Prince of Peace > Social Media

That's a "Greater Than" sign, in case you didn't know.  It's there because we so often forget that Jesus embodies peace and He's the Prince of our inner kingdom. We get on the internet and BOOM!, a bombardment of stressful information, conversations, advertisements and so on, come rushing at us.  Social media seems to be one of the largest thieves of peace out there.  It's a great tool, but in order to keep our core values intact, we really have got to let the Prince be involved.  Most likely that would change a lot of things and help us to go to bed much more clear at night. Ya know?  Here's a great passage to help us out:

When we take in hours of what the world is dishing out, or what other brothers and sisters are getting from the world, it infiltrates our spirit. Really, it creeps in and takes over in time.  Thus, we are allowing an eviction notice to be placed on the castle of our hearts; "Thanks for being the Prince of Peace and all, but I would rather let the trolls in and take charge for now." Of course none of us would thoughtfully do this, but it's imperative that we have a constant position of welcoming the Prince of Peace to rule in our heart's kingdom. Without this intentionality, and with ample screen time, we get pretty .... un-peaceful.  God forbid we have a large imbalance of social media and time with the Prince.  We can eventually become trolls. Oh yes it's true.  We don't want to become that. What is a troll? In today's internet jargon it's someone who lurks about behind the screen, looking for something to disagree with or be offended by.  Here's a truthful quote by Christian Hip-Hop artist, KB, describing internet trolling:

Ewwwww! We don't want to become trolls.  Embarrassingly, I must admit that there have been times when I was hiding under that bridge, waiting to pounce. Several time it was silently in my heart. Still, I was being an ugly troll and my heart knew it. However, even if we have done this, there is a grace-filled Prince calling us back to the place of peace all the time.  We can turn right around, walk away from the swamp and let the Prince of Peace, our Jesus, lead us into the Father's heart for our lives. And trust me, His plan is a whooooole lot better than the mayhem that is our current media situation.  Friends, as elections are on the horizon, let's let the Prince of Peace have the floor, not the controversy. This time around we can stay in a place of peace no matter what's going on out there.  Then we'll know exactly how He would have us vote, how He would have us relate to people and most importantly, how He would have us pray.  God bless us all as we remember His place in all this.                                                                                  Love, Todd

Pausing in the Presence of the Process

Ephesians 3:20 promises us this, “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” We are in a “He will outdo them all” season right now, for God is going to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can even ask or think. He is bringing increase to our hearts and for what sets our soul on fire. I believe God has us all in a process on our journey with Him, a process of discovering who we really are in Jesus. I want to encourage you to take your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream and your wildest imagination, and place them at the feet of Jesus. There is something indescribable, something that is hard to put into language at times when we place the things in our heart at His feet. It’s out of the obedience of our heart that we lay down the things we pray, dream and think to the One who constantly champions our prayers, dreams and thoughts. For several months, especially during this COVID pandemic, I have felt and sensed God’s invitation to take us deeper into the inner core of His heart, a place where the Holy Spirit desires to take us, a place of intimacy that awaits us every time we choose to pause in His presence. The Lord is continuing to woo us on our journey with Him, into His embrace, a place where we are healed, set free, delivered, made whole, forever loved and awakened to the reality of who He already sees us as, for we are seated together with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Holy Spirit, help us to see ourselves the way Jesus already sees us! I want to encourage your heart with this life-giving passage out of Psalms.  Psalm 62:6-8 declares, “For He alone is my safe place. His wrap-around presence always protects me as my champion defender." There’s no risk of failure with God! So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? God’s glory is all around me! His wrap-around presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength. Join me, everyone! Trust only in God every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him. Believe me when I tell you—he will help you! Pause in his presence.” I want to declare and release over us that hope is rising and God is bringing increase. The water level is rising and God is taking us to higher heights and deeper depths in the Spirit, to know the truth of who He is and who we are. Holy Spirit, continue to lead and guide us into all truth for it is the truth that will set us free. More, Holy Spirit!                                                                   Love,                                                                             Pastor Joel Pollard

Walking Upstream

Last Thursday was World Day against Trafficking in Persons, established to raise awareness about human trafficking and to encourage survivor support. This year the United Nations highlighted first responders who identify, support and seek justice for victims. Seeing God move in this area has been a passion for many years. I’ve been really impacted spending time with survivors over the years but God began to shift my focus to prevention and bringing awareness, especially in high schools. I was reminded of a high school in Oakland I spoke at a few years ago. Almost every student shared about their personal experience with abusive relationships or of friends who were victims of trafficking. Of course my Mama heart broke as they shared. I became more angry at this injustice and at the same time, encouraged by their passion to bring about lasting solutions. If you haven’t noticed, our younger generation is rising up, becoming more and more compassionate and determined to do their part to see change in many areas of injustice. David Batstone, the founder of Not For Sale, said something many years ago that really challenged and inspired me. He said, “Pulling drowning people out of the river is compassion, but we have to walk upstream to solve the reasons they are falling in. That’s justice. I believe Holy Spirit wants to give us solutions that will impact those around us and bring transformation in every area of life. Even in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, where so many are experiencing a lot of fear and lack, my prayer is that the church will be a beacon of hope to those who are searching.

“Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light.” Matthew 5:14-15 (TPT)

My prayer is that as you “walk upstream,” God would begin to reveal the answers you are seeking for challenges in your own life. I pray you would feel the compassion of Jesus over your situation. I also pray He would show you the light inside of you that He wants to shine in your family, your workplace and your community. May you have peace and confidence knowing He took those very steps upstream as He went to the cross. He became justice for us. He is the answer to every heart cry, every disease, every injustice on the earth. Let that be our source of hope!                                                                Love, Karena