The Greatest Kind of Love

Robert Browning written to Elizabeth

January 10, 1846

Do you know, when you have told me to think of you, I have been feeling ashamed of thinking of you so much, of thinking of only you--which is too much, perhaps. Shall I tell you? It seems to me, to myself, that no man was ever before to any woman what you are to me--the fulness must be in proportion, you know, to the vacancy...and only I know what was behind--the long wilderness without the blossoming rose...and the capacity for happiness, like a black gaping hole, before this silver flooding. Is it wonderful that I should stand as in a dream, and disbelieve--not you--but my own fate?

Was ever any one taken suddenly from a lampless dungeon and placed upon the pinnacle of a mountain, without the head turning round and the heart turning faint, as mine do? And you love me more, you say?--Shall I thank you or God? Both,--indeed--and there is no possible return from me to either of you! I thank you as the unworthy may.. and as we all thank God. How shall I ever prove what my heart is to you? How will you ever see it as I feel it? I ask myself in vain. Have so much faith in me, my only beloved, as to use me simply for your own advantage and happiness, and to your own ends without a thought of any others--that is all I could ask you without any disquiet as to the granting of it--May God bless you! -- Your B.A.

Love Letters Of Great Men

Ludwig van Beethoven to the "Immortal Beloved"

c. 1811-12
Good morning, on July 7th

Even when I am in bed my thoughts rush to you, my eternally beloved, now and then joyfully, then again sadly, waiting to know whether Fate will hear our prayer--To face life I must live altogether with you or never see you. Yes, I am resolved to be a wanderer abroad until I can fly to your arms and say that I have found my true home with you and enfolded in your arms can let my soul be wafted to the realm of blessed spirits--alas, unfortunately it must be so--You will become composed, the more so you know that I am faithful to you; no other woman can ever possess my heart--never--never--Oh God, why must one be separated form her who is so dear. Yet my life in V[ienna] at present is a miserable life--Your love has made me both the happiest and the unhappiest of mortals--At my age I now need stability and regularity in my life--can this coexist with our relationship?--Angel, I have just heard that the post goes every day--and therefore I must close, so that you may receive the letter immediately--Be calm; for only by calmly considering our lives can we achieve our purpose to live together--Be calm--love me--Today--yesterday--what tearful longing for you--for you--you--my life--my all--all good wishes to you--Oh, do continue to love me--never misjudge your lover's most faithful heart.

Ever Yours
Ever Mine
Ever Ours.

One Moment: is All it takes

A teenager dies and another is injured in a car accident last night. Investigators are still trying to figure out what exactly caused this accident. In the meantime, a whole community of family and friends are mourning the loss of these two teenagers.

The family of Grace Baptist Church Academy has started a small memorial for sophomore Ryan Gill who died when the car he was riding in a

tree head on.

"It's almost as if Ryan and Trevor were two peas in a pod, just a pleasure to be around," says Mark Mowery, the school's business manager.

Investigators say Ryan was riding with classmate Trevor Burke on Ooletwah-Ringgold Road. Police say Trevor, who was driving, lost control of the car while coming around the curve.

Witness and police say the car crossed over the center line, striking a wooden fence, guardrail and two street signs, before flipping and rolling, into a yard.

Both teenagers were taken to Erlanger.

"At the emergency room last night there were upwards to 150-200 people there supporting each other," says Mowery.

Ryan died last night. Trevor is still in the hospital.

Family members we spoke to off camera say he is in stable condition. Both of the teenagers were popular athletic students at Grace Baptist Academy.

"We are going to dedicate this season to him and his family," says Reggie Favors, a Junior Football Player.

While investigators try to determine what caused the crash, the people at Grace Baptist Academy are hanging onto each other for dear life.

"It is a community that loves each other, and wants to be there for each other when the tough times come," says Mowery.

Now Mowery says on Monday the school will have grief counseling for the students at Grace Baptist Church Academy.

There is no word right now on funeral arrangements or whether anyone will be charged in the accident.

Ryan Gill 17 Born: May 7,1992 Died two days after his 17th birthday on May 9,2009 One instance everything can change... what I learned

It taught me anyone could die at any instance. Life is so fragile. I mean, everyday everyone takes for granted the safety we're enjoying. What's keeping the car going where you want it to go?? A little wheel? What's keeping your arms from twitching thrusting you into a tree? a complex system of nerves and stuff? No. God is. Our fragile lives are held by a thin thread that we have no power over. But God does!

I don't think anyone could've seen this coming. I mean, I know that personally, I've never known anyone that died. I mean there has been distance family and stuff, but never a friend or peer. I think it shows that no age is too young. It also shows God's in control. God has an exact time for everyone's death. No one is exempt. There's nothing we can do, cause our date is set. We can only live the time we have to the fullest. Ryan's death was in no way an untimely death, because it was right on time. I think we should be happy for him I think that Ryan made the most of his life. I didn't know him well at all, but from what I saw and heard of him, he was a really great guy.

This has been a very sobering experience to me. Never again will I take for granted Life. Life given to me by the only One fit to give it. Christ Jesus, my Adonai. And I know that even though I didn't know Ryan well here, I'm gonna have an eternity to get to know him and worship our Lord with him. I can't wait for it. But until then, I'm going to live my life knowing that everyday could be my last. I think we all should live that way. I think that we should remember Ryan, and serve our God as he did.

Trying harder

Growing up we are often always asked What would you like to be when you grow up? well now I am 21 years old and I still have no clue. My life was so put together when I was in high school, I knew what college I was going to attend and what my major was gonna be, I had a steady job and a great love of the Lord. I just had everything I could ever want! but now about 5 years later I am currently not in college, I have had a handful of off and on jobs and my most recent one I quit. My relationship with God has falling over the years. I wish I could go back in time and start over I would do alot different, I wouldn't have allowed myself to become a follower, I would have instead stayed a leader. I know I need to just put my faith in God but that is so hard when you have little faith left. I know God's plan for me is the Best plan but why is it so hard to follow it. I am such a selfish person I know I just need to give it all to him, but honestly how do you give it all to him when some of the stuff you are doing you like, why is it so hard to FULLY put my life in his hands, when it was something I once did. I know its the right thing but that doesn't mean it isnt hard...

Just A Thought

Lately I have been thinking alot about being single, It's hard not to when everyone around you is either engaged or married or in a serious relationship...everyone but you that is. It sucks, I look back on every guy I have dated and I mean yea I am glad I never married any of them but it still sucks to not even have any prospects. Growing up I had plenty of guys wanting to date me but now its slim pickings because most of them are already taken. I am a great girl I am pretty much a guys girl meaning most my friends are guys, I just get along with them easier...I love being single don't get me wrong but It's time when my family is starting to ask about my dating life and most of my friends are settling down... so I mean just once I would like to be the girl that gets to hear congratulations instead of the one that says it! I mean I would love to have someone to call my boyfriend someone who is my best friend and that I am able to hang out with and talk to on a daily basis, I know one day I'll find that someone and that Its better just to not think about it but its hard when Everyone you know has that one thing you lack! but I am hopeful and I know that God will bless me with someone when I am ready but I just wish I knew when that would be!