one out of thousands of bible verses

Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18  NIV

that's good to see!

My family and I were in Costco having dinner, and before I could sink my teeth into the ooy-chewy goodness of their fabulous pizza, Mom said we should pray.  Though we were all starving, we agreed with her and bowed our heads.  After Mom prayed and we all looked up, a bald guy with a tattoo on his arm and a big smile said to us, "That's good to see!"  Not in a sarcastic way, but in a, 'Good for you Brothers and Sisters!  We don't see people pray over fast food anymore!' (not that i'm bragging about us praying for fast food, but it was basically what he had said)

Moments like those you don't really have anything else tp say but smile big and say 'thank you'.  After he walked over to his table I suddenly got a funny line that I thought I could have said, but I decided not too;]  If I told you the line (made by moi) it might come out weird...  The line was "I'll be seeing you..."  What I meant was in Heaven!!!  That if he was a Christian I would be seeing him in Heaven.  When I told my brothers, it took them a while to figure it out. 

Do you guys have moments like these?  Not with the line thing, but seeing other Christians throughout a grocery store, or at a park, or something?  It feels good, seeing other Christians.  Cause we will be seeing them!!!  Bye for now, people.  I'll be seeing you........ ;]

*Allie*   

disney or pixar?

As many of you know, it's been my dream for the past several months to become a Disney Animator!  Ever since I have watched  Tangled (made by disney), I knew right then what God had called me for.  It was really a sign that I was supposed to be a Disney Animator!  Maybe that's why I love it so much;) 

Nevertheless, I have stumbled upon a new option.... Pixar.  I saw a video on YouTube the other day of John Lassetter giving a tour of Pixar studios.  It was so amazing watching all of the animators at work and how John L.  dealt with things.  I had been trying to find one of these videos for Disney's Animation studios, but had no luck. 

The video was so warm and welcome, as if I was really talking to John Lassetter!  It made me so badly and desperately wanting to work at Pixar, right then and there.  But then I remembered that it was DISNEY that made me want to be an animator, so why shouldn't I go with Disney!?!?!  I had to remind myself, "Allie!  Your are only fourteen!!!  You won't be dealing with any of these questions and sort until you're in college!  Slow the heck down..."

But after having this moment of.... shock I guess,  I've been having thoughts on whether or not I'm evening going to be an animator?!  What if God has called me to do something else besides Disney or besides Pixar!!??  What if, what He wants me to do in the future is something I haven't even thought of as an option???

*sigh*

For now I'm praying.  I can't really do much about the future right now... like I said, I'm fourteen.  You can't do much when you're fourteen.  But I know that if I pray, God will make things a little bit more visible and more clear as I grow up;) 

God,

This is me calling out to you for guidance!  I don't know the plans you hold for me, only you know.  I pray that you will give me strength as i go into high school as I try to figure these things out and that you will be with me, mom, and dad as we now start to go through this new chapter in my life.  Please help me become a stronger Daughter of Christ, Lord, so I may strive to learn your ways for me and to help reach others.

Thank you, God!  In your name I pray Amen!

I know I've used this verse a lot on my blog, but I have to use it again;)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

*Allie*

one out of thousands of bible verses

You, then, why do you judge your brother?  Or why do you look down on your brother?  For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.  It is written:  "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Romans 14:10-11

I found this verse the other day and this just really struck me.  When I get to Heaven, I will confess my sins again to God, right in front of Him!  I have already confessed my sins to Him in a prayer, but it's almost a frightening thing to confess before the creator of the world every single one of your sins. 

I am probably the number one sister in the world who has to find something in her brothers, so they can get in trouble.  I am!  My brothers and I have fought everyday of our lives, and after reading this verse, I honestly started crying.  I prayed and cried to God, "This is not what I want my life to be!  Show me how to love my brothers!". 

It's almost funny, I think when we ask something from God, He gives us little challenges.  When I woke up the next morning, I got the usual wake up call from my brothers, "You have to make your bed before you can come down stairs!  How much cereal did you actually put into that bowl?" etc, etc.  So my first challenge from God didn't go so well for me those next two days.

But today, I'm ready for challenges!  But I think I need a prayer to go along with this challenge.  I can't do this challenge all on my own, you know.  God does help us get through challenges He's given us:)

Dear God,
Thank you for speaking to me through this verse.  I pray that you will hold my hand through all the challenges you've given me, and that you will give me guidance throughout the rest of the day.  God I also pray for those who have read the verse above, that it will give them a different point of view on things.  If they are the type to fight with there siblings or fight with some mean kids at school, I pray that you will soften their hearts towards that someone they do not like.  Hold their hand as they go through those challenges you have given them.  Let this verse you have given us, shine in the back if our minds, so that when we are tempted to fight our enemies, we will go the high road.  I love Father!  Bless all of your children with guidance, Amen

*Allie*

one out of thousands of bible verses

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for  someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:7-9  NIV

*Allie*

one out of thousands of bible verses

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Hebrews 12:15 NIV

*Allie*

one out of thousands of bible verses

And because of his words many more became believers.  They said to the women, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
John 4:41-42 NIV

*Allie*

i'm tired

Yeah, I'm tired.  I had to get up at seven today so I could make it to my algebra class on time.  I so did not want to get up and do algebra so early in the morning...ugh.

I have a huge list of things to do.  Such as clean my room, clean out my box full of school supplies and books, get stuff for my Tangled party, finish the Harry Potter book before April (Nick's orders), and get through a bunch of other books from the library. *sigh*  With that I decided to just blog... blogging makes me feel a little bit better :I  (a little)

I think today I might just give you this.  That is all.  Well, hold on!  Let me find a Bible verse.  Bible verses make me feel a little better, too :D  Ah, perfect! 

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work.  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished."
1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV

Okay, so how great a verse is that for today?  Pretty great!  I remembered one of my favorite cds (the lost get found by britt nicole), in the thank you section (in the little booklet thingy) she had a Bible verse.  I was all like, "Okay I don't know what Bible verse would be best for this post, I think Britt Nicole's album had one, though."  And ended up going with this amazing Bible verse.  That is such a God thing!  I feel a lot better now:)

So how's your Tuesday going?

*Allie*

it's a god thing: part three

Sorry it took me so long to write back!  I was sick for a little over a week with a sore throat and a fever almost at 102 degrees... yeah!  Anyway..................(where were we exactly?)

"Alex,  I've read your blog!"  Robin's warm hand was grasping my arm.  I was excited to have had her read my blog, but how had she found my blog?  There are thousands upon thousands of blogs!  And she just happened to get to my blog.  It was like the table situation all over again (hundreds of tables in the room yet my favorite author sat down at ours, unbelievable)!

I suddenly remembered something.

Robin hadn't just found my blog by clicking next blog at the top of the page, I had sent her my blog by e-mail!  There had been a contest calling all bloggers!  A few bloggers would win a copy of Robin's newest book, Canary Island Song, read it, then post a review about it! *derrrrrr*

"I read your blog, like, three days ago!" Robin smiled at me and she started jumping in her chair, "CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH?"  She squealed.  I was in so much shock, all I could do was laugh!  I didn't give her my autograph, if that's what you are wondering. 

That's great for you, Allie!  Don't mention us who follow your blog and have a blog of our own, which we might add is a lot better than your snobby blog!

Now before you go any further, I told Robin all about your blogs!  I did, "Robin, you'll have to check out my friends blogs sometime!  My best friend, Rachael, has this amazing and wonderful blog and she does reviews!  That's the title of her blog, Rachael's Reviews and Ramblings!  And her friend Chelsea,  I've only met her a few times, but she has a really awesome blog too!  She has written lots of stories and I'm sure she would like to post a review on her blog... her blog is called Goggles and Paintbrushes!  And.... well, you can check out all of the blogs that I follow on the left side bar on my blog!"  I managed to say that in one long breath, thank you very much!  You know what Robin said after that, "I will definetly check your friends blogs out!"  I am so not lying!  Yes, I know you're sorry but it's time to get back to the story now.

So Robin and I talked about blogs and books and writing and everything that has to do with, well...you know... writing!  "Send me a link to your blog!  Uh... please!"  She said her lips turning up into a smile. "K!"  I said with my most exstatic voice!

Worship started again, and this time I was glad we got to worship God again.  I praised Him for the wonderful day He had planned for me, God you knew this day was going to happen, even before I born!  You are such an amazing God!  I thought as I was singing, which surprisingly enough wasn't hard to do.  After worship we headed straight to our last two classes.

Two hours later we were back at the table, talking to Robin and the other women at our table.  It was so much fun!  I would've just stayed there and talked with them all day long or even for the rest of my life... wait, I will get to do that, someday....

"Well, I should probably get to the signing booth to sign some books!"  Robin said standing up, "See you guys later!"  She called after us.  "Bye!"  We called after her... well at least I did :D

About a half an hour after Robin left, we decided it was about time we should get going back to the hotel.  We walked over to the tables stacked with books and t-shirts and sweatshirts and key chains and gum (that's right, gum).  I found the three books I had wanted, and after paying for it, I stood in the "get your books signed!" line.  Robin signed all of them,

Christy Miller volume one....

Alex~

Keep writing!

The Lord has dreams for your life.  Follow Him every step of the way.

Forever!

Robin Jones Gunn

PS so fun meeting you!

Forever Friends Journal....

Alex~

Trust God Forever!

Robin Jones Gunn

Christy Miller's Diary.....

Alex~

May the Lord bless you in tender ways.

Forever,

Robin Jones Gunn

You could say I had a pretty great weekend (note that this was like, two weekends ago.  i was just really bad and didn't write these posts quick enough!LOL)!  After we got back to our hotel room, we crashed!  We were so stinkin' tired.  I kid you not, I fell asleep smiling and thinking, This was such a God Thing!

*Allie*

ps

if you don't exactly know what a "god thing" is... read the Christy Miller series... you'll love 'em!

it's a god thing: part two

There she was... Robin, *gasp*..... Jones, *gulp*.... Gunn *faint*............... (okay I didn't faint but I felt like I might!)

Robin was no more than seven feet away from our table.  Robin's eyes met mine, she smiled.  I was already smiling like crazy but when she started to wave at me the only thing I could do was smile and wave and, "HI ROBIN!"  Wow, where did that come from, I thought.  "Oh, man I am such an idiot!" I told myself so only Mom could hear me.  I imagined smacking myself on the forehead and saying "Der!". 
"Why, Hon?"  Mom asked concerned. 
"I feel like I've known Robin for like, years.  And here I am now making a fool of myself, waving to Robin Jones Gunn, thinking we've been friends since forever, when really I am just a complete stranger to her, and she must think I am such a complete idiot!  Omigosh!  She's walking over to our table!  Why is she coming so quickly?  I forgot what I was going to tell her!  How should I talk to her !?!?!?!  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!"

Okay!  Yeah, I didn't know I could be this freaked out either until I was actually freaking out like that.  I didn't really say that last part..... aloud, that is.

"Hi, I'm Robin!  What's your name?"  Robin actually stood before me... she actually talked to me!
"Wow!  Um.... hi, Robin... I'm Alex (a lot of people call me by that name, fyi), you don't know me, but I've read your books and I am a huuge fan!"
I would define Robin's face as a sun (hear me out people!), she has this warm glow to her suntanned face (she lives in Hawaii, btw), twinkling eyes filled with joy and happiness,  and a wonderful woman of God sounding voice.
"Oh, I'm so glad you enjoy my books!" Robin said sitting down next to me.  Omigosh, she's actually sitting next to me! I thought in my head and bit my lip so I wouldn't scream  (if you don't fully know me by now, when i get nervous and excited at the same time, i ramble...a lot!).
"I know, right?  I just have a heart for your books!  You have inspired me to write my own stories!  Did you even know that I have a shelf in my room that is dedicated to your books?  I just love your books!  They are so amazing!  Do you know if your coming out with a new Katie Weldon book?  I just love those books!  They made me think a lot about college and how fun it will be to share an apartment with a roomie.  I have a best friend, who has read your books too, she loves them, I hope that she will be my roomie one day.  Did you have a roomie when you were in college?"

Yes I'm exaggerating!  I didn't say all of that!  Gosh, that would have been embarrassing!

"I'm really glad!"  Robin replied, still smiling.

Worship started before we could say anything else.  All I could think of when we were all singing was, Robin Jones Gunn is sitting right next to me!  I need to tell Robin about my blog!  I can't wait 'til worship is over so I can talk to her.  

Then I thought, Wait!  It's my time to worship God!  I need to focus on Him not Robin (no offence, Robin).  So I imagined that Robin wasn't even there, like all of a sudden *poof* she was gone.  That helped me a lot (again, no offence Robin)!

After worship, we went to three classes (not all in a row though).  Since this post is already too long (and i forgot my notes) I won't get into that right now.

After the first class, it was lunch time.  Yay!  I get to sit next to Robin again!  I said excitedly in my head.  There were beautifully made lunches on the table before us; a BLT croissant (yum!), a fruit salad (yum!), and an assortment of finger mini cupcake sized desserts (double yum!).



Look at that amazing sandwich!  It's so pretty (and BIG!)!



But when I sat down and looked over to where Robin would sit, her plate was half eaten (she didn't eat her plate she ate the food on her plate, sheesh!)  Disappointed, but assured myself I would get see her some more today.  But this was my time to talk to her without being rushed and everything!  I sorta pouted in my head, while sucking on a grape on my fork before eating.  I realized I was really hungry!  I ate nearly all my fruit then was (not in a rude way) interrupted by a voice, "Hello Ladies!"  Came the voice of Robin.  "Hi!" I managed to say with a wedge of pineapple in my mouth.  Robin sat down and started eating one of the desserts. 

It occurred to me, How on Earth am I going to eat this ginormous sandwich without looking like a complete pig?  I got out my knife (from the rolled up napkin, what, did you really think i'd bring a random knife in my purse...Uh-uh!) and cut the huge sandwich in half.  Though I was super hungry, I tried to eat slowly and sip iced tea in between bites.  That way if Robin asked me a question, I could reply to her without a gurgle in my throat or fling food to her from my mouth (or both)... Oh, how clever am I, I thought sipping my iced tea.

Robin, though, knew when to talk and when not to.  When she noticed I had just finish a bite of my BLT she started, "So, Alex.  What do you like to do?  Do you have any hobbies, any knacks, what?"  She said taking another bite of dessert. 

"Well, I love to read!  Your books inspired me to write some of my own stories.  I really love to write.... I do!  Like I said, you have inspired me to write and tell more people about God's amazing gift....so, uhhh.....yeah!"  I was doing the rambling thing again, so Mom politely came in and said, "Yeah, Alex is an amazing writer!  She even started her own blog.  It's really cool!  You should check it out sometime!"

I gave Mom a look; not the kind of look where you're thinking "Ugh!  Mom!" but the kind where you're thinking, "What would I do with out you, Mom!"

Mom smiled at me, as if she new what I was thinking.  Thank you, Mom, I thought.  I could have sworn that she whispered, Your welcome, sweet pea! , to me.  I have an amazing mom!

"Really!  That's so cool!  Tell me about it."  Robin sounded really interested, so I explained what got me thinking about starting my own blog, told her my blog was called it's my life, ya-da-ya-da-ya-da.....

Robin swallowed her previous bite of a chocolate brownie, grabbed my arm and said, "Alex, I have something to tell you,"

*Allie*

   

it's a god thing: part one

How was your weekend?  Mine?  Thanks for asking!  Mine went a little something like this....


(before getting into this past weekend i'll share how this all got started)

A few weeks before my birthday, Grammy and I were looking at a Christian college magazine called Corban College.  Some of Grammy's friends had gone there so they shared this magazine with her.  We were flipping through some really cool things... and then we saw it!

Heard of Robin Jones Gunn?  Now is your chance to get to know her at Corban College, during our latest event Women 2 Women conference!  She will be signing her well know Christy Miller series, Sierra Jensen series, Katie Weldon series, Sister Chicks and more, there.  Hope you can join us there!

Okay, if you are not familiar with Robin, she is a wonderful women of God, who has written these amazing books for all ages!  She is my one and only favorite author in the world!  The first time I read the Christy Miller series , I was eleven years old and it was summer time.  I was really bored and I needed something to read, So Mom suggested we go to the library.  Mom quickly found the Christy Miller volume one book and told me, "I remember when I read these when I was a little older than you were!  These would be perfect for you!"

Six months later I've read through the Christy Miller series, Sierra Jensen series and now waiting for Christy and Todd the college years on hold from the library.  You can most definitely say that I was (and am) hooked!

Years later I'm sitting on the couch with Grammy, flipping through the Corban College magazine, ya-da-ya-da-ya-da, "Woundn't that be so cool if we went, Allie!"  Grammy told me, "Uh...uh-huh!"  I said super excitedly.  I had never really met a famous person before!  If I did go what would I say, what would I do?  I probably won't even get to talk to her, I thought to myself.  "Maybe that could be one of your birthday presents!  You, your mom, and I could go out for a whole weekend together!"  Grammy said almost more excited as I was, "Yeah...maybe..."  I was still stuck on the thought that there would be a huge chance that I wouldn't be able to talk to my favorite author.  I told Grammy how I felt, "Well there is chance you won't be able to talk very long, but the experience would be really fun!"  She said encouragingly and I agreed.

Friday morning (months later)....the day we (Grammy, Mom, and I) leave for Corban College!  A six hour drive, but I knew the whole thing would be worth it :D  First stop, coffee shop! 

To be honest... I'm not allowed to have any caffeine....ever!  I have had a few cans of Diet Coke before, but never coffee.  Mom told me that since this was a special occasion, I could have a blended white chocolate coffee, with one shot of coffee in it.  I was all like, WOOOHOOO!!!!! ......and that was with out the caffeine!
When I had that first sip, I knew I was hooked.  The whole drink was like a coffee milkshake....soooooo gooooood!  I drank it within seven minutes.... (that explains a whole lot about me, *haha*)
I started getting the jitters and at first I thought I was just cold...no, no... I just had the jitters!  I was so full, I thought I was going to be sick, thank God a million times I didn't!

A little over six hours later we had found our hotel which was just beautiful!  We drove to Corban College to see how far it was from the hotel, then drove to a Japanese restaurant for dinner.  Came back to our hotel room, tired and full, did an hour of Algebra homework (i know, right?), and fell into our beds and went to sleep...well I did...*smile*

Seven am (the usual morning line up *giggle*... ugh, click here if you don't know what i'm talking about).... Mom wakes me up to get ready for the conference!

Eight thirty am..... we arrived at Corban College and we are looking at about a hundred tables, with women of all ages swarming around.  We see a table near the front with four open seats.  I suggest we sit over there, so we quickly make our way to the table.  In front of us is a paper bag with colorful tissue paper sticking out (I got purple). 

i got a water bottle, a purple pen, chap stick, a pad of tissues, a book mark, and our schedule! 

Grammy and Mom were on my right and on my left was the empty seat.  I immediately started looking for Robin.  No sign of her.  Grammy and Mom had already started up a conversation with the other women at the table, "So do you gals like Robin's books?" They asked, "Yeah we all have really enjoyed them.  My daughter is a huge fan of Robin!" Mom replied.  I smiled.  "Really!?!  Do you know who is sitting next to you then," She read my name tag, ", Alex?" (btw: i go by alex a lot!).... "Um, no." I said smiling a little, not sure who I might sit by, "Robin...Jones...Gunn!"  They said.

 All of a sudden the room got hot.  Omigosh!  What am I gonna do!  My favorite author is going to be sitting next to me!  Me!  Out of the hundred tables in this one room, she was going to sit at this table...... and sit next to....*gulp*.......................ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was excited and totally nervous at the same time.  What would I say....I have to mention that I love her books, that's for sure....... and that she inspired me to write, too......oh and that I have a blog!  I have to tell her that I have a blog.....wait, how am I going to tell her I have a blog with out sounding rude and demanding that she visit my blog sometime!  Omigosh!  What am I going to say!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  Then.... "Allie!  Look behind yoou!"

*Allie*

just thinking about it is...wow!!!

I was just thinking what it's going to be like when I get to Heaven.  I'll be able to see every Christian on the planet that ever was and is!  I'm reminded of the song, "I Can Only Imagine"; I have the song  in allie's tunes so you can check it out.  It's a really great song!

Every once in a while our church plays the song; I used to think, "Oh yeah, someday we'll be in Heaven.  We'll be with God and everyone that is a follower of God, yeah, yeah that someday will come..................." and now when I think of it... we are going to be with God someday for eternity!  I am so excited for that day when I will be with God and surrounded by millions, billions of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  Every time now, when Mom is teaching history to us, and we learn about a really neat Christian, I think, "I'm going to meet that person someday!"  It is such a cool feeling! 

And to think that we will be spending time, worshiping, praising, laughing, singing, dancing with God and our Brothers and Sisters in Christ for eternity... just blows my mind!  When I listened to the "I Can Only Imagine" song recently, I cried happy tears.... my heart is swelling up just thinking about it *sniff* ; D!

Can I get whoop-whoop from my Brothers and Sisters?

*Allie* 

one out of thousands of bible verses

"For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths."
Proverbs 5:21  NIV

one out of thousands of bible verses

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 KJB 

one out of thousands of bible verses

"He has shown you, oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8 NIV

never alone

Remember that one awesome christian group (BarlowGirl) I was telling you about in the previous post music or lyrics?  BarlowGirl has this one song that I listen to all the time called Never Alone.  The three sisters are singing about how alone they feel, and that it's hard to be sure if God is still there listening to them.  Here are the lyrics.

i waited for you today, but you didn't show no, no

i needed you today, so where did you go?

you told me to call, said you'd be there

and though i haven't seen you are you still there?

[chorus]

i cried out with no reply and i can't feel you by my side so,

i'll hold tight to what i know your here

and i'm never alone

and though i can not see you

and i can't explain why

such a deep reassurance you've placed in my life

we can not separate, cause you're part of me

and though you're invisible i'll trust the unseen

[chorus repeats twice]

I just adore that song!  I listen to it when I'm scared, sad, or when I need to remember that God is by my side all the time (which i guess implies both).  I have the song on allie's tunes at the very bottom of my blog so you can listen to the song.  Hope you like it as much as I do!

*Allie*



music or lyrics

Okay, so who doesn't like music?  I thought so!  But do you listen to just the music and not the lyrics?  To tell you the truth, I used to just listen to the music instead of the lyrics.  Okay, so even if you know all the words to "that song" do you really focus on... the lyrics?

Okay Allie, what's going on here?  Well I'm trying to bring up the subject that no one likes to avoid... MUSIC!!  Let me look up music in the dictionary, let's see music, music... uh... aha!  Music!

Music:  the art of combining vocal and instrumental tones in a rhythmic form; such an artistic combination of tones; any pleasant combination of sounds; melody, harmony; musical taste; musical score.  music to ones ears, something that one is pleased to hear.

Wow!  That is an awesome description of music, isn't it?  So now I'm going to look up lyrics... uh, ooh!  That was easy!

Lyric: suitable for singing; of poetry, expressing the individual emotions of the poet.  a lyric poem; a song; verses used in lyric poetry; the words of a popular song.

Again, Wow!  I don't think I've ever looked up music and lyrics in the dictionary before (oops)!  Awesome descriptions for both of these words.

In the past year I have stumbled upon a song that had an awesome beat, music, everything... until I listened to the lyrics.  (please note that I am not trying to put down this artist in anyway, I am just expressing my feelings for this song.)  I had gotten Selena Gomez's new album A Year With Out Rain from the library and I was listening to one of her songs called Rock God.  I loved the beat and the music!  Then the lyrics... not so much.

preacher man walked into the club and he said, he said

hey girl can't you walk a mile straight
father i'm torn and i'm selling my soul to the rhythm, the beat and the bass

cause i can't confess my rock and roll ways

cause i'm so possessed with the music, the music he plays

[chorus]

i can't stop my feet dancing from the sound of his drum

oh no, i fell in love with my rock god

i can't keep my hips from swaying to his sweet melody

you see i fell in love with my rock, rock god

preacher man took my hand and looked in my eyes and said,

hey girl can't you live your life right

father things aren't the way so black and white

don't cast the first stone cause i'm not alone

and it's not like i'm hurting anyone

but i can confess my rock and roll ways

[chorus]

oh i wouldn't change a thing even if i could

cause i chose a path and i'm not looking back

and i'm sorry if i left the angels crying over me

[chorus]

 Okay... as a Christian that kinda bugged me (a heck of a lot!), and if you are a Christian as well you understand my point.  If you go back to the description of lyrics one of the lines were, expressing the emotions of the poet, and the poet (Selena) was expressing her feelings (like big time) to people about her faith, which is praising the "rock god".  Selena is saying that someone was trying to tell her about Jesus , who is the one and only God,  and she was basically telling that someone that she was selling her soul (that means giving her whole life) to the "rock god"  in her way of putting it to music.  Now I can understand at one point that since Selena is an artist, that she loves music; but on the other hand she was saying that she loved music so much that she doesn't want to live for anything else but, the "rock god". 

So you're saying we shouldn't listen to music any more Allie?  Of course NOT!  Music is an amazing thing,  that's how we worship God (the one and only God of course)!  Just don't give up God for anything;  God is more powerful, stronger, and caring than anything in his creation.

As a New Years resolution, I decided to listen to better and cleaner music/lyrics!  Allie, that's like kinda hard for a Christian girl like me.  My friends my think I'm a freak or something.  Let me give you some advice: if your friends think you're a freak I don't think they're very friendly.

     

Awesome Christian Artists who Sing Awesome Christian Music/Lyrics



BarlowGirl:  BarlowGirl is a mix between pop and rock and roll, and are amazing poets!  My Mom and I have all of their albums, and they truly inspire me.  My favorite song of theirs would be Never Alone; I listen to it like, all the time.

Bethany Dillon:  Bethany Dillon plays on her acoustic guitar and has a soft spoken voice.  I learned how to play two of her songs on the guitar a year or so ago, and I love them!  She has a folksy style of music and it is really nice and calming.

Britt Nicole:  I just discovered Britt Nicole like a year ago and she is at the top of my list.  With her up beat pop songs, I promise you, you will always be inspired!

Jump5:  With Jump5, you always feel like they're your closest friends.  When you listen to their songs, you just want to jump five times and sing along with them like you would with a true friend.

Awesome Artists with Really Good and Pure Songs

Taylor Swift:  Okay I usually don't listen to country music, but Taylor Swift is awesome!  I just got her latest album Speak Now and I love it!  Though I must warn you that in her first album in her song Cold As You she says the "D" word in it once, and that was like the only one in all of her albums (I don't usually listen to that song, I just wanted you to know).  And I do want to make it clear that as Taylor comes out with more albums, the songs get more mature in the dialogue.  In most of her songs she talks about love stories, love stories falling apart, stories that become love stories, or just what is.  So overall she's really clean and I think she's a christian.

Aly & AJ:  I have been listening to these sisters since I was like eight!  Though these christian girls don't sing christian songs, their pop songs are clean and pure for all ages.  They have really inspired me to play guitar (same with BarlowGirl).

Demi Lovato:  With her up beat pop music, Demi has made two albums and pure ones at that.  I have read that she is a christian and lives for God!  In all of her Thank Yous in her albums, God always comes first, "God- Without him, I wouldn't be hear, I wouldn't have a second album.  All my passion comes from Him, and I hope that this album inspires someone because this isn't my work, this is His." - Demi Lovato

I hope you can join me on this New Years resolution.  We can work on it together, *hehe*!  Music is like life, don't use it in the wrong ways.

*Allie*



late at night

Do you ever have a nightmare really late at night, and your mind keeps reminding you of the scariest parts in there?  You're sitting in your bed thinking, "I can't go to sleep, I just can't!", and you end up being crabby all day because you didn't get enough sleep.

Well I did have a nightmare late at night, and I kept thinking to myself, "I can't go to sleep, I just can't, there is no way I can!"  I was still half asleep when I was thinking this, and so I tried to fix the nightmare by going back and trying to do something different.  Well I tried over and over and for some reason, the nightmare would get worse and worse.  Then I started praying,

God clear my mind from the awful things I saw in my nightmare.  I can't fall asleep with out getting those images out of my head.

So I just talked to God for about a half an hour;  I prayed that Zack would have a fun time at basketball practice in the morning, that my guitar teacher and my brothers' piano teacher would have the energy they need to get through their concert tonight.  I just talked to God until I realised that I had forgotten all about the images in the nightmare.  I still saw some of the creepy characters in my head but you know what, my heart and my mind were cleared.  Within that half an hour of talking to God, while He was listening to every word I was saying, He was clearing my mind and heart.

Never feel foolish asking God for peace in your life, heart, or mind.  God wants to help you in every way He can.  When you are excited your volunteer application was excepted at the library, God rejoices with you.  When someone you love gets sick or passes away, God grieves for your saddened heart.  God cares for you!  Having that nightmare was sure scary, but I think God was reminding me in that little way that He is with me all the time and He cares for me all the time.  I hope this was a little reminder that God really cares for you, even in tough times.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Oh and by the way, I wasn't crabby today *giggle*

*Allie*      

god's little reminder

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,  "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11

I think we all need this reminder.  We might be going through really tough times, and we're thinking, "Why would God do this to me at a time like this?  Does He even care about me?"  This Bible verse will remind you that God does care for you, and that He allows these things in your life for a reason.  He doesn't just sit up in His Kingdom, laughing at us, "HAHA!  You spilled your milk on your new blouse!".

We may not always see the hope in all situations.  But it's there.  Our hope is not in our own abilities to figure out the future.  Our hope is in a perfect God who cares about us and has promised never to leave us or forsake us.

Just a little reminder =^D

*Allie*

define prayer

What does prayer mean? Well to me, prayer means I am having a conversation with my Lord, God. That's also what it says in the dictionary. But what do you think prayer means? Do you sit in a dark room with candles flickering away, and say, "Dearest God, Howeth do thee do?". Well you could be saying "Hey what's up God? How you hangin'?" on a subway and He wouldn't care. "But Allie, shouldn't we talk in these ancient ways to let God know we love him?" No! God doesn't care! God just wants to talk with you. So anyway you pray is just fine.

When you pray, what do you pray about? Do you pray that you will pass your math test on Monday morning? Do you pray that your crush will dump your worst nemesis for you? Do you pray that you'll get everything you want for Christmas? Well, that's totally fine if you pray for that! Of course! You can pray for anything you want! But... just because you pray for something doesn't mean you're going to get everything you pray for. Sure that sounds awful at first, but think about it. What would happen if everyone got everything that they prayed for? Sure you would get everything you prayed for, but so would everybody else. If you prayed for a million dollars and POOF it was there, other people would be praying for the same thing. That doesn't sound to bad, right? Wrong! Every villain out there would be praying for more drugs, guns, and maybe even to be God. Now God didn't make this rule because he was selfish and he wanted to be the only God ever. He made this rule because he didn't want people to take advantage of prayer. Prayer wouldn't really be called prayer anymore. It would be wishing. The whole point of prayer is so that you can talk to God. You see what I mean?

How often do you pray? Honestly think about that question, and give an honest answer. A couple of years ago I like, rarely prayed. Really honest to goodness, I just didn't. I never really gave it much thought. One day at church, our girls children pastor, Sarah, was talking about praying. She said, "Imagine not talking to your parents...ever. You came down for breakfast, didn't even give them a sideways glance, and you left for school. You come home from school, and you don't say anything, you just walk up stairs, do your homework, eat dinner, and go to bed with out saying one word to your parents the whole day." Imagine God being your parents in this story. God just sits around watching you and you don't even say hello. God loves it when you talk to him! Who doesn't like to be talked to? How often do you talk to your parents... pretty much all the time, right? God is your Heavenly Father. How often do you talk to your dad? I talk to my dad a lot! Imagine never talking to your dad. That would be really sad. Well, God is really sad when you aren't talking to him. Try talking to God more, but also keep talking to your dad (and mom) as well =^D

I hope you talk to God soon!

Dear Lord,
I pray that this message will be found by the people who really need this message. I pray that the message I share will really help people in need of your teaching. I love you God!
In your name I pray,
Amen

*Allie*