Educated or Learned

This past week I started something that I haven't done in almost 13 years. I started a college class! I have been back and forth on whether or not to go 'back to school' for years now and I figured there's no time like the present. My kids aren't in any activities yet and my job is not super demanding on a regular basis so it seemed like the opportune moment.

Thanks to the wonder of modern technology this particular Master's program is done entirely on-line. That's right! I can go to class in my pajamas or sweat pants and a T-Shirt. Oh wait - that's exactly what college kids go to class in! (except for freshmen girls, but that's a different blog for a different day.) It is a 36 hour program and I should be on track to finish it in 2 years with a Masters in Bible and Theology. My undergrad degree is in music (which I've used well having been a music teacher and a youth pastor) but if I progress in the 'preacher world' - I thought I'd need to educate myself a little more. And I know a 'college degree' is not going to make me an amazing preacher or pastor, but I can't imagine it will hurt, though. All of our experiences, whether in the field or in the classroom, mold us into the person(s) we are and who we are to become.

Jesus' disciples weren't 'educated' men - but they sure were 'learned' men. They didn't go through the rabbi schools of their day like some Jewish men like the apostle Paul (Acts 22:3). But they did get a 3 1/2 year intensive program with Jesus of Nazareth. And that seemed to have made all of the difference. This rag tag bunch of blue collar fellas ended up speaking so confidently and powerfully, that the religious leaders that had just killed Jesus couldn't stand up to their truth. They were scratching their heads at where these simple fishermen came from. They hadn't seen them in any of there classrooms before! But then they made a very astute point. They had been with Jesus.

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

While I am excited to continue on with my journey in scholastics - I am also aware that the greatest way to prepare to share Jesus Christ with others is to spend time with Jesus Christ. I could easily educate you on stuff I do almost every day! I could teach you how to make pizza dough or pancake batter. I could show you how to play the C scale on the piano or guitar. I could tell you tricks for starting a weed eater or lawn mower. It's not that complicated when you do things on a regular basis.

I can tell you all about Jesus' love,  His mercy, His kindness, His forgiveness if I am learning about it everyday, too. I can share with you how He can pull you through the long nights when you are fearing for your life the next day or for someone that you love. I can tell you how to be faithful even when the checkbook starts leaning to the red. When you walk with Jesus - you learn to live like Jesus.
When you see Jesus' love - you learn to love like Jesus. When you see Jesus give - you learn to give like Jesus. When you witness His sacrifices - you learn to sacrifice like Jesus. You don't need 'school' to teach you that. You just need to be with Jesus.

Getting Away From Me

As Summer has zoomed by (as per usual) I finally noticed that I hadn't sat down and jotted down any thoughts for my daily dose in a while. In fact - the entirety of August, thus far. But let's be honest - sometimes I am super busy time just gets away from me. I don't mean for it to happen. I don't plan for it to happen. I guess I do, however, expect it to happen.

It seems like in our current age that EVERYONE is busy. Nah - let's call it what it truly is. TOO BUSY! Even people that don't do anything 'extra' are still too busy. We don't have kids in school activities and clubs yet. Aside from the life at our church, we aren't involved in civic or school organizations. But sometimes it still feels like we're going a mile a minute. How do we try to combat that? What are we doing to be intentional about 'slowing down'? Well - for starters - we eat together. At a table. As a family. Several times a week. And if we really want to shake things up - we even turn off the TV. I know, right?

We also take family walks and play out in the yard as the sun begins to set and it cools off. Being outside in God's creation with my family is one of my favorite things to do. Plus - we get the chance to visit with our neighbors that are outside doing whatever. It's neat to feel part of a community. You just need to slow down and take time to do it.

This idea of time 'getting away from us' is very prevalent in the church world. It was so encouraging to see our attendance on the rise after Easter and on through Spring. And then... Memorial Day hit. Summer had started and those numbers began to drift back down. People aren't home in the summer. People must vacation more than ever, I guess. Or they're playing baseball, softball, basketball on most Sundays. At our church we even try to accommodate those that either are busy on Sundays or take that as their only day off for the week by offering a Friday night service. It's great! Finish work - go to a high energy worship service - go to Applebee's - and go home! It's perfect! But some folks would rather just not attend a service at all. They're too busy and their free time could be better spent.

Of all the things in this life that we give our time to - how many will take us through the next 5 years? 12 years? Will it pay for college? Will be make it to the pros? Will the choices we make now effect anyone else's lives? Or how about this one... Are our priorities making what's 'eternal' our focus? Are we focused on living for Jesus and sharing Him with the world? Or are we too busy doing other stuff? Is time getting away from us? Let's make time...