For a moment, a band of thieves in ripped up jeans ruled the world.

Wow, it's been like, FOREVER since I posted. So, I'm just gonna go for it.

Since we last spoke, a lot has happened! I have my official last day at Spring Creek Friday, I leave for my scuba trip on Saturday morning, and I'm done with my freshman year of college next week!

So what am I up to now? Well, I have decided I want to adopt a child when I grow up. I still want to go skydiving, I got the final plans for my first tattoo today, and I still want a motorcycle.

I want a tattoo. Sorry critics. I want this one because it carries meaning. It's a statement of faith. It's what I believe and what I preach. I'm not getting a naked woman, or a boat anchor, or my zodiac sign, or a face of a person. I'm getting the Cross. The most powerful thing that has ever happened to the Earth. And I'm getting a verse: One that sums up a lot. 1 Corinthians 1:18. For the message of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to we who are being saved, it is the power of God.

I don't want it because it's cool. I mean, it IS cool, and I DO want it, but that's not the main reason.

Sorry if you don't like it. But know I'm not gonna just rush off and get it done. I'm gonna let it sit for a while. But, it will happen one day.

Decide what to be, and go be it.

Philos, Justin

Tonight's the night, for the sinners and the saints.

Two worlds collide in a beautiful display. Today was long, long longfellow. Lol. School, then work. Met the new associate manager. She seems pretty chill. Little out there, but hey, so am I.

That being said, because I didn't blog last night, due to the RANGER GAME! I have decided to show some sweet videos I've seen recently.

Enjoy.


Washed by the Water-Needtobreathe



Far Away-Lecrae. This song gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it.



Let Us Love-Needtobreathe




Just some good music. At least I think so.

Alright, goodnight world.


This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
(1 John 1:5-10 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Decide what to be, and go be it.

So, this weekend has been amazing! The overarching theme has been like, idk. Winning. That would be a good word. Or victory. Or accomplishment.

Friday, after my whopping 45 minutes total of class, I chilled at my house then went back up to UTA to run in the Alpha Chi Omega Light the Night 5k, benefiting the stop of Domestic Violence. I killed that sucka! 27:45 seconds, to run 3.1 miles. Not bad for my first race ever! Then I went to a friend's house and watched a sweet movie, then woke up at 7 the next morning and ran the Fort Worth Zoo Run, another 5k. I was slower, but finished 28:21, and was 364th out of 2200 people. That, by itself, to me is incredible.

But, I'm not just going to stop there. I want to run a 10k by September, the Mud Run in October, and have completed a half and full marathon by the time I turn 21. I think that is an awesome goal to have.

The coolest part about Saturday's race, was on the final half mile, Taylor Swift's song Change came on. It's basically about how if you face an obstacle, the greatest feeling in the world is overcoming it. The part that played as I ran to and crossed the finish line was "These things will change, I can feel it now. These walls that they put up to hold us back, fell down. It's a revolurtion! Throw your hands up, because we never gave in! We'll sing hallelujah!"

It was so cool. And I had my hands raised as I crossed the finish line. So, FACEBOOK PICTURE! Once Brightroom uploads it...

Anyhow, I'm beat. My legs are still sore!


I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
(2 Timothy 4:7 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Birthday post for Ally

Today is her birthday. The coolest little sister in the world. She turned 13 today, and I got to take her to her friend Megan's before school. She and her cousin, Amren, share the same birthday, and so they had to sing Happy Birthday to each other. I wish I was at church that.

Ally is growing up so dang fast. It's crazy. I'm not ready for her to be this old. Teenage years are gonna be hard on her, but if there's one thing I want her to know, I'm always gonna be here for her, and so will Andy. And, if any guy ever hurts her or breaks her heart, we'll beat the crap out of him. No one messes with my sister.

Ally, I know you probably won't read this, but here are some videos for you. From brother to sister.

1. Because I know you LOVE Glee.



2. This song won't mean much now, but I hope you still appreciate the message behind it.



3. GOOD MORNING HATUHS!




Anyways, words can't describe how awesome this girl is. I LOVE YOU ALLY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
(1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)

Philos (Means I love you like a brother!), Justin

Oh, oh oh, it's magic. You know, never believe it's not so.

Alright. Today has been pretty sweet action. I'm also kinda excited about tomorrow. We're watching a movie in English. YAY MOVIES! And lunch tomorrow...something's going on... I forget.

Oh well.

"I'm right smack in the middle of a love triangle!" Haha, this show All Worked Up makes me laugh. It's a show that follows a bunch of people who do the jobs that no one else has the right mind to do, like process servers, repo men, code compliance. People who realize that everyone they meet will more than likely hate them. But, they do it. And it's funny.

Ok,  here's some things that will make you laugh.






I feel funny. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?

For the Word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved is is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

Philos, Justin

Scrubs

I love that show. I'm slowly working my way through every episode. Right now, I'm on the season finale of season 1. So, yay! Haha.

This weekend has been crazy fool. Like, Friday night, I went to church for a spur of the moment picnic with some friends of mine, then from there went to one friend's house to watch Law Abiding Citizen. That movie still gets me all...Idk. Anyway, Saturday took me and Ally to the mall for her to get some new...drumroll please....shoes. Surprised? I didn't believe so. That afternoon, I chilled before work, where my allergies drove me insane. Today was church, then a meeting, then work, where I said goodbye to two very good friends on their last day. Now I'm here.

My mind is squished. A lot to think about. So, I hate to cop out, but here's a video or two. By an artist that might surprise you. But, to his credit, he sounds amazing.





Owl City.

In Christ alone, my hope is found. Or, to reword it. My hope is only found in Christ. Nothing else. He's the cornerstone of our faith, a solid groung that will never give way. How amazing it is. The thought that one day, I can be in His presence.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
(Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Run, fat boy run.

I took Ally running with me tonight around the neighborhood. She couldn't keep up. In a way, it made me feel better. I can outrun my cheerleader sister. BOOM! Needless to say, I'm beat. So, I decided the best thing to do would be to post a couple of videos that make me get the warm fuzzies.






And, I know I've posted the video for this like, a bajillion times, but it is one of my favorites.





Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Jammin'

I got to go back to the youth group today. That, in itself, made today totally worth getting up for. Not the Rangers winning, (WOO!), not Fuzzy's for lunch, going back into the youth group. Going back to the friends I missed, and the lessons I REALLY missed. And, getting to meet some new friends!

Tonight is short. I had to finish writing an English paper and my brain is fried. So, here's a video of a song we played tonight, that has a simply powerful meaning.





Praise the LORD, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
  For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!
 (Psalm 117 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Wash.

So, in light of today and the theme, I wanna talk about servanthood.

Today was One Day Without Shoes. I walked around barefoot for 90 percent of my day, and my feet got filthy. When it finally came time to get ready for bed, I sat on the edge of my bathtub and washed my feet. Which got me thinking. It reminded me of something pretty awesome.

The first summer I met one of my best friends, he washed my feet. One of the things he talked about was how Jesus, as awesome and powerful as He is, always considered Himself a servant. And likewise, so should we. As he told us about it, my friend washed my feet. My gross, stinky feet. But, to this day, it was one of the first real memories I have of one of my best friends. Odds are, he may or may not read this.

But it makes you think. Jesus, in all of His might, still washed feet. Now, back in the day, you walked wherever you went. Some people had sandals, and some just barefooted it. And it wasn't asphalt roads, they were dirt. And sand, and dry. Your feet got filthy. So, when you went to a friend's house, they usually had someone there to wash your feet for you when you entered. This servant was the lowest on the ladder. His entire job involved just, washing feet. Stinky, dirty feet.

Jesus gathered His disciples together one night for dinner. At dinner, He stood up and began go around the table, washing feet. When He gets to Simon Peter, Peter gets kinda angry, feeling that Jesus is too good to wash his feet. If Jesus was to wash his feet, Peter asks him to was his hands and head. Jesus responds with "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean."

Later, Jesus sits back down at the table with them and explains why He did that. "When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, 'Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him' "

Imagine that. A servant is no greater than his master. Despite Jesus being the Son of God, He still recognized that He was just a servant. A humble servant in the Father's hands.

It's pretty amazing. We serve an amazing God. That's just it. We SERVE Him. We are the ones who should be washing His "feet," and yet He sent His Son to wash ours.


For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
 (Psalm 84:10 ESV)

Philos, Justin

One Day Without Shoes

I'm so excited! Tomorrow, April 5, is TOMS One Day Without Shoes! In case you weren't aware from all of my ramblings and excitedness, I am so pumped!

A brief explanation. TOMS is a shoe company that was founded on one belief. Every child deserves a pair of shoes. So, they have a One For One Program, and for every pair of shoes you buy, they will give a pair of shoes to a kid somewhere in the world that does not have them.

Every April 5th, they encourage One Day Without Shoes. This day, TOMS asks that people go for 24 hours, or whatever part of their day that they can, without shoes to show what it is like for these kids that have none. I'm so pumped! And, I like being barefoot.. I have a ODWS tee shirt to wear too. :D I'm just trying to figure out if and how I am going to the Y to run. I guess I need to go, maybe run on the outside track. The weather should be pretty alright for it.

So, that's all I got for tonight.

That and a video. Because I like videos.





But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)

Philos, Justin

If His Grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.

So, some interesting stuff. It's now after the fact, so I can talk about it.

Our church is in a time of transition. Our former pastor and Music Minister, Donnie and Damon Foster, have resigned for personal reasons. So, if you read this and are the praying type. be in prayer for Grace Baptist Church. This time is tough and we could sure use the prayer.

We played How He Loves today at church. Just, something about that song. I wanna blog about it.

Watch the vid. There's a music video by David Crowder, but you need to read the lyrics.




He is jealous for me. God is a jealous God, who desires all of our love in return for all of His. Love's like a hurricane and I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, and I realize just how beautiful you are and how great Your affections are for me. When we fully see God's glory and how truly amazing He is, and His love for us is, it makes us completely aware of how unworthy we are of Him.

Oh, how he loves us all.

We are His portion and He is our prize. I wrestled with this verse for a while. And with the help of a friend, finally got it kinda figured out. We are His portion. Because we have been bought with a price, the death and finished work of Jesus on the cross, we are now a portion of God. He effectively owns us. And He is our prize. He is the treasure above all treasures, the prize and priceless gift we are not worthy of.

Drawn to redemption by the Grace in His Eyes. If His Grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. The grace that God has, once shown to us, is so...irresistable. We have seen just how amazing His grace is, and the taste we have gotten makes us want it even more. If His Grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. Think of the Ocean. The Lorentian Abyss is the deepest part of the Atlantic, and the grace of God is so deep that we can't help but just sink into it.

So Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest. I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that He loves us. The collision of God's mercy with our sinful ways is like that of a surprise kiss. It takes your breath away like nothing else could. My heart turns violently inside of my chest. The emotions that surround us when we have our "ah-ha" moment are incredibly overwhelming. Or at least, they've always been for me. I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that He loves us. When all you can focus on is the love Jesus has for you, there's no room for anything else.

Oh, how He loves us all.

Anyway, that was on my mind today.


Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)

Philos, Justin

A song.

Tonight, I wanna do one of these like, song-to-sermon kind of deals. I had a couple of songs in mind, but one that we just kinda played around with tonight at practice was Blessed Be Your Name. A lot of artists have done this song, I just picked a version I liked. Watch the vid, then ponder what I have to say about it.



I picked Blessed Be Your Name because it's one song I know that is taken almost directly from a book of the Bible. Some history on the story it tells. Job (J-ohb) was a man of God. He had it made too. Land, cattle, livestock, family, house, money, everything the American dream in Bible times was equal to.

One day, Satan came before God and God asked what he had been doing. Satan claimed to be strolling the Earth. God asked Satan if he had considered His servant, Job. A "blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil" Satan remarked that God had put a protective hedge around Job. God said He would remove the hedge so Satan could test Job. The only rule was, Satan was not allowed to touch Job's physical body.

So, Satan tests Job. He kills all of Job's cattle, takes his land, kills his servants, and kills all of his children. At the news of this, Job tears his clothes and shaved his head. He then falls to the ground and worships God. "'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Satan tests Job again, after getting the ok from God. This time he takes Job's health. Job grows these gross lesions on his body, so bad that he takes pieces of terra cotta and cuts his skin, to ease the pain of the boils. Job's wife turns to him in disgrace and says that he needs to end this nonsense. She tells him to simply curse God and die. But, remarkably, "In all this, Job did not sin with his lips."

The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. The entire book of Job is pretty ridiculous. At the very end, because of his faithfulness to God, Job is given so much more than he already had. And his friends get rebuked. Because they weren't that great of friends.

But it's just an amazing thought. In all that he suffered, Job never turned to God and said that it was His fault. Job never ceased worshiping his creator. I can speak personally and say that I don't think I could do that. But that is a statement against a lot of people. Especially in America. We are so prone to take everything we have for granted, and when something is taken from us, we more often than not blame God.

But I ask you this. If God does this to us, and takes things from us, do you not think He has something better to fill that hole?

Just saying. Tonight's practice was pretty stinking awesome, given the circumstances.


Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
  “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”

  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:33-36 ESV)


Philos, Justin

My 50th post.

Wow. Can't believe it's been 50 posts. This thing is fun.

I just want to briefly talk. I'm reading through a book right now called "Desiring God." It's taken me forever to finally read this book, and I am so glad I am. It's a deep look at what it truly means to desire God and to be one of His disciples.

That being said, my brain is fried. Lol. So, I wanted to post a video of an amazing song or two.






So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
(Romans 10:17 ESV)

Philos, Justin

A prayer.

Just, what I'm feeling right now as I am supposed to be writing my English paper, but this needs to be said.

God, you truly are amazing. I lay in my bed here, and have one of those "ah-ha" moments. You made me so intricately and planned out my life before I was even a thought. I just want to apologize. God, I know I have fallen short of Your perfect glory. I ask for Your forgiveness. I know that I need you and that You desire to be glorified in my life. And truth be told God, I'm doing a terrible job of it. So please, change me. Create in me a new heart. I know You know what I am going to do with my life. I just pray that it is a life that honors You and gives You the most glory possible, because You deserve the most glory. I thank You for the cross, Lord. Thank you for sending Your perfect and spotless Son to live a sinless life and die a death that I deserve so that I can believe in You and live for you, despite failing miserably. Thank You for all You have blessed me with, because it is more than I deserve. Waaay more. God, I know that this prayer seems self-centered. I can only hope that Your Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf and prays what I need prayer for. Because if left up to my own devices, I would condemn myself to death apart from You.

Thank you Lord, for everything you do for me. I pray all of these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Philos, Justin

On the outside, we've found a home.

The Outsiders by Needtobreathe. Good song. Anyways, I wasn't going to post tonight, considering how later in the evening it is. But, I figure I wanna talk about this one. 


As of recently, I have been struggling with an idea. A question, rather. And it's taking some discussion with a good friend to help me out, despite my friend needing to sleep, to my dissapointment. My question stands, do people in countries that have never heard the Gospel die, and spend eternity in Hell, separated from God?


Originally, my answer was no. Because God is a merciful and just God. And I couldn't imagine a God that would punish people for something they never knew about. But as I talked with my friend more and more, and read through Romans 10, I have a new opinion. 


All people are born into sin. We are all wicked by nature. That wickedness separates us from God, eternally. Regardless of if we ever hear about the Gospel or not. Should we hear and God chooses to save us, and use us for His glory, then we can one day live forever with him. But if we never hear, then we are condemned to die alone.


However, this is where the evangelical Christian comes in. We are called, once saved by Jesus, to go the the corners of the Earth and preach the Gospel. So because of our lethargy and lack of desire to do the work of Christ, millions of people die and spend eternity separated from God.


David Platt, in his book "Radical" said that "There are no innocent people in the World just waiting to hear the gospel. Instead there are people all over the world standing guilty before a holy God, and that is the very reason they need the Gospel."


Just something to chew on. I'm sure gonna be chewing for a while.


How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 
(Romans 10:14-17 ESV)


Philos, Justin

So won't You take the lead?

I have such awesome friends. My friends have an amazing taste in music. I heard three new songs today, and I thought that you guys should enjoy them, so here are some videos. Two are just lyrics, then one is a real music video.








If I picked favorites, I like them all. Background is really easy to sing along to. All of them are amazing songs and have messages presented in awesome ways.

Also, I found out today that someone else reads my blog. I'm excited!


For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
(Romans 3:22-26 ESV)

Soli Deo Gloria.

Philos, Justin

Calvinism.

I was gonna tackle this post last night, but, I didn't. So, here goes.

I believe I am a Calvinist. Let that sink in.

What is a Calvinist? Well, there are a bunch of different definitions. And people have a bunch of differing opinions on Calvinism. But this is my interpretation, based on what I have learned.

I believe that God made me. I believe that when God made me, he could look at my life like a picture, and see one edge of the frame, my birth, to the opposite edge of the frame, my death or His return. The picture looks like, at least in my mind, a big maze like when you were little. They had a starting point, and a destination. Between them were lines that crossed, weaved in and out of each other, and covered the entire page.

I see that as my life. The lines on the picture are choices and "lives" I have the opportunity to live. God drew all the lines, and knows which one I'm going to take. I just have the mindset that I am in control of it. That is the first aspect of Calvinism I believe in. Man has no true free will. Every choice we make, no matter how freely we believe we make it, was predetermined by God. Even the bad choices.

There is an acronym that describes it better than I can. Ladies and Gentlemen, TULIP.

T-Total Depravity: Because of the Fall, or when sin entered the world, every human is born into sin. It surrounds us and we cannot escape using our own device.

U-Unconditional Election: God does not choose who will believe in Him and be His follower by their merit, actions, or His faith in them. Rather, He determines everything by His mercy. And, that means that there are some that walk this Earth that are condemned to face His wrath.

L-Limited Atonement: This is a kinda controversial topic. Basically, what it means is that the propitiation (Big word for the pouring of God's wrath on Jesus at the Cross) and the sacrifice that Jesus made for sin is sufficient for every man, but efficient for those whom God has predetermined. In essence, if God saw fit to give everyone his unconditional grace, and all were chosen by Him, then the sacrifice that Jesus made would be enough to cover everyone's sin. But, because not everyone will be saved, the sacrifice Jesus made is enough regardless. It's kinda confusing.

I-Irresistable Grace: By far, one of the coolest things I believe. In essence, the grace and love of God is so overwhelming, that if you are destined to accept Jesus as your savior, the message of the Gospel and the saving grace that it brings will bring you to Jesus. If God desires for you to be saved, you will be saved.

P-Perseverance of the Saints: Saints here is not what you think. Saints are defined in Calvinism as those who are set apart by God, not men who are holy, or canonized, or whatever. This means that those who are in Christ truly will continue in faith with Him till the end, because God's grace can't be outdone by human efforts. That means that those who fall from faith were never truly in it to begin, or will return one day.

That's TULIP. Another cool thing is what's called Sovereign Grace. Basically, it means that before a perfect God, all of us are condemned. However, God, in His sovereign grace, is merciful to some. It goes back to what I said earlier. You're not saved based on works, or the faith God has in you. Just by His grace and power alone, and because He desires it.

Anyway, that's what I think. For some good books on it, read just about anything by John Piper, R.C. Sproul, A.W. Tozer (Who isn't a Calivinist, per se, but he has some good stuff), David Platt (again, not a Calvinist, but an amazing author). C.S. Lewis was a hair away from John Calvin in doctrine, but did write some amazing stuff. Yes, the guy who wrote the Chronicles of Narnia was a Christian.

Well, that's a start. I have yet to read some books on my Kindle app by these guys, The Pursuit of God (Tozer), Let the Nations Be Glad, and Desiring God (Piper).

Hope that was enlightening to read!


He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(Hebrews 1:3 ESV)

Philos, (Which, I told my good friend Jim that I would explain. Philos is the Greek word for love for the brothers. Basically, I love you like my family.) Justin.

Ink.

I have come to decide that I want a tattoo. Nothing like, ridiculous. Just something awesome.

It's gonna be on my shoulder blade, able to be covered up by a shirt. I want something symbolic. Probably a Bible verse or passage. Maybe Isaiah 6:1. I like that verse. Or something like Hebrews 12:1-2. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

The only problem is, THAT'S A LOT OF INK! AND IT WILL HURT! But, my friend Ashley (Pashley is her nickname) from Super Summer, got a tattoo. She got her right arm decked out in ink, with the verse Genesis 1:26. It's on a scroll thing, surrounded by animals and flowers and awesomeness.

I don't think getting a tattoo is wrong. I don't believe that if done for the right reasons, and getting a God-glorifying tattoo, that you're any more of a wretched sinner than you already are. (James might be proud of me for that. He likes calling us wretched.)

But, anyway. It's all talk for now. I'm gonna figure out what I want, and let it simmer for a while. That way I know I want to get it, when I finally do. Because it's there forever. The way I see it, my body is a temple of God. I just want to hang up a pretty sweet poster.


Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

Philos, Justin

iAssociate.

That game is ridiculous. Wanna know what I've been doing all spring break?

Monday: Finished camping with the guys, then mowed the yard for the first time this year. It felt good. Kinda.
Tuesday:Worked all evening, and I can't remember what I did during the day.
Wednesday:I worked all evening, and joked around all day.
Thursday: I opened at work that day, and then had band practice that night. Aaand, I went to my grandparents! They're so cool.
Friday: Went to the zoo with Ally, Andy, and the grandma. Took some sweeeet pics. They're on Facebook. For sure. Had work that night too.
Saturday: Slept in till like, 11. That was awesome. Just saying. Then went home from the grandparents and worked that night.
Sunday: Today. I had church, then put our shiny new grill together. Then, guess what? Work. For real. YAY!

Fun spring break, overall.

Tomorrow equals school, then working out. Gotta get back into that routine. And then I get to bust the new grill out, grilling some pork tenderloin.

I found an awesome song.




Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Leslie Neilson

I'm watching the Naked Gun. It's amazing. Never a doubt with Leslie Neilson. Too bad he's dead.

This weekend was fun. The guys all went camping overnight yesterday, and we all got back around 4 today. Everybody seemed to have a blast!

Needless to say, I'm pooped. Tonight's post is not that deep.


Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
(James 5:16 ESV)

Philos, Justin

I want a new pair of TOMS

Today was:
English, lunch with grandma at Chick-Fil-A, government, stop at Academy, doctor's office to check out my ear, running at the Y (2.75 miles), then eating some Subway for dinner. Now I'm on the interweb blogging.

Tomorrow equals: Math, Scuba diving, meeting about the internship, and then who knows! I have yet to make plans concerning my Friday night.

Just something to make you laugh a little. Ever wanna just laugh? Listen to some Autotune the news.




And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
(Ephesians 1:19-21 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Today is blog post number 41

Let's celebrate by listing things I am excited about or am excited about prospectively.

-Italy trip this summer
-Vacation to Destin
-Super Summer (If I go)
-Summer internship
-Motorcycle
-Spring Break
-Camping on the aforementioned event.
-Marriage
-Scuba diving
-Intro to photography next semester
-Graduating college
-Vegas for my 21st with Scott
-Proving I can find a beautiful girl who wants to be mine.

Haha, it's just some thoughts.


Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

Philos, Justin

I'd like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony. I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company. Good song. Kinda. It needs to be redone for my generation.

Today equaled: English, Running at the MAC (I weigh 191 lbs! 10 lbs down in two weeks!) It doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm trying to turn it into lean muscle, lunch, government, then drove home, got changed and went to work. Today was kinda sucky at work. I got the feeling I could have been a better manager tonight, and it would have been more productive than it was. But, oh well. They couldn't pay me enough.

Tomorrow holds Math, possibly going to pick up the keys to the Acreage from my grandparents so the guys can go camping, then history, then tuning some drums, then who knows. I'm not an expert at being planned. To an extent, I like that.

My ear is still jacked up. This needs to be resolved.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

(James 1:2-4 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Swimmer's Ear

It's not fun kids. So tonight's post consists of videos that make me laugh and will cheer you up.











A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
 (Proverbs 17:22 ESV)

Philos, Justin

It's what I felt needed to be said.

First off, play this song as you read.




So, here's what's happened, as far as I have heard. Saturday night, there was a party at Lake Granbury. Some kids that were around my age, friends of my friends, were there. Apparently, they went to sleep and a fire broke out. Everyone was able to get out except for 7 people. These 7 lost their lives. There was a candlelight ceremony held tonight.

I say that, to say this. We are never promised another day. Life is too short to "think" you're going to Heaven. I hate to be insensitive, and believe me, I know the pain that these guys are going through. But at what point do we wake up and realize that the life we have is truly a gift? God made us in His image, and put us on this Earth to glorify His name and further His kingdom.

Just something to think about. I know it's a little soon, but I don't think this truly affected me as much as it did my friends. But I truly believe that God will make Himself glorified in this. Hopefully He uses this as an opportunity for some of their friends to lay their grief at His feet and then feel His comfort.


But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)

Philos, Justin

The ideal man

When I grow up, I want to be the best husband and father I can be. What does that mean you ask?

My vision of the perfect husband. He should give more to his wife than he expects in return. He should treat her like the most amazing person in the world, because to him, she is. He should want the house cleaner than his wife does. He should be more than willing to do just the simple things with her. Fold clothes, do dishes, cook dinner, vacuum the carpet, all that. I want to be the husband that my wife can bring her troubles of a long day home to, then let me just be the one to listen to her rant about it.

My vision of the perfect father is one who will do anything for his kids. He would take a bullet for them. If he didn't agree with something they wanted, but saw they were passionate about it, he'd support them. I want to be the dad my kids aren't embarrassed to bring their friends home to. I want to be involved in my kids lives. I want to intimidate my daughter's first boyfriend. I want her to know how protective I am of her.

That's just what I want. Am I perfect for all those categories? Nope. But, I'm a work in progress.


Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4 ESV)


Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
(1 Peter 3:7 ESV)

Philos, Justin

When I grow up

I realize there is a list of things that I want to be when I grow up. I'm 19 years old, and I'm not grown up.


Here's what I want to be/do

1. Share my faith. A lot. In cool ways.
2. Act in a movie
3. Conduct an orchestra/wind symphony
4. Be on a SWAT team
5. Get my motorcycle license
6. Go Skydiving
7. Be Divemaster certified in SCUBA
8. Run for President
9. Meet the girl of my dreams
10. Convince her she is the girl of my dreams.
11. Take Tactical Driving lessons
12. Open a restaurant.
13. Own a 1969 Camaro
14. Drive a Sportscar
15. Shoot a Sniper Rifle
16. Shoot a fully automatic machine gun.
17. Sing to my wife at our wedding.
18. Intimidate my little sister's boyfriend.
19. Go on an African Safari
20. Scuba the Great Barrier Reef
21. Eat an Italian Pizza in Italy.
22. Be a clothing model.
23. Shake Josh Hamilton's hand
24. Be in a rock band. 
25. Shake David Crowder's hand.
26. Listen to David Platt preach

I guess that's a start.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

(Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

Philos, Justin

What in the world am I doing?

So, I want to run for President. Eventually. Here's the problem. Washington is so screwed up as of right now, I hate to imagine what it will be like if I get to Pennsylvania Avenue.

One thing, I think Washington needs to be like Mr. Smith, from back in the day. I think that if you want something done, you need to stand up for yourself. I mean, I almost want the opportunity to stand in front of Congress and not stop talking until I am done. Because that may be what it takes.

In other news, I want to do a photoshoot. Just some like, idk. Think plain, single color backdrops, vintage style clothes, interesting lighting, creative effects. All that jazz. Polo, khaki shorts, maybe Sperry's. I don't own those yet.








Just some good videos.


When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:13-14 ESV)

Philos, Justin

He's the most interesting man in the world.

I'm not... trust me.

Today included: Engrish, where I got a 93 on my first paper of the semester. Yay! Then I had me some lunch, a power nap by hypnosis, and then went to State and Local Government.David Kunkle, the former police chief of Dallas, was a guest speaker today. It was interesting to hear him talk about what he wants to do if he's elected mayor of Dallas in May.

Then, I went to run at the Y. 2.75 miles and 20 crunches later, I felt pretty beat. I got home, showered, went to the bank, got some apple juice at Wally World, then came home and grilled chicken for dinner. It was delicious if I do say so myself. But, I'm biased...

Tomorrow sees math, ugh. And HISTORY! Yay! I love that class. I really do. That's why I want to minor in History. After that, I'm going to the Y to work out and who knows what else tomorrow holds.

I promise to be deeper tomorrow night. I'm just tired!



That is one of the best Youtube videos I have ever seen.


He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
(Colossians 1:15-20 ESV)

Philos, Justin

What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.

No, not just for some, but for everyone.

Today included: School, 1390 words of notes in US History, working out at the Y, and working-working at work. Note to self. Don't do all upper body workouts just before going to work. It's no bueno. But by the end of the night, I was good.

That being said, I'm beat. Here's a video or two.








I like those songs. Show's the different taste in music I have. Country, pop-ish, and Jewish. But I'm not a Jew.


Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
(John 15:4-8 ESV)

Philos, Justin

To love the least of these.

Wow, haven't posted all weekend. But, I haven't had time to, truthfully!

Friday, after class and stuff, I came home and worked out, then went with my good friends Ben and Travis to Putt-Putt. We had some swanky mall food, then went and putted, go karted, and arcaded the night away. It was a lot of fun, just hanging out with two of my best friends.

Saturday morning, I woke up and went over to my good bud Collin's house and helped him tune his new drum set. We had Fuzzy's for lunch. There's nothing wrong with that. I worked last night, and that's the end of that.

Today, I woke up at 5 in the morning to go to Beautiful Feet. The Feet, as it's known, is a homeless ministry in the inner city in Fort Worth. We arrived around 6:45, and walked upstairs into a prayer service they were having a prayer service. After it was over, I got on the bus the ministry owns and we traveled around the southeast side of downtown, picking up around 100 homeless people to bring back to the church. A little later, Ben, James, Travis and I led worship in the service they had. It was incredible to see these people who may not have a dollar to their names just worshiping the God who created them. In that environment, I became aware of just how blessed I am, and how much I take it for granted. I have been given so much more than them, been blessed materialistically beyond reason, and yet their faith is so much stronger than mine. They have faith that God will put a meal in their stomachs and give them a place to rest their head at night. I have faith that my comfortable bed will be waiting for me when I get home from my job, that I will have a hot shower to clean off in, and the technological means to share these stories. My faith is weak compared to theirs.

It was an awesome experience and I for sure want to go back. I'm so glad God opened that door in our lives.


And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
(Matthew 25:40 ESV)

Philos, Justin

I'm your huckleberry.

I wanna watch Tombstone. I know it's like, 3 hours long, but it's an awesome movie about justice, righting wrongs, and kicking butt. Just a good movie. For real.

Today was aight. Had lunch at Freebirds with James, got my hurr cut, had Pizza Hut for dinner. Ran a couple of miles. All that good stuff.

Tomorrow is Math, ugh. Scuba, then training for my summer internship. Then Billy Bob's! Can't believe I'm actually excited about going. Should be fun.

Tonight features just some videos.. Nothing deep, just great songs.

Yeah, he's fat. But this song is so much sweeter by him than it is with Louie Armstrong.








Enjoy. I love all of those songs.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
(Psalm 98:4 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Hail to the Chief

So, I have decided that I want to be President when I grow up. I think I can do it too. I've already got some ideas of what I would do in office.

First off, I would make education a top funding priority. The way I see it is that if you're going to cut the budget on education, realize that the kids that are suffering with 150-1 Student/Teacher ratios, are the ones that are going to be the lawmakers one day. Do you really want them to grow up and not have as best an education as possible? Get rid of the rainy day funds, and for goodness sake, give schools some money. If we don't, our education system will be one of the worst in the world.

Second, I want to abolish universal heathcare. I know that I still practically have zero idea of what I am talking about, but the belief that those who are capable of paying for their own insurance, should pay for the insurance of others is ridiculous. I understand there are those that cannot afford it, and I will find something to do about it. I just don't know what.

Third, I am of firm belief in keeping the government from funding abortion clinics. I don't have the power to overturn Roe v. Wade, but my beliefs politically and more importantly, faith-based, state that Life is life is life. Life begins at conception. "Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,'" Jeremiah 1:4-5. But alas, that whole topic is another blog post all together.

Fourth, I would strengthen the borders of America. I have no problem with people coming to America, to better themselves, but do it legally. It's a process. And learn English. If I was to uproot myself and move to another country, that did not speak my language, I would learn theirs. Just saying.

I'm so conservative. But, you know what? I believe that is what America needs. No, I take that back. America needs God. And I am not God. But if I was ever given the chance to be the chief executive of this country, God would be the center of my term. Yes, there is a separation of Church and State. But I'm not forcing my beliefs on anyone, I'm just basing my life on what I believe.


Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:12-14 ESV)

Imagine that. What if His people prayed?

Philos, Justin

These weren't the droids I was looking for.

Nothing quite like a Star Wars quote to get you in a good spirit.

Guess who gets to eat lunch with a beautiful girl tomorrow? This guy! I'm gonna be cute, kinda dumb, romantic, chivalrous, all that good stuff. Here's hoping it's all worth it. There's nothing wrong with girls that fall for hopeless romantics. :D Of which I am the foremost.

That sounded a lot more intelligent than it really was. So get this, I worked my tail off Sunday afternoon and yesterday afternoon/evening trying to get an English paper done that I thought was due today. I show up to our class, only to find that it's due Thursday. That was pretty cool, to think that I was one step ahead of the game. I ain't complaining.

So, this song is legit. I've discovered that I've been getting into the habit of just posting songs, but I like all of them. This is Eric Whitacre, a choir director/composer that I enjoy. His song, Sleep, is my favorite of all of his. When I was a senior in high school, many years ago, our percussion director arranged this for an ensemble to play, and I got to be a part of it. Enjoy. By the way, it is about death. Kinda morbid, but it is presented in a beautiful way.




As I surrender unto sleep.

Amazing.


The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
(1 Corinthians 15:26 ESV)

Philos, Justin

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not.

Dinner for Schmucks. Good stuff.


IT'S BEEN AN ENTIRE WEEKEND WITHOUT A BLOG POST! But, I've been pretty dang busy. Lemme catch you up.


Friday: Math, Scuba, lunch with a stinking beautiful girl, job interview, dinner at Chili's, WHHS band concert, sleep.


Saturday:Upward pictures from 6:30-1:30, chill (kinda), work, sleep.


Sunday: Church, chill/laundry/homework/laundry, work, laundry, XBOX, sleep.


Now we have arrived at Monday. Today was simple. Math, Job interview and summer employment offered. :D Paid Internship for the win. History, workout at the Y with my dad, Cici's Pizza to completely cancel out everything I did at the Y, English homework, blogging, TV, XBox, sleep.


Hopefully at some point this week I can have lunch with Shannen and we could maybe possibly go work out together. Fingers crossed.


Good song. It's an oldie, but a goodie.





It is well, it is well with my soul.


The background behind that song is incredible. This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Horatio Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871 at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.


You are never guaranteed today's life, tomorrow.



“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 
(Matthew 6:24 ESV)


Philos, Justin

I can't feel my arms.

I bought an app for my iPad that has workout plans in it. I choose what plan I want to do, based on the results I want. I started with a Fat Burn Starter plan. I have never done that much working out at the Y. Ever. I've run and grown tired, but never like this. Here's hoping that it works. I sure wouldn't mind looking good in my scuba wetsuit, or my swimsuit on the beach this summer.

Tomorrow equals such: Math, Scuba diving (yay!), lunch with Shannen (Double yay!) summer internship info meeting (paid!) and the WHHS concert. Oh, and I need to go run somewhere in there. Don't want to get behind in that.

SPOILER ALERT! Tonight we practiced a song for Sunday called The Stand by Hillsong United. It is amazing. Here's a video to watch/listen to.



It's amazing. So stinking powerful. The chorus is what gets me. So I'll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned. If that doesn't just make you want to drop to your knees...

God is just amazing. No matter what. Jussaying.


This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(1 John 1:5-8 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Well, I'm not Buddha.

I'm beginning a workout program. Shocking, I know. But, we are going to Destin this summer, and I would just once like to have a beach-worthy body. I mean, I've had a gut for as long as I can remember. Now I bought an app for my iPad, a personal fitness trainer to help with that. Basically, since I am still doing the couch to 5k thing, my schedule for a week will be to run one day, then work out the next, then run, then work out, then run. And I want to give myself the weekends free. That way I can stay on a course and see some results. But, this isn't going to be easy.

A main reason I want to do this is because I believe being healthy is Biblical. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that our bodies are temples of God. We are supposed to honor Him by what we do with our bodies. Granted, in that passage Paul was referring to sexual immorality, but I believe that being in physical shape is better for you than not being in it. Duh. Lol.

Anyways, I was so stinking excited. For those of you unaware, I have been on a hiatus from the youth group at my church, and that has been an interesting experience. However, James called me today and asked if I wanted to come back. I couldn't refuse. I am so glad to be back. Tomorrow we are eating lunch, so yay!

Also, the girl I was supposed to eat lunch with had to have a study group session for a Psychology test tomorrow. I told her that was waaay more important than eating with me. We have rescheduled for Friday, after I go to Scuba. Good luck on your test Shannen! She prolly doesn't read this. Oh well.


Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
(John 15:13 ESV)

Short verse, but a good one

Philos, Justin

P.S. You're beautiful. :D

Toppling a South American Government

Just another day in the life.

TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE SO AWESOME! Except for math. Math and I aren't friends. But, I'm making an A in there, I believe....

Anyways, I get to go eat lunch with an amazing girl. Have no idea where we are eating, just excited to get to catch up and spend time with her! And, tomorrow night I get to take my "valentine" Jessica out to go see a movie. We both were complaining about not having a valentine, and I jokingly asked her and she agreed. It's all in good fun though.

I can't think straight. Not like I'm trying to cop out of blogging, just can't seem to wrap my mind around what to talk about.

Double team of two awesome videos. Well, two awesome songs.






Philos, Justin

Valentines Day

This post kinda had to have a theme. So I'm gonna talk about my opinion on love, dating, relationships and all that jazz.

Where to begin? To truly love someone, I believe you need to be IN love with them. And to be IN love with them, you need to love Jesus more than them. And to love Jesus, you ...yeah, you get the picture. The point is, for a healthy relationship that is truly whole, there needs to be an agreement that your love for each other needs to come second to your overwhelming, head-over-heels love for Jesus.

As far as dating goes, I'm not sure where I stand. If you don't date, I believe it becomes a lot harder to find your future suitor. But the dating game for teenagers is a pretty sick game. We get into relationships (which is my next topic) and they consume our being. Most of us. Kudos to you if you know how to not let that happen. But we enter these relationships and I know that at least from a guy's perspective, we are pretty hard-wired to desire physical contact. I will let you determine how you read that. But we do. That's not what a relationship should be about. But I digress.

Relationships are confusing. My problem is I see the girl I want, with another guy. Odds are, she doesn't read this blog though. This girl is one of the most amazing people I know, goes to school with me and I believe I can say she loves Jesus more than I do. And that, my friends, is a good thing. But the hard part is to make her believe that I want her to be mine. We'll see how that goes. Just know this, ___ , if you're reading this, the T-Swift song "You Belong with Me" comes to mind. But, oh well.

I just need to realize that God may not want me to have a girlfriend right now, and to just throw all of my love to Him. He's worth it.

A passage fitting for Valentines Day. This is what Biblical love is.


If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
(1 Corinthians 13:1-8 ESV)

Philos (Brotherly love,) Justin

Weesa goin' home!

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is on Spike TV. That's pretty cool. We were just talking about Star Wars at work tonight! I remember going with my aunt and uncle, D and Todd to go see the opening of Menace. Afterwards, Andy and I got our hair cut to look like Anakin from the movie. It was nerdy, but it was cool!

I'm not sure what to blog about. There's a whole lot of ideas that I want to talk about. I just want to unload everything, but it's overwhelming. Ugh.

Tonight is just a video. A song we sang today at church. It's amazingly powerful and a total prayer to God.




This song captures the overwhelmed feeling we need to have with our God. Just to stand in His presence, with our arms spread wide, the universal symbol for I give up.

God, here I stand. You know my heart, know my thoughts, know my actions. And yet, through all my mistakes, You love me. You sent Your Son to die for me. You sent a perfect lamb to die a cruel death that I deserved. And I am so grateful for it. I don't deserve it, but through Your grace, You have given me the privilege of approaching Your throne and worshiping You.

God, forgive me for where I fail You, because I do a lot. Lead me and guide me in the life You desire for me. Thank You so much for blessing me. In Jesus name, Amen.

I just prayed through Blogger.


And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
(Matthew 9:10-13 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Yellow

I want a girlfriend. I know I don't need one, but I want one. There are plenty of cute girls in the world, and I would love be with them. So, what's the problem? I don't know. I'm a firm believer that we as Christians have given in to what the world says dating should be. We now believe that you should shop around for a while, and maybe one day when you're older, find the "one", settle down with a house and white picket fence, have 2.5 kids and live the American dream. Well, that's kinda dumb. I mean, if you don't date, you don't meet your "one." I believe that. But I'm not sure how that ties into what we believe.

That's where I'm stumped. What does a healthy, God-centered relationship between a boyfriend and girlfriend look like? I've never been in one, so I don't know. I do know that to have one, God has to take the center of you two's love. You have to love Jesus more than you love the other person. And I don't love Jesus enough as it is. So maybe that's where I start. But at the same time, humans crave and long for companionship. We aren't meant to walk the human life without a mate.

Urgh. Lol.

Be strong in the Lord, and never give up hope. You're gonna do great things, I already know. God's got His hand on you, so don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget, but don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray. These are the words I would say. - That is an awesome song. When you're down, look up The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets.

This post wasn't anything like what I thought I was gonna type tonight. I sincerely thought I would post something deep and profound, not rant about life. But, shows how much I'm really in control of everything.

Anyways, I know that I am loved. I know God loves me, no matter how much I mess up, which I do a lot, my family loves me, my friends love me, and that's all that matters. That, and God's grace is so sufficient for all of my sin. I just need to let Him do what He wants and quit trying to put my own agenda out there.


The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
(1 Timothy 1:15-16 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Engrish

I usually am a fan of English. It's pretty easy for me to write or type something for my classes, but tonight was brutal. Hang on, gotta go put my sheets in the dryer...Ok. I'm back. I realize as you read this, there hasn't really been a passing of time. But just imagine that took around 2 minutes. Anyways, tonight I had to type an annotated bibliography for a research paper that I am going to be doing later in the semester. I had to find 8 articles or essays, two of which had to come from our textbook, all about the issue of spanking as a method of discipline. It was like getting a tooth extracted. That was how painful and un-fun that was. But, it's due in 6 days, and I'm done. So that's good!

My brain is fried. Nothing deep tonight. Sorry guys! But, I will post a video to an awesome, awesome song by Matt Papa, a singer/songwriter that I enjoy.

Here's Open Hands.





Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them. I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
(Ecclesiastes 9:11-16 ESV)

Philos, Justin

And I will try to fix you

That's the stinger lyric of a Coldplay song, entitled Fix You. Good, good song. I'm gonna learn it.

On the subject of songs, I posted a video yesterday to a song, Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North. I downloaded it yesterday and only kinda listened to it before I posted it. A day later, having listened to it around 4 times, I love it. There is such a powerful message. Watch the video and listen to the words. Essentially, it is about the walls we put up, to make the world believe we are a good person. But in Christ, we can finally break the walls down because He knows we aren't good people, and wants to be the One to walk us through our junk. The pre-chorus and chorus sing: "So let them fall down. There's freedom waiting in the sound. When you let your walls fall to the ground, we're here now. This is where the healing begins, oh. This is where the healing starts. When you come to where you're broken within, the light meets the dark."

It's such a powerful song. When you come to where you are broken, the light of Jesus crashes head on to the dark sin in your life. And I promise, the light is more powerful. The bridge says: "Sparks will fly as grace collides with the dark inside of us. So please don't fight this coming light. Let this blood come over us. His blood can cover us." I mean, it's so awesome. Because when we finally do come to the point where grace meets our sin, it's never pretty. And then, the best thing to do is give in. Because it's so worth it.

Anyway, listen to that song. It's so stinking cool! In other news, it's supposed to be all wintry weather tomorrow. I don't like that. I actually want to go to school. When you pay for your education, school is more bearable. And I really like my history class. It's fun! Aaaaand, tomorrow Brent and I are supposed to get Fuzzy's tacos. Yum. Fuzzy's.

WOW! Google's homepage is so cool! Nerd alert...


Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Far From Ordinary

I just realized I could title these blog posts whatever I liked, then when I type, not refer to the title or imply the title at all. That would be interesting. Just to hook you in and make you think I'm going one way, then BANG! Left turn.

Well, this title is pretty true. I am far from ordinary. And there are days that I look at my life and wish it was ordinary. But I am so glad for where I am and where I've been, because it shapes so radically where I am going. And one day I can look back on the journey and see how God has directed me there. Basically, the walk that you walk is like hallway that is closed in on all sides, and goes uphill. It's only when you get to the top and see the light that you truly realize the path you took.

That was kinda cool! Anyways, I wanna just post a song for your listening enjoyment.




I just discovered this song today, and it's amazing. Just soak it up.


“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

Philos, Justin

In word or deed

Well, football season is officially wrapped. Woohoo! Something one of my friends posted on Facebook intrigued me. He said that shortly after their win, a Packers player was interviewed and some of the first words out of his mouth were "Glory to God." My friend and I wonder, are the Steelers who claim to be Christ followers doing the same? That brought me to Colossians 3:17. "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Makes me think. Whatever I do. The conversations I have with friends, the attitude I have at work. The mindset I have. All should glorify my Creator. Creator God, You gave me breath so I could praise Your great and matchless name all my days. Such an awesome song. Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee.

Anyways, that is definitely an area I struggle with. Giving glory to God in everything. I have no doubt the sin in my life does not glorify Him. And I firmly believe that glorifying Him is a learning process. I will never fully grasp how to. But I just pray that He teaches me along the way.

Tonight was short. Just a blurb on something that sparked my interest. I'm really starting to enjoy this blogging. I want to start Vlogging, video blogging, but that's too hard. I'd rather just type what I want to say. Maybe one day.


Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

Philos, Justin

God, where are we going?

That's a thought that has been nagging at me for a little while. It's just like, so much different stuff is going on in my life right now that I don't know which direction is the one God has laid out for me. I mean, I want so desperately to find out and adjust my life accordingly. Not to get there and find out I've wasted time.

But part of the journey to where I need to be is to shed the unnecessary baggage now. Because I don't want to reach the destination with more than I can carry. Though I know that I will end up having more than I can along the way, my Jesus carries what I cannot. I just, don't know where to begin.

One thing that need to happen, is the idols in life need to be destroyed, and the hole that they tried to fill needs to be filled by the One who designed me. Ross King said it best in one of my favorite songs, "Clear the Stage." The premise is we as Christians have lost our way in worshiping our Creator. We are too focused on the distractions of modern day to really realize who has given us all that we have. The first line of the song sums it up. "Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze if that's the measure you must take to crush the idols. Jerk the pews and all the decorations too, until the congregation's few then have revival." The next line is powerful, because it speaks to what church has started to become, a social event. "Tell your friends that this is where the party ends. Until you're broken for your sins, you can't be social. Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store, and know that great is your reward, so just be hopeful."

It's such a powerful message. I for sure am one that needs to live it out. It isn't easy to let go of everything that I cling to and give myself up to Jesus. But, to truly worship Him, and be one of His disciples, that's what we are called to do. He never said it would be easy, in fact He often scared people away by what He preached. But great is the reward.

So, I'm not sure where I'm going with this. I'm tired of living in this rut I'm in. I look back to what camps do. Remove the distractions, clear the stage, and soon you see the brokenness for sin. Why does it take a camp to do that? I guess my prayer is that God would break me of my sins, right here and now. And through my brokenness, rebuild me and raise me up in His light, so that I can live as a shining light for Him.

I guess now I just pray that God leads me in His direction, that everything I do is for His glory.

This verse is so overused... Because you always just hear this part. Never the back story. Basically, God's people were in great turmoil, and were going through some just, junk. God has sent His people into exile, and they are not happy about it. In fact, there's a 70 year wait to get out. But there is still hope.


“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
(Jeremiah 29:10)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
(Jeremiah 29:11-14 ESV)

Philos, Justin

I keep reminding myself that I should do this.

Is that a bad thing? I love blogging, just never get around to making a habit of it. It's always a thought process. "Oh, well I should probably update the ole' Blogger."

Tonight is just some thoughts about whatever. This week, today, life, stock market quotes...nah I probably won't get to that.

Anyways, today ends possibly one of the longest school weeks of my life, because there hasn't been a whole lot of school this week! I mean, I've had fun, just, I'm ready to go back to school. (10 year old me just slapped 19 year old me for saying that.) I mean, as a kid, we relished the thought of school being cancelled. And the first day it was this year, I did! It was heaven on earth Monday night, knowing I could sleep in the next morning. Wednesday was less of a thrill, more of an acceptance. Oh, cool, no school tomorrow either. Thursday was kind of a joke. Like, wow, really? No school today? And then we get to today. It was kinda eh. Today felt like a Saturday. If you have been on Facebook, you've undoubtedly seen the pics I posted. Yes, those are my little sister's cheerleading shorts. No, I will never do that again. That was too much. I still laughed my face off as I made a snow angel wearing those, despite the loss of feelings in my feet. I love my socks even more now.

I was gonna start this paragraph with Anyways, but I do that a lot. I don't want it to sound repetitive. But, anyways... Hahaha, I thought you'd enjoy that.

We watched The Sorcerer's Apprentice tonight. It's an awesome Disney movie, with a great storyline. There is a song in it, written by OneRepublic for the release of the movie, called Secrets. Basically, how I interpret it as, the singer is telling of how he is stumped at writing a new song, sick of people being fake in their lyrics. So now, he decides to give all of his secrets away. Tell me what you want to hear. Something that will light those ears. I'm sick of all the insincere. I'm gonna give all my secrets away. This time, I don't need another perfect line. Don't care if critics ever jump in line, I'm gonna give all my secrets away.

It's just a stinking cool song. Well, that about wraps it up for me tonight. Nothing really profound, just ramblings. I'm gonna play some Call of Duty now, till I pass out. Shouldn't take long.


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Philos, Justin

One more for the road

I think I will double post today.

Tonight has been pretty interesting. Played some Black Ops, nothing new there, we ordered Pizza Hut, Ally had some friends over to spend the night, because none of us have school tomorrow. And I finally got to watch an episode of An Idiot Abroad. I had it recorded for over a week before I finally sat down to watch it.

Anyways, this show has this guy Karl, who's basically dumb. He travels all over the world, egged on by his friends. He travels to China, basically walking in with the mindset that they do everything backwards and he is too afraid to step out of his comfort zone to enjoy the trip. I'm not gonna ruin what happens in the show for you, but at the very end, something he said kinda stuck with me.

He tells about a Chinese proverb, or as we Americans would call it, a fable. He only explained part of it, but I researched the rest. Here's my rendition of it.

There was once a frog who lived down in a well. Every day he would wake up and look at the circle of sky he saw at the top of the well. To him, that was all there was in the world. A dark shaft with a circle of light at the top. One day a turtle came by and crossed over the opening at the top of the well. The frog introduced himself, as did the turtle. After they talked, the frog invited the turtle down to his well. "You'd like it down here! There's a little patch of sky I get to watch change every day!"

The turtle looked down and laughed. "Frog, do you even know what's up here? I've seen the oceans! Vast bodies of water, as far as the eye can see! I've seen your circle of sky, but I've seen so much more! Why in the world would you live in that hole when you could be doing amazing things up here?"

That's how a lot of American are with their faith, myself included. We are so complacent being in our little wells, that we have no idea how big the world is outside of it. We'd much rather sit in our church services, sing some songs played by a band on stage, hear a message preached, then go home to the rest of the week that isn't consumed by one hour of social fellowship. Maybe, if we're lucky, in that one hour of "Jesus time," the Holy Spirit will move and something will happen. However, that is not how our faith is meant to be lived! We are meant to go, get out to the world. Your faith should not be lived inside the walls of a church building. That's the wrong crowd to be preaching to. I believe we are called. Jesus calls us to go. Go to all the world.


“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Philos, Justin

Here comes the sun, eventually...

Day 4 of no school happens tomorrow. I can't call it a snow day anymore, because that implies playing outside in the snow. There is some forecast, but we will see...

Being cooped up this long isn't fun. I think I get cabin fever. I'm being short with everybody and just a grumpy person today. It's not worth it. It's really dumb. For real. Lol, I just smiled at that, thinking about that stupid song.

Anyways, this post is short. Nothing profound for right now. I might get on later and post again. Until then, my friends.

Here's an awesome couple of verses. They don't directly speak of snow and ice and cold temperatures, but I think it is implied. :)


"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:38-39 ESV)