"When the Bombs Break Right Outside My Door..."

Once again, I find myself in place where I realize that I must rely/count on God. I consider myself a person who has a pretty strong faith in God. I am defiantly an optimist in that I believe that God ALWAYS has my best interest in mind. There are times that this belief/certainty is strained however. It is never because of anything that God does or doesn't do. He is always the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. 

Last night I was teaching at youth group and I spoke very briefly about the lie that Eve & Adam (who was standing next to Eve throughout her conversation with the enemy) believed spoken by Satan.

Genesis 3: 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

In other words the devil was saying "God doesn't really care about you, he doesn't really care about your situation, God doesn't want what's best for you... God is withholding HIS best from you..." Adam and Eve bought hook line and sinker... Unfortunately, I do the same thing today...

I am currently looking for work in youth ministry field (either secular or with a church) and I have been to a number interview and sent my resume to even more places. I know that God has a place in mind for me and I know that He will never withhold HIS best for me. Even though I "know" this there are times that I fall for that same lie that my forefather and mother fell for in the perfect garden that God created all those years ago. 

I was having a hard time today and began to question God and if He was still there? I felt like Martha and Mary (Lazarus' sisters)... John 11:21 

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 

Essentially, Martha (Mary says the same thing a few verses later) were saying to Jesus... This (Lazarus' death) is your fault! Don't you care about us? Where were you? Why didn't you come to his rescue?!!?!?

Well, little did they know that Jesus is the Resurrection and Life and HE WAS ABOUT TO PUT ON SHOW....  

On my way home from work today I was listening John Mark McMillan's new album titled "Borderland" (if you haven't heard it I highly recommend it) and I was listening to a song called "Counting On" here are the lyrics to song... I am seriously in love with the lyrics and message of the song. Well done Mr. McMillan

COUNTING ON by John Mark McMillan 

When the night stops pushing up the day

When the miles drop me on the open planes

When I’ve lost grace with the lady of the dawn

You’re what I’m counting on

You’re what I’m counting on

Where the hounds run

Track me in my sleep

When I can’t trust the company I keep

When I’ve push passed the point of pressing on

You’re what I’m counting on

You’re what I’m counting on

I’m throwing stones

Up at your window

I’m casting shadows

Upon your door

Where the bombs break

Right outside my door

And I can’t shake the onset of my wars

When the stakes are raised

We hold the hand we’ve drawn

You’re what I’m counting on

I’m throwing stones

Up at your window

I’m casting shadows

Upon your door

Here in Maryland (much like most of country) we have had a rough and long winter. However, last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the DC Cherry Blossom Festival. Guess what happened this year? The flowers came out, green leaves sprouted on the trees, and SPRING finally sprung...  I believe this was God's way of saying... I AM more faithful than Spring, I AM more faithful than the sunrise. I AM more reliable the dawn... I am learning to live by faith and I am waiting for THE SHOW!!!! "Do your work Lord! Be honored in all my comings and goings. Show YOURSELF strong in my life... I will WAIT on you. Amen."

Life's lesson through music.

"Eighteen years old bags packed and a pass for the rail, One last look at the past as it drowns in the hail. One in a million, still I keep feeling you keep me from a fall, A world to lose coming back with you tall, Through it all..."


Yesterday, I was listening to a song by Mat Kearney "In the Middle" and I quickly realized that much of the music I choose to listen to is because I feel like the writer is writing about me or someone who I am close with. Like the part of the song I just quoted reminded me of my nephew Jonah. He is Eighteen and is pursuing his life's dream of being a professional baseball player. I can't imagine packing up my belongs and moving to Florida with no family/friends to chase down this dream/goal. Yet that's what he did... See he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles this past June. I got the pleasure of hanging out with him this past weekend and Monday night. I tried to observe and watch him as much as possible without being the way. I wanted to see how he reacted to people and their questions. I wanted to watch how he lived life... 


Then suddenly as I was thinking to myself: "man I am not sure that I could do what Jonah is doing at his age and all alone." God quickly interrupted me and reminded me of the bridge to this song...  


"And I'm gonna be alright, I'm gonna be alright With you by my side And I said I'm gonna be alright, I'm gonna be alright With you through this fight Through it all."

God reminded me that we are NEVER alone... He reminded me of His promises... "I will never leave you nor forsake you and when Jesus said even to end of the age... I will be with you." I just need to trust that God has it under control... I have been stuck on a sentence lately "God's plans for my life are BIGGER, BETTER, AND MORE AMAZING THAN OUR DREAMS..."   Every time that I start think maybe God isn't really interested in my life or maybe He is too busy dealing with really important issues; God reminds me again He NEVER forgets us... Another promise in the Bible Isaiah 49:16 

"16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."

So think about this the next time you begin to question if God is really paying attention to you... Your name is written (or tattooed) on the Hand of the Maker of Universe... I can't think anything more amazing...

  Below are some pictures that I squeezed off...

Sal telling a great story... Good to see The Kid laugh

This is Jonah doing a radio show in Buffalo... He answered some tough questions

Jonah and I in the Suite Monday Night

Great view from the suite.... 

In case you are wondering these are some of the songs that I have been listening to lately

1. Darius Rucker: "Take Me Home"
2. Mumford and Sons: "Lover of the Light" & "Not with Haste" 

3. The Head and The Heart: "Down in the Valley" & "Lost In My Mind"

4. Jesus Culture: "Be My Love" "I Belong to You" & "He is Faithful"

5. The Michael Gungor: "Beautiful Things"

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

Little Blue Bird v. Jeremiah 29:11-14

"I’m just a bird with a melody to sing
I’m hardly heard look at these tiny little wings.
But I can see an arrow flying and I’m not afraid
I can hear the terror try to steal the night away
And I’m not afraid I’m not afraid"

~ Jason Upton.

Lately this little guy has been outside my window at work. Today I was able to get a few shots with the encouragement of a co-worker.
Some times I wish I was like this little bird....

He doesn't seem to have a care or concern in the world.

Then I started thinking about how I am actually blessed to be who God made me.

Sure this little guy's life looks to be "pretty easy" at least from window at work.

But I know that has made me the way I am. He has plan and place for me.

God's plan is to bless me and not for harm. So in actuality I am glad that I am who I am...
(That sounds little like Popeye)
However, there are days like today that

I wish I could just sit on a branch and sing (chirp) my troubles away.

Well, if you are having a bad day, please understand this. God is still there and His plan is still intact. He is still on His thrown and He still loves you!!!!

Thanks for reading

~ Justin