Belonging House Fellowship

Christ John Otto is the founder of Belonging House, an international fellowship of artists and creative people. The House of Artisans is our Sunday online worshipping congregation. We are a community called to raise up an army of artists who will build Jesus a throne in the earth.

Why Did Jesus Ascend into Heaven? 06/02/2025

Why Did Jesus Ascend into Heaven? Simon Sinek once said that great leaders lead from their "why." I once worked for an art company that gave the staff random directions but never told us what we were doing or why we were doing it. And I recall the directions were always in bits, one task at a time. It was very frustrating, and the end goal always suffered because the staff did not know why they were doing it. Eventually I quit. A lot of people think God is like this. That everything is on a need to know basis, and that we are given directions to obey. And if you miss it, well it sucks to be you. Back to being an unhappy Christian trying to make the mean old man in the sky happy. This is not Christianity. God is in relationship with you, and he wants you to know why. ------------ You can get the Belonging House Friday Email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/raise-up-an-army-of-artists You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36815155

The Holy Spirit Manifests 05/26/2025

The Holy Spirit Manifests The Father Speaks. The Son does, the Holy Spirit manifests. And so the Father calls a new creation. He sends his Son. And what does the Son do? The son only does what He sees the Father doing. The Father initiates, and the Son administrates. The Son carries out the word of the Father. And so the Son becomes sin for us. The son empties himself and becomes a servant. The Son becomes the word made flesh. The son conquers death and rises from the dead. But these things are limited by the physical reality that Jesus is one person. The Father has spoken, the Son has done his work, but the Holy Spirit must bring it into manifestation. You cannot know God, or the Word without the Holy Spirit. You cannot love Jesus or keep his words without the Holy Spirit. ----- You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/raise-up-an-army-of-artists You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36712235

You are Character in God's Story 05/19/2025

You are Character in God's Story This week we share a long form conversation with a member of the Belonging House Community, LaChé Heron. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/raise-up-an-army-of-artists You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36629735

The Lamb Will Be Your Shepherd. 05/12/2025

The Lamb Will Be Your Shepherd. You are not a sinner. Sin is not what defines you. Sin is nothing more than static on your new identity, because Holies do not live in sin. And as you hear the Shepherds voice, and you present your body to the Shepherd, you are more and more transformed into the real you. Jesus tells you who you are. Jesus reminds you of his love. Jesus encourages you to become more and more your true identity in Christ. And everything that sticks to you, with the static cling of sin, will fall away. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/raise-up-an-army-of-artists You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36535560

Heaven is in You. 05/05/2025

Heaven is in You. Revelation This Kingdom is not one of outward appearances, but a kingdom of internal realities. As Jesus said, his body was the temple, and it would be destroyed, and on the third day it would be raised up. On the cross the veil of his temple was torn, his heart was pierced, and out of that temple of his body flowed blood and water. That water, was the Holy Spirit. To be a Christian is to be a little Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36436990

Receive the Holy Spirit 04/28/2025

Receive the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ did not come to start a religion, but rather, he came to establish his Kingdom. And on this eighth day of Easter, we look at the second half of John 20, and what Jesus did first after his victory over death. He gave the ability to forgive sin in the power of the Holy Spirit. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36346755

Easter Sunday: Jesus did it all for Love. 04/20/2025

Easter Sunday: Jesus did it all for Love. Follow the Love in John's gospel. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36234440

What Did Jesus Write? 04/07/2025

What Did Jesus Write? Today we have one of the gospel readings that has captured the imaginations of millions of people. This wild story, where a woman is in the act of adultery, and dragged into the temple precincts, and they are about to stone her. And of course, this episode is a test to see what Jesus will do. They are trying to provoke him so that they have a pretext to claim he is a false prophet, so that they can stone him along with the woman. Lots of people have talked about the obvious facts. No one commits adultery alone. Where is the other party? Was he the married one? And why were all these scribes and pharisees in the right place at the right time? And of course, the real thing, the thing that everyone is confused about. Why did Jesus stop and write on the ground, and what did the writing say? You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/36041490

I will Arise and Go to My Father 03/31/2025

I will Arise and Go to My Father This Sunday is about repentance. As it says in Hosea: Come, let us return to the Lord who has stricken us, and he will heal us, and on the third day he will raise us up. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35931830

Don't Be Deeply Weird 03/24/2025

Don't Be Deeply Weird We have to be reminded continually that Jesus Christ did not come to start a religion but rather he came to establish a Kingdom. Our religious grids sometimes keep us from the Kingdom. At the same time, a lot of people think that the Body of Christ is a jelly-fish. All that matters is my relationship with Jesus and everything else is up for grabs. Have you noticed that jellyfish never build anything? The Kingdom as it says in Revelation is taking the world from a wild garden to a city. And cities and kingdoms have order. We see this in Leviticus. There is a very clear order about God's plan for his people. They were first given holidays, then an order for the pattern of worship, and then rules for life. This was about creating a culture. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: Jay Ayliff's teaching on the word Leitourgeo: Nick Cave's blog: My book Very God is here: https://a.co/d/07LeXYh /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35834220

A Cutting from the Glastonbury Thorn 03/17/2025

A Cutting from the Glastonbury Thorn Legend tells us that Joseph of Arimathea a tin merchant, came to Glastonbury, and put his staff in the ground and it sprouted. This tree blooms twice a year in the spring and on Christmas. And this tree, the Glastonbury Thorn, is the root of Christianity in Britain. And by the way, this tree, genetically linked to the eastern mediterranean, survives through cuttings and still blooms at Christmas. In the undercroft of the York Minster is a tile from the first century, and that tile is inscribed with the monogram of Christ, the Chi-Rho. So we have two bits of evidence that Christianity has been in Britain for two-thousand years. And it is the tree from which Belonging House springs. Belonging House International is a community of artists and creative people called to build Jesus a throne in the earth. In other words, we make disciples who will disciple the nations in the world of creativity. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: https://bookshop.org/shop/belonginghouse We have a community for those who have made the Belonging House Commitment on Mighty Network. https://belonging-house.mn.co /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35726200

We Want to Lead Artists To Jesus 03/11/2025

We Want to Lead Artists To Jesus Belonging House International is a community of artists and creative people called to build Jesus a throne in the earth. In other words, we make disciples who will disciple the nations in the world of creativity. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto You can view Belonging House Books here: https://bookshop.org/shop/christjohnotto We have a community for those who have made the Belonging House Commitment on Mighty Network. https://belonging-house.mn.co /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35630425

You Can Bear Fruit 03/03/2025

You Can Bear Fruit Belonging House International is a community of artists and creative people called to build Jesus a throne in the earth. In other words, we make disciples who will disciple the nations in the world of creativity. You can get our Friday email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto We have a community for those who have made the Belonging House Commitment on Mighty Network. https://belonging-house.mn.co /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35510620

Artists who put others first 02/24/2025

Artists who put others first From the beginning, I have tried to model a basic ethic of hospitality, and model the "Golden Rule." Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Put other people first. Oddly, some of you have seen this in action, when we have had a few bad apples in our own mix. Folks have interpreted my kindness to the ungrateful as weakness, and sometimes folks try to take advantage of me. These situations do not change reality. In the Kingdom reality is Take up your cross and follow Jesus to his death, and your death. You become a disciple when you do this. And when you choose to be a disciple, you begin to become a master copy of the Icon of the Father, Jesus Christ. And we are promised, that if we share in his suffering we will share in his glory. Christ John Otto is the founder of Belonging House. We are called to raise up an army of artists who will build Jesus a throne in the earth. You can find him at https://x.com/ChristJohnOtto and If this encourages you, support my work at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35405695

Someone needs to hear this today. 02/16/2025

Someone needs to hear this today. Christ John Otto is the founder of Belonging House. We are called to raise up an army of artists who will build Jesus a throne in the earth. You can find him at https://x.com/ChristJohnOtto and If this encourages you, support my work at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35305890

Put Out into the Deep 02/10/2025

Put Out into the Deep Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35223085

Hidden in Plain Sight 02/03/2025

Hidden in Plain Sight Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 2:22-32 It's hard to believe, but Christmas was forty days ago. This year, the end of the Christmas cycle, The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple falls on a Sunday. We have been talking about how the Kingdom of God is a symbolic Kingdom, and how this relates to the sacramental principle, and the means of grace: God uses physical things and actions to communicate his Presence, Person, and Power. Today we are going to look at the presentation of Jesus and in order to discover how to encounter the Holy Spirit when God is moving. People miss what God is doing, because they are looking at the wrong things. ----- Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35126735

The Sacrament of Scripture 01/26/2025

The Sacrament of Scripture Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 _________________ When we talk about the means of grace, after the sacraments is the word of God. And the reading and proclamation of the word is a sacrament. It is an act that releases the power and grace of God. And so this week, we are given two readings where we actually see this happen, under the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah and Jesus in the Synagogue. This week I want to look at this passage in Luke from a slightly different angle, and talk about two things: the ancient pathway that never gets old; the way the church has encouraged us to read scripture. And the slippery slope, liberal theology and the authority of scripture. _____ Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/35019135

Nothing Changes Water 01/21/2025

Nothing Changes Water It is a bit shocking that God would use the most common of all elements to be the sign of birth into the Kingdom. And throughout scripture water will be linked to the Holy Spirit. Water is the sign of creation, rebirth of the world, the river of life from the Temple, rivers of living water out of our bellies, washing, cleansing, and blessing. And yes, Paul says water is a symbol of death and resurrection, but that reference is an outlier. Water is more often about life and birth. Jesus is the living water. Water is the most powerful solvent on earth. All things can dissolve in water. Water can become steam and drive engines. Water can freeze and become ice. Water can move mountains through erosion. Up here in New England we have seen whole rock formations collapse because ice got in, expanded and split the rock. Water can evaporate and become clouds. Water can come down as snow. Water is the most powerful force on earth Everything can be changed by water, but nothing changes water. Just like the Holy Spirit. Belonging House is an international fellowship of artists and creative people. Check out our Friday email at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34938490

God's Kingdom is a Symbolic Kingdom 01/13/2025

God's Kingdom is a Symbolic Kingdom The Kingdom of God is a symbolic kingdom. Symbols are God’s primary language. This is why if you focus too much on the Bible as a written word you miss so much. And this is why Christianity has produced so much visual art, and why this art is full of language and messages that we can read. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34835000

The Kingdom Begins in the House of Bread 01/05/2025

The Kingdom Begins in the House of Bread Matthew 2:1-10 This isn't about stars and kings and Christmas gifts. This is about the Kingdom of God, and Matthew is showing us that outsiders, pagans, who are paying attention, recognize that the Kingdom of God is being manifested on earth, and those who are supposed to know miss it. He is pointing out what Jesus would say later on: beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. Politics is not the Kingdom, and neither is religion. The Kingdom is about food. It is about being fed by the good Shepherd, and he is bringing bread for the life of the world. He is bread for the life of the world. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at #magi #epiphany /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34727885

After the Angels Leave 12/30/2024

After the Angels Leave Turn in your Bible to Luke 2:15-21. The Christmas readings often stop at verse 20. And because this story is in Christmas specials sandwiched between Rudolph and ads for Coca-Cola, we think that this story, the one with shepherds and angels is fantastical. These angels are for many of us, just like Santa's elves at the North Pole. Even "evangelicals" have been so influenced by liberal theology that they have accepted that this is in the mythical category. Classical, Catholic and Orthodox Christianity teaches us that these angels are not mythical and that at any moment you might have an encounter with an angel. Hebrews reminds us to welcome the stranger, because you might be meet an "angel unawares." Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34654005

Come Back to the Father's Table. 12/15/2024

Come Back to the Father's Table. The Messiah is coming, and you are not ready. Get ready. We are back to the central theme of scripture: God is a Father looking for bride for his son. The bride is faithless, so the son lays down his life to redeem her, and then we all sit down at the Father's table forever. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34459480

There Will Never Be Another You. 12/09/2024

There Will Never Be Another You. God is saying today, take the lid off. There are no limitations. With God all things are possible. There is something in you that only you can do. God has given you unique abilities, callings, giftings, and experiences. There will never be another you. It's okay to celebrate that and embrace that. And when you do, when you discover that embrace, you can experience and walk in the flow of God for your life. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34354840

The Root and the Branch 12/02/2024

The Root and the Branch Jeremiah is being given a promise: the house of David, which seems to be at a very low point, is going to produce a Branch. Isaiah tells us a branch will come from the stump of Jesse. And Zechariah also gives us this image of a righteous branch. In the ancient world, and especially among royalty, the idea of a branch always refers to a royal line. This is the Kingly line. This is the Messianic promise God made to David in II Samuel 7: You will not build me a house, but I will build you a house, and someone will sit on your throne forever. We are looking back, and we are looking forward. Jeremiah in a hopeless situation is promised that a Branch will come forth, and by this branch, We will know the LORD is our righteousness. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34228665

Jim Leach: When We Wait God Acts 11/25/2024

Jim Leach: When We Wait God Acts Jim Leach, the "Rustic Mystic" shares insights on waiting with God from Isaiah 40. Belonging House is an international fellowship of Christian artists called to build a throne for Jesus in the earth. Jim Leach is co-leader of the Spirit Wind Center in Stonington, Connecticut. You can find out more at Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/34134416

The Kingdom is about the King 11/18/2024

The Kingdom is about the King If you have spent any time among conservative types of churches, this topic can become a real turnoff, because there is a cottage industry around the rapture and end-times prophecy. And honestly, it seems like the second coming takes a back seat to the tribulation, and the whole thing is completely disconnected from reality. Let's go back to our main thesis: Jesus Christ did not come to start a religion, he came to establish a Kingdom. The whole Bible from beginning to end is about this Kingdom. It is not about religion. And when you try to understand the second coming from a religious grid, things get weird. And it is really important for artists and creative people. Because if you try to fit your life into the religious grid, you produce bad art. If you are an artist for the Kingdom there is a lot of freedom. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/33969822

Free Your Mind from Poverty 11/11/2024

Free Your Mind from Poverty I Kings 17:9-16 If you have one take away today, it is this: We are characters in God's story, God is not a character in our story. When you get this right, your thinking will begin to change. The second important takeaway is this: you have to let go and release if you are going to receive. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at My new book is Artists at a Shift in Time. https:// tinyurl.com/3etazb6s /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/33876737

How to Be Blessed 11/04/2024

How to Be Blessed Matthew 5:1-9 The Kingdom is always advancing. This teaching is the heart of all that Jesus said. Go low, let the Holy Spirit fill you. Let your inner life determine your creative output. And as you do, the blessing of God, the enlargement of the Kingdom is going to manifest in you. And yes, that is going to result in resistance, but that resistance is the proof you are going in the right direction. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at My new book is Artists at a Shift in Time. beatitudes blessing /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/33772017

Freedom from Curses 10/28/2024

Freedom from Curses Jesus Christ, as it says in Galatians 3:13-14, became a curse for us on the cross. He took upon himself our curses. And when he did, he made a way for us to be free. The process of getting free from a curse, because Jesus did the hard part, is relatively simple. Christ John Otto writes at and If this encourages you, support my work at Or become a Patron at My new book is Artists at a Shift in Time. The audio book comes out November 1. /episode/index/show/belonginghouse/id/33638702

Belonging House Fellowship

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