Priorities

Balance. Priorities. The law (in Christian/biblical terms).... These are all ideas and topics that have prompted this post and these thoughts from me today. Forgive me for rambling and throwing random thoughts out. This is not a good sample of my writing skills. :-)

As a seminary student working on a masters degree, I run across a lot of things in life (both in questions from others and in class assignments) that make me think about what priorities I have in life, what priorities I should have in life, and what priorities the Church should have. Along the same lines, what priorities should our culture and country and government have? I'm not sure there is a set answer. For every situation, priorities will change. Positions and directions will change, which defines what gets prioritized. And that's OK. It's fine. That's how life works. BUT... you have to know how to prioritize. I'm still learning. I don't think I'll ever be near perfecting it.

For a class I'm taking this semester at Golden Gate, I had to read In Search of Balance. In the paper I wrote on this book, I noted that I thought I'd learn some amazing new insights. I did not learn anything new and amazing. The book is entirely practical, and I already implement most of the things the author talks about. There is no set recipe or "fix-all" for everyone. It's a process. Life's a process.

A not-so-fun and much talked about topic in Christian circles and definitely in seminary is (dun dun dun) THE LAW. Just some random thoughts I'm going to throw out on this topic: don't make it your priority. "If keeping the law is the basis of relationship, then you have no relationship. You will violate the law." My New Testament professor, Dr. Martin, said this in class this morning as we discussed the law, keeping the law, and that sort of thing. The kind of law-keeping we discussed in class caused arguments, even in Bible times, that got people killed. (Stephen was stoned for things along these lines.) The law condemns everyone, which is why a relationship with Christ is important. Christ overcomes the cranky old law. (Galatians 3:23-29) Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing. (duh) My lesson from this is to not prioritize arguments that don't matter. Following a set of rules isn't what "saves" you or strengthens your relationship to Christ. While there are obviously things you should and shouldn't do, there is no checklist. I'm tired of people acting like they are better and checking off their list.

Soap box time. Along these lines, a blog post has surfaced about the "Southern Baptist" stance on alcohol changing. First of all, I've heard several seminarians make comments about the stance changing. Well, don't get all excited. One comment, by one person, was made about FUTURE moves to take "rules and suggestions" out of recommendations. This hasn't happened yet. (Know the processes, people. Don't get caught in sounding ignorant because you're excited about not being under contract to not drink alcohol.) Also, every Southern Baptist church and entity is autonomous and can (and will) make its own decisions. Then again, you are your own person and have to make your own decisions according to your own conscience anyway. But, this isn't a priority for me. I'm not a fan of alcohol. Getting off my soapbox. That stuff said, I don't think drinking alcohol, in and of itself, is wrong or sinful or bad. I choose not to drink. But that's a personal choice for numerous reasons.

Another thought of something that should be prioritized: loving people. Telling people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. As our seminary president, Dr. Jeff Iorg, has been quoted saying: "Go after people, not places."  If you end up somewhere on the other side of the globe, that's great. If you live in the same town your whole life, that's ok, too. No matter where you are, love the people, and share God's love and saving grace with them.

Live your life. Love God. Love people. Follow Jesus. Those are priorities. Everything else falls into place.

Here. We. GO!

Another semester has started... and it's my LAST ONE in seminary! I am through the first week of my last semester. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel! It's sure to be a fun-packed, busy semester with my internship, working at starbucks, and classes... not to mention the college ministry I'm helping lead at church!

Also, my favorite SPORTS ARE BACK! The beginning of baseball season is almost upon us! As football season has recently drawn to a close, spring training (for MLB) starts this week! The Daytona 500 is two weeks from today, marking the start of the NASCAR season! *sigh* Sweet springtime. (February is springtime in my mind, with the advent of new, fresh sports seasons.)

To keep up with all that's going on in my life (when I don't have time for new blog posts), keep up with me on Twitter!

Hey, Christians...

FYI, this post will mainly be food for thought for my Christian friends out there...

My mom sent me a link to a neat video by David Barton as he gives part of a tour in the US Capitol. Many of you know that Barton is a US historian and an authority on US Christian history, in particular. He likes to set the record straight on a number of issues that our ever-increasing secular world brings up. If you, like me, enjoy history and are interested in how Christianity played quite a role in United States history, check out this video!

(You can find out more about David Barton's work here. I've heard him speak live on several occasions, and am always thrilled an amazed at new, enlightening info that he shares! It's pretty cool. The guy is SO smart and on top of all sorts of historical, factual things. Warning: a lot of non-Christians and historians don't like the things that Barton teaches. But most of what he presents can't be refuted. Do some thinking, folks!)

Next, in one of my textbooks for the fall semester, I came across a neat quote. It really struck a chord with me, as a Christian. I am a Christ-follower. While there are a million other aspects that make me who I am and define me (like sports and patriotism), I know that my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important and what makes a real difference. However, I am always running across other Christians (especially within the Seminary bubble) who are so wrapped up in their "holy living" and debate about "Christian things" {my own terms/views used in quotations here} amongst themselves that they forget to live their lives. While theological debates are important in the fact that its imperative you know what you believe and how to defend it, a Christian arguing with another Christian is not going to impact eternity. You're not loving others by arguing, and you're certainly not living or telling the Gospel to a world who desperately needs some Good News. That said, here is the quote that I'd love Christians to meditate on:

"We are a disobedient people. We argue about the definition of worldwide evangelization and we debate the details of eschatology, while we neglect the command of the Word of God to evangelize the world". -George Ladd

I'm not out to point fingers or start a useless debate or argument. These things just made me think and put stuff into perspective. Maybe they will for you, too.