there’s no room….

Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Today I received the utmost disturbing e-mail, I’ve ever received. I really hope the people that sent the e-mail are reading this since they didn’t feel led to leave their email (go figure..) That’s okay if they don’t, I pray this will help someone else and believe that God will deal with them. These folks brought something to my attention they probably didn’t intend on.

Their statements and remarks were a disgrace to the body of Christ in general. Using HIS name when stating their personal beliefs. The Bible says: 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example of the believers, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

These people claimed to be a “Christian” family, but all I’ve shared the e-mail with have seemed to think differently. Christian means “Christ like”. Their comments were definitely not Christ like, only opinions and angry thoughts. Their words were meant to tear down and to hurt. Gen. 50:50 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” They let the devil use their thoughts to try and discourage and sow discord. It just showed us that were doing what God has instilled in us. To be REAL in who we are and REAL in our worship. True Christians don’t want to see someone putting on a show or puppets on a stage. They want to identify with you. We promised the Lord that we would be real in serving him or not do it at all.

One of their remarks, was that there was “no room” for me. I think of how there was “no room” for Jesus in the inn. I think of how disciples were considered outcast. The great John the Baptist and so many others… how the religious crowd of that day shunned them, talked about them and had no room for them. I weigh the email against the many others from parents, pastors and youth that are praying for us and thanking us for being real and for taking time to pray, talk or just listen to that young person or parent that needs someone. If I were the person that sent this email, I would reconsider. What if they had sent that to someone else and their thoughts turned that person away from serving the Lord? I’ve seen it happen to many times. People turn away because they can’t fit someone’s “Christian mold”. I believe all those that use their religious beliefs in this way will answer to the Lord. Those that choose to hurt instead of love. What will they say then? Will there be room? I’ve had friends that refuse to come to church and get right with God because the body of Christ claims there is “no room” for people that can’t fit the mold. I watched teenagers walk away from trying to sing Gospel music because they were shot down and verbally abused because their suit and tie wasn’t the way they wanted it to look. God designed us all differently. God gave us all different desires and different ways to worship. TURN UP YOUR FAITH! Step outside the box, break the boundaries that your denomination or organizations has put on you. Don’t let tradition stop you from your destiny and from where God wants to take you supernaturally. God could take you to places that would blow your mind, you just gotta let that little tie loose. Let go and Let God. Let GOD take over your life, not a person, group, or image that doesn’t have enough of God to blow the fuzz off a Georgia peach. (special thanks for my hero Michael for that last statement.)

In closing, everyone who is reading this…. BE REAL! Don’t be a cookie cutter Christian. Don’t be religious, be “CHRIST LIKE”. 1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light……” God likes peculiar people. I bet the religious crowd didn’t like how John the Baptist preached or dressed! But people were drawn to him because of the message he brought. Because he was true to who he was, many were saved! There’s a message! Be true in your worship and your walk. That’s what God desires. John 4:23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.”

It’s just fine with me if there’s no room, there wasn’t for people like Jesus and John the Baptist… WWJD?

Keepin’ It Real and True with all the Peace and Love,

~ jAY

REFLECT ON THIS: Are we turning Christianity into high school “clicks” style of thinking? Where your not accepted unless your just like them and if you are not, there’s no room for you. You’re picked on, made fun of and talked about because you’re not “in the crowd”….

So on Friday we left out around 2 p.m. ….

So on Friday we left around 2:00 o’clock and headed towards Garner, NC which is near Raleigh for our FIRST concert!! The concert was the Suicide Awareness Benefit we’ve been talking about for awhile now. We got caught in major rain and traffic. But eventually the sun came back out and Trisha pulled out her tanning bed glasses and tried to catch a few rays on her face. See picture above: LOL

Well we arrived at the Garner Historic Auditorium and GAH it was cool. We did our sound check, the peeps set up the product table and then we went and chilled in our dressing room. Remember, this is our first concert together here. We had the most energy (not as much as Kristin) but Trish and I were getting pretty close! We were so excited, so pumped, and so ready! They called our name and OH MAN, it was amazing. The Holy Ghost came down and we had church. It was an awesome evening. JC&Co., officially conquered our debut concert!

Now for those of you who know me, I love REAL people and REAL worship. I’ve had enough of the fake stuff and the fake people in the past to last for two lifetimes. Let me tell you something these 2 girls God sent me; they ain’t be playing, yo! They’re 200% real. There isn’t a fake bone in their body. Trisha and Kristin are two of the most anointed girls I’ve ever meet. Immediately after we walked off stage, Kristin fell to her knees and began to worship God and give thanks for our night. All three of us joined hands and just started worshipping God backstage. It was out of this world! I loved it! It was nothing I had ever experienced before!

We drove for about 3 ½ more hours. Got home, Kristin fell asleep in my kitchen and Trisha had to drive her home.

Make sure ya check out the pics and video on our myspace!

Peace and Love,
~ jAY.

WAIT!

I though I’d post something real quick… Hope ya’ll are doing well tonight!

 

Tonight the importance of “waiting” was brought to my attention. I remember growing up and Christmas being just around the corner. My brother and I would always see something we wanted and mom would always say “Wait until Christmas, it’s almost here!” and I would get so upset! I wanted it RIGHT THEN.

 

I look back and look at my life today and I realize why mom made my brother and I always wait. If she would have given us that toy or that gift at that moment, it would have just been handed to us and it wouldn’t have any anticipation built up behind it. It always was so exciting to FINALLY get that present…because she made me wait.

 

Anticipation is a beautiful thing. It’s hard to wait on something when you are 100% sure it’s right and you want it more than anything you’ve ever wanted in your life. But what makes things more beautiful and what makes things so incredible is waiting. It makes it so much sweeter and there will be so much more appreciation involved. Wait on God, wait on yourself, let the anticipation build up. Then receiving whatever you’re wanting will mean so much more. Grow and believe, fight and guard everything that God has given to you, because it can all be gone like yesterday.

 

I’m thankful tonight for everything I’m waiting on! No, I’m not dying to get some silly gift tonight, but things have been revealed and I have received God’s word. I’m just gonna wait on him until he gives me everything He’s promised down through the years. I’ve prayed and prayers have been answered, and the least I can do is wait on the fulfillment of those answered prayers.

 

 

Peace and Love,

~ jAY.

 

Psalms 37:7 “…rest in the Lord and wait patiently on Him…”  

 

Stay focused on HIM!

………………So we were back together again today to practice. We hit a rough patch yesterday but we are going to be faced with opposition here and there. The devil tries to come in and knock us down, but we are overcomers!! The Lord is by our side and always there to rescue us when we call on him. God never said that our tasks were going to be easy all the time.  And when things get you down and you are discouraged you have to call on him, he values you because he made you and knew you from your very beginning.  The reason we are here is because God has a plan for each and every one of our lives. We have to stand strong and keep our focus on God because HE can bring you through all things. And with HIM ALL things are possible.

until later
love always
~kristin

Painted Cabinets and Forgiveness….

- by Jonathan

Sup folks,

I am officially tired. It’s now 1:44a.m. Why am I up at 1:44 a.m.? Because I am re-doing my mom’s kitchen cabinets… at least there isn’t 100 of those crazy things. I’ve had to wash em down, sand em, wash em down again and then make sure they are smooth (which resorts to more sanding) and then put one coat on, then another, then another, and PRAY that 4^th one is the last… Yea… Happy Early Mothers Day Mom!

 

Seriously though, I’ve really enjoyed doing it. It’s fun. I love home improvement. This new house that we moved into a few months ago has DEFFIANTLY taken a lot of it. But I LOVE to paint stuff so… I’ve got my share of painting in here.

 

Last night we went to church with Trisha. Her church is amazing. I mean amazing. I’ve been there a few times before. A previous drama director of mine attends the church as well. Their church is so on fire for God. I’ve been to A LOT of so called “youth services” and such. But I was 100% blessed by their youth pastor. He was fantastic. His sermon was killer. He spoke about what true forgiveness is. It was simply great. I can’t wait to visit her church again. Such an awesome church!

 

His sermon brings me back to a place in my life where forgiveness was not easy to talk about. People have done me wrong, used me, talked about me, and only been my friend because they thought they were getting something other then my love in return. Forgiveness is not easy. As bad as I’ve been hurt, as hard as it is to move. Allow your past and your hurt to become your fire and your drive. Turn your pain into passion and let it work you into the future that God has for you. The past is the past. The future is just ahead, it’s time to come before the Lord and give him thanks for the past but praise him for the future.

 

Forgiveness sounds mighty beautiful in most of our “situations” in life. But forgetting I don’t believe we should ever do. Remember your past to help you in your future. Time doesn’t heal anything, it’s letting the light and love back in that heals you. It’s surrounding yourself with friends, family, a good church and most importantly the presence of God that will give you healing.

 

We will be singing at a concert to benefit the National Foundation of Suicide Prevention this month.  My mom wrote in a blog, something that I believe is true.  When someone is going through a hard time in their life, as Christians we tend to say just pray about it or just let it go.  And you all know that I believe in the awesome power of prayer but sometimes people need to talk, to cry or even scream about what’s going on in their lives.  Will you be that one to listen?  Will you be the one to share Christ love?

 

Peace and Love,

~jAY

check it out below.. I caught it right at 100… pretty cool!

 

Practice makes perfect… :)

Hey everybody! Just to keep you updated… practice was amazing today. We continue to get more and more accomplished everyday!  I’m so amazed how everything is just working out perfectly.
Today while we were singing we were all serious got through a song, then we sat down to try to figure out parts on a different song and we got the giggles so we spent five minutes just laughing it was hilarious. We went back to Jon’s house then went to church with Trisha. (which there couldn’t have been a better idea). It was awesome, her youth pastor really has a calling and he was on fire for God.

Jonathan and Trisha have to be the two most amazing people I know. Jon you have an amazing voice and truly have a calling on your life for ministry.It gets more and more amazing just to have conversations with him. Yeah he is a little crazy sometimes but i love him dearly. Trisha yeah we met a whole four days ago but so what…she is def. my best friend and (PARTNER IN CRIME) stealing souls for Jesus baby!!! She is beautiful inside and out and her voice is absolutely stunning. I’m so thankful that God has opened this door and brought these two into my life. I LOVE THEM BOTH

I’m so excited to see what God has in store for us this summer! And I hope that you stay tuned for some more blogs from the gang

hope that you had a great day
GOD BLESS!!!

~kristin