Read: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seekin, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I don't think we can ever get enough of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 - the "love" chapter. Even those who don't know Christ believe that love is what makes the world go around. The question often remains, however, "What is love?"

I don't think today's news story is any real surprise. Our culture is flooded with movies and songs about love. It is so easy to be persuaded that a particular song and/or movie is the key to how to do it. Right now we have the Twilight series displaying the power of love even over supernatural beings. Believe it or not I watched The Sound of Music last night for the first time and was captivated by the music and love story portrayed there. These images are hard to get out of our minds. They can be inspiring for sure, but the question for those that follow Christ still remains - is this God's love or an imitation?

God's love is patient. Are we waiting on God's or pushing through with our own desires? God's love isn't envious of other people's stuff. Am I listening? It is so easy to think we don't have enough when we look around at those we think do (Celebrity Cribs?!). God's love does not brag. We are comfortable just being a child of God. We are proud of that! God's love is not rude. Why do I need the best parking spot or the first spot in line and force my way in there? God's love is not easily angered and doesn't keep track of all the negative things about our life and other people. Enough said! God's love does not delight in evil. This is a tough one. There are many things masquerading around that appear good but are evil. Jersey Shore anyone? God's love always protects the reputation of others. It always trusts God for everything good in life. It looks forward to a future with God as opposed to just the here and now. God's love keeps getting up even when we fall down and struggles to keep faith even when life sucks.

The love chapter huh? I can't imagine anything more difficult. In the words of the famous Christian, G.K. Chesterton: "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."

Whether we are in a romantic relationship or just trying to figure out how to love friends and family, may we keep trying God's way even though it is difficult.