Life Teen Summer Camps. #missionarylife

Are you or someone you know want to deepen your faith and grow? Are you part of the youth group at Church or a minister? Nothing to do this summer?

Register for Life Teen Summer Camp! Be a Missionary for the summer and lead teens closer to Christ! Video and photo link below!

Visit Life Teen International for more information!

"YOU TOO, DEAR YOUNG PEOPLE, CAN BE JOYFUL WITNESSES OF HIS LOVE, COURAGEOUS WITNESSES OF HIS GOSPEL, CARRYING TO THIS WORLD A RAY OF HIS LIGHT."

- Pope Francis

Life Teen Camp Tepeyac 2013

The King is Coming! The King is Coming!

I crashed my first car around this time last year. I had to take the bus (if I was lucky because the bus schedules are crazy in Los Angeles), or walk.

At the time I didn't think of it as an opportunity to reflect on the parts of my life. Looking back it was an opportunity to focus on each step (if I was walking) or bus stop with the the season of Christmas. A time of preparation and a time that the Church has carved out of our year to focus on the events that lead up to the moment that God came into the world and to anticipate His promised return. The weeks before Christmas could be a temptation. It can be seen as the necessary hurdle to jump before Christmas. But if we spend that whole time simply anticipating Christmas, we risk missing the lessons and opportunities the season holds.

Not everyone does Christmas preparation — some folks skip right ahead to Christmas. Others observe it, but see it more as candles they light or lights on their house. It has become checking things off their “to do before Christmas” list.

If I had not crashed my car I would've gotten to the places I needed to go more faster and securer (besides the crash part), but I would have missed a lot along the way. Christmas will arrive whether we really focus on the opportunities the season of preparation offers or not.

Throughout this time, readings will challenge us to “prepare the way of the Lord.”

WELCOME TO THE SEASON OF ADVENT.

I want to be a priest...

Check out Gabriel Choi and his life of being a Roman Catholic college Seminarian, studying to become a priest!

His faith is on fire!

Men of Brave Heart.

Wanna hear amazing talks given by College-aged Seminarians?

Well click the Audio Podcast links below!

Audio Podcasts! Check Out Seminarians Jaime and Emilio!

About that life...

      Ever thought about becoming a Roman Catholic priest? Or even discerning about that life? There are many formation houses throughout the United States and "Juan Diego House" is one of them.    

      Juan Diego House is a house of formation for college-aged seminarians who are aspiring to the diocesan priesthood in Los Angeles, CA.

       

      Juan Diego House, with its multicultural reality, seeks to create academic, spiritual, catechetical, and liturgical environments. Within this community, the men will have the opportunity for personal human growth, authentic Christian service to others, and a deepening appreciation of the spiritual and liturgical life of the Church.

Do You Accept My Challenge? #challengeaccepted #challengedenied

I've been super busy with school as of late. (That's why I'm five days late from posting; usually post on Thursday).
And all college students know what I mean.

It's that time of the year where we scramble to get papers done, and get last minute studying in to pass our final exams.

On top of that, we have the holiday season ahead of us!

The stores and people are preparing for huge shopping deals on the infamous Black Friday!

We are constantly in a rush.
We need to stop and stare.

This time is all about rushing...
We need to stop and stare of what's going on with our lives.

Where are we at?
How's our prayer life?
What's going on with our family as a whole?
Are we being the best version of ourselves?

Amidst all this rushing, spend time with Our Lord.
He is thirsting for you especially during this time.

I challenge to spend an hour in prayer.
That prayer could be silence, reading scripture, or listening to non-secular music.

Yes, it's a challenge.
As well it should be.
But don't you think if Christ died for all of our sins... doesn't He need at least an hour of our time...
There are 23 hours left in the day... all I'm challenging you to is one hour.

Be blessed. Be holy.

Tune out, and Tune in.

One thing I forgot to mention was that I am also a DJ/radio personality for the school I go to. I'm part of KDHR, California State University Dominguez Hills official radio station.

Over this past semester I had a radio show called, "The Beans and Cheen Show!" The show had four hosts, including myself, who commented on issues going on in peoples lives.
We all brought our own perspectives to the show. The show was a place where anyone can come in and vent about whatever life was throwing at you. We've had topics that ranged from cheating lover issues to the struggles of a vampire hunter.Yes, we did have a real vampire hunter.

Many times the show took a controversial turn at times that almost always resulted in playful arguments.
As for music, we had a DJ. So he played all mainstream stuff.

Sounds pretty cool right? Well, it was. It was a great show. It attracted listeners. People tuned in.

But there was something missing?

The presence of God.

It may seem I'm taking it to the extreme that I'm putting that out there like that. Like does really everything have to reflect back to our faith?

Well... YES!

When I came back from missionary work this past summer from Arizona... I was on fire with my faith (don't worry it's still blazing or I wouldn't be doing this blog).

I was on fire so much that I wanted to come back and have a christian-based radio station that talked about the positivity out of life, and how we can relate every action we do, whether it may be good or bad, back to our faith.

Everything we do... must relate back to the very action of faith and prayer.

"The Beans and Cheen Show!" wasn't positive talk. It was negative talk. It discussed things in our life that we're negative and now trying to vent and gossip about it to make us feel better and others.

It was a controversial show! But... isn't that what our aim was?
Unfortunately... yes.

It shouldn't have.

Too many things in our life have negativity already. We, as a society, see negativity every day of our lives. Tune in to your local news. We hear of it every day.

Very rarely we hear of good samaritans or miracle stories. Those stories make it on the news when the news is almost over. Why is that?

I'm tired of hearing negativity. I want to hear the message of hope and positiveness.

We cannot convert the media. It is what it is.
 But we can change how it affects us and how we can affect others.

The last post that I wrote I mentioned that I lost a friend. That friend was one of the co-hosts on the show. He quit the show a couple weeks ago. I took it hard and I don't know why. We both said things that we shouldn't of said to each other and that led up to him telling me he didn't want to be friends anymore.

Wow. It sucked because I looked up to my friend as a brother. He went through things I never went through. So I trusted him with everything that I told him. Every time I was going through something that was like the end of the world for me... He gave me a reality check then and there.

But the show must go on right? Well... it did. One last time. It was a blessing in disguise. Him quitting the show has become a blessing from God. The other two co-hosts had to move on. One got a new job, and the other wanted to look after his family more. So now... I have no excuse to not have a Christian-based radio station.

Every change starts with us.

So instead of having a radio show that will promote negativity... it will promote the loving and awesome power of God.

I have a Christian-based radio station. How awesome is that?

Check it though. I'll tell you what the show will/won't be:
1. It won't be shoving religion down your throat.
2. It will bring up common life obstacles everyone faces, and must conquer in order to move on with their life with the help of a higher power.
3. Love will constantly be promoted. (Because God is love --> 1 John 4:16)
4. Music will not only consist of Christian-based songs, but will also consist of awesome alternative, hip-hop, R&B, pop, vocal, rock, and jazz songs that you've probably never heard of on the radio because it's not mainstream and not what society wants you to listen to. 
5. Music will promotes awareness of love. (See #3)
6. Call in's are accepted at anytime if you want to discuss what's going on with your life. If you need prayers, comfort, or guidance, I'll invoke the Holy Spirit to be actively more present in your life than He already is.

And about the friend who said he's not my friend anymore. Well... we talked everything over over dinner last night.
We both apologized for being jerks to each other.

And that my brothers and sisters, is the loving, and forgiving power of God.

SO TUNE OUT TO THE NEGATIVITY, AND TUNE IN. CHECK OUT "LOVE IS HERE" AND HERE'S THE INFORMATION:
1. Go on to www.kdhr.net
2 Look for the tab that says "LISTEN/WATCH LIVE."
3. Click on "LISTEN ON-CAMPUS."
4. And tune in every Friday from 1:15pm - 3:15pm (the show time will remain the same until January)

I'm praying for each and every one of you.
Until next time.

Matthew 10: 7-8 -->
As you go, make this proclamation: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

I Have Been Diagnosed...

It's here already.
I have the disease.

I have senioritis.

Senioritis is defined as a senior (whether in high school or college) who is close to the finish line. In other terms, the senior is already close to graduation and has encountered laziness, not wanting to give it their all and finish.

I don't like it.
It has took a hold of me this past month.

Most seniors have encountered senioritis at one point or another.

I have had so much on my plate this past month where at times I've thrown my hands up as if given up.

I have had to deal with a failed midterm, lack of prayer life, losing a friend, and not knowing where my life is headed. 

This is nothing compared to with what Christ went through for our salvation.
 
I have a choice... to finish off strong or quit despite all the obstacles I have faced so far.

And I choose to finish off strong.

Here's the thing... I am not alone on the way to the finish line. No matter what I may be going through... I have my Lord, Jesus Christ, running with me.

We have Our Lord Jesus Christ to walk with us every step of the way.

Just as he carried His cross to Calvary, we have our own to carry. Whether that cross may be in the form of school, family, friends, or even not knowing what to do with ourselves.

He will be there every step the way...

Watch and listen to "Empty and Beautiful" by Matt Maher and empty all your worries, troubles, fears, and even your laziness as you pray this song.

Stay motivated and finish the race my brothers and sisters.

 

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you."

Happy Halloween!

 

Happy Halloween everyone!

I am absolutely terrified when it comes to Halloween, but at the same time, I love it. I love the "family-time" anyone can share with their loved ones. From taking the kids trick-or-treating, or simply watching old school horror movies with your significant other.

Whatever you do this Halloween, be safe, and have fun. Stay blessed and holy.

Dear Ladies...

I want to write a letter. A letter from your brother in Christ who loves and cares about who you are.

I hope you do understand how great and awesome all of you are. You have truly inspired me to become the man of God that I'm called to be. When you all hold yourselves to be accountable and "Christ-Like," it calls me to be better man.

All of you deserve a man who will learn to pursue your heart and fight to preserve your dignity.

All of you are an amazing gift, made in the image of God himself.

And I see you are in the middle of a battle... and every Halloween I'm reminded of it. Want to dress up? Your choices are the sexy, slutty, naughty, or raunchy nurse, superhero, or zombie costumes. 

The message is loud and clear: "If you want to have fun and grab attention from everybody, this is what you have to dress like this Halloween."

I know you love having fun with friends on Halloween. I know you all love getting dressed up and looking pretty. But you can still do that without the skimpy costumes. They steal from you all the great dignity you have!

It takes you from the powerful, inspiring, and awesome person that you all are to becoming an object of lust. You all are already beautiful and all of you deserve better. When you show cleavage and legs with skimpy costumes, it is only those parts of your body that are emphasized in your costume. 

It sends the message that the most valuable thing about you are the body parts you're putting on display. Not your personality or the awesome being God has created you into being.

All of you are worth SO much more than just your body! I am outraged that you are being portrayed this way. I will not stand up for this. The message that you have to look sexy on Halloween has a big impact on all of you whether you realize it or not. 

Society has shown you to get dressed up in skimpy outfits and go to parties with alcohol on Halloween... and unfortunately, most of you will subconsciously do. 

I have to ask you all these questions: What kind of man do you want to fight to win your heart? Do you want someone who's only after your body, or someone who is going to respect your dignity?

All of you naturally strive to be great... I know. My prayer is that you will imitate the great women who have fallen before you as saints. They are not boring or "too holy for you to imitate." They have had their out faults and short-comings. Go to www.lifeteen.com for more information on saints and how to live out the faith.

Again, I will be praying for you this Halloween. All the saints will be praying for you. I pray you may continue to be led by the Holy Spirit in good times and in bad. Remember that in all that you do... give glory and honor to God! 

Sincerely, your brother in Christ,

Jonathan

P.S. - Mary the mother of God, Blessed Mother Teresa, St. Monica, St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Maria Goretti, and all holy women of God... 

PRAY FOR US.

 

Ain't Nobody Got Time Fo Dat!

This past week I failed my Communications Research quiz.

I struggled with accepting the fact that I ACTUALLY failed that quiz.
I felt I studied hard. I felt that I aced that quiz when walking out that classroom.

The reality was... I didn't put enough hard work into that quiz.

I overlooked it.

I used the excuse that I had two other projects that were due that same week.

I could've studied over the weekend. Instead of playing Grand Theft Auto IV (yes, even a devout, practicing Catholic plays that stupid game), I should've studied.

But, I didn't.

I finally "studied" two hours before the quiz. And by the way, this shouldn't have been named a "quiz." It really should've been named a midterm. There were about 50 terms and concepts on the study guide. And we had to memorize and comprehend everything on that study guide.

I was overwhelmed.

But, if I had broken up the study guide among the days of the week... the chances are I would've passed.

I didn't make time.

Sometimes, my prayer life is like a quiz. 
I make excuses not to pray. 
Things pile up. But there is always room for anything that is a priority. 

I sometimes don't make time for prayer.

And if we don't make time for prayer. We fail in our walk with Christ.

We will fail into sin. We will cut that relationship with Christ if we don't pray for the strength to overcome temptations and obstacles we face on a daily basis.

And how are we to pray? 

Matthew 6: 5-8: But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

If I had took the time to study and prepare myself for that quiz... I most definitely would have passed. If we take the time for prayer to overcome all temptations and obstacles... Christ won't let us down.


The best part is... my professor has given me the opportunity to re-take the same exact quiz.

And when our prayerlife fails... Christ in his never-ending love will welcome us back with open arms (take a look at the cross).

God, Give Me Patience! ... AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW!

I have an old school Blackberry phone.

Remember those? They were so popular almost seven years ago.
And now... almost dead.

It takes over a century to load Facebook, to Tweet, or to load a video on Youtube.
I have friends all over the United States and want to keep in touch with them over social media using my phone! I am tired of having to go to "Wi-Fi Hotspots" to communicate with them. Furthermore, I can't upgrade my phone until the end of next year!

I need a new phone. And now.

Two weeks ago the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C were introduced on the market.
And one of my missionary brothers decided to upgrade from his iPhone 4S to get the new iPhone 5S the day it went on the market.

When he upgraded...  I was very anxious to try to get his old iPhone 4S.

To my disappointment, he didn't offer me his iPhone 4S.

However, his brother offered his iPhone 4S to me and I was so quick to pick it up.

When I got his old iPhone 4S, I rushed to the nearest Verizon Wireless store to switch phones.

This time, to my disappointment, the manager from Verizon Wireless told me I couldn't make the switch.

I am not the account holder to my Blackberry phone. My grandfather is. He pays the bill so he has the sole authority to switch phones. 

I cannot switch phones!

And where is my grandfather? He's in New Mexico right now visiting our family.

So... I have to wait. And wait. And wait.

How long? I DON'T KNOW.

I have to stand with my Blackberry until he makes his trip back home.

I have to be patient. I'm called to be patient. God calls us to be patient.

James 5: 7-8 - Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

In scripture, James points out to be patient for the next coming of Jesus Christ. I relate this scripture to my scenario in saying I have to be patient for the coming of my iPhone 4S.

It may be days, it may be weeks. But I have to remain patient for my iPhone 4S.

8

What is Love?... Baby Don't Hurt Me...

I work at a billion dollar business.
We serve over 66 million people daily.

I work at McDonald's.
I see some of the best, and some of the worst customers.

This past week, I saw my ex-girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, who's now her best friend, come through the drive-thru.

Sounds confusing? Well, that's why she's my ex.
When we first started dating I thought it was the best relationship I could ever be a part of.

I thought I was in love.

Everything started to fall apart about two months into the relationship. Not that long right? But, the falling part lasted for another five months.

I struggled to stay with her. Everyday I would beg for her to stay with me. I wanted her love. I felt I needed her love. In reality, I was in a never-ending cycle that I knew I had to get out of.

It came down to the heart-breaking words: "I don't love you anymore, I don't like you anymore."

It should have never come down to that. No human being deserves to hear that. No matter how much they have hurt you, or caused damage to you.

By the grace of God, I got out of the relationship.

Looking back, I'm not proud for the hurt I caused her, because it always isn't one-sided, I did cause her some hurt.

We used each other. In the end, it wasn't love. It was possessive.

Unfortunately, I see many relationship's these days very possessive.
Both parties are using each other for sex, money, power, pleasure, etc.

What ever happened to the true meaning of love?

Love yourself. Don't change because someone doesn't like the way you dress, or the way your hair is when you leave the door. Be yourself. And love yourself.

The true meaning of love... is to love ourselves, the way God loves us.

Want proof?
   John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

 First, we learn to love ourselves, then, we can love others... THE RIGHT WAY.

Birthday Weekend. #getouttayourmind #shots #notforme

I'm going to turn 21-years-old in less than 24hrs.


The wait is over. It's here, I'm excited.
But for what? To drink?

Well of course to drink! 

^As exciting how most people may be. I am not that excited.

My family has a history of alcoholism.
Five members of my family have died from cyrosis of the liver. So, I'm skeptical.

Yes, I have participated in underage drinking, and yes I've gotten "a little" drunk.
 I'm not the saintliest of people.

Now, let's get this straight:
Drinking [alcohol] isn't a "sin."

Jesus drank. Wedding at Cana (John 2: 1-11); Last Supper (Luke 22)

So if He drank, it must be okay.

However, it becomes a "sin" when one engages in drunkenness.
 (Romans 13:13)

One may be wondering though --> Isn't that the fun part? To get drunk?

Let's define fun.

To get wasted, not knowing what your conscious mind is up to that night at the party, and to only wake up the next day with an excruciating headache and an uncomfortable stomach? This is fun?

Sounds like a nightmare that I don't want to sleep through.

Unfortunately, the worst case (to some people) scenarios happen when engaging in drunkenness (i.e. unprotected sex (leading to pregnancy), violence, drunk driving, and murder.

This is what I don't want to engage in. Not because the Bible says it's wrong; but because I want to wake up the next morning knowing what I did the night before thus having control of my senses to not engage in something I would later regret and all this without horrible pains.

Grant it, I will have a few drinks.
 But, I vouch not to get drunk.

Have a safe, upcoming weekend. 
Stay thirsty my friends (not too thirsty).

† Being St. Francis of Assisi †

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi was a prayerful man of God. The life and legacy of this medieval Italian man is known to the world over for his life of holiness and peaceful life he lived. He left us this beautiful prayer that has been made known to us, nearly 800 years after his death.


... But he was also the patron saint of animals and all living beasts. Cool right?


So check it... on Sunday afternoon I strolled up to the church youth room where I was greeted by a teen from the parish along with a newborn kitten right beside him on the ground. The teen found it there... just there. I paid not much attention to the kitten as other teens were starting to crowd around it. We all were wondering what to do. So the teens decided to put it back in the bush next to where they were. They said the mother cat would come for it. This is when I decided that I was super tired from an early shift at work and decided to the upstairs youth room and take a nap before Mass.

About 10 minutes into my nap... I heard this shrill cry...

And it kept going for the next 10 minutes as I tried to fall asleep.


If you have ever hear the shrill cry of a newborn, baby kitten crying to it's mother for food... It's pretty intense. 


I crawled out of the comfortable couch from upstairs and stomped my way downstairs to the bush where the teens placed the kitten.

After a deep sigh, I called two teens to come help me find the kitten in the bush. The puzzlement of their faces were hilarious. They thought I was either going to take it home or place it somewhere else.

Even though both ideas sounded great, I didn't do either of them.

First, my grandparents wouldn't like the shrill cry of this kitten if I took it home, and second placing the kitten somewhere else would upset other people who were trying to take naps.

So, after much contemplation, I took the kitten to the animal shelter.

To most of us, this would be the obvious decision. But most of us don't think how much good were doing by doing this random act. I could go on from here stating how much animal shelters take good care of lost and endangered animals but I believe most of us know this. So we're saving the lives of animals. We're modeling the life of St. Francis of Assisi come to think of it. And if we're modeling the life of this man, who modeled God, then... we're also modeling God!


Think about this: 
Just by taking care of our pets, whether it would be dogs, cats, turtles, birds, snakes (you crazy people), or even tarantulas (you crazier people)... we are modeling the life of a great man in St. Francis of Assisi, who ultimately modeled God!
 

It's pretty awesome so I had to restate it twice.

Continue to be examples and followers for God, even in the little ways...

Missing the Good Life.

I miss it. Boy... do I miss it.

I had the privilege and honor of serving as a Catholic Missionary this summer in Prescott, Arizona and it was awesome.

From waking up every morning at 6:30am to preparing meals, to talking with over 100+ teens!

I fell in love with the very act of serving that I once hated.

I grew up as an "only-child." You know those children that have everything given to them? They're super spoiled and selfish? Yeah, I was one of those children. I never had a servant's heart. I hated serving others before I experienced "missionary life."

On June 16 I left for Camp Tepeyac. A Catholic camp in Prescott, Arizona. At first I didn't want no part of becoming a missionary. Even if becoming that missionary was only six weeks. I wanted no part of it.

I was convinced by two of my closest friends to take part in it. And so I did.

Biggest life changer ever.

Third day at camp, I really didn't want to be there. Why? I was on "Service Crew." Which meant that I was to take care of the restrooms, the poop house, the kitchen, the cleaning, etc. ALL THE BACKGROUND WORK. I did not want that!

I wanted to run the show. I wanted to be the show. Just as an "only child" loves. I broke out of this... I became a missionary for life, and enjoyed service.I don't know how I did it. Only by the grace of God.

"Rejoice always." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16