In Friday's chapel, appropriately during this season of Lent, we focused on the seven last words of Jesus as he made his way to the cross and eventually the point of his last breath. After the scripture was read, a reflection was read in response to the word of Jesus. I spoke to second word:
THE SECOND WORD
One of the criminals hanging there threw insults at him: "Aren't you the messiah? Save yourself and us!" The other one, however, rebuked him, saying: "Don't you fear God? Here we are all under the same sentence. Ours, however, is only right, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong." And he said to Jesus, "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!" Jesus said to him, "I tell you this: Today you will be in Paradise with me."
Luke 23:39-43
Reflection:
When we carry pride like a disease, we are placing the burdens of this world on our shoulders even when we feel certain that our way of living is of greater value than that of a humble King who came before us. This lifestyle is one that walks through life’s consistent rhythms without ever considering why we move and find our being in Jesus refusing to recognize that we are worshiping the created and not the creator. Even during those moments when one’s world seems to crumble before one’s eyes, losing everything and feeling lost and alone. What does hope look like for those who continue to clench tightly to their pride? Does this pride simply disappear when the prideful are no longer filled with the confidence that they once carried with them or does it take full surrender to a life that is in Christ?
Until we fully recognize that we are all simply children, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, living under the same roof, under the same rules, loved by the same father, treated equally for the ways we live, we will never be able to fully fulfill the life that Jesus Christ came to save us from.
When we place ourselves in postures of arrogance or forms of idolatry we are setting ourselves up to live similar to that of the criminal hanging there next to Christ, insulting him in his very nature and hindering our ability to grasp the fullness of a life of humility and humbleness.
When we remember the hope that rests in a King who carried the cross in order for our hearts to be radically transformed, we will be ready to receive the greatest gift of all … that the Son of Man would lay his life down for his children in order for us to one day walk with him in Paradise.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Spring Break:: Boise, ID - San Diego, CA
It has been some time since I last visited this outlet to share my life but as I reflect on the past month or so the only excuse I can think of is that I've been sharing my life in other areas outside of the tech world. But here I find myself sitting in Panera ready to indulge in some tasty food and highlight some good times I've had lately!
As a student taking 17 units, working 20 hours a week, trying to maintain healthy relationships, and participant of extracurricular activities/ministries I struggle to decide what is a better way to live, upholding a full plate of busyness feeling overwhelmed yet accomplished and proud of achieving that which I do or living simply with a busy-less lifestyle that is free of crammed calendars and open ended giving room to unexpected opportunities that might come my way. Whatever that balance looks like... I'm looking for it... call it a search for happiness, a discovery to find your self, a fight for fullness.
Spring Break was my outlet of rest, freedom from busyness, my journey of discovery. Allison and I flew to Boise, Idaho on Friday March 6 out of San Diego Airport (the easiest freggin' airport west of the mississippi). Her parents picked us up that night on we hit the slopes via inner tubes the next day. Boise is located in a valley surrounded by mountain ranges and leading up to this trip, I was tempted to bring my snowboard and gear but it was too tricky. Anyways, toobing was a blast because there was snow everywhere and we were surrounded in God's beautiful creation but part of me wanted to go find a punk teenage boy and strap into his snowboard to take in a few runs down the powdered slopes at the ski resort because the snow looked great! The week consisted of a lot of driving around the city of Boise, eating at good restaurants (my favorite was sushi night!), sleeping in & making breakfast (acai bowls, bacon, chocolatechip pancakes, eggs etc... we went all out!) going to the movies, and hanging out with old friends.
Here are some shots throughout the week:
As a student taking 17 units, working 20 hours a week, trying to maintain healthy relationships, and participant of extracurricular activities/ministries I struggle to decide what is a better way to live, upholding a full plate of busyness feeling overwhelmed yet accomplished and proud of achieving that which I do or living simply with a busy-less lifestyle that is free of crammed calendars and open ended giving room to unexpected opportunities that might come my way. Whatever that balance looks like... I'm looking for it... call it a search for happiness, a discovery to find your self, a fight for fullness.
Spring Break was my outlet of rest, freedom from busyness, my journey of discovery. Allison and I flew to Boise, Idaho on Friday March 6 out of San Diego Airport (the easiest freggin' airport west of the mississippi). Her parents picked us up that night on we hit the slopes via inner tubes the next day. Boise is located in a valley surrounded by mountain ranges and leading up to this trip, I was tempted to bring my snowboard and gear but it was too tricky. Anyways, toobing was a blast because there was snow everywhere and we were surrounded in God's beautiful creation but part of me wanted to go find a punk teenage boy and strap into his snowboard to take in a few runs down the powdered slopes at the ski resort because the snow looked great! The week consisted of a lot of driving around the city of Boise, eating at good restaurants (my favorite was sushi night!), sleeping in & making breakfast (acai bowls, bacon, chocolatechip pancakes, eggs etc... we went all out!) going to the movies, and hanging out with old friends.
Here are some shots throughout the week:
Downtown Boise at sunset
Spending a day in the city!
Boise River
BSU has faithful fans
The famous BLUE turf
Happy to be home
With every week of rest requires a little exercise... adventuring through the hills! 
Road Trip :: Boise to Point Loma= 4 Days, 1250 Miles, 24 hours in car, domination of 2 cross word puzzles and unlimited conversations/laughes/stories about life.
Day 1 :: Boise, ID - Elk Grove, CA
On the road again
First time to Tahoe!
Day 2 :: Elk Grove - San Fransisco - Monterey - Big Sur - San Luis Obispo
Al and I decided to reroute and see what the city of San Fran had to offer! We took the 80 west from Sacramento to the bay area and enjoyed the sights.
Al and I decided to reroute and see what the city of San Fran had to offer! We took the 80 west from Sacramento to the bay area and enjoyed the sights.
The fog rolling in through green hills 
San Fran Bridge to the city
Where the Giants play... GO DODGERS! 
The Embarcadero (tourist hotspot)
Pier 39
The Boardwalk
This one's for my left wing friends!
If you want to know a fun fact about Allison, know that she has a huge fear of whales (specifically the Narwal, but don't tell her I blogged about this haha). When we were walking back to the car across the bridge, I strategically waited to take this picture until this good looking mural popped up in the background. It wasn't long until she realized why I was laughing hysterically after I snapped this shot... she wasn't too happy about my stealthy placement!
Before:
After:
From San Fran, we drove through San Jose to Monterey and drove down CA-1 through Big Sur. If you haven't heard much about this drive, you need to know that it is easily the most beautiful parts of the west coast with towering mountains overlooking the ocean. We went 3 hours out of the way for a reason!
It got a little windy...
Morro Bay
Adventures with Uncle Joe
From San Luis Obispo, we drove to LA and San Diego the next day. By far, it the longest road trip I've ever taken and such a great Spring Break, I won't forget it! Thanks for reading friends.
I hope your days are full of grace and peace as you continue to journey in the creation of our Lord!
Blessings,
Garrett
I hope your days are full of grace and peace as you continue to journey in the creation of our Lord!
Blessings,
Garrett
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
