I used to go military first, but I feel thats a mistake, you have to get your economy going before can even think about rushing, in most situations, I like to either research commerce or civics first, and then science, for the temple. I usually rush the enemy middle game, before enlightenment if possible. It would also help if you specify which civ you like to play the most, a start with china has to be different then one as the bantu or egypt, and so on. I think economy is first, so either another city or commerce, I usually have finished by second city by the time commerce is finished researched, I then try to get temples to increase my hold on the map, and to get rare resources.