perspective.

I'm taking this New Testament Survey class right now to continue my first year of training with Campus Crusade. I love it. It's been a huge blessing as I raise support. Having a focused time in the Word several times a week for 2-4 hours is incredibly beneficial to my life!

Today I read many of Paul's letters - one of which was Titus. I studied this last week at bible study and was excited to listen to a lecture on it and read the book this week. I knew the background of Titus and Crete, but actually had a change of thought take place through one of the resources from Crusade that I have to read (along with most of the NT and a commentary). This file has fictitious letters from people in the NT to Paul, often asking for a letter of advice, note, or historical record- hence, the letters of the new testament. Really weird concept to me; I actually didn't really like reading the file each week but did it anyway because I wanted to give myself an A for that portion of the class (it's self-graded and I need all the points I can get).

The file corresponding to the book of Titus was actually a grouping of several notes back and forth between Titus and Paul. T didn't want to be on Crete, for obvious reasons which he proceeds to point out, but P explains the need for him there and doesn't let him off the hook (until later when T goes to Nicopolis).

I read the notes back and forth, and actually understood the information present as I had read Titus the week before in Bible Study. So when I closed the file and re-read Titus, I started to read it from the perspective that I was Titus. And it dawned on me: I generally read Paul's letters as though I am the citizens and church people he is writing about. With Titus, I started to read it and think about it as though I was Titus receiving advice and encouragement from Paul. I learned a lot and was able to apply different things to my life and situation than I usually do. Normally I would just look at and read the letter from the viewpoint of those in Crete instead of from their leader. Kinda cool change of perspective for me (I think!).

:)

just feel like I need to say sorry to jenn for the lack of blog posts lately. :)

depth.

Ever since I was little, for some reason, I've loved money. I counted it, saved it, spent it, counted it, hid it, searched for it in couch cushions weekly, counted it (do you sense a theme here...) yeah, I just loved it in many ways. I've got a coin collection collecting cobwebs back home, and I loved getting my first checkbook and making deposits. I even loved balancing it (still do...)! Actually, maybe I love numbers more than money...I digress.

I don't really have this feeling anymore, probably due to my entrance into the real world. Wasn't quite ready for the bills that come rolling in! And I don't think if I had more money I'd be happier. Not at all. I thought that for most of my life. I don't know why people think that- they worry about money, but if they had more they'd still worry about somethin else. And, it's funny how money ruins things. People go crazy over not having what they want. So many people are worried about the economy. Why do they think money will satisfy their desires?

I watched into the wild a few nights ago, and this just fueled my thoughts on the matter. The kid leaves society and lives life on his own, independent and free. I admire him for that, but what kind of life is that? He's alone. He dies alone.

For most of my life, I've loved money more than people. I didn't realize how much more fulfilling it is to have meaningful relationships in life, to have people to walk through life with, than to have enough money. I'd rather have deep relationships than deep pockets.