CaseyJones1979

This question, "who is Jesus?" has plagued the minds of people for centuries. For the last 2000 years as a matter of fact. So who is Jesus Christ? Is he just a good man or is he really the Son of God? Jesus himself claimed to be the Son of God. He claimed to be the Messiah. Some groups in the past have denied that Jesus ever said he was the Messiah. Throughout this semester I have been looking through the book of Mark. Mark does something interesting with Jesus compared to what John does. In the opening of John's gospel he comes out in the open and says who Jesus really is. John proclaims that Jesus is none other than God himself in the flesh. Whereas Mark gradually reveals the mystery of Christ. I was sitting at lunch today with some friends and a former professor listening to this conversation. What an interesting event! Is it possible that Mark was just trying to keep his readers attention and then hitting them with the punch at the end? John had a different approach. He thought it best to go ahead and deliver th goods! This sounds like some of our methods of evangelism. Some of us will bust out and tell people "God loves you" or some will say (like me) "you have a problem, sin!" "Different strokes for different folks" I think that is what we can learn from this study. But there is a lot more meat on this theological issue than one mear blog could hold. John said at the end of his gospel that if an attempt was made, all the books in the world could not hold what Jesus did while he was on earth. I am not the New Testament guru or any kind of scholar, but during the next few months I would like to embark on a journey through the gospel of Mark and see what Mark is trying to do with Jesus. This will most definitely be an interesting topic to study. The purpose of the study will be to get a glimpse of the real Jesus who came to save mankind. So, keep coming back to my blog and see the results of this journey through the gospel according to Mark. To the praise and the glory of His grace.

This marks the end of my third semester here at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I arrived here in November of 2002 having no clue of my journey or the lessons that I would learn. In some way these travels have been a continuation of my college years. One lesson that God continues to teach me while I am here is that He is faithful and in control of all things. I am so greatful for this truth. I was listening to a biography on Charles Spurgeon last night, the commentator was talking about Spurgeon's afflictions. He mentioned his bout with depression. Spurgeon observed that it was by the sovereignty of God that brought it. He believed that God used depression in his life to keep him humble. This issue of God's sovereignty is a crucial one to be learned. I have learned it repeatedly during my time here at SWBTS. I am forever greatful to our Father for bringing me here to this wonderful institution. I have roughly four more semesters to go. I am pretty sure that there will be a ton of lessons to be learned. But that is the theme of life. Learning how to perservere through distress. God has promised in 2 Tim 3:12,"All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." This is not an opinion but a fact. God disciplines those whom he loves. The great thing about these truths is that their purpose is to make us conformed to the image of Christ Himself. May God keep us all humble before to learn the great lessons that He has to teach us.

These past few days have a bit frustrating. I mean just last night I was at a friend's house crying my eyes to him. I was letting out my frustrations in life. Then we had a sweet time of prayer. Today I attended church with another friend, because I have begun the process of looking for a new church. Both sermons I heard today have been from God himself. This morning's text came from 1 Peter 1:10-12. The pastor was describing how the prophets of old searched for the mysteries of Christ. He eventually reference a passage from Isaiah 55 1-3. I was challenged by the question Isaiah asked his audience. For what do you labor? I begun to examine my life. I saw how I was laboring for a relationship that was only temporal. So many times in my life I leave this focus. My life's labor and work is for one thing only, bringing glory to my God. So I ask the same question that Isaiah did, "for what do you labor?" Are your labors for the temporal things in this life or are they for the eternal in the next. The second thing I was challenged on was tonight. The text was James 2:1-13. Am I a respector of persons? Do looking differently on people based on what they can do for me? Do I judge people because I think I am better than they? If that is the case, then I am in sin. I admit that at times I look down on people. Sometimes I think more highly of myself than I ought. What a horrendous thing in the site of God my Father. Lord, forgive me for sinning against other brothers and sisters. These are two valuable lessons to glean from the truth of God's word. "For what do you labor?" "Are you a respector of persons?" The good thing I am beginning to see from blogging is that I can come here and write about my life. I can write hopefully to an audience who will be challenged to live life for one reason only, to bring glory to God! Is that your purpose in life? I mean is it really? If it is not, then you need to repent my dear brothers and sisters.

During my senior year of college I won an award. I won the theologian of the year award. It was subtitled something like: for practical interpretation and application of scripture. Why did I win that award you ask? Well, from the years 2000-2002 I started reading. I started reading books that dealt with the things of God. For example, I remember reading "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala. My sunday school teacher let me borrow that book to read. He had said that I would not be able to put it down. And you know, he was right. For one of the few times in my life I enjoyed reading. Later on I would read books that discussed the "TULIP", books on prayer, studying the Bible, books that dealt with practical Christian living. I even got to where I was reading Wayne Grudem's Systematic theology. Eventually, I would start talking to some of my peers about what I was reading. I would ask them what they were studying in the Bible or if they were memorizing Scripture. Sometimes I would hear things like, "Dude you are to theological!" "Quit talking theology" "You need to be more relational and practical not theological" So who is a theologian? I tell you today, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, YOU ARE A THEOLOGIAN!" You may not be an Augustine or Origen. But if you are a child of God you should be studying the things of God. I am tired of hearing people say "don't bore me with your theology" or "Man, you are to deep" I have been challenged by one friend indirectly to "search the depths of Christ" If you want to do this then you are a theologian. Theologian of the year award, huh, I was just trying to grow more in my walk with Christ. Just that plain and simple. Do you want find out who you are in Christ? Then study the concepts involved in salvation. And you will find that that is theology. Do you long to know more about the ends or want to have a hope to endure the end, then study eschatology. If you look at the definition of theology it is simple in itself, the study of God. I had a friend challenge me awhile back. He told me that while I was in seminary that I needed to study more theology. I needed to know why I am a Calvinist. I needed to know where I was in Eschatology. I needed to know how I was going work in a Southern Baptist Church holding to an elder ruled church government. These are not important issues just for Pastors to study. But every child of God if he or she is able should study them. You do not have to go to seminary to read books. There are a ton of books you can pick up. One of my favorite sites is www.cvbbs.com there are some good resources there you can go to. There you have it people. If you are a child of God, "YOU ARE A THEOLOGIAN". Study to show thyself approved as a workman unto God who does not need to be ashamed but rightly handle the word of truth!

It is amazing how easily a Christian can be shifted from a high to a low. Today I was having a good day, then boom, one thing happened and changed my attitude. Why is that? Why does this happen. One small minute event changed my perspective on the day. But then through the night one small event changed my feelings again. Its a big roller coaster! What small thing changed how I feel now? Well, it is simple. I took Paul's instruction from Philippians 4:8, when he says basically, "think on whatever is good, pure, holy" What is the good thing I thought about you might ask? Its not a what but a who! That who being none other than Jesus Christ himself. Earlier in the day I learned through my grandmother that some faithful friends of hers out of nowhere gave me some money. Man, that made my day. I have been getting discouraged wondering where money for school was going to come from, knowing that God would provide. Let me tell you something friend, if you do not believe in the Sovereignty of God, start!!! This is a fine example of that underlying truth. God is faithful to the very core of His being. The prophet Jeremiah was flirting with fire when he told God that He had lied to him.
I have not gotten that bold with God. But I do know that every time, every time, God is there. God is there when you think no one else is around. God is there when you think that your faith has failed. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:13, "Even when we are faithless, he is faithful, because He cannot deny Himself." As I was thinking through the faithfulness of God on the way home tonight, I began to sing/yell the words to "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand" because all else is sinking sand! What a faithful God we serve. He sustains us and keeps us until the very end. What a blessing! What a God! I would like to see any other religion do that. I would like to see any other god do that!

Last week I started working out for the first time in a couple of months. A good friend of mine told me that the reason I quit for awhile was because of women. I do not know if that is the case, but I do think there is some truth to it. So I started back working out. Here is my plan: I work out five days a week. I do cardio vascular stuff on an elyptical machine for thirty minutes, I lift weights involving two muscles on a three day rotation, and finally I do around fifty leg lifts everyday. I think within that time that I have lost around five pounds already. But I bet if I turn around I will find it. Last semester I developed a similar routine and lost thirty pounds during that time. We shall see what happens this time around. Also I do not sleep as much in class since I have started. That is one thing I am known for around my campus is falling asleep in class. Imagine that a future pastor dozing during some of the most important times in his life. So if you want some pointers in starting a work out plan, it is simple. Ask around and just go do it. I am going to start to apply this to my own personal prayer life. We say we will start next week to exercise or next month. Or we say tomorrow I am going to start praying. When I have more time I am going to start this or that. But bottom line is: don't wait, just do it!

Sorry it has been so long that I have written, of course no one knows my address anyways. Not to long ago I picked up a book I have called the Evelyn Wood Seven Day Spead Reading Program. I have read it before trying to learn how to read faster. I read the section called "time your reading speed." To my suprise the average person reads about 250 words per-minute and my speed was at 245. After a few techniques I increased my speed at my estimation to about 900 words a minute. What does that really mean? Well I went from reading about 20 pages an hour to around 80. So after reading a commentary for a class on Jeremiah I am taking I finished reading the book in about a week. It was 784 pages; and I started on page 98! Do I retain what I read? Not most of it. I don't keep what I read at a slow pace, so it really doesn't matter. I am able to read more so that is my goal. If you have any tips on how to read better keep me posted.

Hello to the blogging world! This is my first ever blog. I cannot believe I am doing this, but to get in the tradition with some of my good friends, I thought I would give it a shot. Plus it would help me in my limited very limited writing abilities. Is there anyone out there that could disciple me in the ways of blogging? I would like to give an explanation of the title of my blog. I am trying to follow in the ways of some of the great theologians of our time. I guess it was just tradition with them, but I think it is pretty cool. Those theologians would go by their first two initials and their last name. Some that come to mind are: J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, E.M. Bounds, and Baptists are endebted to great men like B.H. Carroll. I will tell you a little about myself. I am a 25 year old from the greatest state in the Union, that is Alabama! Actually now I am a Texas citizen. So, if you want to get technical I am from the country of Texas. Yes, I did say country. After all that is the way some Texans see themselves. I hope that my blogs won't bore you too much. Well, that is all for now.