I’m Scared : From An Honest Perspective
Right now it’s about 15 minutes after midnight right inside the Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem and I cannot fall asleep. It’s my last full night here and I’m pondering about 1,000,001 things. I’m not quite sure where this will go, so enjoy my completely raw train of thought....
Israel 2014 – Tracheitis, EL AL and Driving In Israel
For those of you who don’t know, I received this fun thing called “tracheitis” on Monday night. If you have no idea what it is, you can click here for all the fun symptoms. I noticed it my last night of work at Dairy Queen when my body practically shut down as I...
Barricaded & Forgotten
Barricaded and forgotten these walls hold the sounds of few and the sight of one forsaken. Each moment spent is a reminder of the past. As the dawn approaches, new thoughts shine forth. Each wall tells a different story of the same event: Brokenness, deception,...
Will This Chaos Ever End?
Can anyone know? This truth weakens the bones as the malevolent beast surrounds, these mischievous creatures lie, and the malicious monster conquers. Anger. Agitation. It all speaks to these desolate mendacities! These pondering questions give way to hollow answers....
7 1/2 Things The Post-Modern Church Needs To Learn
***Disclaimer: Being a pastor, student, etc. means I have to disclaim everything I say because people are easily offended. So this is my disclaimer: you’re going to be offended. But that’s not the goal here. The goal of this post is to challenge you to think outside...
Why Hebrew University?
Why Hebrew University? Do you even know the language? Why would you want to leave America? What’s wrong with you!? These are some of the questions (Yes, all legitimate questions/comments) I’ve been asked this past week about my acceptance to Hebrew University in...
Justin’s Final Word to Unity
I’ll never forget the call I received from Pastor Frank in December 2011. The first thing he asked me was, “Are you up for a good challenge and willing to reach this generation? Are you willing to be pushed to your fullest potential?” He was quoting my resume...
An Arduous Masterpiece
As I got out of my car, I knew I was in for a long journey. I just purchased a 12 foot crane for my camera and I was not passing up the opportunity to shoot this beautiful sunset with my new toy. My vision ever since I began filming is to show the beauty of Yahweh....
A Prayer For The Overwhelmed and Burned Out
Jesus, I am hurting. I am weak. But you are strong. You are healer. My troubles and workload overshadow everything in my path. I feel as if I can’t concentrate on anything I do. I can’t see You. I can’t hear You. Are you there? Please answer. I’m so tired, Lord....
Does God Answer My Prayer?
What if God answers your prayer, and you don’t even know it? Yesterday in my small group we discussed the Trinity and how the Holy Spirit is an active being within each of us. Of course, this is no easy subject to teach, particularly to Jr. and Sr. High students. I...
Reconsidering The Intermediate State
This is a paper I wrote for my Theology 2 class in the fall of 2012. It is meant to be provocative and challenging. Constructive criticism and differing ideas are welcome. Please be respectful. ESCHATOLOGY: RECONSIDERING THE INTERMEDIATE STATE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON...
What Is Life Coaching?
What is Life Coaching? Coaching is a lifestyle of relationships that allows each person being coached to take responsibility for his or her own life. Each coach cultivates a dynamic relationship that believes each person was made with a unique dream, passion, and...
Youth Ministry Isn’t Important
What is important in your life? I’ll never forget being eleven. It was the year that changed my life. Our church had just got a new building and I had entered sixth grade. After church, one of the “cool” young adult girls came up to me and asked me to come to the new...
3 Day Respawn Promo Video
4 Tips For College Freshman
I recently had lunch with one of my students who is about to embark on a new journey in his life: Freshman year at college. During our conversation we discussed lots of things such as girls, life, and dealing with hard situations. I fear for the upcoming class of...
A Short Warning and Wake Up Call
“What are these?” The little boy asked as he picked up one of the stones from my desk. “Do you know the story of David and Goliath?” You could see he was barely paying attention to me as the stones had completely engulfed his attention. I said, “These stones are from...
3 Day Respawn
What is 3 Day Respawn? Biblical Truth, Brotherly Accountability, and Godly Love. 3 Day Respawn is a ministry which aims to provide Godly fellowship, companionship, and Biblical direction by offering a method of connecting with others through the video games based...
It’s Time To Bring Your Dreams To Life
To Whom Shall I Turn?
“Hey man! What’s going on?” I said to my friend as we walked into the church sanctuary. “Not too much. Did you know this place is haunted?” He asked as we began checking out the surroundings. Our makeshift beds were set up just below the stage at Unity Church. As we...
Faithful
Jesus is good. Bad things happen. The world is against me. But Jesus is still good. Jesus is faithful. Jesus is hope. The End
Energize Interview
If you missed my interview with Mike Pintek this week, don't worry. My friend Matt Morran recorded it for you listening pleasure.
Master Your Sin
This Ends Now!
A desolate red desert spans the landscape with a mountain in front of you. The sky is gloomy and cloudy as if a volcano has just erupted. Millions of people are forking in the road. Most go left while a few go right. Terror begins shooting through your veins. Tens of...
4 Tips To Help You Achieve Your 2013 Goals
What are some of your resolutions this year? Losing weight? Being a little bit nicer? Praying and reading the Bible more? We all have them. We all have things we want to change. We all have things we can change. What if I told you that tomorrow you could start...
Victory’s Defeat
There is a man who became someone in order to fight against evil and corruption. This man made decisions and revolutionized a city. He had several major victories and a couple major losses. Those losses, however, permeated him; they sunk deep within his bones and...
America Bless God
"God Bless America." We hear this all the time. We say it all the time, but do we really understand what that phrase means? Or better yet, do we even believe God has, is or will bless America? Today I woke up with every intention on going down to Washington, Pa and...
Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones, but an Alligator Will Definitely Eat Your Face Off
In 2005-06 I was in a band called So Help Me God. We were a local band, but most importantly we were a couple of dudes who loved to jam and loved the Lord. We wrote a couple of different songs. One song in particular was the above title. It’s a pretty brootal (that’s...
Why Can’t I Hear God?
I’m running drastically through the cornfield. Searching for God, I look up but I can’t see Him. The blue skies overwhelm my eyes. I begin crying out as I run through the maze, pushing each leaf and stalk from my path. Suddenly, I hear a voice say, “Sit down.”...
Nicaragua? Why not Pittsburgh?
This was a question I was asked during the final minutes of our Spirit Night fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A the other night. The short slender man inhaling some of Pall Mall’s finest began prying, “Do you know who the President of Nicaragua is (as he said it with a less...
Missions Trip to Ghana…in November?
September 17, 2012 I had a dream about several things last night. I will try to write down what I remember. Not all things are in chronological order. I remember receiving a call on the phone to go to Ghana. My brother was also trying to go, but he was looking to go...
