Walking Mirrors

Is it Jesus' ambition to cripple us? In a word, yes. But there's more to the story, and we won't grow up if we don't understand it. So we should turn the page to the story of the shepherdess in the Song of all songs. Listen to “The Shepherdess & the Song (Why Limping Out of Difficulty is Victory)” with Dana Candler (IHOPKC) now. Find out more about Dana and grab her latest book, ‘First Love: Keeping Passion for Jesus in a World Growing Cold,' now at danacandler.com

If our cameras blew up and all our guitars melted down tomorrow, what would we do? How we answer this question illuminates who we think we are and what we think we're here for...and quite often, we answer those questions differently than the Lord does. Listen to “What Eyes Can See (Revelation & the Burden of Responsibility),” an interview with FAI STUDIOS Director of Photography and all-around camera aficionado Marc Ash, live now.

The life of David is the most explored and expounded upon biography in Scripture, second only to the Son of Man. Why? What can we glean from his story? The answer—MUCH. Particularly in our ongoing conversation about formation and maturity as they relate to stewarding the Gospel of the Kingdom. Listen to “Exile, Mercy, Worship (The Shepherd of David & Messy Obedience),” a conversation with Matt Candler (aka ‘The David Guy') of IHOPKC now.

If we're wired to sing what we believe and believe what we sing, what kind of lyrics should we write for others to meditate on? How do we gain depth in that kind of language ourselves? Should we walk the beaten path, or pioneer a new one? Listen to “The Weight of Words (& the Danger of Monetizing the Message),” an interview with career Nashville songwriter Gayla Borders (who, we are grateful to say, now serves with the FAI Homefront) now.

Last week, we discussed Jesus, therapy, and the Christian mob with Jaye Thomas. This week, we're sitting down with an actual therapist, pastoral counselor and Director of FAI's Pastoral Care, Martin Mallory. If we want to serve strategically and steward the Gospel effectively, we can't camp out forever in the cesspools of immaturity we're meant to mature out of. But what if you feel like you're most yourself when you feel deeply? Martin helps us make sense of these issues. Listen to “What it Means to Mature (Or, ‘Your Emotions are not the Holy Spirit') now.

“Dear Worship Leader: Some breakthroughs don't come at the altar—they come in therapy.” These words of wisdom from seasoned worship leader Jaye Thomas (Song of Hope Ministries/IHOPKC) served many, and startled others. What are we afraid of? Listen to “Jesus, Therapy, & the Christian Mob (The Subtle Distinction Between Knowledge & Wisdom)” now. Browse Jaye's music and ministry resources at jayethomas.com *Producer's Note: This interview covers issues of trauma and abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

“When we try to create beauty and define beauty on our own, it just becomes ugly, it becomes absurd, and it becomes banal. And we think the person is creative and innovative. But it's not....and Jesus says you cannot see the Kingdom of God unless you've been born again.” “Beauty For Formation (Incarnational Ministry & ‘Contemplation in the Streets')” with veteran disciple-maker Jim Bloom premieres our second season FORMATION & MATURITY with the ‘how' and ‘why' behind any ambition to bear witness to Jesus: an anchor securely nestled in pursuing the beauty of the LORD (Ps. 27:4). Listen now.

In light of her new book, ‘Called to Sing: A Theological Overview & Practical Guide to Prophetic Singing,' author and singer/musician Rachel Culver sat down with Stephanie Quick to discuss how and why we should sing prophetically—and what that means. The process of formation and maturity takes years to complete, but it is simpler than most of us would ever think: get in the Word, get in prayer, and get in an expression of the local church—and regardless of your craft or assignment, lift your voice to Jesus. Literally. You are called to sing. Listen to the latest episode of WALKING MIRRORS now in the FAI App—and stay tuned for Season 02, just around the corner.

"We must seek the Lord in prayer, diligent meditation in the Word, and fasting, asking Him to illuminate the eyes of our own understanding, to lead us down the ancient paths to the wells of living water, that we might draw out and drink from Him, not from broken cisterns filled with brackish water. And when He blesses us with His counsel, we may not white knuckle it for ourselves. We must steward the talents bestowed and assigned to us with wisdom, to be sure, but we must also leverage what we're entrusted with for the growth of the Gospel's roots in our lives and communities. We must disciple people into affection for and allegiance to Jesus, anchored in the sure hope of His soon return." Listen to this week's WALKING MIRRORS now here in the FAI App

Nearly every artist and creative is driven by a sincere, legitimate desire to make people “feel something.” But you cannot take to someone that which you do now know yourself. How do we mine mysteries, avoid millstones, and grow into maturity? How do we help our friends, families, and nations do the same? Listen to this week's podcast right here in the FAI App #WeAreWALKINGMIRRORS #TheBetterBeautiful #becauseJesus

"If the Word is King, then the arts are Queen." Stephanie Quick interviews Gabe Caliguiri about what we should glean (and give up) from the precedents set by the historical Renaissance, and how we can leverage beautiful means to bear witness to the beautiful Truth—Christ, and Him crucified—before His return. Nothing else will survive the fire of eternity when He comes.

We are living in-between the Cross and the Crown, in a window of mercy opened for the fullness of the Gentiles to enter into the Kingdom of the Son of His love. This is the moment in eternity with the declaration of the Son of Man, “Maranatha,” sweeps across the nations of the earth that, truly, all might be blessed through the promises made to Abraham. And these days, as any, are numbered. This window of mercy will close—because He has promises to keep to Jerusalem, and when the new song reaches her city of origin again, this “present evil age” will finally end. Listen to this edition of the WALKING MIRRORS podcast, "'Maranatha' is the New Song: Jesus, Jerusalem, and the Ends of the Earth," and find out how the beautiful means afforded to us in the arts can bear beautiful witness to this beautiful truth: MARANATHA, such that nations are discipled into allegiance to and affection for Jesus. Be sure to read the corresponding article at walkingmirrors.org and dig into the cited texts and footnotes.

"It does not matter who writes your laws; it matters who writes your songs." History, science, and Scripture all verify these words—but they bear unique weight on the days we live in now, and the days we're heading into. Listen to this week's WALKING MIRRORS, “Those Who Shape & Steer Nations (The Power of the Balladeers)” and read the companion article, all here in the FAI App. Share WALKING MIRRORS with Artists & Creatives who love Jesus.

I wonder if we Artists & Creatives have lost our place in our own story; if we think part of the Body of Jesus is for the prophetic, apostolic, evangelistic, pastoral, or educating members, and the other part is for the dancers, painters, and guitar-wielding hippies. This unspoken partition disproportionately divides the labor to the former group and communicates a sense of exemption to the latter—but Scripture favors none, and lets no one off the hook. Listen to “The Hills We'll Die On,” Episode 03 of the WALKING MIRRORS Podcast in the FAI App (or wherever you listen to podcasts) now. For more, head to walkingmirrors.org #WeAreWALKINGMIRRORS #TheBetterBeautiful #becauseJesus

Go behind the scenes to hear how "costly" was written, and why the video concept took the shape it did. Stephanie Quick shares in this episode of the WALKING MIRRORS Podcast, "Blood, Fire, and Whiskey: Behind 'costly.'" Listen now.

We are WALKING MIRRORS. We all bear the Image of the Godhead, however marred it may be from the treason in Eden. Yet as He saves and sanctifies us, He conforms us back into the Image of Jesus—thus those of us who call upon Him also bear His Name. In the words of Paul, we are then "obliged" to bear His Message. From beginning to end, Scripture places a unique stewardship of the Message of Jesus on artists and creatives. WALKING MIRRORS is a new and growing body of resources to strengthen artists & creatives worldwide to bear beautiful witness to the Better Beautiful. Listen to our inaugural podcast episode, "God Takes You Seriously," now Check out walkingmirrors.org for a growing body of resources.