Things Beneath Us

I can see the finish line.  Three more classes and I will finally have my MDiv from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  I have been working on this degree since January of 2007.  It has been a long journey, but a fruitful one.  I said that there were three more classes, but the truth is there is actually one more.

Apparently, my English Composition grades from my undergrad are not what they need to be.  I was informed by NOBTS that they would not allow me to graduate until I take an English Comp class to boost my grade up to a 2.0.

You see, when I entered college in the fall of 1997, one of my first classes was English Composition I.  I had a sweet lady for a professor.  There was just one issue that I had with her teaching.  She wanted us to keep a journal throughout the semester.  I thought to myself, "I thought I was in college, not junior high."  So I decided to not do a journal.

My decision landed me with a "D" for the semester.  Who would've thought that one little assignment would have held so much weight?  Apparently, this one did.  Now I have to retake English Composition I from a community college in order to receive my Masters degree.

It is amazing that the things that seem "beneath" you are some of the most important things.  It is easy to think that we are above doing certain things.  We sometimes think, "I've already been there and done that."  Life then shows us that though we've "done that" already, it might be something that we need to continue to do.

What "things" are there in your life that seem beneath you that you need to be focusing on and continuing?

New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminaryWikipedia: The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ("NOBTS") is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, located in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. →

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Unexpected Blessing

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 HCSB)

It was a couple of months ago when I got an email from NOBTS, where I am working on my Masters of Divinity degree. It had said that they had received my application for financial aid for Spring 2013. I thought this was interesting because I had not put in an application. I asked my wife if somehow she had gone behind my back (in a good way) and done this. No.

The reason that I had not applied was that I knew that I would not be enrolled at full-time status which is a requirement for most aid. I just left it to a glitch in the system. I wasn't looking forward to getting some aid but having to return it because I was not full-time.

Here we are in December. The current semester is closing down. Looking ahead to the next semester, we wonder how much we will be able to do to complete this degree - the finish line is in sight!

All of the sudden, I get an email from NOBTS that says "Congratulations!" It was a $400 grant for next semester. As I said earlier, I wasn't looking forward to going to the Financial Aid office and telling them I don't qualify. Then I saw this in the email...

Enrollment can be full- or part-time (on-campus, extension center, or internet courses).

Then it hit me. I do qualify for this one... and I can use it! Praise the Lord! This will be great. I am looking to do a workshop in January that will complete my on-campus requirements. That means if the funds come in for that workshop ($1110), I will be able to finish my degree online and no longer have to commute to New Orleans. (Too bad this grant can't be used for the workshop.) This grant/scholarship will just about cover an online class for the spring to get me one step closer to the end.

God never ceases to amaze me. When I thought there was no way to qualify, apparently He made a way for even me in my situation to qualify. He has a special way of reminding you that He is Emmanuel - "God with us."

As we are praying for God to provide for this workshop in January, I would ask that you pray for us. If God lays it on your heart to help meet this goal, please contact me and I can show you how to do so.

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Cool video from First Priority

Check out this video that First Priority put out about students reaching their schools... pretty cool stuff.

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Homewood Middle School First Priority

This morning, I had the privilege of speaking at Homewood Middle School's First Priority.  I want to say, first of all, wow!  I was so impressed with this group.  I have spoken at First Priority meetings in different parts of this state (Alabama), but I don't know that I've ever seen a middle school group like that one.  Students were coming into the gym from all over.   There was a great guy who led some worship and had about 10 or so students up there with him.  It was great.  I spoke on the Rich Young Man from Matthew 19 and how Jesus was telling him that his first priority should be Him (Jesus).  It was a great time and I look forward to going back and hanging with those great students again soon.

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Investment

In light of these economic times, I got to thinking about investments.  I do not do much investing with money in the stock market and such.  But I do invest many other things.  I invest my money in things that I deem worthy (church, schooling, Starbucks).  As I was sitting in a seminary class this morning, I was reminded about last year's almost failure.  It strongly encouraged me to make sure that the investment that I (and others - mainly my family) was putting in to my education was making a good return.  Last semester, I had to sit down with my wife and face the heat of almost blowing some $500 because I just slacked off in a class.

I began to realize that when you get a clear picture of the investment that has been put into you for something, you do all that's in your power to make sure the return is the most.  You fight for what you love and respect.

What are you investing in haphazardly?  What are investing in wholeheartedly?  How are you setting up guardrails to keep from being side-swiped in this process?

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School's Back In Session

It has finally happened. I have gotten back to work on my Master's degree this week. I love it. I'm not terribly excited about all of the classes, but I am excited that I will be one step closer to the finish line.
As I get started back in my education, I remember the importance of always being a learner. What are you doing to grow?

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