In a society where talking about God is quickly becoming a thing of the past, Maria Long brings a different approach. She is up front about what she believes and will share with anyone who asks. Her lyrics are personal and vulnerable about her experiences and struggles with God. They are clear because Maria never wants people to be mistaken about where she stands. “Christ is everything to me!” she states. She views her music ministry as more than just an opportunity to perform the songs that God has given her. She believes that God has given her these musical talents to speak out on issues that are affecting teens today like: suicide, sex, drugs, and lack of purpose. Through powerful testimonies and sharing the stories behind her songs, Maria gives her audience a meaningful experience that they can all relate with, and challenges them to STANDOUT for God.
Music has always been a huge influence in Maria’s life. During her childhood years her parents were in a traveling singing group and toured all over the US. At age 2 Maria wrote her first song. She has performed on countless stages for many church events and programs. Her passion for making music that speaks to the heart came early in her life when she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age 12. In high school Maria traveled around Texas as a singing recruiter. Then when she attended SWAU in Texas she traveled to youth conferences, retreats, high schools, camps, campmeetings, and churches all over the U.S. sharing God and music with many teens her age. In her Junior year in college, she decided to become a student missionary on a tiny island called Yap. She taught 6th and 7th grades that year and found a new passion for her life in addition to music. It was there that she made the decision to become a teacher.
After getting her degree in Elementary Education, Maria became a teacher and found her career very fulfilling. During her time as a teacher, in addition to teaching a full load, she also taught guitar and choir for grades K-10, and still found time to write and perform Christian music throughout Arkansas and Texas. After three years in Arkansas, God led her into a public high school ministry position for Andrews University in Michigan. Maria spent her time traveling and performing throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. She also established “The Basement”, a weekly public high school ministry in Berrien Springs and then began to train and mentor teens in starting their own ministries. After being told by teens over and over that she needed to make a CD and that her music meant so much to them, she realized that God was telling her to move forward with her music ministry.
Maria recorded her debut album Here With Me in the summer of 2006 and released it October 14, 2006 at the Attic Christian Rock Club in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For this album, she found her songwriting inspiration in various places. Some of her songs originated with time that she spent with God in His Word. Others were written through personal struggles she was dealing with. “In Love” was a song that came when Maria was just overwhelmed by God and His Amazing presence. “Here With Me” and “Inside” were written because of experiences that she has had ministering to teens from “The Basement” who were struggling.
It is this kind of personal touch that is the trademark of Maria’s music and ministry. Through Myspace.com, she ministers to hundreds of teens and answers questions of those who are having difficult times or are simply seeking someone who cares to give spiritual advice. Maria Long has a bright future ahead of her. She says often, “God is blessing me faster than I can give Him credit.” God is opening many doors for Maria’s music, her life, and ministry and as long as He continues to open them she will step through…
"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." A wish to my friend is to have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving with the ones you love.
Hey wass up just showing sum love check out our new videos please please download our single on itunes if you haven't already please show your support here
Stop by to say hello....check these out...im bringing you the second part of a Bible study i did...hope you have a minute of your bussy day to check it out...i know for a fact that if you study this two questions really close...it will bring peace...and Blessings to your life...just like it has done to my life......so hope you take a minute to check it out...have a great night...God Bless you.
* GOD AND HUMANS *
5. How does God consider us? 1-Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God's children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us in that it didn't know Him. 2- Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been reveled. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is. (1 JOHN 3:1-2)
6. Does God care for our problems? 1-I waited patiently for the LORD, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. 2-He brought me up from a desolate pit, Out of the muddy clay,and set my feet on a rock, making my steps Secure. 3-He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. (PSALM 40:-13)
i know its gonna be great i cant wait. lol and i havent really done much but thnx im super proud of u too. so ill be home dec 18th u better be there! hows the music goin? im on chow break for a little while longer and im just trying to stay awake lol i hate night school and i had a dental appointment this morning and the dentist kept jabbing my gums with her sharp hook tool. and theyre gonna pull all of my wisdom teeth on dec 4th cuz they didnt pull mine in boot like everyone else cuz they hadnt come out yet. and theyre still not out but i guess its better now than never? lol idk. its gonna hurt. i hope they drug me up really good so it doesnt hurt that much. well anyways im gonna study up a little bit i got a test when i get back bye love u! tell ryan luv him and miss him too hope yall are doing great.
Hi... Maria stop by to bring you a shining light...so if you want it....carry it in your heart... hope it lights up your week...and if it does use it for rest of your life... for it will give you... salvation...and make you wise...
Who is God.
1. How many Gods is their? one God and Father of all, who is above all and Through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:6)
2. What is the nature of God? “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (JHON 4:24)
3. Who are the three persons in the Trinity? The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. (2 CORINTHIANS 13:14) “in some versions verse 13”
4. What is Gods character? The one that does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)
LOL Yeah, he is awesome! Aww...thank you so much! Yes, I am slowly but surely getting there! It seems like every time I turn around something comes up that delays it even more!! LOL But you will be one of the first for sure! We love your music too girly, you are so beautifully gifted! How is everything going?!?! We praise God for your miracle! Our God is so incredible! Be Blessed and Keep in touch! :)
They don't follow the fashion Latest trend, no reaction State of the world's affairs Seem indifferent, but really care Self-reliance what its all about Don't need it, you do without In the balance of the universe Doesn't matter could be worse ....."Exceptionally Cool".....
Jenny is back!!! (Jennifer Knapp that is!) im not sure if you remember that conversation we had a long-while back about her and how i was wondering what ever happened to her....she's back! and im passing out hugs to everyone!!! .....the kraziest thing....i was gonna show someone her style of music and after the youtube videos i decided to go to her website thinking, oh what the heck,.....then to my most awsomest surprise.....she's back! PRAISE GOD! *HUGZ*
oops i thought u had to approve comments before they went up on ur page. and i cant wait to hear them i bet theyre awesome like all ur other songs. hope u keep doin a great job with the music auntie, muah love u hopefully cya in christmas
ive been great though howve u been? and im so excited for christmas i wont be stuck in a room with 80 random guys and have to shower with them ughhh bad memories lol