it's inside, it's inbetween

After that rather soul-bearing post, I'll bet most of you are expecting me to go on and on about how love makes me feel, what it's like to be in love, and how there's nothing like romantic love.

but that's not what I'm writing about.

Last night, God opened my eyes to what true love is. And to be honest, it's not the answer I was expecting.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

~1 John 4:7-10

And there you have it. Love isn't just a feeling; love is an action. Love is an Almighty God giving His own Son to the world, that we might be saved from an eternal Hell.

Love isn't just having romantic feelings for one special person. Love is showing kindness and compassion to every person on earth, no matter the status of their health, wealth, or social life.

Love isn't just kisses and hugs. Love is doing what's best for a person, even when you don't necessarily benefit from it.

Continuing on in verse 19: We love because He first loved us.

Without God, there's no such thing as love. God is love! Love and God go hand-in-hand. You can't have one without the other.

This is what I'm learning, right now, as a teenage girl: it's okay to have 'lovey' feelings for a guy....but you have to also remember that love isn't just a boy-and-girl thing. It's a human thing. Which means we're supposed to love everyone, just as God loved us. Our love should be everywhere, just like God's is.

And that's what true love means to me.

All around me smilin' faces.......

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?
'Beautiful Ending' by Barlow Girl
Oh boy...not starting off very well!!!

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
'You Found Me' by Big Daddy Weave
Okay.....well, God did find me.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
'Somebody's Watching' by Dc Talk and Toby Mac
Hmmm.....not really clear.


WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
'Your Love is Extravagant' by Casting Crowns
When I find the guy of my dreams, I definitely want his love to be extravagant


HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
'Hold On' by Toby Mac
well, I am kind of tired today.....

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
'I'm Letting Go' by Francesca Battistelli
darn...I was hoping for something a little more profound


WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
'It's On' by Superchick
Okay, good song....but I wouldn't really say it's my motto


WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
'The Love We Had Before' by Fireflight
*sobs* But they still love me NOW!!!!!

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?'
Forgiven' by Relient K
What, they forgive me a lot?

 WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
'I'm Taking You With Me' by Relient K
but...who am I taking? I don't exactly have a 'significant other' yet!!


WHAT IS 2+2?
'Like the Sun' by Stellar Kart
Love the song, don't really love the answer :p

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
'Already Over' by RED
Don't worry, we aren't really over!!!


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
'Spirit of '76' by The Alarm
haha, now that is really random.


WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
'Who Am I' by Casting Crowns
Now this could definitely be considered my life story----Who am I that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name?


WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
'Follow Me There' by Third Day
Nah, I want to be a teacher


WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
'Bowling Ball' by Superchick
*cries* NOO!!!! That is not what he's really like!!!

WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?
'Bite My Tongue' by Relient K
But why?!?


WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
'I Don't Regret' by Barlow Girl
I certainly don't regret living for God!!

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
'Angels in Chorus' by Stellar Kart
I like angels...but this is more Anna's department *winks*

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
'You Are Everything' by Matthew West
I wouldn't say that's a fear...

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
'Myself' by Fireflight
well, that was a complete DUD.

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
'Lothlorien' by Enya
mmm, I would like to visit Lothlorien!!!


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
'Lazy Day's' by Enya
well, we have passed some lazy days together.....

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
'Dynamite' by Taio Cruz
*dances crazily* Great dance song....but doesn't quite make sense as an answer

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
'Deathbed' by Relient K
Dude.....this is such a sad song!!! He definitely had things he regretted!!

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
'Which to Bury; Us or the Hatchet?' by Relient K
What is up with all these Relient K songs? And no, this song does not make me laugh


WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
'Midnight Blue' by Lou Gramm
nah, not a sad song

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
'You Are' by Tenth Avenue North
FINALLY a TAN song!! but hehe, doesn't really tell me much.


WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?'
What if His People Prayed' by Casting Crowns
This doesn't scare me.....it makes me happy!

 DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
'Bullet Soul' by Switchfoot
uh.....any ideas about what this means?!?


IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
'For the Ladies' by KJ-52
Nah, I wouldn't change anything about this song (:


WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
'All My Heart' by Stellar Kart
At the moment, my heart is perfectly fine...just saying

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?
'Let Me Love You' by Third Day
well, technically I tagged myself....

WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?
'Life is Good' by Stellar Kart
oh yeah....now we're talking. *dances around*


Ah, such a fun tag. If you want to do it, go right ahead! Consider yourself tagged. ;) 

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul

So, I figured that I should explain my blog playlist.......I mean, the songs don't exactly go that well together, do they?

My Life's Playlist---As of March/April 2011

via

Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift

This is on here because I like someone who is just out of reach.....wow, can't believe I just wrote that. *shakes head*

The One by Brandon Heath

I've been listening to this song quite a bit lately, and it reminds me that I can make a difference in this world.

One More Round by Barlow Girl

I've been battling some things, and this song reminds me to never give up.

Bite My Tongue by Relient K

I really need to work on holding my tongue and not snapping at my family. So yeah, I'm learning to 'bite my tongue' when I feel some mean stuff coming on.

Have Your Way by Britt Nicole

I'm working on letting God have control over my life, and this song pretty much sums up all my doubts and worries.

Every Little Thing by Hawk Nelson

This song helps me remember that, someday, I'll be the girl that a guy loves with all his heart.

All the Pretty Things by Tenth Avenue North

I'm trying to remember what's important in life, and not focus on all the pretty and flashy things.

via

A Love Song by Stellar Kart

I love this song sooooooo much!!!! It's basically a prayer to God, except with music. Gotta love it. ;)

Rainbow Veins by Owl City

This song is all about joy and stuff, which I'm trying to do a better job of spreading around. Plus, it's tune is so catchy. (:

More by Matthew West

This song is an awesome reminder of God's love for us. Which is something I always like to be reminded of. =D

So there ya have it!  The playlist of my life......for now at least. *wink wink*
What songs have been dancing around in your head lately?

you are more than the choices that you've made...

I love Christian concerts.

 I hate big crowds.

 

I love hearing my favorite song live....and having it touch me just like this time.

I hate obnoxious people.

I love friends who laugh about stupid things with you.

I hate going to Subway, ordering my usual ham & cheese & cucumbers &ranch on white bread, and having the {albeit cute} sandwich guy ask like ten times if that's all I want. Dude, I know what I want on my sandwich!!!!

I love the thought that, someday, I will finally meet all of my blogging buddies in Heaven.

I hate brush-burns.

I love having a sore throat from singing too much.

I hate waking up the next morning with aforementioned sore throat.

I love wearing no stockings to church for the first time since September.

I hate being hungry.

I love this dress.   I seriously wish I could be that model.

I hate not having the money to buy new clothes.

I love that I only have about 8 weeks of school left.

I hate soccer players who use their elbows.

I love mac'ncheese

I hate weird music videos. 

 

I love that I can get my driving permit in a little under two weeks.

I hate the thought that I might fail the permit test.

I love this movie couple. Though, in all honesty, I want to steal Mr. Knightley from Emma.

 

How cute it this?!?

   Mmmm, crazy weekend for me. Hopefully I'll have an actual post ready by Monday. 'Till then------go Butler!!!!

love always,

A tag of sorts.....that I kinda stole.

I found this 'tag' as I was perusing through Bleah's archives. You don't mind that I tagged myself, do you dear? (:

List 10 artists in no particular order {before looking at the questions below}.

1. Tenth Avenue North
2. Owl City
3. Brandon Heath
4. Taylor Swift
5. Hawk Nelson
6. Relient K
7. Switchfoot
8. Toby Mac
9. Chris August
10. Stellar Kart

And now, for some pretty neat and thoughtful questions!!!

What was the first song you ever heard by 6?
Um, The Best Thing......love that song.


What is your favourite song of 8?
Probably Wonderin' or Made to Love.

What kind of impact has 1 left on your life?
*laughs* Uh, a big one!!!! Honestly, their songs have helped me through so many difficult times in my life. Which you, my followers, know best of anyone. (:

What is your favourite lyric of 5s?
God I know that you exist, I've been told a thousand times

But my friends they all insist that the truth is just a lie
You see the lives that they all live seems like a party all the time
The temptations I resist, because it's You I glorify.
  --Your Love is a Mystery

How many times have you seen 4 live?
None. *sighs*

What is your favourite song of 7?
This Is Your Life. Without a doubt.

Is there any song of 3 that makes you sad?
Not really.....

What is your favourite song by 9?
7x70. It's such a powerful song about forgiveness and moving on.

How did you first get into 2?
Well....I wouldn't say I'm into Owl City yet. But, Bleah's the one who introduced me to Adam's music.....I guess I have her to thank. ;)

How did you first get into 3?
Give Me Your Eyes was my lifesong for a while, so that's how I first got started on Brandon. Then, I saw him in concert.....and was forever changed. *girly giggle*

What is your favourite song by 4?
*taps chin* Either Enchanted or You Belong With Me.

How many times have you seen 9 live?
Zero, currently. Hopefully, that will change soon.

What is a good memory concerning 10?
Hmmm.....I really don't know! Probably talking with Anna about SK, or just listening and being happy.

Is there a song by 8 that makes you sad?
I don't think Toby Mac really makes any sad songs.....

What is your fave song of 1's?
Really? Do I have to answer this? *grumbles* Fine. By Your Side or Times. Oh, or Beloved. See how hard it is for me to choose?!?

How did you become a fan of 10?
Probably when I heard their song Lifeguard. And then Anna helped me out too. ;)


I tag:
Jocee
Kylie
Lauren
Kels
Kinsey
anna (:
Samarah
Emii
Miss Raquel
and....Haze

Have fun, my darlings!!!

Day 4-----my favorite WHAT?!?

*laughs*

Uh, yeah, I had no idea how hard this challenge would be!!!! Having to choose all these favorites......it's really hurting me.
I have so many bands that I love: Stellar Kart, Newsboys, Relient K......but there is one band above all others.
Day Four: A favorite band

My first experience with Tenth Avenue North was about two years ago, in spring of 2009. I was in our car, listening to the Christian radio station when a new song came on. For the first few lyrics, I thought the band might be Switchfoot {what? I was still new to the whole Christian-music thing!}, but then the DJ came on and said it was called By Your Side, by a band named Tenth Avenue North.

I had no idea that God would use this band and their songs to strengthen my faith.

This post describes the time that I felt so alone, like God had left me. Then He sent me that song....and I was forever changed.




"Don't serve God today if you think He needs you. Serve him out of gratitude for the way He's already served you."
--Mike Donehey, lead singer

Haha, Jess and I have the same pic! *giggles*

I've seen these guys twice in concert, and they are amazing to hear live!!!! Mike Donehey is hilarious and witty, and he can make any crowd laugh. And they sound almost exactly like they do on the radio! Which makes me very happy. (:
 My family and I are going to see TAN with Third Day next month---I can't wait!!!!

Well, My love is over, it's underneath.

It's inside, it's in between.

These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.

The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.

The times you're hurting.

The times that you heal.

The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.

The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.

I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.

I'm there through your heartache.

I'm there in the storm.

My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone.

I don't care where you fall, where you have been.

I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.

It never ends.

God's love for us will never end.......and I am so thankful for that.

The tunes that make up my life

FINALLY!!!!

Tonight is the Tenth Avenue North concert!!! I am beyond excited........I'm thrilled! *squeals* I simply cannot wait to be jamming along with my mom and other TAN fans. (:

In honor of this event, I have decided to devote a post to: Music.


Music is something special. It is something great. It is something wonderful and fantastic.

I cannot imagine a world without music, without instruments and lyrics and vocals. What a bleak, dark world it would be!

Through music, people show their love for God. Whether it is writing your own songs to God, playing in a band dedicated to God, or just humming with the artist, music is a great way to show our love to God.

My family is a music family. Big music family. We never go on a trip without the family iPod, and cleaning the house just isn't the same without our tunes.
In college, both my parents worked on the radio station. My dad was even a DJ!!!! So I suppose that's where our love for music spurs from.

Songs can get  you through a really hard day, or help you rejoice during a good one. Music never changes....it's always there, ready to uplift you when  you need it most.

When I hear certain songs or artists, I am transported back to the location and the place that song made a big impact on me. For example:

Britt Nicole and Switchfoot remind me of: Disney World, and our rental van.
'By Your Side' reminds me of: right after Mom-mom died, when I felt so alone and sad. It also reminds me of riding in the car.
Barlow Girl reminds me of: working out in the basement.
Everything But the Girl reminds me of: Road trips and falling asleep in the car.
Fireflight reminds me of: Awakening Fest and summer.
'I Can Only Imagine' reminds me of: the first time I ever heard a Christian song, other than a hymn.
Newsboys reminds me of: soccer games and Messiah Camp.
Relient K reminds me of: World Views camp and my friend Leah from Messiah.
Stellar Kart reminds me of: singing in the shower.
TobyMac reminds me of: making music videos with my friend Holly
'This is Home' reminds me of: Narnia and ice cream
Tenth Avenue North reminds me of: singing in the car and rainy days
Third Day reminds me of: my bedroom and my pink blanket
Disney songs remind me of: cleaning my room and watching movies
'Revelation Song' reminds me of: Neopets and my computer


There's my post. Have a great day...I'll be thinking of ya'll!!!

Love,




ps--That font was a little big, wasn't it?

30 Days of Me: Day 15

Day 15 - Ten of my favorite songs.

1. By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North
2. Something Beautiful by Newsboys
3. Lifeguard by Stellar Kart
4. Be My Escape by Relient K
5. This is Your Life by Switchfoot
6. Safe by Britt Nicole
7. Sea of Faces by Kutless
8. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
9. Catapult by R.E.M.
10. Rivendell by Rush

Now, those are only ten of my favorite songs. I have many, many more where those came from!!!!! But I figured I would obey the rules of this 'challenge' and just list 10. :)

 

BTW, being 15 feels GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Au revoir,

 

It's a party in the blogging world!!!!

Sheesh, it seems like everyone in the blogging world is participating in this blog party! So I decided to step in and do it too. :) Shannon is hosting this really cool 'party' over at her blog! Be sure to enter the giveaway!!

Oh yeah, and she has this really cool questionare thing. YAY!!!!!!

1. Ring! Ring! You receive a phone call from a national sweepstakes organization saying that you have won a life-time supply of your favorite beverage!! What would that drink be?

Hmm.....Sunrise Sunset smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe

2. If you could live in a Jane Austen novel, which book would you pick? What character would you be?

I would pick Pride and Prejudice, and I would be Elizabeth. According to the quiz, that's who I am! And I love how spunky and down-to-earth she is.

3. What is your theme song, that favorite song that absolutely matches you?

Well, 'By Your Side' is my lifesong, but my theme song is probably 'Set the World on Fire' by Britt Nicole

4. You are trapped on a deserted island. Your only supplies are the clothes you have on, and a box with five things in it. What are those five things?

Food, water, Bible, computer (there better be electricity!), iPod

5. Chocolate or Caramel?

Definitely chocolate. I can't eat caramel with my braces!! And chocolate powns caramel any day. ;)

6. Vacation! If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

*sighs* Ah, there are so many-----probably Ireland though. England would be a close second, with Germany third. And Hawaii is fourth.

7. If forced to do one of the two, which would you do: sky diving or scuba diving? Why?

I've always wanted to go scuba diving. It just seems safer than sky diving. Besides, you don't have to go extremely deep! Whereas with sky diving, you don't really have a choice of how high upyou go.

8. Favorite TV show, and why?

My favorite 'old' TV show (sorry Mom!) is LIttle House on the Prairie. My current favorite is White Collar. It's such a funny, witty show! And the plots are always great.

9. Are you a coffee and donuts sorta lady, or a tea and scones type of gal?

Hmm.......I love donuts, hate coffee, like tea, and like scones. Uh-------can I choose cider and donuts? Thanks. =D

10.The time machine has finally been created, and you are the first to be able to use it! What era would you travel too?

Definitely the 1940's. I would love to see my grandparents at my age!!!

11. What is the last movie you watched?

Gahh, I have no idea. Oh wait, Little Women. The one with June Alyson. Just as a side note: That movie is kind of depressing!!! And Elizabeth Taylor should not have played Amy. She's a brunette, for crying out loud!

Okay, I'm done. (:

12. Ding-dong!!! Your favorite actor/singer/celebrity is at your front door! Who would it be?

Oh boy...................*squeals*

I have a few: Tenth Avenue North, Cat Whitehill (soccer player), Jeremy Camp, Skandar Keynes *faints*, Georgie Henley, Logan Bartholomew (Love Comes Softly), and the entire cast of Lord of the Rings.

Is that too many? No? Okay, great.

13. What was your absolute favorite toy as a baby?

My stuffed spaniel dog, Pepper. My cousin Tara gave him to me when I was three. I love him soooooooo much!!

14. What types of blogs do your like best? (examples: DIY, cooking, journal, ect.)

I like a good mixture of all these things, along with quotes and pictures. Oh, and fun get-to-know-you things like this.

15. What is your favorite Bible verse, your "life verse?"

I have two: James 1:19-20: My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyoen should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

And

 Psalm 119:9-11: How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin agaisnt you.

Tenth Avenue North - "Any Other Way" Video Journal

This one is great too.

Tenth Avenue North - "You Are More" Video Journal

Love this video.

Another uplifting song

As I'm sure you know by now, I love Tenth Avenue North.

My most favorite song by them is 'By Your Side.'

When my grandma died, this song really helped me remember that she is truly in God's hands.

I remember one Tuesday night after she died, I was having a really hard time. I wasn't able to turn in any assignments for classes the next day, because we had been so busy with funeral preparations and family commitments. I was upset, because I like to have my schoolwork done on time. My parents assured me I could do it all by next week and that my teachers wouldn't be angry (and they weren't!). I was still stressed out though.
I was lying on my bedroom floor, writing in my journal. All of a sudden I just started crying. I'm not sure why I started crying......everything just flooded out.
Then I heard By Your Side come on my radio (it's always set to 89.9). As the first lyrics came on, I stopped crying to listen. Then the chorus came on, and I was reminded that Mom-mom and I and everyone are in God's hands.......we don't have to worry about death or late schoolwork or anything. God is holding us in his hands. And we don't have to worry.

So here are the lyrics that really touched my heart that Tuesday night:

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you..........


Thanks so much, Tenth Avenue North, for that wonderful song. And thank you God for sending it at just the right time.

Yawns

Ugh, I am quite tired. Maybe that's why I didn't write all of yesterday........and Sunday. I'm quite proud of myself, I must say! :)

I thought I would share some lyrics from one of my favorite songs of all time.

Times by Tenth Avenue North

I hear You say, "My love is over.
It's underneath.It's inside. It's in between.
The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.
The times that you question, 'Is this for real?
The times you're broken.The times that you mend.The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.
Well, My love is over, it's underneath.It's inside, it's in between.
These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.
The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.The times you're hurting, The times that you heal.
The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.
The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.
I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.
I'm there through your heartache, I'm there in the storm.
My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone.
I don't care where you fall, where you have been.
I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.
It never ends........

Oh, how I love that song. That's only part of the song......the other part is a person talking to God, whereas this part is God talking to us.
I love this part especially though: it says that no matter where we are, in pain, hunger, or sorrow, God is always with us, shielding us with his love. Just thinking of that makes me feel good.......like God always knows where I am and what I'm going through.

I'll never forsake you, My love never ends. It never ends........