Priorities, Part 2

Money. you had to know that this was the next stop. let me start off by saying one thing, "I hate money." As a child it was something that I never understood. You take these round, metal, flat disks and exchange them for stuff.

I can remember quite vividly my mom driving to Corbin Dairy Drive-In to pick up some milk. My brothers and I wanted to get an ice cream but Mom said we didn't have enough money. "Hey Mom, why don't you just write a check?" Well, that's all we knew about money and sometimes I feel that what that's all I know. 

News headlines and the airwaves are laden with reports of financial crises plaguing the housing market, the auto industry and in California we're looking at a growing budget deficit that could possibly bankrupt the state by February. At home it has been equally difficult. Record-high gas prices, soaring utility bills, insuring a single, male driver and repairing and cleaning up after a broken kitchen pipe have also impacted us here at home. Needless to say money has been on my mind a lot. By the way, did I mention that I hate money?

When you think about the Bible and money, what comes to your mind? "You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13), "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10)? I've taken classes and heard sermons on stewardship (that's Bible-speak for money) and know that all things belong to God and that He has entrusted them to us to use for His glory. If God provides all things, then why do we have money?

I know that there's probably a million answers out there. I never took an economics class and I know that I'll never be a millionaire. Right now I can hear Sam Cooke's Wonderful World as I write this. In the end the most important thing is Love God and pursue a relationship with Him. 

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

Priorities, Part 1

It's been over a week since I began this blog and I haven't had a chance to even collect my thoughts. One thing that I notice is that life is going non-stop. This past week we spent two days in a row at the dinner table as a family. That was incredible!! 

This begs the big question, "How do I spend my time?"

When I'm not at work or sleeping I notice that we have the TV on. I have been cutting out the amount of time I spend watching TV, but have always had a problem with watching it. I remember when we first got cable in my parent's house, I once spent a half hour watching a game show in Korean. I had no idea what they were saying or what the point of the game was about, but I was mesmerized by the images and sounds.

Last week we went with our son to visit a potential college. The university president spoke to us saying that this particular institution was unashamedly Christian and promotes Jesus Christ. When we went to the student chapel service, we heard an instrumental group play a couple of songs, we watched a video about the Advent Conspiracy, sang a couple of worship songs and then heard a missionary speak about the humanitarian work that he was involved in. The service ended with prayer and we were out - after an hour and thirty minutes. The Word of God was not mentioned even once. 

Now you might be wondering if the prayer ended with "in Jesus' name, Amen." ;) I don't mean to sound critical but the point I'm trying to make is that one may say one thing about themselves, but actions speak louder than words. Steve Curtis Chapman's song "The Change" has these lyrics in the chorus, "What about a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change." I sometimes feel like I'm like that university; saying one thing about myself, yet living a life that is no different than someone without Christ. 

I think the answer lies in how I spend my time. Romans 12:2 comes to my mind, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." But more importantly, the previous verse really speaks to me and this is where I have been discerning God's voice this week in many ways. In verse one, Paul writes, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." As Greg has been telling the students in high school group, "when you died in Christ, your life ceased belonging to you, it's no longer yours. It's dead, done, over. You belong to Him. You have given up all of your rights."

So my life is no longer mine. Wow! That is contrary to the ethos of today. This sounds like sacrifice on my part - sacrificing my will, my desires, my "felt" needs. I already sacrifice on my own. I mean who wants to wake up every morning at 5 AM when it's still dark and go to work 40 miles away from home every day?

So, how will I spend the rest of this evening (it's 7:30 on a Tuesday night)? Last Sunday H. Spees spoke in Sunday School to the high schoolers about the Book of Acts. We will be discussing 4 themes over the next four weeks and we've been given a homework assignment. I think I will read the Book of Acts, not the whole thing, but we'll see where it takes me. Besides I still have a kitchen to clean up. 

Tomorrow I have a date with our finances to see where the bleeding is taking place. This is connected with priorities as the next question will be, "Where do I spend my money?"

Pre-Blog

Well, I've decided to start a blog. It's really for myself; a place to reflect and occasionally look back at how God has been working in my life and see where He's taken me. I don't know what this will accomplish. I hope to learn more about what it means to listen to God and be led by Him. Sometimes I may just complain about things, and other times I might ramble. In either case this exercise in writing will show me where I've been and help me for now and the future.