Its been a weird week so far... but good :) It's been a month now since I came to Redding... and all is good. God is Good - and that is what matters most :)
One funny thing that i keep bumping into, is that everything i want, God actually provides... in His time of course... it happened with the bike, and shampoo, and extra earphones, and a journal, and prophetic words... so you get the picture... well i am only getting it now... i should rather trust God to give me stuff... else i will end up having double of everything... and what i get is usually the cheap version. e.g. i bought earphones for $1 something on ebay... and have to wait like a month for it to come... and then i got Panasonic earphones just yesterday... insane... point taken: God has me covered :)
so Tuesday was filled with reading... it feels like it is the only thing i am currently doing... but it is all good... i came here to learn, so here it is :) At about 6pm we went over to James/Christian's place for some xbox :) They have the new Halo (Reach) and we had 2 xbox's linked... 7 players... one big LCD screen, and one projector screen... i played on the projector / split screen. Fun times :) Good to spend time with guys :) bliss...
ha ha :)
Wednesday started with reading... okay... i think you get the idea... my default is reading... so i think i will only mention the other things... you got the book list, so you know what i am reading :)
So Wednesday we (Toby and I) went to school (Church). Met up with Christian there, and chatted to some people waiting in line... some have gone on retreat and shared some cool experiences they had :) looking forward :) So today was no normal class day... we made journals... basically collage of magazine cuttings of stuff you like in magazines... with a prophetic element... it was fun, i can't deny it. it has been years since i did cutting and pasting... the non electronically way :) enjoyed it. Maybe i should get some pics of it... look out on facebook for it...
An then we got prophetic words form 2nd years. If you doubt the prophetic, then this is proof that there is a God. I basically got the same word that I got in 2001... almost word for word... form a total stranger... in another country... insane... Also got wisdom for this year and the next :) God is good :)
Did i say that God is Good? well He is good :) I just love Him. anyway... learning good stuff here...
O, and we got our activation and AMT's finalize :) WHOOP :) I got into Healing activation (going to pray for people that need healing), and into Prophetic AMT :) o, goodness... i can't wait :) these are the two things that were the main reasons why i came here... so God is giving it to me first... and then the rest is just blessing upon blessing :) You got to love Him :)
I am looking forward to other ATM's in the future :)
https://www.ibssm.org/files/bboard/1009/AMTDescriptions1011pdf_12345718.pdf
well... :) Joy !
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
26-27 Sep Sunday to Monday
Sunday was Good :)
We were late for church, and got a tardy (3 tardies = 1 absence) and you can only get 16 absences during BSSM. But, overlooking that... Sunday was good. Bill spoke on how to renew your mind by thinking in terms of Heavenly principles (logic) instead of earthly logic... like give to receive, die to live, go low to go high.
I figured that we need to follow Heaven's logic... give away money if you need money... but that you also need to have faith... not for money... but faith in Heaven's provision. This is huge... That you actions should all contain faith... in the unseen... in Heaven... believing that Heaven will respond to your words and actions, as you do or say something.
The evening service was also along these lines, where Kris (right spelling) spoke on how we have to do SIMPLE acts, and have faith in God to do the supernatural... Hebrews 11 shows how people did simple things... like receiving strangers into their home... or hide a baby... and that was a major act of faith...
So we do the simple, and our faith is in Heaven to do the Super :)
O, and the Sunday service was great itself.. we had spontaneous worship as a crowd, and we prayed for sick people, and many people were healed... From new cartridge in their bones, to healings of head injuries... total healing all around... and my back also got fixed :) its been getting uncomfortable... and i wanted to go up for prayer... but it was not serious... but in the service God healed it, without anyone praying for it :)
So i'm looking forward to that :)
O, and we had Chinese food at Panda express.. well... i learn the hard way... Chow mein is super spice... mmm... like really... i was almost dying :) but anyway... and I tried to ask for water... but an Afrikaner trying to speak English to a Chinese that is trying to understand English somehow makes communication hard... next time i will call someone to help me...
And then a poor guys came t us to ask for $36... the poor here are not really poor... but hey... they still need food... even though they may pass as middle class in SA... observation: it is so weird to see how a group of people respond to a poor person... suddenly everyone goes quiet... and then everyone becomes super spiritual... i don't like that... well... maybe its just me...
A girl gave the poor guy $5, and her bible, and tried to share the Sunday's message with him... God help us... we don't have a clue what is going on... well she tried... And then another guy stand up and loudly sings over the guy... in public... mmm... i'm not saying that God does not move through song.. but maybe it was not appropriate... i don't know... God help us again... Then another guy tried to go draw money, but could not... and there was awkward conversation... more of God's help needed here... and then another guy gave the guy $40, and prayed over him... well the money spoke the most to the guy... and then there was this awkwardness as we tried to say goodbye to each other... it was as if the poor guy became the king of the group... and all of us turned into priests... well, again i don't know...
Well... the end of it all is that i heard that the guy that gave the $40 got a check of $200 when he got back home... he claimed that God said he should give the $40. He himself is unemployed, and needs cash... but that was what the preach was on... so... what do i get from this whole saga ? :D well... 1. don't act like a priest in public, and 2. ask God what He wants you to do... and ONLY do that :)
During all this I asked God what I should do, and I think He said I should wait, and see... and that I will see a testimony come from this... so i waited, and saw the testimony...
Memo to self in the future... ask God what to do... more often than you think is necessary...
There is only one way to test to find out if you heard from God... and to train to hear Him better... and that is to listen for His voice, and act upon it... and then test the outcome... the proof will be in the fruit.
God help us all.
P.S. My previous posts miss spelled Kris Vallotton... as Chris... soz.
We were late for church, and got a tardy (3 tardies = 1 absence) and you can only get 16 absences during BSSM. But, overlooking that... Sunday was good. Bill spoke on how to renew your mind by thinking in terms of Heavenly principles (logic) instead of earthly logic... like give to receive, die to live, go low to go high.
I figured that we need to follow Heaven's logic... give away money if you need money... but that you also need to have faith... not for money... but faith in Heaven's provision. This is huge... That you actions should all contain faith... in the unseen... in Heaven... believing that Heaven will respond to your words and actions, as you do or say something.
The evening service was also along these lines, where Kris (right spelling) spoke on how we have to do SIMPLE acts, and have faith in God to do the supernatural... Hebrews 11 shows how people did simple things... like receiving strangers into their home... or hide a baby... and that was a major act of faith...
So we do the simple, and our faith is in Heaven to do the Super :)
O, and the Sunday service was great itself.. we had spontaneous worship as a crowd, and we prayed for sick people, and many people were healed... From new cartridge in their bones, to healings of head injuries... total healing all around... and my back also got fixed :) its been getting uncomfortable... and i wanted to go up for prayer... but it was not serious... but in the service God healed it, without anyone praying for it :)
So i'm looking forward to that :)
O, and we had Chinese food at Panda express.. well... i learn the hard way... Chow mein is super spice... mmm... like really... i was almost dying :) but anyway... and I tried to ask for water... but an Afrikaner trying to speak English to a Chinese that is trying to understand English somehow makes communication hard... next time i will call someone to help me...
And then a poor guys came t us to ask for $36... the poor here are not really poor... but hey... they still need food... even though they may pass as middle class in SA... observation: it is so weird to see how a group of people respond to a poor person... suddenly everyone goes quiet... and then everyone becomes super spiritual... i don't like that... well... maybe its just me...
A girl gave the poor guy $5, and her bible, and tried to share the Sunday's message with him... God help us... we don't have a clue what is going on... well she tried... And then another guy stand up and loudly sings over the guy... in public... mmm... i'm not saying that God does not move through song.. but maybe it was not appropriate... i don't know... God help us again... Then another guy tried to go draw money, but could not... and there was awkward conversation... more of God's help needed here... and then another guy gave the guy $40, and prayed over him... well the money spoke the most to the guy... and then there was this awkwardness as we tried to say goodbye to each other... it was as if the poor guy became the king of the group... and all of us turned into priests... well, again i don't know...
Well... the end of it all is that i heard that the guy that gave the $40 got a check of $200 when he got back home... he claimed that God said he should give the $40. He himself is unemployed, and needs cash... but that was what the preach was on... so... what do i get from this whole saga ? :D well... 1. don't act like a priest in public, and 2. ask God what He wants you to do... and ONLY do that :)
During all this I asked God what I should do, and I think He said I should wait, and see... and that I will see a testimony come from this... so i waited, and saw the testimony...
Memo to self in the future... ask God what to do... more often than you think is necessary...
There is only one way to test to find out if you heard from God... and to train to hear Him better... and that is to listen for His voice, and act upon it... and then test the outcome... the proof will be in the fruit.
God help us all.
P.S. My previous posts miss spelled Kris Vallotton... as Chris... soz.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Handbook for BSSM
So here is the handbook for BSSM 2010 2011 bethel school of super natural ministry...
https://www.ibssm.org/files/bboard/1009/BSSMStudentHandbook20102011FINAL.pdf
https://www.ibssm.org/files/bboard/1009/BSSMStudentHandbook20102011FINAL.pdf
Saturday, September 25, 2010
25 Sep - Saturday
Went to Burney's falls today for Toby's birthday... its a great place... got right up to the water fall... we were 14 people that went, and then we went to a real American diner for some lunch. Had a mushroom burger... i really like the beef here in america... dono what it is, but it tastes good :) God Toby's celebration tonight... looking forward to it :)
Friday, September 24, 2010
24 sep - Friday
Started with Bible teaching... reviewing our Bible homework... good stuff about the prodigal son, and the elder brother... we have more than we think we have in God.
Then we had worship... well... i am really getting to know God's goodness in this place... His goodness draws me closer to Him than i have ever been before... Believing in the goodness of God is the foundation of so much more... God is the only one that is good, but believing it is the start of receiving so much more from Him :)
Then we had revival group meeting. John shared his life story, how he started in a Baptist church, and how God moved in his life, and how he came to be at bethel.
I really look forward to more time with these people... even tough some of them are more crazy than others... we got the whole range in the group... from more introverted than me... to the crazy side.
In the meeting when we prayed for our pastor, i sensed that there is a difference between receiving an giving, in the spirit... but i will see how it goes...
other than that, i am looking forward to a break tomorrow, with some hiking, then church on Sunday, then monday AND tuesday off... just because some people are on retreat... and then we have school on Wednesday, and then we go on retreat on Thursday till Friday.
This school is really more like a school than just a program... we are going to learn how to interpret scriptures and everything... so it seams like it is like a year of ministry training also... to be able to preach a good message... that is on a Sunday service level... so that surprised me... but anyway... i am here to learn everything they teach, even if it is more than i expected, or wanted... which is good :)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
long time coming
so its been a long time since i updated what has been going on...
we have 2 book reports, and bible reading for Friday, and the week has been full of good stuff already :)
so... backup to Saturday... well, i spent the day processing the week, after sleeping late, and then spending time with the guys at the house...i love the guys i am staying with here :)
Sunday was crazy... it started with 11:30 service at twin view... followed by Linda's birthday party, where i met a few more people in first year :) we had a braai, with coal... weird coal that was supposed to light if you put a flame near it... but did not ... and then we used weird flammable gel and lighter fluid to start it going. anyway... we braaied meat... with a Texan girl helping us understand how Americans make fire... the food was good, and we had a great time... then we went to the pre-service evening prayer... well... that was different... people walking in a circle praying, and people on the side praying, and the leader is basically a track that is being played... being a mix of great men of faith praying... well... it was good :)
and then Heidi Baker preached... woah... she is different... but real good... she really has the joy of the Lord is your strength in her life... she walks it... even resurrection power :) get the MP3 from www.ibethel.org you have to hear it for yourself... i loved it...
Monday is another off day for us... so i spent some time reading, then cleaning some kitchen cupboards... and catching up with some reading... did i say reading... o, i read... yes :)
On Tuesday we had worship by the band The Ember Days, and then Bill Johnson spoke about mindsets... and how it effects our identity . Then we had Mark Brookes, talking about being connected to God, and being in love with Him... and how it is that your relation with God it were you get everything from.
On Wednesday we had Chris... talking his testimony... and his major rev's in his life... buy his book Heavy Rain, and also Supernatural ways of Royalty. Then we had Beni Johnson preaching... i rally want to hear more form her... she wrote happy intercessor, but she has a lot of experience in the prophetic, and spiritual stuff... how the stop fighting the enemy, and start worshiping God. I just feel that she can teach me a lot about dreams and visions and stuff... but I will see in the future :)
On Thursday we had worship by a one of the 4 bands made out of the top 1st yea students... it was good... and that was followed by Cristal talking about prayer... and how it i not something you do, but what you are... it is a walk with God, not a work. Then we had Brandon Johnson speak on his life experience, of how he put his wife in God's position... basically his needs, her needs... and that your basic needs of affirmation and intimacy needs to be fulfilled by God, and not your spouse. He also talked about how we should relate to people in community... Then we ended with Chris giving us a quiz on being a pauper or a prince... basically what you believe about yourself, and how you relate to other people. He is really funny, and also really good. He basically ended class by making us stay for 5 minutes extra... just joking with us... anyway... its good to have a laugh while processing such serious stuff...
Lessons learnt: many... well, more so that God loves me, and that He is in a good mood, and that He is good... always. Also i need to believe that Jesus died, and that my new identity is in Christ. I also need to connect to the 3rd heaven... and start to see life from that perspective... somehow i feel that it is closer than i think... just by hoping or believing something already makes it come close to you.
wow... i am tired now... its 9:31, but its been a long day... i am getting into a rhythm, but cycling to Bethel is kind of new to my body... seeing that i last cycled 4 years ago... but anyway... God is here... and He will get me through this all...
P.S. I love it that these people are further in their walk with God than me in SO many areas... its great that we have so many speakers, speaking on so many different topics... this develops me in so many areas... and it feels good to grow in all directions... many things i have not heard about for years... and just hearing someone speak about it makes me believe there is more out there :)
we have 2 book reports, and bible reading for Friday, and the week has been full of good stuff already :)
so... backup to Saturday... well, i spent the day processing the week, after sleeping late, and then spending time with the guys at the house...i love the guys i am staying with here :)
Sunday was crazy... it started with 11:30 service at twin view... followed by Linda's birthday party, where i met a few more people in first year :) we had a braai, with coal... weird coal that was supposed to light if you put a flame near it... but did not ... and then we used weird flammable gel and lighter fluid to start it going. anyway... we braaied meat... with a Texan girl helping us understand how Americans make fire... the food was good, and we had a great time... then we went to the pre-service evening prayer... well... that was different... people walking in a circle praying, and people on the side praying, and the leader is basically a track that is being played... being a mix of great men of faith praying... well... it was good :)
and then Heidi Baker preached... woah... she is different... but real good... she really has the joy of the Lord is your strength in her life... she walks it... even resurrection power :) get the MP3 from www.ibethel.org you have to hear it for yourself... i loved it...
Monday is another off day for us... so i spent some time reading, then cleaning some kitchen cupboards... and catching up with some reading... did i say reading... o, i read... yes :)
On Tuesday we had worship by the band The Ember Days, and then Bill Johnson spoke about mindsets... and how it effects our identity . Then we had Mark Brookes, talking about being connected to God, and being in love with Him... and how it is that your relation with God it were you get everything from.
On Wednesday we had Chris... talking his testimony... and his major rev's in his life... buy his book Heavy Rain, and also Supernatural ways of Royalty. Then we had Beni Johnson preaching... i rally want to hear more form her... she wrote happy intercessor, but she has a lot of experience in the prophetic, and spiritual stuff... how the stop fighting the enemy, and start worshiping God. I just feel that she can teach me a lot about dreams and visions and stuff... but I will see in the future :)
On Thursday we had worship by a one of the 4 bands made out of the top 1st yea students... it was good... and that was followed by Cristal talking about prayer... and how it i not something you do, but what you are... it is a walk with God, not a work. Then we had Brandon Johnson speak on his life experience, of how he put his wife in God's position... basically his needs, her needs... and that your basic needs of affirmation and intimacy needs to be fulfilled by God, and not your spouse. He also talked about how we should relate to people in community... Then we ended with Chris giving us a quiz on being a pauper or a prince... basically what you believe about yourself, and how you relate to other people. He is really funny, and also really good. He basically ended class by making us stay for 5 minutes extra... just joking with us... anyway... its good to have a laugh while processing such serious stuff...
Lessons learnt: many... well, more so that God loves me, and that He is in a good mood, and that He is good... always. Also i need to believe that Jesus died, and that my new identity is in Christ. I also need to connect to the 3rd heaven... and start to see life from that perspective... somehow i feel that it is closer than i think... just by hoping or believing something already makes it come close to you.
wow... i am tired now... its 9:31, but its been a long day... i am getting into a rhythm, but cycling to Bethel is kind of new to my body... seeing that i last cycled 4 years ago... but anyway... God is here... and He will get me through this all...
P.S. I love it that these people are further in their walk with God than me in SO many areas... its great that we have so many speakers, speaking on so many different topics... this develops me in so many areas... and it feels good to grow in all directions... many things i have not heard about for years... and just hearing someone speak about it makes me believe there is more out there :)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
More info - AMT's
So, here are the AMT's of Bethel BSSM 2010-2011
CREATIVE ARTS-Trisha Wheeler
BIBLE TRUTHS FROM GALATIANS- GETTING FREE AN
BUILDING AND PROTECTING CONNECTION IN RELATIONSHIP
DANCE -SUMMER ODELL
HEALING � KINGDOM FOUNDATIONS * KEVIN DEDMO
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFORMATION * ANNE KALVESTRAND
PROPHETIC * NANCY COBB
PROPHETIC WORSHIP - SHERI DOWNS
Union with God I- Bonnie Johnson
Worship AMT (Worship Team Members Only)
Writer's Eye- Pam Spinosi
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Community activation
so here is some more hidden info on what happens at Bethel... community activation for 2010-2011 BSSM...
Descriptions:
Community
Invest in the lives of people of our community beyond the four walls of the church. Focus on bringing transformation through loving relationships and servant-hood. Create relationships with neighbors and become a local neighborhood pastor. Host block parties that involve the whole neighborhood. Share the gospel, love people, and release signs and wonders.
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons.
Daughters of Destiny
Invest in the next generation through the loving heart of a sister or mother. Tutor, build relationships, make disciples, and call out the greatness in each child. Your investment in the life of these girls can have a profound impact on the course of their lives. This activation is for women only.
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons.
Drug Rehab – Men & Women
Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those in our community who have already decided to make a change in their lives. Partnering with established ministries to encourage daily encounters with a living and loving God. Meeting in groups and one-on-one with recovering drug addicts ministering love, power, joy and peace, mentoring, building relationships and encouraging; learning what it means to see love's grip more powerful than heroin's grip.
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons.
Elementary Schools
Go into the elementary schools of our city and release the kingdom of God in power and love. If you have a heart for children this is a great opportunity to build relationship and affect the next generation.
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons.
Friday Night Strikes
Join the church's Friday night outreach to see His Kingdom come throughout the city. Expect to be stretched in boldness by getting exposed to a variety of evangelism styles from Treasure Hunts to Prophetic Ministry to loving on the homeless. Many great connections and encounters happen at night and this is your opportunity to get involved in something that is impacting our city and people from other nations who hear the testimonies.
*This Activation happens on Friday nights from 7 - 9pm.
Healing Activation
Healing Activation is an activation where we value the Presence of the Holy Spirit, and where we know healing is easy in His Presence. We value training and interaction within teams. Leaders considering this Activation will lead teams to visit individuals requiring healing in Hospitals, Rehab Centers, private homes etc. (all pre-arranged by the overseer).
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons.
Healing Rooms
Saturday Healing Rooms is an opportunity to learn the value operating in the Presence of the Holy Spirit and where we know healing is easy in His Presence. We value training and interaction within teams. Students considering this activation will have many opportunities to observe and experience His Healing Power!
*This activation happens on Saturdays from 8 – 11am.
Jr. High
Exemplify the Christian walk, fostering trust and friendship, while having fun playing with and blessing kids in the local Junior High Schools. Help facilitate an after school program, build friendships, trust and a desire to excel. Leak God's love everywhere you go!
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons
Prophetic Arts
Worship the Lord through creative acts of art, performance, and music. Invoke others to express their hearts in unique ways that enable them to openly worship God. Ministering through music, art, drama, dance, writing, photography, video, and other forms. Use creative outlets to draw God's people closer to Him doing performances, art shows and much more.
*This Activation happens primarily on Thursday afternoons.
Retirement Centers
A few hand-picked facilities will be visited on a regular basis, allowing students to pray for the sick, comfort the down-trodden and deliver those held captive to disease and despair. Seniors are full of wisdom and interesting history and eager to impart and be imparted to by our students.
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons.
Saturday Community Feast
Join with our Saturday "To the Streets" Outreach on Saturday afternoons. You will gather at the church at noon for a short time of worship and prayer followed by going out to locations in the city where you will be feeding lunch to those in need. This is a great opportunity to connect with people in the city as it has been established for several years. You will have many opportunities to listen to those who are lonely, pray for those who are hurting, and share the love of God through service and power.
*This Activation happens on Saturdays from 9-11am or 12-2 PM.
Sidewalk Sunday School
If you have a heart for children than this is for you. Demonstrate the love and power of Jesus by feeding into the children of our community. You will have the opportunity to build relationships with the children that will change their lives forever.
*This Activation happens Saturday from 10am - 12:30pm.
Sons of Greatness
Invest in the next generation through the loving heart of a brother or father. Tutor, build relationships, make disciples, and call out the greatness in each child. Your investment in the life of these boys can have a profound impact on the course of their lives. This activation is for men only.
*This Activation happens on Thursday afternoons.
Sunday Morning Rotation
This activation will be a rotation of several things. One week you will be on the kitchen team, helping prepare and serve breakfast for the homeless as well as other people who come to our church. Another week you will be mixing among the crowd to minister to them through prayer, prophetic art, words of knowledge, or even just listening. Another week you will be greeting our guests in the hallways making sure that they know where to go for breakfast and how to get to the restroom or the church service. You may also get involved in helping to pastor the people as they are on the buses coming to Bethel. Your involvement is a huge blessing to our guests from the community as well as the members of our church.
*The general time for this activation is Sunday 8:30-10:30am
Treasure Hunts
Demonstrating the Good News of the Kingdom by asking the Holy Spirit to give us Divine downloads (clues) to find the hidden treasures (people) that the Father has set up for a Divine Appointment. His goodness and kindness is revealed through signs, wonders, miracles, healings and supernatural prophetic insights. This activation is geared not only to those who love displaying God's power and love in public, but also to those who are more timid and want to step out more in faith. Soak in God's presence, get heavenly downloads and words of knowledge for people, and then disperse into small groups to see His Kingdom come throughout the city!
*This Activation happens Thursday afternoons.
Project 18 Mentorship Program
This program is designed to impact the lives of at-risk youth from a variety of backgrounds and situations (many having been in juvenile hall). Mentors are matched with a young adult between the ages of 12-17 to develop positive, consistent relationship, draw out the heart, character and gifts of their mentee, impart life skills, and encourage them to become agents of transformation.
You will meet weekly with your mentee—often one on one at a flexible time you coordinate according to your schedules, and semi-regularly with varying groups of other mentors and mentees for engaging group activities. There will be weekly training on Thursday afternoons where you will receive equipping and support as mentors, updates on activities, have space for questions and feedback, and where we will build connection as a mentoring community. *Note: Male mentors are especially needed due to the high number of male mentees
Requirements:
- An insured vehicle and clean driving record to transport your mentee
(We will need a copy of your driver’s license and proof of insurance with at least 1000/3000 coverage before mentorship can begin)
- Agreement to be fingerprinted/background checked
- Full commitment to weekly training and time with your mentee
Friday, September 17, 2010
16 + 17 Sep
Thursday
we had another session on just going through the binder... and then Bil Johnson... then 30 min of intense prophetic words... the level of the prophetic word here is just insane... there is no way the people could have known the stuff they called out before hand... it was super accurate, and not general at all... it was very specific word of prophecy... and you could see that the people who received the words we really agreeing with the words... amazing...
but back to Bill... wow... the testimony of the Lord... something that bring the mercy seat of God into people's lives... one of the most precious gifts that you could give to anyone on earth... wow...
I heard about the culture here being about telling testimonies to increase faith, and i have read some of the books on it... but this is the first time that it connected...
Mark 8:17-21 when Jesus asked if the disciples do not understand... wow... the three things that Jesus questions then about is 1) do they not see 2) do they not hear 3) do they not remember. we are familiar with 1 and 2 in the church... where you have to hear form God, or see what God is doing, before you do something... and that is how we are supposed to live... like Jesus... doing nothing out of yourself... but watching God do stuff... but we are forget #3... that if you remember something that God has done before... in scripture, or in your life, or someone else's life... then that remembrance carries the same weight as God speaking to you, or God showing you what to do... and THAT is intense...
This culture is built on that principle... and you can see it...
and you have this exponential effect going on, because if i heard 5 testimonies, then God can do the same in my life, because He is the same yesterday, today and forever... so testimonies becomes like a bank form which you can withdraw... and the more you collect, the better you life is, because God can do more stuff in your life, because you are more familiar with what God has done, and can do today :)
And that is what i think about scripture now... how it has so many testimonies of the works of God... and it was not written just for historical fact, that God has done all these miracles n the past, and that is it... NO :) all the testimonies that have been recorder has been recorded in great detail and accuracy, in order that you can know the nature and work of God, and that you can see those same miracles in YOUR LIFE ... TODAY :)
God never changes, and He is good willed towards mankind... just look at what He did... He gave His only Son... Jesus... for the world... do you think that He is angry at people? how can He be ? God is not angry, He may be grieved at wrong things people do... but He LOVES people, and He PROVED it by giving His one and only Son... even for the "worst person" that ever lived on the world... because He loves people, but hates sin... He hates sin, but He loves people... SO SO MUCH :)
// well anyway...
God is really Good... and just being in this culture, i already feel a change in my heart towards people...
I used to be very critical, and would be the first to see if something is wrong in someone... and i would even look for things that are wrong in people... but this culture is teaching me not to look for what is wrong... but rather to bless and call out what is good in people... and to love people more... and to accept more love form people and God than i would have before...
so ... wow :)
Friday
Worship was so goooooood :) We sang of His love, and how He just gave everything for us on the cross... and how please He is about us... I sensed that the best way to lift up His name is to actually adore Him :) like actually liking Him more, and just loving Him more... like a child loves their dad... just more and more and more...
And God just has Soooo much love.... it just goes on and on and on... and He IS love... wow... he just pours it out... unsparingly in abundance on His children :)
And I had this knowledge that I am His... like it says in the Bible that we have been bought by a price... but more so... I am His child... His possession... His loved one... and it is just a short time (like Misty Edwards would say), before I see Him face to face and stand before Him, and spend the rest of my life with Him... like this life on earth is just a short and narrow road... but i can see the end, and i can feel it like a compass in my heart, just pointing me home, to where God dwells...
wow... God's goodness and faithfulness is just amazing... i love it :)
and then we broke into our revival groups... and i am in John Sturgis' group... he has been married for over 40 years now, and really loves God's presence... he is a really softly spoken guy, but very open... i like him :) and the interns that are in our group are: Troy, Steve, Merlin, Britteny, Jillian. Steve is also much older and has grey hair, but he is much like our revival group pastor... just taler :) he's also softly spoken, and has a big friendly heart :) so it will be cool to get to know all of them better over these months... o, and what we basically did was get someone we did not know, and find out about them, and then introduce them to the whole class... so it already feels more close to home... in the church you can't really connect with people and make friends...
so wow...
that was the first week...
9 months ahead...
and much revelation to process...
and much things in my heart to sort out...
and much more time that i need to spend with God... just to fellowship with Him, and be with Him :)
we had another session on just going through the binder... and then Bil Johnson... then 30 min of intense prophetic words... the level of the prophetic word here is just insane... there is no way the people could have known the stuff they called out before hand... it was super accurate, and not general at all... it was very specific word of prophecy... and you could see that the people who received the words we really agreeing with the words... amazing...
but back to Bill... wow... the testimony of the Lord... something that bring the mercy seat of God into people's lives... one of the most precious gifts that you could give to anyone on earth... wow...
I heard about the culture here being about telling testimonies to increase faith, and i have read some of the books on it... but this is the first time that it connected...
Mark 8:17-21 when Jesus asked if the disciples do not understand... wow... the three things that Jesus questions then about is 1) do they not see 2) do they not hear 3) do they not remember. we are familiar with 1 and 2 in the church... where you have to hear form God, or see what God is doing, before you do something... and that is how we are supposed to live... like Jesus... doing nothing out of yourself... but watching God do stuff... but we are forget #3... that if you remember something that God has done before... in scripture, or in your life, or someone else's life... then that remembrance carries the same weight as God speaking to you, or God showing you what to do... and THAT is intense...
This culture is built on that principle... and you can see it...
and you have this exponential effect going on, because if i heard 5 testimonies, then God can do the same in my life, because He is the same yesterday, today and forever... so testimonies becomes like a bank form which you can withdraw... and the more you collect, the better you life is, because God can do more stuff in your life, because you are more familiar with what God has done, and can do today :)
And that is what i think about scripture now... how it has so many testimonies of the works of God... and it was not written just for historical fact, that God has done all these miracles n the past, and that is it... NO :) all the testimonies that have been recorder has been recorded in great detail and accuracy, in order that you can know the nature and work of God, and that you can see those same miracles in YOUR LIFE ... TODAY :)
God never changes, and He is good willed towards mankind... just look at what He did... He gave His only Son... Jesus... for the world... do you think that He is angry at people? how can He be ? God is not angry, He may be grieved at wrong things people do... but He LOVES people, and He PROVED it by giving His one and only Son... even for the "worst person" that ever lived on the world... because He loves people, but hates sin... He hates sin, but He loves people... SO SO MUCH :)
// well anyway...
God is really Good... and just being in this culture, i already feel a change in my heart towards people...
I used to be very critical, and would be the first to see if something is wrong in someone... and i would even look for things that are wrong in people... but this culture is teaching me not to look for what is wrong... but rather to bless and call out what is good in people... and to love people more... and to accept more love form people and God than i would have before...
so ... wow :)
Friday
Worship was so goooooood :) We sang of His love, and how He just gave everything for us on the cross... and how please He is about us... I sensed that the best way to lift up His name is to actually adore Him :) like actually liking Him more, and just loving Him more... like a child loves their dad... just more and more and more...
And God just has Soooo much love.... it just goes on and on and on... and He IS love... wow... he just pours it out... unsparingly in abundance on His children :)
And I had this knowledge that I am His... like it says in the Bible that we have been bought by a price... but more so... I am His child... His possession... His loved one... and it is just a short time (like Misty Edwards would say), before I see Him face to face and stand before Him, and spend the rest of my life with Him... like this life on earth is just a short and narrow road... but i can see the end, and i can feel it like a compass in my heart, just pointing me home, to where God dwells...
wow... God's goodness and faithfulness is just amazing... i love it :)
and then we broke into our revival groups... and i am in John Sturgis' group... he has been married for over 40 years now, and really loves God's presence... he is a really softly spoken guy, but very open... i like him :) and the interns that are in our group are: Troy, Steve, Merlin, Britteny, Jillian. Steve is also much older and has grey hair, but he is much like our revival group pastor... just taler :) he's also softly spoken, and has a big friendly heart :) so it will be cool to get to know all of them better over these months... o, and what we basically did was get someone we did not know, and find out about them, and then introduce them to the whole class... so it already feels more close to home... in the church you can't really connect with people and make friends...
so wow...
that was the first week...
9 months ahead...
and much revelation to process...
and much things in my heart to sort out...
and much more time that i need to spend with God... just to fellowship with Him, and be with Him :)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
14 + 15 sep - first + second day of school
First day:
Wow :)
worship was super. such good time in God's presence... real deep worship... this is a good well of worship they got here... enjoying every second of it :)
Then Bill Johnson came up... and spoke on being faithful with what you already have... and that is what will give you what you really want... being ruler over cities... but not now... now you are called to be a good steward. even if that is the only thing you do.
Q&A with Bill was the best thing ever... i have SO much more respect for him, and the leaders here... talk about transparent leadership... wow... they share life as it is... their fears, doubts, and everything... and how God came through... it feels like you can be just like them... because they make everything seem so simple... down to earth... real... practical...
this is the place i am supposed to be... this is a place where you can drink deep in the things of God... and be satisfied. And in being satisfied, you change...
Second day:
Mark Brookes spoke on honor, and then Chris spoke on more core values... and then some q & a... I feel like i really need to get some good questions to ask these amazing guys... it's been a while since i asked questions... years back i had 100 questions and 2 answers... and i kind of stopped asking so many questions... and started to look for deeper things... how leaders build churches... values... culture... how to become a abode of the Spirit... that's not stuff you get intellectual answers for... you see it in people's lives, and you learn from them by reading between the lines of their life... that is how i listen to people when they speak... i listen for so much more :) love it :) anyway... i'll try to find some good questions... for the blessings of the majority maybe :)
then house meeting, with pizza... 6-8pm... this is the first meeting that i have been in that i am bored... but i do not care... just because the guys that i spend time with is so great :)
Wow :)
worship was super. such good time in God's presence... real deep worship... this is a good well of worship they got here... enjoying every second of it :)
Then Bill Johnson came up... and spoke on being faithful with what you already have... and that is what will give you what you really want... being ruler over cities... but not now... now you are called to be a good steward. even if that is the only thing you do.
Q&A with Bill was the best thing ever... i have SO much more respect for him, and the leaders here... talk about transparent leadership... wow... they share life as it is... their fears, doubts, and everything... and how God came through... it feels like you can be just like them... because they make everything seem so simple... down to earth... real... practical...
this is the place i am supposed to be... this is a place where you can drink deep in the things of God... and be satisfied. And in being satisfied, you change...
Second day:
Mark Brookes spoke on honor, and then Chris spoke on more core values... and then some q & a... I feel like i really need to get some good questions to ask these amazing guys... it's been a while since i asked questions... years back i had 100 questions and 2 answers... and i kind of stopped asking so many questions... and started to look for deeper things... how leaders build churches... values... culture... how to become a abode of the Spirit... that's not stuff you get intellectual answers for... you see it in people's lives, and you learn from them by reading between the lines of their life... that is how i listen to people when they speak... i listen for so much more :) love it :) anyway... i'll try to find some good questions... for the blessings of the majority maybe :)
then house meeting, with pizza... 6-8pm... this is the first meeting that i have been in that i am bored... but i do not care... just because the guys that i spend time with is so great :)
Monday, September 13, 2010
program for the week
and then there are two serves i have to attend of the four...
Friday night 7pm,
Sunday 8:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 07:00 PM
but i am currently assigned to the 11:00 AM service.
man... this pc is slow... can't wait for my laptop... but it seams all the companies have issues with ordering stuff with my credit card... online...
13 sep - registration
SO :)
I finally got registered... after an hour and a half of queuing... and I got my NAME TAG :)
So we are assigned a Revival group pastor (RGP) that has about 60 first years assigned to him... my RGP is John Sturges :) I met him today, and he so cool :) He really loves the Holy Spirit :) fun times ahead :)
and i got a folder with all our plans and stuff for the year... so i got more info on that...
and wait... i have very valuable info... the BSSM 2010-2011 book reading list !!! it seams like no one has it on the net... so here is it :)
But wait... there is more :) my program for the week :)
[next post]
I finally got registered... after an hour and a half of queuing... and I got my NAME TAG :)
So we are assigned a Revival group pastor (RGP) that has about 60 first years assigned to him... my RGP is John Sturges :) I met him today, and he so cool :) He really loves the Holy Spirit :) fun times ahead :)
and i got a folder with all our plans and stuff for the year... so i got more info on that...
and wait... i have very valuable info... the BSSM 2010-2011 book reading list !!! it seams like no one has it on the net... so here is it :)
But wait... there is more :) my program for the week :)
[next post]
Saturday, September 11, 2010
10 sep - Friday church
So we went to the Friday service at 7pm... and we can't go to any Sunday services... because there are too many first years arriving... so just if you have family, then you can go :)
So they were busy with a Moral Revolution conference actually... good stuff... and then the service was in line with that... but not exclusively...
Chris preached on how your problems are mostly caused by not loving yourself... and how to overcome that is to actually let God and people love you... and that you should watch out for breaking friendships, just because a friend starts to love you more than you love yourself... good stuff...
he also talked about how we were all born with a sense of greatness, and being something great one day... and that it takes about 12 years of religion to get that out of your head...
he also talked on how humility is thinking of yourself less... not thinking less of yourself... and that we should celebrate greatness in our own lives, and not try to cover our greatness in false humility...
well... download the podcast... check out http://www.ibethel.org/site/sermon-of-the-week
and then we went to Dairy queen afterwards and had some super delicious ice-cream... and chatted with friends till late :)
So they were busy with a Moral Revolution conference actually... good stuff... and then the service was in line with that... but not exclusively...
Chris preached on how your problems are mostly caused by not loving yourself... and how to overcome that is to actually let God and people love you... and that you should watch out for breaking friendships, just because a friend starts to love you more than you love yourself... good stuff...
he also talked about how we were all born with a sense of greatness, and being something great one day... and that it takes about 12 years of religion to get that out of your head...
he also talked on how humility is thinking of yourself less... not thinking less of yourself... and that we should celebrate greatness in our own lives, and not try to cover our greatness in false humility...
well... download the podcast... check out http://www.ibethel.org/site/sermon-of-the-week
and then we went to Dairy queen afterwards and had some super delicious ice-cream... and chatted with friends till late :)
Friday, September 10, 2010
sep 8-9 Town exploring & Heaven is now
So i explored town... and felt like i was getting lost... but I found my way back :)
and I am reading a book called "things Unseen" by Mark Buchanan (for leisure)... and he has a interesting view on Heaven...
Basically he notes that if you look at a picture of a person, then you do not really know them... and that is how it is with Heaven also... what you see is not the substance really... but so much more...
Or he talks about a flag... that in itself is just a piece of cloth... but that a flag can represent so much more...
and then he also speaks of how Jesus said that 'this is eternal life, that they my know You' (in John). So basically Heaven is primarily knowing God in an intimate way... and he talks in the book about how the Bible says that the Kingdom of God is WITHIN you...
and then it got me thinking about other scriptures... like Jesus saying the Kingdom is at hand... and now the Kingdom has come (after he healed people and cast out demons) ...
and then the revelation dropped that actually Heaven has started already... inside of me... and it is my knowledge of God... but not only that... but His presence also...
and that is a mind shift...
that at this very moment, you are carrying a part of Heaven... that is eternal... inside of you... and that same piece of Heaven, you will actually carry with you into all eternity... because eternal life is to know God...
so... i know that school has not started yet... but I already feel like i have learned so much... just by being here at Bethel for just under 2 weeks...
AND
A testimony of God's faithfulness !!!
I was looking for a bicycle... and not finding anyone i like... to buy... so i got this one that the house is using... and it is a good bike... and i was fine with it... it was good...
and then there is this guy i am stying with, that got his bike repaired... so he could sell it... he bought it for just over $300 last year... so its quite new... so i wanted to buy the bike form him for maybe $100... but he wanted more in the range of $200... and then time went by... and just tonight he came to me and said that i could HAVE his bike !
that's so crazy :) that is the second bike that has been given to me... and it is an upgrade form all the previous bikes i ever had :) ha ha...
looks like if you give you bikes away, that God will give you better ones in time :)
but anyway.. God is cool, and i am looking froward to more surprises :)
blessgins to you if you are reading this :)
and I am reading a book called "things Unseen" by Mark Buchanan (for leisure)... and he has a interesting view on Heaven...
Basically he notes that if you look at a picture of a person, then you do not really know them... and that is how it is with Heaven also... what you see is not the substance really... but so much more...
Or he talks about a flag... that in itself is just a piece of cloth... but that a flag can represent so much more...
and then he also speaks of how Jesus said that 'this is eternal life, that they my know You' (in John). So basically Heaven is primarily knowing God in an intimate way... and he talks in the book about how the Bible says that the Kingdom of God is WITHIN you...
and then it got me thinking about other scriptures... like Jesus saying the Kingdom is at hand... and now the Kingdom has come (after he healed people and cast out demons) ...
and then the revelation dropped that actually Heaven has started already... inside of me... and it is my knowledge of God... but not only that... but His presence also...
and that is a mind shift...
that at this very moment, you are carrying a part of Heaven... that is eternal... inside of you... and that same piece of Heaven, you will actually carry with you into all eternity... because eternal life is to know God...
so... i know that school has not started yet... but I already feel like i have learned so much... just by being here at Bethel for just under 2 weeks...
AND
A testimony of God's faithfulness !!!
I was looking for a bicycle... and not finding anyone i like... to buy... so i got this one that the house is using... and it is a good bike... and i was fine with it... it was good...
and then there is this guy i am stying with, that got his bike repaired... so he could sell it... he bought it for just over $300 last year... so its quite new... so i wanted to buy the bike form him for maybe $100... but he wanted more in the range of $200... and then time went by... and just tonight he came to me and said that i could HAVE his bike !
that's so crazy :) that is the second bike that has been given to me... and it is an upgrade form all the previous bikes i ever had :) ha ha...
looks like if you give you bikes away, that God will give you better ones in time :)
but anyway.. God is cool, and i am looking froward to more surprises :)
blessgins to you if you are reading this :)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
USA prices...
So the blogger does not want me to post meta data... spreadsheets and stuff...
so if you want to know prices, then you have to email me :)
so if you want to know prices, then you have to email me :)
Sep 6-7
Think i will just put dates now in the headings... to keep track on when stuff happend...
So last night we went over to a family that moved from the south to here... just to be close to Bethel... amazing... and the family is so open, and shows great hospitality :) the type that shows you the fridge, and tells you that you can now show yourself around... and come any (reasonable) time :) sounds like southerners are know for their hospitality :)
It's interesting to hear Americans compare accents, and talk about "where are you from" and "I don't know where that is"... America is big... kind of like taking the whole of southern Africa and asking people where they live... its big...
I discovered that the house has a bike that is in good order... and it does not seem like people are using it... so i will be using it for transport :)
I had a whole issue in trying to buy a laptop through paypal... just because my account was South African, and I asked them to deliver to a USA address... mmm... waiting to get a refund, and then going to ask someone else to order it for me... then i can pay them cash.
It also seems like the Virgin Credit card that i got in SA is working fine, and that there is no extra cost for swiping it in America... I know that they add about 0.01 to the exchange rate... so instead of 7,32 its 7,33 rands for a dollar... other than that, its been working fine :)
There is this place that sells stuff in bulk called Winco (24 hour savings) that only take cash... so some time in the future i have to get more cash... sigh... but i still have to ask Walmart if they can give me Cash Back on my credit card... they do it with debit card... so ... dono...
o, and all the prices are excluding vat... which is about 8,75% depending on what shop you buy at... but other than that, it seems like the saying "a dollar goes a long way" is true in America... if you are buying food :)
I will post some costs on the next post... just to give an idea of prices, and how much it costs on the credit card (in Rands).
cool :)
o, and i went to the alabaster prayer room today... its a cool place, and i like it that there are a few people actually using it :) haha... so i think i may be hangin out there more often... in silence :)
So last night we went over to a family that moved from the south to here... just to be close to Bethel... amazing... and the family is so open, and shows great hospitality :) the type that shows you the fridge, and tells you that you can now show yourself around... and come any (reasonable) time :) sounds like southerners are know for their hospitality :)
It's interesting to hear Americans compare accents, and talk about "where are you from" and "I don't know where that is"... America is big... kind of like taking the whole of southern Africa and asking people where they live... its big...
I discovered that the house has a bike that is in good order... and it does not seem like people are using it... so i will be using it for transport :)
I had a whole issue in trying to buy a laptop through paypal... just because my account was South African, and I asked them to deliver to a USA address... mmm... waiting to get a refund, and then going to ask someone else to order it for me... then i can pay them cash.
It also seems like the Virgin Credit card that i got in SA is working fine, and that there is no extra cost for swiping it in America... I know that they add about 0.01 to the exchange rate... so instead of 7,32 its 7,33 rands for a dollar... other than that, its been working fine :)
There is this place that sells stuff in bulk called Winco (24 hour savings) that only take cash... so some time in the future i have to get more cash... sigh... but i still have to ask Walmart if they can give me Cash Back on my credit card... they do it with debit card... so ... dono...
o, and all the prices are excluding vat... which is about 8,75% depending on what shop you buy at... but other than that, it seems like the saying "a dollar goes a long way" is true in America... if you are buying food :)
I will post some costs on the next post... just to give an idea of prices, and how much it costs on the credit card (in Rands).
cool :)
o, and i went to the alabaster prayer room today... its a cool place, and i like it that there are a few people actually using it :) haha... so i think i may be hangin out there more often... in silence :)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
First week
Sho, its been a week already... but it feel like forever...
So here is a short update...
On Wednesday Scott came and talked to us guys at the house... all of us are involved in Bethel... from first year, to interning... So Scott is the guy that does Bill Johnson's accounts, and contracts... he has no qualification, but started his own business when he was 12 years... a bike repair shop... and he has started many other businesses from there...
Man, he has so much revelation... he just speaks it... we were all bummed out... not able to ask him any questions... just because his revs are so hectic... and they are personal... everything about making your leaders look like a genius (serving them with who you are and your talent)... and how each person should stop living out of what is expected of them, and start living out of who they are already, and what they are gifted at, already...
He has this whole rev about Jacob's life, and how Jacob lived his destiny every day... not just one day... today is your destiny in seed form... and you have to be FAITHFUL with the little you have... your future is what you see today... just in a greater measure... hectic stuff...
Then on Saturday we went to The Call in Sacramento... were a whole crowd of people prayed from 9am to 9pm... and the stage had all the 'big shots' from all over America... These are the leaders and fathers of so many great ministries...
Lou Engel has such authority over his life for prayer... there was a moment were they talked about how rampant sex trafficking was in America, and they showed the clothes on stage of a little girl that was violated... just a few weeks ago... and she must have been just around 5 years old... it was a wake up call to the reality of sin that is happening around us...
In face of this all we could do is cry out to God to stop this from happening anymore... it was intense intersession... good, but intense... and then about an hour later we received a report that Craigslist (the major way of advertising anything in California) changed their policy on advertisements... and banned any adult content, because they did not want any involvement in allowing sex trafficking. What a testimony of the power of prayer !!!
We also heard about other prayer movements, and how the opening of prayer houses was linked to a drastic decrease in crime in cities... amazing testimonies to the power of prayer !!!
---
On another note, It seems like the first years have arrived :) and the church is jam packed... 800 first year students, and about 200 second year students... things are happening here...
side note: it is interesting to see that the leadership here is fully geared to empowering the people to do the ministry... even to the extent that they would not teach or preach, and let the people that cam to church pray to God, and pray for each other...
It is said that this revival is marked by people taking up the responsibility to do the work of God... Thus the testimonies does not come from the life of one man, but from many believers... living their everyday life :)
---
Feels like there are many mind sets that need to be turned around in my life... but all of it is for a greater life in God... so bring on the transformation :)
So here is a short update...
On Wednesday Scott came and talked to us guys at the house... all of us are involved in Bethel... from first year, to interning... So Scott is the guy that does Bill Johnson's accounts, and contracts... he has no qualification, but started his own business when he was 12 years... a bike repair shop... and he has started many other businesses from there...
Man, he has so much revelation... he just speaks it... we were all bummed out... not able to ask him any questions... just because his revs are so hectic... and they are personal... everything about making your leaders look like a genius (serving them with who you are and your talent)... and how each person should stop living out of what is expected of them, and start living out of who they are already, and what they are gifted at, already...
He has this whole rev about Jacob's life, and how Jacob lived his destiny every day... not just one day... today is your destiny in seed form... and you have to be FAITHFUL with the little you have... your future is what you see today... just in a greater measure... hectic stuff...
Then on Saturday we went to The Call in Sacramento... were a whole crowd of people prayed from 9am to 9pm... and the stage had all the 'big shots' from all over America... These are the leaders and fathers of so many great ministries...
Lou Engel has such authority over his life for prayer... there was a moment were they talked about how rampant sex trafficking was in America, and they showed the clothes on stage of a little girl that was violated... just a few weeks ago... and she must have been just around 5 years old... it was a wake up call to the reality of sin that is happening around us...
In face of this all we could do is cry out to God to stop this from happening anymore... it was intense intersession... good, but intense... and then about an hour later we received a report that Craigslist (the major way of advertising anything in California) changed their policy on advertisements... and banned any adult content, because they did not want any involvement in allowing sex trafficking. What a testimony of the power of prayer !!!
We also heard about other prayer movements, and how the opening of prayer houses was linked to a drastic decrease in crime in cities... amazing testimonies to the power of prayer !!!
---
On another note, It seems like the first years have arrived :) and the church is jam packed... 800 first year students, and about 200 second year students... things are happening here...
side note: it is interesting to see that the leadership here is fully geared to empowering the people to do the ministry... even to the extent that they would not teach or preach, and let the people that cam to church pray to God, and pray for each other...
It is said that this revival is marked by people taking up the responsibility to do the work of God... Thus the testimonies does not come from the life of one man, but from many believers... living their everyday life :)
---
Feels like there are many mind sets that need to be turned around in my life... but all of it is for a greater life in God... so bring on the transformation :)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Some thoughts
One thing that has been different is the presence of God here... not in your everyday life... but when i have a quite time, or when i press into God... Bethel definitely has an open Heaven here... but not so open that it spontaneously manifests... it is only when you press in that you find it...
In the physical everything is very much the same... even the culture here is not so significantly different from us in G-town... I can say that the prophetic artists here know what they are doing, and that they have a strong ministry here... so if you are an artist, you HAVE TO come here... seriously.
So, there is hope... it feels like these people here are on the same bar as we are... there is no mountain here that drips of Heaven... it is just a normal place with normal people...
The difference is in the leaders... they seem to carry different anointing and gifting, and they are the ones that equip people and disciple / mentor them to become like them in gifting/anointing. Spiritually there is also something different...
This is only some observations / thought that i have... but i am keen to find out what are the key treasures in this place. One is definitely how they do leadership. So if you are into leadership, then it may e a good idea to do 2nd year BSSM... or read all the leadership books they have... and listen to their leadership teachings...
anyway :)
I'm learning a lot, and seeing that what i thought Bethel was, is different than it is in reality. So i have to change my expectations, and what i want to draw from the coming 9 months :)
In the physical everything is very much the same... even the culture here is not so significantly different from us in G-town... I can say that the prophetic artists here know what they are doing, and that they have a strong ministry here... so if you are an artist, you HAVE TO come here... seriously.
So, there is hope... it feels like these people here are on the same bar as we are... there is no mountain here that drips of Heaven... it is just a normal place with normal people...
The difference is in the leaders... they seem to carry different anointing and gifting, and they are the ones that equip people and disciple / mentor them to become like them in gifting/anointing. Spiritually there is also something different...
This is only some observations / thought that i have... but i am keen to find out what are the key treasures in this place. One is definitely how they do leadership. So if you are into leadership, then it may e a good idea to do 2nd year BSSM... or read all the leadership books they have... and listen to their leadership teachings...
anyway :)
I'm learning a lot, and seeing that what i thought Bethel was, is different than it is in reality. So i have to change my expectations, and what i want to draw from the coming 9 months :)
First few days
So much has happened, but i will try to put down some highlights...
Sunday I went to the first morning service... it was somewhat of a disappointment, but also a reality check... The best things was to see the standard and quality of their worship band... it was like listening to a CD :) They have some insane sound equipment... the best money can buy...
We also went to the evening service... and that was not a disappointment at all... The presence of God was like that of the best prayer meeting you have ever gone to... and the preaching was super great, about community and how we need each other. After the service I could still feel the effects of the presence of God from the service on me... intense :)
Monday we first went for a tour of Bethel Church. Todd works at Bethel, and had some special rights to show us some cool places... like the boardroom where they make all their decisions... they have the MOST comfortable chairs i have EVER sat in... wow... i could sit there for 6 hours and not feel it :) We also went into Kris Vallotton's office... he has a picture of a lion, and a picture of Elijah/Elisha in his office... sweet :)
Then we went to Shasta lake... the dam wall has the second most concrete used for a dam in USA... impressive... went on a tour and everything...
Then we had some fast food... and then shared our expectations for the year... while having flame grilled 100% beef patties, and marshmallow's with Hershey chocolate :)
Sunday I went to the first morning service... it was somewhat of a disappointment, but also a reality check... The best things was to see the standard and quality of their worship band... it was like listening to a CD :) They have some insane sound equipment... the best money can buy...
We also went to the evening service... and that was not a disappointment at all... The presence of God was like that of the best prayer meeting you have ever gone to... and the preaching was super great, about community and how we need each other. After the service I could still feel the effects of the presence of God from the service on me... intense :)
Monday we first went for a tour of Bethel Church. Todd works at Bethel, and had some special rights to show us some cool places... like the boardroom where they make all their decisions... they have the MOST comfortable chairs i have EVER sat in... wow... i could sit there for 6 hours and not feel it :) We also went into Kris Vallotton's office... he has a picture of a lion, and a picture of Elijah/Elisha in his office... sweet :)
Then we went to Shasta lake... the dam wall has the second most concrete used for a dam in USA... impressive... went on a tour and everything...
Then we had some fast food... and then shared our expectations for the year... while having flame grilled 100% beef patties, and marshmallow's with Hershey chocolate :)
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