Some Thoughts on Food

Since we began our twenty-one days of fasting as a church, I wanted to share some thoughts on food. 

One of the toughest questions I am asked in my life comes when my family is all together in our big van and everyone is hungry. The question is, “Where do we want to eat?” This seems like a simple question. It seems like it could even be fun. But, oh! Foolish, naive child, it is not!

My beautiful, fun, creative wife has the only real opinion that matters to me; but she gave birth to three beautiful, fun, creative daughters. My firstborn always wants to go to the place with the best chicken strips and french fries. My second-born is the chef of the house and has the palate of a highfalutin French lord. My third-born just wants whatever is fastest because she only eats three bites of anything we put in front of her. And the biggest challenge/downer/complicator of them all is the guy driving the car. Yeah. That’s me.

My mind thinks through what we have at home, because we have already purchased that. My mind thinks how can I get them all to think Burger King, since I know the menu so well I can minimize the purchase price. My mind is so far away from their minds, I even consider a quick run to the grocery store where I can buy a few things we can all share. My brilliant, perceptive wife knows all my thoughts and tries to let me down easy most times. But if I mention any of my ideas out loud, my daughters give me their perfected eye-roll, and open mouthed “Ugh” with a pitch-perfect tone of disgust.  

We Americans have an interesting relationship with food. Yesterday, I was fasting all day and was running low on energy.  One of my American-middle-class daughters started talking about it, and she was surprised to learn that food gives us energy. She didn’t know this because she has never been without food. For her, and for most of us, food is more about an experience that brings joy to our tastebuds and a sense of fulfillment to our bellies. Outside of a few companies like Gatorade and Cliff Bar, the goal of food producers is not to produce the best fuel, but it’s about taste, experience and fulfillment. God was kind to give us taste buds and cells whose job is to give us a sense of fullness when we are overloading the system; but, ultimately, food is just about fuel. And if we are not careful, eating can be turned into a form of worship. The chef can become the priest, the restaurant can become the temple, and we can become worshippers who eat to feel better. 

There are many created things which can become idols that we worship. The practice of fasting from food can help us get in touch with all of our appetites. Food might not be an issue for you. But through fasting and seeking Jesus, you can often learn what appetite is an issue for you. Maybe it’s finances and the false security they can bring. Maybe it’s position, power or popularity. Maybe it’s achievement, body image or man’s approval. Maybe it’s lust, or the covetousness that our American consumerist culture fosters so well.

We humans are so prone to idolatry. To combat this, the Bible, from beginning to end, is constantly calling people to stop worshipping created things and get back to worshipping the Creator of all things. 

The hope of fasting is that we reorient our appetites to crave the joy and fulfillment found in what God has for us, instead of craving the counterfeit, fleeting joy and fulfillment found in earthly things. Like Jesus said after fasting for forty days, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus also said, “My food is to do the will of the One who sent Me.” Fasting and other spiritual practices remind and reorient our souls to long for, rely on, and live out of our relationship with God above everything else. 

Happy fasting,

David

A World Full of Flowers

After yesterday’s disturbing events at the Capitol building, I am trying to hang onto what my daughter said about 2021 being full of flowers.

After all the unhelpful and inciting sound bites and rhetoric filling up the American mind so starved for truth and wisdom, I am trying to hang onto what my daughter said about 2021 being full of flowers.

After all the divisive and empty leadership our country has lived under for years, I am trying to hang onto what my daughter said about 2021 being full of flowers.

My wife sat us all down one night last week and asked us to listen for Jesus to speak to us about the year we are beginning. Each of my daughters shared something they sensed Jesus tell them. My daughter, Bella, said she saw 2020 as a ship in a massive storm, and 2021 with flowers everywhere.

There is a peculiar book in the library of Scripture called Song of Songs. In this poetic book of love there is a verse that shares the same sentiment I think Jesus was communicating to Bella:

“My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.”

For Bella, life has been full of difficulty. She was born with Spina Bifida and she has no feeling or function below her knees. She does life in a wheelchair. This has not stopped her from seeing life as full of flowers. And it may be that we all need to learn from Bella and all the others with disabilities that there are always flowers everywhere for those who will look for them. In another place, the Bible says the whole earth is filled with God’s glory.

Can you hear the voice of the Lord calling us to stop looking for the ugly, stop dwelling on each other’s faults, stop listening to fools and their foolishness, and come away with Him to see all the beauty and life?

As we see the true colors of secularism and human philosophy come shining through, let’s be a community of people wherein the true colors of Jesus’ love, grace and truth come shining through.

Peace to you and yours,

David

Combat Worthless Thoughts

One of the gifts I received this Christmas was a noble thought. It came as a beautiful, artistically written saying framed in a pleasant wooden frame. It said: 

“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up at the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was Light and High Beauty for ever beyond its reach.” 
– The Return of the King, by J.R.R. Tolkien

In my opinion, 2020 has been a year filled with worthless thoughts. There were definitely noble thoughts to be found, but it seems the loudest voices were all about the worthless thoughts. 

Some of this past year’s worthless thoughts were… See! There it goes again! I almost took us right back to the worthless thoughts. 

I know there is a time to call out the bad and name it for what it is, but for this message, I want to stick with the noble thoughts. Since our world is saturated with worthless thoughts and our technological advances have popularized, empowered, and magnified them, it is paramount we do a few things: 

1. Recognize and acknowledge worthless thoughts for what they are.

2. Don’t let worthless thoughts hang about or take root in your mind.

3. Combat the worthless thoughts with noble thoughts.

Noble thoughts are thoughts that inspire you to live in opposition to the worthless thoughts. When noble thoughts are shared, they inspire others to live in opposition to worthless thoughts. A mind filled with noble thoughts is a mind at ease—a mind that won’t miss any goodness headed their way or goodness they can give away. 

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
– Paul the Apostle (Message Translation)

May your 2021 be filled with noble thoughts and noble deeds done by you and for you,

David

Enjoying the Christmas Season

Last weekend felt like Christmas had already come. On Friday night we enjoyed the “Living Streams Kids Got Talent Christmas Variety Show.” The kids sang and danced, did some stand-up comedy, and played piano. It was a lot of fun. It even snowed in our sanctuary for part of it. 

Then, in our Sunday morning services, the Words of Jesus and the Spirit of Jesus worked together to bring many people gifts of edification, exhortation and comfort. At the end of each service the aisles were filled with people hungry and thirsty for a fresh filling of God’s love. By God’s grace, prodigals came home to the Father; people locked up in fear, doubt, and shame were set free; and everyone there witnessed a tangible display that Jesus is alive, He is with us, and we’re going to be just fine.

On Sunday night we hosted a drive through Christmas party. We did this, first and foremost, because a portion of our Living Streams family have needed to quarantine, and they haven’t been able to attend any of our events in person for the last nine months. We wanted to give them an opportunity to come onto the campus in a quarantined way, to be seen and known and loved as in-person as possible. We basically built a long tunnel of love, lights and Christmas cheer in our parking lot and waited to see who would come. To our surprise, we didn’t even have to wait until the 6:00 pm start time. Cars started to line up ten minutes early—and they never stopped coming. We had a yeti, Santa and Mrs. Clause, a manger scene with all the characters (including a 6’5” inch baby Jesus). There were lights and glow sticks, candy canes and snow balls, Christmas trees, and staff members singing Christmas karaoke. At one point, I heard the song “YMCA” being sung loud and proud. (Maybe they thought the “C” stood for Christmas?)

We received a lot of good feedback, including this from a family that is quarantined—but not because of Covid. They have been quarantined for the last 10+ years because, in their family of 5, the mom and two of the children have autoimmune diseases that make constant quarantining necessary for survival. They wrote:

“Just wanted to let you know we thought last night’s Drive Through Christmas was amazing! It helped us feel that connection with the church family! We were immediately met with a warmth and welcome feeling, like we were home! It was so awesome to see so many familiar faces “up close” and be connected to a place, our church home! Our kids laughed and smiled the whole time as they experienced so much joy! They too felt the connection to their friends and group leaders and loved getting to participate and be part of the community. They could not believe how big the campus was (on tv it is, well you know, the size of our tv, lol 😂) We are grateful beyond words! We love our Living Streams Church family!”

I pray you and yours will have a Merry Christmas as you remember the time the Father gave the Son, so the Son could give the Spirit, so the Spirit could give us the power to live and give the love of the Father to the world around us. 

David

p.s. Don’t forget: our Christmas Eve services will be both in-person and livestreamed at 3:30, 4:45, and 6:00 pm. If you will be live-streaming, click here to register for a Christmas Eve Kit.  

Listen for God's Voice

We finally got some rain in the desert! It’s amazing how one day of rain can totally clear the air and make it healthy to breathe again. One day of rain washes all the dust off and brings out the vivid winter colors of our desert city. And one day of rain stirs up great excitement in all the children—and winter lawns. (I love winter lawns.)

We had a similar experience in our staff meeting this Tuesday. Ben Hakim, a missionary, who is from Arizona but has spent the last few years in China, taught us about evangelism. He spoke about how he shares Jesus with the people in China. He said the most important thing is not to get people to say a prayer, but to help them know the way God feels about them. He said it’s fascinating to go to a park, or be in a store, or walk the streets, and, through the Holy Spirit, to hear God‘s thoughts and feel God‘s feelings toward people he doesn’t know. He has committed his life to helping people know the Father‘s heart and has learned Chinese to aid in the process. He told us that, once he hears from God about someone, he will go to them and share God’s thoughts about them. He told us many, many stories of people who heard God’s thoughts for them and decided to make Jesus the Lord of their life. He doesn’t often speak to crowds, but one by one and day by day he is seeing the kingdom of Jesus grow, even in a stringent humanistic culture.

Then, as he finished telling us the stories and teaching us some important tricks of the evangelism trade, he asked if he could share some of God’s thoughts about us. Since Ben only knows pastor Kurt and me, he would call out to someone, ask what their name was, and tell them what he sensed God wanted to say to them. It was amazing and wonderful and so right on. It was moving, inspiring, sweet, kind, and encouraging. It was also practical and helpful in many different ways. It was helpful for each individual in navigating their personal challenges and hopes. It was helpful for our whole staff to once again be ministered to and encouraged by the Lord. And, in a couple of instances, it was very helpful for some of the decisions we are trying to make as an organization right now. 

As he spoke the word of the Lord, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, and words of prophecy, the air in that room become pure and alive. The dust on our weary, parched souls was blown off, restoring the vivid hopes and passions inside of us. And all the doubt, worry and fear were washed away. Just like the prophet Isaiah declared long ago: “As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, ...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: … it will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” God’s purpose in sharing His thoughts toward us is always for our edification, exhortation, and comfort. 

Today I hope you will take some time and listen to the Lord to see what He is saying about you. I also hope you will take some time today, in a place with other people around you, and listen to see if you can hear what God is saying or feeling about them. Then, put your courageous pants on, and ask if you can share it with them.

David

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Very important P.S.  This Sunday at 6:00 pm we are having our drive-thru Christmas party at Living Streams. Everyone is welcome, but we particularly want the group that is “online only” to come so we can be together in a super-sanitized way and get you a Christmas Eve kit. This kit will enhance your online experience for our Christmas Eve service on December 24.

How to Hit the Mark

Talk about missing the mark. Yesterday I played basketball with some guys who play better than I do. It was exciting. I started off hitting some shots, so they thought I must be pretty good. Then they started passing the ball to me a lot and encouraging me to shoot. At that point, I missed...and missed...and missed...and missed...and missed. It was a little deflating.

If you heard my message last Sunday about the deceptiveness of sin, you know that sin makes us feel deflated. The struggle is real. Jesus defined our human problem this way: our spirit is willing to hit the mark, but our flesh is too weak. Life, society, and human history are full of continual deflation—not because of a lack of good intentions, but because of the weakness of our flesh. 

In my sermon I shared how we can keep from losing hope and being overcome by that deflation. We need to rest assured in the forgiveness and faithfulness of Jesus. We need to remain in the truth by developing a love for the truth. We need to encourage one another in the right direction since we’re so prone to wander. And we need to rejoice and respond when we feel conviction, because it is proof that the Spirit of God is working in us. 

I want to add one more important thing we can do to keep from deflation. I was reminded of this important thing this week when someone asked me for advice on how to stay healthy in relationship with God and the world around him. I told him that he needs to “ruthlessly eliminate hurry” from his life. This phrase comes from Dallas Willard, but the idea comes from the Scriptures. When God created all the good in the world, He eliminated all hurry on the seventh day. When God gave the Ten Commandments to His people to help them be right with Him and the world around them, He told them to eliminate hurry one day a week. In our technology, accomplishment, and material addicted society, there really is no time or space for God to break in. It usually takes tragedy or illness to cause us to pause. Yet, even in a pandemic we can find ways to get over-busy. 

What we can do is make space for God’s love to come to us and go through us. If we don’t have blocks of time on our calendars that are set aside for rest (and I’m not talking about sleep), we can schedule it in. If we don’t, we’ll have a much harder time hitting the mark. 

Though our spirits might be willing, the lack of rest will cause our flesh to be that much weaker. And our kids, our spouse, our friends and family, and a world that doesn’t know Jesus, really need us to hit the mark. Whenever we hit the mark, the world experiences a little more healing. 

David

Power

If you are like me, you don’t really want to hear any more election commentary. But as I prepared to write this, I heard a discussion on the Rebuilders podcast, which compelled me to write this…

There are a lot of words (including curse words) one could use to describe this year and its election season.  I have one friend who continues to say this year is interesting.  He says this with a slight smile and a tinge of enjoyment because, for him, he would rather live in interesting times than boring times.

Now, if you can put all the emotions aside for a minute, you have to admit it has been very interesting. In fact, the struggle for power and authority has been so interesting, I think it will take up a large section of American history textbooks in the decades to come. Here is what I think those textbooks might discuss: 

The formation of America began with a desire to be free from the fight between traditional power and institutional power.

Traditional power was represented by the monarchy in Britain. Kings and queens did not come into power through popular vote, appointment or merit. Instead, their power derived from their name, their bloodline, and the acceptance of traditional power from the people over which they ruled.

Institutional power was represented by Parliament and the Church of England. Through voting, appointments, and strategic decisions, individuals could gain power over the people by ascending to the top of the far-reaching, all-encompassing institutions. Parliament held power over the people through laws, taxes and enforcements. The church held power over people in very similar ways, but the benefits of following their rules were both peace in this life and peace in the after-life, as well. 

In America today, the battle is not between traditional power and institutional power. It is clearly a battle between institutional power and charismatic power. Though some may think I am referring to Biden and Trump alone, the reality of this battle between institutional and charismatic power shows up in many places. The power people have gained through social media followings, YouTube subscribers, blogs and podcasts, as well as celebrities in sports, film, music, and churches is incredible.

Charismatic power is not just alive and well today, it can also be seen in the very beginning of American formation. George Washington was an individual who gained enough power through charisma that the early Americans wanted to make him a king (traditional power) or a lifetime president (institutional power). Yet, he and the framers of the Constitution did not want to fall back into the traps they had left Britain to get away from, and they decided on temporary institutional power with a term-limited president. 

Now, as a Christian, I believe there is another extremely vital form of power: spiritual power.

Spiritual power is expressed nationally when the traditional, institutional, and charismatic power are all submitted to a higher power: God. We say we are one nation under God, but it is really hard to believe these days. I think we like the idea of being one nation, and under God; but more than that we like the feelings of individualism, entitlement, and justifying our version of the higher moral ground. 

I heard someone say recently that the reason America has been a truly and consistently great nation is because, in the face of crisis, challenge, even civil war, our nation cries out to God. The result of our cries have been great awakenings to repentance, renewal, and revival.

Will we respond to our “interesting” times by submitting ourselves to God and crying out for His spiritual power above all else?

Please know that I am not saying church leaders should be the true leaders of our country. I am saying that the hope for America lies in the ability of those with traditional power, institutional power, and charismatic power to acknowledge their need for spiritual power and seek God for it. Until we see that happen in our nation, we can continue to pray for our leaders, and seek God for His Spirit to empower us to do His beautiful will in our working, resting, fathering/mothering, friending, playing, and loving. 

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the spiritual heritage of our nation. Many nations have spiritual heritage, but I really, firmly believe the God that Americans have sought for help and awakening in times of need is not an American god, not a Jewish god, but the true God and Father Almighty who made the heavens and the earth. I pray we become aware of how desperately we need Him in every season and year of our lives.

David 

God's Priorities

Man, I loved what Mark Buckley had to say last Sunday in his sermon at Living Streams. He said we have to make sure we are keeping God’s priorities above our personal preferences. He mostly applied this to marriage and family, but it also applies so well in the realm of governing society—or as some refer to it, politics. So, if we, as followers of Christ, are to keep God’s priorities first and foremost, what are God’s priorities? 

To me it’s pretty clear what God’s priorities are, because of consistent biblical teachings, consistent sociological findings, and reasonable historical and scientific proofs. God‘s priorities include:

• loving the whole world, not just a certain country or state, 

• caring for the poor (fatherless, orphan, widow), 

• protecting the sanctity of sex (gender, marriage, family, unborn), 

• love (for the household of faith, neighbor, foreigner, enemy), 

• providing healing and counsel to the afflicted (medicine, insurance, and aid), 

• equality (race, gender, socio-economics, education, physical abilities), 

• caring for the environment, 

• authority and submission, 

• fighting against greed, pride and deceit. 

There is no doubt God will judge us on how we go about these things. Though we can find ourselves disagreeing on the source of our problems as well as the solutions, and we can be overwhelmed by the size and nature of the problems, it is important to remember that God is with us.

A Brit who had spent his life as a missionary in India returned home to England in the late 1970’s to find all kinds of societal problems. His name is Leslie Newbigin. As Leslie looked at the size and nature of the problems, he remembered the plan of God for the Church. He wrote these wise words:

“If the gospel is to challenge the public life of our society… it will not be by forming a Christian political party, or by aggressive propaganda campaigns. …It will only be by movements that begin with the local congregation in which the reality of the new creation is present, known and experienced.”

This reminds me of the line from Joshua in the Bible book named after him. As he was commissioning the Israelites to live into the fullness of what God had given them as a nation, he set before them two ways they could go—one of blessing and one of cursing. Then, Joshua basically said, “It doesn’t matter to me what you all will do. It doesn’t matter to me what is popular or will get the most votes. It doesn’t matter how hard or easy it is for me.” He said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

I pray we will humble our hearts before God, be grateful for all He has given us, and we will choose to serve His priorities with our own lives, our families’ lives, and whatever other institutions we are a part of. 

Peace to you,

David

p.s. A Covid-19 update. After listening to Governor Ducey’s COVID-19 press conference on Wednesday, and debriefing with our direction team, we want to continue to ask our Living Streams church family to take this pandemic seriously, wear masks and social distance, stay home if you feel sick in any way, and self isolate if you have any of the vulnerable health conditions that COVID-19 attacks. I am thankful for the grace of God and the responsible, common sense actions of our church, which have allowed us to have in-person options for almost everything we do. Please keep praying for God’s covering over us and for humility and kindness to be the fragrance of everything we do. Read more about our policy here.

Unity According to Jesus vs. Unity According to the World

The other day I was sitting with two gentlemen. We were about to work on something together and, while we were waiting to get started, we talked. The conversation was very ordinary, and then we veered to the topic of politics. It was election week and we were a little hesitant to “go there.” One of the guys shared which candidate he voted for, then the other guy shared which candidate he voted for. They had not voted for the same person, but the conversation and environment still seemed ordinary and easy. I had not voted for the same person as either of these guys, but since the conversation was still calm I decided to throw out who I voted for. Then, nothing changed. The conversation continued in the ordinary and easy way it had been going. I don’t know how the other guys felt, but I spent the rest of the day in a bit of shock and awe at how we were able to converse and remain easy while discussing a potentially divisive topic. It was very refreshing and it made me want to learn more about unity.

Unity is definitely an important word for Christians to consider, define, pray about, and strive for in our time. “Complete unity” is what Jesus prayed for just before He went to the cross. Inspired by the Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to “pursue,” “strive for,” “make every effort for” unity. The Psalmist of the Old Testament sings about “how good and pleasing it is when God’s people live together in unity.” And we all know that our experience declares the same thing. (For example, to be united with your children is so good compared to the moment of disunity that happens as soon as you ask them where they want to go eat.)

Though unity is very important, I have discovered there are different kinds of unity being called for these days. The world and its leaders are calling for a unity that is very different from the unity that the kingdom of heaven and its King are calling for.

Here are some things we know about this unity that Jesus calls for:

1. Our differences are the starting place for unity.
The Greek word used in Jesus’ unity prayer is, “teleioō” which adds a connotation of being completed as one. The word Paul uses to describe unity in Christ is, “katartizō” and it has a connotation of mending, as if gluing the fractured pieces back together. Thinking differently, looking differently, and feeling differently are not roadblocks to unity—they are ingredients to unity. So, that is good news for Christians in America.

2. It is only possible and only required within the family of Christ.
Jesus’ prayer for unity was clearly for His disciples and those who would follow Jesus after them. Paul’s admonitions toward unity were clearly directed to the church of Jesus Christ. Christians are called to love everyone—but we are not called to be united with everyone. Christians are called to love our enemies, but the call to unify applies to those who are truly brothers or sisters in Christ. Remember: at one point Jesus said, “I have not come to bring peace to the world, but a sword.” Those who receive Christ’s Lordship and the empowerment of His indwelling Spirit can have the peace that He gives; but those who do not will be divided—and Christians should stay divided from them. Paul wrote about the importance of Christians not even eating with someone who claims to be in Christ, but is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. This is a different kind of unity.

3. Prayer is vital for softening the divided hearts as well as empowering them to unite.
You can’t go wrong here. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. Paul’s admonitions were also prayers that the churches would unite with each other and strive for unity in decisions and actions. They both knew the only way any of us will be able to mend deep divides and react well in moments of offense is to be filled with God’s Spirit. Prayer is the best way to be filled with God’s Spirit. (So, what are you waiting for? You can pray now before continuing to read.)

4. Unity will not be easy; it will require sacrifice, and it is not a” one and done” type of thing.
Jesus prayed His prayer for unity at a time when He Himself was wrestling to unite His will with His Father’s will. The intensity of that prayer time caused Him to sweat blood. Jesus knows firsthand how intense and stressful it can be to strive for unity. To gain unity with other believers is to gain the will of God, and it will take striving and straining. Paul uses the word strive in His calls for unity because He knows it will not happen without great determination and consistent effort.

The unity Jesus wants us to prioritize as believers is not “unity at all cost.” There is right and wrong, and there is good and evil. We are not to be united with the world, because that would cause us to be at war with God. But we do need to understand and live out “unity at the cross.”

When it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to defer to one another in love. We need to listen and consider one another above ourselves. We need to create environments where we can speak freely without fear of harmful reactivity. If we can do this consistently and patiently, we can find the will of God. And once we find God’s will, we will find none of us are as right as we think we are. We will also find it much easier to unite, because the will of God is always good and beautiful, and always results in the flourishing of the good and beautiful.

By His grace and for His glory,

David

Lay It All Down

It was really nice to follow the anxious uncertainty of Tuesday night’s election with the peace of prayer and worship on Wednesday night. We sang all the anxiety, fear, offense and anger out of our souls with lyrics like, “I'm gonna see a victory for the battle belongs to You Lord,” “Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the power, Yours is the glory forever, Amen,” and “All is for Your glory, all is for Your name, that in all things You may have the first place, that in all things You may have preeminence.”

We laid down the stress we’ve been carrying this year. We laid down our verbal defenses, and the argumentative ammunition we have stockpiled against those who are on the other side. We laid them down because Jesus came and asked us to. He asked us to disarm—to let go of all that we were holding onto with tightly closed fists. He asked us to do this so that He could fill our hands with His love. He wanted us to get rid of our anxiety and anger so that He could fill those places with His compassion and grace. He wanted us to put down our defenses so His love could come in and then go out from us to others. We went to the Father’s house and He both comforted us and reminded us of His command to love one another. 

This doesn’t mean we can’t disagree with others. There is definitely right and wrong. There is Biblical and non-Biblical. There is good fruit and bad fruit. There are good ideas and philosophies, and harmful ideas and philosophies. But above it all, Jesus loved us and gave His life for us when we were totally caught up in harmful ideas and philosophies. We were at enmity with God, we were controlled by the devil and his deceitful schemes, and we were prideful and self-absorbed, hurting God and others without even caring. While we were still sinners, God rescued us, and He is remaking us into His image. Now He commands us to love and give our lives to the people who are caught up in those same old things. 

In order to help us get the love of Jesus into our souls, we sang lyrics like, “You gave your life, I’ll surrender mine. So take this heart, won’t you purify. I’ll raise my voice, I can’t help but sing of the sweetness of your love and your gracious offering.” And then, to finish the night, we thought of the people who have opposed us or hurt us or offended us. We thought of our nation and leaders. We thought of the rich and poor, black, white, and brown. We thought of the people who don’t know Jesus that He is asking us to share His love with, and we sang this over them: “The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace. May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations, and your family and your children and their children, and their children. Amen!”

I pray those same words over all of the Living Streams family. We need each other so desperately during this time. Our world needs for us to be united in Christ’s love and armed with His compassion and grace, and the truth that sets people free forevermore.

Please stay connected to Jesus, the True Vine, so we all can bear much good fruit in this time of great need. 

David

His Word Stands

When 2020 began, I liked to joke around with people by saying, “Who’s excited about another election year?” Everyone would laugh and roll their eyes a bit. It seemed like a fun, unifying, and pressure-relieving joke back then. But now, mentioning this year’s election does not lighten the mood. It feels super divisive and it stirs up a tension that threatens any hope of relief even after the election is decided.

Because of that pervasive reality, and since this is my last post before the election, I have this to offer our souls:

The library of Scripture has seen the rise and fall of empires, nations, rulers, and philosophies. Scripture has often been reviled and there have been attempts to erase it from the human psyche completely. Yet, today, it still stands firm and faithful as a guide for, and a warning to humanity.

I pray these words will wash away the pollution in your soul, comfort your weary spirit, ease your troubled mind, and help your hands, feet, and mouth to know what can be done, no matter what the election brings.

What God will do:

Great and powerful God…determined in purpose and relentless in following through, You see everything that men and women do and respond appropriately to the way they live, to the things they do.
—Jeremiah 32:19 (MSG)

I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans."
—Job 42:2 (MSG)

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.
—Proverbs 19:21 (MSG)

God takes the wind out of Babel pretense, He shoots down the world’s power-schemes. God’s plan for the world stands up, all His designs are made to last.
—Psalm 33:11 (MSG)

“…I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention.’”
—Isaiah 46:9-11 (MSG)

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.
—Romans 8:28 (NIV)

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
—2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

What we can do:

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
—Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (RSV)

For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.
—Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
—1 Timothy 2:1-4 (RSV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
—1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
—1 Peter 2:13-17 (MSG)

Grace and peace to you and yours,

David

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Scripture marked MSG is taken from The Message (MSG), Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson

Scripture marked NIV is from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture marked RSV is from Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked ESV is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Fam Nights Are Here!

Last night was the first of five Fam Nights with a focus on Evangelism. I was not sure what to expect since we are still trying to navigate a global pandemic—and evangelism is a word that usually conjures up the opposite of excitement. I was prepared to be happy with thirty or forty folks who were ready to take on the challenge of understanding and practicing this most unappealing topic. But, to my surprise, almost three hundred were registered. In all, three hundred fifty-six people joined in. One hundred forty-four of those were online participants, seventy were youth, and the rest were in-person adults. 

In the cool evening air, under the soft glow of hanging lights, and with the smell and taste of tacos delighting our taste buds, we gathered at the Living Streams courtyard and ate dinner together. We face-masked in the common areas and spread the tables out as much as possible. Though the food serving line was long, there was an ease to the night, and palpable joy filled the air. 

After we dined, we headed into the sanctuary. As soon as we entered the foyer we were hit by the fragrance of pumpkin spice (thanks to our facility team’s creative hospitality). We enjoyed some inspiration and instruction from a panel of true, yet everyday, ordinary evangelists. They shared stories and insights from their own lives, then sent us out for some small group discussion time. At my small group table, I was so encouraged by stories of how people came to know Jesus and who they have helped get to know Jesus. This demonstrated to me that evangelism is alive and well in the church today. Hallelujah! 

The night left me thrilled and inspired by the eagerness of the Living Streams family to take seriously the great commission of Jesus. Like the evangelist Charles Spurgeon said, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.” Last night was another time of proving that Living Streams Church is made up of a lot of people who are not impostors. 

Grace and peace to you as you take seriously your own spiritual formation, and also the spiritual formation of those the Lord Jesus is giving to you. 

David

If you weren’t able to join us but would like to for the next four Wednesdays, you can register here: bit.ly/famnights2020

Why Evangelism?

In this cultural climate of pandemic anxiety, racial unrest, and political division, why in the world are we calling our church together for five Wednesday nights to study "Evangelism"? Shouldn’t we do five weeks on "How to Recover from All the Disruption and Depression"? Or how about five weeks of studying "Race Relations and Justice”? Or, since we are just nineteen days from E-Day, it seems five weeks on “Unity” or “Philosophy” would be appropriate. 

Though all those are good ideas, and the poignancy of those topics would have a good chance to draw a large crowd, we have chosen to focus on evangelism. Here is the main reason: Jesus did.

With a backdrop of much more intense cultural and societal problems than we are facing, Jesus’ great commission for the guys He was teaching was to focus on evangelism. The unchallenged Roman oppression, the unbridled Judaistic corruption and segregation, and the cultivated hatred between Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles was at fever pitch in Jesus’ day. In fact, less than forty years after Jesus’ resurrection, Rome decided Israel was such a hotbed of turmoil and strife that they completely destroyed it in 70 AD. When I write destroyed, I am talking about no stone left on another and a million deaths (according to Josephus).

Jesus—knowing all this, and experiencing the full sting of racism, religious segregation, and political oppression firsthand—did not tell His followers to focus on reforming those things. He told them to go into all the world and tell everyone about His kingdom and the kind of King He is. I don’t think this was because Jesus didn’t care about power structures. He knew the only way to see reform in the structures of society is to see people’s hearts reformed. And He knew the only way a human heart can be reformed is to come in contact with a power greater than their sinful nature. That power is only found in Jesus Christ. 

Our politicians claim that their plans and their party’s power has what it takes to bring about human flourishing. We’ll hear all about it from Biden and Trump tonight. Our popular talking heads claim their way is the right way and we should follow them and mock the others' ways. Our own hearts continue to desire and devise new self-help plans and methods. But with all that effort, no lasting good is ever produced.

There have been many powerful teachers, leaders, gurus, and prophets who have claimed to have power—until the day they died. The problem is, though they claimed to have power, death still holds them in the grave. Jesus, however, was hit with the full strength of sin and death on the cross, and he rose from the dead three days later, demonstrating that He alone has the power to overcome the plagues of sin and death.

Please join us for five Wednesday nights starting October 21, as we focus on the at-times-uncomfortable-but-always-paramount evangelism. 

David

P.S. For both the in-person and livestream options, you can register here: bit.ly/famnights2020

It's Finally Fall

When Stevie Wonder wakes up next to his wife, he probably tells her she’s “the sunshine of his life and the apple of his eye.” This morning when I woke up next to Brit, I said, “You are my fall and winter lawn.” She gave me a big smile, knowing that is about as good as it gets. 

For Phoenicians, fall is a big deal. We have survived. We no longer are the butt of every weatherman’s jokes. We now get to laugh at everyone else’s weather. And for those who know the joy of winter perennial rye, this is a most exciting time of year. 

It is an exciting time of year for Living Streams, as well. Everyone is back in town, we can do some outside meetings, and we can hang out in the courtyard after services. And with all the challenges of 2020, it is nice to know we survived, we are getting back together, and we are already seeing some new opportunities to be a healthier local church, creatively expanding God’s kingdom.

Every fall for the last four years we’ve gathered together to grow in one aspect of our faith. We had “Vision Nights” (Vision), “Fam Nights” (Community), “Urban Kinetic Nights” (Service), and “Church Around a Table Nights” (Spiritual Formation). Each one of these has served to deepen our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ, deepen our connections with each other, and motivate our faith into action. 

This year we want to do the same thing. With the full force of pandemic disruption in our rearview mirrors, and with a fog of uncertainty outside our windshields, we want to call everyone in our church to come together for this year’s fall infusion. We are calling it “Fam Nights—with a Focus on Evangelism.” 

Now, if you are like me, the word evangelism doesn’t really draw you in or conjure up pleasant thoughts. Actually, many people feel anxiety at the mention of the word. But that is all the more reason for us to focus on it. We want to demystify evangelism.

Our hope is that, after five weeks of enjoyable evenings of learning, being given clear and simple activities to practice during the week, and doing all this in community, our ideas about evangelism will change. We hope that, after five weeks, we won’t just think of evangelism as street corner preachers or big productions with stadiums full of people. Those are not bad things, but for most of us there are much smaller, simpler ways to do evangelism. Who knows—you might even discover you enjoy it! 

Some reasons it is so important for us to focus on evangelism:

• People’s eternities are hanging in the balance.

• There is nothing Jesus enjoys more than when we tell others about Him.

• You are not fully a follower of Christ until you are helping others follow Christ. 

• Many people will be looking for something solid and true in the wake of this year’s shaking—and there is nothing more solid and true than Jesus.

So, for five Wednesday nights from October 21 - November 18, we are calling the whole Living Streams family to gather together, eat together, learn together, and practice together—all with a focus on evangelism. 

By His grace and for His glory,

David

A Spoonful of Sugar - ?

I have a question. If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, what can help us Americans get the substance of that presidential debate down? 

Since I am at a loss for words and don’t know if there was much substance worth choking down, I will rely on the word of God and prayer:

Our Father in heaven, You always know exactly what to do.

I pray You would summon Your power and show us Your strength as You have done before.¹ This nation that we are so grateful to live in, has some severe problems. So much of our leadership, our people, and what we are producing is riddled with fear, greed, pride and deceit. We know those things are detestable in Your eyes,² and many of us feel our souls agreeing with You this year.

I first ask You to let Your truth and grace flow down like mighty rivers to every part of our nation.³ Let all the lies be drowned out and washed away by the full force of spoken truth.⁴ Make all the pride and division collapse under the weight of your amazing grace.⁵

Second, I pray You would send us prophets, leaders and people with servant hearts to become our examples and the ones we listen to.⁶

The last thing I pray for—even though I know it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God ⁷—I ask You to cleanse America. Whatever it takes, however you see fit, I pray You would no longer allow greed, fear, pride, and deceit to win the day in our politics, our businesses, the medical profession, both our poor and wealthy communities, in our churches, and in our families—even if this means You have to tear us to pieces or injure us; because we know You are willing and able to heal us and bind up our wounds. ⁸

Until the day we get to see the beauty of Your merciful judgment, we take heart and take hope, knowing Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the power, and Yours is the glory forever; ⁹ even if doesn’t feel like it or look like it on the news.

____________________________________

1. Psalm 68:28 Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.

2. Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things does the Lord hate: yes, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.

3. Amos 5:24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

4. Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

5. Romans 2:4 …the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

6. Jeremiah 35:15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, "Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors." But you have not paid attention or listened to me.

7. Hebrews 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

8. Hosea 6:1 Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.

9. Matthew 6:13 The kingdom, power, and glory are Yours forever. 

Simple, Fresh, Courageous

Normally I’m inclined toward stoic contemplation over charismatic inflammation. Yet, lately, I feel like my desire and value for the charismatic has come to the forefront of my thoughts. Maybe it’s something like the scientific-minded Spiderman when he feels his “spider sense” start tingling.

At Living Streams Church, the words and meaning of contemplative and charismatic have become guiding lights for us. For those of us who lean toward the pragmatic and heady, it’s good to remind ourselves to earnestly desire spiritual gifts—especially prophecy. Like me, these helpful, yet potentially dry people need to check in with themselves to make sure they are being led by the Spirit of God.

Then, for the delightful and, at times, wild people more inclined to the supernatural, it’s important to remember we are also to love the Lord our God with our mind. We need to do research, dialogue with others, and use the reasonable capabilities God has given us.

I think these two words—contemplative and charismatic—can help us understand and live out what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman: True worshippers worship God in spirit and in truth. 

With that being written, I want to share some things I see as blurry pictures on the horizon for us at Living Stream. Though the contemplative side of me discerns lots of trouble, tension and problems ahead, the charismatic side of me is sensing opportunity. This is not absolute or concrete stuff. What you are about to read are thoughts and visions firmly in the ideation phase. Though I normally try to share what I have clarity on, it is still the year 2020, and I was told it was only going to take fifteen days to “flatten the curve.”

First, for the last few years Living Streams Church has been doing ministry with a group of churches in Ecuador. One of the main leaders of one of those churches is named Mario. He and his family have felt called by God to come to Phoenix to plant Spanish-speaking churches. We at Living Streams have felt the same calling and have been working to bring Mario and his family here for that purpose. The process has been slowed because of COVID-19, but the passion is still there for him—and for us—and the opportunity seems more ripe than ever before. (Living Streams en Espanol? ¡Me Gusta!)

Also, for the last year, I have been in a pastoral cohort called The Bonhoeffer Project. In that group I met a man who planted his family in south Phoenix because he felt called by God to plant a church there. He is African-American and has helped me process some of the racial unrest and frustration we have all felt in last few months. As we have gotten to know each other, we have begun discussing what it would look like for us to join together for the work the Lord has called him to. (Woohoo!)

Next, Joel Fritz and his family returned home from Italy after being sent out from Living Streams a little over a year ago. Joel, his wife, Kristen, and their three daughters were sent out from Living Streams to do discipleship and leadership development for some churches in Manfradonia. Joel and his family are back now and have landed in Huntsville, Alabama, where they will be living close to Kristen’s parents. The reason I share this is because Joel has a desire to continue to be in partnership with Living Streams Church and is looking at planting a church there. (Sounds Interesting!)

In addition to some of these church planting ideas, some other interesting things have happened. This week I sat down with someone in our church who wants to invest in  Living Streams. After this person and I spoke about a number of different opportunities, the person handed me a check for $50,000. We are going to use some of the money to make sure our food pantry is well stocked, and the rest will be used to upgrade the chapel, gymnasium, and lobby of Building D. We see these spaces being used for Sunday morning service overflow while COVID-19 social distancing continues. These spaces could be great for our hopes with a Spanish church plant. There are a number of other new possibilities for this space, not to mention the countless ministries already happening in that building. (Thank You, Jesus!)

As if that is not enough, another person connected with Living Streams Church told me about some land up north they would like to donate to Living Streams for a retreat center. It is extremely generous and we are looking into what possibilities are there. (So, if you are a builder or would like to donate toward that opportunity, I am glad you are reading this.) 

I need you to know that, with all these possibilities on the horizon, we will not forget to ensure that Living Streams Central is healthy and whole. I know we have a slow, patient work over the rest of this year to lead our people back to each other. We will continue to do our best to provide instructive, inspiring youth and children’s ministries, life groups, Sunday services, pastoral care and evangelism. We will continue to come up with simple, fresh, and courageous plans to Put God’s Glory on Display, Build Courageous People, and Engage in Society's Pain. 

By His grace and for His glory,

David

Do You Have a Plan?

What should I write about today?  I could write about the latest Covid-19 news, except, at this point, everyone knows that nobody knows for certain what is happening or exactly what to do. I could write about some political thoughts like everyone else, but I already did that. I could write about how perfectly the weather change set up the kickoff to the NFL season. I could write about school challenges and how my daughter and her friend have taken over my office at church for their online school. But instead, I think I will write about something I have no qualifications or clear direction for: Financial Planning.

If you are still reading, thank you—and you’re crazy.

The other morning I was walking into the office at church when a young girl around five years old saw me. Her face lit up like she was looking at a movie star. She called to her dad and said, “Dad, it’s the pastor.” He smiled knowingly and said, “That’s right.” Her face was still in amazed mode when she looked up at me and said with eager curiosity, “Are you rich?” It caught me off guard and I laughed out loud. The dad laughed and cringed a bit at the same time. I guess since we have been doing our services online I’ve been on her television and she thinks I am a T.V. star. Though I knew she would be disappointed, I told her the truth—that I am not rich.

It is true. I am not rich in an American sense of the word. I feel that I get paid pretty well by the church. And I am very thankful for the generosity and trust I receive from the church’s elder team, staff, and the congregation that faithfully gives financial tithes and offerings. I feel intense joy and intense responsibility when trying to make decisions with Jesus’ money that's entrusted to Living Streams by Jesus’ precious sons and daughters.

I know all money ultimately belongs to Jesus, but the tithes and offerings have always seemed more serious to me. I am thankful for our elder team, finance committee, finance department, and the annual audits at Living Streams. All these work together to make sure we are without greed, without deceit or manipulation, transparent, and full of integrity. I am no finance whiz, but it is a beautiful and holy thing to see how finances are handled at Living Streams.

Now, for my Financial Planning advice. 😊

Last week Living Streams hosted the new Financial Forum sponsored by Mel Shultz. We are now calling it the Phoenix Business Forum, and our first special guest was Steven Slivinski. Steven is the senior research fellow of Economics at Arizona State University and he attended Living Streams for a number of years. I listened to the 40-minute interview and was fascinated by Steven’s wisdom and clarity about America’s economic picture. As he spoke in brilliant-sounding economic terms, I was left with this overall impression: 

In February of this year, the U.S. economy was like a super-inflated tire rolling along smoothly. Then, when Covid-19 hit, it punctured the tire and air started coming out. In response, our government officials came up with a 2.2 trillion-dollar stimulus package, not intended to fix the hole but to pump air into the tire to keep it rolling. The stimulus has worked, and we are back to a partially inflated tire that's functioning at a slower speed. The only problem is, the tire still has a hole. 

This week I met with a financial planner who had an interesting perspective. The financial planner described the massive momentary downturn of the economy this summer as a kind and merciful warning to Americans. He saw the economy’s recent rapid changes from strength to crashing and then recovering as an indicator of a potential  problem. It may look and feel healthier right now, but that may not be the case. I walked away from that meeting thinking the traditional ways I have been doing retirement investing, banking, and savings may not be the best right now. 

Please remember, I'm not a financial planner or economist. The pastor part of me does believe that this is an important time to sit with loved ones and talk, pray and come up with a "what if" financial plan. Not a “psychotic doomsday overreaction” plan—just a “simple, fresh, courageous, love your neighbor” plan.

I hope and pray we can continue to live with all the abundance and convenience we have been blessed with in America. But I also hope and pray that, if the abundance and convenience goes away, we will find the hope, joy, and peace that is found in Christ is more than able to sustain us.

No matter what may happen, I know we are each called to walk in humility and generosity, take ownership of our own spiritual formation, and do the work of an evangelist. If we do these things, we will hear the words of Jesus singing over us now and forevermore: “Well done good and faithful servant.”

And what could be better than that? 

David

p.s. Click the button for the interview with Steven Slivinski: 

Words to Grow By

Though I am usually skeptical about everything, I am convinced about a few things. I am convinced that Jesus is Lord and He is holy. I am convinced that humanity is amazing, yet inherently flawed. I am convinced that ice cream and duct tape are humanity’s greatest inventions. And I am convinced that, right now, Christians in America need to grow as intercessory prayer warriors. 

To help stimulate some of that growth, here is a veritable feast of well-prepared words to instruct and inspire your prayer life

The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere come to recognize their priesthood unto God and day by day give themselves unto prayer.
—John Mott

God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.
—Oswald Chambers

Discernment is God’s call to Intercession, never to Faultfinding.
—Corrie Ten Boom

The prayer of intercession requires something from us. It requires our heart. When we hear and see the news, and our hearts want to turn away from the pain and suffering we see, the prayer of intercession calls us to stay present to the pain and pray for those who are suffering.
—Richard Foster

Intercession is truly universal work for the Christian. No place is closed to intercessory prayer. No continent – no nation – no organization – no city – no office. There is no power on earth that can keep intercession out.
—Richard Halverson

 A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Worship is agreeing with who God is, while Intercession is agreeing with what God promised to do.
—Author Unknown

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
—Paul the Apostle

Please pray every day; and join us live, in person or online, for our whole-church prayer service this Sunday at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 am. And if you are feeling particularly burdened, you may want to join all three. 

David

History Belongs to the Intercessors

I have so much I want to write, but let’s start with Star Wars. The last scene in The Force Awakens shows the island in some far reaching part of the galaxy where Luke Skywalker had been hiding out. In actuality, that island is in the westernmost part of Europe, off the coast of Ireland. It is call Skellig Michael. Wikipedia describes the island as a twin-pinnacled crag named after the archangel Michael.

I was able to go there with my family in 1995 before it was Star Wars famous. I remember that it was rocky, covered in bird poop, and stood powerfully against the incessant attack of the Atlantic sea. 

Prior to Skellig Michael being know as the Star Wars island, it was known as a monastic outpost. For over 600 years straight, twelve monks at a time would live on Skellig Michael, enduring its harshness in the “beehive” stone huts that are still there today.

Now, why would anyone want to live in such a rough place? They would do this because they saw themselves as the western frontline defense of the world. As Christian monks, they were not seeking to defend against invading armies. Instead, they saw themselves as spiritual warriors using prayer and other spiritual disciplines to keep evil from reaching Europe’s shores.

The name “Michael” is in line with the thinking of these monks. Michael is the name of the archangel who leads God’s army into battles with Satan.

These monks lived lives filled with extreme consecration and intense intercession. As with much of the intercession we do as Christians, it is hard to know what results were brought about by all the consecration and intercession of these monks. Yet, as we read stories of spiritual warfare in the Bible, it is clear that we humans have an important part to play. We also learn that “the prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” (James 5:16) A consecrated Christian given to consistent intercession is more powerful than any make-believe Jedi using the make-believe force. And now is the time we Christians are being called into battle by Jesus, our Commander. 

I love what Walter Wink says in this quote:

“Intercessory prayer is spiritual defiance of what is in the way of what God has promised. Intercession visualizes an alternative future to the one apparently fated by the momentum of current forces. Prayer infuses the air of a time yet to be into the suffocating atmosphere of the present. History belongs to the intercessors who believe the future into being.”

Right now, I have no doubt in my mind that Jesus, our Commander, is calling all Christians to fervent prayer. I have no doubt in my mind there are spiritual forces in spiritual defiance of what God has promised in our time and space. I have no doubt our prayers can change the momentum of the current forces leading us into self-centeredness and self-destruction into new forces that bring humility and godly renewal to our city. 

With that in mind, Living Streams Church is calling everyone to our sanctuary on the next two Sunday mornings for a time of consecration and intercession. Please join us if you are healthy and ready to regather and engage in the spiritual battle of our cultural moment. 

And for those who see all this as a bunch of” spiritual mumbo jumbo”, I know how you feel. Part of me feels the same way, but we have to remember what Jesus said: “God is spirit and He is looking for those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”

So, let’s shake off the lethargy, awaken from our spiritual stupor, and boldly enter the throne of God on behalf of our city, our church, and our households. 

David

Spiritual Disciplines Are Spiritual Warfare

Every once in a while you get your mind blown. It happened to me this week. (This could be because we have had over 30 days above 110 degrees, but I don’t think so.) No, what blew my mind was housed in this quote from a Bridgetown Church study guide intro:

“For Jesus, the devil’s primary strategy to ruin the soul and society isn’t what most of us expect. It’s lies. More specifically, it’s deceptive ideas that play to disordered desires that are normalized in a sinful society. In this teaching, we explore how we are transformed by Spirit and truth, and deformed by isolation and lies. And we look to Jesus’ example of spiritual disciplines as spiritual warfare.”

That last phrase was the detonator. Spiritual disciplines are spiritual warfare.
Wow. I love it. 

As you have read and heard (if you are tracking with me and Living Streams Church) Christians are being called to spiritual warfare right now. And, if you are like me, you get some “heebie-jeebies” when people start talking about spiritual warfare. But also, if you are like me, you know the Bible teaches that God is Spirit, humans are spiritual beings, and the spiritual realm has a major impact on the physical realm. 

Even though I know this, in all my life and studying, teaching and learning, I have never connected spiritual disciplines and spiritual warfare. It is so simple, clear and obvious to me now. And, for me, it takes the heebie-jeebies away. 

In case you don’t know what spiritual disciplines are, here is a list we taught in our Sunday mornings earlier this year:

• Stillness

• Prayer

• Scripture

• Obedience

• Cooperating with Holy Spirit

• Serving the poor

• Worship

• Community

• Sharing your faith.

These not only aide our own spiritual formation, they also count as spiritual warfare.
Again, wow! I love it.

I think this is why the Bible is so serious about these practices. I think this is why Jesus was so committed to these practices. And this is why the first church was able to see so much expansion through such opposition and persecution. And this is why we need to” up our game” and focus our hearts towards these spiritual practices 

God bless you and give you strength and wisdom to keep it simple in these convoluted times. 

David