Is It Finished?

So I took my little brother to see Bolt last weekend. At one point during the movie he leaned over to me and said "It's over." Knowing that he is not very well versed in movies I could tell that it was not actually over and told him that there was more movie. But I could see how he would think it was over. This got me thinking about how often we think something is over before it actually is. We think it is the end when we actually need to be hoping for more.

Like when David and Bathsheba's first child died. Everyone thought David should continue to mourn but he praise God. He knew what would come later. He knew he would be with the child. Or when Jesus was on the cross. He cried out a psalm of hope. He knew there was more to come. He was letting those around him know it was not over. He knew more was coming.

Often things get turned totally upside down and our first response it to question God. But what if we took a new perspective. What if we questioned our feelings? What if we questioned our perspective? What if we claimed "It is not over"? If you have a relationship with Jesus then you can claim this. Paul writes "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." If you do not have a relationship with Jesus you cannot claim this. But you can.

So there are two responses possible here. If you have a relationship with Jesus you need to remind yourself that "It's not over." If you do not have a relationship with Jesus you can respond by putting your hope in him. If you are interested in that you can email me @ jcvarner@gmail.com. There is actually a third option and that is to not respond to this information. You can go on living as you have been. But there is no hope in that. In Jesus we have hope. We know that "It's not over" for the resurrection has come.

In the Stream

I found this quote today.

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
- Thomas Jefferson

I wonder if this is to some degree what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (ESV)

"19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel,that I may share with them in its blessings."

Right now how are you swimming and how are you standing?

Verse to Reflect On

This verse was shared this weekend at church and I thought I'd pass it on as it is a great verse for reflection this time of year.

Isaiah 9:8 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Christmas vs. Xmas

So I keep having this strong desire to type out and write Xmas. But every time I think about it I am reminded of "The Reason for the Season." I know cheesy. But I want to encourage you all to consider writing Christmas rather than Xmas. For Christ truly is the reason we celebrate all this. And the more we can do to remind ourselves of that the better. With all the hustle and bustle, plus the consumerism. It is often Jesus that is lost in this time of year. So when you are at the store in line and are getting frustrated with how long it is taking take a look around. See if you can find something to remind you that this is about Jesus. And W.W.J.D.? I know cheesy. Or the next time you are searching for a parking spot or have one jacked look at the lights and remember He is the Light of the World. Still cheesy? Basically what I am saying is take a look around and I bet you can find something to remind you of Jesus. Even if it is Santa Clause. Remember he was a Christian. Not this modern Santa Clause but Saint Nicolas. Advertisers all the time use little messages for their purpose. So why not use the true little messages of Christmas to change your perspective. I hope you all have an amazing and wonderful Christmas season.

Justice and Mercy

Thoughts I'm pondering right now: To what degree do we offer mercy towards a Christian man guilty of a crime? To what degree do we yearn for punishment against a Christian brother? What should be my response when a Christian brother is accused of a crime? What should it be if he is found guilty?

I understand what my response should be when it is simply an act of sin; forgiveness.

Any thoughts?

Luke's Gospel

So I've been reading Luke's Gospel during my devotionals as of late. I've chosen to go through Luke because it appears that Luke writes to a man of power and position. While I do not have these I feel my current life setting has more to do with rich men of that day than it does with the other Gospels, not that they do not speak to me. I just thought I would read through Luke and let it challenge me as a privileged young man in a very wealthy county. So today I was excited to find out that the Singles Blog for Saddleback Church is doing a devotional set for the Christmas Story for Luke. When you have a chance you might want to check it out. It'll be very interesting to be challenged again by this story.