Author: Justin

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I Did it Because …

And then there’s some excuse. Sunday night was another one of the “special Sundays” where church was at my house. My mom brought up a good point that I had really had not thought about, and that is: trying to justify our sin. That may seem like it’s an okay thing to do … until we see in the scripture how large of sin it really is. I’m going to focus on King Saul for a minute; God gave Saul specific orders in First Samuel 15 that Saul was to “go and completely destory the entire Amalekite nation” (verse 3), which was a nation known for their guerrilla terrorists who lived off of raiding other nations. Saul went out and did part of what he was commanded to do. He left the better of the livestock alive, when God had said that everything had to be destroyed. When Samuel confronted Saul about this Saul stated that his “troops brought in the best of the sheep and cattle and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD” (verse 21). Then Samuel said one of my favorite quotes in all of Scripture:

“What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king.”

1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT (emphasis added)

I don’t know if Saul was really planning on offering those as sacrifices, but what is evident is that he used an excuse for his sin. There was no fear of the Lord there — he was therefore rejected as King.

How many times do we travel on the highway over the speed limit and then we try to justify our sin with, “everyone else is doing it” or “people will get mad at me for going slow”. What if we really believed what Paul said in Romans 13? “Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong.” (verse 1-3a NLT) I’m definatly not saying I go the speed limit at all times — however, I do always try to. And honestly, there is no justification for going over the limit. If you see a state trooper and you’re frightened (and thus slow down and tick the people going the speed limit off) then obviously you’re doing something wrong — you’re sinning. Of course, this isn’t fun to hear because we, as humans, don’t like going slower than the limit … it means it’ll take us 2 more minutes to get to work or school. Even if you’re speeding to get to church … there is no excuse.

I wanted to share that because I thought about it earlier today, and I wanted to expand upon it.

I went, for a third time to see The Chronicles of Narnia. I do believe it’s the first movie I’ve saw three times in the theater. Honestly, I want them to make as much money off the movie as they can — not for Disney’s sake, but as a statement of the type of movies people are really interested in seeing. Also, I found it interesting that at a 1:00pm showing it still had a pretty large crowd — after almost a full month after it’s release. I’ve still yet to read the books, although I am planning on doing so sometime soon.

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This is It

It’s the new year. There’s so much ahead of this year, and I can’t wait to be a part of it. Already a lot has happened since my last post last year. On New Years Eve my mom and I went to a Prayer and Worship service at Living Waters Worship Center, it started at 11PM. I know without a doubt in my mind that there was nothing else I could have done that night that would have equalled that particular event. The FIRST person I talked to, the first thing I did in 2006 was worship the God whom I love! There wasn’t ANY other thing I would have rather been doing. “Our God is an Awesome God” was the song by which we were worshipping to when the new year rolled around.

After I posted my last entry about music, my friend Tim took it further and said he’ll be watching no more TV. I watch very little TV as is, but I’ve decided to make a new habbit in the movies and TV I watch. I watch mainly the news, History Channel, or “Without a Trace”, so there’s not much I can cut out there. However, from this point forward if a TV show or movie that I am watches comes to either a sex scene, a part that uses God’s name in vein, or a part which directly offends me or I even have a hint that it may offend GOD — I’m walking out, cutting it off, or returning the video. I believe as a nation we’ve become desensitized by what’s really going on. We no longer place a high price on sin, the verses that says if “you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning” (Romans 14:23, NLT) are like yesterdays news. No one is believing it, no one is living it. I’m tired of it, and I’m no longer supporting it. I’ve pretty much limited all movies that I watch anyway, but I’m going further — I’m not going to be desensitized. There’s an awesome song by Jonah33 called “Desensitized” that I recommend everyone listen to. We need to remember, “the man who has doubts…about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned…” (Romans 14:23, Amplified, emphisis added).

I just got done with a book by Henry Blackaby titled, “Holiness“. At about 100 pages, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’ve noticed a review on Amazon states that “the work will appeal to a limited audience” (AudioFile), while I dislike the review, I think I can agree on this. If in any way it appeals to a “limited audience”, it is because people are too afraid of being offended. I’ve never read a book that was more true and up front about this nations church situation. Parts of it may not be fun to read simply because it might mean that you’ve got to give up something you’re holding very close. The truth of the matter is this: in order to follow Christ we must fear him. This book explains why it’s important and how to do it. The great people you read about in the Bible — they understood this. Today, many of us have lost it. The book is a must read.

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A New Years Resolution?

In less than four hours it’ll be 2006. A lot has happened this year. Now a new year must begin. I’m glad 2005 has left. 2005 has been the best year I’ve had in Tallassee since I moved here almost four years ago, and I’m hoping 2006 will be even better.

Now comes a little New Years Resolution. I’ve honestly never really remember making one (that I really intended to keep), but maybe I’m wrong. By the end of 2006 I will: be speaking more, worshipping GOD much more freely, believe what God has said about me, have some friends (and a girlfriend that exceeds everything on my list), and finish reading the Bible (actually I think that may have been an old resolution, but I’m going to finish everything I’ve yet to read). That’s my list, not too long, but not too short either.

I think those speak for themselves, so I’m going to leave the list alone for now. I’ve been thinking more and more about something: secular music. It’s something I don’t like at all. Maybe it’s too deep for some people to understand, but there’s a reason to why I don’t like it. Speaking from a Christian stand point, the majority of the lyrics in non-Christian (secular) songs are against morallity. When we make the decision to become a Christian, things have to change. This includes music. Then there’s the: why? Why we should change our music style is because of the lyrics. Some will say they can “relate to the lyrics”, which is understandable — for a non-Christian. Most secular songs should not be “relatable” for Christians — especially single (unmarried) Christians.

There are some okay songs written for married people in the “secular” arena. Spoken has some awesome lyrics relating to relationships (see “Wind in My Sails” and “Sleep Well Tonight“). The good thing about these songs, though, is that it doesn’t really have to be directed to a wife … because it’s not talking about sex or anything else. Then there are songs for people having relationship trouble. BarlowGirl has a song called, “I Need You to Love Me“, and while it’s not directly related to “relationship” trouble, it’s an honest song written directly to God.

Secular music puts you in the center — sex is about you, drugs make you feel good, women are objects, men are untrustworthy (although, sadly, this is true a lot of times). With Christian music — God is number one, sex is not about you, women are sisters, men are spiritual leaders. These are the reason why secular music is not fit for a Christian.

There are many awesome Christian groups out there. Sadly, the good groups seem to be overlooked, with some not as good being “propelled” — even in the secular world. There are many good Christian bands out there, yet very few ever see light outside of the Christian music industry (unless they comprimise to some extent). Generally, I’ve found those that have “crossed over” tend to produce worse content (I love the old Switchfoot, dislike much of the new). Am I really trying to just make a case for Christian music? Maybe. Moreover, though, I’d like to see Christians listenings to Christian music. Why? Life is all about God, singing about some girl your whole life is seriously on the verge of insanity. I’m going to forever love, cherish, and honor my future wife — I’m not, however, going to worship her, use her for sex, or anything else.

That’s where I stand on that issue. The music I relate to most is Praise and Worship music, and the truth be told, that should be the music all Christians should relate to most.

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Biblical Truths

I’m not sure where to begin tonight. I’ve been doing a lot of diffrent things lately. I’ve watched several movies over the past few weeks. I’ve actually got out of the house some (outside of school). There’s be a lot going on. There is one thing, though, that’ve I’ve missed. Biblical truthes. I’ve missed it for too long now. Over the past several days I’ve been listening to some messages from my old church on the subject, and they’ve helped me understand a lot of what I’ve been missing. Take Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified): “He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.” I’ve went far too long without really believing these truths, or even know they were there, that I’ve bought into lies the enemy has told me about myself. The truth of the matter is that God will never fail me. God loves me, he’ll never forsake me. He’ll be with me until the day that I die. The Lord earnestly waits to be gracious to me (Isaiah 30:18, Amplified).

A few months ago we had a Wednesday night message on this at my church, but for some reason, while I got it, I missed it. I did use the handout that night to find me some scripture refrences though. I’ve printed me out a little list (as I recommend everyone else who reads this do, as well). I’m going to make a point (some sort of effort) to study these and become familure with these passages of scripture. I’ve attached mine here, if anyone is interested in printing it out. All are from the Amplified Bible unless otherwise noted (by the NLT, which is New Living Translation). The Amplified Bible made things a lot more clearer, so that’s why I used it in most cases.

Tonights service at church was about the Alter of Incense. It ended up being almost all about prayer in the end though, which is good.

I rented a movie tonight, Serenity.  It was a pretty good movie.  Really the main thing I had a problem with the “ability” River (character) had in the story (a psychic).  The movie wasn’t that bad in other aspects, though.  In some ways the movie had a good theme and message attached to it, though.

So that’s my life as of right now all in an encapsulated nutshell … or maybe it ain’t.  It’s still a little bit though.  Now it’s time to get to studying these truths.  I’ll probably be posting some sort of New Years resolution (actually several), of which I hope to make and keep, in the next few days.  Learning Biblical Truths just happens to be one of them.  I may just make a full length post for each.

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Quick Post?

Christmas was great. I got some gifts, but overall I liked just spending time with family (at my home). Yesterday we all went to Montgomery and exchanged a few things (and this and that). There were few sales, that I saw, though. I got a Starbucks giftcard and used it, though. That was the quickest I had ever paid for something in my life.

Jonathan came over today and I checked out his new video iPod. Very nice. I put him some pictures and some music videos on it.

Last night I watched Minority Report. I had watched it before, it had just been a while. The movie has a good message to it, but I think the message is a little deep for some people who are not actually following the movie. Of course, like all movies, it has some negative aspects, but this one was well written. A good review can be found here.

Alright, for the past few days, I’ve been thinking about something that’s very interesting. I was watching the History Channel not too long ago about the American presidents. I found something very interesting about one of our Presidents. Andrew Jackson — the 17th president, also the founder of the Democratic Party. In this special on the History Channel, they stated that Jackson said he could never forgive some things that were said about his wife (something about her devorice from her other husband). I didn’t really think a lot about it, until I got to really thinking about how much the democratic party today is almost soley based upon that one item — unforgiveness. I’m not trying to be stereotypical, but I’ve found that those with more bitterness towards a certain people, race, agenda, or idea generally tends to be a part of the democratic party. Not all of the time, of course, but most of the time. What was said then about his wife probably shouldn’t have been said (which caused such bitterness), but it was. Past is past, and cannot be changed. It was the indirect (or possibly the direct) cause of the split between the then republican party to the democratic party. This is evident in many more ways that one. In the 2000 election President Bush won the majority of what he had to win (the electoral college). No matter how it was played — Bush won. The hatred for the President today has been a direct result of that. The Democrats believe they won and they’re bitter about it. Fully bitter. There are a lot of other examples that can be made here — from social groups, to racial groups, to any other group that votes democrat. The vast majority vote based on bitterness or unforgiveness. Forgiveness, as defined by the dictionary, is a pardon. Forgiveness hurts no one. Bitterness can literally torment a person until the day that they die. Jesus says in Mark 11:25 that “when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” It’s quite obvious if we can’t learn to forgive others, we can’t be forgiven. If we can’t be forgiven, then we still will be judged guilty on that day of judgement. There will be no pardon if we can’t pardon those who’ve done things against us.

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Christmas Eve Eve

Almost Christmas. We opened family presents tonight. I got some AXE stuff. Tonight at church we went to the Dobbs House and (the ladies of the church) House of Love and Mercy. I actually enjoyed it. After that we had a worship service, followed by a candle light thing. I enjoyed it. We got out at about seven, and so I came home and ate, then we opened the presents. Afterwards I asked Jenna and Mitchell if they wanted to go rent a movie, so we did. I rented The Island. It was a good movie (I love the sci-fi’s/futureristic movies). It had a few things I wish were left out though (like sexual refrences, anti-Creation propaganda, and anti-God propaganda). Over all good movie, it just should have left those few things out.

Last night I went back out with Lynette. I’m not sure how it went, lol. I had fun. We went bowling and then we went to the mall for a few hours. It was a “double date” with Jenna and Mitchell. At the mall we split up, so we got to talk (and we actually did talk). I think, though, that I’ve been saying I’m shy, but I really don’t think I am. I’m quite, that’s my nature. That’s how my parents are. I’m shy to an extent, but I think why I am is because I really don’t have a lot to say a lot of times. Personally I love to hear what’s on other peoples minds (as long as you don’t talk monotone, and aren’t just saying the same stuff over and over) … but in dumb peoples terms: I’m a listener. I can be vocal, however, but normally I’m thinking and processing what has already been said, that I’m not saying anything else (and it’s better to think before you speak). Honestly, I hate getting up in front of an audience; however, when I’m actually up there I’m not as bad (just very nervous). I actually enjoy talking about something I’ve spent time and researched or thought through. I’m not sure why I’m saying all of this though. Oh, we also went to Krispy Kreame and Mitchell and I bought two dozen donuts. As for the date, I’m not sure how it went — I just had a good time with someone I want to know more about.

I’ve got to keep this short because I noticed my old church finally readded the messages that were lost when some server crashed or something. It’s part of their college group, and I really enjoy his messages. So, I’m out for the night!

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Some Topic?

Over the course or life, there are many difficulties — whether in the choices we make, places we go, or the people we meet. Sometimes, though, life can have those times when much seems to be a mess, but little is in actual disarray – on the outside, anyway. Some people embrace life while others let it simply slip away, with my purpose what so ever. The actual purpose these people have in life is in total disillusion, they have no idea what choices they should even try to achieve that day, or even if they should live at all that day. There are many diffrent paths to take in life, that’s why life is so awesome. Why do some people live in disillusion, though, while others live complete, whole, lives? I really wasn’t sure 7 or 8 years ago, as I was living in the disillusion. I remember when I first, really, turned my life over to God. I didn’t pray a prayer. I didn’t set foot in a church. I actually didn’t do much of anything.

It was a summer day, probably in June, when I got mad at my mom (I think I backtalked her, actually). My granny was in Colorado visiting at the time, and while I was in trouble, and I’m not entirely sure what happened next … I do remember what happened that night. My mom, my dad, and my granny were all hovered around me on my parents bed praying for me. After they were done she told me to say I love Jesus (or something to the effect). I wouldn’t do it (I’m not sure if it was pride, or what … it’s still hard for me to say it though). She told me I should tell someone by the end of the night (I’m not even sure what all was said, though). I wasn’t too happy with my parents, but my granny was there and when she was off to bed, I remember catching her and saying those three words. My life was changed forever. It wasn’t a prayer, it wasn’t a feeling, it was simply an “I love Jesus”. I’m not even sure how everything else fell into place, but over the course of that summer I changed. It definatly wasn’t overnight, but I changed. I remember going to an overnight lockin that November (I’m not sure, but I think it was over my birthday), and that was the time I really experienced God for the first time. I’d gone to church all my life. I knew the stories, I knew parts of the Bible, but I didn’t know God.

It’s years later, and I still don’t know God like I want to, but I know that there is power in his name because he changed me. Sure, I’ve messed up. I said those three words and meant them with all of my heart. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. But the change was everylasting. Will saying those three words save you in and of itself? Of course not. But that night I believed in my heart and I confessed who Jesus was. Have I been perfect since then? Of course not, but I know one who is perfect and he will live forever and ever.

The first part of this (and the title) was written the day of my English final, and for some reason I decided to go into what I went into.

So what have I been up to? Well hmm, where should I start. I met a girl, Lynette, and we went to see Chronicles of Narnia (the best movie of 2005, no matter what those nasty critics say) last night. I had a good time. Of course we went and ate, and we went to Starbucks afterwards. She’s an awesome Christian. She goes to my sisters boyfriend, Mitchell’s, church.

Right now, I’m just … I don’t know, I think I should get going.