Standing on The Rock with those at standing rock.

(Just some raw thoughts and a sense of what is happening at Standing Rock; more later, but doesn’t feel like a time to remain silent.)

  As the woman in this article says, this is a spiritual battle and, i think, an important symbol in our times, of dealing with root issues of racism and materialism (the two big ones in this nation). Unlike Woodstock and other symbols from previous generations, this one is a moral statement and cause (not just an anti-authority issue), and deals with generational sins overtly.

  At a time when there is an obvious leadership crisis in government, i think this event will go down in history as a symbol of hope, and something which stirred hearts and spirits into action, rather than complacency, or withdrawal. Also unlike the occupy movement, this is neither an assault or withdrawal. It is a standing with the human family, and being mutually transformed.

 And it begins with the risk of confession and forgiveness as all true movements do. MLK taught us that much. It’s time to stand again.

   And the church cannot be silent on this one (as it was largely after 911), as it is dealing with the heart issues of your nation, which as it turns out, God is not done with. It has been said that America’s wounds would be brought fully to the surface in view of the world. That’s an act of Mercy!

 Her church must get much less solipsistic and narcissistic in our hour and reach beyond denominational and generational division to actually move in action in the Spirit and Ways of God.

  We no longer have the luxury of not being ecumenical. Ecumenism has to move beyond mere tolerance for one another, into actual unity of Spirit, and dialogue and listening conversation between the whole Body. If we are to be effective priest—salt and light-for our nations and cities. I think this type of symbol is forcing unity of Spirit. And this is a necessary discomfort to cause the true church to stand in this nation. Even as this election revealed the deep divisions in His church, so our times has one of the greatest opportunities ever to unify in His True Spirit and minister Peace Comfort and true Teaching and Love.

 I had a dream that her red stripes were tattered from overextension. They were meant to bring sacrificial healing (red, blood etc), but had overextended in presumptuous leadership. In my dream, Jesus was lowering her flag to mend it. He was not burning the flag (the symbol of her destiny), but was carefully stitching it back together, in true tenderness: dealing with racism, materialism etc, but His Purpose is to heal her. And it is His Mercy and patience, and kindness to do so.

Through this event a national wound is clearly being surfaced.

  And healing begins with contrite (bruised and willing) hearts willing to confess and stand with those who are suffering.

  Much healing is needed, on many levels, and this is the path towards that. Mutual confession and actively loving one another, at the risk of our lives and our comforts. I think that this symbol is taking place at the heart of the nation, in a bitter winter is also a sign. And even as there is a transition of power in government. Watch the signs.

  Also, makes sense that veterans are mobilizing—trained for war, but meant to bring Peace. Thanks friends for taking the risk to stand with our human family.

   There is also something about the earth itself and hearing it’s groans. Unfortunately, the church has often been deaf in its relationship with the earth. Isn’t this the job of the sons and daughter of God. True intercessive stewardship. There is a great opportunity to stand with those who are trying to steward rather than abuse the earth. To me, this does not mean that we worship the creation, but rather guard and garden, cultivate and in wisdom make fruitful, and in this case, help heal the creation as it too, as life itself, is a gift from Above.

  Interesting, also that the main voices on this one are from my own generation. Perhaps it is time to stand, speak truth in humility and love. Great challenge for us, and opportunity, to interpret, speak truth in love and be present in humility with our human family. Time to walk out the prophecies over us, while we are still here. Bless those who are trying.

 I have many artists, veteran and church leader friends who have traveled up to participate in this symbolic event. And each have said something like, this feels like a spiritual event more than a political one. After a tedious and hard election process, it is nice to see the hearts of friends engaged in a bigger human drama (and to see parts of the church, risk incarnation!), which I think will be remembered far past our time, and could be used to bring a deeper heart transformation which is desperately needed in this nation, and our world. It’s a time for root healing, and this is one of the poisoned roots which must be healed.