what does it take to love someone ? rule of thumbs for LIFE.

one thing that's oh so hard to work on,

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
- John 15:12

how did God love us? He died for us. now, not everyone can die for each other everyday,
so on a more practical level...

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort form his love,
if any fellowship with the spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love,
being one in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 2:1-5

i made it colourful so it's not too hard to read, hope it worked :S , anyhow you're reading this cause God wanted you to read it, so finish it if you will, im just gonna tell you my struggles that are kinda personal, and i dont really like sharing, but... ya... i will

Don't be so concerned about making a good impression on meeting your own needs that you strain relationships in God's family. (...)

Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served; or you can look for opportunity to serve others.(Bible verse of the month

)

such important points from that devo page.. and much respect to those who are humble enough to do so, I must personally work on, not so much " sucking up" but really just being humble and know that i must think of myself LESS.. alot less !

that's it in a nutshell.
_______________________________________

lets start with this :
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."
James 1:19-20
Active listening is perhaps the most important key to communicating with ppl!. It shows that you care, that you accept and respect them(the Daily word)
so important. many times really hard, but God has blessed me at times with a lack of words to reply to someone who's made me upset. yay! :) haha, but not all the time, so for the times i just wanna say something, i must be quiet :)

_____________________________________________________

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29
A good reminder that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything(The Daily word).

so true... so another rule of thumb. that i believe helps to stopping gossip also,.. to only say things that will BENEFIT others. not to say that mean words dont benefit, but mean words are only mean if you phrase it badly with a bad tone, so you just gotta learn to make those rude, mean words into a more respectful sentence, things that are hard to hear benefit ppl, this verse isnt tell you to consistently flatter ppl, but to really think if it will benefit them ( most of the time, gossiping DOESNT benefit ppl, hence. nono on my list..)

nts: try to shut your ears, or walk away when someone is bout to talk bout someone else.. i really do rather perfer to know a person by interacting and talking with them myself then to hear other ppl's interpretation of them.