Name:Justin Country:United States State:Florida Metro:Palm Beach Birthday:7/24/1984 Gender:Male
Interests:Music, Trying to stay healthy, God, Friends, helping those less fortunate, ridiculous calls from friends, staying up way too late, photography, dancing, understanding other people, laying on the beach, talking about life, and chewing gum. Expertise:Putting my foot in my mouth, Elbow skin stretching...don't ask, swimming (umm...I think I can still swim), EATING!, flairing (glow stick dancing), talking on the phone at 3 AM, talking trash, slip and sliding, and trashing a room. Occupation:Student
I've been back in LA for a couple of weeks and the Lord has done a tremendous work in my life. I am thankful for all of you who supported me while in China. It was a truly stretching experience. I learned a lot and grew a lot...and now I'm back at the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University...and I have to tell you...boy am I glad to be back.
This is a place where your true thoughts can come out, where no one is shocked at your sin (because they know theirs is just as bad), where there is hope in growing to be a true disciple of Christ. One is taught to grow into a person who is willing to see him or herself for who they truly are...not for who they show up and perform to be (nice mask). I can tell you that it has been a truly redemptive part of my life. It has given me the vocabulary to describe the conversations that I've been having in my head for years. The struggles and the trials in life- I get it a bit better now...not just in mind, but in heart, in being. Honesty and openness is not just ok...it's encouraged. How amazing it is to be in a place to hold me in my brokenness...to know that brokenness and to say..."I love you...and so does HE!" It's been a place of hope for me. Not just for me- but for the church.
I pray consistently for a church that will be as such. That God will open the door for us all to be real with one another. To share how truly DIFFICULT it is to be a Christian. To know that maxims don't always change behavior and habits and sin. To know that God cares in spite of our failings (once again, in heart and being, not just cognitively). Shame off you! That's what God says!!! Not just with words, but with flesh and blood and Spirit. Praise Him! The Nations be glad for who He has made us to be, who who He has been for us, and for how He loves us! I'm excited to see the fruits of this season in His work and I thank you all for your love and encouragement as I begin my 2nd year hear at ISF. Bless you!
So tonight, I'm leaving for China!!! It's been an amazing journey to get to this place...I'm incredibly pumped. Pray that God continues to teach me to love Him from the inside out. I bless you guys in leaving and ask for your prayers that God would allow us to impact the hopes and dreams of those who we meet. I'm excited to tell you all about it when I get back. Have a great summer and I'll see you guys soon.
I just wanted to leave a note and express to everyone my excitement for Dr. Julie Harren and announce to you all that she has just been named as the president-elect of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (http://narth.com/). She is a fantastic woman of God who is definitely the right person for the job. She loves life and is enthused about everything that God has to offer. I'm happy for her and for what God is doing in the movement to love and embrace homosexual people. God bless all of you and I wish you joy in this new year.
Our X-mas Party Special OFFICE PARODY ( as in the show the office) about the Institute for Spiritual Formation, the program that I'm in at Biola University-
Hey! I wrote this huge post about my life and everything...but it all got deleted. I'm too lazy to do it again...however, here are some pictures from a recent retreat I went on a St. Andrews Abby in Valyermo. Enjoy!
