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
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
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
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
Thursday, February 24, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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
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
Monday, February 21, 2011
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
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
Thursday, February 17, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
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
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
Monday, February 14, 2011
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
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
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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
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
Thursday, February 10, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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
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
Monday, February 7, 2011
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
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
Sunday, February 6, 2011
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
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
Saturday, February 5, 2011
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
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
Friday, February 4, 2011
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
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
Thursday, February 3, 2011
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
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)
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)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Snow Day
Today, classes at UTA and in Fort Worth ISD were cancelled. Mom and dad stayed home from work, so the whole family was home! It was pretty fun, considering we are never all home for more than a couple of hours at a time, if we're lucky. Tomorrow's classes are cancelled too, and the parents will still be home. Day two should be pretty interesting. Mom predicts that by day three, if we are all still iced in, we are going to be at each other's throats. I kinda believe her.
Anyway, tonight is another song-to-sermon kind of night. Here's the song, Arms Open Wide by Hillsong United.
There are a few verses this song is based off of, but they all don't directly tie in, at least in my opinion.
Song of Solomon 6:3 says that "I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine." This verse was written in the only book of the Bible that talks about man's relationship with the woman he loves. Basically, Biblical relationship 101. This verse is the bride of Solomon professing her love for him, giving him all of her in return for all of Him. As Christians, we are called to do the same. We, the church, will one day be the bride of Jesus, and His desire is for us to give all we have to Him, as He did for us.
The overarching message in this song is we stand at the foot of the cross, with our arms spread. Spreading your arms is a universal symbol of relinquishing control. I give up. That's what the song says. Here I stand, arms open wide.
The song later sings, My whole life is Yours, I give it all, surrenederred to Your name. And forever I will pray "Have Your way." That should be our desire. To have the faith to give everything up, and pray to our Lord to have His way with our lives. This isn't easy, and He never said it would be. The road to salvation is narrow and treacherous, but the reward at the end is worth every risk we take.
That song is so amazing, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite worship songs. Because that's what it is; a pure worship song. In my opinion.
I think this song is so cool in that it is one that can be best heard through the ears of someone who is finally broken for their sins. We as humans try to conceal and bandage our sins ourselves, but it isn't what is required. When this is finally realized, we fall flat on our faces. That's what this song is. We can sing praises to the God who saves us, with our arms open wide at His throne of grace.
Anyway, just something to chew on.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV) Alas, that's another song to cover.
Philos, Justin
Anyway, tonight is another song-to-sermon kind of night. Here's the song, Arms Open Wide by Hillsong United.
There are a few verses this song is based off of, but they all don't directly tie in, at least in my opinion.
Song of Solomon 6:3 says that "I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine." This verse was written in the only book of the Bible that talks about man's relationship with the woman he loves. Basically, Biblical relationship 101. This verse is the bride of Solomon professing her love for him, giving him all of her in return for all of Him. As Christians, we are called to do the same. We, the church, will one day be the bride of Jesus, and His desire is for us to give all we have to Him, as He did for us.
The overarching message in this song is we stand at the foot of the cross, with our arms spread. Spreading your arms is a universal symbol of relinquishing control. I give up. That's what the song says. Here I stand, arms open wide.
The song later sings, My whole life is Yours, I give it all, surrenederred to Your name. And forever I will pray "Have Your way." That should be our desire. To have the faith to give everything up, and pray to our Lord to have His way with our lives. This isn't easy, and He never said it would be. The road to salvation is narrow and treacherous, but the reward at the end is worth every risk we take.
That song is so amazing, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite worship songs. Because that's what it is; a pure worship song. In my opinion.
I think this song is so cool in that it is one that can be best heard through the ears of someone who is finally broken for their sins. We as humans try to conceal and bandage our sins ourselves, but it isn't what is required. When this is finally realized, we fall flat on our faces. That's what this song is. We can sing praises to the God who saves us, with our arms open wide at His throne of grace.
Anyway, just something to chew on.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV) Alas, that's another song to cover.
Philos, Justin
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