This is the time...

If you don't know me, there is something you might want to understand. Sometimes i will have random thoughts and ideas that i will become really excited about, and will want to share with as many people as possible. I guess this is good, because i hope to eventually preach and teach for a living, and that seems like a good quality for that line of work. Today I had one of those moments, and instead of trying to get people to listen to me i think i'll just write about it here and hope people actually take the time to read this. I was sitting at lunch, and the people i was with were talking about the presidential election. Obviously the most popular topic right now. They were talking about "our generation". They were saying that our generation doesn't know what they want. They do not understand anything more then the campaign slogans that these politicians spit out hoping that no one will dive much deeper then "Change" or "Straight-talk express". Our generation does not want to have to research the views and opinions of these politicians, they just want what seems best for themselves and the people around them. I have to say that after hearing all this, i agree completely. The cool thing to do today is activism. Become angry about something, and hold a sign that says so. Now before you turn off your computer thinking that this is just another political rant by someone who doesn't know anything about politics let me tell you something. My realization wasn't about politics, or about slogans or bumper stickers or protesting. It was about what we should be spending our time doing. Is it wise to enter the streets with picket signs protesting something that may be inevitable? No. Is it the best decision to enter arguments that you will lose, just to say that you didn't give up. Definitely not. I do not think that the wise decision has anything to do with yelling and screaming your views aloud to the world, but instead, this is the time to close your door, find quiet away from your roommates and friends, and open up scripture and focus on the betterment of your relationship with God through Christ Jesus. My relationship with God is not dependent on what box i will check in November, or what organization I support on Facebook. Our decisions should not be made based upon popular opinion and who is most vocal about their views. Our views and beliefs should be the product of quiet reflection and prayer, and listening to the voice of God through His word and movement in our lives. If our generation stopped thinking eloquent speeches and unblemished voting records were the source of change, and realized that true change comes from God, we would be the most enlightened people ever. If we realized that no man can consistently ride the straight talk express without falling, and understood that the most honest person was Jesus Christ when He said "I am the Way, I am the Truth, I am the Life and no man will come to the Father but through Me"(John 14:6). Find time to reflect on the truly important things. Christ does not have a term limit, and we definitely didn't have to vote for Him. He is on His throne for a reason, because He is the only one deserving to sit there.

"It will cost something to walk slow in the parade of the ages, while excited men of time rush about confusing motion with progress. But it will pay in the long run and the true Christian is not much interested in anything short of that."- A.W. Tozer

Acrosstics

The purpose of the title "Sunday with Jenkins" is that ideally i would like to write here every Sunday. Sorry about last Sunday, i was kinda busy learning how to spell words using bigger much more meaningful words. To those of you who do not understand what i'm saying, you are obviously not a student leader at Liberty University. Our campus pastors love teaching us very deep ideas, using acrosstics. I may be spelling that wrong, but i don't care. I found out by the second day of training, that i absolutely hate acrosstics. I don't know if it is because they're cheesy, or because they take pretty deep issues and cram them into 3 or 4 letter words. Issues that take a long time to explain should not be crammed into 3 or 4 letter words. That is why they take a long time to explain. It isn't all bad though. The week has been fun too, though. Getting to hangout with my girlfriend, my friends from last year and getting to meet and hangout with a great sister dorm. Like i said in my last post, i don't wanna complain or focus on the negative. This week has been really tiring (mentally and physically), but it has been completely worth it. Being a part of a community focused on Christ is more refreshing than most things you could experience ever. People with prayer on the front of their minds, people who refuse to do anything but push you to be better. If you're not surrounding yourself with people like that, you are not seeking the best for yourself. I had one of my brothers come wake me up for a optional morning prayer time. I made excuses as to why i couldn't go, only because i really wanted to just sleep. I was kindly met with a "JENKINS GET UP!" I automatically got up got dressed and went, and it was the most uplifting time of prayer i have had in a long time. I felt closer to God in that time then i had all week. I would have never gone on my own that day, I needed my brother to come and show me tough love. So as this year starts i am going to continue to surround myself with people who will push me closer to God when moving is the last thing i want to do. I am also going to make sure I am being that person for others. So i guess the theme that resonates in my head looking at this post is that there is no such thing as "Christian self-help". Don't ever let anyone tell you different. The point of the Gospel, is that we can't help ourselves.

Proverbs 27:17- Iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another

Inauguration Day

I've never been interested in blogging. Seems silly, useless and pretty unoriginal. It probably is, but someone i respect a great deal does it and suggested that i start doing it too. Sometimes a suggestion from a friend is more powerful than logic. Lately it has seemed as if i have a lot of things to say but no medium to say them. This could be useful. It will hopefully be like shouting into an empty room, knowing that no one will hear you. I am getting ready to go back to school. Liberty University, the most exciting school on Earth.I am really excited for this year. Beginning my ministry as an SLD, starting my Bible classes, getting to hangout with my girlfriend and various assortment of good friends at school. A lot of people i know are dreading going back to school. I am thankful that i am in an environment that i can learn, be challenged, grow and have a lot of fun all at the same time. Life is what you make it. If i went back to school complaining of the rules, the work i have to do, the fact that i have to pay a lot of money for it, i would be setting myself for disaster. Complaining gets you nowhere. I have gotten to the point where I am very aware of what is coming out of my mouth. This is both good and bad, because it helps me keep myself in check. It also lets me know that if i say something hurtful or immature, it wasn't just a slip of the tongue. James 3 warns against using your words in a hurtful or immature way. A guy i love and respect showed me a good example of James 3. A group i was a part of was hanging out, talking and gossiping (it is more then just spreading rumors, so you know) and he walked up. A member of the group asked him to expand upon a funny question we had all been answering about other people who were not in the group. He quickly answered "No, in no way is that uplifting". A awkward hush fell over the group, until i changed the subject. Thinking about it though, my friend did the right thing. What is the point of speaking in anything other then encouraging and loving words? That is definitely a practice I am going to carry with me back to school. That is why i try my best not to complain about anything. God has blessed me with so much, i have no right to complain about anything. The second i complain, i am no longer being uplifting. I may become the "Debbie-Downer" of conversations, but refusing to speak anything with an attitude other than love is not worth opening my mouth.

James3:9-12 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Much love,

Jenkins
Joshua 3:5