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.

Matthew 6:19

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

When the Devil Strikes.

To say the least myself and the other 4 interns had a great weekend.  Taking a half day on work to catch a bus to Manuel Antonio where we would spend the weekend walking through the rainforest spotting monkeys, sloths, exotic birds, butterflies, and seeing some amazing trees that have to be over 150 years old.

However, the excitement would only last so long.  After a relaxing, humid, sweaty, peaceful day at the beach and rainforest we headed back to our hostel room to shower, rest, and clean up before heading out to dinner to celebrate my belated birthday present from my parents, money to take us all out to dinner.  When we returned to our room and i approached our locker to grab some of my stuff it dawned on me. The lock was still locked, but the hinge and hardware which held the lock to the door had been forced open.

 

 It finally hit me.  When my Iphone, my Relix watch, my headphones, my Passport, my wallet (includes: license, debit card, insurance card, school i.d.'s), my camera, had all been taken.  He had searched through every pocket of our bags.  Two other interns had electronics and wallets taken as well.

I was in SHOCK. I can't even describe the feels I was feeling. It wasn't anger, it wasn't revenge.  It was a sensation of violation, disrespect, shock, questions like "why?", panic.

Having stolen more than $1000, a passport, a few debit/credit cards, licenses at the end of the day we were safe.  As I comptemplated what to do next and the shear utter anxiousness and violation we were reminded of Hebrews 10:32-39:

"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so thatwhen you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,

Yet a little while, 
and the coming one will come and will not delay; 
but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back, 
my soul has no pleasure in him.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."

I could have responded with utter rage. I could have been enraged. I could have wanted revenge. But honestly, I didn't feel any of that. I was living. I was breathing. I had great friends, I had a God that was watching over me.  All that had been taken from me were THINGS. Things of this earth to be honest. Things I could replace very easily.  Material goods that quite honestly I was probably holding onto too tight.

After reading Hebrews I am reminded that our real treasures are up in Heaven. Our real hope in Christ our Lord.  In that, I have hope and faith in God's provision.

My father send me an email this morning that states, "Sorry to hear about your loss of things at the hostel.  God may be using this to have you lean on Him and rest in His provision."  What great words! To "rest in HIS provision." How often do I find peace and joy in the little that I have knowing that God will provide exactly what I need each and every day to do His will and not my own.

I cannot express more that through God's grace He has given me peace, insurance that He is in control.

I will note that I am on my way to the U.S. Embassy today with a police report and the few pieces of identification I have left.  I ask that you pray the process goes smoothly as it can be difficult sometimes processing this kind of thing in a foreign country.

God is teaching me something. He is growing me. I am learning to "lean on Him and rest in His provision."  When the Devil attacks will I cower? Or will I hand the pen of my life over to Jesus Christ and let Him script the story?  I can only trust and lean on the God of the universe and in that, I have peace.

Made by: God - For: GOD

*Week 6*

This past weekend I got to spend it with my host family, and what an amazing time it was!  With a full packed day on Saturday going to see my second Volcano, Irazu.  With a little car trouble along the way God got us there safely!!  After hiking around for a while and taking a 'few' photos we headed back down the volcano and stopped at an old psychology institution that has been abandoned for many many year. Though very creepy at times there were some awesome moments that I tried to capture...see more in my photos tab.  --I will say more about this later.

the Gang.

Volcano!

 On sunday I got the opportunity to go to the zoo!! Though different from the zoos I am familiar with where they have lions, giraffes, elephants and the like it was mainly filled with exotic birds, lizards, and monkeys!!!  One toucan was quite a friendly toucan and I was in awe of God's creativity and shear beauty of his creation.

Toucan Sam

I still have trouble understanding what God was thinking in the first two books of Genesis when he had completed creating Man and everything else with him and said it is "very good".  I look at so much of humanity and wonder, how is this 'very good'?  The sin that we live in, the lies that we tell, the selfishness and bitterness that we live in.  I struggle to understand what 'good' means.  I have this idea that 'Good' means mediocre, fair, there is something better but this isn't bad.  However if you look at the definition of 'good' you might be pleasantly surprised.


Good adjective  - pleasing; to be desired or approved of; appropriate to a particular purpose


Even from the very beginning God had a plan!  A GOOD plan that has a particular purpose, to show off his vastness and splendor.

This past weekend God revealed more of himself to me.  Through spending a weekend with my Tico family, the conversations, and relationships built, God showed up, reflecting "his good, pleasing, and perfect will" Romans 12: 2 intended for our lives.  As mentioned earlier I would tell about the psychology institution, so...




Though abandoned and quite eerie at times there were some amazing moments that I attempted to capture throughout this old abandoned building. One thing I have come to realize through studying architecture, through observing nature, patterns, forms, colors, and being constantly aware of those things around be I attempt to never miss a beat.  I have come to realize the power of light. The way it can transform a space from an old abandoned building with a desolate history. Below are a few photos that I captured:

 

As I look at the moments and light captured in these photos I can't help but remember the way God [light] ("for I am the way, the truth, and the LIGHT") can transform our lives. Broken, dusty, unkempt, rotting, abandoned, dirty, disheveled, torn, God still shines in.  The photo in the upper left I won't lie, was an accident. But what an amazing moment!!  A simple light, shining into such a dark, desolate room.  When we walk into God's light, He restores, redeems, gives grace, He forgives and soon the dusty doesn't seem so dirty, the broken are healed, the abandoned are loved, unkempt are restored and a picture of what was created as 'very good' is shown upon with God's light, glory, and splendor.  

A simple glimpse of the magnificence of God captured in one picture. What an amazing story. Made By God, For God.

Do. Work.

Well the project trip to Mexico is over. What a great time and an amazing learning experience.  We were able to complete most of the preliminary and conceptual design work. Now the real work begins. As myself and Andrew [the other intern I'm working with] settle into our workspace we now have the pleasure of working with the architects and engineers for the project now in the states.  We are responsible for coordinating and completing the design work.  This includes construction documents, final 3D models, site surveying, diagrams showing electrical and mechanical work for the building.  This work will last us until the end of July.  I admit, though tedious and demanding at times, I love what I am doing.

Hard at Work!

It was a great experience this past week. All 10 volunteers from the states did a fantastic job at figuring out the solutions to many difficult design issues.  It was amazing to watch everyone interact and see the building fall into place.  What is more amazing is seeing the ministry we partner with active within the design and their grateful hearts for the work we were doing.

Dinner in Playa del Carmen for a debrief.

At the end of the week once we had completed our work and presented the schematic designs to the ministry I had the opportunity to talk with Gayla Congdon [the founder of Amor ministries].  It was evident that the work we had been doing was more than just a building.  Starting Amor ministries in 1980, Gayla had a vision. A vision to eradicate spiritual and physical poverty. To see this vision grow exponentially with the design of a new language and theology school with retreat and technology center was beyond her dreams.  Upon completing our conversation and hearing the thankfulness and gratitude exuding from her heart, she walked away with a tremble. And behind her dark sunglasses it was evident that the holy spirit was moving as a tear or two was shed, as a vision, that was simply a dream, was followed by obedience, was beginning to become real, becoming tangible.

It is moments like that, that I can hear God's voice.  It is moments like that, that I stand in reverence and awe at God's sovereignty, that I can experience God's story unfold in such a miraculous way.  Every day here in Costa Rica, I am constantly challenged, whether through the language, the relationships, the work, our daily prayer times to open the day, I am daily reminded why I am here and that God has me exactly where he wants me.

I won't lie, upon my return from Mexico I began to realize that I have been traveling for over two months, with the longest time in Costa Rica, only 3 weeks.  The reality that I will be here for 5 more months seems to be finding its way through. It's difficult not to miss the comforts in the states. As things become more familiar and the daily routine begins to seem quite regular, know that I am still in prayer for all of you back home. God is working here. He is doing things I can't imagine. With the design of this educational facility many many lives will be reached and changed.  I am encouraged daily through the 'pokes' on facebook, or a simple little note here and there; know those make a huge difference in my life.--

I apologize for the lengthiness of this blog but I feel that God's story should never be cut short. However, I will leave you with a passage that has been on my heart the past week or so:

Worship and devotions.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, 
   slow to anger, abounding in love.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Praise the LORD, my soul.


Psalm 103: 8, 11-12, 22


Lastly, as time ticks by here in Costa Rica, so do finances.  Though here in Costa Rica, I am still in need a large sum of financial support.  With a goal of $9,000 to be met I am slightly over $5,000.  The work for this ministry, though God's work, also takes God's resources.  If you would love to help support me, or continue supporting the work God is doing through my time here in Costa Rica, as myself and eMI help the vision of Amor Ministries to eradicate spiritual and physical poverty become more tangible visit https://emisecure.org/donate.html in the 'designation' box enter Grant Larsen-2851.


I pray that you continue to be inspired through this blog as I attempt to capture glimpses of God's amazing story of redemption and restoration.


In Christ's Love,


P. Grant Larsen


email me!!


plarsen@emilatina.org

-or-

pgrantlarsen.cr@gmail.com

a Snapshot.

"EMI partnered with Amor Ministries to begin the planning of a Christian university in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. Amor’s vision for the campus began from their foundational ministry goal: to eradicate spiritual and physical poverty. The physical campus will include a theological school for pastors, a language school, a leadership retreat center, and a technology center. EMI staffed worked alongside Amor to develop a program, campus master plan, and a first-phase building concept. Throughout the week, volunteers and staff spent time visiting local places and interacting with local professionals to understand design possibilities and navigate through potential problems. At the end of the week, the project team presented a schematic building design and masterplan to guide future construction."