The Language of Love

What is your language of love? In other words, what do you enjoy receiving that blesses you tremendously!? What makes you feel loved? We all have something that really affirms us and blesses us more so than other things. For some it may be quality time spent together with people or receiving a letter written that expresses the heart.
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For couples, it is paramount that they know their spouse's language of love! And for husbands out there who love football, don't assume that just because you like to watch football that your wife is going to want tickets for Christmas to watch the season finale between the Redskins and the Cowboys!

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Learn the language of love of those within your immediate circle. Be intentional about opportunities to speak their love language!

If you have been reading my blog for an extended duration, you should by now know my language of love.

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Well...do you!?!

For me it is the gift of receiving books! Those that know me well are well aware of my fondness of books! One of my favorite quotes is by Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350): "To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you, and hold intimate conversation with men of unseen generations-such is pleasure beyond compare..." I understand fully the sentiments expressed by the author of this quote.
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Every Christmas for the past ten years, my mom's gift to me has been to purchase books that are on my most wanted list. She knows my love language! This year I had a little difficulty selecting books because I had some topics of interest, but I didn’t necessarily have specific books within that given category—an example would be the topic of Christology. I’m hesitant to simply pick out any book on Christology without having conversed with someone who is well

rehearsed in good books within this vein. Nothing is worse than paying big bucks for a book that isn't worthy of such an investment!

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Here is a list of books that I ordered today that I am eagerly awaiting to get my hands on. Some of them were recommended by others. A few I simply choose as I perused through several websites reading book reviews.

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Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge—this book has been recommended to me by several different people over the years. I have several other books by the author and I have been thoroughly impressed with his work thus far.

The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias—I have not read anything by this well known apologetist of the Christian faith. Nonetheless, I have listened to his teachings and have been blessed by them.

Wesley Gold by Ray Comfort

John Wesley: A Biography by Stephen Tomkins—I have been stirred to read more of the historical accounts of past revivalists such as John Wesley. Currently I am reading a two volume set on the life of George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore, which has been superb! I want to also read more extensively on the lives of other great men and women of the Christian faith.

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem—This book was also recommended to me by numerous believers who had read it themselves.

The Radical Cross by AW Tozer—Over the years I have enjoyed a number of Tozer's books. One of the earliest books that I read was The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer, which ignited a hunger in my heart to pursue God as a young believer. I love reading books that are written by theologians who "theologize" on their knees—a theology of the head and the heart. This book will supplement another book that I am currently reading by John Stott called The Cross of Christ.

Out of Depths of Sexual Sin by Steve Gallagher—I had read another book by the same author several years ago called At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry, which is a blueprint for helping men come out of sexual addictions. This new book that I've ordered is the biographical account of Steve's journey coming out of a life of sexual sins, perversion and hard-core pornography. Check out Steve's ministry, Pure Life Ministries.

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I also selected two business books that examine the 100 year history of the UPS—along with its business acumen. Several months ago I had a significant dream involving an UPS truck. These books will allow me to better understand what I believe the Lord is saying to me through the dream.

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Driving Change: The UPS Approach to Business by Mike Brewster and Frederick DalzellBig Brown

Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS by Greg Niemann

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There are a few more books that I am expecting, but I think this list is sufficient to give you an overview of what I am going to be reading the next few months! Please feel free to share any book recommendations that you want to pass along. I'm all ears!

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Make sure this year you know the love language of those whom you are purchasing gifts for!

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Also I will be starting at the beginning of the year a series on leadership that I am currently writing. So far I sense that the Lord has given me some fresh thoughts and ideas concerning this topic. I'll keep you posted!