All of my sons, as well as myself, work in urban Missions. 

This is "ground zero." 

Here is a peak inside that world that my oldest son, Pastor Eric wrote today. 

"Mary Magdalene had seven devils, knowing this gives me hope.

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;” -Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

Many people have a fascination with ghost stories. They enjoy being scared, terrified, spooked and unnerved. Some like horror movies, anything full of the frightening, gruesome and macabre. 

This genre is complicated to understand. Taking pleasure in seeing someone descend to the darkest depths of human or inhuman experience and escape is cathartic in some redemptive way. Hells and horrors are part of the human experience. The human mind and heart have mythologized the ruin, rescue and restoration of human existence in art, story, theater, film and dance since humans started retelling life. 

Violence, tragedy, trauma and abuse are often the backdrop to some of the most profound testimonies of God’s saving work. The gospel story itself includes one of the most viscous and disturbing events of evil and it’s strangely termed the passion of our Lord. A crucifixion as the culmination of a brutal and barbarous series of tortures is profoundly disturbing as the center of a message called “The Good News”. 

When you work with people, especially those at the margins, death and devils make sense. The reality of wicked injury or self-perpetuating malevolence isn’t a hard truth to sell, something good conquering it, is. 

“My mother introduced me to porn.”

“I was raped.”

“I was sexually assaulted.”

“I tried to cut my throat.”

“I overdosed.”

“My parent was beheaded by a family member.”

“My brother was murdered by a gang, they cut off his arms, legs and head and sent them to my parents in a bag.”

These are people’s stories that I’ve heard. They are happenings that one has to find some place to put within oneself. What do you do with someone’s sufferings like these? It’s horrific to process. Many times I’m stunned and knocked off kilter in my heart and mind when such confessions are spoken. 

Humanity is truly tasting the powers of the age to come. People are full of devils and for many exorcism isn’t just a movie title, a supernatural thriller or titillating religious tale, it’s a life or death rescue mission. 

Mary Magdalene had a dark story too. I’m grateful for the knowledge that someone closest to Jesus had been possessed by Hell and horror. 

That is good news and the demonized need to hear it, maybe you need to know it. Jesus saves, delivers and heals. He is greater than whatever possesses you.

Jesus is the God-King who drives out devils."