#PostGradLife

Amongst the many late late nights in the Baylor library, I used to wonder what it was like for grad students ... they'd always have a stack of books (i dont think i ever checked out a book as an undergrad at baylor) and always seemed to be writing 100 page papers or something. I imagined that they were just starting the day when I was there trying to finish mine ... but perhaps tonight I realize I'm on the other side of things now haha. Well ... My paper's only 15 pages and I probably will never be a morning person. Oh well. #PostGradLife

Word

"No matter who a man may be, if he teaches you in accordance with his own thought and mind his teaching is false. But if he teaches you in accordance with the word of God, it is not he that teaches you, but God who teaches him."
-Ulrich Zwingli

Christ, my sanity.

It's a weird season of life but I found myself resonating with a lyric that I haven't listened to for while. Aug used to lead it a lot ("Mystery" by Charlie Hall). The above video isn't the song but it seemed to capture my heart at this moment more than my words can.

Because of Christ,
-Jon

First day, heh.

So today marked my first official day at work.

Just watched a sermon off a friend's facebook wall and coupled with a ton of other factors, I feel God's been so gracious to remind me that He doesn't need me. Ha.

I find my mind wondering how "effectiveness" of ministry can make me look to others. If I preach well enough, with enough humor, with enough biblical insight, then maybe the kids will really love and praise me ... maybe my peers might respect me ... maybe my parents will be proud of me. 

They warn you when you are trying to discern your calling to ministry "Don't enter in if you can help it." Because behind all the social media that inspire me to want to be something (or someone) "important," is the reality that aspiring to this office might just get me more God and question my soul if that's enough.

More than a stage, a blog, a tweet can say, what I most need to remember is that my main job as a "pastor" (I still feel uncomfortable being called that) is to invest for the long haul in equipping the church family to do the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:12). May this understanding free me up to love these kids and this church instead of looking for love from them. 

New to this "shepherding" thing,

-Jon

*edit*
As pointed out by someone in class about two weeks ago, my main "job" as a pastor is to walk with the LORD*. Oh ya ...

Reflections from random readings in class.

The cross is an expression of God's very self, His very nature. God is our salvation.

Salvation is a manifestation of the character of God. Gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity BUT who will by no means clear the guilty.

It is very true that at the core of the gospel is a profound mystery that digs deep into who our Triune God is. I can barely even see it but it's amazing. Indeed, digging deep into the gospel will require one to dig "into the deep things of God," Himself.

God, reveal more of Yourself. I want to see. Give me sight to behold.