Created for Love
Discovering What Love Is, What Love Isn’t, and What Love Does
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While I realize that there are countless books about love and relationships, and the aspects of what relationship love looks like, I am addressing love from a different angle – an angle that is not often seen. There is a diabolical force that blocks the ability to feel and express love. This force is truly the “dark side” since it is underlying our every attempt to give and obtain the most important and powerful force in the universe. Love can overcome anything, as long as we know the origin of and the Giver of love. It all starts with understanding the intricacies of love and the forces that would hinder and even attempt to destroy love. Most of us have asked ourselves during portions of our life, why we may do what we do, and why the world around us is so hostile, resistant, and self-centered. As we observe the world around us, a truly honest person will notice one essential truth – the further we drift from the love of God, the less we experience love in our lives! The results are, the more we turn against God, the more we turn against each other. The more we disconnect from God in our devotion and worship, the more we disconnect from one another and become more self-centered and isolated. Jesus taught us to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. . . You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39). The more we understand His love for us, the more His love can flow from us to others. As a result, the quality of our earthly relationships is primarily dependent on the depth of the relationship we have with Christ. The Scottish writer, teacher, and pastor, Andrew Murray (1965) wrote, “Love is the death of self: where self still lives there can be no thought of perfect love. Love is the very being and glory of God” (p.140). The more we see ourselves as simply a result of a scientific accident, instead of God’s precious creation, the less we feel purposeful, loved, and human.
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About the Book
While I realize that there are countless books about love and relationships, and the aspects of what relationship love looks like, I am addressing love from a different angle – an angle that is not often seen. There is a diabolical force that blocks the ability to feel and express love. This force is truly the “dark side” since it is underlying our every attempt to give and obtain the most important and powerful force in the universe. It all starts with understanding the intricacies of love and the forces that would hinder and even attempt to destroy love. Most of us have asked ourselves during portions of our life, why we may do what we do, and why the world around us is so hostile, resistant, and self-centered. Love can overcome anything, as long as we know the origin of love and the Giver of love. “There are times when a relationship needs a breakthrough and nothing seems to work. In this carefully crafted book Dr. Shaw gives solid Biblical answers to guide to that BREAKTHROUGH. Walk through these pages and allow new possibilities of HOPE for you and your relationships. This is an excellent guide that will bring new insights and New HOPE.” —Gregory L. Jantz, PhD, C.E.D.S. Founder, The Center • A Place of HOPE www.aplaceofhope.com “What you hold in your hand is one of the most profound and powerful books about love you will find anywhere. Dr. Shaw masterfully teaches amazing precepts and awesome principles about the manifold mysteries and timeless truths of the most dynamic force in the universe: love. Biblically solid and clinically sound, this book will change your life and transform your relationships. Drink deeply, eat heartily, and bask refreshingly from the wise counsel of this insightful series that Bob Shaw has blessed us with!” —Rev. Jared Pingleton, Psy.D. Minister and Clinical Psychologist, Author or Coauthor of nine books
About the Author
Christian counselor Dr. Robert B. Shaw Jr. is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Supervisor, dually licensed in Virginia and North Carolina. He is also an ordained minister, serving as a youth pastor, Christian education director, adult education director, musician, and executive pastor in churches in New Jersey, Colorado, Maryland, and in North Carolina, for over twenty-five years. He has also been a middle school and high school teacher and athletic coach in both the public and private school environments. Dr. Shaw has spent several years counseling in church settings and community agencies and counseling military personnel and their families near Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He also ministers regularly in the Philippines. He specializes in trauma related issues; addictions; and victims of abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, life adjustment issues, loss and grief, counseling church leaders and pastors, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Shaw’s is a unique prophetic voice in the kingdom caring for hurting people, and he serves as an adjunct professor for a Christian university, an author, and a sought-after conference speaker. Dr. Shaw has a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Wagner College, New York and a Master of Divinity degree from Christian