The Brown Book Commentaries

["\u201cGod is Love, and those who abide in Love abide in God, and God abides in them.\u201d ~ unknown (1 John 4:16) First & foremost, note that \u2015Love\u2016 in this verse is the Greek agape, a word that means not emotional need or philosophical romance or sexual desire or psychological partnership, but rather a word that meant active Caring (see Strong\u2018s #26); the kind of Love that Jesus considered to be \u2015perfect\u2016 (Matthew 5:48) \u2013 the kind of Love that was more thought than emotion & more word than thought & more deed than word \u2013 the kind of Love that is only reborn into Being during acts of courageously humble self-sacrifice (Matthew 16:24) \u2013 the kind of Love that comes alive when caring for downtrodden strangers (Matthew 25:35-40) and enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) as if they were long-lost Friends \u2026 And just as importantly, note that \u2015abide(s)\u2016 in this verse is the Greek word menei, a word that means \u2015to consistently remain\u2016 or \u2015to persistently fulfill\u2016 (see Strong\u2018s #3306) \u2026 Finally, please note that God is always within us (John 14:20) \u2013 and that He only chooses to abide in us only when we act accordingly; only when we act as direct agents of his unconditional Love (John 14:23) \u2026 Love is courageous -- and Love is humble -- and Love is a verb. Indeed, Love is either all of these things, or Love is nothing. 601","PAGE 171 Home is always reborn where there is Peace, & Peace is always reborn where there is Love, & Love is always reborn when Love is put into motion. 602","Image 484 (Page 171a) \u2026 This picture shows a view overlooking Ruby Beach (Washington), one of my most Sacred of Spaces, reminding me of the Truth that where we come from will always remain a portion of who we have become \u2026 \u2015Misty(c) Pilgrim\u2016 A longer stroll winding down the Way of Ways; to the shore we flow into waves' translucence thunderous. We come to receive her gifts: infinity, presence & wonder a pensive meander amongst pebbles smooth and driftwood mossy; groves of yesteryear \u2013 boulders a bit older. Sit in peace & prayer; thanks given for Journeys & their arrivals, Safe on this our harmony landing. Horizon's deep-blue meaning, lending hints of Treks next And, alongside the next wave rolling, my smile breaks gently upon a sun-soaked Soul. \u201cAnd I will take one from a thousand and two from ten thousand, and they shall Become a single One.\u201d ~ Jesus Christ (Thomas 23) 603","604"]