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| I have been toying with the idea of a "new year" for a few days now.
It always strikes me as strange that we a civilization would find importance in the beginning of a new year. I mean we like beginnings. New jobs, schools, and people can be exciting and adventurous. New births in a family are time of joy and love. So I can see why we would be excited about something new, especially something as big as year, but I can't claim that I feel the same excitement about this new year as I have about starting a new job or even welcoming a new baby.
Maybe the problem is in the ending of something old, as in leaving an old job or leaving a city behind. When thinking about the year in review, I wonder if I could find one word to describe it all. At best, I think the word that comes to mind is maturity. I think this year has been a time for me to really grow into my own, to become more of an individual; to become the man God wants me to be. So there is what is being left behind, except it is not really being left behind. This growth and maturation, at least I hope, is still continuing. So really nothing is being left behind.
Maybe this lack of appreciation for a new year stems from my experience in ushering the new year. So lets see. Well I spent the night watching movies: The Bourne Ultimatum, Ocean's Thirteen, and Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer. When we realized it was past midnight, I finished watching the movie and went straight to bed. This was about 12:15. So, in defense for the new year, I didn't welcome it in the best of celebrations.
Yet it is hard for me to believe that at the stroke of midnight or the dropping of a ball, I would magically feel different.
Maybe I just have a hard time seeing it. Maybe I don't want to start a new year (although I highly doubt this explanation) or maybe I've already welcomed it in before it got here. I don't know.
I don't know why this has been on my mind. Why is this even important?
Anyways. As always, much prayer...
Grace, Peace, Love,
<><Luis
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| Tonights sermon was on the parable of the rich fool. The setting goes that Jesus is tell a crowd of his followers and disciples that the Son of Man will acknowledge those who him before man, and to not be afraid of how they will defend themselves when called in tot he synagogue for the Holy Spirit will teach them in that very hour what to say. Then someone in the crowd interrupts Jesus and asks him to settle a dispute about an inheritance.
Jesus responds by telling this parable found in verses 16-34.
Now the reason I am writing about this tonight, at the wee hours of the morning or the early night (depending on how you look at it or what time zone you're in) is that I have always had a hard time with this parable. It confused me to think that God would bless someone with such an abundance, the man want to store up the abundance instead of be wasteful with it, and then God take his life that very night. Now don't get me wrong. I understand that point that the man took for granted that the things of this world will come to pass and what he had stored up would not come with him in death.
With that said, that is not the point I am trying to make and I do not want to stray too far.
Of course the parable is followed by this command from Jesus to not be worried about the things of tomorrow or of what we will eat or wear or drink. But instead seek first the Kingdom of God. I'm thinking okay don't worry about tomorrow. But at this point in my life I feel like everything around me, everything I'm doing to for what I will eat tomorrow and wear and drink. In other words as a junior in college its time to start thinking about post-graduation and all that comes with becoming an adult. Even more importantly getting a job.
So tell me Lord, how can I not worry about the things of this world when my surrounding, my society, my culture tell me that this what a respectable young man of my age should be doing? Well there is no easy answer to this question, and the solution is embedded in the refocusing of our society's view of God and success; but again I have ventured of the course and away from my point.
So in trying to find a deeper understanding, I thought why would Jesus respond to this man in crowd in this way? I find that Jesus is trying to refocus the society's priorities. Jesus is telling the crowd there is life after dead, and he that is the way to eternal life with the Father; that the Holy Spirit will come to provide guidance in difficult times. The crowd, and myself included, miss that and instead are worried about the thing of this world. Jesus give this difficult command to not worry because he wants them to see the importance of what he is saying. And what he asks, seek the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom o f God. That in itself could fill a life-time of Xanga entries, but for now I will say that is best seen in Jesus' three year ministry. The way heals the sick and blind, comforts the poor, feeds the hungry, and so much more. This lifting up of people, this appreciation of human creation, this is what we are to seek first.
So why write this winded entry? Well other than the obvious importance of what is being said, I have made a step towards making peace with my wanting a "successful" career. For those of you who don't already know, I have been playing with the idea of going into Public Finance or Health Care Consulting. I know, I know, I'm a sell out, but hear me out.
I realized that I can seek the Kingdom of God in a career such as Public Finance.
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these will be added to you.
As always, much prayer....
Grace, Peace, Love,
<>< Luis
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| I must say its been interesting being back home.
There is the not seeing the fam in like a year. The funny thing is that my mom look exactly the same. My bro and sis on the other hand, very different. My brother and sister are pretty different from the way I remember then since the last time I saw them, but its a good thing. I feel like I can relate to them more now that their closer to my age. Well actually always and will always have the same age distance. But what I meant to say is that now that my bro and sis are older, we can talk about things that aren't Disney or cartoon relate.... although we still have those conversations. Probably the best conversation I've had since I've been at home has been with my sis. I told her I don't have a problem is she has a boy friend. My Dad wasn't happy about it hahahha.
I took my brother to go see No Country for Old Men (enjoyed it and recommend it). When we left the movie theater, the people around us were complaining that they hated the ending. Me and my brother started talking about how great the movie was and how the ending was really great. It was funny cause the people around us started listening to our conversation about the movie. Before, my brother would have hated anything not main stream media, but now he;s open to new things like indie movies.
Home is great don't get me wrong, but there is still something about it that drives me crazy. I don't know if its just being in the suburbs that does it or if its being under my parents rules again or what? Its funny cause every time we make our way into the city, which is a least once week (I only live 30mins from downtown LA), I find myself wanting to stay in the city. I think I've permanently become a city boy. I don't think I'll ever move to the burbs and commute into the city for work. Who knows? That's what I say now. But, I really don't like the burbs.
So far, I have spent my days eating, sleeping, and watching tv and dvds. I FEEL USELESS. I need stimulation. For this, I think I need Philly where there is plenty of work to be done, school and non-school related.
How sad to think that I have now become dependent on work. I bet there are huge, deep psychological problems embedded in that statement. Ohh well, I'll worry about therapy later.
Some close friends of mine got engaged over Christmas. Wow I have now lost track of the number of people I know getting married. The good news is that I have made my peace with it. Yes I know hard to believe ay. But Luis David Gomez has made his peace with that fact that his close friends will now being to be married off. And I must say that I am really happy for them! Marriage is tough; its a lot of work. But I really am now under the belief that people should marry and marry young. Why go through life lonely. Who is to say that you must first find yourself in order to that perfect other. I say find yourself with someone by your side. Of course this is coming from the person who still to this very minuet believes he will not get married. Those of you who know me best know its there are deeper issue at hand. But please take it from a pessimist disguised as a realist who secretly is an optimist, find someone and make it work. The perfect person is sometimes right in front of you. Perfect is never as great as we think it is going to be, and the road to perfect is one of pain and disappointment.
You know the one I do like about being home is the conversation in the car. I forgot how much though and contemplation happens in a car drive to the market or to church or where ever. In the past week and a half, I have discussed everything from Christian theology to Marxism. Not to say that every time get in the car with my fam we have these long elaborate discussions about obscure topics, but its interesting to see what the conversation becomes when your in a confined space.
The other thing that has been on my mind lately has been the Spanish colonization of Mexico. In brief, I always thought that my family had its roots in the indigenous cultures of Mexico, but as I have begun my research, I find that actually I'm probably more European than anything else (well genetically at least, I Mexican no matter what that will never change). I found out that my mother's father's last name was originally Tapía before they changed it to Trejo. Significance? Tapía was the name of one of the first conquistadors that arrived Mexico with Cortes. Now I'm sure my great, great, great x's whatever, grand Dad was not this same Tapía but the information has brought some interesting questions in my mind. I also found out that my grandma's maiden name is Rodriguez-Santillan. Santillan is an Italian last name. Yea don't know what to make of that either, other than I'm Mexican and American at the same time and maybe I should just keep it at that. All in all, identity is still on my mind and probably will always be an issue for me.
Well have have made this entry longer than it should be, but I have had a lot to think about lately.
As always, much prayer.....
Grace, Peace, and Love
<>< Luis
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| SO the title says alot.... i have been a bad person and have not been keeping up with my bloging.
Lets see where do i start.... so in wed i had to drive to LA to pick up my books for my EMT class and it totally sucked!! it took me and hour and thirty mins to get there. traffic was bad and on the way there this BMW almost crashed right in front of me. it was pretty crazy. Coming back there was traffic but it wasnt to bad it only took me an hour to get home.
I did my recruiting for Penn on thrusday. It was pretty cool going back to my high school and telling everyone about what its like to be in college. I was there to push Penn as a possible future, but really I just wanted the people i spoke to to feel like they can go to great schools and they can go to college and its not just something that is for other students. So im glade that i could do that and I hope that some of them will apply to schools like Penn and stanford and harvard ect. It was really nice to see all the Jr.'s that I knew and to see where they are headed off to college.
On friday night i had a really great time just hanging out with people from high school and catching up. I saw my friend abraham who i havent seen in two years ( since he graduated). that was really cool. I have been really missing everyone at Penn, so it was nice to kinda take my mind off of it for just a little bit. I also saw X3 that night. It was good, i enjoyed it, but it was not what i had expected.
So now its saturday night, i start my EMT classes on Tues and im really excited for it. Im still missing everyone in Philly. I think this might be my first and last summer at home while in college. I dont know it just doesnt feel right to be in California if that makes any sense. I guess right now I dont know where im suppose to be at.
SO i get bible verses sent to my phone everyday and this was one I got the other day.
The verse of the day:
2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
It really hit home with me right now.
.......K i guess ill end this now....
I ask for lots of prayers and I pray that God will bless each and every person who is hurting and feeling ....well.... (i'll just leave this hanging let you guys fill in the blank) .
Lots of Love,
<>< Luis | | |
| K so I've never done this before..... umm...... so ya
Im back at home and things are okay. The sun didn't really come out today cause it rain (of course it was only california rain which mean it sprinkled) Its nice to be home. I my room isnt really my room anymore, I love seeing my dogs again.
I went to the doctors today to get allergy medicine and to get cleared for my EMT work. I must say its nice not having to go through High School sports physicals anymore.
Anywho, Dang I really miss Philly which I find so weired because when I first got to Penn I couldn't wait to go home back to Cali, and now that im here it seems like all of my thoughts some how go back to my friends at Penn. Its like im home but im not home. I cant really explain it.
The book im reading..... The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel... the same guy who wrote the case for Christ.... is getting really good and I am almost done which makes me happy cause I have a lot of books I want to get through this summer.
Yea.... so.... Im running out of things to say except that I think its sad that I check Facebook every few minutes now. Dang what seperation does to ya.. hehe..
K now for the Verse of the Day
It goes out to all my peeps in Mark 1
It [the kingdom of God] is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade. Mark 4:31-32
So have a good night y'all and God Bless
<>< Luis | | |
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