As the progression of time goes forward, here's some news: my friend wrote a cool review on my album (Thanks Flo!) You should check out her blog, she's a great writer :)
<--my friend Flo. Such a legend! :)
I've recorded some new songs which have some backing vocals to them...
'Deeper In' (my first experiment adding harmonies to a track)
'A Song for Penny' (trying to stick pennies on walls, if anything, reminds me of persistence even in impossible situations)
'Bay of Possibility' (I wrote this looking at my map of the world, particularly the oceans)
I also bought a partially pink, partially purple ukelele (apparently pronounced oo-keh-le-le rather than you-keh-le-le). I've named him 'Purkle'. Or maybe he's a she? I've not really decided. If the instrument were a cello she would obviously be a lady, but this one is a little ambiguous.
Baby Purkle says Aloha. Obviously he's Hawaiainaian....how do you spell that word?
So, I've released a new album. It's my first proper one, so please be gentle! That said, I quite like the track 'Buried Treasure', mainly because it's the kind of song where I can just let loose with my voice and do all of that Christina Aguilera wiggly stuff! :)
Fivefold Ministries. Initially thoughts on this phrase through guesswork would be that these are 5 types of ministries. 5 types of ways to minister to people?
I was reading a book by Danny Silk called the 'Culture of Honor'. Yes, it is by an American, but I would implore you not to make any unnecessary assumptions based on their culture! I say this because i've met a few people who have been quite anti-American for some reason. As for me, I think we can learn things from other cultures and I appreciate the enthusiasm that American culture seems to have. Tangent! Anyway, I was reading this book and came to a section that was talking about the 'fivefold ministries'.
I had heard this mentioned a few days before at a wedding and didn't think much of it, as i just hadn't really heard the phrase much as i recall. The church family that i'm currently part of is part of a group of churches that talk a lot about 'apostolic spheres' and so there was an element of familiarity in the term relating to apostles. But apart from that i'm not sure i was familiar with 'fivefold ministries'.
The chapter in 'Culture of Honor' included this verse from the historical document written by a guy called Paul to the church at Ephesus. It reads as follows:
Ephesians 4 verse 11 "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers."
I was particularly struck by how Danny went into and explained the different roles people in leadership of churches have. It was interesting to explore and think about what a diverse team encompassing all these roles would look like and how it would affect a church family.
Today it has got me thinking about diversity. I have heard much teaching on how important diversity is and how imperative it is to spend quality time with people who are not like me. Whilst i believe this is true in the sense that I must be loving all people and stepping out of my comfort zone, i don't think that diversity in and of itself is something to be pursued. I mean, I believe that diversity is a a byproduct of radical love, rather than a pursuit in and of itself. If I am loving like Jesus, then the outworking of that will not just be me loving people who i like, who are interested in the same things as me etc. But that divine overflow of knowing Gods love and thus being able to love everyone as God does will have a natural diverse nature. I believe our first focus should be God, as Jesus is recorded saying "love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. Love your neighbour as yourself."
Anyways, I highly recommend this book. Culture of Honor, by Danny Silk. Buy it, borrow it, read it. It may change how you think about dealing with confrontation, conflict, leadership and Americans. ;) Jokes aside, I think this is a great book for any person; spiritual, religious or not at all. It does have some church stuff in there, but it's way more to it than that and I reckon it could impact you, whoever you are.
{The same sun shines on us all,we can bask in it, we can feel it's prescence. If we could touch it we would die. If we look at it straight on, it could blind us. Because of the sun, things continue to grow and it awakens nature with each new day. Just as the sun does this, so there are parallels with God. Or rather, God is the truest 'sun' and the sun is but a creative shadow of the One who made it. God keeps me going through His son Jesus.}
In some christian circles there is a term known as 'soaking'. Check out this website that has a lighthearted duck called Phil that will talk you through the basics! Phil the Super Soaker
'Soaking Music' has a meditative flavour, and some christians feel a bit uncomfortable with this because it seems like it's New Age or Paganistic.
What I understand/experience soaking to be, is resting in God. I find that in this culture I feel the pressure to be so busy doing so much stuff, that I find it hard to stop. I've discovered soaking, resting, chilling with my heavenly Father to be neccesary for my sanity! It is, as it were, pretty much like what is known in the wider christian world as 'quiet time'. 'Quiet Time' being a time set aside for stopping and praying, reading the bible, listening to what God has to say and remembering afresh what Jesus has done for us. Soaking, as I comprehend it, is essentially the same thing, with perhaps more of an emphasis on receiving from God rather than talking at Him, if that makes sense! So often we can bring requests and shopping lists to God and just don't turn our listening ears on. It depends where you're at I suppose, on whether it's helpful for you or not. It may not be for everyone, but I certainly find it helpful.
I believe it's about balance too.
For example, if I'm listening to alot of theologically wordy worship songs, that's great, but sometimes it feels like i'm not really connecting with God but hearing a sung sermon. Surely praise should be singing to God rather than just about Him? On the other hand, if all the songs I hear are songs that don't have any mention of Jesus or any theological truth, even if they're creative and sound nice, then that can be very unhelpful too!
So, it's important to be biblical in song, but it's good to be creative. I mean, in the bible it says 'Sing to the LORD a new song' and 'Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted.'
This verse from the first book to the Corinthians, addressing the subject of tongues, aptly describes what I mean by a balance of the theological and creative/spiritual. [1 Cor 14v15] "What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will also sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also"
In 2006, I was with a well known baptist church from Cardiff on a weekend away up in Cefn Lea- a beautiful place up in the welsh hills. This particular time, the surrounding area was covered with snow and it was very slippery to walk around due to the icy cover! I even wrote a poem at that time because the sky was so clear and the stars were shining brightly, perfect for creative inspiration!
I recall feeling very emotional at the time and lay down in a snowy field, alone in the dark, looking up at the numerous stars. I was suffering intensely with depression at the time and, specifically on this holiday, I remember having a massive crush on this guy who (it seemed) just didn't notice my existance! I wondered around outside that night, ambling through a big snowy field from my chalet up towards the main building, I stopped. I raised my head and stared at the stars for a very long time. (my neck hurt!) My cloak didn't do much to prevent the cold, but I stubbornly stayed anyway, even lying down in the snow (crazy lozi!). I'll be honest, I was having a right old pity party- it spiralling from thinking how this guy doesn't even see me and then I started thinking that nobody sees me, nobody cares. Blah blah blah. PITY PARTIES ARE NOT A GOOD IDEA! :)
As a student, especcially a 1st year fresher, I was feeling intensely lonely. I didn't have friends that I had a long history with, sure I had friends, but I still felt this raw ache of isolation in my heart. I believe God was walking with me in that time, and still is, even if I couldn't see it in the moment.
I don't remember much from this weekend, except 3 things: the snow, the stars and this song, Calon Lân...
My first encounter with this beautiful song was on one of the evenings in the main building at Cefn Lea. A girl called Cath Woolridge sang this song in welsh, and I felt very strongly that the words had some meaning to me, that maybe God wanted to speak to me prophetically through the words. So then, i found out what the words meant...
I'd not ask a life that's easy
gold and pearls so little mean.
Rather seek a heart that's joyful,
heart that's honest, heart that's clean.
Heart that's clean and filled with virtue,
fairer far than lilies white.
Only pure hearts praise God truly,
praise Him all the day and night.
Pure heart.
Dawn and sunset, still i'm searching,
rising on a wing of song.
Give me Lord, through Christ my Saviour
that clean heart for which i long.
Heart that's clean and filled with virtue,
fairer far than lilies white.
Only pure hearts praise God truly,
praise Him all the day and night.
Pure heart.
(Here's a nicer version of the song by Only Boys Aloud:-)
After reading these words(or even before), I felt that God had placed a prayer in my heart and, at the end of that year, the Holy Spirit of the LORD came upon me in Cathays and healed me from depression. He spoke to me very clearly and it was from that point really that I can say that I took 'this God stuff' seriously. He has done so many amazing things for me, Jesus is very good.
So, it has been a lovely reminder, hearing this song on national tv lately. There's something special about welsh male voice choirs singing hymns...
It is good to remember things that God has said and done. I have been finding it helpful (and sometimes amusing) to record down dreams that i've had at night (or whenever i've been asleep!). At times the dreams that I have seem like cheese dreams. You know the kind I mean: the crazy, psychedelic dreams where all kinds of wacky, confusing things happen that make no sense. And all coz I've been eating stilton sarnies too late at night :P But then come the occasions where I encounter very vivid dreams that are pregnant with meaning- sometimes nothing more than a helpful insight into what I really am actually thinking, and what is really on my heart. However, there are the dreams that are definitely more than that.
Just for the record, I have been dreaming about London, Albania, Eastern Europe, Rome, Berlin, Israel, California, Wales, Africa/Asia, Morroco, Greece, Guernsey, France...and on recollection, 90% if my dreams involve being on stage in some capacity.
A cool dream I will share with you is this one that I had between 29th/30th November 2011. This is what I wrote that day:"I had a dream that seemed random- 2 black birds that I thought were crows fell out of my window. I think they died. I thought they were demons and that the dream was about the Holy Spirit of God protecting me from them..." I thought they died because they looked kind of squashed. The reason why this is so cool, is that after dreaming this the night before, that day (Wednesday) I went to Youth Club. And at Youth Club they have a corkboard in the backhall where things are posted up every so often. I saw a piece of paper with 2 blackbirds on the corkboard, looking EXACTLY like how I saw them in my dream, kind of squashed. On the bit of paper they were on, there was a bible verse-
[Phillipians 4v19] "And my God will meet ALL your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus"
Job 6:8 “Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for" Psalm 9:18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 25:3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Last week I was in Prestatyn at a christian conference called Mobilise. It was aimed at students and 20 to 30 year olds and, i guess, was for the equipping of people to be more effective...in a sense. There was a lot more to it than effectiveness. Those who spoke include Tom Shaw, PJ Smyth, Joel Virgo, Mike Betts, Adrian Holloway, Wendy Mann, Matt Carvel and Josie Shaw. (There were many others, but these were the ones i heard- Google 'em if you're curious)
The first main talk I am aware of (so recorded in my journal) was by a guy called Tom Shaw. He spoke a message entitled 'Dive into Discomfort'. I found it sobering, powerful and painful. (according to my notes). Tom and PJ Smyth preached messages that are uncomfortable to hear but very good! Here are some snappy bullet points of some thoughts that I wrote down.
We need to learn that life, like the year, has seasons.
God is more interested in fruitfulness than productivity
'You don't need to parent yourself'.
Sin is pleasurable, but it is fleeting & leaves destruction in its wake
What God has started He WILL bring to completion
Moments of rest are good, but life isn't just about having that continually- life isn't about freedom from responsibility.
Don't compare yourself to others!
Celebrate & honour those who are getting favour & success in the area that you want.
"Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose"
Book of the prophet Isaiah 9v2
"Before those people lived in darkness, but now they have seen a great light. They lived in a dark land, but a light has shined on them. "
From an Account of the Acts of the followers of Jesus (aka Book of Acts) 2v2-4
"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. "
Last week at church we had a sermon entitled "Paint Jesus and Trust God". The theme of the morning was, I think, largely to do with children and we had a thanksgiving thanking thing for a few of the new babies that some people from church have given birth to. The sermon was kind of to do with how we can influence the children in our lives for their good, whether our own or friends kids or whatever. There was more to it than that, and because I can't imagine being married, let alone the idea of having kids myself, I'm ashamed to say that I switched off a little bit. (I say this not to be disrespectful, but I just want to be honest and real).
However, over the week and after our small group I've been thinking about it a bit more- both in terms of how we impact people with the gospel, and general influence and power.
Our Powerful Words
Our words are so powerful. Sadly the words we remember from others are often the ones that have impacted us negatively. I remember when I was a young teenager, there was a boy that I liked and he had actually shown a temporary interest in me, but told me I was 'too boring' to go out with. Those 2 words devastated me immensely and it took me about 7 years to get over him and to properly forgive him. I got there by the grace of God!
That's why it's so important, not just to not say crushing things to others, but to fill that air space with lots and lots and lots of encouraging good words to others. There is no such thing as too much encouragement! Even if you don't know somebody that well, if you have eyes to see, you could make a comment on how nice their hair looks, or a bloke equivalent (whatever that may be!) There are so many things we could say to others, things that are true, things that build up, things that help them realise their dreams, words that bring comfort, words that bring hope, words that bring freedom.
I remember another time, i have shared it before. I remember how I was praying with a friend of mine in her house about friendships, holiness, the wonder of God and sensitivity to the person of the Holy Spirit. After that we went to a worship evening at a church on the coast. At the end the couple who were leading the evening felt that God had given them some words- all 4 of the things my friend and I had prayed about were spoken/sung on. The friendship word was so encouraging to me, I've just felt things are a mess in that department and I don't quite know how to explain it or fix it. To hear that word from that lady saying that she felt that God really wanted to encourage people that He was going to coordinate divine friendships, that really encouraged me because 1.From that word, I knew that God had heard my prayer and 2. I know that He keeps His promises and so i can rely on Him to provide.
I think this subject of 'words' is something I'm quite passionate about because i've known the devastation of negative words and positive words in my life. I guess that's why I'm so hungry to step out in words of knowledge for specific things in peoples lives- because i myself have been so impacted by such things on numerous occasions.
Powerful Actions
Our actions are powerful too. It's not great to be someone who talks big love but doesn't follow it up with loving actions. I imagine it's relatively easy to say 'I commit to you til death do us part', but another thing to carry that out. If I say I love someone but don't act loving towards them, what does that communicate to that person? Writing this, I realise I need to show people more love.
Powerful Identity
I believe that as we focus on God and have a revelation of His love more, we are changed by this. Knowing that we are loved and are full of His love, there is something of an overspill that, in that gratefulness of His grace through Jesus, we are transformed and are more secure in who we are and who we were made to be. Because we rely on God first, knowing that His view on us is true and constant, we too will have a consistency flowing out that. It is good to think about the words we use and the actions that we do in influencing others, but I believe that when you encounter the Prescence of the Most High God you can never be the same and there is a natural change that comes. I mean, i've heard of times when people who have chosen to follow Jesus, that their language has changed, that they stopped swearing. Not necessarily because they feel they have to, but out of knowing God. And the same is true of actions.
And now i've got the recording fever, i'm curious. Is it possible to record, with integrity and in true praise, a live worship album alongside a clicktrack?
Had an amazing time Monday night at a stunning studio, recording one of my songs. It was a dream come true for me, I was so hyper and excited the whole time we were there! I was there for about 4 1/2hours and so it wasn't surprising that I was tired after that adrenalin rush! Looking forward to hearing the finished version of the song. For a first attempt at recording, I think it went ok...
Today we woke up and it was VERY COLD, but admittedly not as cold as i'm expecting England will be. I had some cranapple granola cereal with coconut milk which, apparently, is healthier for you because it's a nut.
Kinga and I walked up to College View Bethel Campus (3 different cars stopped to ask if we wanted a lift!) and we hung out at The Prayer House. So peaceful. I sat down next to the big stone lion for a bit and then went inside after it got a bit cold for me. A verse I felt drawn to today was Mark 7v16 which turned out to say this:
"You people who can hear me, listen!"
That's a good word right there!
Then I was looking at James chapter 2, which speaks about faith & works, and how faith without works is dead, but works alone is pretty dumb too.
When we went into the building to line up, we were behind an Australian guy. Lots of Australians here! We went in and sat down at the top of the bleachers and some guys from Switzerland sat next to us (we saw them at the Mexican place 'Chipotle'). They were friendly and are staying here for 5 weeks! They showed us some of their cool pictures of San Francisco as they'd just been there for the past week. On the other side of Kinga was sat a Romanian guy called Liviu who we had met before. He is apparently the only Romanian Bethel student here and it has been a really great cost for him to be here.
The first session was run by 4 pastors (2 ladies and 2 guys) who shared prophetic words for various people in the hall. They picked them out individually and got them to stand up and spoke out what they felt God was showing them and brought words of encouragement and purpose to them. Not knowing the people standing up it was hard to tell exactly how accurate the words were but, by the reaction of those around them, their facial expressions and feeling the accuracy of the words in the Spirit, i believe most of what they were saying was right on.
They also got everyone to stand up who was a singer/songwriter who wanted breakthrough in terms of unfinished songs, so i just stood up because i wanna receive anything good they've got coz i'm a hungry bunny!
After that, a guy called Karl/Carl spoke about Matthew 5v14-16 and not being afraid of seeming contradictions, as we are called to be a light, but also to not parade around-
"“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
When we come across something like that, we have the privilege to go to the author of the Word and ask Him about it. What mysteries will He reveal? :)
Karl/Carl also spoke on the difference between discipline and punishment. Discipline looks forward, but punishment looks back. We also looked at identity-
The temptation is to prove who you are by what you do. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, the devil asked Him "IF you are the son of God...". When we are firm in our identity we don't respond to tricks like that, because we don't need to prove who we are by actions.
One of the most powerful things is knowing your identity, who you are in Christ. There is the knowing it in your head, knowing the verses for it, but when you start really believing it- boy, that is powerful. That's something here at Bethel that the students are trained in, realising their identity. And that is why they are so happy, because they are secure in what their Papa God says about them. (Maybe not all of them, as they're on a journey and different walks of life, but the general overview of them as I see it)
Chris Overstreet, the Evangelist dude, was taking the last sessions. It was basically testimony testimony testimony time! Amazing!
-Chris was in Holland recently and he bumped into a group of young people. He asked them if they would believe in Jesus if they experienced God. one brave girl stepped out and Chris asked her to hold out her hands. He led her to asked 'Holy Spirit, come' and she felt His prescence. He preached the gospel of Jesus and she gave her life to Jesus. The rest of her friends were saved too.
-He was out in Uganda at a school and he asked the teachers whether he could preach. They let him and as a result 15 kids got saved!
-There was a girl who we shall call 'L'. 'L' was doing kids work on a Thursday and they just had some unsstructured play with the kids. There was a tall, black guy who came in called Terence. 'L' felt drawn towards him to pray for him and so she grabbed Alex. The guy ends up giving his life to Jesus, amazing! 4 days later, there was great breakthrough in 'L's life and she was talking to her intern about the episode, who showed her a picture of the guy, and tells her that he was hit by a bus and killed. Woah. They went to the funeral with 'S' and it was like a party, there was an altar call and pretty much the whole church went forward to dedicate/rededicate their lives to Christ, about 10 people were left sitting down. There were many tears and the presence of the Holy Spirit was very strong. About 30 people were saved that day!
-'C' was out with Drew on a Treasure Hunt and there were many radical healings eg. someones back got totally healed. 'C' saw a lady down the street and went up to her. She was an alcoholic and her liver and insides were stuffed. 'C' prayed for healing and she felt a tickly feeling. 'C' asked if she wanted to give her life to Jesus. She said 'no, i want to sort my life out first'. he said 'no, that's all lies!'. 'C' told her how he used to be a drug addict and Jesus transformed his life. She said she'd go home and think about it. 'C' had a boldness come over him and said that he wasn't leaving until she got saved, and she ended up experiencing the prescence of the LORD and gave her life to Jesus. I believe her life has been transformed!
-Taylor was in Stockton at Buffalo Wild Wings. The waitress there wanted them to minister some more and told them to come back tomorrow and they'll pay for their meal! Jason saw some guys on a car and for about 15mins was getting all these words of knowledge for them, that were 100% accurate! There was a really hard looking guy who had a gun on him and the guys were calling out his purpose and how he's called to lead youth, anyhoo, he ended up being saved and filled with the Holy Spirit!
-'K' and her intercessor friends were praying for this guy who had anger issues, his 18yr old son was found in possession of a whole bunch of cocaine, and because of the amount was arrested as an adult. They prayed lots and when they tested the cocaine it turned out to just be white powder. He was freed and has been coming to bible studies.
-Liviu (Romanian guy sat next to Kinga) shared a testimony of a girl who had leukaemia who lost a leg, her flesh was eaten, she was sent to hospital and eventually ended up being declared brain dead. The guy there said 'no! In Jesus' name, wake up!' and she woke up!
-'P', 2 weeks ago, was at a kids group with around 20 kids. They were doing a skit where they were asking questions about God and the kids ended up asking genuine questions about God and Jesus and stuff. 'P' asked 'who wants to receive Jesus?' and 12 or 13 kids ended up receiving Jesus!
Testimonies are so important! They are so powerful. Remember the works of God, they help you remember who He is. Again, this is kind of linked to the identity thing earlier. Please remember the testimonies of God, share them, talk about them. It's good to remember them by yourself, but it's also good to share good news. I long for a culture of testimony sharing. Testimonies build faith. They help us remember the abundance of God.
After the last session, we said goodbye to Barry and Sarah. I love them so much. They are family to me. They are superstars and I just feel so blessed and honoured to have them as my friends. I am so happy they are here and getting transformed and blessed. :)
Kinga and I hung out at Hebrews for a while, then sat outside and finished our lunch (around 4pm!) and prayed for a bit and chatted. (Also, earlier in the bookshop, one of the girls who was in the Revival Group the other day spotted me and said 'hey, it's Favour Girl!'. She had prophesied over me and seen how God has favour over my life and i know it, and yeah, it was cool to be called 'Favour Girl'. Sounds like a superhero name!)
Then we took lots of arty photos and started to walk back to the house. About halfway there, Angie stopped by and we got a lift. Cars here are GINORMOUS! I had to literally climb inside the car! When we got back I had a vegan salad with chicken, kale, apple and pecan nuts. This week i've had so many new, healthy things, i didn't expect that in America! I think we've mainly been eating organic stuff since we've been here. Good job. Oh, but i have been eating potato chips, so that balances out :P
I feel so content in this place, like I want for nothing. Maybe that's part of the not driving a car for a week, not being distracted by cell phone texts and facebook all day and being on holiday, but, there is something about this place. It's so good to be around believing believers, around people who have faith and expectation that God will do things. I may not agree with everything at Bethel church, but I love how they honour the prescence of the Holy Spirit, how what they teach is revelatory, hopeful, faith-full, challenging, biblical but also from experience. I love how they start all their meetings (leaders meeting, meetings about media problems, any kinds of technical meetings etc) with testimony time, so that they start off being encouraged and being aware of how amazing God is, before they come to any agenda or problems or whatever. I love how beautiful the mountains are. I am so pleased I came here, and I plan to come again for a bit longer next time, maybe when it's a bit warmed too :P
Today we walked to Bethel Church and went to Alabaster House (the Prayer House). The atmosphere felt so chilled, so peaceful. I lay outside next to the fountain for 10minutes listening to the rushing water. It was a bit chilly, so I went inside the building and lay on the ground, soaking. (not literally soaking wet btw) After a long time i wanted to get up but there is such peace in this place i could barely raise myself up! I was reading my bible for a bit. 2 Corinthians 3v15-17 as I recall-
"Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Afterwards, I went up to the church building and sat outside eating my lunch, but then it got too cold/windy so i went inside to join the visitors queue. In front of me was a pastor from Ohio who moved out to Redding to live there since 5 months, and behind me were the 2 ladies from Bath. We chatted for a bit and then Kinga came back and we soon entered the room for todays school sessions.
The first session was led by a lady called Bernie and she spoke on salvation and asked lots of students questions, so there was alot of participation from people today. The 2nd session was led by a man called Dan and he led a discussion on a book by Hugh Ross and it was to do with science and faith and creationism and evolution. It was very well done I think. Lots of cool questions and one guy asked about dinosaurs. Fun times. The 3rd session was a talk from Kris Valloton and he spoke about fear & Gods perfect love casting it out.
(Click on the large writing/link to watch Kris's talk) Kris Vallotton - 15th Feb
After this, we went to the cafe and hung out for a little bit. We talked to a couple of girls who had come from Sheffield. We went off to the Prayer House again. I felt so peaceful, such a lovely place to just come and rest and be. I felt drawn to Psalm 91-
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge—
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all yourways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation"
Afterwards, we had a lift from Barry and we went to pick up Sarah from her small group. Saw some some rainforest stuff in someone's house and oil dripping from their ceiling.
We went out to Chipotle, pretty much just like The Mission mexican place at the Riverside in Reading. I had a Burrito of something beginning with 'B' that i can't remember- and it was like the size of my face man! We had a good time calling out each others destiny.
We were dropped back to the house and had a chat with our hosts about American things and English things and Valentine things and travel things. Things.
This place feels like a thin place. The atmosphere is easy, peaceful and there is so much good stuff going on here. It feels like alot of transformation and amazingness goes on here. It feels similar to Ffald-y-Brenin, in terms of the Prayer House at least. The Alabaster Prayer House in California and the chapel at Ffald Y Brenin in West Wales are roughly the same size- very small and simple. But I experienced the same peace in both. If you're looking for peace, maybe go check out whichever one's closest to you!
[chapel at Ffald-Y-Brenin]
[prayer house at Bethel]
The same peaceful yet powerfulness. The expectation of meeting with the LORD God Almighty. Jesus is honoured in this place. He really is. They teach about the cross and His sacrifice and all kinds. It's not about just singing love songs here. The seminar on salvation today was rich and biblical and wonderful :) I am so glad i am in this place at this time.
Today Kinga and I met up with Rita at In The Hearth cafe near Bethel Church. She is so amazing, she's a superstar. It is an honour to meet and spend time with her!
After that we went up to Bethel Church itself and we met Cody's grandparents. Old people are amazing blessings! What wealth of wisdom and insight they can bring! I realised that the atmosphere, at the very least on the hill at Bethel, is very clear. It feels like an easy place to see things prophetically. It does feel like an open space and there is such a prescence of peace here. It is a place of PEACE, EXPECTATION and FAITH.
There were some people i recognised from the Revival Group, so i went over to say hi. They were busy Treasure Hunting so i went and sat down. But before that, i remarked to one lady that i really wanted to be on someones Treasure map coz i hadn't been found by a team of Treasure Hunters before! I said this to God too, asking Him if someone could find me, and 1 minute later as i was sat at a cafe table, 2 girls came up to me and said they had 'red coat' on their Treasure map. I was wearing a red coat. I was stoked that God answered my prayer so quick! Haha!
They had words for me about songwriting in different genres (bear in mind- i didn't tell them this and nor did i have anything that would give them a clue about music stuff) and one of them said i had an 'Adele anointing', as it were. :) It's ok if you don't understand what i'm going on about. It was awesome for me! God totally gave them all kinds of words of knowledge and encouraging insight into my life. This is the normal christian life, God reveals mysteries and knows each of us to our very core. He knows who we are and He knows our darkest secrets, He loves us loves us loves us. Yay God!
After this, i tried to remember it all and wrote some stuff down. Then i went to queue up for today Bethel School session. I was behind a guy from Seattle and in front of 2 ladies from Bath who go to Andrew Leakey's church. The worship team today were a bunch of people from London...i think. At least, it was led by this lady called Karen Gibson. Somebody told her story before we kicked off the worship/praise time and it was just such an amazing testimony of Gods favour. Here's a video of her choir singing-
Worship was. amazing. so so so so so good. Just solely focussed on Jesus. Beautiful. Ah :D
After that, Bobby Conners spoke for a couple of hours. (This is the link-copy and paste-to his talk. You have to buy it after 5mins http://www.ibethel.tv/preview/1299/bssm-bobby-conner/2012/02/14 ) Loads of stories and testimonies and releasing of good stuff. Afterwards it was AMT (i think that stands for activation ministry teams?) Kinga and Sarah went to the Sozo class and I went with Barry to the Physical Healing class which was led by a guy called Chuck. It wasn't Chuck Norris, but this particular Chuck could hold his own in a battle. Everyone in this class seemed so happy and high, when people grasp the love and goodness of the love God through Jesus Christ...it just does make you happy. :) it's just how it goes. I really am enjoying and basking in this culture where people are SO encouraging and honouring to each other. Last night Barry & Sarahs Revival Group had some kind of dinner thing, and the guys all went to this place and prepared everything for the ladies to make them feel like princesses and stuff. That's the gist I got, but it's just SO ridiculously amazing here. It's so good to see the men really honouring the ladies like this. I LOVE this culture of honour- i so want to have a culture like that in England. I want the spirit of apathy in my country to die.
A bunch of people got healed of some stuff and pain and things. I had back pain and got prayed for at the end, but after the first time getting prayer, the pain got worse and moved up my back. Very weird. Then they prayed again and the pain changed again. Strange. Then i thought perhaps i have a leg shorter than the other, because i've heard of that being the case for people with back pain before. So I sat down on a chair and made sure i was sat straight on the chair, and put my legs out with my shoes off. After checking them a couple of times, it appeared that my right leg was slightly shorter and so this girl commanded the leg to grow out. I felt a sort of pulling on my leg, but she wasn't pulling my leg. The legs then matched. After that happened, i stood up and was checking out my back, and realised most of the pain had gone, and my back did feel different. Whatever was going with my legs or back or whatever, i can for sure tell with confidence that i had loads of back pain before they told my leg to grow, and afterwards most of the pain was gone.
Kinga and I walked back to the house, took only 20minutes, but i found it confusing crossing the roads and there weren't really any clear markings for where to cross. I really hope I wasn't jaywalking, coz that's illegal in this state!
We had butternut squash soup for dinner and i have been sneezing lots for some reason!
Today Kinga and I had a bit of a lie-in and had healthy blueberry muffins for breakfast. We went for a drive with Angie to Trader Joe's to get some grocerys; food etc for the week. Then we stopped off at Barnes & Noble where I bought a map of the world, the Dr Seuss book Rita read over me and a funky bag made from recycled juice cartons.
I had a lunch of Caesar Chicken Salad and some 'tritip'(not sure if i'm spelling that right?) It's basically BBQ meat, so very tasty. Then a nommy mandarin and funny tasting American yoghurt.
We got a lift from Barry to go to BSSM for 12.45pm and had a worship time. I was feeling really tired and had a bit of a headache, not sure why. At one point i wanted to go because of how I was feeling, but am glad I didn't for reasons you'll read later. Then some guy with grey hair gave a Bible class- things he covered were cessasionism, speaking in tongues...it was stuff to do with Acts and so he covered different things, but one of the good things was that he was equipping and teaching different points of view but keeping the love on and appreciating where other people are coming from.
Then there was a break and a guy called Mark spoke on...i'm not entirely sure i remember what he spoke on, oops! He kept saying 'come on!' but what he said was good, i think. I just can't remember as at this point i was feeling a bit rough and was leaning against the back wall, having a bit of a doze!
At the end, it was time for Revival groups to split off (groups of 64 people) and so Kinga went off to the Prayer House to soak and I went to Sheri's Revival Group. There were 3 of us visitors there and Sheri got us to stand at the front where we were stood 1 by 1 and prophesied over by lots of people!
I was last and it was amazing. I didn't tell them anything about my life, but people were getting accurate words about things about me. For example, one lady said she clearly saw me working with preschool children, and something to do with arts and crafts. Guess what, I work at a nursery, and I particularly like doing arts and crafts with them. Good word right there. Someone saw me on a stage, another saw me as an initiator who paves the way for others. They recorded them so i can listen back to them. Just amazing. So good.
Today we were much more awake to appreciate the Bethel-ness.
I woke at around 5.30am, for some reason, and had some glutenfree toast and chai tea for breakfast-yummy!
We got a lift at 8am from Barry and Sarah and went to the 8.30am service at Bethel. Bill Johnson spoke on 'Love is patient' and how that patience is not about us striving to be self controlled, but actually is about focussing and waiting on God. (Click the large writing below if you wanna watch the footage of it)
Joaquin Evans shared an amazing testimony of this woman who, last April, was given 5 weeks to live as she had cancer. She came to Bethel as she had made a deal with her father who said if she came to Bethel, he would help her fulfill her bucket list of things to do before she died. Recently at the Healing Rooms, Joaquin caught up with her father who shared more of what happened. She ended up getting prayed for and the pain left. Then when she went to the doctors, they found that her white blood cell count was 9.2, whereas a normal count is apparently around 6 to 8, and hers had previously been around 2. The doctor said it was the highest count he'd ever seen!
Barry prophesied over me, i remember him saying something about dancing. That was good. It seems he is even more aware of his identity in Christ, there is a strength and authority i see in him. It is exciting and good to see transformation in someone that i've seen pre-Bethel.
We stayed around for the 2nd service which was mainly a repeat of the first, and went into the overflow room in case Rita came. Afterwards, we got a free CD of Mario Murillo from a Visitors stand, and a man there saw 'John G Lake' over me, which was funny because i had just been thinking about him and had wanted to buy a book about his life but couldn't find one in England. So, i ended up buying one that was Bill Johnson recommended in the bookshop.
We had lunch at Hebrews coffee shop- i had an m&m cookie, an apple, a cheese bagel and i bought a blueberry muffin for later. We took lots of photos of outside the church and walked down the hill to make our way back to the house we're staying at. A lady offered us a lift (friendly Americans are amazing!) and we took it, but it turned out that the house really isn't that far after all. It helped us get our bearings and lay of the land though :)
-
Back at the house we chilled out (much needed!) and then got a lift at around 4.45 to Bethel. Once we were there, we entered, and it was busy already. We nabbed some seats on the left side of the room that weren't saved (majority of the seats had scarves and coats and hats on them so that people could come back to them). We went into the overflow room where the pre-service prayer meeting was going on. I've not seen anything like it before. People were walking around in a whirlpool shape praying and asking God for His Holy Spirit to come. There was a little girl dancing ballet moves too. So sweet!
We went to go find our seats afterwards, and discovered that we were sat next to the parents of the lady who had been healed of cancer and had a high white blood cell count- it was cool to hear from them the reactions of the doctor, and they were lovely people too!
I went up to the front when worship/praise time started and it was quite packed. There was such a sense of freedom and peace and purpose. Brian and Jenn were leading, i was saying, it'd be nice to meet them!
(Click link for worship session that evening) Worship Eve - 12th Feb
Bobby Conners came up and spoke, to be honest i can't remember if he had a point to his sermon/talk, but i jotted down some testimonies he shared, somewhere! Click on this link to watch it, though you may have to buy it to listen, not sure! Bobby Conners- 12th Feb at Bethel Church
-
At the end they had a couple of fire tunnels (people line up and make archways and you can walk through the archway of people and get prayed for by them).
Kinga and I asked around for some people to give us a lift, but to no avail. I prayed for God to provide for a lift and we waited at the door. I heard an english voice coming from this guy near us and I jumped into his conversation. Turns out he's from Essex and his name is David. He happens to know Barry and Sarah as his friend lives in their house. He was kind enough to give us a lift as it was pouring down with rain. We would have walked otherwise. :P He didn't know what TOWIE was- i think, good for him.
Today we headed off to Mount Shasta to snowboard! (after a blueberry bagel & cream cheese breakfast)
The mountains were so beautiful. There was Castle Crag and Mt Shasta. Just stunning views. In America everything is so BIG!
On the mountain there was snow but not as much as usual- it was a bit like being in Austria, but with people whose language I understood. I chilled on the back of the truck and sang and played guitar. We ate sub sandwiches, chips (crisps to us english) and had Whoppers- a bit like Maltesers.
Came back down the Freeway (it's so like being in an American movie cliche- driving down the freeway in a truck after goin' up a mountain to shred some snow/playing guitar in the parking lot, casually surrounded by epic mountains and random gas stations, singingalong to dubstep, worship and country music)
Back home (Rita's) we ate some noodle stuff and a tuna melt- nom!- and packed up stuff to move on up and out to the next place.
Saying our goodbyes, we put our stuff in the truck and were driven up to the North of town and to a lovely family who host people who come over to stay in Redding.
I miss Ri & her family already after only 3 days of being there!
After waking up early, jetlag still present, we hung out and sang worship songs in a Karaoke machine, fun times! We went out to the bank to change my travellers cheques and then we went to Barrys home group.
We ended up going to Downtown Redding (i got some italian chicken grilla sandwich and pb cookie for us coz we missed lunch). We sort of did treasure hunt stuff, but it fell a bit flat in that i didn't approach anyone, even though i felt we got some ideas of who to look out for and where. Felt a bit frustrated, but then felt real encouraged that Bethel treasure hunting is normal and that sometimes people strike out, but they keep going and are courageous. So i felt encouraged that this stuff can be done back home.
We got dropped back at Rita's and we hung out for a bit and then we went for our FIRST TIME to Bethel church.To be honest, we were both so tired and the worship had such an atmosphere of peace that i really had to fight to stay awake. Kevin Dedmon spoke and shared testimonies such as this...
-something happened somewhere (i can't remember the details seeing as i was nearly asleep) which sounded interesting: there was a meeting where someone had brought some leftover bacon from somewhere and said that it was 'happy hour with bacon!' Then someone (Kevin perhaps?) gave a word saying everyone who's ill or something...go over there and take some bacon and eat it and you'll be healed. And it happened. Loads of people after stepping out and eating that bacon got healed. How very weird. But then, spitting in a blind guys eye to heal him is weird, and getting a leper to wash in a polluted filthy river lots of times to get healed is also pretty weird. Jesus gave no formula, and He is the Truth and the Way.
-when a team of people were out in Haiti, a girl was preaching and telling people about how God comes with signs and wonders and heals people and is amazing and stuff. This really tall guy was listening and he was shouting her down saying "no, you are lying! this is not true! this is all lies!" and Kevin stepped in and asked the man "you've got a problem with your hip haven't you?". The man nodded. Kevin told him to walk towards him and as he walked his hip would come into alignment and be healed. The man walked towards him and was amazed as his hip came into alignment and was healed. This man had been persecuting a pastor in that place and afterwards apologised for how he treated him. He gave His life to Jesus.
-when Kevin was in NZ in Christchurch after the earthquake, he met this person (can't remember the details of how or where) and was asking him if he needed any medical assistance. the guy said no. Kevin asked if there was any illness of injury that he had prior to the earthquake but couldn't get to anywhere to get it checked out. The guy said no. Kevin then asked if he had any arthritis. The guy said no, oh wait i have in my pinky finger. So Kevin took this guys finger and commanded arthritis to go. The finger was loosened and the guy asked if Kevin could heal his back too?! This guy had a messed up back and i believe he had metal rods in there too. Kevin went to pray and touched his back. The guy ended up being able to move and touch his toes, bend over, all this stuff he couldn't do before. Kevin asked if he wanted to meet the person who healed him. Led him to ask "Come Holy Spirit" (this guy was not churched) and after saying those words starting laughing in joy as He encountered the prescence of God. Gave his life to Jesus. Amazing.
-On Sundial Bridge in Redding this week or last week, some people from Bethel approached these 2 girls, one of the girls was called Stephanie. They asked her if she had back pain. She said no. They asked if she had a leg shorter than the other. She said no, but my leg is crooked. Her leg was twisted from a break that healed wrong. They prayed, well, they declared alignment over that leg, and it started twitching alot and the leg straightened. After that, Stephanie gave her life to the LORD, as she had been agnostic before.
-Another time, a team were at a restaurant on a Treasure Hunt, and they had the place as a location and all kinds of things on their list that matched this lady working there. They showed her all these things they had and I believe she was agreeing they made sense to her but she said so what. She was quite unresponsive and closed to it. Then Kevin just simply said 'God thinks you're a good mom'. She burst into tears and was crying alot. The manager came out all guns blazing as he/she thought these people around this lady were to blame for the tears, I guess. Turns out this woman's daughter had attempted suicide recently and she was blaming herself for it. Oh, and I think this woman ended up giving her life to Jesus too.
We stayed around for a bit, missing the Fire Tunnel this time which I was a little bit bummed about, but i think i would have fallen asleep in it, i was that tired. We came home and went straight to bed. Snore!
A friend and I decided to visit California. So here we are. We were awake, travelling, for around 24hrs. We flew on such a cool teeny weeny plane from San Francisco Airport to Redding. There were 8 of us on the plane. So cool! I was a little bit hyper and weird coz of lack of sleep.
So, now here we are, having slept lots on my friend Rita's floor and couch. I will keep you posted on what happens here on- adventures no doubt!
-
It's the evening, and we've had a busy day. We went to Sundial Bridge and played worship songs, I lost my camera, we went to Whiskeytown and the Lake, the Sacramento river, the Dam, saw Mount Shasta from afar, stopped at In n Out burger for a (you guessed it) burger. We went back to Sundial and my camera had been turned in. Saw a bunch of obviously BSSM students praying on the bridge.
I feel less freaked out by being abroad today, it think l due to catching up on sleep! Been giving Cody some guitar pointers and getting to know Rita more. It's great to stay with them- the couch is comfy, the food is good and the cat makes me laugh!
I'll tell you what- I wasn't expecting to have a prophetic word of destiny from a Dr Seuss book, but it happened! How little I understand this country, but I do love the talkativeness and friendliness of folk here. England could learn some lessons from these people. People on the street actually say hello to you when you walk by! I don't believe we should use our culture as a excuse for not connecting with people. There are people in England that go days and maybe weeks with nobody smiling at them, let alone speaking and listening to them. That's not right. I need to work on this too, but i'm just saying- we need to take action & not hide away in our alleged 'englishness'. Let's speak destiny and life into people.
Coincidentally, or un-coincidentally seeing as I said I don't believe in coincedence in my previous post, here is a music video from the artist Luke Leighfield who has a new album coming out soon named 'New Season'. I'm looking forward to it! I feel like it will be something of a prophetic album of the year, for me at least.
It is a new season. I go to America next month, or so it planned. 2 Months after this, I believe something's going to happen. Something in me or my church maybe, we'll see what occurs. 'Something' is, I know, a very vague description, but I know what I mean. Something good in terms of sanctification, holiness, Jesus activity.
I've been feeling like i'm hearing Gods voice more clearly for the past few months, which I am grateful for. I don't understand, but I don't think I need to understand. It feels like i'm on the metaphorical runway of something, there's pressure building and i'm finding different things really tough at the moment, but there is the impending promise of flight! I'm feeling quite lonely. To be honest, i'm finding it hard to muster up any energy to initiate or get involved in lots of social things. There is a real temptation to dwell in self pity and depression. But I know that God has promised me that He will ordain divinely made friendships, He will coordinate and I don't need to worry. I just need to trust He keeps His promises, coz He really does.
"My heart and flesh cry out to You the Living God!"
