I will admit the incarnation of Jesus Christ is not an easy piece of theology to wrap our heads around. There are a few things we do know, but a lot that needs to be taken with a dose of faith and humility. As human beings we will not be able to have all of the answers in terms of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, however, there are many things we can take away from this miracle that will greatly impact our walk in 2014. Here are a few things to consider and pray about.
1) The incarnation of Jesus Christ was foretold long ago. Many Old Testament prophecies align directly with the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. Some of the most applicable prophecies surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ are Micah's prophecy in Micah 5 that Jesus will be born in Bethlehem and in Isaiah 7 where it is prophesied that a virgin will give birth. Is this the way it had to be done? Did God have to enter into humanity is such a humble, but yet miraculous way? Well, sadly my answer is, "I don't know." I do think the prophecies served the purpose of showing and allowing the people of God to see that when the Messiah who they've been waiting for generations will come these are the signs to look for. God could have entered the scene whenever God chose to, but there's a good chance people would not have recognized God. The prophecies are important, but they should always be subservient to the one they are prophesying about.
2) The incarnation shows that God is literally crazy about knowing human beings. I will tell you this don't try and rationalize the incarnation of Jesus Christ. First of all, it's a mistake in my mind to try and and wrap your brain around why God does what God does. However, the point I'm trying to make is that the incarnation is God's ticket into a deep, close, personal relationship with every human being who desires one with God. There's no other way to wrap your mind around it other than to say that God wants to know and empathize with human beings, so God became one. Now, I will say there is the issue of sin and its consequences, and that truly is one of the major things Jesus Christ took care of with His death and resurrection. However, if sin never happened, and I believe it would have eventually, could God really relate fully to human beings without becoming one of them? Well, that question is tough to answer, the great, amazing truth is that God did to become one of them and surely that is some of the best news of all human history.
3) God can do both. In theological circles many folks have debated how could Jesus be both fully man and fully God at the same time? Well, there aren't any other examples of a God/Man walking around in our society today, so there really is nothing or no one to compare Jesus to. However, with God I firmly believe all things are possible. I challenge you to have the faith and belief knowing that your God walked this earth as a complete human being and complete God at the same time.
4) The incarnation gives way to reconciliation. The Apostle Paul speaks clearly about God's goal for humanity in 2 Corinthians 5 when he says that God is reconciling the world to himself in Jesus Christ. Sin broke the relationship between God and humans in the Garden of Eden. The goal of all human history is for God and humans to once again be reunited in a full, close relationship. The incarnation is a key piece in making this happen. This new year I hope you rejoice in the truth knowing that God came to you and God continues to come to you.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
On the Season of Advent
The season of Advent is one of my favorite times of year. The excitement and anticipation are great and even truly life changing at times. Advent in being observed is a time of expectant waiting, for something amazing to happen: the birth of Jesus Christ. It's a time that church and ministry leaders earnestly and pray that all laity would take seriously, because Advent has the potential to be a time of amazing spiritual growth. In looking at Advent there are many great spiritual truths to pull out of this amazing holiday. I've listed three below.
1) We all are waiting for something. Let's face it we as human beings know how to wait. We wait in line, for promotions, we're put on hold, we sit in traffic, we wait for phone calls, emails, text messages, and the list can go on and on. So, we know how to wait and anticipate what's coming. But, do our expectations normally line up when reality hits when the waiting is over? The answer is not always. But, Advent is a whole different experience all together, we wait and wait, but in Advent our expectations are blown away by the truth that God is among us. Our expectations haven't been let down, but my hope is that in waiting for Advent they have been blown-up all over again! Know that we all wait for someone or something, and this Advent season I hope you realize waiting for Jesus to come as a baby will never let you down!
2) The message and hope of Advent is for all people. A lot of what our society throws our way is designed to exclude people. People are often excluded because they don't have enough money, don't look right, don't act right, don't say the right things, aren't educated enough, don't have the right title attached to their name, and I think you understand/get the point. Exclusions are everywhere. But, the joy of Christmas and one of the many things that sets this amazing time apart is that no one excluded from rejoicing in the incredible truth that God has come to live among us. This message excludes no one, and for that amazing truth I say praise God!
3) Advent signalizes that the best is yet to come. I was having a conversation onetime a person who was a known agnostic, and they lamented to me saying that how upset and depressed they were because their life was as good as it was going to get. What an incredibly sad way to live! The baby in the manger signalizes an amazing truth: God is not okay with allowing us to remain in our, God wants to do something about it. God is not okay with us walking in the hurtful moments of life alone, God wants to experience them so God can walk with us. The baby in the manger is God's message to us that the best is yet to come, God wants to be with us, and one we will all be with God forever where there are no more tears, pain, hurt, or sin! This Christmas season no matter where you're at rejoice and know that the best is yet to come!
1) We all are waiting for something. Let's face it we as human beings know how to wait. We wait in line, for promotions, we're put on hold, we sit in traffic, we wait for phone calls, emails, text messages, and the list can go on and on. So, we know how to wait and anticipate what's coming. But, do our expectations normally line up when reality hits when the waiting is over? The answer is not always. But, Advent is a whole different experience all together, we wait and wait, but in Advent our expectations are blown away by the truth that God is among us. Our expectations haven't been let down, but my hope is that in waiting for Advent they have been blown-up all over again! Know that we all wait for someone or something, and this Advent season I hope you realize waiting for Jesus to come as a baby will never let you down!
2) The message and hope of Advent is for all people. A lot of what our society throws our way is designed to exclude people. People are often excluded because they don't have enough money, don't look right, don't act right, don't say the right things, aren't educated enough, don't have the right title attached to their name, and I think you understand/get the point. Exclusions are everywhere. But, the joy of Christmas and one of the many things that sets this amazing time apart is that no one excluded from rejoicing in the incredible truth that God has come to live among us. This message excludes no one, and for that amazing truth I say praise God!
3) Advent signalizes that the best is yet to come. I was having a conversation onetime a person who was a known agnostic, and they lamented to me saying that how upset and depressed they were because their life was as good as it was going to get. What an incredibly sad way to live! The baby in the manger signalizes an amazing truth: God is not okay with allowing us to remain in our, God wants to do something about it. God is not okay with us walking in the hurtful moments of life alone, God wants to experience them so God can walk with us. The baby in the manger is God's message to us that the best is yet to come, God wants to be with us, and one we will all be with God forever where there are no more tears, pain, hurt, or sin! This Christmas season no matter where you're at rejoice and know that the best is yet to come!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
On the Hunger Games: Catching Fire
You may never have read the books or seen the first movie, but I'm fairly certain you've heard about The Hunger Games. This trilogy of books was written by Suzanne Collins, and it chronicles a time that is supposed to be futuristic in nature. To give you the context of her novels: there was an uprising against the capital over seventy years ago. The capital crushed the rebellion, separated people into districts, and each year held a Hunger Games to remind the citizens of the country what the rebellion cost them.
The Hunger Games are an annual event that require one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts: twenty-four participants in all, to try and kill each other and avoid being killed. The games are held as a reminder/punishment not to rebel against the capital.
In this the second movie of what everyone is saying will be four movies, Katniss and Peta from District 12 (the poorest district in the country), are going on their victory tour after being victors in the 74th annual Hunger Games from the year before. The President of the nation, President Snow, is worried that Katniss' behavior in the Hunger Games is giving people hope and a cause for rebellion. This worries the President, and he assures her that her behavior must change. If you combine that with Katniss' and Peta's fake love story, Katniss' real love for Gail, and the fact that after the victory tour President Snow's see LOTS of signs of rebellion, you know trouble is coming. Well, to prevent a war/revolution from starting President Snow and the Head Games Maker introduce a Quarter-Quell for the 75th Hunger Games. The quarter quell would bring back previous Hunger Games winners from each district to face off in another round of the Hunger Games! Well, that brings Katniss and Peta back to the Hunger Games again!
Be prepared to witness acts of bravery and self-sacrifice as Katniss and Peta struggle to stay alive in this most fierce, intense round of the Hunger Games. I'll stop the story synopsis right there and let you know that you have to watch the movie to find out how it ends!
It is important to look at movies through a Christian lens, and for all of us as followers of Jesus to analyze and interpret the messages that media sends us. First, of all let me be clear that the Bible clearly tells us that we should not kill, murder, or take life. Now, some of you may be asking, "What about in times of war?" Well, that issue gets a little more sticky, and I will say that's not what's going on here. So, please if you see the movie or know a young person who has seen the movie please tell them it's not real and what they're doing in the Hunger Games by killing each other is very wrong. I think we as Christians need to protect, celebrate, and value life, and please tell your young person that's not what they're doing.
Point two to look at when watching Catching Fire, is that this movie is very good at showing how awful and how good humanity can become. The fact that anyone would enter into a situation and kill someone else for no reason other than they don't want to be killed is awful. What is even worse is that a government would regularly set these games up and people would watch them for entertainment! It kind of reminds you of what the ancient Romans did to Christians. But, the movies do show people looking out for each other, encouraging each other, and sticking with each other through very tough times, which do show the movie goer the better side of humanity. The quote from Edmund Burke is so true that evil thrives when good people do nothing.
Finally, I want to encourage you after watching the movie. Be involved in what goes on in our society. Be a reasonable voice for good and change in our society. Pray for your government officials. Take time to vote in elections. Look to help others in need. Let your family know that you love them and pray for them. Above, all fall in love with Jesus. Because, it is truly only Jesus that changes things, people, and reality. Catching Fire is a fictional glimpse at what could become reality if good people don't live bold, unashamed lives for God.
In terms of quality of movie, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. The acting was good, special effects, make-up, and costumes were amazing! The dialogue in my opinion was a tad weak.
I give it 2.5 out of five stars in terms of family friendliness. It has some scary scenes, violent images, and a few cases of alcohol and language. Until next time, happy movie going!
The Hunger Games are an annual event that require one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts: twenty-four participants in all, to try and kill each other and avoid being killed. The games are held as a reminder/punishment not to rebel against the capital.
In this the second movie of what everyone is saying will be four movies, Katniss and Peta from District 12 (the poorest district in the country), are going on their victory tour after being victors in the 74th annual Hunger Games from the year before. The President of the nation, President Snow, is worried that Katniss' behavior in the Hunger Games is giving people hope and a cause for rebellion. This worries the President, and he assures her that her behavior must change. If you combine that with Katniss' and Peta's fake love story, Katniss' real love for Gail, and the fact that after the victory tour President Snow's see LOTS of signs of rebellion, you know trouble is coming. Well, to prevent a war/revolution from starting President Snow and the Head Games Maker introduce a Quarter-Quell for the 75th Hunger Games. The quarter quell would bring back previous Hunger Games winners from each district to face off in another round of the Hunger Games! Well, that brings Katniss and Peta back to the Hunger Games again!
Be prepared to witness acts of bravery and self-sacrifice as Katniss and Peta struggle to stay alive in this most fierce, intense round of the Hunger Games. I'll stop the story synopsis right there and let you know that you have to watch the movie to find out how it ends!
It is important to look at movies through a Christian lens, and for all of us as followers of Jesus to analyze and interpret the messages that media sends us. First, of all let me be clear that the Bible clearly tells us that we should not kill, murder, or take life. Now, some of you may be asking, "What about in times of war?" Well, that issue gets a little more sticky, and I will say that's not what's going on here. So, please if you see the movie or know a young person who has seen the movie please tell them it's not real and what they're doing in the Hunger Games by killing each other is very wrong. I think we as Christians need to protect, celebrate, and value life, and please tell your young person that's not what they're doing.
Point two to look at when watching Catching Fire, is that this movie is very good at showing how awful and how good humanity can become. The fact that anyone would enter into a situation and kill someone else for no reason other than they don't want to be killed is awful. What is even worse is that a government would regularly set these games up and people would watch them for entertainment! It kind of reminds you of what the ancient Romans did to Christians. But, the movies do show people looking out for each other, encouraging each other, and sticking with each other through very tough times, which do show the movie goer the better side of humanity. The quote from Edmund Burke is so true that evil thrives when good people do nothing.
Finally, I want to encourage you after watching the movie. Be involved in what goes on in our society. Be a reasonable voice for good and change in our society. Pray for your government officials. Take time to vote in elections. Look to help others in need. Let your family know that you love them and pray for them. Above, all fall in love with Jesus. Because, it is truly only Jesus that changes things, people, and reality. Catching Fire is a fictional glimpse at what could become reality if good people don't live bold, unashamed lives for God.
In terms of quality of movie, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. The acting was good, special effects, make-up, and costumes were amazing! The dialogue in my opinion was a tad weak.
I give it 2.5 out of five stars in terms of family friendliness. It has some scary scenes, violent images, and a few cases of alcohol and language. Until next time, happy movie going!
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