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The Citizen, 2007-02-15, Page 13By Pastor Ernest DowLiving Water Christian Fellowship(EMC), BlythValentine’s is a good occasion toconsider what true love really is. The Song of Songs is one of the most passionate books in the Bible. The Hebrew words translated ‘love’ there show at least three different shades of meaning. For an analogy, love is like a (Hershey’s) Caramel Kiss. These delectable candies are a cross between the usual chocolate kiss and a Caramilk candy bar. There are basically three parts: an outer shiny attractive foil wrapper; then the solid chocolate; but inside is a pocket of liquid caramel that oozes sweet flavour through your mouth. Each part can be likened to an aspect of love: the foil is like the physical attraction; the chocolate is like the solid unconditional support; and the caramel reminds us of the way love pours itself out passionately for the other person. The foil is shiny, pretty, eye- catching – but doesn’t have any nutritional value. But it’s more interesting to look at than just the plain brown chocolate. We can liken it to the physical aspect of love between couples. But real love, Biblical love, is a lot more than just getting someone into bed. Physical attraction alone is not a satisfactory basis for a lifelong relationship. When Solomon wrote Song of Songs, the word translated “love” 32 times in our versions is the Hebrew term “dod”. It comes from a root word meaning ‘to boil’. Dod can be translated as “carouse, to rock, to fondle”; it’s the physical, sexual element to a relationship. There’s a strong connotation with touch, smell, and taste. Here are some verses in which dod is used: “My lover [dod] is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts....Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover [dod] among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste...” (So 1:13; 2:3) Very physical, sensual, pleasure associations. Praise God for wiring us male and female, when that’s enjoyed with a clear conscience within the security and exclusivity of a marriage relationship as our Creator intended! But sexual urges alone are not a satisfactory basis for a lifelong partnership. Sooner or later time takes its toll and we are not as attractive as in our youth. Like the foil around the caramel kiss, dod serves to attract your interest, but it’s not the whole goody – not by a long shot. A second Hebrew word, “raya” occurs 11 times in Song of Songs. It can mean friend, companion, soul- mate, someone you enjoy hanging out with. To some degree you ‘like’ or enjoy being with this person, but it’snot yet close intimacy. Raya is a term of solid support –just as the chocolate in the kiss issolid. Song of Songs in several places uses raya in making favourable comparisons of the one loved: “How beautiful you are, my darling [raya]! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves...All beautiful you are, my darling [raya]; there is no flaw in you.” (So 1.15; 4.7) What woman wouldn’t enjoy being told she’s practically perfect! Meaningful word-pictures capture the imagination and are a powerful way to communicate support, affection, and worth to another individual. Seventeen times in his short song, Solomon uses a third term, ‘ahavah’ which can also be translated ‘love’. While ‘raya’ has to do with friendship, companionship, someone you show solid support to, ‘ahavah’is the love of the will; passionate, yearning towards the other, but much more profound than fleeting romantic feelings or temporary urges. Rob Bell says, “Ahava is making a decision to join your life to the life of another. This is an emotion that leads to commitment.” There’s a strong passion or desire that’s to do withmuch more than the physical; it’streasuring the other person,Song of Songs reaches its literaryclimax in 8:6-7, where ‘ahavah’ signifies the peak of love’s caring and commitment: “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love [ahavah] is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench [ahavah]; rivers cannot wash it away...” Powerful words; powerful sentiments. Love is stronger than the forces of death. The primeval torrents of chaos and corruption may sweep over two ‘ahavah-ers’ but won’t succeed in ripping them apart. That’s how strong Christ wants to build marriages! In Songs 3:1-4 the woman consumed with the passion and commitment of ‘ahavah’runs through the streets of town searching for her man... won’t give up till she finds him; won’t relinquish him once she has him. Passion pouring itself out in sacrifice, enduring hardship, determined to yield comfort in order to connect with the lover. True love is sacrificial. The caramelin the candy loses itself to give energyand flavour to the eater, spilling itself,being punctured so it can be fullyreleased and appreciated. So, Jesus poured Himself out for our transgressions, so we could be reconciled to a holy God. His self- giving at the cross is the model for our love to others. Just before He was crucified, Jesus told His followers, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.[and added] Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15:12f) True love – Jesus-style love – lays its life down, spills itself for the good of the one loved: whether that be your spouse, your friend, your co-worker, or that quirky neighbour across the street. A remarkable woman shared this recollection of her parents’ sweet, passionate love she witnessed in her early years as a girl: “My own mother used to be very busy the whole day, but as soon asevening came, she moved very fast toget ready to meet my father. At thattime we didn’t understand; we used tolaugh; we used to tease her; but now I remember what tremendous, delicate love she had for him. It didn’t matter what happened that day; she was ready with a smile to meet him.” If you’re a parent, you can imagine how difficult that would be many days; you’d be ready to pack it in, grumble about your own troubles that day, and just be waiting for him to come in the door so you could finally grab some time for yourself. But this mother nurtured that solid support of ‘raya’ and the passionate pouring-out of ‘ahavah’ towards her man. And the children’s lives were impacted by witnessing that. Now, who was that little girl that remembered? Mother Teresa! Her own life became a source of caring for many, as she reflected Jesus’ love – portrayed in the Bible and echoed in her mother’s deep affection. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007. PAGE 13. From the Minister’s StudyCaramel Kisses the shape of Biblical love Integrated Worship and Sunday School at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Pastor Brent Kipfer 519-887-6388 Everyone Welcome SS uu nn dd aa yy ,, FF ee bb rr uu aa rr yy 11 88 99 ::33 00 aa mm BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship Sunday, February 18 Ethel United Church Worship Service & Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. February 25 Baptism and Communion Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 519-887-9831 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service FOR ALL AGES SUNDAY ~ 9:45 to 10:45 am WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 am Phone 519-440-8379 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590 BB ll yy tt hh CC oo mm mm uu nn ii ttyy CChhuurrcchh ooff GGooddLooking for a Great Sunday School Experience? THIS IS IT! P U P P E T S S T O R IE S DRAMAMUSIC Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - Family Night with “Olympians” 7:00 p.m. - Adult & Youth Bible Study Something for everyone! Call the church for current Youth events HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 519-526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD & PASTOR DON PLANT JR. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 519-887-9273 Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Worship Service, Sunday School & Nursery 11:00 a.m. Guest Speaker: Tom Dunbar Sunday, February 18 All Welcome getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 February 18: 1 Tim. 6:6ff Christ-centred, Bible-believing, Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared Living Water Christian Fellowship at Blyth Public School, corner of King & Mill 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School Mondays 7:30 pm -Power of a Praying Woman DVD Tuesdays 7:30 pm -Wingham Small Group Fridays 7:30 pm -Youth Group “Gambling -- a Bad Bet”