It's been a minute...

It has been big minute since the last time that I shared, for a couple reasons, the main one being that the past couple weeks have been kind of hard for me and I haven't understood it all and haven't had something clear to share. We have been learning a lot about our identity and God's character. In short, a lot is being stirred up and has yet to settle. However, there is something I think of value to share.
One of the main reasons I came to Bethel was because I knew they were experiencing here the closest thing to the authentic Gospel, save things that seem to happen in my experience only in places like Africa, a Gospel of God's awesome outrageous supernatural love.
I am in a place where miracles and signs and wonders happen on a regular basis as a normal part of the Christian life, this supernatural dimension of Christian normalcy is clearly missing in a huge part of today's church. I don't say this with accusation, but I say this with heaviness of heart because it is a huge part of the Father that we as a body are missing out on. It is a place personaly that I am yet to break into, but I know for I both have seen and believe it to be who God is and who He has sent us out to be for His Namesake.
Anyway, in all this, the staff has made it clear to us that the living in the supernatural as a goal in and of itself is not the point. As in all things of God, He desires relationship, and I am learning that the supernatural is born and carried out through a relationship with the person the Holy Spirit and a lifestyle of sweet worship to Him. Also, we've talking about to never stop talking about the things that God has done and is doing, to never stop sharing testimony, for it was when Israel forgot that they stopped seeing and experienceing Him and would fall. (Rev19:10 ..Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. )The Senior Pastor Bill Johnson said in so many words the other day, being friends with Holy Spirit just for the stuff He can do or give you is just like being friends with someone for what you get out of it, they won't be friends with you very long.

Here is a cool story from class the other day:

So Bill Johnson has just finished lecturing on stage in the main sanctuary and it was Q&A time from the students. The first student stood up and ask Bill "We heard you were a worship leader before you were a pastor, what made you decide to change, how did that happen for you and would you ever consider leading worship for us?" And as he was asking the question it began raining on the stage! It was raining outside pretty heavily anyway, so my first thought was that it was a leak or something, but firstly the water wasnt falling like a leak it was falling like rain falls and secondly there was not water or wetness anywhere where it should have been landing. Bill said that he was afraid to answer the question after he saw the rain! It was so neat!

Let it rain Lord!!!! "Psalm 68:8 The heaven's also dropped rain at the presence of God"

Luke 1:37"For with God nothing will be impossible"