I can't believe its over!

On the first day of Spiritual Retreats class Dr. Bob, opened up our class with prayer and prayed of newness. At the end of class we took time to silently reflect on a single word or phrase. Immediately, I felt as though the Lord was speaking to me these words, “I make all things new.” The next day I spent the afternoon in my first Representative Theologians class of the quarter. Dr. Dearborn opened up in prayer ending with, “thank you for being a God that continually makes us new and all things new.” I can’t even begin to express the refreshment these words have brought to me this quarter. They have permeated my thinking and my actions in remarkable ways.

What have I gained from this quarter? Oh, so many things! Winter quarter has been incredibly eye opening. From so many avenues I’ve learned more of what it means to be refreshed through rest and retreat. Through retreat, my imagination has been baptized into thinking that is much more expansive. The gospel is richly poetic, bursting with imagination. A poetic rendering of the gospel frees our trapped selves to embrace existence with greater possibility; a world enlivened with fresh meaning where life isn't limited but richly imaginative. The gift of retreat is an invitation into a new life of freedom to experience this imagination of our Creator through spiritual means like contemplation, engagement, self-disclosure, Spirit and community.

It fascinates me that God would choose to breathe rest into my life this quarter considering it has been one of the busiest, most demanding times of my life. But it has also been filled to the brim with retreat. I can’t help but stop to praise God for the ways in which He sustains us. We cannot do so on our own. I’m tremendously thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given to slow down and to reflect on the One who brings ultimate healing and fullness to our frenzied lives.

Endlessly, I’ve been reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NIV 11:28-30) As I was just looking more fully at the context of this passage, Jesus stops suddenly to say, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do” (NIV 11:25-26). I’ve learned to appreciate the wonder and imagination of the gospel like a child so much more this quarter through experiencing a wealth of rest. In relinquishing my self-governing ways, I’ve more fully taken on the burden of Christ which counters wholly our individual efforts at understanding. As Dr. Nienhuis pointed out in the Lectio for Matthew 11, “Jesus insists that he provides the only point of access to God, and no one can know God apart from what he reveals. Clamoring after powerful signs or seeking worldly wisdom will not do, for Christ himself is the revelation of the mysterious power and wisdom of God.”

I pray God would persist in “making all things new” as I continue to relinquish my self-governing tendencies to embrace the burdens of Christ where rest brings transformative restoration. Only through taking Christ’s yoke upon me via avenues of retreating will God continue to work and shape my life for His Kingdom.

A couple of my friends made this film for an eschatology project and its pretty wonderful. Such expansive imagery and thinking.

This quarter was filled to the brim with glorified study expeditions. I have Starbucks, Tully's, Enlighten, Fresh Flowers, Peet's, Brown's, and Laughing Ladies to thank for that. They exude such cozy environments and disguised so well the fact I was actually studying. But I can't afford that now. Today's studying is of a different sort. It's of the sit around in comfy clothes drinking bottomless french press while soaking in any and all information my eyes come across kind. I've also convinced myself I'm a hermit. That should help.

T minus 48 hrs. Until the wind of relief snatches me up, up and away to see my family and to embrace life anew.

This book is beautiful....

The love the respect and personal warmth Dalia and Bashir share amidst the political chasms they experience as Jew and Arab...

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=5405369&m=5405370

Finals Fruit Snacks.

Every finals week I take a little jaunt up to the grocery store to pick up an exciting themed box of fruit snacks and I put them in my backpack. Fruit snacks are really great stress relieving study companions. They also remind me of the simplicity of being a kid. Sometimes we take finals just to darn seriously. OK, I care about the outcome of this week but is it really worth all the stress? We become so tunnel-visioned that we forget to look up and see the wonder of the world around us, still in motion.

This quarter's theme is, "create your own bug" fruit snacks. I didn't think of it at the time but it ties so perfectly into what I've been thinking about this quarter. God's kingdom is overflowing with imagination, not only of the greater reality that is to come but also imagination reflected in every ounce of creation present to us now...that includes bugs. I'm determined to soak in the imagination amidst the seemingly endless hours of studying to come.

It is daytime on the other side of the world and I'm trying my best to convince myself I'm there studying. But I still keep yawning.

This is an uber fast blog post to say I'm incredibly thankful and filled with restorative momentum. This quarter has been so rough. Oh, that hardly states it accurately. Tomorrow has potential to be one of the busiest days of my college career. But this weekend was packed with blessings that I can hardly count.

Urban Impact not only makes awesome hors d'œuvres and fondue but is also doing phenomenal work in the lives of those it impacts (pun intended).

Becca is one of my favorite people.

Spending time in Fremont with more awesome people is great too.

Playing music for worship with my brother is a delight and honor.

Sarah or my phone always dies mid phone conversation. This is only a blessing because it suggests long conversation.

Study sessions with Lindy are never study sessions. We have better things to do. I love her.

Bunco holds such power in bringing intergenerational community together.

5 is my new lucky number.

Les Patton is an incredible encouragement despite his recent loss, the death of his wife Donna.

My friend Anne picked me up a bib and shirt for the race I was supposed to run but didn't really train for. Now I can look so fly on my little jogs to Fremont. Right.

The Earth is Yours must be one of the most enjoyable songs to play and is a winsome picture of God's wondrous creation, singing harmoniously to the tune only God can orchestrate.

No one knows when the Son of Man is going to show up but I will be vigilant. Eek, it's exciting. We cannot take it lightly.

Last but definitely not least, meeting Kyle and Christina was really exciting and I pray this weekend was simply the start of much more time with them.