Sympathy for the Preterists...

(Chris Morton is an Orthodox Christian, and his reflections here are not an endorsement of unorthodox beliefs.)

Do you ever just read the words of Jesus and think "seriously, what does that mean??? what am I supposed to do with that?"

Today I'm reading Mark 13, which I'm no stranger to. I get it-Jesus' condemnation of Jerusalem and his predictive prophecy of the fall of that same city that would come 40 years later. Now, I'm (more or less...) a literalist when it comes to the Bible, especially the synoptic gospels. I believe that they were written far before the fall of Jerusalem, and that they record Jesus' actual words.

I guess the struggle I felt tonight had to do with the question, "why are these words in the Bible?" Why include this prophecy at all? Sure, it may have had a powerful meaning to the original audience, but what about today?

Then there's the real rub: There's a way to read the text, that makes it sound like the second coming of Jesus was going to be literally and immediately after the fall of Jerusalem. The preterists say it was. The liberals say Jesus made a mistake.

The best explanation I've heard is that it all ties back to Daniel and the "son of man" reference in Mark 13, in a reference a prophetic day of judgment. Not to be confused with the final judgment, but more the very common OT prophet "God's comin' to getcha" judgment. And that's where I'm willing to land.

All I'm saying is, it's a hard text, I don't get it, and I can sympathize with the preterists.

High Points from my Saturday at SXSW

Every year, hundreds of bands and thousands of spectators descend on Austin, Texas for South By South West. Now, while I'm years away from being able to spend the $600 it takes to get in legitimately, there's still plenty to do at SXSW. So, in no particular order, here are some of my favorite moments from the day:

• "Dude, look at this bag!" "I think it's a purse, bro..."
• My cool new black shirt
• The speck of monster repellent on my face when I got home
• The rocked out midget
• www.myspace.com/netherfriends
  
• Hearing an old school punk band at my favorite spot in Austin, Spiderhouse
• Having my good friend Daniel around to listen to me whine about my life and lessen awkward situations
• Getting to pray for hurting people
• Singing "This Little Light of Mine" with street musicians from New Orleans. And getting tips.
  
• Knowing that I'm not the only one who is struggling through the difficulties of this season of life.

Amazing. Today was pretty much exactly what I needed.

My Deliverance.

...for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance...
Phillippians 1:19

I'm relying on you guys right now.

Check your motives

Tonight, I got some good advice after sharing a difficult situation with my friend Daniel Clark. The more I think about it, the simplicity of his advice makes me feel like I shouldn't have to ask for it.

He told me to pray to God that I would only do something if it was really FOR GOD and NOT for myself.

If it is for God, then it is the noble and right thing to do. If it for myself, it will no doubt fail.

And while this does little to balm the open wounds I am cradling even now as I write, it gives me a path by which to move forward.

Best with what you've got.

Mad props to my good good friend James Holston for his example and his visit.

James and I became friends through a Bible study we helped run at Harding. We spent about a year and a half trying to convince the complacent Bible belters to step out of their comfort zone and to view their world and future workplace as a mission field. This friendship, based on the idea that church could be better and reach lost people, continues to be a blessing to me.

I've moved on, spending time in Atlanta, Austin and now San Antonio. I've had the chance to work with world-class leaders, and get hands on experience in the type of ministry I hope to lead someday.

James took a different path. He got a really good job, and continues to slave away at it in the...interesting (?)... state of Arkansas. He's paid off his debts and saved up all his money. He spends his evenings running ministries that reach people who would never otherwise step into a church. He spends his time off flying to Hondurus and helping the poor there. Then he spends his extra money, flying into SA, just in time for a very difficult weekend.

I'm so glad for James friendship. But I am just as grateful for how he uses the blessings of his less than ideal situation to bring glory to God, and encouragement to me.

Thanks buddy.

How do you measure personal growth?

Do you ever find yourself in a situation that is remarkably similar to one you've been in before? You have a conversation, it seems, for the second time, or hundredth time, only the person you're having it with has changed? You find yourself dealing with the same struggle again and again.

What's the difference? How do you know if you've grown, changed? Where's the line between "here we go again" and "this time it's different"?

I find myself struggling in all arenas of life with this, whether it's work, school, roommates, relationships, family. There seems to be only a few struggles I have, and I repeat them again and again.

Does this mean I'm being given another chance? Or does it just mean I keep getting myself into these situations.

Something New

I generally pride myself on my ability to fly by the seat of my pants. But it's never easy. Especially when you are trying something big and different.

One day at a time.