today's prayer meeting was ushering in the new theme for the church: "Abounding Love".

and of cos, as ps mark and angela shared about what does abounding love entail, i asked myself what does abounding love means to me as well.

still thinking. :))

all in all, i know for sure, that Love=God and vice versa. pure and perfect love. and through Christ, His children learns how to show love as well.

and as i think back, i thank God for people who graciously showered me with love with the power of Christ, and how i really taste the goodness of the Lord, and the sweetness of love through their lives, their acts of service.

and i heard something interesting from 89.9 as well, that it takes Strength to love; it takes Courage to be loved.

and it dawned upon me that it can be pretty true at times. often talked about are on how to love people more, how to show and express love, how to demonstrate unconditional love et cetera et cetera.

however, to give love, we must first know our identity in Christ, and boldly receive Love from the true Source, and that is Jesus.

many times, we feel unworthy of His love and grace, and we hide away from His loving kindness. to replace that feeling of condemnation, we try to do the 'right' things by attempting to show others love, and trying to bring Christ's love to others in the midst of dryness within our hearts and souls. and just like a car that stops refilling its tank, a car without fuel is obselete. hence, a vessel without Love grows dry, weary and discouraged.

Hence, only when we allow Jesus to add upon us with the abundance of love, can we freely give, and not only do we have enough to give away, we have more than enough left for us within our souls. it will be overflowing!

also, only when we have the courage to be loved, can we know how to love others personally, deeply and wholeheartedly.

Teach me how to love, and be loved, Lord.

amen. :)