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Jesus and Pot


A quick update from Dallas. It went pretty well last night. Standing room only crowd and lots of eager and open hearts to God. How beautiful. The last part of the evening each night is Q & A. Had a first last night – a guy asked a very long and sincere (and vulnerable) question about smoking pot and what does Jesus think about that. I’m crackin up. Never had that one before. (Now you’re wondering what I said. I told him that apart from legal issues of concern, there is the whole issue the scripture speaks to when it forbids drunkenness, how we don’t want to do anything that diminishes our ability to apprehend or walk with God, to discern him clearly. In my past life, I had some first-hand knowledge on the matter, and warned him that pot really diminishes our heart and mind from God. That he would have much joy in giving it up). Anyhow, it was a delightful moment. Q & A is my favorite part of the evening. I remember reading a story years ago about Francis Schaeffer pounding the walls in his upper loft at L’Abri, where he would go to pray, and saying “I have answers! I have answers!” His passion was moved because so many people had questions, and through long searching he knew that Christianity offers real and substantive and healing answers. He wanted so badly for people to know.

I feel the same way.

Anyhow, I’m fighting a bad sore throat today, and weariness. Don’t want to get sick. So thank you for praying for that, for our flights, that the religious spirit be bound, that we stay close to Jesus in this. And against all dismay, and all sabotage.


The Kingdom is beautiful

Posted: 4/17/2008 8:31:38 AM by John Eldredge | with 134 comments


Comments
Pete Hawkns
As I listened last night in Dallas I realized that the life I have lived is something other than reality. My 34 year marriage is bogus, my work is bogus, my family relationships are bogus, bogus meaning other than reality. Your discription of smoking pot, being in the haze, is more appropiate to my life that the pot smoker. At least they can quit and come back to life. I want the real life. I want Jesus. I want to quit hurting and to stop hurting people. I lack courage. I am afraid.
4/17/2008 9:25:13 AM

Shayne O'Brien
I woke up this morning and the battle had already begun. I left the event last night thinking..."how did I miss this? It's so simply." Well the enemy ran with that one. "You are 40 and look at all the time you have wasted. Look at all the people you may have possibly mislead. See, you can't do this....this isn't for you!" I hadn't even open my eyes yet! (and didn't want to now) I'm in this battle. The One who lives in me wants to talk to me and I've got to shut-up long enough to listen. This is the life of adventure...this is living life to the full! I was so excited to spend a 30 minute drive time alone today...well alone by human standards. Thanks John. Great event. Life changing!
4/17/2008 10:14:34 AM

Selah
I live in FW and I missed this event. Ouch! Sounds like a depth and insight I need to grab a hold of... Love the pot question though. (Coulda been my stepkid actually; oh wait, no, he was working....) I love the submissiveness of the person asking the question. God bless 'em big time in Jesus' name! There is a funny story and he would back me up if he were here so I don't mind sharing. A guy that goes to Shady Grove Church tells a story of when he was first saved, one Sunday morning, he was smoking weed and getting dressed for church. Anyway the TV was on and he had it on Joyce Meyer. She was preaching away and she stopped mid-sentence and said "There is a young man watching this program who is smoking marijuana! The Lord says to you....."[sorry I forget the rest]...needless to say he about fell over! That put the 'fear of God' in him! He is really tall, really big (like a pro tackle big) and blond headed and every time I visualize this I just lafffff, oh to have been a fly on the wall.... Ciao!
4/17/2008 10:52:47 AM

Kristina
I was a little apprehensive about last night. Really didn't know what to expect. A friend had invited me to go so off I went. I walked away from it learning volumes! God has me in a place where he is drawing me to be intimate with him and showing me who he is. For years I have seen and understood God to be far away, judging, and just someone I go to when I need help. God has been giving me daily examples of who he really is so that I can begin to see the truth and fight the lies I have believed for so long. John, I really appreciated your gentleness, grace, mercy, and empathy that you showed everyone who was sharing during the Q&A. I could just see Christ reflected in you through your tone of voice, your body languag, your words and how in tune you were to listening everyone who shared. And thanks for letting me see a true example of Christ and what intimacy looks like with him. Honestly, I had never thought about inviting Christ into my everyday life even if that means asking him to provide gasoline or as to what vacation I should go on!:) I am eager to read the book and stay in touch through your ministry.
4/17/2008 12:44:15 PM

Val Corley
I live in Louisiana, but was able to be at the evening with John in Dallas last night. I am one of the many whose life was profoundly impacted by Sacred Tomance and have read everything since! Thank you John for your vulnerability - for presenting the Gospel in a way that touches hearts and sets captives free. Thank you God for answers.... Could someone help me? I didn't take notes and remember only the second point (the setting). What was the others? Truly one of our greatest enemies is forgetfulness!!! Thanks
4/17/2008 1:46:34 PM

Kevin D. Sellers
Hello John, I just watched your video on hearing from God on christian.tv I watch Kim Clement all of the time from his website but never went to christian.tv website before, cool stuff. I have been a christian for 16 years and still wonder sometimes if I'm trippin out or is it god, ya know? It is just like what you were saying about it being your own thoughts, and/or voice. I like what you said about getting confirmations. We all need to do that a little more. 4-19 is my birthday which is tomorrow I'll be 42, my son got me a cd set called Wild at Heart. Unfortunately I have never read or heard your teachings before, I like it you are for real, genuine. Keep up the good work.
4/18/2008 10:40:59 PM

Karen
John, I just found this website because I just started Walking with God after seeing you talk about it on Life Today. After many years as a Christian, my relationship has changed since reading Waking the Dead--I truly do feel like I am hearing God's voice for the first time. And I'm amazed how often I argue with Him. I'm excited to read more of your book and learn to listen and obey more often! Thank you for challenging the Christian belief that God speaks only through the Bible and not personally to us anymore. God bless you!
4/19/2008 7:16:13 PM

merrin
when u comin' down under? John, i've read several of your books...changed my life brother...thnax...GBU
4/20/2008 3:33:11 AM

merrin downunder
YES! Jesus speaks to his people. Friday night I was alone, all 47yrs of me. No children here and no offer to go out. I decided it was an evening home with Him so I cooked a delicious dinner for myself, poured a glass of wine,lit the candles, put on some music to suit.Had an evening of prayer and praise and thanksgiving for whatever God has ahead for me. When I went to bed I thought, wouldn't it be nice if just once in my life a man who loved me gave me a single red rose. Almost immediately the gentle whisper with a humourous tone saqid "Hey I am the one who made the red roses...and not just red, I made pink and yellow, white and orange AND what's more...I made you diamonds and rubies and pearls. I created them all for YOU because I love you! Guys only go to the shop and buy those things I have already created!" I laughed aloud "Thanks Jesus! I've got the message!I love you too." Told the story to my friend @ church on Sunday. On Monday morning when all the staff were waiting for devotions to begin the day Karen walks in with a massive bunch of glorious roses - all different colours. We cracked up & I just yelled out "thank you Lord!" Then we had to let all the rest of the staff know the story. YES! Jesus speaks...often. Gently.Now I can't wait to read Sacred Romance. John, your books are becoming really popular in Australia so howz about a tour here?
4/20/2008 3:48:33 AM

Michael
John, I watched your webinar last night. Blew my socks off. It really rocked my world. I watched you on Life Today last week and went to your web sites because what you had to say really resonated in my spirit. I have never felt as close to God since I first answered the Call and invited Jesus Christ into my heart. I am almost ashamed to say that I have been a Christian for almost 20 years but I haven't "gotten it". Now I get it my brother thanks to your teachings. Your words have opened my eyes to a whole new way of actually communicating with the creator of the universe. How awesome. How profound. WOW! Your daily prayer has woke me up. I feel alive again. My wife sees a difference in me. SInce you're a sucker for a good story let me share one with you. Last week my wife and I had a major financial decision to make. I told her I would come by and see her so she could give me the details. She did and I asked her if she would give me a minute. I left the building and went outside and stilled myself before God and asked Him what did we need to do. He not only spoke to me He gave me a scripture verse to reference. 2 Cor 4:17-18. At once I went back in to my wife. I asked her what she heard. She told me and it was the exact same thing I heard. Go figure. I then told her the scripture God put in my heart. She wept. I just stood there for a moment hugging her tight. One of our employees came out of the back and saw us and even she almost started crying. It was a golden moment. Praise God! Thank you John Eldridge. Keep fighting the good fight. I am with you my brother. Be well and BTW you are not going to get sick.
4/20/2008 1:28:16 PM

Julia
John, thank you for showing the freedom that you have in Christ. I hunger after the God that you seem to know, a God that wants to know our hearts and has the kind of grace that we can't even fathom on this earth, a grace that seems so lacking in this world. I am so afraid to hear from God. I'm afraid that He will make me suffer, the He is a God that withholds. But I saw something different on Wednesday night. Thanks for your courage.
4/20/2008 4:01:51 PM

holly
I so enjoyed seeing you on Life Today via the internet this past Friday. I recommended your new book for our base camp group here in Monument. Please pray for the LORD to clearly speak over this precious group of seekers. We need Him so very much. Praying for you, for your family--as you carry the Truth of Jesus to hearts that long. holly
4/20/2008 9:21:41 PM

Jeffrey
we had the joy of seeing you last night in Seattle John. Wow what a powerful evening. Thank you for your teaching,thank you also for guiding us thru a quiet time with our Lord,recognizing the mental noise and distractions.....it was a huge blessing for my wife and I to hear this message together...I must tell you all a short story. A young woman stood up last night to thank John for one of his books which radically changed her. As she's been overcoming past issues of abuse,she was basically rescued thru the messge of this book she'd read,it brought her back to the Father. She said she'd been waiting 4 years to be able to thank John for this...it was very moving. Everyone clapped for her,then John said in the most gentle way,just like the Father would say" You were worth it." wow. Talk about a healing balm to soothe old wounds. Praise the Lord for your courage John,to follow this calling.
4/21/2008 11:20:15 AM

Natalie
John, I was at your talk last night and i meant to tell you when you signed the Forum poster, but please remember to rest! Travling is not easy work and speaking for two hours at a time can be taxing. I feel a little out of place not know any of your work, but it seems that you are a very ... go get stuff done kind of guy. It's like you said last night, sometimes we need to stop and just listen. Hope you have a good rest of the tour. And please take a little time for yourself too!
4/21/2008 11:37:26 AM