Monday, December 04, 2017

My semester is wrapping up well here this 2017, but the year is not over yet. Every day is a new experience. It won’t be long before Christmas day will be here.

My chaplain training is moving along nicely. I’m learning some communication techniques that have and will help me understand how to counsel and comfort others on a heart to heart level much more than I could imagine. As I have only just begun the education, I’m looking forward to the impact it will have on me when I finish in the in the spring.

As for my class in ethics, we have been discussing the value and the use of God’s law in the life of a Christian. The key question is, “If Jesus lived the perfect life for Christians even for the sins they have and will commit, can now do whatever they want?” This question is good for all Christians to ask themselves. For do Christians act like there will be punishment if they break God’s law? Some might say yes, and others might say no. Christians must remember that God is good and so is his law. Christians should embrace God’s law at all times. The law tells them how to be good stewards, and it tells us how to live a life with great freedom.

Some new beliefs will arise in the future, and as a pastor, I will need to decide how to teach those new beliefs. My practical theology methods class is teaching me how to patiently and prudently understand the new issues. Who knows what issues the church will face in the future. A century ago, the church wasn’t even thinking that the culture would redefine marriage. Culture is always changing, but our salvation will always be in Jesus.

Now in my class about the book of John, we are learning about the hidden symbolism in the narrative. My teacher is highlighting many of the areas where Jesus is implied as the light. I’m being filled with a deeper understanding of this Gospel.

This whole Christmas story is bizarre. A virgin gives birth to baby Jesus. She was not even married to her husband when Jesus was conceived. They were supposed to be married before they started their family. And what would God in the flesh look like? And how is God both in the arms of Mary and still on his throne in heaven? Well, he’s God. He can do both. He’s that amazing.

If we were to stare at the sun, we probably would go blind. Sure we have technology that helps us look at the sun. But for many, the sun is something that they will never fully see and understand. And for many today, Jesus is still a mystery. And Jesus was a mystery to those who were standing in his presence. Jesus is the mysterious light.

Jesus came to this earth to lead us out of the darkness. Jesus came to lead his people out of a life without God. He came to give us hope. He came to give us joy. He came to give us peace. He came to give us salvation. Let’s worship this amazing and loving God this Christmas season.

John 1:1-5, 9 ,14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God’s blessings,
Sylvan Finger