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

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

What's New?

I'm trying to esatablish a habit of reading daily. I am currently reading two books. One of 'em is The Heavenly Man, which is the biography of a man named Lui Zhenying. This guy was nuts; he lead over 2,000 people to Jesus in his first year of being a Christian. Oh, and he was only 16. Convicting, eh?

And it's wedding season! Last weekend was Robby's wedding, which was a blast. And this weekend Howie and I are going to Zach's wedding up in Sacramento. It's crazy to see guys you've lived with getting married already; it kinda puts the pressure on.

Work's been pretty kick back the past few weeks. For the most part my days have consisted of foosball, reading, youtube, and rock-n-roll. It can get little boring hanging out by yourself all day, but it really gives the Lord an opportunity to grab a hold of you and spend extra time with you; time that normally would not have been penciled in. And I love spending time in the presence of God because as I hang with Him, He changes my nature to be more and more like Him. Yeah baby!

Rock-N-Roll,
~Justin

Center

My friend showed me this song that I've been listening to all day at work for that last week and a half or so. The song is called Center by Charlie Hall, and is his prayer for Christ to be the center of his existence. Though the words are simple, this song has become my greatest prayer this last week and a half:

You’re the center of the universe
Everything was made in You Jesus
Breath of every living thing
Everyone was made for You

You hold everything together
You hold everything together

Christ be the center of our lives
Be the place we fix our eyes
Be the center of our lives

We lift our eyes to heaven
We wrap our lives around your life
We lift our eyes to heaven, to You


~Justin

Kissin' The Sky

I'm a little bored at work, so I've decided to jot down some notable things that have happened this week.

Sunday night, I hung out at Jon's house. He's been bugging me for a month to watch Gatticus, which I'd never heard of, but apparently needed to see. I fell asleep though, so I guess I still need to see it.

Monday a government agent named Ron came to my job looking for me, sat me down and asked me some questions. He was from the NSA, or some other acronym, and couldn't disclose any other information. He asked me about some people I know. I just I hope I didn't get anyone in trouble. Anywho, that night we hung out on the roof to watch the meteor shower until 2 AM. Unfortunately, we didn't see anything past the clouds, which begs the question why we hung out up there until 2 in the morning. But whatever, we had a blast and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Tuesday night, we had cell group at my house and the Holy Spirit came and did something real in us. Pentacost is how I roll, dawg.

Yesterday, I received an endorsement from Fiddlebax, an instrument company that my friend Brian started. It's kinda cool to be able to say I'm an endorsed artist now, even though they've never heard me play anything. But hey, I'll take it; sign me up! Later last night I went to the lake and hung out on the docks for a bit. On my way back home, I ran into some stray cows and decided to play with them for a while. I don't know what I was thinking.

As for tonight, we'll see what adventures await. ..

-Justin

Everything is grace

I have a new favorite phrase that I have been saying for the past few weeks: "Keep on keepin' on!" I believe with all my heart that God is going to restore every broken heart in San Luis Obispo and heal every sickness. I also believe that God is going to use his people to bring the healing about.

At times, it can be hard to hold on to this promise. It's easy to get depressed when you try and bring Jesus to someone, and in turn they hate you for it. It's easy to get discouraged from this promise when you turn on the TV or radio and hear the voice of godless liberalism louder than the voice of God's people. It's easy to quit when you're oppressed by people around you who you hold close to your heart.

I find myself often in a place of questioning the Lord as to why I am doing what I do for Him, and how "realistic" the promise is. When I find myself in this position, I've come to realize that I am missing the heart of what it truly means to live for Christ and to bring Jesus to people.

I've found that the very essence and nature of God's heart is love. That's it. Jesus wasn't about philosophies or religion; He was about people. He healed the sick and the brokenhearted, restored families, and blessed people. He gave hope to the hopeless and comforted those who had no one else to fight for them. He loved people so much they killed Him for it.

And here is where I come back to the question: why am I doing what I do for Jesus, especially when I'm not seeing any lives changed, when it seems the world is against me?

The answer: love.

I love people because Jesus loves people. I gotta love people so much that it hurts. It's gotta hurt bad. When I see that my friends are living in death, depression, and sickness, it has to hurt from the depths of my soul. It must hurt because it hurts God.

It is my duty as a son and as an ambassador of the living God to speak life where there is death and light where there is darkness, even if my words aren't received. Because I love. Because I know that God's word over a person never ever fails. Because I know that when God speaks to a person through me, that the works of hell are completely broken off their life. Love endures all, hopes for all, and never fails.

Keep on keepin on, in faith and love.

~Justin

Bubbles...

My little sis and I got to see John Mayer and Colbie Caillat at the fair the other night. It was a good show, John in my opinion is one of the greatest jazz/blues guitarists in the world.

And that Colbie's got it going on! She's got a very soothing voice that I could listen to day in and day out. I imagine that's what the music is going to sound like in Heaven. I think I'm going to go blow some bubbles.

Love seat confessionals....

This was fun. We were both very sleepy and delirious.

Chris looks better without a mask

This here's a fun pic I found of me, Chris and Damon. And ladies, the three of us are still single...

Keepin it real

    I don't consider myself to be very philosophical or theological person, but I do know that things always go better with Jesus. It's a guarantee, a promise, a hope that never, ever fails. 

   Well, I've had some free time over the summer outside of work and ministry.  I'm refreshed, as though I've been on some vacation at a tropical island somewhere.  It was nice to set aside some time to just pray and think about how far I've come and where I'm going.  Thinking can be a dangerous thing sometimes, as many times your desires or dreams do not reflect reality.  This can be pretty depressing because it forces you to answer for the reality of your life, and often times we just don't have an answer. 

    But this time has been good though.  I've had a lot of time to think and talk with the Lord about everything that is going on and what not.  There's a lot of things I'm doing pretty good in, and there's a lot I could be doing way better in.  But I know I'm on the right track, and I think I'm on to something good here.  

       

-Justin