woot. coffee.

So here I am sitting at a new (well, new to me) coffee shop in down town Tulsa.
I am in love.
This place is super chill, maybe even a little raw. It isn't perfectly put together. Basically, not my typical coffee shop. But again, I love it. The atmosphere of the shop meshes with the feel of down town really well. Hey, there is even a bike rack inside. 2 points for being awesome and supporting exercise. :)

So thanks Nick Livingston aka "Nicko" for helping a directionally challenged girl find Double Shot. My heart is happy.

As I sit here I am being super typical and doing two things.
1. Being "that" Christian doing her quiet time at a coffee shop. (don't judge me.)
2. And, well I am blogging. Do I pass as a coffee shop girl? Hope so. ;)

As I was reading I came across this verse in 1 John 4:16
We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

God is love. I am so thankful for that truth.

So this is the question that is on my heart. Is Gods love seeping out of me. Is it an overflow of my heart. Is His love constantly in my actions and my words.

Or


Are my judgements being laid super thick on the people around me? I am not talking about iron sharpening iron but am I being self righteous and judgy?

The verse above specifically states that whoever abides in love abides in God. Now this isn't earthy love but a God's perfect love. (another post for another time. If you have question about the difference, please ask.)

In John 16:35 it says,
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

We have GOT to love one another. Be so quick to forgive one another. Love one another regardless. The lost will come to know Jesus by our love. Don't forget that it is His kindness that leads us to repentance. Let's put away our petty differences and show the world who Jesus is. Let's carry His Name by the way we love. Take the time to be kind today.

Let's take up our cross and die to ourselves and decide to love.

Dear self,
remember these things.


just some thoughts I am thinking. Obvi.

Go check out double shot.

Mon

elenowen.

Introducing Sarah Bush!

She is the coolest sophomore at OSU, hands down.

I love this girl so much! Just wanted to send some encouragement your way, my dear. I really believe that this year is going to be an incredible one for you. Jesus is going to stretch and love on you so much this year. Just wait. I can't wait to hear the stories. Stay close and do whatever it takes to spend time with our Savior. You are one of a kind, missy. That is such a good thing, and Jesus is going to use your outgoing personality for His glory! So be the girl He has created you to be. Love YOU, Sarah Bush.

Pretty recently Sarah introduced me to a band called elenowen. Y'all, I have become a tad obsessed. Maybe more than a tad. The cd has literally been on repeat for about three weeks. I have shared with a lot of my friends and they are the same way. So, again, take a leap and trust my taste in music and go check these people out. Worth it.

All of thier songs are amazing but there is one in particular that I want to share with y'all. The song is called save me, and here are the lyrics:

Like a cannonball to my chest,

Her words ripped me in two

I wished her all the best

And she wished me the truth

So what am i suppose to do now that I've lost all Ive known?

The heavy heart that's inside of me is sinking like a stone,

Like a stone.

Save me, save me.

I need more than just a hand to hold

I neeed to be carried.

Save me, Save me.

Bring your sweet redemption in

And never, never leave.

Like a soldier going off to war,

It hurt to let him go

I did what needed to be done

But now I'm feeling so alone

We built a home out of sand

But the tide kept coming strong

Broken back and calloused hands

I can only stand so long

Now all my hope is gone

Save me, Save me.

I need more than just a hand to hold

I need to be carried.

Save me, Save me.

Bring your sweet redemption in,

and never, never leave.

You are the place where I belong

Ill never know where I went wrong

Forever I am holding on to the hope of You.

To the hope of You. To the hope of You.

My interpretation of the song is this:

A couple has to break up because of whatever reason and they are turning to Jesus for redemption and healing. Whether you're in a relationship or not I think this song can apply to your life. I really believe Jesus has used this song to touch my heart because it is a reminder that He is where I belong. That I don't need anyone to hold my hand, but (like the song says) I need to be carried. And only Jesus can do that. Only He can offer me redemption and He is the only one that can truly promise to never leave. When I first listened to this song, it seemed sad. But now, y'all, so much joy comes to my heart.

You are the place where I belong.

I'll never know where I went wrong.

Forever I am holding on to the hope of You.

For the Love. There is so much hope in that verse of the song. Jesus is the place where I belong. Not a man, not a job, not anything that this world can offer me. But Jesus and a relationship with Him is where I belong! Knowing Him and being loved by Him. Whenever we surrender all that we want and are to Him, we really can forget all that we have done wrong because He forgives us. He is our hope. Forever. Let me say it one more time, FOREVER!!!! I belong to Jesus Christ becasue He bought me with a price. Himself. I am covered in His redeeming blood. He brought His sweet redemption through the cross. And guess what? He will save you. And He does promise to never leave. Hebrews 13:5

So my question is, what do you need to be saved from? Is it a relationship, school, or a job? I can promise you this, Jesus is the place you belong. My God is jealous for your entire heart. Give it on over. That is where chains will be broken. He will bring in sweet redemption. :)

Click here to listen to this song. :) then go creep this band.

mmmm, so thankful for grace and truth.

Love y'all.

Check out elenowen.