Perhaps our Christianity is too dignified and too tangible. We orchestrate a polished and orderly worship service, we bandage the sick, we pray for the job losses, and we do in-depth academic studies of Scripture.

All good, I suppose, but how much effort gets put into the message that we receive from Ephesians 6:12? That is, do we really engage in a struggle that is ultimately against the "powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil"? Perhaps we choose to ignore such things ... perhaps we prefer a dignified and academic spirituality.

Christ engaged in this battle, and the people of God in Scripture have engaged in this battle. From ancient days, there is a messy spiritual battle that is being waged in individuals and communities. That battle is already at the gates of The Orchard.

This message includes a testimony by Alisa Dildy of her demonic exorcism.

Whenever there is an offense in America, our stock attitude is that the person should be punished in a manner that is proportionate to the pain. This "eye for an eye" approach is called retribution - it doesn't heal, but creates additional pain in the world. Our laws tend to operate under this principle, and everything from traffic accidents to the rules of sports have an element of this attitude. In religions this is called karma or retribution theology ... but this is not the way God describes his relationship with us.

You see, God's words and actions are not consistent with pure retribution (which tends to create a relational separation), but He is interested in reconciliation (which tends to heal relationships that have been damaged because of pain and suffering).

This message helps us to understand that the pain we experience is not always connected with sins we perform. Indeed, all the world is subject to frustration - instances of pain, illness, poverty, suffering, etc. Yet, once we are strong in the Lord, we begin to appreciate that we can actually be agents of healing in people's lives. That is, when we encounter frustration, we respond with empathy, love, and reconciliation rather than retribution.

There are those who sincerely seek healing from God, but never receive it. Why does God select one to heal but not another? Is there some spiritual status that is first required in order for God to act? Is there a formula that one must follow to receive such a gift?

In many places of Scripture, God's followers faced and suffered countless trauma and never saw rescue, healing, or protection. God, in his sovereignty had other plans. Though healing may happen here or there, it is in the hands of God how it may happen, and it typically happens at the places where God's power advances the kingdom.

What if it doesn't happen for you? Christ is aware of this as well, and he describes a blessing (peace, happiness) for those who persevere.

This message includes a testimony by Connie LaBruyere of her miraculous healing from cancer.

Who is Jesus Christ? Is he a teacher who brought enlightenment or a spiritual guide who sought to connect us with God? Is he an example of true love, or is he a healer who brings wholeness?

Christ is many things and all these things at the same time. Yet, when we are seeking healing, how often do we have a laser focus just on the restoration of whatever is physically wrong with us, perhaps disinterested in any other activity that God might design?

A survey of the healing stories of the Gospel highlights that healing by Christ is strongly connected to both compassion and our Faith or the Faith of others - the nature of our connected relationship with God. That is, there is a strong indication in multiple places of Scripture that healing is connected with a viable need and opportunity for spiritual growth (of ourselves or others).

A miracle is God's intervention in the course of life. For most of us, we want God to intervene because we would like to continue on whatever course we are headed. We want God to remove obstacles, heal us, see us through, and give us courage to proceed. Why? So that we can continue on our course.

But, what if that is not God's plan? What if God does not wish us to continue on the course we are headed?

Miracles indeed are sometimes provided to give us much needed relief or repair so that we can continue on course, but just as often it could be that God is desirous of us changing course. Are you open to the miracle resulting in a much needed course correction?

Thomas Jefferson once wrote that God has created us "with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." From then up until today, Americans practice their quest for happiness.

Indeed, there are popular idols in America such as the government, money, or medical technology. But, there are other lesser known idols that we may be individually pursuing. What are these? We need not look much further than whatever source of happiness we might pursue.

What happens when the focal point of Christianity becomes misguided? Perhaps, for example, Christians become so focused on tradition, a celebrity pastor, the building, the budget, the style of music, etc. that they neglect the central vision of loving others. In this case, the religion of the Christian Church can be idolatry, and it is perhaps the most difficult to understand. If the church is not healthy, we can set up a notion of God that contrasts with how He has communicated himself throughout history, and (ultimately) satisfies a self-centered desire that we hold.

This message helps Christians to understand the central work that the church must be doing - loving others in sacrificial ways. If this is not happening, then religious idolatry should be expected.

We don't like to suffer. I'm not talking about just the major physical pain, but we want to get rid of even mild suffering that might be classed as discomfort. If it is too chilly, we will turn up the heat. If it is too hot and humid, we use the air conditioner. If the bathroom has an odor, we spray Lysol and turn on the exhaust. If the neighbors are too loud, we call the police. If the pews are too hard, we spend $5,000 to pad them. And, we are taking Advil for even small things.

Idolatry is seeking after a higher power to help advance one's self-centered vision. According to Paul (Romans 5:3-5), if we live a life where we never suffer then we miss opportunities to discover hope - hope is the vision of God. In other words, suffering helps us to disengage from our self-centered vision and plans or life, and embrace a new direction in life based on God's vision and hope. This hope emerges from the connection that we have with God, and it paints for us a new reality of our life's destination. In this hope, we are not just looking at ourselves and our current circumstances, but looking beyond ourselves to try to find something greater than ourselves.

A job is like a utility providing essential services to life (much like electricity provides power for our home), and it should be a healthy aspect of our life. But, if our "job" begins to evolve into "career" - and this is a fine line - there is danger that we might be participating in idolatry. When this happens, we create a false relationship with the job, seeing it as a source of purpose, identity, and meaning. This relationship not only substitutes for God, but it can destroy relationships and families.

This message gives guidance to help us understand how careers may be idolatrous, and what warning signs we should heed.

Some financial planners have begun to use the language of "money script" to describe why people interact with money and purchasing in destructive and unproductive ways. That is, like playing a role in a movie, coveting is so deeply ingrained in the nature of American life that we blindly follow it's teachings and patterns.

Purchase after purchase, we seek to be filled with the materials of life, yet our stomachs are hungry for more. Never filled. Never satisfied. Always in need of more money.

If our "script" in life is to buy fulfillment with our money, then we are following an idolatrous pattern. But, we are spiritual beings on a spiritual journey, and filling our lives with material stuff is simply toxic ... true fulfillment comes from spiritual water and spiritual food.