A picture paints a thousand words.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4


I didn't know what else to say so I thought I'd show you how I feel with these lovely pictures.

Guys...I watched Never Say Never.

I wouldn't say I'm a Belieber (I tend to avoid the trends that are popularized by several million people...I like standing out. not that I'm super special by choosing to NOT follow JB on Twitter.  but I like to think I'm special in a passive aggressive sort of way) nor do I lay in bed at night thinking about his hair (which he chopped off. boo.) but I do want to be him now.  Kind of.

Think about it.  This kid has well over 13 million people following his every move on Twitter alone.  And that doesn't mean that everybody who has a Twitter and has heard of him, follows him.  (Jesseca = case and point.)  But besides social networking, just think about all the people who have seen his picture, heard his name, or hummed along to his songs.

Justin Bieber, you have touched the lives of pretty much the whole world.

The whole world.

That's a pretty juicy boatload of people.

What I want to know is...when he touches all these lives (which he does rather habitually. like everyday), what is he touching them with?

Of course, his musicality is brilliant.  His lyrics and melodies are so expressive that sometimes you just kinda stand there wondering why the radio is singing your thoughts.  And even though all those lyrics usually induce are a bunch of heartthrobs and squeals from admiring tweeny boppers, music is still the universal language.  And he speaks it well.

Yet as I listen to Aftermath by Hillsong United, I am suddenly transported into the very presence of God.  Hillsong's musical brilliance is comparable to the gift JB has...but it's in a different train car, running on a different track.  In  the world of One Less Lonely Girl and Baby, all I'm left with is a wistful ache of admiration and longing for something as great as he's singing about.  But in the music of worshipers, I find the Word of God coming to life within my heart, before my eyes.  And it's not because I'm special; the love in such music is available for anybody who wants it.

I mean, in the end, JB can only have one girl at a time (and how would you like to be #45498?).  And for his male fans...well, sorry guys.  Some got it, some don't.  And how superficial does all of that sound in the long run anyways?

But the love of God?  That's for everybody.  I don't care what you look like, where you live, how you like your burgers cooked, when you take your showers or why you use Crest over Colgate.

Music that's truly inspired by God carries His love in every strain.  And somehow, that love reaches across the earth, through the music, out of the speakers and into your heart.  It's a love that isn't hollow; it's so fulfilling.  It's a love that isn't temporary; He'll still love you no matter how bad you mess up.

Okay.  Back to the drawing board.

Justin Bieber, you're bomb.  And I want to be like you because you have potential to reach the world like pretty much none other human on earth.  But since I'm not you, I hope that someday you get a hold of how much God is in love with you so you can in turn start leading all those millions of people straight to His heart.

Get excitedddd

Frankfurt, Germany

Munich, Germany

Tirana, Albania

and Tirana again...

Soon I'll be off to see the world!  A small little part of it anyhow.  I can't express how excited I am for what God is going to do in the lives of His people in Albania.  I leave in exactly 2 weeks, 3 days and some odd hours.  Yaaaay!