What to do when people let you down

FINALLY, A PERFECT MATCH

Perhaps you met the perfect woman, the perfect man (he’s got a two-pack), you found the perfect job, you finally found the perfect church, and then over time, life happens, things happen, and you realize that the whole thing was a façade. You say to yourself, "The system is rigged. All __________ (fill in the blanks) are stupid, and I’ll never give my heart to _____________ again.

The problem isn't women, men, the marketplace, or churches, the problem is diversity. Humans are diverse. Andrea and I are radically different. Our differences, our edges, our passions, and our experiences shape us in such a specific way. We all have difficulties connecting, partnering, and communicating. For this reason, we must never assume that honest communication is easy or natural. The more meaningful the relationship, the harder, the more vulnerable, and the rawer communication becomes. Communication is the easiest when we have nothing in the game, and there's nothing to lose. Incredible opportunities for intimacy are thwarted when we get scared away by the kind of conversations they require. If it's hard, stressful, and scary, then most likely, it's worth it.

PROTECT YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF OTHERS

We change our perception when we don't cultivate a discipline of communication. For example, that perfect woman could take on the image of a crafty manipulator because of a situation where you felt taken advantage of, but, perhaps if you had the awkward conversation to share what happened, how it made you feel, and why the relationship was important to you, she could have explained herself, and you could have protected the honor that you had for her identity.

It's easier to make a judgment against someone and cut someone off than it is to fight for the Father's perspective of who they are.

Usually, the best way to deal with an incorrect judgment is to bring it into the light and appropriately process the issue with the person you are wrestling with. This is where we get the famous "Matthew 18 Principle," that's found in Matthew 18:15. I have my own translation of this text, "When a brother or sister sins against you…" 

When not if.

This really isn't about if someone is going to sin against you, but rather, what are you going to do when they do? Jesus would say, "Go to them, directly to them, and attempt to work it out in private." Of course, if it all hits the fan, then go on to step #2.

NOBODY’S PERFECT, RIGHT?

We might say, "Nobody's perfect," but if we are "knowing each other" according to the spirit rather than the flesh, shouldn't we be able to see each other according to their perfection in Christ rather than their shortcomings?

Guess what, this isn't easy, but it really matters because we are talking about preserving and protecting a person's Christ identity within our heart's. How we see each other matters.

You might think, "No way, that raises the bar too high!"

Exactly. 

You might say, "But what if they can't measure up to this incredibly high standard?"

There's grace.

I didn't say tolerance.

I said empowerment.

Showing grace is the act of partnering with one, to assist in their empowerment, to overcome a weakness while not dishing out a fresh judgment against them because of a weakness. I am thankful that when I fail, my Heavenly Father doesn't see me as a failure, He comes near to me, He loves me, He gives me insight and revelation, and then He authorizes me to try again, and to get back on the bike. I want to be more like my Father, and that means that I have to learn to keep my heart open, even when I feel betrayed because I don't know about you, but when I feel like trust has been violated, the line of communication is the first thing I shut down.

So, you found the perfect woman, the perfect man (and he's riding a unicorn), the perfect job, or the perfect church, and then something happens, and your perspective is challenged, I would encourage you to fight for a perspective of honor, and ask yourself the question, "What will it take to preserve it?" Most likely, you will find that honor can be restored through honest, heart-felt, non-religious, communication.

Restoration occurs when people are bold enough to be real, truthful, humble, and connect from the heart.

The Power and Importance of Forgiveness

Here’s a new video on the power and importance of forgiveness.

THE PODCAST SHOW HITS THE ROAD

On October 12th, we are embarking on a podcast tour from Seattle to Hollywood, California.

For two days, we will be conducting 10 video/audio podcast conversations with a diverse group of cultural influencers.

Our vision is to answer the question, "What is Jesus doing in in one of the world's most influential cities?"

Our list of guests include actors, comedians, screenplay writers, music producers, television producers, models, and church planters.

On our way to LA, we will be stopping by Bethel Church, in Redding, California, and conducting three podcast conversations with revivalists and cultural influencers. It’s going to be amazing capturing the stories of these modern-day reformers.

THE HISTORY OF THE PODCAST

We have been hosting the Supernaturalist Podcast Show since 2015. The purpose of the show is to connect, equip, and promote emerging supernaturalists on a global level.

The show consists of Darren Stott and Charlie Shamp sitting down with movers and shakers and conducting long-form, unscripted conversations. The average podcast is 60 minutes, and the most extended episode is #100 with Bobby Conner and runs just shy of three hours.

Links:
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0Q7EpCvN_vlK7FZyupcXw

iTunes Link: thedarrenshow.com

IN 2019, THE SHOW HIT THE ROAD

In 2019 we took the show from audio to video, investing a significant amount of money into quality and portable equipment so that the show could easily travel and capture content from supernaturalists all over the World.

• On June 24th, we captured an interview with Pastor Surprise in South Africa.

• On September 1st, we took all of our equipment to Moravian Falls where we recorded an amazing conversation with Bonnie Jones.

• On September 26th we traveled to Nashville where we recorded podcast conversations with Lee and Cindi Whitman, Alex Parkinson, and Corina Toncz-Pataki.

SOW INTO THE SHOW

We would like to invite you to join us in this supernatural media adventure. If you believe in what we are doing, please pray and consider sowing into the show.

To give, click the link below.

1.) Fill in your email.

2.) Your contribution.

3.) Payment information.

CLICK HERE!!!

Supernaturalist Ministries is a 501(c)(3); all donations are tax deductible. A giving receipt and annual report will be sent to you by January 31st, 2020.

Funko POPS! and Ivan Roman

I love how this podcast turned out.

Ivan and I sit down to discuss everything from soaking, lucid dreaming, revival past (present and future), the difficulty of stewarding a dual calling, what it means to be a spiritual father, and Funko POPS!

It’s raw, vulnerable, and inspiring.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Connect with Ivan on social: @IvanRoman07

Web: www.ivanroman.org

Happy 2019!!!

What if 2019 was YOUR year to radically grow in your intimacy with Jesus and your understanding of who you REALLY are?

What kind of tin-foil-hat-wearing-nutjob-show is this?

No

regrets!

Capturing the data from this previous media/radio adventure.

We are nearing the completion of our one year contract with KKNW 1150 AM. Upon much prayer and conversation, we have decided not to renew our contract.

For twelve months, every Wednesday, from 3-4 PM we flooded the air with Jesus centered supernatural content.

Two weeks ago I went into the studio to record a show with Paul Graves. A lady was waiting for me at the door.

“Are you the pastor?” She asked.

I must have had that “pastor” look. After confirming her suspicion, we agreed to meet after the show.

She informed me that when she first heard of my show, she thought, “What kind of tin-foil-hat-wearing-nutjob-show is this?” Then she listened to it.

“These guys are Holy Spirit filled, Jesus loving, believers!” She said. She was so excited because she works for the finance department at the station and she knew that there isn’t any other content like ours on the station. I believe this was a gift of encouragement from the Lord.

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted a radio show. This adventure has been a dream come true.

I want to thank everyone who sowed into the show. So many of you made contributions. Thank you! Your gift helped us do something that may have never been done before, host a Christocentric Supernatural Show on a secular radio station.

I also want to thank Seattle Revival Center, who made a monthly contribution of $150 a month. I believe we planted large seeds in a field where there’s not a lot of seed.

To be transparent, I didn’t go into this with a long-term sustainability plan in play (basically I didn’t have a business plan). I knew the cost up front, and I knew that Supernaturalist Ministries could afford to take on the financial risk for the first twelve months. I had hoped for advertising opportunities, but I didn’t have the plan or the time to pursue them.

If I were to do it again, I would assemble a team to help me strategize a vision, advertising, marketing, evangelism, and community plan up front. It could have been far more successful and sustainable if I had first assembled a team around the vision, and then executed the concept with the team.

I share all these things not because I feel bad.

Honestly, I have no regrets.

It has been a stinkin’ blast.

I share these things because maybe you are about to take a leap of faith to co-create with the King on the Earth. I hope that some of the things I learned can equip you for the jump.

Maybe you are about to take a leap of faith that may have a hefty price tag on it.

For us, the price tag was $10,000 for a year of programming.

That’s a significant investment.

I am still totally in love with audio as a media platform. In fact, more now than ever, I am in love with podcasting.

Podcasting is the coolest thing ever. I can record ninety-minute shows. **[My latest podcast with Charlie Shamp](https://soundcloud.com/isupernaturalist/the-future-belongs-to-the-fearless-charlie-shamp)** is over two hours!!

I love long-form content, but we also produce short shows. For example, we have some shows that are only eight minutes long.

With a podcast, you don’t have to wait until 3 PM to listen to it. You listen to it when you want to listen to it. You can listen to it in your car and then pop on some headphones and take it with you as you walk into the office.

So, I’m going ALL IN with my podcast.

I’ll be buying some awesome new gear so I can have a three mic studio at the church. I want to continue to host transparent, supernatural conversations for the purpose of connecting, equipping, and promoting emerging supernaturalists on a global level.

Thank you for partnering on this journey with me. Your emails, messages, and conversations light me up.

I’m looking forward to partnering with you to instigate a movement of honest and powerful supernaturalists; a generation of Elijahs and Elishas.

I look forward in cheering you on as you take risks and create stuff on the Earth that has never been done before.

Life is such a gift, and we get to share it together. We are alive, in the same generation, for such as time as this. Let’s shake some things up.

Blessings,

Darren Stott

Accumulative Effect

“Wassup guys?! My name is Jeff.”

Jeff is ripped. His biceps are larger than my legs. He’s got no shirt on. The guy is rocking eight-pack abs. 

That’s right, stinkin’ eight. 

If I had Jeff’s body, I’d never wear a shirt. 

“What’s up, Jeff?!” I think in my head, “What are you going to tell me that’s going to make my abs look like yours?” 

“I’m going to show you something to do every single morning.” 

The YouTube video continued. I listened intently. Jeff is about to recommend a new daily routine. I love routines. Just tell me what to do Jeff. 

“I promise, if you do this, it’s going to help you a lot. You’re going to improve your posture, you're going to improve your abs, and you’re going to improve your grip strength.” 

Nobody cares about grip strength Jeff. 

He then turns around proceeds to hang from a pull-up bar in his closet for two minutes. 

Here’s the deal, Jeff keeps saying these words, “This daily exercise is going to have an accumulative effect.” 

“Accumulative effect.” There, he said it again. 

An accumulative effect is the state in which a series of repeated actions have an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects (according to a Google definition). 

In my own words, it’s compounded momentum that’s made possible only through consistency. 

The Lord has been speaking to be about consistency and the importance of doing things daily, and as I’ve been practicing new daily routines, I am seeing results or compounded momentum. 

I recently heard Drew Houston (founder of Dropbox) say, “If your workout time is not on your calendar, you’re not working out.” I smiled because mine is, and there are about four people who get to see how much I’m squatting on Monday mornings. Those four people get this email. That cracks me up. 

I had a workout routine that was supposed to be able to generate results with just two trips to the gym each week. I was faithful to the method for about six months, and I didn’t see much change. I switched up my routine to a daily routine (four days a week) and immediately I could feel the difference. 

Where do you need to grow? 

What do you need to change? 

Where does your life need a pattern interrupt? 

Where do you need some accumulative effects? 

If you take the time to answer these questions, you will see that the answer may be found in new daily routines, otherwise known as habits. 

My recommendation is that you don’t invent a routine. Find one. Find one that REALLY works. Don’t be content until you are seeing measurable results in your own life. 

I would recommend that you don’t just listen to your opinionated friends. Seek wisdom from a professional like Jeff. If they don’t have the eight-pack, don’t bother writing down their abs routine (this is just a metaphor, apply to your own context). 

Maybe you’re not excited about the things of God anymore. Who do you know that is? What do they do? What do they read? Who influences them the most? Find out, and set up your daily routine. 

Maybe you’re depressed. Get on Google, get on YouTube, and get to your doctor. Get obsessed with your holistic joy strategy and setup your new daily routines. 

You are at where you are at because of your consistency, or lack thereof. 

I have to remind myself that the system isn’t rigged. There’s no supplement for consistency. I don’t get to blame people for where I am at. I have to take responsibility and redeem each and every minute that the Lord has given to me. 

If the words “consistency,” “daily routine,” and “accumulative effect” is not a part of your vocabulary, and you are unsatisfied with your current geography, allow your frustration to drive you to the store so you can buy a day planner. 

Don’t expect your parents, your employer, your pastor, or your spouse to be your manager. Manage yourself. Manage your time. Manage your soul. Self-management is not a threat to the Lordship of Christ, in fact, self-control is actually a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

Hang like a monkey from a pull-up bar. Make yourself a grass smoothie. Soak in the presence of God for twelve minutes before brushing your teeth. Swish coconut oil around in your mouth (without swallowing) for fifteen minutes. Practice the piano for thirty minutes. Write five hundred words. I don’t care, just do it, and do it daily, and you will see accumulative effects. 

Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear what you’re up to. Email me at darren@seattlerevivalcenter.com. 

Keep up the good work guys! 

Much love, 

Darren