Joe Varner

For finding the right words at the right time.

It is election season, whether you like it or not! The good news is that our church has people from every perspective. I think that is one of the greatest strengths in our church family. That is why we are going to spend a few weeks in worship focusing on Christ-like ways to talk about tough stuff. We are not going to water down the arguments that we hear from both sides of the aisle. Instead, my hope is to strengthen the ways in which we model the words of the apostle James, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry” (James 1:19 CEB). Imagine how different things would be if more of our leaders would follow these instructions. Instead of waiting on politicians to get their act together, we are going to take responsibility for our own thoughts, words, and actions. I’m looking forward to sharing this time with you as we listen deeply, speak gently, and live like Jesus. #likejesus #election2024 #thalia #thaliaumc #virginiabeach #trump #biden #kennedy

There are lots of snakes in the Bible. The ones we are going to focus on show up in Numbers when the Israelites start complaining again. This isn’t the first time. The Israelites complained before. This is the last time. God provides a solution that is better than the one they asked for. What I hope you get out of this video is a new way to think about the little nuisances in your life. That’s why we are talking about the snakes. #goodfriday #easter #holyweek #snakes #thaliaumc #church #jesus

One of those favorites from the hymnal is “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (UMH #400). Every line is beautiful and holy. The words that stand out to me as we move through Lent are in the first line, “Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.” Lent is a great time to ask the Holy Spirit to tune our hearts. For those of you who may be new to the season of Lent, it is an ancient tradition in Christian churches to spend seven weeks before Easter in spiritual preparation. Many people give up something special during that time to remember the forty days of fasting Jesus spent in the wilderness before his public ministry. #lent #kindness #devotion #Jesus #church #thaliaumc #methodist

Have you ever heard the right words at the right time? One of the ways we want to encourage you is sharing a time for devotion with the rest of the church family. We put together a custom devotional guide for Lent. People from our church family prayerfully submitted these devotions for friends and family from Thalia.

If you're tired of living in a culture of comparison, check out this video on creating a culture of contentment. #culture #contentment #comparison

What would you give to feel better? What if it only took 10 minutes out of your day to hear about a strategy for going to bed happier than when you work up? Check out our video on finding perspective to give it a try. #perspective #faith #repent #hope #change #church #help

Here's a little video for when you are feeling empty. May you be full of joy and peace this year. #newyearsameyou #thaliaumc #full #goals #2024 Thalia United Methodist Church

What's going on in Israel and Gaza is terrible. It's been going on since the first Christmas. But there is hope. Jesus is the answer.

If it seems like God is sleeping on the job, this video is for you. Most of us have hurled prayers towards heaven. How exactly do we expect God to answer our prayers when there's so much suffering in the world. You might be surprised. #prayer

Death is terrible. Is there any possible good to come from grief?

If you’re looking for answers, I’m with you. But here’s all I have right now. You don’t need another guy like me telling you what to think, say, or do after another mass shooting at a school. But I genuinely hope the next few minutes give you more peace and encouragement than you had before you started. I’ve been going back and forth with God, my wife, and my close friend about the arguments and counterarguments. Here’s something humbling to consider. #palmsunday #church #christians #thalia #THALIAUMC #likejesus #likefamily #kindness

Fasting is cool again. Here's a little video about the additional benefits that come with eternal gains! #intermittentfasting #fasting #lent #ashwednesday #Easter #crucifixion #cross #revival #repentance #Jesus #denial #meditation #selfawareness #thalia #thaliaumc #uratreasure #makechurchaverb #likeJesus

This one is for Imrak. If you're hurting, I hope it's for you, too. God can change our sorrow into joy. May his peace and joy be yours. #turkey #syria #Imrak #earthquake #Bible #church #Jesus #help #touch #thalia #revival #thaliaumc #virginiabeach #uratreasure #metamorphosis #lent #transformation #transfiguration

🌏Imagine your perfect world. What would it look like? How would you get there? This video is about your part in changing the world. #planet #earth #world #environment #climate #change #legos #builder #directions #gooddirections #love #treasure #uratreasure #livelikeJesus #makechurchaverb #thalia #thaliaumc #umc #virginiabeach

Distracted driving is a big problem on the road. It's also a spiritual problem. This video is about learning to look at life from God's perspective.

This is what January 6th is REALLY about. A face-to-face encounter with God that means good news for the rich, poor, and everyone in between. I hope you aren't tired of Christmas yet, because the message of January 6 may be the most important message of Christmas. The child whose birth we celebrate for twelve days is proof that YOU. ARE. TREASURED. That is why the Word became flesh. The Father treasures you. I hope this video helps you feel treasured by God in the hopes that you will have your own epiphany like the magi so long ago, who dropped to their knees and honored Jesus with their most valuable gifts. The truth is, your life, my life, is itself a gift that we honor Jesus with when we give it to him. January 6 is about treasuring God and treasuring one another. It's too bad this day has become associated with a reminder of just how broken or world still is. Maybe reflecting on the child whose birth the stars announced can heal us within so we can shine his light in the darkness. #Epiphany #January6th #Jesus #Magi #WeThreeKings #treasure #treasurehunt #URaTreasure #treasured