Living Springs Q&a

Q&A #184 Women in Bible times, mediums and horoscopes are discussed in this episode. 1. I have always believed that women in Bible times were nonentities. But that doesn’t seem correct when I consider the role of women throughout the Scriptures. Can I have your thoughts on this please. 2. I keep seeing social media posts from people at our church promoting mediums and/or horoscopes, I have always thought this to be wrong because you are going to someone other than the Holy Spirit for information, reading Leviticus 19:31, 20:6 and 20:27 would support this. But then looking in the chapters around it it talks about not eating pork, and not mixing the fibers of your clothing, two things that are very common amongst Christians. Does this mean we get to pick and choose what we like? Are mediums and horoscopes OK?

Q&A #183 Satan, God's laws, food pantry, God not punishing disobedience, sacrificial animals and more. 1. Thinking of the fallen angel who is Satan. Wondering if that is literal and if he is an actual leader of that world or if it’s a metaphor for the evil realm which yes I think has evil spirits 2. Why did so many of the laws God gave to Moses involve putting people to death for seemingly minor things, then not for others? For example, exodus 21:20 allows masters to beat their servants to death and the only consequence is they have to be "punished" by an unspecified means. And if that slave doesn't die but recovers within a couple days there is no punishment at all. But exodus 21:17 says whoever curses their parents must be put to death. Beating a servant to death seems way worse to me than causing division in a family, but it appears God thinks differently. Laws such as these don't seem to value individual life at all. Does God care less about individual life than I think or am I understanding this wrong

Q&A #182 Cultural things Airdrie needs to address, opposing opinions of experts, gates of the tabernacle, abiding in Christ and silliest Bible book are all discussed in this episode. 1. Last week you talked about some cultural things in Airdrie the church needs to address. What do you think those things are? 2. On the last podcast Doug and Kyle talked about how we need to source our information and ensure that the information we believe comes from "experts". However history clearly shows that even experts have opposing opinions and it is hard to decipher who is correct. Further, it's clear that throughout history, those who are in power change the "correct" information to suit their needs, needs which are only clear given hindsight. It seems both conspiracy theorists, and "experts" have a history of communicating both truth and lies. How do we navigate this with wisdom? 3. Is Jesus in John 14:6 referencing the gates of the tabernacle, way, truth, life? I've heard this before and I'm wondering if its true. Wh

Q&A #181 Covid Vaccines, the letters in Revelation, who would win a squirrel or chipmunk, Rachel and Leah having more children and differences of opinion are all discussed in this episode. 1. I’m curious to see what the pastoral staff has to say about vaccines for Covid? I feel as though I can’t find truth on it. 2. If you were to associate our church to one of those receiving a letter in Revelation, which letter would Living Springs receive and why? 3. who would win in a fight, a squirrel or a chipmunk? 4. when Rachel and Leah were fighting over having more children, they gave him their servants as wives. But the servants are not referred to as wives again, why is this? 5. I know we can have differences in opinion but what if one person has an opinion that does not line up with what the bible says. Doesn’t that make that person wrong? How do we navigate this in a relationship?

Q&A #180 - Going your own way, assisted dying, teaching children forgiveness and blasphemy are some of the topics covered in this episode. a. Question from Sunday: When you talk about going your own way, what if your own way is counter cultural to the Christian community? b. Recently my sister-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Her prognosis is very grime. She has elected to end her life by assisted dying. I am really having a hard time with this and am what the church’s view is on this. She is a non-Christian and not really interested in hearing about salvation. c. How do I hold in tension the fact that I am a new creation in Christ, but I still sin and struggle and seem to have given ground in my soul to evil spirits? d. How do you guys teach your kids about forgiveness? Forcing my kids to apologize after hurting each other seems like a lacking way to do teach them about forgiveness. e. How do you, or do you, remove the immoral or blaspheming people from the congregation so that a little leaven doe

Q&A #178 Love and respect in marriage, women as the "weaker" sex, Satan's offspring and embracing solitude. 1. When I study Ephesians 5:22-33 on marriage, I often feel confused about what these verses are actually trying to communicate in a society that hasn't really taught what it means for a wife to respect her husband. Could you please share practical examples of what that would mean? Also in a society that hasn't demonstrated healthy examples of what love looks like and has filled our heads with Prince Charming ideals. Could you please share what a healthy expectation of a husband loving their wife should actually look like? What does it mean for him to cherish and nourish her and wash her in the Word as Christ does the church? 2. Why does the Bible seemingly state that men and women are created equal, yet men are supposed to treat women differently because they are the weaker sex? 3. In this week's message Pastor Doug quoted Genesis 3:15 where the Lord said He will "put enmity between you (Satan) and

Q&A #177 Parable in Matthew 22, wrong opinions. 1. Could you guys please explain the parable in Matthew 22:1-14 I do not understand why the man without wedding garments was punished and I do not understand the verse that speaks about "many are called but few are chosen." 2. I know we can have differences in opinion but what if that person has an opinion that does not line up with what the Bible says, doesn't that make that person wrong? How do we navigate this in a relationship?

Q&A #176 Matthew 10:42, struggling with anxiety. 1. In Matthew 10:42 he promises that of we give a cup of cold water, we will not lose our reward. What is the reward spoken of here? Eternal salvation or something else? 2. I struggle a lot with anxiety and I try submitting my fears to God. I have tried a lot of methods to help with anxiety but still feel swallowed up by it so often. Any thoughts on how I can live out Matthew 10:31 and other verses that tell us to fear not?

Q&A #175 Forgiveness, books by Aimee Byrd. 1. Can you define the mindset of forgiveness and does it mean we hold no anger or sadness? Can we have anger and forgiveness at the same time? 2. I wondered if you knew or have read works by Aimee Byrd such as "Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood" and "Why Can't We Be Friends" amongst others and what you thought of them? I wonder also if it is telling that she has no presence in RightNow Media as is the case with Derek Taylor, Joel Osteen and many others who don't tow the line of what I'll call the American far right or Neo pharasitic club. I am tired of the manipulation of the message by these wolves in Christian clothing and fear for the number of Christians who trust their faith to the prevalence of false teachings offered today in the name of Christianity.

Q&A #174 Voting 1. Why should I vote? When I look at everything going on in Canada and America, I'm more and more discouraged from voting because I can't seem to vote with my conscience. I'm always torn between the lesser of two evils and don't see how I can vote and not participate in evil one way or another. I feel like my kingdom citizenship urges me not to vote but to participate in change on other ways. Is that ok? How do you deal with it?

Q&A #173 Repentance with instantaneous change 1. On Sunday's Q&A about repentance, it was said that instantaneous change is not the norm and it is usually a process of transformation. My question is, when it comes to praying for others, should we always ask God for the instantaneous change for that person, or should we ask Him to continue in the process of transformation because this is more likely?

Q&A #172 Sons or descendants of Korah 1. In some translations, some Psalms are written by the sons of Korah and others say descendants of Korah. Is is possible that some of these Psalms are written by daughters of Korah? Some of them seem to have a clear female slant.

Q&A #171 The Holy Trinity, Jesus and depression. 1. I'm curious for an explanation of the Holy Trinity. More specifically, how is it understood that God and Jesus are the same person or that Jesus is the embodiment of God. I grew up with the understanding that God and Jesus are separate entities How is it that Jesus would have a conversation with God if they were the same person/being. 2. Mark 14:34 reads "my heart is so heavy I feel as if I could die. Wait here for me and stay awake to keep watch." Was Jesus experiencing depression? Do you think he asked his friends to keep watch in case evil tried to overcome him in his human vulnerability? He also asked them to pray and later scolded them for falling asleep instead.

Q&A #170 - Hell, women in ministry, inerrancy, LGBTQ+ people fullness of church and relationships. The hills we should theologically die on and why? I’m curious where to draw theological boundary lines. We seem okay with abandoning historically central beliefs to the church (Hell, women in ministry, inerrancy for example) and yet we don’t allow LGBTQ+ people to enjoy the fullness of church and relationships. What are the hills we should theologically die on and why?

Q&A #169 - Canada, heaven's location, what God is saying, dream church, and previous pastor coming out 1. Since today is Canada Day, what is your favourite and least favourite part of being Canadian? 2. Finley has a question for the Q&A tomorrow. He would like to know if heaven is in space 3. What is God currently speaking to you about? 4. If there were no constraints, what would you want ‘church’ to look like when we get back together? 5. What are your thoughts on one of our previous pastors coming out as gay? Is that something you knew about? And if he hadn’t already been laid off, would the church have let him continue to serve in the role of youth pastor?

Q&A #168 - 1) a. Could you explain the Baptism in the Holy Spirit please? How does this differ from what the other Evangelical churches believe about the Holy Spirit? Example: The Alliance or The Baptists.

Q&A #167 Learning from Christians of Colour, Woke Church, Is Living Springs Opening? 1. I've never attended a segregated church. Yet every Pastor I have ever had has been white. 95% of the images I've seen of biblical figures have been white. The Christian college I went to had an all white staff. Even at Living Springs I don't recall ever seeing a person of color sitting in the center two sections.  So two questions: 1) what can I do myself to better understand and relate to Christians of color and make them feel more welcome? 2) what can Living Springs do to promote and encourage Christians of color in leadership roles within the church? 2. I keep hearing about woke church, what does it mean? 3. Is Living Springd openeing soon, I see other churches opening?

Q&A #166 Supporting Israel, BLM Riots, Changing our white minds, protesting, combating racism in Canada 1. Does Living Springs support Israel....and if so...how? 2. General intro question - What are your reflections on the events of the past weeks, and the uprising that has occurred.  Would this have even happened to the same extent had we not been in lockdown (ie. Are they in anyway connected?) 3. Considering the phrase “black lives matter” – how do we need to change our attitudes as white people.  Recognizing there has been a strong reaction against it in some circles, is ‘white privilege’ a fair phrase? 4. Is there a place for protesting and should we be participating (would you?)  If not, how do you recommend we engage if we feel strongly 5. While we may not ‘feel’ the impact of Black racism here in Canada like in some places in the States, there are parallels here eg. Indigenous people groups.  How should we be thinking and engaging, supporting or lifting up minorities such as these?

Q&A #165 - Does God give up on people? Do my sins Ruin God's plan for my life? 1. Although we don’t rejoice in the demise of others do you believe there’s a point when God throws his hands in the air so to speak and gives up on Osama, Hitler or a Jeffrey Dommer 2. Do my sins ruin God's plan for my life?

Q&A #164 How should we live, conspiracy, hearing other opinions, leaning on God and I think you guys were wrong... 1. Paul argues that we should be living as foreigners and exiles here in this life. Does that set a precedent that we should not be active politically as Christians and instead just focus on caring for orphans and widows, the poor, etc? 2. I love myself a good conspiracy theory. But I read Isaiah 8 the other day and can't help but think God was telling Isaiah not to listen to any conspiracy theories and simply keep my eyes on Him, and . Am I reading this right or is there more context I'm missing? Isaiah 8:11-13 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. Isaiah 8:11‭-‬13 ESV 3. Last week you talked abo