these are some things that i'm learning, and am being challenged about, in terms of love & relationships, thanks to Rob Bell's
Sex God:
"Agape
gives, opposite of what is often seen where love is a need, that we get from others" (119)
" Agape [(love)] doesn't love somebody because they're worthy; agape
makes them worthy by the strength and power of its love. Agape doesn't love somebody because they're beautiful; agape loves in such a way that it
makes them beautiful. Agape doesn't need a reason. It's not 'love because, 'love in order to', 'love for the purpose of'...." (120)
"When a woman is loved well, she opens up like a flower" (125)
"I'm interested in your character, your integrity, your honour - I want to find out what you're made of. Are you brave? Are you courageous? Would you fight for me?" (127)
"Out of 6 billion people on the planet, I chose you, and no on else. No one else gets me in this specific, holy, sacred, emotional, spiritual, physical way. Its power is derived from its exclusivity. That's why wedding ceremonies stir us like they do. The bride comes down the aisle and gives herself to this man and
no one else." (139)
"Watch the eyes. It's all about respect. How he looks at her. How she looks at him [to tell if a marriage will make it]." (143)
"Out of all the people in the world I chose you
!! [not] Out of all the people in this world, I chose you
??" (143)
photo cred: google images.