against Jews that continues to this day. Peter knew differently, though, in Acts 10:34, “Then Peter replied, ‘I see very clearly that God doesn’t show partiality.’”
“Treat others how you would like to be treated” is a statement that almost everyone has heard one time or another, in one way or another. It is not very surprising that this truthful remark originated from the Bible, more than once. Widely known in the Church as the Golden Rule, treating others like yourself is mentioned in Luke 10:27, Mark 12:31, Matthew 5:43-48, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39, and there are some many others references. It is a fact that human’s number one obsession is themselves and themselves is what they care about and think about the most. Obviously, if we all treated others how we wanted to be treated like the Bible tells us to, there would not be problems of racism and prejudice because everyone would love each other and find no faults in one another.
Love makes the world to round, it is what separates us from the animals, and it is God’s gift to each and every one of his creatures. The Bible says clearly and demonstrates God’s love for us a gazillion times stating all through the Bible that God’s love is unfailing, immeasurable, and never ending. In turn, it is our responsibility and privilege to love others as God loves us. In 1 John 4:7 and 8 says, “ Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God-for God is love.” When we truly love others, there is no room for hatred, jealousy, or any other wrong thoughts or actions that are racist or prejudice to God’s creatures.
Knowing all these things, and understanding what the Bible says is nothing without application. The Bible says we should be doers and not hearers. It is not enough to have 1st Corinthians 13, also known as the love chapter, memorized and be able to tell people God loves them and be as tolerant as possible. One needs to actually be the example and show complete love towards everyone. This is the only way that racism and prejudice can be overcome, it is the example of Jesus Christ himself that can help us oppose the disease known as discrimination.
By Kendal
Favoritism has been one of man’s down falls in life from the beginning of time and leads directly to racism and prejudice. The Bible talks about favoritism numerous times, James chapter two being one of them. In his letter which purpose is to “expose unethical practices and teach right Christian behavior” (Student’s Life Application Bible), James says, “ My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if your favor some people more than others?” (James 2:1) Another example of partiality resulting in racism and prejudice is the conflict between God’s chosen people and gentiles. In the early era of Israel, the conflict between these two people groups was constant, they thought it was even scandalous to talk to gentiles. This is because the Jews thought they were more important than everyone else which lead to prejudice against Jews that continues to this day. Peter knew differently, though, in Acts 10:34, “Then Peter replied, ‘I see very clearly that God doesn’t show partiality.’”
“Treat others how you would like to be treated” is a statement that almost everyone has heard one time or another, in one way or another. It is not very surprising that this truthful remark originated from the Bible, more than once. Widely known in the Church as the Golden Rule, treating others like yourself is mentioned in Luke 10:27, Mark 12:31, Matthew 5:43-48, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39, and there are some many others references. It is a fact that human’s number one obsession is themselves and themselves is what they care about and think about the most. Obviously, if we all treated others how we wanted to be treated like the Bible tells us to, there would not be problems of racism and prejudice because everyone would love each other and find no faults in one another.
Love makes the world to round, it is what separates us from the animals, and it is God’s gift to each and every one of his creatures. The Bible says clearly and demonstrates God’s love for us a gazillion times stating all through the Bible that God’s love is unfailing, immeasurable, and never ending. In turn, it is our responsibility and privilege to love others as God loves us. In 1 John 4:7 and 8 says, “ Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God-for God is love.” When we truly love others, there is no room for hatred, jealousy, or any other wrong thoughts or actions that are racist or prejudice to God’s creatures.
Knowing all these things, and understanding what the Bible says is nothing without application. The Bible says we should be doers and not hearers. It is not enough to have 1st Corinthians 13, also known as the love chapter, memorized and be able to tell people God loves them and be as tolerant as possible. One needs to actually be the example and show complete love towards everyone. This is the only way that racism and prejudice can be overcome, it is the example of Jesus Christ himself that can help us oppose the disease known as discrimination.
By Kendal
Labels: Bible, Christianity, discrimination, favoritism, love, prejudice, racism
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Why am I always the one in the way,
the one who complicates things,
the one who always has to end it?
Three hearts I’ve hurt, lasting wounds.
And I’m reminded daily of the pain I’ve caused,
unknowingly, unintentionally.
Pieces here and there,
my heart and theirs.
Lasting memories of when it was good.
Then suddenly, everything is turned up side down.
one at a time, over the course of a year,
it’s overwhelming.
I see all of their faces,
all different but one emotion unites them against me.
They are hurt, confused,
“what went wrong” they ask.
A river of tears for each.
I weep over what’s been lost.
And yet the river,
it isn’t my tears,
it’s theirs.
They are the ones who bare pain on my behalf,
who gave love and received a heavy heart.
By Kendal M.
Sept. 26th, 2007
the one who complicates things,
the one who always has to end it?
Three hearts I’ve hurt, lasting wounds.
And I’m reminded daily of the pain I’ve caused,
unknowingly, unintentionally.
Pieces here and there,
my heart and theirs.
Lasting memories of when it was good.
Then suddenly, everything is turned up side down.
one at a time, over the course of a year,
it’s overwhelming.
I see all of their faces,
all different but one emotion unites them against me.
They are hurt, confused,
“what went wrong” they ask.
A river of tears for each.
I weep over what’s been lost.
And yet the river,
it isn’t my tears,
it’s theirs.
They are the ones who bare pain on my behalf,
who gave love and received a heavy heart.
By Kendal M.
Sept. 26th, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
I’ve created a monster. And I don’t know what to do. There is a story behind the story that most people don’t know. The story that has been told is misleading and contradictory to the story that has been left in the shadows. I’ll shine the light.
I liked this guy, genuinely had a crush on him. I loved the attention he gave me and the kindness and curiosity he showed towards me. He was sweet to say the least. The coolest part was that he liked me back and it showed. He asked me on my first date (ever!) and after that first date we started hanging out more and more. He was my first valentine and I thought he was a dream come true. He really liked me, I could tell. I liked him too. I started to wonder what was to come of it, were we going to be together forever, was he the one? This thought scared me, things were moving too fast, I didn’t know what to do. Should I distance myself, try to slow us down, put up the stop sign? I prayed earnestly day after day. My feelings for him lessened and I knew God was helping me let go. The last day of school I shared this verse with him:
“I want you to promise, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the timing is right.” Song of Songs 8:4
I explained that it wasn’t the right timing for us, that we needed to cool it. He told me he understood and agreed. I thought that was that. Time to turn the page.
The summer passed by full of new experiences and new friendships. School started back up and everything was normal. He and I were friends, nothing more, nothing less.
Now another guy has entered the picture. Some people have jumped to conclusions. They think we are ‘together’. At this point in time, we are not ‘together’. Is it a crime to like a guy? Some people understand, some don’t.
Now I’m being ridiculed for leaving the past the past. I’ve turned the page, started a new chapter, and some people keep looking back as if they are waiting for the past to change. It doesn’t happen that way. I don’t always make the right decisions. But who does? Emotions are ever changing, that’s why crushes come and go. Some people give more of themselves than others. Some hold on longer. Many people get hurt. That’s what happens. That doesn’t make me a heartless person, I wish people would understand that.
written by kendal
I liked this guy, genuinely had a crush on him. I loved the attention he gave me and the kindness and curiosity he showed towards me. He was sweet to say the least. The coolest part was that he liked me back and it showed. He asked me on my first date (ever!) and after that first date we started hanging out more and more. He was my first valentine and I thought he was a dream come true. He really liked me, I could tell. I liked him too. I started to wonder what was to come of it, were we going to be together forever, was he the one? This thought scared me, things were moving too fast, I didn’t know what to do. Should I distance myself, try to slow us down, put up the stop sign? I prayed earnestly day after day. My feelings for him lessened and I knew God was helping me let go. The last day of school I shared this verse with him:
“I want you to promise, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the timing is right.” Song of Songs 8:4
I explained that it wasn’t the right timing for us, that we needed to cool it. He told me he understood and agreed. I thought that was that. Time to turn the page.
The summer passed by full of new experiences and new friendships. School started back up and everything was normal. He and I were friends, nothing more, nothing less.
Now another guy has entered the picture. Some people have jumped to conclusions. They think we are ‘together’. At this point in time, we are not ‘together’. Is it a crime to like a guy? Some people understand, some don’t.
Now I’m being ridiculed for leaving the past the past. I’ve turned the page, started a new chapter, and some people keep looking back as if they are waiting for the past to change. It doesn’t happen that way. I don’t always make the right decisions. But who does? Emotions are ever changing, that’s why crushes come and go. Some people give more of themselves than others. Some hold on longer. Many people get hurt. That’s what happens. That doesn’t make me a heartless person, I wish people would understand that.
written by kendal