Week 2-3

Hello everyone! Time has gone by, and I miss you all like crazy. The culture I am in continues to be surprising and fulfilling. I am blessed to be a part of something so monumental, and there is a great humility amongst everyone involved. We know that this generation is on the verge of a great revival, for no other generation has been empowered in the way that we have. We believe that a second great Reformation is underway; one that will see the church defined by the very presence of the living God, as evidenced through the workings of the supernatural realm! This is the only way forward, and it is a lifestyle freely given to everyone through the power of the Cross. Redding is pioneering something that will become easier to any culture that chooses to tread the same path towards revival, as they model the love, honor, joy and power that should accompany every revival culture!

I gotta say, it's sometimes a little bit... weird here. I have set a firm resolve inside my heart not to be offended or distracted by anything I don't understand. I also choose to embrace anything that seems scary or uncomfortable, throwing myself head-first into what could be my next big breakthrough. I still test the Spirits, obviously, but you would be surprised how God's voice is much more clear and direct about those things when you stop judging the move of God before participating in it! (That's a good word right there!)

Two things will always accompany a genuine move of God: Demonic counterfeits and manifestations of the flesh. It is not that either of these things are welcomed or accepted, but they seem to show up as alternatives wherever the Spirit of God decides to fall. This does not mean that the movement is not of God, but quite the opposite! It means that what God is doing, the devil is trying to imitate. That being said, only through intimacy can we grow in hearing what is of God, and what is not. It is impossible to grow in that kind of intimacy without making mistakes. Please hear me, I am not saying that we must follow many deceptions in order to find the truth. But I am saying that a tenacious pursuit of the things of God will include mistakes, and that that is okay! This is no excuse to become timid before the Lord, or wait for Him to move us. Eventually the urge will become more subtle, and what used to be passion now becomes religion, and spiritual growth stops. This could be in the area of worship, spiritual discipline, discipleship, the gifts of the Spirit, or even the manifestations of the supernatural.

I am taking the time to say all of this because I cannot go further in my account of what I am experiencing without making sure you understand my heart, as well as the biblical basis for some of the things that are taking place. I can't keep track of who reads this blog, and so, I am sorry if anything offends you. Please email me if you have questions, comments or concerns, they are always welcome. I am on that path, of pursuing the things of God at the risk of discomfort.

The first new thing I have experienced is "Drinking in the Spirit" (Eph. 5.18, Acts 2.13-16). This is when an encounter with the Spirit begins to carry the physical manifestations of actually drinking alcohol. While this is not the first time I have experienced the Spirit in this way, I have never seen it happen so frequently or on such a widespread basis. It seems like everybody "loves to get drunk"! There are bursts of laughter running through the congregation constantly, and many people have a hard time even standing. There is an increase in the expressions of love in the room, as those who have "been drinking" are often seen hugging and encouraging one another! Oftentimes, this includes other manifestations of the Spirit's presence. Services will often take a totally different direction as the majority of those involved become "under the influence"!

There would be red flags from this type of event if it didn't lead to fruit, and in other cases, it may not. In that circumstance, this would be considered a work of the flesh. In this church, however, people are all too willing to give away what they receive, and through these times, great miracles take place. I encourage anyone who is uncomfortable with these concepts to read Wes Campbell's book, "Welcoming a Visitation of the Holy Spirit", to find further biblical basis for such manifestations.

I have personally been truly enjoying these times. Never before has such pure joy flooded into my soul, and it is something I can share with everyone else present. In these times, I wonder why others have settled for an image of God who is much less fun, and much less involved in the lives of His people. Drinking in the Spirit definitely increases your appetite for the supernatural, whether or not there are manifestations to accompany it!

testimonies

-Chad Stauffer, my close friend and roommate, prayed for a man in service who had a sharp pain in his wrist. After praying, the man told Chad that 80% of the pain had left! Chad, feeling that that wasn't enough, led the man in another prayer. The man rejoiced as all the pain left his wrist and he gave glory to God for his healing!

-Four Bethel leaders decided to have a "guys night out" and go visit a hospital. They got into the hospital through visiting a member of the church, but they soon asked one of the nurses if they could visit rooms who were looking for company and pray for the sick. The hospital staff welcomed them! After praying for some folks, eventually they found themselves welcome in the emergency room.
My revival leader, Joaquin, was there (he's a MIGHTY man of God) and he stood up in the ER and said, "I just wanted to let you know that, if you're here to see a doctor, we'll be able to help you right away!" People were a little startled by his statement, but eventually they were able to give some specific prophetic words of knowledge over one girl who was waiting with her mom. Her mom had stepped out of the room, but the girl asked if they would pray for her mom when she got back. They did, and received a word of knowledge over her as well! Furthermore, she was healed of her affliction (I believe it was noticeable scoliosis but I might be mixing my stories; I hear so many!)

-Finally, the most amazing miracle this week was from a meeting held near Redding that included two second-year Bethel students and one of Bethel's pastors, Kevin Dedmon. During the meeting, a man came up for prayer who had cut off his thumb several months prior on a table saw. He had lost the full digit of his thumb to below the thumb's first knuckle. As they prayed, they decided not to cover his hand as they asked for a creative miracle. Within minutes, they watched as a new thumb and joint grew out of the stub of the old one, including a brand new thumbnail! This was a creative miracle that they saw unfolding with their own eyes! Praise God for His ability to make anything out of nothing at all!

Blessings,

Connor