Light On, Light Off... Life On, Life Off

Often times when composing these blogs, I have my own two cents to throw in the mix, it's what I do, I love to write. But then there are times when I know something is perfect, just the way it is. Last week, Justin had a rough week, he battled negativity from peers, his best friend and spiritual rock, Jimmy (from last months blog "Justin the Baptist"), was getting ready to graduate from Teen Challenge (which meant he was going home) and Justin was also feeling that gifts he wanted to offer were under utilized and ignored... But instead of dwelling on the negative, he sought God, he got down in the trenches and grabbed a hold of Truth. When we are tried by fire, we are found what we are made of; to me, the following exemplums Justin wrote while in the trenches show that the God in him is gold. That seems to be a recurring theme in these young men of God- after e-mailing these to Jimmy (who just graduated from Teen Challenge this past Friday) I asked if he would like to write something alongside Justin this month; what he echoed back and expounded upon I found to be the same shade- gold... 

Sit back and soak in the Son that these men of God have poring out of them like rivers of living waters...

The Waves of God 

By: Justin Justice Bee

The Lord often has given me revelations on who He is and how to adhere to His will by looking upon the sea. In this particular vision, I see myself as a surfer and God is the ocean and the waves are like challenges of life- they will surely come- sometimes small- other times, massive. When they come though, I will ride them with consistence and with no fear because I know that no matter what wave I am on, the base of the power comes from something deeper than the small force that the waves hold. No single wave lasts forever- I will surely ride it out- occasionally I will fall, but I will emerge- resurface- and paddle out to catch the next. It may be smaller, easier, with less meaning, or bigger, longer... I will not forget and will grow through experience and overcome, being victorious. I pray that all the waves I ride, whether big, small, good, or hard, I will see God has the greater power and even control- on the wake of His sea.

Life On, Life Off

By: Justin Justice Bee

When we wake up, usually the first thing to come to mind are the events going on that day- whether it be paperwork, blue print layout, or activities planned for the family. Whatever it is, there are probably a thousand different combinations that would achieve the goal. But no matter what we do or how we do it, the only thing that can truly fulfill our desire for success is our attention and devotion to the Lord. We must be focused on Him first. We must submit to Him. I mean, think about it, if you want what you do and how you live to be guided by God, then you have to put Him first. You can't wake up and go after something, then halfway through say, "Lord, you lead the way!" That doesn't make much sense. So many people in this country wake up and ask themselves questions, give themselves ideas and all they can think about is their job, their coworkers, their friends, their wives etc... and in doing so, they are putting all of these minor things as more important than what is most important. Letting the exact things they need guidance in lead the way for their decisions. In turn, they expect help from the very things they need help with! Hello, that won't work! Think of the Lord as a light switch to life- no

matter where you go, what you do or who you are, you always have access to that switch. Some people may love what they do at work, love themselves, love their money... but without God, their life will lack in value- sometimes more than others. The switch to Life contains the Light of God! Without it on, there is no light. Abundance will not come from things you possess or the friends you have when they dwell in the dark and are rarely seen when you flip that switch. So when you wake up, regardless of what is going on with your life, make the first switch you flip, the switch that connects that direct line from God to you. Sometimes you may find you have unwillingly, unknowingly, or even unconsciously turned that switch off but remember this: anywhere, anytime, you have authorized authority to receive more from what you have or do. Not shown in itemized proof, but revealed with love, joy and peace! Lead by the

Almighty Presence of Life, not misguided by things useless in the realm of eternity. You will be blessed by morals, teachings and life defining experiences that can change and renew any part of your family's life for the good of the Kingdom and the will of our Father. So there you have it, Life On or Life Off! Your choice.

Keep Your Armor

By: James (Jimmy) Victor Alexander III

As I walk as a soldier and new creation of Jesus Christ in this fallen world, I have come to the realization of this one thing: Where there is absence of light, darkness prevails. True Life is light, and light is God. Recently I've overheard many people say that "Christianity is a private matter, and doesn't need to spoke about in certain environments". My question is, has Jesus changed? It is by His command to be courageous. It is by His Spirit the depths of my soul overflows His Word. And it is by light, that darkness will flee!!! Have you ever woke up at night to do something and turned on a light so you could see? Of course! If not you could not see in the dark, and may have hurt yourself trying to walk without a light. We need to let our lamps shine boldly and direct our paths. We are in a battle that has already been won, but we need to stand firm from the enemy. Do not let the world of lies take away our belt of truth. Let no bullet

of sin penetrate through our breastplate of righteousness. Keep your shoes of the gospel on, do not let the hands of fear untie them! Block the arrows of doubt, lift up the shield of faith. Do not let the punches of life knock off the helmet of salvation. And lastly, never drop the sword of the Spirit for heedless hedonism. We are a warrior for the Kingdom, a voice for the voiceless, and a light in a dark evil world-- which is Christ in us. There is already victory in the Blood! Light on, or light off. Your choice!

Leah's graduation present to Jimmy
the statue of Michael the Archangel
defeating the devil- outside of the
Cincinnati Teen
Challenge 

Jimmy and Justin, these Carpenter's sons, are special hand crafted pieces by the Master Carpenter Himself, watching them take shape is one of the greatest things I have had the honor to witness. I hope you have been strengthened and encouraged as much as I have been sitting back this month, letting the fellas take the show!

As always, remember that Jesus is that beautiful Light that expels all darkness! 

Until next time! ~Matt, Leah, Michelle, Justin and Jimmy

Jimmy's Graduation from Teen Challenge

Franky's Graduation from Teen Challenge

Wayne's Graduation from Teen Challenge

Bethany's Graduation from Teen Challenge's Women's home

 

Sunday Cooking at Teen Challenge

Jimmy and his beautiful sister Amanda at his graduation

The above photo was taken of Justin with the painting "Calvary" by Stephen Sawyer, www.art4god.com it has literally save Justin's life- and countless others' I'm sure.

Steve posted this on his Facebook page along with the following:

A YOUNG MAN NEEDING SPONSORS

"Justin is a 24 year old guy, who has been secretly battling a severe heroin addiction for the past 5 years.

After accepting Christ in Nov. ’13 he saw the painting "Calvary" posted on a friend’s blog. He was overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn't stop staring at it and felt the Lord speak to him saying, “It’s time”.
He sat his friends down, opening up to them about his past. They got him "Calvary" for Christmas and it has become one of his most prized possessions. As a result of that chance glance, he has entered the Teen Challenge program- in his own words- he wants to come out, “looking like Jesus, acting like Jesus and talking like Jesus.”
This painting has literally saved Justin’s life; you can see with the huge smile on his face he is doing amazing! Justin is in desperate need of sponsors to help finance his stay in what they call the “Jesus Factory”.
If you are interested, you can send a donation in the name of Justin Bee to: Teen Challenge Cincinnati, P.O. Box 249, Milford, OH 45150 or for more information e-mail Masfaith3@aol.com "
Thank all of you for reading this and considering helping someone.
They contacted me, thanked me for my work, and hoped for some assistance in a very difficult and brave recovery. The photo and comments in quotations are from them.

Stephen

Justin the Baptist

To watch video near the end pause music to the right here ------>

The original idea behind the Carpenter's Daughters blog was to show how Jesus the Carpenter is interwoven in our daily lives, teaching us and training us to be sons and daughters of the "Carpenter", "Author", and "Creator" of our faith. As brothers and sisters, and joint heirs through salvation, we should strive to emulate the original "Artist". I thought this blog would be one to uplift and inspire only more on a surface-day to day- application. Little did I know that Jesus the Carpenter was working it into this piece of intense depth and beauty, such as I never could have imagined achievable on my own. At times I sort of feel like the authors of the gospels, they were witness to such an incredible miracle as a whole, compiled of an entire ocean of unbelievable encounters- that they simply had to write it down so that others may claim it as their own for generations without end.
 

My family and I are not only witness to such an incredible miracle unfolding daily before our eyes, but we are on the receiving end of the boundless blessings that such a thing is sure to carry with it. Sit back and prepare for your spirit to leap as you listen to the latest lesson the Master Instructor instilled in Justin Justice, who we are lovingly calling Justin the Baptist...

From Justin's journal:

Monday, May 5th, 2014

    This morning when we were in chapel we read a couple of things out of 1 Peter, so I decided I would read it all, the whole book. But while I was reading, I realized that the Lord has (and was) really speaking to me to be baptized in water- like today- to "wait no longer". The Lord told me that I did not need a certain person to do so, and then gave me a prayer to baptize myself in water. So I wrote down what He was giving me through His Word out of John (which I read last night) and then 1 Peter this morning. 

      So after chapel I went down to the berry field and my heart was racing the whole time as I kept going all the way to the river- then I stood at the edge of the baptism steps and prayed this prayer, "Praise the Lord my soul! I pray that this water wash over this body as the flood did on earth to destroy all evil and save only good- as a result I will live my life no longer for the evil human desires, but rather for the will of God and the pledge of a clear conscience toward God, to Him be the Glory and power forever Amen!" Then WOOSH!!! submerged my body and came up out with a gasp of air and a "Whooo!" in my heart, haha, it was awesome! I don't know if anyone else has ever baptized themselves but God lead me to, so I did.

     Then Jay asked me, some short time later, why my hair was wet, so I told him, "Because I just got baptized", he had never heard of anyone baptizing themselves and I told him that I hadn't either and we laughed. Then during lunch Jay was saying that he had been praying down by the river, after I told him I got baptized, that he wanted to be baptized as well, but that he wanted me to baptize him in the water. I lit up and said, "let's do it". So after lunch we headed down, just the two of us and I prayed the same exact prayer over him- then Whoosh! submerged his body and he came up and out with a gasp of air and a "whooo!" in his heart. He said that it felt incredible and that it really meant something to him. 

      Later, I realized we headed down at 12:45 PM, so we baptized him at almost exactly 1:00 o'clock! (which is the time that we have set up for our Justin prayer chain so we are all joined together in prayer everyday) We stayed down there for two or three hours cleaning the baptism steps and weed eating. Then we carved our initials in a nearby tree, not even correlating at the time the significance of both of us being baptized until after we did so. To top it off, we both felt that we got a huge confirmation from God that the reason we have the ability to do what we did was only from the resurrection of Jesus Christ- with a massive reflection in the very spot we were baptized- of a cross- from the stripes that two airplanes made perfectly across the center of one another.

1 Peter 2:24 "He personally bore our sins in His own body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed."

I have been a Christian since I was a small child, and I have been involved in the ministry for as long as I can remember- growing up we spent more time at church than we did at home it seemed. I've seen 100's of people baptized and heard even more stories- but never, in all of my life- have I felt anyone's story of baptism come so fully from the Holy Spirit. I later told Justin that he didn't baptize himself, Jesus was in that river with him and he was baptized by the Son of God. No Justin, I have never heard of anyone baptizing themselves either, but who baptized John? The Pharisees even asked him on whose authority he was doing so. I can imagine there would be those who would read this, and being bound by the confines of religion (just as the Pharisees were) would "nay say" this as well. To them I would say: 2 Corinthians 3:6 "[It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive."

Justin read his journal entry to me on the phone the same evening of the 5th. Immediately I felt the Spirit of God and knew that indeed, it was He who ordained such an unorthodox experience to powerfully touch- not only Justin and Jay- but everyone who is a hearer of the story. I was rendered speechless (and for those of you who know me, will know this is a hard thing to achieve). When I hung up the phone I ran to retell it (to the best of my ability) to Leah and Matt. I used drastic arm movements to describe the experience like I had been there myself and was so excited that by the time I had finished I was out of breath! The one thing I couldn't quite do justice to was the prayer that God had given Justin, I couldn't remember it- all I could say was "through the seamlessly woven words he uttered I can tell you this, the prayer proved to me that Justin understood what it truly meant to be baptized- with a deeper grasp than some men who have been baptizing people for 40 years."

1 Peter 3:20&21 "[The souls of those] who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God's patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few people, actually eight in number, were saved through water. And baptism, which is a figure of their deliverance, does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [proving you with] the answer of a good and (clear conscience inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."


While I was still talking to Leah and Matt, out of the blue, I felt the voice of the Lord say that Justin would baptize Matt. This didn't make much sense, and yet, it made all the sense in the world. Instantly I was reminded of Jesus asking John the Baptist to baptize him. (Not that Matt is Jesus in this story... haha, sorry Matt) but there is a symbolism there, a respect for another man's calling, no matter how old or young they are in Christ. Matt had been baptized as a child, but hadn't after accepting Jesus as his Savior, so this seemed fitting. When I mentioned it to Leah, Matt and our mom- it was confirmed in them as well. The next time I spoke with Justin I broached the subject and said that we at Isaiah 58 Ministries thought that he should baptize Matt. "Me...?" was Justin's response. I laughed and said, "yes you, you are the one that God gave the prayer to and has laid this on your heart." I could almost see the classic Justin smile through the phone that is so full of joy and innocence as he said, "okay, yeah."   It reminded me of Matthew 3:13-17 "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”


Thus, this past Sunday, which just so happened to be Mother's Day, we headed to Teen Challenge, just as we do every Sunday to visit with Justin, fellowship with the other young men and their families and cook dinner with them. Justin had been wanting to show us the three boxes of bees that were down in the berry field because in "keeping" with his last name, Justin would like to be a bee keeper and produce honey some

day. So we headed down with two students, Jimmy and Greg and Greg's parents to see the bees. They were just as extraordinary as he said they would be, thousands of bees swarming around. They swarmed when we got close, but didn't attack, and when we stepped back they easily made their way again into their hives, back to protect and serve their queen.

Justin wanted to show us the river baptismal where his experience had taken place, Greg and his parents headed back up the hill and Justin, his mom Regena, Leah, Matt, Jimmy and I waded through the tall grass and a football field's distance to the river. Although Jimmy and Justin are really close friends, he hadn't told him of his experience for fear that he might feel it to "out there", so on our way through the field, Justin shared again what had happened that previous Monday. Jimmy had the same reaction we did and was only upset that Justin hadn't told him sooner! When we reached the steps to the water, the Holy Spirit was physically felt as we all knew why we were there- for Justin to baptize Matt. It seemed radical, it seemed backwards, and yet it was so right- so very prefect. The water was calm, the sun was shining over head and reflecting on the water and for a brief moment I felt like I was there that day with Jesus and John- but this day, Jesus was there with us, it was like I could see the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Justin and Matt. John 1:32-34 "Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” 

Watch Justin Baptize Matt here, and turn up the volume!!! 

 The entire time there was an electric joy in all of us, Jimmy's face and reactions of seeing one of his best friends walking out a call on their life, Regena, with the best gift a mother could ask for on Mother's Day, watching her son growing into a man of God, baptizing his older brother in Christ, Leah and I as older sisters who are watching him blossom into a man of God that we can respect and revere and Matt, humbly receiving the blessing from his younger brother in Christ to wash clean his body as a representation of the cleansing of his soul. And Justin, never wavering, confident in His Lord, mature in his faith with the power of being not only baptized with water, but baptized in the Holy Spirit... none of us will ever be able to put into words what we felt that day.

When Justin and Matt were coming back from the river Jimmy asked Justin, "how did you remember that whole prayer, exactly?" Without hesitating Justin looked at him with clear eyes, smiled and said, "Because it's all I can think about." For as long as I live, I will never forget that moment. Most people don't say "it's all I can think about" when it comes to baptism... but then I don't think most people have the deep understanding of it that God has revealed to Justin. When I first saw Justin on Sunday I asked him how church was and he said that the pastor, Dale, had spoken on the five phases of ministry Ephesians 4:11-16 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
Justin didn't set out to find his calling, and many would say it's too early, he's too young in the Lord to know that kind of thing, but there it is- he can't give it back- nor do I think he wants to.

We, the Carpenter's Daughters and Sons, here at Isaiah 58 Ministries, hope you have been as touched by this as we have, until next time, we salute you, our brothers and sisters in the faith and send our love. 

As always, remember that Jesus is that Beautiful Light that expels all darkness.




Matthew 3:1-12 "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

 John 1:6-34 "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light^. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” 

Justin's Family

June, Justin and Ernie

Justin and Regena

Sarah, Stephen, Jonathan, Matt, Tyler, Michelle, Justin, Braden and Miss Dionne

Justin, the day he sold his bike!

Regena's Birthday and bridge in Maysville Justin drew

Regena's Birthday lunch

Regena's birthday lunch

Matt and Justin cutting the roof for the "chicken church"

Mother and son!

Easter Sunday

Work on the Chicken Church

 

Once again I want to take the time to thank everyone who has and is continuing to support Justin financially as well as prayerfully, you know who you are and we will NEVER be able to thank you enough. You are true servants of Christ and you are sowing into GOOD GROUND INDEED! God Bless you all, we love you and thank God for you daily, none of this would be possible without you!
                            

The above photo was taken of Justin with the painting "Calvary" by Stephen Sawyer, www.art4god.com it has literally save Justin's life- and countless others' I'm sure.

Steve posted this on his Facebook page along with the following:

A YOUNG MAN NEEDING SPONSORS

"Justin is a 24 year old guy, who has been secretly battling a severe heroin addiction for the past 5 years.

After accepting Christ in Nov. ’13 he saw the painting "Calvary" posted on a friend’s blog. He was overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn't stop staring at it and felt the Lord speak to him saying, “It’s time”.
He sat his friends down, opening up to them about his past. They got him "Calvary" for Christmas and it has become one of his most prized possessions. As a result of that chance glance, he has entered the Teen Challenge program- in his own words- he wants to come out, “looking like Jesus, acting like Jesus and talking like Jesus.”
This painting has literally saved Justin’s life; you can see with the huge smile on his face he is doing amazing! Justin is in desperate need of sponsors to help finance his stay in what they call the “Jesus Factory”.
If you are interested, you can send a donation in the name of Justin Bee to: Teen Challenge Cincinnati, P.O. Box 249, Milford, OH 45150 or for more information e-mail Masfaith3@aol.com "
Thank all of you for reading this and considering helping someone.
They contacted me, thanked me for my work, and hoped for some assistance in a very difficult and brave recovery. The photo and comments in quotations are from them.

Stephen

                                     

Being His Hands

If you missed the previous blogs in Justin's story see links at the end!

"These Are Their Tears" By Justin
Showing how God transforms our tears into beauty

My God

 By: Justin Bee

My God, Your name is most precious among names

Your good- is our perfect

Your words of creation are not to comprehend

Your Truth is just

You allow choice, You provide options

Lord, You set in motion all things from the beginning to the end

The air I breath is perfect

My flow of blood: Graceful

Your teachings are unforgettable

Belief fuels faith and Your faith performs miracles

Answers to all questions are within Your words

God Your power is superior, beyond imagination

Your glory IS only

Your Son was and is our Savior

Your will is sometimes mystery

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall

In Jesus Name- I live

When Justin handed me his note book with the following story in it, I flipped to the page before it

and found the above prayer and instantly was transfixed by the raw honesty and sincerity of it- but more than that, by the truth. As the fourth line says, God's truth is just- it's always just. From my very first encounter with Justin, I gave him the nickname "Justice", since after all it's what his name means. Often when I write him, I put Justin Justice Bee. God changed Abram’s "high father" name to “Abraham,” "father of a multitude" (Genesis 17:5) and his wife’s name from “Sarai,” “my princess,” to “Sarah,” “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15). God changed Jacob’s "supplanter" name to “Israel,” “having power with God” (Genesis 32:28). He changed Simon’s "God has heard" name to “Peter,” "rock" (John 1:42). There is something to your name. Around here we call Matt, Kansas and in a way it wipes clean your past and gives you a new identity. When we surrender our lives to Christ "behold, all things become new" but what I find interesting, especially with the story you are about to read is how often times we find God there, in our past, when we look back, gently calling us forward, leading us even before we knew Him. After all, He is the Master Carpenter, and in cases such as Justin's story here, we see His beautiful handiwork taking shape. 

This story started out as a memory and as Justin dug deeper into it, he saw God's hand on this day and set out to reenact it to the best of his ability that he might document the powerfulness of God moving in his life before he called Him Savior.  

March 17th

On my way down here to the class room I prayed to God that as I go to write this memory, He would help me to separate what actually happened that day, from anything that I might accidentally over expound upon just to make a better story. Also, that the truth that I see in God's presence in my life, even before I knew He was there, I will be able to express to the exact conclusion that I have personally made from the experience.

I was 21 or 22, and while I can't remember the entire day, (as in before and after the actual events of the story) the first thought to the last and everything in between are very dear to me still. 

I had many close friends at the time- well, actually, looking back, not very close at all I guess. I should say, I cared about many friends I had in those days. 

The unique experience started when I was driving down the road one day, I just got this feeling that I should call my friend Krista, only, I didn't know why. I couldn't shake this feeling, so I went ahead and called her. The first thing, well, the only thing I could think to say was, "Is everything okay?" She answered with shock- something like, "How did you know? Who told you my aunt died?" I said, "nobody, I just had this strong feeling that I should call you for some reason." She told me that her aunt had just passed away that night saying how crazy it was that I called her out of nowhere, knowing something was wrong. 

After I got off the phone with her, I pulled over into the next parking lot, which was right down the road in between Sugarcamp and Dry Run on RT 50. Little did I know at the time that the Teen Challenge Women's home was directly across the street. I only know that I felt compelled to get out of my truck, kneel down on the curb of the parking lot and start to pray. I can't remember what I prayed, but immediately after I stood up and returned to my truck I remembered where her aunt lived. I had been there once, only one time, and had never met this woman, but all I wanted to do was be there- somehow. 

On my way over, I was lead to stop at Meijer to get something to show her family that... well..., I'm not even sure... I didn't really know what I was doing or why I was doing it, but it felt right. So as I went into the store, I realized I had no idea what I could get. I walked outside to the garden center when I turned and saw these beautiful, bright orange flowers. Instantly I

knew they were perfect, so they were the ones I bought. It felt odd that I was about to take these flowers to her husband, who I also did not know and had never met. I almost turned around and didn't go through with it, but I felt like I just had to. 

As I arrived at her street, there were people outside so I drove past and didn't stop because I didn't know them, nor did they know me. So I turned around and drove back up; this time, there was no one outside. I thought I would just place them on the sidewalk and go- and I did so- only as I was getting back into my truck, a man opened the front door and just looked at me. As a stranger in the driveway of someone who had just passed away, all I could say was, "I brought some flowers", and pointed to them. In return, the only reply he could make was, "Thank you." Then I just got in my truck and left.

This was all so very weird because looking back on the entire thing, I really didn't want to do like, any of it- from the phone call (which I didn't want to do at first but then had to), to the prayer, and then the flowers I saw and thought, "no, those won't work." I just kept hearing a voice telling me where to go, which flowers to pick- every single thing I did felt like it meant something. I don't know exactly what but those specific flowers meant something. Maybe it was the strong orange color of them, the type or the reason I chose the one with three flowers verses the one with only a single blossom. 

I've never seen that man, neither been to that house since. I know it was some sort of message for her family, from God. I never told anyone of the flowers, not even Krista. Somehow I didn't feel it would be right to tell people what I had done. Only now looking back on it all, I know why... because it wasn't me that did it, it was God using me to do what He wanted.

Matthew 25:40 says, "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

Justin didn't know at the time that he was being Jesus that day, or that he was doing it to Jesus as well, he just obeyed. It was Justin's obedient spirit that answered the call to accept Jesus as Lord over his life, to enter Teen Challenge, and to walk upright before Him daily. If only we all could have such an obedient spirit. To be His hands, to be His feet, speak His words- to do unto the least of them! Go out and "Bee" those things today! 

As always, remember that Jesus is that beautiful light that expels all darkness!

Till next time- the Carpenter's Daughters and Sons love yall!

Previous blogs: His Crown Jesus the Carpenter: Making a Heroin Addict a Hero

The above photo was taken of Justin with the painting "Calvary" by Stephen Sawyer, www.art4god.com it has literally save Justin's life- and countless others' I'm sure.

Steve posted this on his Facebook page along with the following:

A YOUNG MAN NEEDING SPONSORS

"Justin is a 24 year old guy, who has been secretly battling a severe heroin addiction for the past 5 years.

After accepting Christ in Nov. ’13 he saw the painting "Calvary" posted on a friend’s blog. He was overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn't stop staring at it and felt the Lord speak to him saying, “It’s time”.
He sat his friends down, opening up to them about his past. They got him "Calvary" for Christmas and it has become one of his most prized possessions. As a result of that chance glance, he has entered the Teen Challenge program- in his own words- he wants to come out, “looking like Jesus, acting like Jesus and talking like Jesus.”
This painting has literally saved Justin’s life; you can see with the huge smile on his face he is doing amazing! Justin is in desperate need of sponsors to help finance his stay in what they call the “Jesus Factory”.
If you are interested, you can send a donation in the name of Justin Bee to: Teen Challenge Cincinnati, P.O. Box 249, Milford, OH 45150 or for more information e-mail Masfaith3@aol.com "
Thank all of you for reading this and considering helping someone.
They contacted me, thanked me for my work, and hoped for some assistance in a very difficult and brave recovery. The photo and comments in quotations are from them.

Stephen