#JUSTSAYIN

I’ve been seeing some people on Facebook saying that abiding by state law and doing online church is a lack of faith.

I’m going to try to articulate what many pastors may have difficulty articulating with an example.....

If you are single and you want to risk your life and travel into a region where there are travel advisories because of anti-Christian sentiment, etc., and you feel like God has called you, then hey, be obedient, and risk it. You may even be a modern-day martyr (which is actually totally cool). I can respect that.
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But, if you have a family, and you ignore the travel advisories, and you drag your family into a war zone because you think it’s “faith” and your whole family dies, I don’t think that’s cool. I think that’s stupid and selfish.
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Pastors will give an account to the Lord for how they cared for Jesus’s flock. Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me? Then take care of my sheep. Especially the old sheep.”
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It’s not a question of faith. It’s a question of authority, commitment, and responsibility, and no offense but if you don’t understand these principles then you don’t understand true faith.

If you aren’t a senior citizen, then don’t pretend like you understand what it’s like to have a virus preying on the elderly.

If you aren’t healing the sick already, don’t pretend that you are John G. Lake.

If you aren’t pastoring a church, don’t pretend that you understand the responsibility.

It’s easy to talk big on Facebook, but sometimes we need to remember the golden rule and put ourselves in other peoples shoes before attacking them.

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.

CELEBRITY CULTURE VERSES A CULTURE OF CELEBRATION

My daughter Abigail is writing a tall tale for school, and she has created a character named Chloe, a niblet that's the size of a pinecone and lives in the walls of a television studio. Chloe feels insignificant because she's small, and nobody knows that she exists, and so she strategizes a plan to go "on-the-air" in the middle of the night, with her family and friends, to put on a talent show. Finally, the world will know that niblets exist and that they are amazing.

Abigail's story deals with an ingredient that exists within the human disposition; the desire to be noticed, to feel significant, and to make a difference.

This past week my family and the Sween’s (our close friends) journeyed from Seattle to Redding and then on to Hollywood to capture conversations, not with niblets, but with real-life cultural influencers. It went incredibly well, and I know people are going to enjoy them. However, these conversations began to create new discussions within my heart, regarding the incredible, talented, and influential niblets that live in my walls. What about all the incredible stories, potential, and power that exist but haven't been revealed yet?

The very first thing that Jesus did is he discovered his twelve niblets.  These were twelve men that before Jesus was not known or celebrated, and today, in some traditions, they are worshiped. These guys went from being niblets to world changers, not because they were talented, but because they were willing to drop everything and follow Jesus. They were no longer niblets, they were now sons!!

In the Kingdom, there are no niblets. Jesus eradicated the human caste system of importance, and this creates a significant philosophical conversation that is past due within the Church. It also requires us to ask some big questions; questions like, "How has the world's celebrity culture penetrated the Church's philosophy for how we celebrate people?"

Jesus did not target the world's influencers to influence the world. He had eyes to see invisible people, and he invested his time, revelation, and authority to see them transform from self-seeking outsiders to Christ-commissioned deputies.

If we are in Christ, then our aim cannot be to "get discovered." Being in Christ is the evidence that you already are discovered. Our ambition cannot be to achieve celebration by our works because we already are celebrated by Heaven, because of the finished work of Christ Jesus. If we are in Christ, but our programming is no different than that of the world, we will invest all of our time, energy, and resources into self-celebration schemes.

Jesus didn't use his cell phone to take selfies; he used his phone to take pictures of others. He so loved the world that he devoted the majority of his bandwidth to reveal the character and nature of His father to those who had no clue.

How can we create cultures where people who feel like outsiders get to receive the celebration of their adoption as an insider? How can we create cultures where those who feel like orphans get to receive the celebration of a son? How can we create cultures where we do not idolize the idols that the culture worships? How can we walk in greatness while not allowing others to worship us?

What do you think?

Hit me up in the comments below.

Blessings!!

Darren

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