How Can One Tell?
Clifton Inman

HOW can one tell if his girl friend or her boy friend really loves him or her? Yesterday I heard a song over my car radio which asked this question and asked further - when could one tell when love ended. Below are some tests which may be of help. But first, one must understand what love is.

Sexual interest is not the love that is needed. The rapist has this kind of interest, but it leads to brutalization and often to death. Dogs and cats have this kind of interest, but they do not experience true love. True love is that which causes us to want the best for another and motivates us to try to see that the one we love has the best

Some tests then are as follows:

• 1.  Does he show interest only in my body? If so, beware. When one with a body which attracts him more comes along, he will go along.

• 2. Does she try to get me to engage in activities which leave me feeling unclean or guilty? If so, there may be lust; but there is not love.
  
  
• 3. Does he show appreciation for parents? Even if the parents are not what they should be, they should be respected to the extent that they are not constantly put down. He who is constantly criticizing parents will likely criticize you.
  
  
• 4. Does she ever show appreciation for kindnesses you show? If she does not do this now, she will not after marriage.
  
  
• 5. Is he always demanding and irritable? Then love for you is not strong.
  
  
• 6. Is she willing to talk with you about life's goals and life values? If those goals or values are selfish and self seeking, she will always put those things above you. Back away.
  
  
• 7. Does he constantly lose his temper when crossed by any. If so, he is incapable of loving in the true sense.

The one who shows appreciation for parents, brothers, sisters, and others is most likely to show real love for you and to grow in that love. Do not fall for the common myth that the one who makes your flesh tingle when you are with them and so affects you that you can not eat or sleep is the one you love. That kind of love has caused more sleepless nights, more mental and physical illness, more venereal disease, more suicides than almost any other thing. One falls in lust; one grows in love. Love does not spend its time criticizing others or bragging on self. Love humbly and loving serves. Love finds its greatest fulfillment in serving others and forgetting its own woes in the concern it has for the problems of others. He or she who finds a partner who has the capacity to love in this way, is blest indeed.

Seek a partner in life who shows the capacity to love, build that ability within yourself, and you will most likely have a rich life filled with the greatest love.

TONIGHT!!
We plan to meet in the annex this evening after the evening worship for an Ice Cream Fellowship in honor of the Bible Bowl teachers and mentors. Bring your favorite freezer of ice cream and stay for a while following tonight's services.

Also, don't forget, we meet for prayer, each Sunday evening, at 5:30 in classroom #3. Every member is encouraged to attend and participate, while we petition God's blessings and offer our deepest thanks for answered prayers.

And remember, the youngsters meet 20 minutes before worship services, at 5:40, in the front of the auditorium, for a short period of songs and stories.

Good or Evil...
Good taught by hypocrites and robbers is just as binding as that taught in the spirit of love-- although the lack of character of the teacher may contribute to the stumbling of some.
Evil is evil regardless of how kind and gentle the sower of evil may be. The character of the sower does not change the nature of the seed which is sown.

Once again we send out our "Congratulations" to our Bible Bowl participants and their coaches on a job well done last week (9^th) in Venice. In case anyone hasn't heard - our senior team won first place again this year. (See "Local Work" for some photos)