Growing Debt.... What to do... What to do...

Anyone else sick of reading news about the debt limit? I know I am ... So I thought I would write about it instead... J/K (well kinda). It is interesting how many similarities there are between the nations handling of the debt limit and how people handle their own debt. I am not talking about their monetary debt though... I am talking about their indebtedness as ones who inherited the debt of Adam and continue to expand upon it, ignoring it as if it doesn't exist until either it is too late or time runs out. It is amazing how many never really thought about the debt limit until the past week (honestly I didn't even realize the nation had a debt limit until a few months ago, I didn't realize it was so difficult to print more money). The scary part about the whole debt crisis is not the fact that the nation may fail to pay its obligations, it is the numerous individuals who make up this nation that are unprepared for death, a time when all bills come due. You can pretend it doesn't exist, but it is coming. You can think it isn't a big deal, but it will be. You can write it off as hogwash, but you'll reget it. We all have a debt to pay whether we wish to acknowledge it or not... this becomes obvious if you've ever watched loved ones die or been to a funeral. Even the most moral, upright and respected people cannot escape death. The debt we owe is too large for any human to pay but necessitates that a human pay it. There is only one hope and only one person I know who can pay a debt that demands my life. You can write it off as offensive ... the Jews did. You can think it is foolish ... the Gentiles did that too. But do you really have anywhere else to run but the cross of Christ? It is in the midst of that cursed event that death was defeated and payment was made for those who trust in the resurrection of Christ. By God's grace (i.e. God doing for me what I cannot do for myself) I look forward to the day when I will share in His resurrection. As you speak with those about the debt limit remind them that we all have a limit on our debt too... our reckless behavior cannot continue forever. Whether we face death or Christ's return today, tomorrow, next week, next year or in a thousand years doesn't matter... the ceiling is coming... are you ready?

Why not "ministry" after seminary?

(Found this in Dr. Constable's Notes on 2 Timothy, pg. 28)

Regardless of one's "job" every believer in Christ has a "ministry"

Wrote this in my journal today and thought it may be helpful to those wrestling with what is next in their journey after Seminary. This list is is no specific order and were just thoughts I have been thinking about over the past few months and final got around to jotting down.

1. No passion ... Just not excited about it yet...
2.Too much competition in this country for "ministry" positions ... if others desire to be sacrificial servants please there is no need to compete for such a position.
3. Still counting the cost of leadership.
4. Little affirmation ... Most (except for one person) keep telling me to not go into "ministry" but to do something else if I can... I guess I can do something else.
5. Question in my head of whether I will fervently pursue Christ regardless of seminary/job.
6. Don't want to unnecessarily sacrifice my family for a "ministry" position.
7. "Ministry" isn't an occupation... It's a lifestyle... I have recently realized how blessed I am for the job I have.
8. Need time to unwind from Seminary.
9. Still young and stupid ... Don't want my imperfections to lead others astray...
10. The Church doesn't need one more leader it needs one more faithful servant.

Christianity Distilled

Usually I write posts on here for myself capturing what God has been revealing to my selfish and slowly changing heart... praise God he doesn't give up on us [Phil 1:6]. The last post I wrote received the most comments ever for a post ... I think 4 :) [as a side note: I am always grateful and thankful for those who comment]. So here is a followup to that post. Obviously the last post was crafted in a way to hopefully challenge most people's box (mine included), specifically an individualistic American mindset that ignores a love for our neighbor. I am sure there are some who really do struggle with "people pleasing" but my guess is it is a struggle with expectations. Instead of looking for eternal treasures they expect immediate reward by either being acknowledged, thanked, commended, or repaid [see Matt 6:1]. Hence, the problem with people pleasers is that they are short sighted. Nevertheless, they are half way there, in that they have a heart for others needs while also being willing to do something about it. My guess is that in general most Americans struggle with individualism not "people pleasing", hence my last post. Ever since the fall we have drifted towards isolation and death failing over and over again at loving others and loving God. We struggle to really build close relationships caring about others deeply enough to deal with their bag of crap (not the bag of crap sold on woot for $5.00, the one we all carry around since birth that taints every decision we make... I think in Christianese it is called a "sin nature"). It is easier to be individualistic living in isolation (assuming somehow that a decently moral but apathetic life is pleasing to God) than it is to be a people pleaser. Maybe it is just me but I don't like to love others even when I receive immediate reward and recognition. My problem isn't "people pleasing" it is "me pleasing". One commentator summed up my last post by stating we are called to be "God pleasers, People Servers." Exactly! Christianity is not complex (even though some like to make it seem like it is). Christ summed up the entire law in one command "Love God, Love Others" [Matt 22:37-39]. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (i.e. Paul's version of the Great Commandment) were the verses that inspired much of what I wrote in the last post. Living a life that is others focused probably means you'll be taken advantage of... just plan on it. Don't let that stop you though! It is the times that I know I am getting used, abused, and ripped off that I pray desperately for the other person, realizing I have no power to change their heart but can only be a reflection of the grace and mercy that I have received through Jesus Christ who was used, abused and ripped off for my sake.

Disclaimer: No promises except one... if you die you can be confident in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:42).