It’s not uncommon for us meet people who ask for a Bible, but we’ve run out of Bibles people are willing to take. Either they can’t understand the archaic or wonky translation, they can’t afford the space / weight of the mammoth book in their pack (many of them live outside, entirely out of their back-pack), or they don’t want it because it’s just a New Testament (“Why would I just want part of it?” – good question).

We also use Bibles often in small group discussions on Sunday nights, and sometimes it is a challenge to find a Bible for everyone!

If you have a Bible or two you want to donate, send me an email: scumchurchseattle[at]gmail.com - Thanks!

PS. If you live in the Seattle area, would you consider sharing a link to this post on facebook, twitter, email, whatever?

Who doesn’t enjoy watching a good movie, a fast-paced TV program, or curling up with a gripping book? Or how about the excitement of being in the stands at a closely matched sporting event? Almost everyone loves the unfolding of a story or the staging of a competitive challenge. We invest a great deal of time and money watching actors pretend to be something they’re not. We burn with indignation when the villain crushes the innocent. We hold our breath for the good guys and cheer when the hero vanquishes evil. We also shout in victory when our team tramples the other team to score a goal.

Whether through fiction or sports, there is something deep within that derives vicarious pleasure from seeing two forces meet in battle. Why do we have such a tremendous desire for these forms of entertainment? We long for conflict, adventure, and excitement because we were created to be actively involved in the ultimate conflict – the battle between good and evil. Our nature demands that we take sides in any fight, and root for one side or another. God intended us to be involved in conflict, fighting for righteousness. We were meant to be actively destroying those things that would hinder or corrupt the Kingdom of God, pushing back the powers of darkness.

We can enter into the greatest battle of all, the greatest adventure. We can see good triumph over evil and prisoners set free. This is not the plot of a book or the theme of a movie. It is is exactly what God intended us for. It can become reality when we learn how to engage in spiritual warfare.

We love COPS, Braveheart, Settlers of Catan and the Super Bowl. It’s clear these things elicit deep passion that leave us crying in the theaters, flipping board games in frustrated outbursts, buying team jerseys and going bazerko at a game-winning touchdown. Might they be scratching a God-given itch of a deeper longing? This is a fascinating proposition.

I wonder if our King smiles on our passion, yet prays and hopes for redirection toward his purposes. 1 John 3:8 says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” And as his people, we are called to join battles of eternal significance: battles of spiritual oppression, physical oppression, hunger, injustice, good news for the poor, liberty for the captives, recovery of sight to the blind.

• Does this resonate with you?
• What other examples do you see in life that indicate we are designed for a deeper/spiritual war?

(To clarify, I don’t think the author is advocating for legislating morality, or burning Buddhist temples. Remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12).)

(the quote is from the book Spiritual Warfare, Dean Sherman, page 18-19)

Yesterday was a good day of praying though. While praying with a buddy, I felt that God wants me personally to focus on spiritual warfare for Scum.

And here is why I’m bothering to write this post: I don’t know much about spiritual warfare.

To start, I’m reading Spiritual Warfare by Dean Sherman, a YWAM guy my parents met long ago.

• Do you recommend any books or resources on spiritual warfare?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

december-newsletter-email

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PS. Some names have been changed

Anyway, check out this gift bag that Melissa and I found.

How Many Camels?

We see two camel heads, but TEN camel legs. Something isn’t adding up.

Perhaps Bible-era camels had five legs?

Rental stretch-camels?

What’s your interpretation?

I’m all into taking care of pets, but not at the expense of my brothers and sisters sleeping outside.

Anyway, I’m looking for odd jobs and short-term work opportunities to put $ toward a replacement laptop.

Trying to maneuver through this last week without a computer at my disposal didn’t work so well, especially since our desktop is so often occupied by Melissa and her free-lance design projects. If you know of any little jobs would you send me a message? I would much appreciate it!