i'll be fine with my hands get warm.

currently listening to the dashboard confessional
which is something i havent done
in the longest of long times.
so please excuse the emo-ness. thank you.

so this is kind of a follow up blog for the one i posted about a week ago. remember...the one about me liking the things i like and me liking the way i like them. yeah, i didnt really understand it then either. but i've picked back up in the book i was reading at the beginning of the semester. captivating by john and stasi eldredge. and funny enough, theres this whole section kind of about why we like the things that we do. its such a great book and so easy, as a becoming-a-woman, to relate to.

so a major theme of the book is the idea that Jesus is our bridegroom. He is our lover. someone who wants to be intimate with us, the real us, not the us we think we are supposed to be. and like they say in the book, He knows what takes my breath away. basically he knows how to romance me. "God's version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion" ok, so it sounds kind of cheesy...at least to me it does. but when i really started thinking about it...it makes perfect sense! He knows i love leaves (just as an example) He knows how they warm my heart and bring me joy, and He helps me to notice them on my way back from the library when i think i'll never get through the semester. way to be God. and He knows my favorite hymn (come thou fount of every blessing) and He uses that one at the best moments, moments when i'm really hurting and when i can really hear/sing/understand the words. simply, those things, the things that i like so much, the things that bring joy to my heart and create peace in my life, are God's ways of romancing me in a way no earthly guy could do.


For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn (until you shimmer),
her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory (your beauty);
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand (the crown of creation),
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and your land Beulah (married),
for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
As a young man marries a maiden (he pursues her, romances her)...
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (you are lovely),
so will your God rejoice over you.
-Isaiah 62:1-5, emphasis added)


The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach the good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of spirit of despair.
-Isaiah 61:1-3