Loved this: “Are we so sure that the dark forces of the spiritual realm are less active today?”
Jesus literally reached into the abyss of “the deep things of Satan” several years ago and found me and my wife wholesale committed to witchcraft, s*x magic, and everything that goes along with that world (astrology, tarot, yoga, meditation, enneagram, and worse).
At the “height” of my pride (shortly followed by a great and life changing fall), I was able to be on an “energy healing” zoom call with someone on the literal opposite side of the world, and physically affect them through the spirit realm with dark power.
That’s not “theory” or “theology.” That’s “actuality.” And a personal encounter with the Lord actually changed all of that.
That part in Acts of “book burning” is something we did before we even knew it existed in the Bible. Everything got scorched — books, clothes, objects, “art,” etc.
…And there were literal screams and hissing coming out of the flames as all of it burned. Winds “happened” to picked up and tried to burn other things down. Police “happened” to show up on another occasion and fine me for open fires in the middle of winter and 12” of snow…
We have been astounded (to put it mildly) that a “church” who professes to have an actual, personal, Eternal communion with the Omnipotent Sovereign Lord of all Reality… is mostly ignorant, in denial, or simply just experientially-unengaged in the actual, substantial nature of the spiritual and supernatural reality of all things.
Witchcraft isn’t just a play-pretend, ugly thing of fairytales. Halloween isn’t a cute “holiday.” God didn’t give Israel commandments about things that “aren’t real.” Why would He bother to say “you won’t suffer a witch to live?”
It is very real, takes many forms, and sadly it is used by many many many many “pastors” from the pulpit and behind the scenes to manipulate their congregations. We have seen it first hand, again, and again, and again.
The Word of God is literally the most powerful, indomitable, Reality-defining authority in all of time and eternity. And He LOVES US?! And we have HIS SPIRIT living IN US?! And we can “abide in Him and Him in us?!” And we can “ask Him any thing in His name and He will do it? … anything according to the will of God and we KNOW we have the requests we have asked of Him?!”
THEN DEAR GOD LET US PRAY WITH YOU THE PRAYERS OF *YOUR* HEART THAT BURN WITH HOLY JEALOUS ALL-CONSUMING FIRE FOR THIS DAY AND HOUR!
I’m so touched by your story, and honored and thankful you’d share it with me. God’s redeeming love in your life is so beautiful. As I’m reading and responding to your comment I’m smiling through the MacBook screen at my dining table.
Your heart is a kindred one, and I echo all of your affirmations. I like you. Let’s be friends.
Thank you truly for reading and for the support and encouragement. I genuinely appreciate it and you! Going to be following your work and praying for your ministry to the Lord in your part of the world.
I’m slowly working my way through this series and enjoying every moment. It’s like reading into the world we look for as true disciples of Jesus. I thought it was especially interesting that you highlighted gossip—we in America too often undervalue what words do to us (both the speaker and listener). James obviously tells us more about this, but information and story through language is so so so powerful.
The other thing I thought was interesting were your two “I”s (idolatry and immorality). Similar but maybe slightly different I’ve heard it described as idolatry and injustice. Maybe all sin can be lumped somewhere in those three categories. Point is, I think it’s spot on, and we need to continually be aware of how we are engaging with the Holy Spirit, how we are submitting to him, and the temptations we face toward injustice, immorality, or idolatry. We need others—true disciples—to push us toward Him in that way too.
I’m sure I’ll see you at part 3. :) Good work, Kaleb. Grateful to learn from and be sharpened by you!
Colin, so glad this connects with you. That's my heart for the Church. To encourage us away from all three "I"s (good catch 😉) and re-learn faithfulness and allegiance to Jesus. I appreciate your heart for the LORD and how you're following Him in your part of the world!
Excellent work. Thank you. I was thinking of pushing back on point 2, but then your note at point 4, and your bold comment about being apprentices changed my mind.
It's challenging to hold someone back who is talented and eager, and I was thinking of suggesting that we approach their journey into ministry as an apprenticeship. Give them small roles as they grow.
That reminded me that I was thinking of ministry in our cultural way, as something that the qualified pastors do. It's so hard to shake these things from our reflex responses.
Ministry is simply service, and while it may change as one matures or gains wisdom, it is not for the specials.
There are no specials.
It is for all the saints to use their time, treasure, and talents for the Lord and for others.
Thank you Brandon, I appreciate that so much. The dire situation for us in the Church is also wrapped in a bit of hope; historically, we do our best coming over the other side of broken systems. It just might not be fun for everyone all the time. Jesus is working! He is on the throne and healing and restoring people all over the world. It’s so wonderful to be a part of it.
Appreciate your insights on where we are as the Church!
I remember a point John Eldridge made with a creative image. God didn't choose an army. He decided to land on the enemy's beaches with the most ragtag batch of mismatched folks he could find. It's not the warriors and tactical elite, but John the janitor, a mumbling accountant, a few unpopular folks, and Mrs. Janklewitz's third grade Sunday School bunch that ends up pushing against the darkness. Paraphrased.
Awesomely well-put-together writing, brother.
Loved this: “Are we so sure that the dark forces of the spiritual realm are less active today?”
Jesus literally reached into the abyss of “the deep things of Satan” several years ago and found me and my wife wholesale committed to witchcraft, s*x magic, and everything that goes along with that world (astrology, tarot, yoga, meditation, enneagram, and worse).
At the “height” of my pride (shortly followed by a great and life changing fall), I was able to be on an “energy healing” zoom call with someone on the literal opposite side of the world, and physically affect them through the spirit realm with dark power.
That’s not “theory” or “theology.” That’s “actuality.” And a personal encounter with the Lord actually changed all of that.
That part in Acts of “book burning” is something we did before we even knew it existed in the Bible. Everything got scorched — books, clothes, objects, “art,” etc.
…And there were literal screams and hissing coming out of the flames as all of it burned. Winds “happened” to picked up and tried to burn other things down. Police “happened” to show up on another occasion and fine me for open fires in the middle of winter and 12” of snow…
We have been astounded (to put it mildly) that a “church” who professes to have an actual, personal, Eternal communion with the Omnipotent Sovereign Lord of all Reality… is mostly ignorant, in denial, or simply just experientially-unengaged in the actual, substantial nature of the spiritual and supernatural reality of all things.
Witchcraft isn’t just a play-pretend, ugly thing of fairytales. Halloween isn’t a cute “holiday.” God didn’t give Israel commandments about things that “aren’t real.” Why would He bother to say “you won’t suffer a witch to live?”
It is very real, takes many forms, and sadly it is used by many many many many “pastors” from the pulpit and behind the scenes to manipulate their congregations. We have seen it first hand, again, and again, and again.
The Word of God is literally the most powerful, indomitable, Reality-defining authority in all of time and eternity. And He LOVES US?! And we have HIS SPIRIT living IN US?! And we can “abide in Him and Him in us?!” And we can “ask Him any thing in His name and He will do it? … anything according to the will of God and we KNOW we have the requests we have asked of Him?!”
THEN DEAR GOD LET US PRAY WITH YOU THE PRAYERS OF *YOUR* HEART THAT BURN WITH HOLY JEALOUS ALL-CONSUMING FIRE FOR THIS DAY AND HOUR!
Andrew, my dear (new) friend,
I’m so touched by your story, and honored and thankful you’d share it with me. God’s redeeming love in your life is so beautiful. As I’m reading and responding to your comment I’m smiling through the MacBook screen at my dining table.
Your heart is a kindred one, and I echo all of your affirmations. I like you. Let’s be friends.
Thank you truly for reading and for the support and encouragement. I genuinely appreciate it and you! Going to be following your work and praying for your ministry to the Lord in your part of the world.
Blessings, friend.
I’m slowly working my way through this series and enjoying every moment. It’s like reading into the world we look for as true disciples of Jesus. I thought it was especially interesting that you highlighted gossip—we in America too often undervalue what words do to us (both the speaker and listener). James obviously tells us more about this, but information and story through language is so so so powerful.
The other thing I thought was interesting were your two “I”s (idolatry and immorality). Similar but maybe slightly different I’ve heard it described as idolatry and injustice. Maybe all sin can be lumped somewhere in those three categories. Point is, I think it’s spot on, and we need to continually be aware of how we are engaging with the Holy Spirit, how we are submitting to him, and the temptations we face toward injustice, immorality, or idolatry. We need others—true disciples—to push us toward Him in that way too.
I’m sure I’ll see you at part 3. :) Good work, Kaleb. Grateful to learn from and be sharpened by you!
Colin, so glad this connects with you. That's my heart for the Church. To encourage us away from all three "I"s (good catch 😉) and re-learn faithfulness and allegiance to Jesus. I appreciate your heart for the LORD and how you're following Him in your part of the world!
Excellent work. Thank you. I was thinking of pushing back on point 2, but then your note at point 4, and your bold comment about being apprentices changed my mind.
It's challenging to hold someone back who is talented and eager, and I was thinking of suggesting that we approach their journey into ministry as an apprenticeship. Give them small roles as they grow.
That reminded me that I was thinking of ministry in our cultural way, as something that the qualified pastors do. It's so hard to shake these things from our reflex responses.
Ministry is simply service, and while it may change as one matures or gains wisdom, it is not for the specials.
There are no specials.
It is for all the saints to use their time, treasure, and talents for the Lord and for others.
In that light, point two is stronger.
Thank you Brandon, I appreciate that so much. The dire situation for us in the Church is also wrapped in a bit of hope; historically, we do our best coming over the other side of broken systems. It just might not be fun for everyone all the time. Jesus is working! He is on the throne and healing and restoring people all over the world. It’s so wonderful to be a part of it.
Appreciate your insights on where we are as the Church!
I remember a point John Eldridge made with a creative image. God didn't choose an army. He decided to land on the enemy's beaches with the most ragtag batch of mismatched folks he could find. It's not the warriors and tactical elite, but John the janitor, a mumbling accountant, a few unpopular folks, and Mrs. Janklewitz's third grade Sunday School bunch that ends up pushing against the darkness. Paraphrased.