I was around a bunch of special people at Grace United Methodist Church tonight.  And God’s timing couldn’t have been more spectacular …because of a song I sung for a Good Friday Service this year, the Lord orchestrated this specific concert tonight.  Because of His goodness and ways in which only He can work, significant ministry happened.  Travis and I arrived in California, Pennsylvania a little before 5pm.  With story book prop, stage stool, music cd’s, water and information table items in hand, we walked through the doors and into the sanctuary where tonight’s concert was to take place.  This wasn’t any ordinary place, I have to say.  God’s presence and life was very vivid, from the moment we met Larry, the sound man until our final conversation with the Youth Pastor about coordinating a mission project to a needy family in our comunity before we hit the road to come home in time for the American Idol result show (…I’ll have to say, I’ll miss Matt!  Anyway …) the Lord was indeed present and it was no mistake that this ministry program was for such a time as this.  After an amazing meal with Dick, Sheila, and several from the church, hearing about their recent Passion Play testimonies and New Membership Class, meeting Pastor John and greeting folks prior to the concert, the time of ministry through the music and yours truly’s testimony took place.  I’d guess there were approximately 80 folks present, …and all ages too.  Each word of each phrase they seemed to hang onto, and the resounding applause was a subtle reminder that they were hearing (and receiving!) God’s message.  And the numerous hands that went up in response to the call to action/prayer wasn’t the only way God allowed me to see Him at work.  Several people connected with me afterwards …from a sweet woman who felt led to give me her final $1 bill in her purse to help this ministry continue, to a handful of kids and teenagers who eagerly waited with pen and paper in hand for me to sign and dote on every one of them individually, to the dear one who shared that ‘each song and each word of my story was as if I was telling her story’.  As Rhonda hugged me and went on and on about how the Lord specifically sent her there, giving her life back to the Lord merely a week ago, and now me there to share this ministry -oh, it was clearly more than just a ‘coincidence’.  I knew that this wasn’t just a ‘love’ I had in singing songs, or even a sincere hope to deliver a message.  It’s a burning calling that God’s put on my life even when I was that 9 week pre-mature baby, gasping for breath in the incubator because my lungs were underdeveloped.  HE has allowed me to go through fear and pain, to now use this testimony of HIM and HIS healing grace to communicate with others who are hurting in the church at large.  God is so good …how He puts us with special people, in His spectacular timing, and when we’ve surrendered our calling, He brings significant ministry.  Thanks for using my story, Lord …and thank You that the BEST is still unwritten!

Click this link for more pictures from tonight’s concert: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=250904&id=668255034&l=b92ab1aaf6

Few things would I rather spend my heart, mind and time doing than worshipping, by the way of being part of the team at Cornerstone Ministries.  I believe there’s nothing more important (next to salvation, obviously!) than living our lives in worship to our God.  I count it a huge privilege to take part in helping bring the truth about God to others, and encouragement in surrendering our lives in worship to Him. I set aside at least one weekend a month, amongst other concert ministry demands, to serve in this capacity at church.  This past Saturday and Sunday was one of those ‘reserved’ weekends, as I led an absolutely amazing group of dedicated, talented and sweet friends on the worship team.  It was a special weekend in the life of the church too, as The Hope Center and Orphans Project was launched as a way for our church to reach out in making an impact to those in need here in our back yard as well around the globe.  You know, the whole ‘being Jesus with skin on’ to people who need a helping hand but don’t know where to turn, to the orphans who simply have no other means to anything but survive, and to those who may never even step foot into a church.  Jesus IS our Hope, so as we act in worship by surrendering our lives to His plans and His ways in the worship service’s ’singing’ time, it then transcends in our acts such as through The Hope Center and in supporting an orphaned child through the Orphan Project.  (To learn more: www.CornerstoneOrphanProject.com)  Thank you, God, that You’ve given us Your truth, joy and have called us to be ‘You’ to this world at large.  It’s such a beautiful thing!

That’s right. In October of 2000, I went to Africa; hot and humid Benin, West Africa, to be exact. There were so many dirt covered, petite bodies with flip-flopped feet. Physically poor, yet eternally rich, these people radiated pure joy because of their life in Jesus Christ. Far from home and free from distractions that distance us from God, the Lord’s perspective let us to rejoice in our true eternal home with Him.  Joel (our missions team leader) and I ended up writing (yes, ameature ‘pre record label days’ =) a song entitled, ‘Heaven’, as we sat on the dusty steps of the tiny, church alter one afternoon.  And upon our arrival back to America, we made a demo recording.  And this video below was put together many years later; this week, actually!  Using video sound clips and pictures from my scrapbooks, Travis and I put this together to be used during my April 24th 2009 special concert set at New Life Church’s African Benefit Concert. 

It was such a joy to combine my passion for the people of Africa and this music ministry for something more than just my ‘typical’ ministry last night!  This Benefit Concert was to help orphans and widows in Africa.  My set gave some tangible education of the people of Africa, solo pieces pertaining specifically to the evening’s focus, and a few responsive worship numbers too.  Dressed in my African garb, I took the stage.  Mid-program, I shared the above video and song, with the special joy of having Travis join me on the stage too!  Yes, he played the djembe and didn’t miss a beat!  And afterwards, a 47 year old African American by the name of Joel shared how he was especially touched …someone who truly knows the love of the Lord, and wants to serve him with all his heart and life.  God just exuded out of this man!  The Senior Pastor thereafter let me know that Joel was part of a group home/half way house, and one of many residents who came to this benefit concert.  I just love watching God at work!  That we can be part of what HE is doing is no small thing!  And what we do here, with the affluence we’ve been given, can drastically change countless lives across the globe for all eternity …if we do something.

Have you ever stepped back to notice how God gives you what you need at exactly just the right time …what you need to encourage you on in what He’s put in your heart to do? I had a couple experiences like that today.

The first was from Deb, a Facebook Friend who happened to ’stumble’ upon my Music Group page, but whom God specifically had in mind to be more than just an Internet friend! Due to my crazy schedule, I was finally able to connect with her via phone today, and God brought such joy, love and passionate pursuit of His encouragement to this ministry journey and focus that’s not all that ‘common’. Deb understands that focus too, as the ministry God’s given her to do is very similar. God’s certainly not through with her yet either! I’m delighted to grow with and walk along side of her in ministry too.

The second timely encouragement came from Misty …remember her? Misty was a broken yet being transformed mighty woman of God whom I met during one of my concerts last summer on the Outer Banks -OBX Concert at Liberty Christian Fellowship, More From Misty. At that time, Misty was finishing up her stay at Footprints in Recovery, a group home to help those who have suffered forms of abuse and addictions. God has transformed Misty leaps and bounds, from what I understand, and she is now back on her feet in pursuit of regaining custody of her precious son. She contacted me through my website today, and I’m praying an opportunity would arise for me to share this concert at her church this summer too, as Travis and I travel to the Outer Banks once again.

Bottom line, God is so good. I just love how His encouragement comes in such a timely manner, through various ways, but especially to those who understand the ministry which comes from surrendering past wounds, hurts and fears to the One who brings His healing, joy and freedom. Deb and Misty are great examples of that …God is so alive in them, and I am so privelleged to call them friends!

I traveled solo last night, and went to the amazing Hillsong London with special guests Fee concert.  When I learned of their visit, within a heartbeat, my ticket was secured! I was privelleged to attend a Q&A time before the concert with the worship teams, which was very inspiring and encouraging to me as a worshipper and as a songweriter. Then, the concert was quite the opportunity to worship with so many others, being reminded that we have been created BY God, FOR God and to WORSHIP Him alone. We are truly satisfied, and He is fully glorified when we worship Him with our lives. How are you doing in that area today?  If you’d like so see the pics I took from this event, click this link – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=245316&id=668255034&l=c5b93de59c.

*Do you love going to concerts? And do you like Aaron Shust?
*Do you love CHEAP tickets …and I mean super cheap?
*Do you want a fun day for the entire family or simply with friends?
*Do you want to support something really important and long lasting?
*Do you want to hear Judy’s new, original songs with a LIVE band?

YOU CAN SAY “YES” TO ALL OF THE ABOVE
…and support Judy Deans’ Music Ministry too!

Judy Deans will be performing with her ministry team LIVE band at a large, outdoor Christian Music Festival THIS JULY 25th in Donegal, PA! Ther will be loads of fun, activities, food, fireworks and music from 14 bands the ENTIRE DAY for the ENTIRE FAMILY!

YOU can play an important part, meanwhile have a special and memorable day of fun. YOU can make a difference for generations to come! ALL TICKETS I SELL (*only from now through June 30th) will be at the LOWEST PRICE of $10. AND the folks at Alloutpraise want to invest into Judy Deans Ministry too by giving me half of all ticket sales I sell! That’s right, by purchasing your $10 all event ticket from me here www.incubatoronline.com/cc/judydeans.html YOU will be supporting generations to come through Champion Christian School AND the Music Ministry of Judy Deans!

WHO:  Aaron Shust and Judy Deans amongst the 14 bands, food, fun and activities for the entire family!
WHAT:  Alloutpraise! Christian Festival www.alloutpraise.com
WHEN?  Saturday, July 25th 2009 from 10am-10pm
WHERE?  Champion Christian School’s Family & Children’s North Campus in Donegal, PA
WHY?  To benefit Champion Christian School, half ticket sales (through Judy Deans!) will go to the Music Ministry of Judy Deans, 14 Bands, Free Meal, Lots of Food and Activities for the ENTIRE FAMILY!

Contact me before June 30th for your lowest ticket price and to support such a worthy cause!
www.incubatoronline.com/cc/judydeans.html
judy@judydeans.com

Easter is quite demanding for churches, ministries, and people like myself. It’s a sweet dichotomy of being reminded of the life we now have in Christ and the sacrifice we too can make to share His truth and joy to those who may have never heard of Jesus before nor understand the eternal significance of Christ’s defeat of sin in rising from the dead. Because of Him, we have hope for a victorious ever after! I had the privilege and joy to serve this Easter in leading worship at Cornerstone Ministries this past weekend, three services in all. I was physically and emotionally spent at our previous week’s rehearsal, so as I arrived to the final rehearsal and sound check before the evening service, this greeting from a sweet friend and Facebook Judy Deans Music Group member was sitting beside my microphone, waiting for me! I’ve been joking with this friend of mine, who doesn’t seem to share my American Idol addiction, so her message was especially fitting too; meanwhile keeping my heart and mind focused to that ministry calling which God’s placed in my life to help bring Christ’s healing and hope to those in the church. This weekend, floods of people came to each service. As each word was said, song sung, and prayer prayed, Jesus was made known and lives experiencing the significance way beyond what American Idol could provide. I’m spent today as I reflect and type this, yet God reminds me through special people like you, Charity, that He has given us such an important story in His death and resurrection …and then how that has played a part in our special story too. Like you are here, He is rooting us on and giving us the strength for each new day. Thanks for putting such a special smile in my heart and face this weekend, and allowing God to use that to remind me of eternal things!

Each year, the Clergy Association in the city I live organize a Good Friday Service for the community in hopes to support and grow Christ’s Kingdom in this area. Fourteen different Churches were represented at Great Bethel Baptist Church today. Seven speakers in all, shared about the last seven things said by Jesus while He was on the cross. My husband expounded on the phrase: “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” -Matthew 27:46, and I was honored to take part in response to the speakers. The service helped make the reality of what Christ has done for us all the more meaningful to those present.

It was evident that God – like only He can – touched folks, Greg being one in particular. After speaking and praying with this local pastor, Travis and I learned of his pain and difficulties that truly no one should have to suffer through. He went on and on how what was sung deeply ministered to him, and his countenance perked up when he learned about the 55 minute program I could bring to his church which help people who are struggling from fear and pain in their lives as well. Another woman eagerly gave me her phone number so I could bring this ministry to her son’s church. And a dear couple stuck around until the moment Travis and I left, signing up to hear more about this ministry and talking about how the Lord directs our every step …that Lord, who sacrificed EVERYTHING for us on this day many years ago.

Though that Friday must have looked gloomy and without hope, we know that this IS a good Friday. He’s here with us. Let’s remember how He willingly suffered -even separation from His very own Father, the One Who is with us in our darkest times. He gave so much for us …

Yes folks, I got to be a roadie for my hubby today! It was a joy. CTV had Travis come share about his ministry with Teens For Christ and how he can be of help to churches, youth pastors and teenagers in our area specifically. The show aired LIVE and online at www.ctvn.org today, April 8th, at 1pm EST and will re-air at 7pm and 1am EST, if you’d like to catch it on line. What fun it was to help him in the day’s activities and snap some pics too …check ‘em out at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241421&id=668255034&l=1c445c26c5. Thanks for those of you who pray for not only yours truly, but my hubby too. We appreciate you being a part of our lives and sharing in our adventures!