I Love You

1 Corinthians 12-14

Love in the body of Christ is the topic for the day. Do you truly love the people who you gather with at the church? Do you love the staff at the church? What would love do? I want to love each and every person, but I find I take many people for granted. I want to love everybody, but have you noticed that some people are "prickly"?

Life is so precious. Love is such a gift. People speak different love languages.

I got a new water hose for my anniversary and I was thrilled. Our old water hose kinked up all the time and it was a pain when trying to water plants in the back yard. This is an un-kinkable water hose! I did not want flowers because flowers die. I did not want expensive jewelry because I would lose it (my husband has already replaced my wedding ring twice!). My love language is "gifts of service". I love getting practical things. Other women might not appreciate the water hose as much as I did. If you haven't already read "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman, I highly recommend it. It has helped me understand my friends and my family.

Spiritual gifts are covered in 1 Corinthians 12. These are different gifts than the ones mentioned in Romans 12:3-8. I have looked at many spiritual gifts assessments and every single one lists some gifts and leaves out others. Whatever the gifts are, they are to build up the body of Christ.

Here at Cypress we are focusing on getting everyone (100%!) in the church to go through 3 one hour classes on spiritual gifts by June 2011. We have been training coaches to work with those who complete the classes so we will have a good information on where people will grow in their faith based on what they like to do. 1 Cor. 14:12 says, "...since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church."

1 Cor. 14:34-36 is one of those troubling scriptures that has been used to silence women in the church. This is not mentioned in any of the other letters that Paul writes. Nor was it suggested by Jesus. As a result of this one passage, countless numbers of women who are called are kept from being able to serve, and they are relegated to a subservient class. It is painful for me to see this continue to be emphasized so strictly.

Again, as I said before, Paul can be controversial. I go back to "What would love do?"