Otto - who is he and why does it matter?

Otto is the main character of another movie that I find I have a visceral reaction to. 

And it is tricky explaining fully why without ruining the movie for those who have yet to experience it, the weight of the story, background and what it reveals.

It does deal with matters of self harm so I would caution you from watching if this is something you should avoid in this season.

What it does reminds me of again in the world we live is the following:

1. So many have a back story with an equal dose of deep abiding pain that many don't know.

Otto comes across as angry, cold and as someone who doesn't need anyone or anything.

The reality was who he became through what life threw at him was not how he began.

The movie/story reminds me that those who show similar traits to Otto may have good reason for being who they currently are. 

There may have been things happen to them that has damaged their soul. The weight of which they feel powerless to overcome and eventually give into their damaging narrative.

2. We are not our best on our own reconciling lifes pain and disappointments, and yet that is the default direction of many of us.

Withdrawal seems to be the natural mode when the pain of life just pushes us too far.

I have felt its pull to be honest and sometimes it is hard not to succumb.

And when it is "others" who have contributed to your hurt, the natural thing our heart does is seek to avoid "others" going forward. The logic being you can't take anymore so protect yourself from the possibility of more pain.

Which leads to my last quick point...

3. Something beautiful and unexpected can come where we least expect it.

Otto has people around him just like many of us do.

Circumstances he didn't want created a watershed moment in the sad trajectory of his life through the "unwanted" relationships that came his way.

The impact of those "others" that appeared in his mind from nowhere, changed everything for him. 

Maybe the "others" around you right now are strategically there for right now?

A Man Called Otto.

Great movie.

Certainly impacted my heart.

Something to think about...

Hamburger Helper Prophetic

Honestly I was shocked by what someone said about the prophetic!

They used the phrase "Hamburger Helper" to explain their ideas around this ministry to other believers.

In New Zealand we don't have this but mu understanding it is a flavoured powder to help your dinner taste better. The irony for me is that it shown with macaroni so not sure where burger comes into it?

Essentially they were saying that it is ok to have lots of rubbish prophecy as long as some good stuff is in there are as well.

Their rationale seemed to use the distinction Jesus made about Wheat and Weeds as some sort of biblical justification. That they don't want to correct what was wrong so that the good ones remains. This is a bit out of context and naive at best.

Here is why I think it is problematic:

1. Either the prophetic is God speaking or it is not.

2. If the person receiving the prophetic word is not able to discern validity, all sort of catastrophic decisions can eventuate. I have so many stories!

3. The person ignorantly firing off incorrect prophetic messages gets confident in something that is wrong and this makes them more ignorant and potentially arrogant.

4. This leader has been found out to be a fake prophet and groomer of young women so their teaching should be ignored or taken with extreme caution.

It is past time for the prophetic ministry to mature in the Church.

We can do so much better.

Something to think about...

Prophetic Pendulum Swing

I am honestly a little torn right now.

On one hand I am happy there appears to be a reckoning in the Church around prophecy.

But also concerned the pendulum might swing too far back to another time, a time where religious ritual practice alone becomes the dominant expression of faith filled believers.

My personal opinion is that we need health.

We need honesty and integrity.

The prophetic has been crying out for these attributes for far too long.

Today I had read statements celebrating the initial stages of dealing with problematic so called prophetic ministries. Some of these ministries have recently announced a period of removing themselves from public for whatever reason.

I am thrilled to finally see some accountability!

There have been many too manipulators and apparent liars rampant for far too long!

Something inside of me is also concerned we might not get to the bottom of the problem.

And those who have have longing for faith expression without these types of gifting will feel self justified and even vindicated.

A large problem for me with any extreme position in Christianity, whether it be pro or anti Holy Spirit gifts etc, is that extremes look concerning on many levels. To hold the belief they do, it appears they need to ignore the parts of scripture that don’t support their position while exaggerating the importance of others.

I have been a follower of Jesus since 1991. So have seen and experienced a little since then.

During that time I have “received” plenty of prophetic words from people who I have always hoped were just trying to do their best.

And we need to be honest here. 

Some of it was apparently spot on while others were ridiculously off the mark.

One one music tour I did traveling around at least half a dozen Churchs, at every single one, someone approached me afterwards telling me that God had told them I would be back to be their youth pastor.

Did it confuse me or cause me to have a crisis of faith? No.

What it did do was cause me to pray and reflect on what was said, why they said it, and what was really potentially going on.

The Apostle Paul encouraged prophecy but also sober reflection and testing of what said.

I tried to apply that to this strange moment.

I think in part they recognised that I had giftings that could have benefit to their Church.

They prophecied based on what they saw and what they hoped they saw.

Their “humaness” got mixed with their revelation.

And I needed to take stock according.

I have experienced amazing prophetic words and prayers that have staggered me as to their accuracy, which came true not by my doing anything to make them a reality.

There are stories I could tell!

What am I trying to say?

I guess in the end we need to be passionate both ways to protect the pendulum swing in this moment being too strong.

We need sober judgement of the prophetic. And we need the prophetic.

The prophet needs accountability.

The receiver needs better understanding on how to process prophecy.

This is our moment to grow up.

I really hope we can.

Something to think about…

Change your pot?

I absolutely love Rhubarb.

I just adore stewed Rhubarb on desserts or on my cereal.

Suze thinks it tastes like dirt. He taste buds are less developed than mine it seems…

When we moved down south in late 2024 my fantastic mother gave me a rhubarb plant to put in our little garden space. From my little understanding of growing this in a healthy way that you can harvest from, it is best to leave it a year. So that is what I did. Waited a whole year!

Unfortunately the anniversary came around and I was left disappointed.

The plant really hadn’t thrived and the stalks just too limp to do anything with.

My passionate (maybe too hot blooded) side of myself wanted to dig the dumb thing up and throw it away. Super annoyed that my effort and patience had not been rewarded.

I decided instead to research my options.

The research turned into a plan.

I dug up my plant carefully and placed it in a pot with fresh and rich in nutrients soil.

That was about a month ago now.

When we look out our lounge window we see something different. It is totally changed. 

The 6 or 7 at best limp stalks have morphed into a thriving living bush of this amazing rhubarby goodness!

And that got me thinking…

There are times, after a season of hardwork, endurance and patience, where you can feel a little limp. 

Like things didn’t work.

Expectations were sadly not met.

And you may want to respond in a passionate and potentially hot headed way?

Maybe what you need is a new pot?

Maybe what you need is some fertiliser?

Maybe what you need is to not panic but changed what you are sitting in?

Jesus talked about a man going to visit his fig tree in his vineyard. 

For 3 years he was waiting patiently for it to fruit (typically fig trees produce by then). 

Because it wasn't fruiting yet, a decision was made. 

Dig it or dung it. 

Give it some attention and see if it will produce something good. 

(Luke 13:6-9)

I don’t want to encourage you do something dramatic out of frustration, just maybe be motivated to think and pray before making am important decision. 

Don’t just dump a job or a friend group or relationship because it is now “limp”.

Can I encourage you to take a step back and look at the option of changing your pot?

You are designed to grow.

And maybe you need a fresh soil to thrive in?

Something to think about…

I miss how it made me feel

For most of my life and my many career paths, I always had a deep and undeniable sense of purpose.

That inner knowing that what I was doing matched some divine purpose for my life.

I found having it super helpful, especially in challenging moments.

And as I look on that time from what you may guess is the flip side of this posture, I have come to realise just how anchoring that knowledge is. 

How it gives you peace, along with the purpose.

I miss it. And I would like it back!

When I worked a warehouse job when I was a lot younger I knew it was a means to an end, to help me through Bible College.

When I worked in a challenging sales environment I had a deep conviction that it was going to develop me in many ways that would aid me in the future. And it certainly did.

And then when I served as a local church Pastor, even with the never ending people challenges, I loved pretty much every moment of it, because again I knew deep down I was in the middle of the purpose for my existence at that time.

So here is the brutal (not sure if that is the perfect noun for this) truth.

For the first time in all my adult life I am honestly wrestling with what my purpose is.

Desperate to discover the why for the season I am living through.

I recognise that not having a clear and defined purpose reinforces and exaggerates the desire for it again.

Something inside of me right now is determined for find my purpose. 

I refuse to live just to live.

That is not enough for me at all.

Maybe you resonate with this idea?

My hope and prayer for us both is that we both find it and then we live it.

Something to think about...

I will be ready!

Maybe this season is one of getting ready for the next one?

So I am being intentional with what I have ability to control.

Choosing to focus on the “…ally” words that I think are super important to make my life work.

It looks like this season is one where I prepare myself:

EmotionALLY

PhysicALLY

SpirituALLY

EcononicALLY

Being intentional.

Taking bite size chunks out of each area...

So I ready for the next big thing to come our way.

Maybe you have a similar feeling or expectation about the season you are in?

If you are, I would love to recommend you be intentional yes about your internal prep work, but also as gracious as you can towards yourself.

My firm belief is that life does include distinct seasons.

Some are uncomfortable, but are also eternally designed with a bigger purpose in mind.

Let's get ready!

Something to think about…