Sweetly Broken, Wholly Surrendered

I felt it pressed strongly on my heart to document as much of my Bethel journey as I possibly can, and while my blog posts have been very and few and far between, my heart is that this would be a place that records my journey, not only to a foreign land, but a journey through ever changing spiritual seasons, and a journey into the depths of the father's heart. I want this to be a place where I write from the overflow of what God is doing in my heart, to both bless and encourage those who read. 

I began my first week of school at BSSM (Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry) just 4 weeks ago, yet the change in my life feels monumental, and the school year is only young. 

I have almost been reluctant to write a blog post regarding my school experience, because it seems as though I couldn't possibly begin to articulate my experiences well enough do them the justice that they deserve.  

This blog post is going to include my highlights thus far and things that have left the biggest mark on my heart.

Bethel to me is a place that has captured the essence of the Kingdom, and this is expressed not merely in words, but in authentic demonstration. What has ruined me the most thus far, apart from the the love of the Father, has been the Bethel culture. Before moving here and being a part of this movement, I listened to many teachings and podcasts, read many books that had been birthed in this place, and I thought that to some degree, I understood this culture. Upon arriving and experiencing it, I realized that knew so little of what the 'culture of honor' as they call it, is really all about. Some things cannot be articulated or conveyed using words and language but have to be felt. 

How would you describe the wind or the feeling of rain on your skin? These things are better left to be personally experienced, and so it is with the Bethel culture. As I walked into the sanctuary on my first day of school, I felt loved, accepted and honored without anyone having to say it or demonstrate it. It's in the air, and it dictates the way everything in this house is done. 

As Kris Vallotton shared with our class of 900 students, the core values of this house, I was undone. Before coming here, I was uncertain of what to expect and wasn't totally sure of what this year would encompass, but as we sat and heard what this movement is all about, it's vision and it's values, I knew that I was in safe hands. I walked into school that day feeling slightly apprehensive, and walked out feeling completely surrendered and yielded to the leadership of this house and all that God is doing in the midst of this group of people. I knew from the first day, that this was a place that I wanted to partner with and who's vision I wanted to support by allowing my gifts, calling and god-given talents to be a blessing to this house and ultimately this city. My heart has been, ever since, that this place and these people would be blessed by my having been here as I am blessed by the absolute privilege of being here at such a time as this. 

Every single day that I attend school, I sit in my chair, I look around me and think "I must be His favorite because surely life can't be this good on a daily basis."

I feel as though my life is enriched daily by the apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and leaders that are pouring into me, as well as the people I get to stand alongside and "do life" with this year. At any given moment, I can look around, and I know that I am looking upon revivalists and world changers. We are all told daily that we are destined for greatness, and we are all brave enough to believe it. I know that out of this year is going to emerge a group of history-shaping, revivalists that both know God intimately and walk in power and authority that are fruits of this union. I feel honored to be a member of this body of believers.

On a personal level, the Lord has been taking me on a journey of drawing me into himself, and in the secret place has been doing even more profound things than what he has been doing during our corporate gatherings. My prayer for this year has been that intimacy with him would be first and foremost, and that everything else would follow as a result of this deep, deep intimacy with the father. 

I desire to see miracles, I desire to change nations, I desire to see the dead raised, the sick healed and the broken made whole, but all of this counts for nothing if I do not know him intimately. I want my roots to go deeper into the ground than my branches go high above the ground. I want that which is secret, that which happens just between him and I, to be of far more value to me than that which the people around me get to see. I am a lover, it's in my DNA, and my prayer is that I would "know the love of God that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:19). One thing I ask and one thing I seek, now and for the rest of my life, that I would dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon his beauty all the days of my life.

Far be it from me that I should desire anything apart from him, for in him I find fullness of life. He is the fountainhead of all I could ever want and need, and in this season, I am swimming in the ocean of his presence. It's all around me. Everywhere. Every day. 

I am my beloved's and his desire is for me.

At the cross you beckon me

Draw me gently to my knees

I am lost for words

So lost in love

Sweetly broken

Wholly surrendered

- Sweetly Broken, Jeremy Riddle

Bethel, Bethel, Bethel

On Friday afternoon, I landed in Redding, California which marked that start of a year-long adventure into the plans that God has for my life.
It was a surreal moment to live out something I have been planning and dreaming of for months, and words cannot express how grateful I am to be here in the midst of a mighty move of God. I feel blessed beyond comprehension.

On Sunday I went to my first services at Bethel, the morning service at their Twinview campus, and the evening at the main Bethel building.
Twinview was incredible. Picture a room jam-packed full of young, passionate worshippers from all corners of the globe, wholeheartedly praising the King. Wow. I was in my element.
Most of the congregation at Twinview was made up of first year BSSM students (myself included) who have come here to Redding from all walks of life to take part in something we know will mark and change the rest of our lives. You could feel the excitement and the anticipation in the atmosphere.
We then watched Bill Johnson preach via iBethel TV, and to be sitting amongst fellow students under the ministry of an incredible father in the faith, was an amazing moment, and I'm sure the first of many.
We got to lay hands on each other throughout the service and pray for healing for specific mentioned bodily ailments, and I loved the sense of unity and family that has already developed and school does not start until next week. Yay God.

That evening I went to pre-service prayer at Bethel, and what an incredible meeting! The Glory of God was thick in the room as people were circling, praying, getting drunk, soaking etc etc. What a way to kick-start the evening.
Worship was led by Brian and Jenn Johnson, who are an incredibly anointed couple. I have been listening to their music for a while, but being there and being able to worship with them and thousands of other lovers of God, was beautiful.
Worship went on for ages, and getting lost in praise is something that I can't get enough of. I adored the worship session and being able to celebrate life and salvation. It was incredible.

Danny Silk then preached  a message on discernment, and I adore his gracious heart and sense of humor too. I feel so blessed to be here and to be able to experience and partake in this culture of honor that Bethel church has cultivated. It is such a free, loving and gracious environment that brings out the best in people. I am starting to feel very at home as a new member of the Bethel family.

So here's to adventures, change, fulfilled dreams and the best year of my life.
Thank you Jesus!

Book Review: A Culture of Honor by Danny Silk

I started reading a Culture of Honor last week, and from the first page, I could not put the book down. What usually would take me a few days, I read in under 24 hours because it was just such a revelation.

Judging by the title, I thought that the book was just going to be another guide on "how to honor people in the church" and so on, but in fact it was not what I expected in the slightest.
The author, Danny Silk of Bethel Churth in Redding California wrote this book about what the folks at Bethel have termed 'A Cuture of Honor' which is basically a supernatural environment that they have cultivated and which they try and sustain in their church and operate within.
Bethel church is known for its supernatural occurances that range from healings and creative miracles to dreams and visions, however the reson that they are experiencing such a high level of supernatural activity is because of the Culture of Honor that has been established.
In this book, Danny speaks of how a removal of control in the church and an increase in love, freedom and grace is infact what provides a platform for the supernatural to operate freely within the church. He speaks of how heavenly mindedness is so key in the body today and how the Lord is restoring Heaven and The Kingdom of God to its rightful place in the church and in the minds of believers, who are called to place the agenda of heaven at the forefront of their thinking.
He goes into detail about the specific roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers etc (fivefold ministry), according to chapter 4:11 of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. This section of the book really set me free as I came into the revelation that we are each given our own gifting with our own calling and we cannot try and take on the calling of another person because it seems more noble than ours; we are each given a grace and an ability to operate in a certain field of church ministry that God has appointed to us.
Danny speaks also of how through much of the history of the church and still today, the role of the pastor or evangelist etc, is placed at a higher level than it was designed to, and as a result the roles of the apostle and prophet who are called to bring heaven agenda's to Earth, have taken a back seat, and thus the people have become the focus of the church rather than the kingdom of God. No wonder there is so little of the breaking forth of the supernatural realm in most churches today.
Perhaps the reason that I enjoyed this book so much was the fact that every single sentence carried the sweet fragrance of God's grace. Never once was it condemning, harsh or legalistic, but it was just dripping with grace and love. The tone of the book comes from a heart that is passionately in love with God and his people and it can be felt when you turn each page. A beautiful piece of writing by Danny Silk, and a must read for anyone and everyone that loves the Lord and is desperate to see his Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.