Fourthstream - Finding Hope
The levels of turbulence around us are massive. In every corner of our American and world culture we see division and twisted wisdom. There are three great gifts from God: Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Corinthians 13). Each of these may be found by those who choose to enter through the Door of the sheep (John 10). In faith we find a different and substantive present and future. Through love we make our lives count for ourselves and others. And in hope we find the fuel to live each day for something more. Once you have found a compass for your life the ability to reset your trajectory is open to...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
There is a basic understanding Jesus tried to communicate to humanity when He came to the earth. When we get this right there is fruitfulness in our lives - when we don't varying degrees of misinformation prevail. Both John the Baptist (Jesus' cousin) and Jesus proclaimed the same thing: "Turn away and turn toward, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 10:7) The world had been languishing for centuries since the Garden episode. Genesis 1-11, the Law and prophets, and the Psalms are the story of the Jews - and all the nations. Not only is our condition...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
I just finished Jordan Peterson's latest book "We Who Wrestle With God." I like how he reasons, and even though I am not ready to place him in the upper echelon of my spiritual teachers, he is a genuine, thoughtful soul. One premise of his book relates to the relationship between chaos and order, something many philosophers, scientists, and faith reflectors see as key for arriving at a satisfied mind. How do we align with incredible design and order while at the same time dealing with the often hurtful fruits of chaos? If you are like me this can be a quagmire of sorting through the...
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Jesus is our Savior, Healer, and Friend. He alone can restore the access of honor we need to reconnect with Creator God. Let's follow part of this thread! “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you,...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Healing is a curious concept with many opinions on the what, how, and why. A survey of known history makes it quite clear that no one healed like Jesus did. Even within all of the other religions of antiquity there is no one like Him, and some religious healer's miracles were pretty lame. Jesus, however, did nothing in a corner. He was transparent and prolific. And those who witnessed what He did were not all His fans. In fact, the most zealous religionists of history do not measure up to the scribes and pharisees who were capable and willing to go to great lengths to discredit or stop Jesus....
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Everyone operates from a home base. Our upbringing. Our experiences. Our choices. Even factors made on our behalf by others. Through all of this we build our home base. Scientifically we apply what we see and learn. Philosophical we land on what we have wrestled with in our lives - positively and negatively. And to the degree we have encountered and contemplated faith we solidify our beliefs. Or not. We have pondered this through the years, and often with each turning of a new year we have reset ourselves to sift through what has unfolded and what we hope - and the things we are committed...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
One deep question for life seekers: "what does connection with God look like?" For years authors have pondered this, scientifically, philosophically, and through the optics of faith. For Moses it was all about shelter. Check out Psalm 90. A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You turn man back into dust and say, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
As mentioned before, the trinity is in many ways a mystery to us. It is not to our Creator. In Genesis 1 "the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." The Father created and the Spirit moved. From His mind to His hands. And where was the Son while this unfolded? Apparently creating right along with Him. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
God is a sheltering being. He provides shelter. But even more than this - He IS shelter. In fact, He is building the ultimate shelter family through the work of His Son. Jesus is the connector to our Creator. God wants to mentor us. We know this because He mentored Jesus. The Son’s best friend while He was on the earth was His Dad. He learned from Him. He was dedicated to His will. He gave up all things God and all things human for His friendship with His Father. You can find Mentored by God under books in the Fourthstream navbar. It investigates the ins and outs of how Jesus connected with...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Most humans look at God things as a choice. I get this, but I have been thinking it is incomplete. If there is a Creator and He made all things - it seems to me that He is the one who is making the choice, right? Weighing this has become a key premise for me about spirituality. Does it begin with me - or with Him? I realize this is kind of out there, but most other options are limiting. If it all begins with us then it will be biased - more self-driven and me-driven. This appears to be the main issue with all religions (including historic christianity) - very self-driven. I have found...
info_outlineThe levels of turbulence around us are massive. In every corner of our American and world culture we see division and twisted wisdom. There are three great gifts from God: Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Corinthians 13). Each of these may be found by those who choose to enter through the Door of the sheep (John 10). In faith we find a different and substantive present and future. Through love we make our lives count for ourselves and others. And in hope we find the fuel to live each day for something more.
Once you have found a compass for your life the ability to reset your trajectory is open to you. Whenever you wish you may "go in and out" through Jesus - the Door of the sheep. This is where Fourthstream.com comes in. We have designed and compiled a connecting base from which you can fuel your desire to live a full life for your King, and seamlessly help others do the same. Both Dave and Burnadette have found the peace which can carry you through chaos and imperfection - and this comes from the Word of God alone. We have searched philosophy, science, and faith to discover what is needed to live in hope - which is no easy task!
At Fourthstream.com we offer ten podcast seasons of conversations which all will connect you with personal hope. There is a blog of unfolding thoughts as well as core conversations to help you or someone you know establish in Jesus and His Kingdom. King first - then Kingdom - then Church.
We have also written six books highlighting key parts of the faith story given to us in God's One Woven Story - the Bible. These dovetail with nine courses we have recorded during our years of teaching - which provides you with a significant spiritual and educational path toward unlocking the Story.
Hope is not a given. Not everyone has ears to hear. In fact, it appears that there is only a "remnant" of people who will actually follow through to find hope in God. Life is too distracting - and we are too self-centered. This is where humility fits in.
"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
Our podcasts, blog posts, and conversations are available at no cost. Reviews of our books are provided and you can order them in either printed or audiobook formats per your interest and plan. Regarding our courses, both the God Story and Kingdom Spirituality are offered without cost (you can access videos and printed books if you wish). The Streamsbook, Strong Homes, Engage Training, The 8 Great Epochs in the Fabric of Time, Book by Book, Deeper, and Jesus Centric are accessed through ongoing membership as well as deep dives for those who choose to engage Fourthstream Coaching, which is a limited group who access Dave and Burnadette for their personally designed plans for Kingdom Spirituality conversations.
Let's take a look at Fourthstream.com and determine what fits for you and the people with whom you are building the Kingdom. Click here.
Here are a few comments from people who have experienced the benefits of Fourthstream.com.
"Understanding the difference between putting the Kingdom first vs. church first has been a game changer for me as I am assessing my relationships. I appreciate Fourthstream.com and Storiesofshelter.com because it gives me the opportunity to get a brief soul overview in the middle of my busy day..." Ann
"When I connect with the Kingdom through what Dave and Burnadette teach I come away refreshed in my heart and strengthened in spirit." Daniel
"Through tools they have created I have been given a clear path and process...I have been engaged in their Jesus-Centric teaching plan which has pushed me deeper in desire and process in understanding the Word of God. If you are someone who wants a closer connection with God I highly recommend taking advantage of the tools at Fourthstream.com!" Nick
"Through the courses, podcasts, books, and study guides Dave and Burney have impacted my life in so many ways. They are a couple with a heart for Jesus and a fire for others to know His love." Roland
Peace upon your heart and home - from your friends at Fourthstream.com and other story hearts at Storiesofshelter.com.
Dave and Burnadette and the Fourthstream Team
Here is a song for your week: Pray for Rain