Built on a Cornerstone.

A cornerstone was used in the history of building to make sure a building was square.  It was used as the foundational stone to construct the building so that is may stand perfect. So that the walls may all be plumb and flush.  As Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ states that our cornerstone in our walk of faith is Christ. As He is the most perfect. He will direct us in the right direction to make sure we hit the mark set before us.

"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

   “See, I lay a stone in Zion, 
a chosen and precious cornerstone, 
and the one who trusts in him 
will never be put to shame.”

    Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

   “The stone the builders rejected 
has become the cornerstone,”

    and,

   “A stone that causes people to stumble 
and a rock that makes them fall.”

   They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

   But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

   Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.   Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

1 Peter 2:4-12

cor·ner·stone

–noun

1. a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.

2. a stone representing the nominal starting place in theconstruction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date and laid with appropriate ceremonies.

3. something that is essential, indispensable, or basic

4. the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed


"In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His spirit."


Ephesians 2:21-22

-- God is my Cornerstone whom I have built my life around. I know I won't miss the mark for Christ is perfect. If I talk behind Him and want to be like Him, may I get dirty and dusty in His footsteps.--

A Test of Manhood. Of Discipline.

I have to admit, I have been slacking! It has been almost a month since I last updated my blog.  It's not because God isn't working. It's not because there is nothing exicting happening here in Costa Rica. Rather, and I will admit, it is from shear laziness! How convicted do I feel.

During my time here all of the interns meet on Tuesday night for a guys Bible study.  Our focus has been "Biblical Manhood."  We have been studying and asking the question, "What is 'Biblical Manhood'? and how do we live that out?  We have covered topics such as Man's Creation and Purpose, God's Guide, Sainthood, Servanthood, and Discipleship/ Walking with God.  These kinds of topics have hit home with me and have led me on a search and discovery of what true manhood is.  The first week after discussion we began to discuse our definitions of what we thought 'biblical mahood' looks like.  My definition of manhood looks something like this:

"Living in the submission and surrender of/to our own fleshly/ sinful nature, bearing God's intention of man to live in sacrifice, love, humility, unity and responsibility, as an offering to God."

This has sent me over the past few months and weeks to really dig into God's word and discover what it truly means to be a man. Are my eyes set on the world's view of man. A "man" that indulges in his fleshly desires, consumed by the media, by cars, the pursuit of women, popularity and social acceptance. But rather am I living as God intended me to live. To reflect the image of my Creator. To work, create, and be relational. Daily I have been asking myself, Am I being fruitful and responsible today with the work that God has set before me? [Gen. 1:28 and Eph. 2:10]

As I near the half-way point of my time and service here in Costa Rica it is easy to lose track of why I am here. It is easy to get in a routine and loose the luster that the "unknowns" used to have. As things become more familiar and I become more comfortable with that language, the culture, and especially living with a Costa Rican family, it is easy to forget servanthood, responsibility, and 'selflessness'. It is my prayer that God would work discipline and resonsibility in me over the next few months. Many He daily work in me to continue molding and scultpting the Man that He has in mind for me to be. And it is my prayer that daily I will be glorifying Him in everything that I do and say.

On that note, be looking for a blog update everyweek. I may also include a short update or thought here and there throughout the week as the Lord lays on my heart.  I cannot express to you the joy it brings me when I receive a email or post of encouragement and prayers. It fans the flame of servanthood in my heart knowing that God doesn't expect us to do life on our own.  But a true man seeks for guidance, insight, and help from others. When we are truly able to be open about our life, I believe we have stepped into the intention that God has for us to live in love, humility, unity and responsibility.