Wow...
this week flew past...
so here is the overview of what happened this week:
Monday - Prayer day & Visited the Bethel Inventors group
Tuesday - Beni Johnson on Mystics & devotion.
Wednesday - Q&A with Chris V - on sex. Good Q'a and A's. Followed by crazy revival group meeting.
Thursday - Worship, Cris Cruz & Cool time at activation (Teaching & demonstration on healing)
Friday - God in worship, God outside, God in a coffee shop, God at in&out, God in worship, God wherever I am :)
mmm... what to write...
When I cycled to Bethel, and the mountains had fresh snow on them... wow... snowy mountains... in the distance... it just makes me happy :)
The weather is mostly overcast now, with light showers... not as light as Gtown can get... but more moderate... I like it...
And I enjoy the odd Mustang driving around... A cool looking car that's not in SA (really)... and i saw a dodge viper... and the odd super-high suspension jacked up truck... more a status thing than anything practical... and i thought SA guys had issues with big trucks... nothing like here...
Other than that... I think I am finally getting into this Bethelite culture...
Got a word of knowledge about a guy's favorite childhood memory, got a word of knowledge for a stiff neck & then prayed for a guy and he got healed :) And I gave a guy a prophecy in our small group - that was a total confirmation of what someone else prophesied over him the day before :)
A bunch of supernatural stuff is happening here, and people are talking about it... Today I heard my first testimony of a women that got out of a wheelchair. She was hit by a car, and was paralyzed. So a girl that went on her first treasure hunt prayed for her... and God healed her :) She stood up out of her wheelchair, walked, and then left the wheelchair on the spot :)
I'm learning that it's more about God, and less about yourself... God is the one that heals people, not you...
Otherwise, Every week has new things in it... Just when you think you will get used to it... then something amazing happens... I love it here...
I'm thinking of doing 2nd and third year... but in the future... maybe in a few years...
Feels like i have to 'live' what i learn here for a while... but more is coming also...
God is good :)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
23 +24 - Sat & Sun
Saturday
Slept in late (10am) and then read some more Experiencing Father's Embrace (Jack Frost). There are some questions in there that i don't have answers for... just because I have never thought about it... but they are key questions in life... About how you view yourself, and how you view God, and if you really believe that God loves you fully - without holding anything back...
It's funny that Eric Johnson asked in a sermon why it is that we question good news, and accept bad new without question. I think its true with how we see God... we always expect something good to have an end. We have the saying in Afrikaans that something nice is lasts just the length of a finger. I know its a very depressing view of life... that the bad of life is normal, and that anything good lasts just a short while...
What I am learning is that the way you see life, is also the way you see God... and that directly affects how God can work in your life - seeing that He works through faith - and that if you only believe that God will give you good things sometimes, that lasts a short while... then that will be what you get in life...
So your view of life, God, and His goodness towards you has major consequences in your life... Even to the extent that you hinder God from giving you good things that are supposed to be a part of your daily "normal" life... just because you believe "its too good to be true" or that "I am not worthy" or "God wants you to have enough - not more that enough"... these are all lies that keep us from God's goodness in our life... we are the gatekeepers of our own life - and God will not violate His rule that He has given us.
:) So we have to believe that God is fully good, and wants us to live good lives :)
Homegroup
Went to Christiansen's again for homegroup - with Toby, and later Harry... and a bunch of other people. We ate good food, and watched Gladiator :) Epic classic movie :) It never gets old :) We went on and chatted after the movie till before 12 at night... good times.
Sunday
Bill spoke on honoring the past moves of God, and the people God used in the past - even if we do not agree with their beliefs - or agree with how they lived their lives... We have to learn to look at what they did right, and not only at what they did wrong. We are to learn from their mistakes, and faults, and got further then them :)
Bill also spoke of his plan for a library and museum of past revivals. I got exited about it... which says a lot... I hate history... all the facts and dates... they go into one ear and out the other... I could not care less... but i have read a few books on the history of the church - and i love hearing about it... I think its just because the history of the church is the present reality we walk in today... so if we know the past, then we know where the now comes from in the church... everything from the church organ, to the pew, to the offering basket :) all have an origin somewhere...
We went to the black bear diner after church. FINALLY I ate at a place with decent portions of food :) ha ha :) I like the diner concept... it feels more homey, and the service is much better also. They should start some in SA :) Good times with Brandon, Rueben, and Toby :)
Eric spoke in th evening on his main messages... the new company of lovers... being people loved by God and loving God back... and not having a mentality of a slave in the house of God, but rather of a family member... God is not moved by dysfunction, but rather by faith. We are not supposed to be desperate... we are supposed to be hungry for things of God, and then by faith fill our hunger.
Many good points. Get the sermon at www.ibethel.org/site/sermon-of-the-week
We went to In-n-out after church... Brittany, Eden, Toby, Christian, (and a girl's name i forgot)... Got some food, and shakes and sat down. the place really gets busy after church... but we went directly after service... so we had some time before the people that went to the firetunnel (every Sunday) can to in-n-out.
I am really enjoying the times spent with people here... It is 500 times more socializing than what happens in Gtown... people want to go somewhere and eat together... every time after church... Its similar to what it is like in Potch... After each service we would go to the Akker... and pack the place... In gtown we don't have the same vibe happening... which is kind of sad :'( i'm going to miss it... There is nothing like a shop being filled to overflow with church people :) I love it :)
Blessings :)
I'm also glad to share that my financial situation is not looking like a 'situation' anymore :) There are a few people that have provided some funding toward me staying here... basically to pay for food :) All the rest of my expenses are paid for :) So if you are one of those cool people - Thank you ;) I really appreciate your support :)
If you still want to contribute to my stay here, you can e-mail me :)
God is good - believe it, coz its true :)
Slept in late (10am) and then read some more Experiencing Father's Embrace (Jack Frost). There are some questions in there that i don't have answers for... just because I have never thought about it... but they are key questions in life... About how you view yourself, and how you view God, and if you really believe that God loves you fully - without holding anything back...
It's funny that Eric Johnson asked in a sermon why it is that we question good news, and accept bad new without question. I think its true with how we see God... we always expect something good to have an end. We have the saying in Afrikaans that something nice is lasts just the length of a finger. I know its a very depressing view of life... that the bad of life is normal, and that anything good lasts just a short while...
What I am learning is that the way you see life, is also the way you see God... and that directly affects how God can work in your life - seeing that He works through faith - and that if you only believe that God will give you good things sometimes, that lasts a short while... then that will be what you get in life...
So your view of life, God, and His goodness towards you has major consequences in your life... Even to the extent that you hinder God from giving you good things that are supposed to be a part of your daily "normal" life... just because you believe "its too good to be true" or that "I am not worthy" or "God wants you to have enough - not more that enough"... these are all lies that keep us from God's goodness in our life... we are the gatekeepers of our own life - and God will not violate His rule that He has given us.
:) So we have to believe that God is fully good, and wants us to live good lives :)
Homegroup
Went to Christiansen's again for homegroup - with Toby, and later Harry... and a bunch of other people. We ate good food, and watched Gladiator :) Epic classic movie :) It never gets old :) We went on and chatted after the movie till before 12 at night... good times.
Sunday
Bill spoke on honoring the past moves of God, and the people God used in the past - even if we do not agree with their beliefs - or agree with how they lived their lives... We have to learn to look at what they did right, and not only at what they did wrong. We are to learn from their mistakes, and faults, and got further then them :)
Bill also spoke of his plan for a library and museum of past revivals. I got exited about it... which says a lot... I hate history... all the facts and dates... they go into one ear and out the other... I could not care less... but i have read a few books on the history of the church - and i love hearing about it... I think its just because the history of the church is the present reality we walk in today... so if we know the past, then we know where the now comes from in the church... everything from the church organ, to the pew, to the offering basket :) all have an origin somewhere...
We went to the black bear diner after church. FINALLY I ate at a place with decent portions of food :) ha ha :) I like the diner concept... it feels more homey, and the service is much better also. They should start some in SA :) Good times with Brandon, Rueben, and Toby :)
Eric spoke in th evening on his main messages... the new company of lovers... being people loved by God and loving God back... and not having a mentality of a slave in the house of God, but rather of a family member... God is not moved by dysfunction, but rather by faith. We are not supposed to be desperate... we are supposed to be hungry for things of God, and then by faith fill our hunger.
Many good points. Get the sermon at www.ibethel.org/site/sermon-of-the-week
We went to In-n-out after church... Brittany, Eden, Toby, Christian, (and a girl's name i forgot)... Got some food, and shakes and sat down. the place really gets busy after church... but we went directly after service... so we had some time before the people that went to the firetunnel (every Sunday) can to in-n-out.
I am really enjoying the times spent with people here... It is 500 times more socializing than what happens in Gtown... people want to go somewhere and eat together... every time after church... Its similar to what it is like in Potch... After each service we would go to the Akker... and pack the place... In gtown we don't have the same vibe happening... which is kind of sad :'( i'm going to miss it... There is nothing like a shop being filled to overflow with church people :) I love it :)
Blessings :)
I'm also glad to share that my financial situation is not looking like a 'situation' anymore :) There are a few people that have provided some funding toward me staying here... basically to pay for food :) All the rest of my expenses are paid for :) So if you are one of those cool people - Thank you ;) I really appreciate your support :)
If you still want to contribute to my stay here, you can e-mail me :)
God is good - believe it, coz its true :)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
22 - Fri
Burney talked on Timothy and Titus. She really loves the Bible, and talk about it like a story book that she has read... I love it :) The class also discussed the controversial scripture of women needing to be silent in church and not teach... many good points were made... the main ones that stood out to me was that women were unschooled in that culture, and that the church was experiencing a lot of false doctrines... so the last thing that Paul wanted was for untaught women to teach in church.
Another point was that the word used for having women "over" men, actually was more close to 'domineering'. So its not really about women not teaching in the church... but more about women actually learning good doctrine (like everyone else), so that they may not be swayed by different doctrines. So it is for a very specific application. The Practice changes, but the Principal behind the Practice stays the same :)
After that, Bill spoke on how he has a history with God through the scriptures... That he goes to the scriptures every day and reads until he hears God's voice in them... then he meditates on that scripture till the situation is resolved. So he encouraged us to do the same... to build a history with God.
How he does it is: He starts to read Psalms... anywhere... until God speaks through the scriptures... except if God brings another scripture to mind...
its something that is easy to do...
Then after school we went to Wiskey town lake for camping :) Our revival group (RG) made an outing... and those that wanted to camp brought tents to spend the night. There was a fire, and we had some burgers, and had a good time socializing :) Its funny that there is this segregation between men and women every time our RG gathers... but it goes away after a while... It feels like highschool again, and I don't like it... so i'm one of the first to go to any guy that is 'mixing' with girls... just to break the segregation... anyways... good times.
It started to drip rain a bit, but cleared later in the night... we were there till 7:45pm... it felt more like 9pm... got a lift back with Toby, Christian and Scotland. Then had an early night... slept till 9:45am. Its nice to sleep in on Saturdays... get enough body rest... makes me feel like i can take on another week to come.
Its still weird to start on Tuesdays... and have church on Sunday. Next week our schedule changes to Friday night Twin view at 7:30. So we will have that, and Sunday mornings 11:30am at Twin view... so no Bethel :( Adjusting to church on Friday will be interesting... because I am spent on Friday nights... maybe I should take a power nap just before going... eat, sleep, set an alarm, then go. Think thats the only way I will get through service without zoning... Then Sunday night will be free... so maybe we can do stuff then...
anyway :)
I'm glad that i'm ahead with homework... to some degree... currently reading Experiencing Father's Embrace (Jack Frost). It looks like it covers a lot of topics... many of the things that you can miss why just being a 'normal' Christian. Keen to see how well he handles the topics... so far it is good.
well... God is Good :) So be blessed :)
Another point was that the word used for having women "over" men, actually was more close to 'domineering'. So its not really about women not teaching in the church... but more about women actually learning good doctrine (like everyone else), so that they may not be swayed by different doctrines. So it is for a very specific application. The Practice changes, but the Principal behind the Practice stays the same :)
After that, Bill spoke on how he has a history with God through the scriptures... That he goes to the scriptures every day and reads until he hears God's voice in them... then he meditates on that scripture till the situation is resolved. So he encouraged us to do the same... to build a history with God.
How he does it is: He starts to read Psalms... anywhere... until God speaks through the scriptures... except if God brings another scripture to mind...
its something that is easy to do...
Then after school we went to Wiskey town lake for camping :) Our revival group (RG) made an outing... and those that wanted to camp brought tents to spend the night. There was a fire, and we had some burgers, and had a good time socializing :) Its funny that there is this segregation between men and women every time our RG gathers... but it goes away after a while... It feels like highschool again, and I don't like it... so i'm one of the first to go to any guy that is 'mixing' with girls... just to break the segregation... anyways... good times.
It started to drip rain a bit, but cleared later in the night... we were there till 7:45pm... it felt more like 9pm... got a lift back with Toby, Christian and Scotland. Then had an early night... slept till 9:45am. Its nice to sleep in on Saturdays... get enough body rest... makes me feel like i can take on another week to come.
Its still weird to start on Tuesdays... and have church on Sunday. Next week our schedule changes to Friday night Twin view at 7:30. So we will have that, and Sunday mornings 11:30am at Twin view... so no Bethel :( Adjusting to church on Friday will be interesting... because I am spent on Friday nights... maybe I should take a power nap just before going... eat, sleep, set an alarm, then go. Think thats the only way I will get through service without zoning... Then Sunday night will be free... so maybe we can do stuff then...
anyway :)
I'm glad that i'm ahead with homework... to some degree... currently reading Experiencing Father's Embrace (Jack Frost). It looks like it covers a lot of topics... many of the things that you can miss why just being a 'normal' Christian. Keen to see how well he handles the topics... so far it is good.
well... God is Good :) So be blessed :)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
21 - thu
we had a 30 min worhip session... that felt short...
then Dany Slik spoke on Covenant... and how it is the strength of Bethel. Covenant is committing to a relationship till your own death. Loving a person no matter what they do in response to your investing in them. Its a higher form of relationship, but few really walk in it.
After a 30 min break, Chris O spoke... on his testimony, and how revival is all about what is going inside your heart. About purity, and actually connecting with God. Living out of God's love.
Then came home and and did some homework...
I finally got caught up on homework...
So i only have to read Father's embrace and Supernatural ways of royalty... which gives me more time... to do my homework more slowly :) haha
Most people here seem like they are into David crowder/Benjiman Dunn and that movement... controversial, yes. relevant to modern culture, yes... so... eat the chicken, and spit out the bones... mmm
then Dany Slik spoke on Covenant... and how it is the strength of Bethel. Covenant is committing to a relationship till your own death. Loving a person no matter what they do in response to your investing in them. Its a higher form of relationship, but few really walk in it.
After a 30 min break, Chris O spoke... on his testimony, and how revival is all about what is going inside your heart. About purity, and actually connecting with God. Living out of God's love.
Then came home and and did some homework...
I finally got caught up on homework...
So i only have to read Father's embrace and Supernatural ways of royalty... which gives me more time... to do my homework more slowly :) haha
Most people here seem like they are into David crowder/Benjiman Dunn and that movement... controversial, yes. relevant to modern culture, yes... so... eat the chicken, and spit out the bones... mmm
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
19 & 20 oct - Tue & Wed
Tue
Crazy worship - dancing and singing about God's Joy :) Very liberating :)
Then had Mark speak on seeing the goodness of God... good.
Then we had AMT (prophetic training) and we practiced words of knowledge... and I got my first accurate word of knowledge :) Yeah God :) I saw a picture (in my mind) of a summers day, grass, and a hoze, and a kid playing outside. The guy I gave the word to said that this picture described his favorite childhood memory :) So I'm glad to know that God can give me an accurate word :) If He can use a donkey,,, then he can use me :)
After school we went to CHIPOTLE !!! Burrito time :) more like waiting in line for 45 min for 2 burrito's for the price of one :) I mentioned that they had good sized burrito's :) The special was only for Bethel students... the owner goes to bethel... and it was only from 6-9pm... so it was crazy busy inside... but a great atmosphere :) happy people waiting in line for good food :)
Chipotle !!!! they even started a mexican wave in the que :)
Wed
Had Dann speak on Bible homework... Good to get some new rev's from scripture... a new way to look at the Bible...
Then we had Kris talk on Moral revolution stuff... sex talk, and virginity... really good stuff he said... its good to have topics like this out in the open for people to discuss... sometimes speakers have to push the limits in order for people to think and talk about stuff :)
Then did some more homework :)
BSSM is so much more than Bethel... its the people, the culture, the values... good times... and everything... its not something that you can convey in some weekly seminars... the teachings are 10% of the real stuff... 50% is in encountering God... in worship & personal time... 20% is in small group and 20% the rest...
So its more study than i expected, but it is wider and deeper than i also expected :)
I would highly recommend doing BSSM :)
Crazy worship - dancing and singing about God's Joy :) Very liberating :)
Then had Mark speak on seeing the goodness of God... good.
Then we had AMT (prophetic training) and we practiced words of knowledge... and I got my first accurate word of knowledge :) Yeah God :) I saw a picture (in my mind) of a summers day, grass, and a hoze, and a kid playing outside. The guy I gave the word to said that this picture described his favorite childhood memory :) So I'm glad to know that God can give me an accurate word :) If He can use a donkey,,, then he can use me :)
After school we went to CHIPOTLE !!! Burrito time :) more like waiting in line for 45 min for 2 burrito's for the price of one :) I mentioned that they had good sized burrito's :) The special was only for Bethel students... the owner goes to bethel... and it was only from 6-9pm... so it was crazy busy inside... but a great atmosphere :) happy people waiting in line for good food :)
Chipotle !!!! they even started a mexican wave in the que :)
Wed
Had Dann speak on Bible homework... Good to get some new rev's from scripture... a new way to look at the Bible...
Then we had Kris talk on Moral revolution stuff... sex talk, and virginity... really good stuff he said... its good to have topics like this out in the open for people to discuss... sometimes speakers have to push the limits in order for people to think and talk about stuff :)
Then did some more homework :)
BSSM is so much more than Bethel... its the people, the culture, the values... good times... and everything... its not something that you can convey in some weekly seminars... the teachings are 10% of the real stuff... 50% is in encountering God... in worship & personal time... 20% is in small group and 20% the rest...
So its more study than i expected, but it is wider and deeper than i also expected :)
I would highly recommend doing BSSM :)
Monday, October 18, 2010
17 & 18 oct Sun & mon
First I need to say that Saturday night we (Harry and me) went to the Christiansen's for a green eggs and ham (Dr. Seuss) party :) Its good to eat food and spend time with people. The high light was sitting around a "fire pit" in the yard. It's a universal form of fellowship... sitting around a fire... good time...
Sunday
Kris spoke the morning about prophecy... basically recapping on our week's of teaching on the prophetic... there are some good point in there... get the mp3 if you are a Christian :) After service we went to Chipotle for some Mexican Burito's... finally a place with a good sized meal :) Funny that the portions here in US are not as big as people say they are... think it is more in the east side, and in Texas apparently.
It's become a Sunday thing to go out to get some food after church. It's a nice break from normal food, and its great to spend some time with guys outside of the house.
The evening service was good. Bill talked on healing, and called out some sicknesses to pray for... we saw a lot of people get healed... pain despairing, new cartilage forming in people's legs, missing discs forming, people's legs growing out... just a bunch of things happening... so great... even a dent in someone's head being healed. Afterwards all the chairs were packed up, and people stood in lines to receive prayer/impartation. I think this was more significant than last week Tuesday's impartation... just because it was not rushed... and people really took time to pray for people... and Kris and Danny prayed for me... and many other great leaders... so if you want some, ask me to pray for you :)
The atmosphere must have been the best thing ever... everyone was so loving towards each other, and the Spirit was free to move... people were open to receive... and there were no signs of over reacting or hype or being fake, or anything not normal... it just seemed normal... everything... as if that is how it has always been, and how it should always be...
I would not mind if that atmosphere would rule the whole world... it was the closest that i have seen a community be to Heaven on Earth... so much love and freedom... wow...
And then afterwards we went to Denny's to have some late supper :) I went with Toby, Christian, Immanuel and some girl who's name i forgot... we had a great time... Christian did some great Kramer (Seinfeld ) impersonations. Immanuel is also cool... someone around whom you can just be yourself... I think i need to hang more with such people... all in good time...
Monday
Pray day. Then cycled to Walmart... bought Bagels, sugar and Axe (Music)... I am so proud of buying deodorant... for the first time in my life i chose a smell that actually fits me... and i smelled all the deo's, and choose which one suited me the best... it was fun... i was looking for a deeper smell, not a sweet one, and one that masks my sweat :) ha ha... if it is to sweet, I smell like a sweaty person with some sweet stuff on... not very appetizing... If the scent is closer to my smell, it blends better... and covers it better...
But this Music smell smells both deep, yet also fruity... so it is not really sweet, but rather different, with a hint of deep scent... wow... that was a whole explanation of deo's... well... that's how i see it anyways...
Then i came back, had some bagels, and peach... then got ready to do some homework...
Then i discovered that I paid my tuition incorrectly... basically paid $2230 instead of $3230... that was a cost... i could not believe it... basically i had to have my payment in full, because i am international... and i thought it was okay... and even at registration they did not pick it up... the person did not really know what was going on that did the finances... and then i got emails today saying i have not paid my tuition... wow... that was a bummer... so i made the payment today ($1230 - about R8500)... it seams that i scored in the exchange rate... paying late... but i lost in not having a 5% discount for paying it in full...
So i thought that i had more money than expected... and that i would have enough for my time here... but not it makes sense that i do not have more money than i think... so basically i need funds...so far there are some friends that deposited some money into my account (thank you if its you)... so basically that is what i am relying on... I looked for ways to make money... but my visa restrict me from getting any part time job even... So its time to trust God for provision...
Judging by how God provided in the past... I know that I can trust in God making a way... He always come through... one of His names are "The Lord will provide"... from the life of Abraham and Isaac... so it is good also... to trust in God...
After homework i made some chicken burrito, with salsa and cheese... jummy...
tomorrow is school... so i should try to get to bed a bit earlier tonight... all this homework is taking its toll on my body... to much study overtaxes the body (Ecc). Funny that i find myself a student more than i though...
First it was PGCE (teaching) and now its BSSM (school of ministry)... I heard they upped the number of books we have to read... just to get the course accredited for some credits for university... so we have a lot of reading to do.
wow... that was a long blog... anyway :) God is still good :)
Sunday
Kris spoke the morning about prophecy... basically recapping on our week's of teaching on the prophetic... there are some good point in there... get the mp3 if you are a Christian :) After service we went to Chipotle for some Mexican Burito's... finally a place with a good sized meal :) Funny that the portions here in US are not as big as people say they are... think it is more in the east side, and in Texas apparently.
It's become a Sunday thing to go out to get some food after church. It's a nice break from normal food, and its great to spend some time with guys outside of the house.
The evening service was good. Bill talked on healing, and called out some sicknesses to pray for... we saw a lot of people get healed... pain despairing, new cartilage forming in people's legs, missing discs forming, people's legs growing out... just a bunch of things happening... so great... even a dent in someone's head being healed. Afterwards all the chairs were packed up, and people stood in lines to receive prayer/impartation. I think this was more significant than last week Tuesday's impartation... just because it was not rushed... and people really took time to pray for people... and Kris and Danny prayed for me... and many other great leaders... so if you want some, ask me to pray for you :)
The atmosphere must have been the best thing ever... everyone was so loving towards each other, and the Spirit was free to move... people were open to receive... and there were no signs of over reacting or hype or being fake, or anything not normal... it just seemed normal... everything... as if that is how it has always been, and how it should always be...
I would not mind if that atmosphere would rule the whole world... it was the closest that i have seen a community be to Heaven on Earth... so much love and freedom... wow...
And then afterwards we went to Denny's to have some late supper :) I went with Toby, Christian, Immanuel and some girl who's name i forgot... we had a great time... Christian did some great Kramer (Seinfeld ) impersonations. Immanuel is also cool... someone around whom you can just be yourself... I think i need to hang more with such people... all in good time...
Monday
Pray day. Then cycled to Walmart... bought Bagels, sugar and Axe (Music)... I am so proud of buying deodorant... for the first time in my life i chose a smell that actually fits me... and i smelled all the deo's, and choose which one suited me the best... it was fun... i was looking for a deeper smell, not a sweet one, and one that masks my sweat :) ha ha... if it is to sweet, I smell like a sweaty person with some sweet stuff on... not very appetizing... If the scent is closer to my smell, it blends better... and covers it better...
But this Music smell smells both deep, yet also fruity... so it is not really sweet, but rather different, with a hint of deep scent... wow... that was a whole explanation of deo's... well... that's how i see it anyways...
Then i came back, had some bagels, and peach... then got ready to do some homework...
Then i discovered that I paid my tuition incorrectly... basically paid $2230 instead of $3230... that was a cost... i could not believe it... basically i had to have my payment in full, because i am international... and i thought it was okay... and even at registration they did not pick it up... the person did not really know what was going on that did the finances... and then i got emails today saying i have not paid my tuition... wow... that was a bummer... so i made the payment today ($1230 - about R8500)... it seams that i scored in the exchange rate... paying late... but i lost in not having a 5% discount for paying it in full...
So i thought that i had more money than expected... and that i would have enough for my time here... but not it makes sense that i do not have more money than i think... so basically i need funds...so far there are some friends that deposited some money into my account (thank you if its you)... so basically that is what i am relying on... I looked for ways to make money... but my visa restrict me from getting any part time job even... So its time to trust God for provision...
Judging by how God provided in the past... I know that I can trust in God making a way... He always come through... one of His names are "The Lord will provide"... from the life of Abraham and Isaac... so it is good also... to trust in God...
After homework i made some chicken burrito, with salsa and cheese... jummy...
tomorrow is school... so i should try to get to bed a bit earlier tonight... all this homework is taking its toll on my body... to much study overtaxes the body (Ecc). Funny that i find myself a student more than i though...
First it was PGCE (teaching) and now its BSSM (school of ministry)... I heard they upped the number of books we have to read... just to get the course accredited for some credits for university... so we have a lot of reading to do.
wow... that was a long blog... anyway :) God is still good :)
Saturday, October 16, 2010
15 & 16 - Friday & Saturday
Friday
I woke up (which is a good start) at about 10am... the trip has taken its toll with tiredness :)
Then i spent most of the day doing homework - finishing a book, and reading through 1 & 2 Timothy in one sitting... I really feel like a student again... the feeling of reading so much that your head starts to feel warm...
Then i did a mini summary of a lot of stuff that God has been teaching me... it was a good exercise... trying to connect all the stuff God is saying into a framework of thoughts. Ideation is on of my strengths... fun times :)
Saturday
I woke at about 9am, and slept well. Yesterday's day of study made me tired, so i chose to do non study stuff today. I imported my facebook contacts to Yahoo, and then made it into a file, and then imported that to Gmail contacts... all for the purpose of linking people in picasa to an existing database... so now gmail & picasa & facebook has a link... so i can tag people i know in facebook on pictures in picasa. (it is easy to do... just Google it)
So then I loaded my USA photo's to my Picasa web account... and posted the link on my blog. Getting it all connected. I'm not sure of privacy, but i will see how it goes :)
AND I really wanted some cookies... but there is no Biscuit King in the US... the only "bulk" places that i can find actually sells trademark cookies, just in bulk... like Oreo's... and even then the price is high... So i am yet to find a bag of cookies anywhere... made me sad :(
But then i decided to make my own cookies :) I looked at recipes, and made my own:
1 cup flour
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups oats
syrup.
peanut butter
baking powder
I mixed it together, as i thought would work... the peanut butter was interesting to mix in... but i got it in there... baked it at 375 F for 20 min. I think it could have gone for a tad longer... but it is cooked.
They are sweet and buttery... and they have the consistency of "mors" cookies.
so i have cookies :) yeah :)
The ingredients are cheaper than buying cookies here... so i may do it more often :)
I woke up (which is a good start) at about 10am... the trip has taken its toll with tiredness :)
Then i spent most of the day doing homework - finishing a book, and reading through 1 & 2 Timothy in one sitting... I really feel like a student again... the feeling of reading so much that your head starts to feel warm...
Then i did a mini summary of a lot of stuff that God has been teaching me... it was a good exercise... trying to connect all the stuff God is saying into a framework of thoughts. Ideation is on of my strengths... fun times :)
Saturday
I woke at about 9am, and slept well. Yesterday's day of study made me tired, so i chose to do non study stuff today. I imported my facebook contacts to Yahoo, and then made it into a file, and then imported that to Gmail contacts... all for the purpose of linking people in picasa to an existing database... so now gmail & picasa & facebook has a link... so i can tag people i know in facebook on pictures in picasa. (it is easy to do... just Google it)
So then I loaded my USA photo's to my Picasa web account... and posted the link on my blog. Getting it all connected. I'm not sure of privacy, but i will see how it goes :)
AND I really wanted some cookies... but there is no Biscuit King in the US... the only "bulk" places that i can find actually sells trademark cookies, just in bulk... like Oreo's... and even then the price is high... So i am yet to find a bag of cookies anywhere... made me sad :(
But then i decided to make my own cookies :) I looked at recipes, and made my own:
1 cup flour
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups oats
syrup.
peanut butter
baking powder
I mixed it together, as i thought would work... the peanut butter was interesting to mix in... but i got it in there... baked it at 375 F for 20 min. I think it could have gone for a tad longer... but it is cooked.
They are sweet and buttery... and they have the consistency of "mors" cookies.
so i have cookies :) yeah :)
The ingredients are cheaper than buying cookies here... so i may do it more often :)
Friday, October 15, 2010
14 - Thursday - A great Adventure
Thursday we left at bout 9am for the Redwoods.
The road was very windy, and e and Brandon was sitting in the back of the car... and we both got wheezy... but with a bit of fresh air, and solid ground we got through it :) We stopped at a Subway shop, and stretched legs, had some food, and then went on...
The first place we stopped was Patric's point. This place looked like Cape point, but more like some Celtic coastline... the whole cost has mist over the sea, and the air is cool and fresh... just a few miles inland it is hot :) so the weather system change is cool. Patric's point was breathtaking. I am not sure what it was... but it was just a great experience... it was like seeing something that you did not expect to see... so it was a mix of awe, wonder, and gratitude for the greatness of God's creation... It was also cool to get to know some new people that came along :)
Then we went to one of the many Redwood parks. The Redwoods are all over the west coast, so its not just one place, but many that have huge trees growing there :) So we went on a little trail, and explored the forest... it was great... the silence... the coolness.. the green-ness... it reminded me of Narnia / LOTR / Mononoke ... just the beauty of the forest... unspoiled for thousands of years... as if you could see a picture of the original creation... untouched...
We drove off to get something to eat, and then one of the cars ran out of gas (petrol). so we had a little adventure to get gas, drive back, and give them some gas to fill up. We then found a little shop called stars burgers... got some real good burgers... nice little shop atmosphere... had a good time.
Then we went and got kinda lost, but then got to the beach... it was dark, with only moonlight... so we all walked across a large stretch of beach in the dark to get to the sea... which was freezing... and the wind was cold... thankfully Ruben swapped jerseys with me, and i got a warmer jersey :) so i was not cold anymore... then we prayed a bit on the beach... then went back home...
Came back after 12 at night... i was tired... but it was a good day... mmm...
The road was very windy, and e and Brandon was sitting in the back of the car... and we both got wheezy... but with a bit of fresh air, and solid ground we got through it :) We stopped at a Subway shop, and stretched legs, had some food, and then went on...
The first place we stopped was Patric's point. This place looked like Cape point, but more like some Celtic coastline... the whole cost has mist over the sea, and the air is cool and fresh... just a few miles inland it is hot :) so the weather system change is cool. Patric's point was breathtaking. I am not sure what it was... but it was just a great experience... it was like seeing something that you did not expect to see... so it was a mix of awe, wonder, and gratitude for the greatness of God's creation... It was also cool to get to know some new people that came along :)
Then we went to one of the many Redwood parks. The Redwoods are all over the west coast, so its not just one place, but many that have huge trees growing there :) So we went on a little trail, and explored the forest... it was great... the silence... the coolness.. the green-ness... it reminded me of Narnia / LOTR / Mononoke ... just the beauty of the forest... unspoiled for thousands of years... as if you could see a picture of the original creation... untouched...
We drove off to get something to eat, and then one of the cars ran out of gas (petrol). so we had a little adventure to get gas, drive back, and give them some gas to fill up. We then found a little shop called stars burgers... got some real good burgers... nice little shop atmosphere... had a good time.
Then we went and got kinda lost, but then got to the beach... it was dark, with only moonlight... so we all walked across a large stretch of beach in the dark to get to the sea... which was freezing... and the wind was cold... thankfully Ruben swapped jerseys with me, and i got a warmer jersey :) so i was not cold anymore... then we prayed a bit on the beach... then went back home...
Came back after 12 at night... i was tired... but it was a good day... mmm...
13 - Wed
Wed: Che & Sue Ann came to spoke at school.
She gave us some good words for our class as a whole, and he spoke on finishing the race strong... It was good practical stuff... on how to stay accountable to people, and live an open life to some trusted people.
The Bethel movement falls under a group of people calling themselves the "revival alliance"... you can Google it to see all the ministries that form this alliance... its relational, rather than doctrinal... which is an interesting concept :)
After the message, we had small groups... And we got to know Drew a bit more (he was not there last time), and we talked on opening up to people in relationships, and trusting people.
Then we had house meeting, and watched "Epic" by John Eldredge (author of wild at heart)... its is really good stuff...
She gave us some good words for our class as a whole, and he spoke on finishing the race strong... It was good practical stuff... on how to stay accountable to people, and live an open life to some trusted people.
The Bethel movement falls under a group of people calling themselves the "revival alliance"... you can Google it to see all the ministries that form this alliance... its relational, rather than doctrinal... which is an interesting concept :)
After the message, we had small groups... And we got to know Drew a bit more (he was not there last time), and we talked on opening up to people in relationships, and trusting people.
Then we had house meeting, and watched "Epic" by John Eldredge (author of wild at heart)... its is really good stuff...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
11 & 12 Oct - Mon & Tue
(Sunday night something new broke out in Bethel... a new move of His spirit... a new season... we spent most of the service crying out to God from a place of being thankful for what He has already done.. Zech 10:1. pray for rain in the time of the latter rain. Well... something shifted in me also.)
Monday is prayer day. I went to the watch of the Lord form 8-10 am. It is a different way of praying - with worship being the backbone of the prayer. Afterwards I went to the prayer house till about 12.
I spent some good times with God :) I did a word study, and then did some homework.
Tuesday
There is a new move of God's spirit in Bethel... it started on Sunday night, as noted. From the time the people made announcements, the Spirit was moving on people... worship tried to start, and then there were more of God moving... and then they released the leaders to lay hands on people. That was great. Then they started fire tunnels around the room, but it was more like a traffic jam - so we started to pray for each other... and God showed up in a big way... it must have been the best encounter I have ever had with God... just so much...
Then we worshiped... and God moved more.
And then we returned to our chairs... and then Bill came up. He talked about staying in the river - where there in no drought... just water... streams of living water coming out of you... then he said that some things can only be received in a certain manner... some by teaching, some by your 1 on 1 relationship with God, some by a relationship with a person, some by impartation. So he said he wanted to lay hands on everyone. fire tunnel around the whole classroom, and interns & leaders walking in the tunnels and laying hands on everyone.
So many people laid hands on me, and i received form them all... including Bill Johnson... It was all good... God is doing deep stuff in me, and sorting stuff out inside of me... getting more connected with Him, and learning how to be who He created me to be.
God is good.
We went shopping also... after school... at Winco. Food is cheap there, and i stacked up on fruit and veg... felt like i needed some :)
Monday is prayer day. I went to the watch of the Lord form 8-10 am. It is a different way of praying - with worship being the backbone of the prayer. Afterwards I went to the prayer house till about 12.
I spent some good times with God :) I did a word study, and then did some homework.
Tuesday
There is a new move of God's spirit in Bethel... it started on Sunday night, as noted. From the time the people made announcements, the Spirit was moving on people... worship tried to start, and then there were more of God moving... and then they released the leaders to lay hands on people. That was great. Then they started fire tunnels around the room, but it was more like a traffic jam - so we started to pray for each other... and God showed up in a big way... it must have been the best encounter I have ever had with God... just so much...
Then we worshiped... and God moved more.
And then we returned to our chairs... and then Bill came up. He talked about staying in the river - where there in no drought... just water... streams of living water coming out of you... then he said that some things can only be received in a certain manner... some by teaching, some by your 1 on 1 relationship with God, some by a relationship with a person, some by impartation. So he said he wanted to lay hands on everyone. fire tunnel around the whole classroom, and interns & leaders walking in the tunnels and laying hands on everyone.
So many people laid hands on me, and i received form them all... including Bill Johnson... It was all good... God is doing deep stuff in me, and sorting stuff out inside of me... getting more connected with Him, and learning how to be who He created me to be.
God is good.
We went shopping also... after school... at Winco. Food is cheap there, and i stacked up on fruit and veg... felt like i needed some :)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
"helper"
Check these scriptures for what "helper" really means...
Gen_2:18, Gen_2:20, Exo_18:4, Deu_33:7, Deu_33:26, Deu_33:29, Psa_20:2, Psa_33:20, Psa_70:5, Psa_89:19, Psa_115:9-11 (3), Psa_121:1-2 (2), Psa_124:8, Isa_30:5 (2), Eze_12:14, Dan_11:34, Hos_13:9
Gen_2:18, Gen_2:20, Exo_18:4, Deu_33:7, Deu_33:26, Deu_33:29, Psa_20:2, Psa_33:20, Psa_70:5, Psa_89:19, Psa_115:9-11 (3), Psa_121:1-2 (2), Psa_124:8, Isa_30:5 (2), Eze_12:14, Dan_11:34, Hos_13:9
9 & 10 Oct - sat & sun
Saturday was good, restful... did homework... and did a word study (new e-sword) on "light"... was cool :) and then went to the Christiansen's for soup & a movie :) that is their home group... basically chilling at their place with people... watched Desperado... first movie in a long time that had good morals in it :)
Sunday was good so far... Bill preached this morning on how the word "helper" in Gen 2 has been so misinterpreted... it really comes form 2 words... one means strength, and the other is to face... so basically women are strong, and they face man and give their strength to them... you have to get the message, or do a word study yourself... sorry... and then he talked about the church being the same towards God... that we actually are strong, and that we face God, and represent something unique of Him to the world... each person individually... it was a good sermon... like all of Bill's sermon :)
It seems like Bill got 'blasted' on one of his conferences... and he is still feeling the effects :) It is cool to see the leadership chase after God as much (and more) than the congregation chase after God... chase as in follow hard after Him... seeking Him...
God stuff is good stuff :)
Sunday was good so far... Bill preached this morning on how the word "helper" in Gen 2 has been so misinterpreted... it really comes form 2 words... one means strength, and the other is to face... so basically women are strong, and they face man and give their strength to them... you have to get the message, or do a word study yourself... sorry... and then he talked about the church being the same towards God... that we actually are strong, and that we face God, and represent something unique of Him to the world... each person individually... it was a good sermon... like all of Bill's sermon :)
It seems like Bill got 'blasted' on one of his conferences... and he is still feeling the effects :) It is cool to see the leadership chase after God as much (and more) than the congregation chase after God... chase as in follow hard after Him... seeking Him...
God stuff is good stuff :)
Friday, October 8, 2010
8 Oct - Friday
Last day of school for the week... it came suddenly, but it was good.
This morning i was meditating in the prayer room, and thinking though why i was not connecting with God today... and i remember that i was thinking that God was on a mission, and stern toward me, and telling me to keep up with Him, else I would loose Him... and have to search for Him again...
well... after a while in the prayer room I realized that the picture I had of God was a untrue... I began to meditate on God's attributes, and realized that He ALWAYS loves me... and that is the primary thing that He does... He loves... me... and that loving Him is the primary thing that He want me to DO... love Him in return... form the love that He loves me with... He initiates love, and i respond with His love, by loving Him back...
And then I felt like God is never in a hurry... and this is huge... He never has a deadline that has to be fulfilled, else His plans goes haywire... no... He works all things for good... ALL things... for GOOD... for those who LOVE Him :) get it ? :) its good... and then I felt like He knows what He is doing, and that He is not stressed... He lives in eternity... and the fullness of Peace... and Rest... He has it all covered... and He KNOWS everything will work out fine... He is the one with the last say in every situation... in EVERY situation...
So basically God loves me, and He is not running off somewhere to do something the whole time like Gandalf or Dumbledore...someone that you never know where they are off to... someone always speaking in half sentences... God has all the time on earth to spend with you... not having to check His watch once... nor having to quickly talk to an angel to sort out some business... no... He gives you His undivided attention, for all eternity... without looking away from you for an instance... His eyes are fully towards you... set on you from your birth... all the days of your life... eyes of loving kindness and compassion and mercy... He loves you... with everything in Him... and that is huge also :)
anyway... then we had Kris from around 1pm to 4pm... that was good... and long... but he created breaks by just telling jokes... and then we prophesied over the person next to us... and I was teamed up with a lady form the UK... wow... she was powerful... she read my heart like a book... and then we had to get a word of knowledge... and she said that i was form a small quite town in the country... and that the town reflects how i carried myself... reserved and quiet... but that there was a side of me that longed to be expressed... wow... then i went up and shared it on stage... without shoes :) ha ha... felt no stage fright or anything... just confidence... stood there next to Kris... being all normal about it... well... it was normal... the atmosphere is just so accepting and free... it was good...
and then we had small groups... wow... i love the guys i am with... Toby is hectic :) and Howard is such a great guy... Espen is an IT engineer, so I understand him :) ha ha. Drew missed the small group, but I got to know him a bit at retreat, and he seems cool also :)
I'm looking forward to this... I would have liked that BSSM would be longer... because I just feel like i can just keep on growing and learning the whole time while i am here :) Hope to come back here in some time... it will be intense... that's all i know :) HA HA :)
well... all is good, coz God is Good :)
This morning i was meditating in the prayer room, and thinking though why i was not connecting with God today... and i remember that i was thinking that God was on a mission, and stern toward me, and telling me to keep up with Him, else I would loose Him... and have to search for Him again...
well... after a while in the prayer room I realized that the picture I had of God was a untrue... I began to meditate on God's attributes, and realized that He ALWAYS loves me... and that is the primary thing that He does... He loves... me... and that loving Him is the primary thing that He want me to DO... love Him in return... form the love that He loves me with... He initiates love, and i respond with His love, by loving Him back...
And then I felt like God is never in a hurry... and this is huge... He never has a deadline that has to be fulfilled, else His plans goes haywire... no... He works all things for good... ALL things... for GOOD... for those who LOVE Him :) get it ? :) its good... and then I felt like He knows what He is doing, and that He is not stressed... He lives in eternity... and the fullness of Peace... and Rest... He has it all covered... and He KNOWS everything will work out fine... He is the one with the last say in every situation... in EVERY situation...
So basically God loves me, and He is not running off somewhere to do something the whole time like Gandalf or Dumbledore...someone that you never know where they are off to... someone always speaking in half sentences... God has all the time on earth to spend with you... not having to check His watch once... nor having to quickly talk to an angel to sort out some business... no... He gives you His undivided attention, for all eternity... without looking away from you for an instance... His eyes are fully towards you... set on you from your birth... all the days of your life... eyes of loving kindness and compassion and mercy... He loves you... with everything in Him... and that is huge also :)
anyway... then we had Kris from around 1pm to 4pm... that was good... and long... but he created breaks by just telling jokes... and then we prophesied over the person next to us... and I was teamed up with a lady form the UK... wow... she was powerful... she read my heart like a book... and then we had to get a word of knowledge... and she said that i was form a small quite town in the country... and that the town reflects how i carried myself... reserved and quiet... but that there was a side of me that longed to be expressed... wow... then i went up and shared it on stage... without shoes :) ha ha... felt no stage fright or anything... just confidence... stood there next to Kris... being all normal about it... well... it was normal... the atmosphere is just so accepting and free... it was good...
and then we had small groups... wow... i love the guys i am with... Toby is hectic :) and Howard is such a great guy... Espen is an IT engineer, so I understand him :) ha ha. Drew missed the small group, but I got to know him a bit at retreat, and he seems cool also :)
I'm looking forward to this... I would have liked that BSSM would be longer... because I just feel like i can just keep on growing and learning the whole time while i am here :) Hope to come back here in some time... it will be intense... that's all i know :) HA HA :)
well... all is good, coz God is Good :)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
7 oct - thursday
Wow... its thursday... feels like Wednesday... it is this monday off thing that gets to me... anyway...
today was weird... as in God is talking to me more in feeling... but its good :) different :)
And we got Kris to speak again on the prophetic... on the different sources of inspiration... one of 4... man, God, devil, angels. He made very interesting points on our own spirits... how we can speak out of our own spirit, instead of God's spirit, and miss His grace... interesting stuff... anyway... I need more discernment in this...
and we got into our activation groups... I am doing healing activation. When the people called out who were in my group, i saw that they were all cool people :) so i am with the cool group :) and we are group 5, which is good :) grace abounds... and the guy that is leading the group is very solid, and says that healing is not the main thing... but rather that love is the main thing... and this love is the love of a Father and a King... and it has power to restore people to God... they guy basically knows what he is talking about, and he is humble and founded in scripture... and he lives it... and he does not see healing as the main thing, even though this is healing activation... which is a good sign :)
we had our house meeting today, pizza, and a good talk... what i love about the people here, is that they address the WHY instead of the WHAT... like when someone is dishonoring... then we all talk about how honor looks like to each of us... this has been a major shift in my mind... not being too concerned about what i think when it is wrong thoughts... but asking what caused this to come... learning lots... God is good.
today was weird... as in God is talking to me more in feeling... but its good :) different :)
And we got Kris to speak again on the prophetic... on the different sources of inspiration... one of 4... man, God, devil, angels. He made very interesting points on our own spirits... how we can speak out of our own spirit, instead of God's spirit, and miss His grace... interesting stuff... anyway... I need more discernment in this...
and we got into our activation groups... I am doing healing activation. When the people called out who were in my group, i saw that they were all cool people :) so i am with the cool group :) and we are group 5, which is good :) grace abounds... and the guy that is leading the group is very solid, and says that healing is not the main thing... but rather that love is the main thing... and this love is the love of a Father and a King... and it has power to restore people to God... they guy basically knows what he is talking about, and he is humble and founded in scripture... and he lives it... and he does not see healing as the main thing, even though this is healing activation... which is a good sign :)
we had our house meeting today, pizza, and a good talk... what i love about the people here, is that they address the WHY instead of the WHAT... like when someone is dishonoring... then we all talk about how honor looks like to each of us... this has been a major shift in my mind... not being too concerned about what i think when it is wrong thoughts... but asking what caused this to come... learning lots... God is good.
6 Oct
So the second day of school this week was cool :) I think that i finally got a schedule figured out that can work... homework in the morning, going to school early to help with chairs, eating lunch there, going to school, spending some time in the alabaster house, heading home, supper, and then whatever is planned for the evening...
We had Kris again on the prophetic... it is SO COOL to have the author there, going with you through his book... he comments on stuff, expands on thing that is not there, ans says stuff like "i dont believe this anymore... but this is what i now believe..." which is super cool :)
We tried to get word of knowledge - and maybe 10 out of 1000 people got the other person's mother's name right... then we prophesied over people... and that was good... it is quite difficult to change the way you think you may prophecy... here they have different boundaries... which is a shift that i still need to do...
And i went to a "Encountering Heaven" workshop... where they spoke on encountering Heaven... yes, they said that it was controversial... but that you have to look at what the outcome / change is that happens in your life... like being closer to God, or loving people more... judge a tree by its fruit... not how it looks like... anyway... it was good... it was the first time i was in a room full of people that encounter God the same time as I do... visually... well... i think by just going God was saying "what you have been experiencing is okay"... so i am keen to grow in that... and i think that i have a seer gift... basically God gives me visual impressions. From the time i have come here, that has just increased... the clarity and amount of visions... especially when i go to the prayer room...
* This culture is heavily based on encountering God... When you encounter God, you change... and that is what the leaders believe, and what they encourage... personally it has been very liberating... its feel like it is the first time that i am free, and also encouraged, to actually encounter God... in the past encounters were labeled as 'questionable' and 'irregular'... but here they are encouraged, and openly talked about... i am learning heaps... just because i have liberty to allow God to teach me... without someone questioning me the whole time about every detail and warning me about how i need to be careful about deception...
it is not that warning are bad... but if that is the norm, then you are keeping sheep in a very closed pen... and that is not healthy... here the sheep are free to roam. and even mess up... but the shepherds are there to help each sheep individually... and set the fences only on the extremes... and letting the sheep color their own pictures... that is part of the apostolic... and that is one thing that historically i have thrived under...
But God has his hand in everything... so learning to hold onto what is good, and letting go of the rest is the tricky part... knowing what is human cultural, church cultural, or personal preference or opinion... its tricky... but i am learning...
I don't think that i will be doing 2nd year soon... maybe in 5-10 years... I know that i am supposed to be in His People... and i will see how that goes next year... but for now, i only need to drink deep, live an open life, and step out.
God is good :)
We had Kris again on the prophetic... it is SO COOL to have the author there, going with you through his book... he comments on stuff, expands on thing that is not there, ans says stuff like "i dont believe this anymore... but this is what i now believe..." which is super cool :)
We tried to get word of knowledge - and maybe 10 out of 1000 people got the other person's mother's name right... then we prophesied over people... and that was good... it is quite difficult to change the way you think you may prophecy... here they have different boundaries... which is a shift that i still need to do...
And i went to a "Encountering Heaven" workshop... where they spoke on encountering Heaven... yes, they said that it was controversial... but that you have to look at what the outcome / change is that happens in your life... like being closer to God, or loving people more... judge a tree by its fruit... not how it looks like... anyway... it was good... it was the first time i was in a room full of people that encounter God the same time as I do... visually... well... i think by just going God was saying "what you have been experiencing is okay"... so i am keen to grow in that... and i think that i have a seer gift... basically God gives me visual impressions. From the time i have come here, that has just increased... the clarity and amount of visions... especially when i go to the prayer room...
* This culture is heavily based on encountering God... When you encounter God, you change... and that is what the leaders believe, and what they encourage... personally it has been very liberating... its feel like it is the first time that i am free, and also encouraged, to actually encounter God... in the past encounters were labeled as 'questionable' and 'irregular'... but here they are encouraged, and openly talked about... i am learning heaps... just because i have liberty to allow God to teach me... without someone questioning me the whole time about every detail and warning me about how i need to be careful about deception...
it is not that warning are bad... but if that is the norm, then you are keeping sheep in a very closed pen... and that is not healthy... here the sheep are free to roam. and even mess up... but the shepherds are there to help each sheep individually... and set the fences only on the extremes... and letting the sheep color their own pictures... that is part of the apostolic... and that is one thing that historically i have thrived under...
But God has his hand in everything... so learning to hold onto what is good, and letting go of the rest is the tricky part... knowing what is human cultural, church cultural, or personal preference or opinion... its tricky... but i am learning...
I don't think that i will be doing 2nd year soon... maybe in 5-10 years... I know that i am supposed to be in His People... and i will see how that goes next year... but for now, i only need to drink deep, live an open life, and step out.
God is good :)
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Oct 4 & 5
Yesterday was good. Spent it reflecting on everything... took the whole morning off to do that... and it really felt good... after doing that, i felt like i had nothing inside that needed sorting out... which is amazing :) I would like to do that once a week actually... good times...
Then in the evening we were just chilling at home... it was good...
Today we had to set-up chairs at 11:45, but i arrived at 12... because that was what i was told last time... but anyway... everything was set up... and then i was in a kind of an awkward spot... but it gave me some more time to reflect :) The thing that i am meditating on the most is the following: You have to change the way you think, rather than what you think. The same applies to feelings, and anything actually... you ask "why do i feel like this" or "why do i think this of this person" even though i have no reason to think this...
well, its slowly getting thought to me... that i have to think about people in the positive light... and not always look for their faults, and criticize them... the world has enough critics, and ones that break you down... but few that actually encourage and build you up... and people rather want to hang around the latter.
Kris Valloton is speaking this WHOLE WEEK to us on the prophetic :) James Short should not know this :) But i'm really looking forward to hearing him each day... I really thrive off him :)
And Ruben wants a grant from the US government... to nuke them... he is into anti-government conspiracies... ha ha :) well.. he is not really serious about the stuff... so its more like a joke... Ruben says i should take this out...
And today we heard about the missions trips...
My choices for missions are:
San Francisco - Outreach (poor)
San Francisco - Promised Land
Tijuana
LA Expression 58
Arcata, CA
... well finances did play a role... so i chose the local missions... and the ones that are more interesting i chose first... so we will see...
well... it seems like i will need to send out some emails to ask for some extra financial support... not being able to get any form of work legally is tight... so... ja... i'll make calculations on how much i need... seeing that i have spent a month here now... and know kind of how much i spend on food and stuff...
But i am here, and i have a place to sleep, and i have my tickets and bus tickets to go back... so if all else fails i can go on a super fast :) [only joking]... so i do not worry about getting back to SA... which is good.
cool...
My choices for missions are:
San Francisco - Outreach (poor)
San Francisco - Promised Land
Tijuana
LA Expression 58
Arcata, CA
... well finances did play a role... so i chose the local missions... and the ones that are more interesting i chose first... so we will see...
well... it seems like i will need to send out some emails to ask for some extra financial support... not being able to get any form of work legally is tight... so... ja... i'll make calculations on how much i need... seeing that i have spent a month here now... and know kind of how much i spend on food and stuff...
But i am here, and i have a place to sleep, and i have my tickets and bus tickets to go back... so if all else fails i can go on a super fast :) [only joking]... so i do not worry about getting back to SA... which is good.
cool...
Missions trips BSSM
so here is a list of all the mission trips for bssm 2010 2011
BSSM 2011 MISSIONS TRIPS
The following are our 2011 BSSM mission trips. Due to the large number of students applying this year, we need you to pick your 1st - 5th choice on this application. We are looking forward to all that the Father has in store for us this year! The vision is revival: the personal, regional, and global expansion of god's kingdom through His manifest presence. Let's go... 'Til his glory covers all the earth!
Alabama click here to view trip detail
Arcata, CA click here to view trip detail
Brazil click here to view trip detail
Central Asia click here to view trip detail
Chihuahua click here to view trip detail
Chile click here to view trip detail
Congo click here to view trip detail
Costa Rica click here to view trip detail
Croatia click here to view trip detail
Cuba click here to view trip detail
Dubai click here to view trip detail
Ecuador click here to view trip detail
Ecuador - Justice click here to view trip detail
Ecuador - Loja click here to view trip detail
Ecuador - Quito click here to view trip detail
England click here to view trip detail
French Polynesia click here to view trip detail
Guatemala click here to view trip detail
Honduras click here to view trip detail
Hope For Homeless click here to view trip detail
Israel click here to view trip detail
Kenya (HOTN) click here to view trip detail
LA Expression 58 click here to view trip detail
La Paz click here to view trip detail
LA Verbo click here to view trip detail
Lebanon click here to view trip detail
Mammoth Lighthouse click here to view trip detail
Mexico City click here to view trip detail
Mozambique - Beira click here to view trip detail
Mozambique - Iris click here to view trip detail
New York click here to view trip detail
Nicaragua click here to view trip detail
Nicaragua Banovs click here to view trip detail
Norway Levanger click here to view trip detail
Norway Tonsberg click here to view trip detail
Ohio click here to view trip detail
Oroville, CA click here to view trip detail
Osaka, Japan click here to view trip detail
Peru click here to view trip detail
Philippines click here to view trip detail
Redwood, CA click here to view trip detail
Russia click here to view trip detail
San Francisco - Outreach click here to view trip detail
San Francisco - Promised Land click here to view trip detail
Sierra Leone click here to view trip detail
South Africa click here to view trip detail
Sweden click here to view trip detail
Tecate click here to view trip detail
Tepic click here to view trip detail
Tijuana click here to view trip detail
Washington DC click here to view trip detail
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