The Warmth of Love

In recent days I have truly felt the love of God in ways I can't even imagine. It's like nothing I can explain in words; He has quite literally enveloped me with his warmth and compassion. I have always known and I've been told over and over again that Jesus Loves Me and I am a blessed Child of God. But I took these words for granted and until now, never realized the power they held.

I have always seen God's love through answers to prayer, the simple things in life, and through the people around me. But I have not felt it to this extent until now. And it is something that should be thoroughly shared to the ends of the earth.

I can't say that I've ever felt that there was a message or characteristic of Himself that God was trying to reveal through me as obviously as He is trying to show me this. His Never-Failing,

Overflowing Love. Perhaps that's because he tries to show me things all the time and I am totally oblivious so finally he is knocking his hand on my thick head to get through to me. Either way, I am so thankful.

Sometimes I find myself getting so down on myself, and frustrated, and angry, and at the point of tears, and then I flip on Z88.3 and hear a song that perfectly reflects how I should never feel that way because the God the Universe sees me as his Child and loves me no matter what I do wrong or how bad I mess up.

Thinking of this subject makes me think of Rob Bell and his Nooma (a short demonstrative, informative, awesome video) called Flame. It was the first one I saw of his Nooma series and I fell in love with his message, his voice, and the Lord all over again. I feel that in order to understand the overpowering love that Christ has for me, I want to really comprehend the way He wants me to love. Because we are supposed to be Christ-like and love people like He did.

The following is a brief description of the 3 different Hebrew translations that Rob Bell talks about for the word love.

Raya - translated simply as brotherly love or the way you can trust a friend. A soulmate. This has the commitment, the friendship and the trust part of love.

Ahava - the deep passionate love you have for a person. The way you feel when you don't want to be with anyone else. Rob Bell talks about his first date with his now wife and how he remembers thinking "I would rather be here. With her. Than anywhere else in the Universe". How absolutely breathtaking. It is much more passionate than a temporary feeling, Ahava is what makes things last.

Dod - To carouse, to rock, to fondle. This is the physical, sexual aspect of love.

See, one flame burning by itself will never burn as bright as all 3 burning together. Using just one flame without the others is not how it was meant to be. You need to bring all three together to live out the way God wired you to be.

Here is the link to Bell's Nooma video. I encourage you to watch it, it is incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5i_X54REmY&feature=related

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:12-13

Fallen But Not Forgotten

Just thought I would share this great video that a friend of mine posted on Facebook. Besides the fact that Budweiser has some of the greatest commercials ever made, (in my opinion), but this makes a simple statement to the mindset we should be in on this day, and actually everyday. Proud to stand together and unite as Americans. Enjoy!

September 11th, 2001.

I was sitting in my 5th grade class, other students were getting signed out, more often than normally. We went to lunch for the day and when we got back to the classroom, our teacher had the news on the TV and we watched the footage of the plane crashing into the twin towers. At the time, I honestly didn't understand it as more than a regular plane crash. Even when I got home and my mom was waiting for me at the bus stop, she tried to explain it to me, and I don't think I even comprehended it at that time. Only until years later did I realize the horrific tragedy that had occurred.

Without getting too involved in the constant debate, I can't thank our soldiers enough for fighting for me. I am so glad there are people out there willing to go and stand up for what our country believes in. Thank you.

God Bless America.

Fun Facts

Just so happens, that a good friend of mine, Christina mentioned me as a versatile blogger. Much to my embarrassment I wasn't sure what this even was. In searching through Google I discovered it was basically an "award" given to bloggers by other bloggers, sort of passed around. I was so excited that I got mentioned, as I'm still a "newbie" blogger. Christina and Matt are newly weds and I love both of them to death. I met them through church and I was so sad to watch them move to Atlanta, GA after the honeymoon. But they are doing so great and I love reading their married life updates.

So, here are 7 things that I define the little parts of me. I discover new interests everyday and I love being me:

1. I adore math. Always have. Algebra, trigonometry, even calculus.

2. This is weird, but I love infomercials. I could sit and watch one all day. I never buy anything, which is good, but I love watching them. I'm hoping that this will help in my Advertising/Marketing career. :)

3. I laugh ridiculously loud. It's an outburst and more often than not, I can't help it. It just happens.

4. I am terrified of bridges. It's not fun. Once I went over a 7 mile bridge on the way to the keys. I swear I held my breath the whole way. I'm also scared of windows at night and the dark in general. Whole different stories.

5. I'm kind of addicted to the sun. Which probably isn't healthy. But I love being in the sun, reading, listening to music, hanging out, and swimming. Probably come from my Florida upbringing.

6. I am even more addicted to chapstick. It's horrible. I use it everyday, all year. Multiple times a day. I do it subconsciously. Sometimes I can go awhile without using it but once I realize I don't have it. My lips get horribly dry and it's all I can think about.

7. I love alternative rock. Some of my favorite artists are Matt Hires, Mat Kearney, Matt Nathanson, Jake Coco, Five Times August, John Mayer, and so many more. I also love anything that is redone as an acoustic version. :)

Not only are these people the ones who got me into blogging, but also have inspired me personally:

So scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young

Binding the Broken

Where It's done My Way

Number One Fan

Last year, my friend Megan had me listen to a few songs that her friend Matt had recently recorded. She had grown up being close family friends with his family. He's a good old home-grown Tampa native. They had been friends since being little, in fact, she still has pictures of them as youngn's. :) When she had me listen to his hit song, Honey, Let Me Sing You A Song, I instantly fell in love with his lyrics, his words, and him.

Last December, Megan and I decided to spend the $8 a person to go to his concert at The Orpheum, a small bar in the middle of Downtown Tampa. I got to meet him, talk to him, get a picture, and stand front row to an amazing concert. He was just as good live as he was on his CDs. It was an altogether amazing night.

For the past 9 months, I've been spreading the word about Matt Hires and shared my love for his music to my best friend and a few of my roommates. I found out yesterday that Matt was coming to Orlando tonight! I knew I had to go again and brought Julia along with me. I was so excited.

It was in downtown Orlando at a small place called The Social where a lot of smaller bands go to play and make a name for themselves. Matt was starting out his State Lines tour there and going all over the United States on part 2 of his tour. The tickets were pretty cheap again so I couldn't wait. This time, I even bought a shirt. I don't normally but it was generally cheap for a concert shirt and I wanted to support Matt. Everyone there loved him, of course. And I got the chance to chat with him after and get another picture. I love it!

I suggest that you take a second to check out his music. It's a cross between John Mayer and Matt Nathanson. More of a soft, alternative rock with some clean and powerful lyrics. His songs have all kinds of messages and his voice is really captivating. Buy some of his songs on itunes. :)

"In a strange, strange place, I'm lying on the edge of a star

In these violent days, I only wanna be where you are

Even fools they say, can find a way out of the dark.

Help me out of the dark."

-Matt Hires