"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also
in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told
you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be
where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

As you look around you do you ever get discouraged by the sadness, pain, and hardships of life? Sometimes it seems like that's pretty much the whole story too. We're just here for about 70-ish years and we survive through the hard stuff, then we die.
But is that it? No. It's not :) And frankly, that's reason enough to be stoked.
But that's pretty much only the beginning:
not only is there a Saviour who died to rescue all who call on His name. But He promised us that He's going to prepare a place for us. A place where we will live forever. A perfect place, with no more pain, tears, sin, or sorrow..
A place where we will be in the very presence of God for all of eternity. We will never have to worry about losing anything, or anyone. We will never have to fear failure. We will be perfectly complete in Christ. We will never lack anything. Time won't matter because we will be so caught up in praising our Saviour. No one will sound any better than anyone else, there will be no voice competitions, we will all just worship God in the beauty of holiness. We will also live in beautiful mansions, on streets made of gold.
But honestly, I'm not sure the mansions will matter to me all that much. I honestly just can't wait to see Jesus. To be held by Him, to see His scars, and cry tears of joy and amazement.
So when I think about all these things, the present day troubles seem to be not so bad. And I get excited for what I have to look forward to. Not only can I expect all these awesome things, but there are so many things about my Heavenly home that I don't know yet.
And frankly, I can't think of a more exciting surprise!

Creatures of Habit? Eh..No Biggy

Our lives are full of habits. Every single day we do things mainly out of habit; wake up at the same time (for the most part..lol) every morning, brush our teeth, eat, use the bathroom...So yeah, I admit we need to do these things, but they're still habits. Humans are even known as creatures of habit. But how many habits do we have that we should maybe be rid of (in our physical and spiritual lives)?
Think about this:
What if every time you went to the bathroom you brushed your teeth? Interesting thought. It's kind of a different routine is it not? Soon enough this would become a habit, but not necessarily a bad one right? In fact both of these things are very important in a life of good hygiene..
This is how It goes with a lot of people (not excluding myself). They discover something not bad, and or maybe easy, in and of its self and they put tons of effort into it. You think, "This is great! It's a good thing, and I'm doing it. God must be so proud of me.." But what if this good thing is keeping you from something even better? Let's go back to the bathroom-
Now, what if this new habit of brushing your teeth kept you from washing your hands? (eek!) Yeah, suddenly this "not bad" habit turns into something that is keeping you from the "best" habit you could adopt after using the bathroom.
In our lives it's so easy to focus on things that we think are good, and then assume that they're God's will for our lives. Or maybe even if we know they aren't God's will, we still do them because they're safe, and "not bad". Lets take the time to search our lives, our hearts, and God's heart to see what needs to change in our lives in order for God to really use us. His plans are so much bigger than ours, and so often our little heads and habits get in the way. I think for God to really use us for all that He has, we have to surrender every single little habit to Him. And I hope and pray we'll all do that more and more as we grow.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

25 Things That Make Me Smile =D

1: talking to my friends all night on aim, about absolutely nothing. (and usually bringing "lol" to a whole new level)
2: my family, especially when we get goofy.
3: little kids. period.
4: Band's pod casts.
5: a cute couple. You know, like when the guys opens the door for the girl. Or when he brings her a flower just because..hehe
6: Raise Your Voice bloopers. (ahaha)
7: sunsets.
8: stars.
9: music.
10: jokes about clowns and..and..well we'll just stick with clowns. ;)
11: sleepovers. :) you know, running into doors, having mental breakdowns, making ridiculous videos, star gazing with sunglasses, playing catch phrase, dancing for no reason, calling air1, eating until we drop..the works ;)
12: watching or hearing people laugh. It's seriously contagious.
13: making people laugh when some poor awkward person tells an unfunny joke.
14: "The tree's have us surrounded!"
15: inside jokes w/ myself.
16: Delta Lake
18: the word "squishy"
19: hugs.
20: puns. (ahahaha..I really can't imagine life without them)
21: Old people car-pooling. for real, it cracks me up. lol
22: guys who work at price chopper. (there's a really fine one at the Johnstown price chopper, and one who just cracks me up at the Palentine one)
23: Cary Grant. (lol)
24: my youth group; everyone in it & everything we do.
25: And the main thing that even makes it possible for me to smile, is Jesus Christ. The one who gave His life for me, regardless of how unworthy I am, just because He loves me. :D

The Little Girl and The Maestro

Alright, before I start I just want to say I did not write this! It's an excerpt from an amazing book I just read, it's called, "Keeping The Gospel in Gospel Music" by Scott Wesley Brown. I highly recommend it to any musician or music lover. It's great. :) And this following part really got to me. I hope you enjoy it! (Grab some tissues.)

It was the most beautiful instrument she had ever seen. The little girl pressed her nose against the frosted window of the music shop. There in the midst of shiny new trumpets with bright red Christmas bows lay a little violin just her size. Leaning against a beautifully gift wrapped box was the treasure which topped her Christmas list.
Oh, if Mom and Dad only knew how much she dreamed about that little violin and how she pictured herself playing the sweetest melodies.
But the little girl's parents had noticed how she stopped by the music shop window every day on the way home from school. And they had secretly put a deposit down on the instrument. When Christmas morning arrived the little girl bounded down the stairs to the cozy den where the decorated tree stood. All night long it seemed, she had wondered if her prayers would be answered.
And now the moment had arrived. Her sleepy eyes gazed over a myriad of green and red and silver boxes. Her little heart pounded as she looked for anything that resembled that special box in the window.
There! Yes there to the back of the tree was a box that could be...yes it looked just like that one in the window.
Mom and Dad both had that special grin on their faces and by now she knew her dream had come true. She headed straight to the box and pulled the ribbon undone. Lifting off the lid she almost closed her eyes as if to prolong the sheer excitement of the moment.
There was the brown leather case and in the soft scarlet velvet lining rested the most beautiful little violin in the world. "This is the bestest Christmas ever," she exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around mom and dad.
"Now we have signed you up for lessons as soon as school starts back," her Mom said.
"Yes," Dad piped in, "With one of the greatest teachers in the entire city. A maestro who has taught some of the greatest violinists around."
"So, we are expecting you to work hard and learn everything you can about playing the violin." Mom said.
"And practice too," Dad added.
"Oh I will, I will," The little girl said with determination.
Dad was right. The maestro was a great master of the violin. The little girl sat in amazement as he showed her everything about the violin. And when he played, it was almost like a ballerina dancing smoothly and precisely over the strings. It was majestic! The little girl dreams of skillfully playing the sweetest melodies captured her every thought.
Oh, how wonderful it would be to please her teacher and honor him by learning everything he so lovingly taught her. But it was hard work. The maestro commanded deep commitment and an abiding faithfulness, and the little girl put everything she had into her practice.
Although she looked forward to each new lesson, she knew he would challenge her to greater heights. Lesson after lesson, and practice after practice, finally the squeaky sounds gave way to a steady note. Finally the fingers danced and the violin sang it's beautiful melody.
It was hard, but it was glorious.
But, of course, all of this was behind a closed door in her bedroom or at the maestro's studio.
The Spring recital was just around the corner and all the young students shared the nervous notion of going public. The little girl was no exception so she worked even harder. She knew her performance would reflect everything her master had taught her.
Everyday she spent special time reviewing his violin book. Going over each lesson and memorizing each principle, her confidence began to grow. It wasn't so much a confidence in herself but more a confidence in her master and his word.
"If you abide in this faithfully," he said, "you will play the violin and play it well."
The Spring recital arrived so quickly and all the young students dressed in their Sunday best, arrived at the downtown concert hall.
Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and even the mayor began to take their seats in the auditorium. The place was packed and full of nervous expectations. The lights dimmed, and the curtain opened, and one by one each student took their place at center stage. It was a wonderful evening and each violinist glimmered like a little star in the night sky.
The little girl was the last student to perform. She sat quietly behind the side curtain her mind busy at work, going over every note of the piece she would play. Every crescendo, and every portamento was so important because her teacher had taught her every step of the way. She wanted to present her work with passion back to the master of the song.
It was her turn. She stepped out on stage and into the light. A thousand faces stared back at her. Silently she lifted the little violin to her shoulder. With bow in position and chin up she closed her eyes and began to play. The audience could not believe their ears. Although each of the students had played well, something special filled the air. Like a graceful ballerina, this little girl's song danced smoothly and precisely over the stings of her little violin. It was majestic!
All the while, with her eyes closed, she clearly focused on one thing--her master and all that he'd taught her. And with each sweep of the bow came the sweetest melody. Finally that last glorious note echoed into forever as she held her bow high in the air.
The audience stood to their feet and the applause grew louder than a hundred waves crashing onto a shore. The mayor was exuberant, and Mom and Dad wept in that special pride only parents share.
But the little girl seemed not to notice at all. Her face was expressionless as her eyes peered out into the audience. Past the mayor, past her parents, past the cheering audience, she searched for the great master for whom she had played.
Where was the maestro?
Finally, there on the front row of the balcony sat that man she had grown to love and respect with such a devotion. There was the teacher who called for dedication, faithfulness, and practice. Still seated, his eyes looked straight into hers as if he were right in front of her and within reach. For the little girl it felt like forever as she waited for her master, the great maestro, to respond.
Suddenly, in one swift movement he stood triumphantly to his feet and yelled, "Bravo!"
And then a smile broke across the little girl's face.



"And then the Lord said, 'Well done good and faithful servant'" (Matthew 25:21)

Refreshing Hope

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character and character, hope. No hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

(Romans 5:1-5)

...Casting all your care upon Him [God] because He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called usto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strenghten, and settle you. To Him be the gloty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(1 Peter 5:7-11)

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior, I gave Egypt for your ransome, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, and I have loved you...

(Isaiah 43:1-4a)

Becoming a true Rebelutionary

Okay, I feel like I've been blogging way too much lately. But I have something super exciting I want to share with the world..

I am finally realizing what it is to trust God!

For so long God's been trying to get it through my thick skull that I need to trust Him. And now I'm finally beginning to do that. I feel like I go through struggles and issues so much in my life. And each time I think I deal with them by trusting God, which is what I should do. But I've never really understood what that meant.
Today in school I had to read the book of James. It is an incredible book! I challenge you to read it for yourself. It really impacted me. One of the many things that popped out to me was the 17th verse of the 2nd chapter: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." It also talks a lot about rejoicing in our trials (1:2-12) because they are what shape us into what God wants us to be. And James stressed the importance of continuing in our faith, especially when times are hard. How awesome is that? To truly trust God means to believe what He says is true, and because of that you do what He asks you to. You do hard things for His glory.

So no matter how hard things get in my life, and how tempted I am to give in to the lies of the devil, I will not (James 1:12-17, 1 Corinthians 10:13) Because I have a big God, and I know that He has a plan in everything that I am going through. And I know that because of my struggles and doubts, He will strengthen my faith, stretch my patience, and mold me into the woman He wants me to be. :)

The question isn't "Has God given up on us?" But rather, "Have we given up on God?"

Everywhere you look people are talking about how 2009 has the potential of being one of America's scariest years. With the economy in crises, and all these "changes" headed our way; it's hard not to wonder whether or not they'll be good changes. Especially from a Christian point of view-Everything we know could soon be no more..

But in reality, is there anyone to blame but ourselves? Have we not brought this upon ourselves by sitting back quietly and comfortably for too long? Are we finally ready to stand up and move forward no matter what the cost, shining the light of Jesus?

I am. [oh how i am.] I am so sick of being on fire for God for about a week, and then letting it die. I'm so sick of seeing my country walk away from God because I've been too lazy to stand up and speak the truth. This time, I'm going to stand up.

I challenge all of us to make the decision to do hard things for God everyday. To pray because we know God is listening, and that prayer moves His heart. To live everyday as if its the last one. To never, ever, let a chance to talk about Jesus go by unused. To love those around me with God's unselfish love. To not blend in with our frightened neighbors; but to tell them about the God who can take away their fears..

It is time to stop watching from our comfortable pews. It's time to start standing up for Christ, and doing what He's called us to do.
Everyone knows that time is short and uncertain. So I'm challenging you, and more so myself, to live every second for God. Completely for God.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." ~1 Peter 2:9