Green Lantern: Overcome Fear

Last week I bought a new wallet after losing my pay check. The wallet is my favourite yet. It makes me feel powerful and courageous. It's a Green Lantern Wallet!! Needless to say, as I sat at the movie theatre my instinct was to raise my wallet high in the air as Hal Jordan repeated his oath as he faced major evil:

“In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil’s might, Beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!"

I was full of courage and strength at that point in the movie. Before this point we saw Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) face the elders to contradict their wisdom. Their wisdom says that Will power is the opposite of Fear, thus a Green Lantern must never have fear. Hal Jordan faced the elders with his new found lesson: Being without fear is impossible. True power is having courage to overcome fear. This is why the ring chose Hal, the over confident, quitter, non caring human, courage. 

I couldn't help but being encouraged at this point. Yes, its about admitting fear and overcoming it. Don't ignore fear. It will overtake you. Fear has less power when admitted. A part of fear's power comes from it being hidden, put in darkness. We have shame in fear. Scripture is clear when it says God "will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart" (1 Cor 4:5). throughout scripture God brings to light the deeds of darkness. Darkness is the hidden. And the hidden loses its power when it is exposed. Expose fear and find courage. 

Here is Green Lantern's fallout: Where is our courage? Oprah would be happy with the self and the will being all that is needed to overcome fear, but is that so true? Fear when in the open still has power. But, that is because we have to define what 'the light' truly is. Jesus says, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). 

Sorry Hal, there is no exposer of darkness without Christ as the light. Darkness is still hidden until exposed to the one true light. We overcome fear by courage found in the power of Christ. In him we have courage, not in self. 

Overall, loved the movie. Graphics may have been a little much, but how else do you portray another world? Interestingly, my wife wanted more action. I thought that there could have been more, but character development was important. 

B+

Youth Quake Link

Here is the link for the messages given at Youth Quake. http://www.briercrest.ca/bcast/

Check it out!

YQ Review: Identity

Thanks to all who came to YQ!!! Most of us are sick or have been from this weekend. I want to review a bit of the happenings on the weekend with everyone who came and to update those who didn't.

Let's start with AJ's beautiful Outfit

Joking. But, in honesty it was pretty cool to see him cry over the work God had done over the weekend.

Let's talk Grant Fishbook and the amazing messages that were uttered speedily.

Honestly, he was a fast talker and at times difficult to keep up with. Besides criticizing his form, let's look at the message. First, know that all his messages will be on Briercrest's website, under podcasts, very soon!

The first two message had everything to do with Identity. The idea that, in Christ we have a new identity. Just like God changed Jacob's name from the trickster to wrestles with God and overcomes! God names him Israel! That man, a man who was so corrupt and sick with sin was transformed by God to give birth to the great nation of Isreal. His name bore the name of an entire nation. When we come to God, repenting of our sin, God gives us a new identity. He makes us new beings. God names us (here I can picture Grant's thumbs up as he numbers them) "My Child," and a few others that slip my mind. Can you help me out? What are some names God gives us?

In finding this new identity we have to throw our current identity to God and pick up the new one, like Moses threw his identity in his staff to the ground and picked up his new one, trusting in God that the snake would not bite him. What are the implications of this you may ask?

YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN. We try to rule our lives the best we can but in reality we belong to God. His blood has paid for us and he gives us our new identity and life (1 Cor 6). I dare you to read that chapter and see for yourselves. And see how good it is that we are not our own. This is not a tragedy, but a blessing. Check it out.

Gungor Takes a Leap.

Gungor is a christian/worship band from Colorado. Recently renamed from The Michael Gungor Band, these four artists are taking a leap in a different direction.

Their story is an attraction since it is one that has frustrated many Christians in the last ten years. It is a story of being in a mold and breaking out.

Their theology is concerned with the problem of limiting God's freedom. God is not limited to a building, a church, or even the Bible. Though that last statement must be taken with caution we must remember that God is greater than even the revelation He has given us in the Bible. Of course our heresy check does come from knowing and understanding the Bible.

Their music focuses on a Creator God who we can be involved with mixed with exalting Him as the holy God He is. For Gungor, God is alive and active in our world. Gungor understands God's active love that is a part of God's coming kingdom.

Overall, their repetitive nature is catchy and lyrics soundly challenging.

Trip to NB

I'm back and rockin! NB was awesome. Nadine met the family, I escorted my sister to prom and we visited a few awesome places. NB is great! This picture is Nadine and I at King's Landing! This is a historical village with live actors, real food, real animals, and 6 hours of fun. You may think I took children. Well. Some may call my 26 year old brother a child, but we had a blast. Check it out if you are in NB.

Leeland A GO!

YC was an intense event. My ears were hurting and ringing and my feet were soaked. This is one of the bands that was featured, Leeland. As happy as the front guy looks, that is not a fake smile. After meeting them in a Q & A I witnessed the heart of these guys. The lead singer, whom the band is named after, is a soft red head from Texas. His love for scripture is evident in how he quotes it every prayer he makes. The guys know how to have a lot of fun and have songs full of rich theology and motivation for living the gospel with as the Hands and Feet of Jesus. The guys who came with me to YC know that these guys are one of my favourite and this event put them up in my books even higher. Definitely check them out.