Conviction is only the first step...

We sat there, eating our sandwiches and discussing the lessons of life as well as what the infallible Word of God says regarding said topics. She spoke of her convictions and I, being the great christian woman that I am*, simply stated that "conviction is only the first step, it's what you do about that conviction that really matters." I spoke those words and as they left my mouth I was convicted; I knew what I had to do...

I had been going back and forth with God all day on how to handle a certain situation that I had gotten myself into. He knew that I knew what I needed to do; but I continued to ask questions and He continued to answer until He got tired of me. He finally told me that I knew what I needed to do and He wasn't going to talk about it anymore. This pathetic back and forth discussion made me realize the extent of God's grace for His people. I'm sure I'm making Him blue in the face at times but amazingly, He loves me anyways; no matter how stubborn or immature I may be. Little did I know that the depth of my knowledge of His grace was about to increase. James 4:6 says But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
I returned from lunch knowing that I needed to swollow my pride, no matter how much it hurt. And oh did it hurt. So, with tears and humility, I confessed my mistake, repented, and asked for forgiveness. I had no idea how he would respond and frankly, expected the worst. Luckily, this certain person is not the type to inflict "the worst"; he graciously forgave and I felt completely unworthy. I had hurt him in many ways but he was so quick to forgive and forget, I was amazed.

How often do we hurt God? Yet God is quick to forgive and forget, not matter how large or small our transgression is against Him. All we must do is repent; confess that we messed up and decide to learn from our mistake. Proverbs 28:13 states He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoeve confesses and renounces them finds mercy. And Psalms 103:12 says as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Sometimes God has to bring us down in order to pick us back up again, to remind us that we are sinful man and He is the one and only perfect God; slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalms 103:9)

Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn. C. S. Lewis

*I say this in complete sarcasm, knowing that I am no where near perfect; no matter how much I like to think I am at times.

The man on a bike

I was driving home from church Saturday night and began to complain. I know, I know, I'm a horrible person but it was cold and rainy, and I DO NOT like being cold; being wet and cold is a double negative in my book! So there I was, driving in my comfy car, that has been oh so faithful to get me where I'm going, with a roof that has only leaked on my once (ok, actually it poured water on my head but we're not going there), complaining to God, pleading with Him to just make my car warm up a little bit faster. And then a pass a man on a bike. Yes internet, he was biking in the cold rain while I was complaining to God because my car wasn't warm! Paaaathetic. Im pretty sure God was sitting up in heaven saying "Seriously, Justine." Talk about a reality check for me. God has blessed me with so many comforts in life, and I still had the nerve to complain.

Today I'm thankful for the little things that God has blessed me with; a fully functional car, a pillow to rest my head on at night, a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, and a wonderful family that blesses me daily

My new found love...

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity of a lifetime to learn from an amazing photographer, and friend, Holli True. I can't say enough about how much I absolutely adore Holli and the amazing friend she has been and is to me. And to have the chance to learn from her was unbelievable. I truly felt honored.

We were able to round up a threesome of girls who were nothing short of fabulously gorgeous for our shoot and went out in search of some spots. The day was cold but the girls stuck it out and we all had a great time.

Ok, enough talking- here are my very first shots as a photographer! (how exciting!)

To Write Love on Her Arms

Tomorrow is International To Write Love On Her Arms Day (in case you hadn't heard). I am a HUGE supporter of this amazing organization and hope that you become one too. They are amazing people, doing amazing things for other amazing people who just don't know amazing they are yet. Check it out and I think you will share in my support.

We prayed, worshiped, prayed, worshiped and prayed and prayed and prayed.

All night prayer? Like, you pray ALLLL night?! On Halloween?

I had never heard of such a thing until I started this internship; but needless to say I was stoked to experience such an event. We prayed, worshiped, prayed, worshiped, and prayed and prayed and prayed. It was epic, to say the least. The moment that really touched my heart and brought out a few liquid tears was when, towards the beginning of the night, we prayed over the girls that were out and about who were very vulnerable, lost, and looking for some sort of love and approval for someone, somewhere. This really hit home. I used to be one of these girls. I looked to men for the love and approval that would only come from Jesus. We prayed for these girls; for their safety, that they would feel the love that Jesus has for them, realize their self worth, and come running to their Saviour. My heart went out to them. I knew where they were, how they felt, and what they were looking for.

I then began to think about all the prayers that had gone out in years past; prayers for me, my safety, and salvation. When I was lost, vulnerable, and looking for love and approval, some one was praying for me. The amazing thing about my God is that He answers prayers. My parents, my family, my church had not idea how or when God would answer their prayers (just as we have no idea how or when He will answer the prayers we prayed that night) but knew that He would; and He did.

I have days; days where I feel discouraged, days where my heart hurts for my unsaved family and friends. But God always reminds me that all I have to do is ask.

Matthew 7:7-11 says:

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

I am so cliche.... and I love it!

Any one who knows me knows that I LOVE love! It's true. I am totally, completely, 100%, head over heels in love with love. I know it may sounds a little (or a lot) cliche but it is so true. The other night a good friend of mine shared with me her and her husband's love story and my heart fluttered. There is just something so incredibily amazing when it comes to love. Not just any love though, the kind of love that can only be from the Lord. He, in His all knowing awesomeness, knows us; like really knows each and every one of us- what we like, what we think, how we act when we think no one is looking or when we are hidden away in our rooms- He knows it all. And, the best part; He knew all this about us before we were born! Psalm 139:13 says " For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." and Isaiah 49:1 says "... Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth He has made mention of my name." Therefore, since He knows each one of us by name and created us, He also knows the perfect person for us. Sometimes God will bring Mr. Right along while we are still in high school, sometimes he won't show up until college, and sometimes we won't find Mr. Right until we travel half way across the world, as is the case for my cousin Rachel. She left for Oxford, England with an expectation that God was going to do something amazing in her life; and He did! The Lord brought her the perfect man, the man He had planned for her before she was even born. Rachel has waited for this perfect man for a very long time and because of her unfailing love for the Lord, He has truly blessed her.

Today I have the honor of being in their wedding, sharing in their love story, and witnessing first hand God's marvelous plan.

Isaac and Rachel, I adore you more than words can describe and I am truly honored to have you as family. My heart is full of love for the both of you and my happiness for you is overflowing. God bless you two. YOU ROCK!

It's going to be epic!

"It's like a pregnancy." she said. "You are going to laugh, cry, and grow. By the end of these 9 long hard months you will grow in your relationship with the Lord as well as who you are in Christ and by the time you are done you won't even recognize yourself." As overwhelming and daunting as that might sound to some, I have to say that I am beyond ecstatic for the journey ahead.

Tomorrow marks the start of something great. A group of ten amazing men and women of God will begin their journey through a 9 month internship and I am honored to be one of them. Through this life changing experience, we will learn all aspects of the bible, the church, leading, evangelizing, missions, and much much more. It's an incredible journey that will inevidably stretch us beyond what we think our limit is and reveal in us characteristics we never knew we had. We will laugh, cry, and grow; together. It's going to be epic!

With man this is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible with God.

Mark 10:27

The above picture is us- L.I.T. Interns 09-10 on our overnight adventure to the coast last week:)