Everything's New Two

Hey hey hey. Well, I'm in a new season where it seems like everything's changing. I just graduated from college, which is a pretty big transition. It's a little wierd having to think about things a little more long term now. When in school, you don't really have to have an answer for what the rest of your life is going to look like. Once you graduate, you have to come up with some sort of answer to some of these questions. It's pretty crazy. I'll let you know when I come up with one.

I just got back from summercamp two weeks ago. It was amazing to see God transforming young people to be champions and of those who do not shrink back, but rather press forward. I truly believe that revivial is going to come back to America through this next generation. I am just honored that I am able to take part in the Revolution. I'm even starting a youth cell group. How bout that?

I just moved too. It's a bittersweet thing. I loved my last year in the Lounge, and my new place doesn't quite feel like home yet, but I know there is a lot of new adventures in store for this year.

To top things off, I just signed up at Gold's Gym, where the ripped of the ripped hang out. Hopefully, I can turn some of these pounds into muscle real soon.

I know not yet what this next year holds in store with jobs, music, ministry and what not, but as my friend Luke says, "You're somewhere in the future, and you look much better than you look right now." Rock-n-roll!

-Justin

The Big Picture

    I'm sitting at a coffee shop right now working on homework.  I figured I would take a study break.

    Its funny, my life is all over the place right now, literally.  I still haven't quite made sense of how I'm going to get done what I need to get done in this next month, but oh well.  There is a verse in the Bible that says, "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."  Luckily, this verse alleviates my need for understanding how everything is going to work out.  

    The Bible teaches that when you are in Christ, one of the benefits is peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding.  It's a pretty sweet package if you think about it.  It's a divine exchange, your anxiety for His rest. 

    Peace is not something very many people have these days if you look around.  It's quite the opposite - we cling to anxiety.  People worry themselves to death about the economy, about school, about work, about how they are going to make it, about the future.  Even the thought of being at peace is overwhelming to some.  

     When you begin to understand truly what it means that God is with you, things don't seem to be as big of a deal anymore.  Relationship issues, financial issues, getting sick, not knowing what the future will unfold... none of these things really phase me anymore like they used to. When I take a minute to sit down and think about where I'm going , nothing else really matters.  This isn't it, so don't cling on to it so desperately.  

     So I challenge you today to look  above your circumstances, and not focus on what is in front of you, but on the promises of God for your life, where we have the blessed assurance of peace, hope, healing, and prosperity, and much much more.   It's truth.  

~Justin

Perfect Comes, Partial Fades

Sometimes we go through seasons where things in our lives seem like they are incomplete or lacking. These seasons can last a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months if you're really lucky.

Maybe you're kind of satisfied with where you are in life. Maybe you are kind of blessed by God, but not really. Maybe you are just sort of getting by in life. Maybe you have been healed a little bit by the Lord, but not completely restored. Maybe you do have some dreams, but they are a blur and you don't really have the vision to see them come about. Maybe you sort of have an idea of what love is, but you feel like no one sees you.

God's nature is wholesome, not partial. In 1 Corinthians, it says, "when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away." Wow, what hope we have! Partial happiness, partial healing, partial finances, and partial living will be done away with and the perfect blessing God intended will be upon you. It's a promise. Hold on to it.

-Justin

Pride Destroys

There is a saying that goes, "Pride comes before destruction". Well, pride seems to be a common tradition among the male species.

We went to In-N-Out Burger Sunday night to celebrate Howie's birthday, twenty five years and running. I think this is the year he finds his "rib", if you know what I mean. I'm rooting for him.

Anyways, I got in a competition with my friend Andrew over who could eat the most. I immedeately regretted this decision of course. All in all, I ate a 4X4, 3X3, and single cheeseburger (he ate two double doubles and a 4X4) along with some fries: enough food to feed a family of four I suppose. Seeing how destroyed our stomachs and wallets were, we agreed to a temporary truce.

I would love nothing more than to tell you I learned my lesson, but truth be told, if I had to, I would do it again. It's tradition.

The Champion,

~Justin

Delirious

I'm in a pretty delirious state right now.  I haven't had much sleep the last few days, but I'm okay with that for now.  Maybe I'll catch up this weekend.

Cell group was great tonight.  It's amazing to see what God is doing in my life and in the lives of the guys in my cell.  I love this stuff.  Gloria Dios!

I just got the simulation of my senior project working tonight, which is a pretty big accomplishment for me.   Woo Hoo!!!

I just talked to my sister and she got a sweet job as a substitute teacher.  She deserves it. I wish my teachers were as cool as her.  I came across a picture of the two of us on our 22nd birthday (yes, we're twins).  Good times.  

 

Okay, I'm going to bed.  Until next time folks.  

~Justin

Waiting....

Well, I'm at the airport right now awaiting a flight to Washington to see some family.  I survived finals week by God's grace and am now trying to teach myself what it means to relax.  

Interesting story: 

    After I went through security, I thought it might be a good idea to eat before I got on the plane.  I decided to go for chinese food.  

    I asked the lady how spicy the kung pow chicken was, since the word "spicy" was written next to it on the menu (I have never had kung pow chicken before).  

     She replied (in a Chinese-American accent), "medium".

     I replied, "What does that mean?".

     She replied, "It's medium.  What do you think it means? If you were man enough, you could handle it."

     I replied, "Fine.  Give me some.  I'll show you how manly I am."

     And so I got the kung pow chicken along with some chow mein.  After taken one bite, I felt as though I had bitten into a hot-lava filled fireball.  I couldn't handle it, but I couldn't let the lady see me in my distress.  So out of pride, I ate the whole thing, with my eyes watering at every bite.  

      But I finished it, right in front of her face! Who's the man now baby?! (I am.)

Peace Out,

~Justin 

A wrinkle in time

Well, I just got out of the shower, but I didn't have any dry clothes.  So I thought I might jot some thoughts down while I wait for my clothes to dry.  

 So, I've been reflecting, and life is pretty sweet right now, here are some of the highlights:

- School is almost over.  

- In two hours, I get to meet the owner of a company I'm trying to work for when I graduate.  

- The band is playing twice next week, and we may actually go on tour in two months.

- I just found out one of my friend's brothers got completely healed of schizophrenia.

- They just opened a new frozen yogurt place right around the block from my house, and their yogurt is scrumptulescent.

- Since yesterday, I have been very consistent in my new diet.

- My little sister and I have been working on a science project for the last few months, and we...   I mean she,  got an "Excellent" on it. 

I will keep you updated on things to come.  

Two For Five....

So this morning I was in class and got a sweet text from my friend Jeff.  As you know, we've been praying for five sick people we know, three times each day. Today, sick person number two was healed.  

Meet Emillie Ronquillo,  a beautiful five year old girl who has suffered from multiple tumors throughout her body. She has made many trips to Children's Hospital for chemotherapy treatments.   I received an email reguarding her condition this morning: 

"Hello Everyone, today is a celebration for me and my family.  I would like to shasre the good news we received from Emillie's doctor Yesterday.  Emillie will not have to complete her chemo treatments because her tumors are "gone".  God is good and has hear our cry to him to heal her.  Emillie will still be monitored for years to come, as this disorder can return, but your prayers have been strong and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your thoughts and prayers.

-Rebecca Ronquillo"

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning." Lamentations 3:22

Two healed, three more to go baby!

~Justin

No Time To Scratch

Last night, I got to watch the movie Taken.  If you are reading this, you need to stop what you are doing, go buy yourself a movie ticket and watch it.  If I had three thumbs, I would put them up, but two will have to do for now.  I am consumed by adrenaline at the moment and feel the need to punch something.  Liam Nelson is the man! Parental Discretion Advised of course.  

By His Wounds We Are Healed

Isaiah 53:5 says, "But He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on Him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Believing this verse to be true, my friend Jeff and I have made a decision that everyday at 7am, noon, and 7pm that we are going to pray for some sick people we know. I have a reminder set up on my phone to remind me everyday in case I forget. Pretty crazy, I know. But hey, I'd rather be crazy for Christ than sane for nothing.

Meet Jeff's aunt Lynn, one of the people we have been praying for. She was recently diagnosed with cancer. I received this email today forwarded from Lynn's family:

Today at UCLA we were NOT expecting the results of the P.E.T./CT scan of last Friday to be what we heard:

"Your scan was clean!"

"You are a Miracle!" - 3 times she said (the nurse practitioner) before we met with the doctor who confirmed...

We are still going for a Cure, she said!

Of course she still needs the stem-cell transplant, and has 75%+ collected as of now, so it looks like the docs will put their collective heads together Monday and decide the best way to collect the remaining...probably the 'old fashioned way' of going into the bone marrow to get them...

(the collection process up til now has been to separate them from the blood, in the new, relatively easy and painless way)

All this to say, she is not out of the woods by any means, and will undoubtedly need the good Lord's continued hand, and your prayers...

Thank you & may God bless YOU in your struggles, whatever they might be!

By His wounds, we are healed. This is just the beginning. To the man with faith, no explanation is necessary. to the man without faith, no explanation is possible.

Gloria Dios!,

~Justin

Back in Black

So...it's been a while. I apologize for those who read my blog, I didn't think there were very many of ya'll. I was shocked when I saw that this page had 375 hits! I guess I gotta give the people what they want :)

Well, everything's new. I have had alot on my mind the past few months, some good stuff, and some heavy stuff. Life is all over the place right now . I've got quite a bit going on right now with school, work, church, cell group, different bands and all. I almost started a dodgeball tem, but I couldn't make it happen this quarter (maybe next time). Though things are a bit hectic, I'm busy with the good stuff, which makes life good. My heart is beating for something greater than myself at the moment and I'm stoked to see what God's got in store for this new season.

By the way, we've got a website now (www.myspace.com/iamacitizen) that you should check out right now!

Happy Valentines Day,

~Justin