In a New York State of Mind

   The picture above I took while riding the Staten Island Ferry.

This past Sunday I was able to take a spare of the moment trip to the city I love. New York! In my mind there isn't a better city. The real reason why I jumped at the chance to go to NYC is that my best friend (20+ years) mentioned that he was going to be in the city for a business trip. After some thought I wanted to go hang out with my bro and check out the city that I love.

I have been struggling lately with just trusting God and walking in the path that He has presented me. I have found myself asking these type of questions. "God what You doing in my life? Wondering am I making a difference? Am I on the right track? God am I following You?" Once again should Himself faithful and gave me exactly what I needed. He gave me and great day in the City with my best bro. 

The day was filled with conversation about who is the better basketball player Labron James v. Michael Jordan (naturally Michael Jordan) to the state of Christian Hip Hop and Christian music in general. We talked about loving people and not being a bitter Christian. We discussed how the greats in the faith have placed a safety plan in their life so that they don't fall into sin (i.e. Billy Graham, Tim Tebow, Judson Cornwall.) 

We discussed our parents & the shinning examples of godliness that they are to us. We discussed our wives and children and how incredibly blessed we both are. We talked about how far God has brought us and where we might end up next. The conversation was rich and full of God. I needed it desperately.The day was filled with remembering our childhood, looking forward to what the next step is and what God was doing currently... 

I remember looking at the Freedom tower and thinking to myself... I feel like that! I feel incomplete I feel like there is so much more work to do on me and I began to wonder if God moved on from finishing the work that He started in me. Then God said, "I AM... The Author and The Finisher..." Justin, you aren't a completed work because I am not finished with you..." I know that I don't look like the Freedom tower and there is MUCH more work to finish the work that He started. But I realized something even greater He is faithful to complete the good work that He started in me. Most amazing is that He doesn't frustrated with me, my lack of faith, my questioning, or lack of obedience. He is patient and forgiving, filled with grace and mercy.Those questions that I had... Wondering am I making a difference? Am I on the right track? God am I following You?  Disappeared...  Too many questions and not enough of just believing and walking with the Author and Finisher.... 

I don't have many answers but this I know... God is still there and He is still leading me. Where? I don't know but it doesn't much matter. The Father reminded me that He is aware of my every need and He hasn't brought me this far to let me down now. So thank you Jesus for the reminder of Your love and how You will never leave me nor forsake me. 

As an added bonus I got to take a bunch of pictures of New York City. Below are few of these shots.... 

Ps... Thanks to my mom for the finical support. 

HE SHALL COVER THEE...

He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
~Psalm 91:4

This is just a little reminder...
* This is a male Canadian Goose who didn't really like the extra attention
I was paying them...

Rain, Rain....

If April Showers bring May flowers, what do end of March showers do?

Sometimes I have to admit that I enjoy rainy days (unless I am driving somewhere).

Today here in Baltimore MD it has been like a day at Niagara Falls: VERY MISTY...
I find myself enjoying the small things are rainy/misty days.
Like the way rain cleans the air, ground, running water.

I have a friend that once had this thought:

"God allows for the rain at the beginning of Spring because He wants to wash away all the dirt, and filth that has been around for the entire winter."

He had this 'vision' from God of a running river and God was causing the rain to push the garbage and junk down stream...

I think I agree with that... Sometimes I feel like God is 'pouring' His grace into my life in order to push the garbage and junk out.
"Father please continue to pour out Your grace
Wash away all the doesn't please you."

Please enjoy the pictures and the little things in life:

thanks for reading
~ Justin

Welcome Back...

"Welcome back,

To that same old place that you laughed about..."



On Saturday, March 4, 2010. I am going back to school. (sorta)
I am planning on attending a school for a business degree about for 14 months.
I'm a little anxious about the whole ordeal.
Simply because I am not the most studious person
But the schooling is a means to an end.

I just need to keep reminding myself that God has a plan for my life.
A plan that is for good and not evil...
If God got me through Bible College...
Then I know that He won't let me down now!

I know that I will be able to look back at this time and see God's hand in my life.
He has a way of doing "things or allowing "things" to happen in our lives,
so we don't forget His faithfulness!!!
Thanks for reading
~Justin

3 years

Many people use the 1st of January to mark a new year. Practicing Jews will use the Rosh Hashanah to mark their new year. January 26, 2009 was the Chinese New Year. Well my mark for a new year would be November 21. Three years ago, my life was changed in a dramatic way. My father passed away very suddenly, and ever since I am learning more and more about what it means to be a father.

I have felt God invade my life and draw me closer to Him. He has showed me that I need to be more like a Son in order to be a better father. The more I allow myself to be controlled/ruled by His will, the better father I will be to my children. This past year I have learned that God's grace is sufficient for me in all situations. I don't believe in the statement "He doesn't give us more than we can handle" because we can handle ALL things through his Grace!

I believe that He gives us things that push us towards Him. He allows situations in our life that only He will gain Glory through. I believe that God allows situations to happen to us that we can only survive through His grace. So I can say that I "survived" another year, and I look forward to God's grace in the coming year. I pray that He shines into your life, in ALL your situations!
I think Jason Upton puts it best by saying...

"In the company of Jesus there are no experts there's are only beginners and necessary followers. Because in the company of Jesus no body knows where they are going"
~Jason Upton

Thanks for Reading
~Justin

"Shooting the Moon"

So last night I was on my way home and I happen to stop and watch some deer feeding in a grass field. I looked up and I saw that moon was hanging low in the sky and bright. So took some pictures. As I was taking some pictures I was thinking about the purpose of the moon.
Why did God place the moon & earth together?

The Moon effects waves, earth's solar orbit and rotational speed, and the moon has no light of its own; instead the moon reflects the sun's light.

I think the last thing that Moon does is what God was trying show me. I thought about a couple of things while "shooting the moon".

1. God will provide light even in the darkest of moments. It doesn't matter how dark the night is. God will shine His light into our life if we let him.

2. Just like the Moon reflects the sun's light... God wants us to reflect the SON'S LIGHT. To those around us who are in the dark. Anyway, there are some of my thoughts last night while "shooting the moon"

Please enjoy the photos...

Thanks for Reading

~ Justin

Yesterday

So yesterday I was outside my work and I happen to look up at the clouds. I was amazed!!! I could see the clouds expanding. I haven't ever really seen this before. I was marveling at God's awesome and wonder. Then I started to think about what the sky looked like before the flood. Since there was no rain... I am pretty sure that there wasn't any clouds either. Anyway.... I took these pictures...



Thanks for reading
~ Justin