Dates: not so fruity!

I had this idea before I came here. I used to believe that I would just wait for the one guy. THE ONE as all of us girls seem to put it.

I used believed that until I find someone that fitted all the things that I have given to God, I would not date anyone. I would just wait for God to send Him to me.

Wait a minute! What about if you start to like someone that doesn't fit your every criteria?! I am not talking about people who have completely different dreams as you, of course that wouldn't work, but people who have a heart for God, that seem to be going a similar direction...How bout then?

I also didn't believe in dating.

I am not sure if that is because I am from New Zealand, and well Kiwi's don't date a lot. But I just didn't think that dating was healthy, I had seen too many who would just ask a girl out because she is good looking and that was it. No other reasons, and here I was starting to believe that I was not beautiful. I was making a theory based on hurt. That's simply not healthy.

What I got from Relationship Week here at BSSM, was that dating is healthy, we all have a desire to date someone (except for those special few who are meant to stay single). It's ok to have the desire, its ok to want to be pursued, it's ok to desire a boyfriend or girlfriend. It's OKAY!!! What if someone asked you for coffee? Doesn't make a commitment for life! What if you find out they are just friend material? That's ok too, you had a coffee date and that can be fun.

There is one important thing to add though, make sure that when you do date someone, leave them better off for it. Relationships, whether friendships or more, should build you up, they should teach you new things and make you grow. So is the same in dating.

It has been my "Word of Observation" that many people have got so caught up in being happy in singleness, or trying to be happy being single, that they forget that it's ok to want someone. It is ok to need someone. God never intended us to have Him as ALL we need, though He can be very easily, He created relationship, he created Eve.

So go on guys, ask a girl out, girls don't put walls up, be ready to be pursued!

What is a Glory Cloud?

Imagine the surprise when God shows up in a Glory Cloud?! I was very sick the first night that it turned up but I was hungry for more of God and I definately didn't leave sick, came in with a fever, a cloud of gold dust appeared the presence of God was thick and the room was misty....I left without a fever.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9eAgjH9cJQ



There was so much awe, joy, peace, freedom and grace with the room, some of my friends said they were crying out of the beauty and awe, some were laughing so hard from joy bubbling up from deeper than ever, this was definately life-changing. When there is so much you can't explain but at the same time you don't care cos of how you felt/feel.


2 Chronicles 5:14
so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

Remember today.

It's not the glory cloud that changed me, though this was definately witnessing HIS story, it wasn't even the atmosphere of adoration and praise toward a loving, kind and all powerful God. It wasn't the bible study I spent extra time on to suck up as much juice as possible. I was just an average day at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (which is suitably supernatural and not ever at all ordinary), we sung our little hearts out, with songs of adoration and joy. I laughed loudly, got saturated in God's loving glory, seeping goodness from every pore. I danced until my stockings almost fell off me and my face red with heat and perspiration. I manifested the power of God wand His goodness with jerks and ticks and wiggles.


But there is power in the name of JESUS

And as I shouted from the depths of my soul I felt a physical twitch and pull in my heart, as if my heart physically moved, and it was then I realised I was changed forever.

This day 15 November 2011 is significant and I know now that I will create HIS story with mine.

See what Love can do

It's amazing the transformation that can occur in your life when you learn to be loved on. For a long time I believed that I would be self centered if I focused on myself. This seems to be true, in some ways it is but I took it too far. I was so afraid of being selfish or self centered that I neglected myself! I know that to be true of so many people, they have been lied to by the king of lies and learned that working on yourself is when you seek out your flaws, your failings and work at them; I have learned otherwise.

You see God knows what we need, He is the one we should seek first!

Job 5:8 (Darby)
But as for me I will seek unto God, and unto God commit my cause.

Matthew 6:32-34
(PHILLIPS)
“So don’t worry and don’t keep saying, ‘What shall we eat, what shall we drink or what shall we wear?! That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart on the kingdom and his goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.
“Don’t worry at all then about tomorrow. Tomorrow can take care of itself! One day’s trouble is enough for one day.”


"Should you be love, and be loved?" - Bob Marley

It's ok to be dependent, we were made for intimacy with God and He longs for us to be real with Him. The rest will follow.

!!!!!Grace!!!!

What's so amazing about Grace is that she has blue streaks in her hair and a kitten called Gideon and a turtle named Yoda. Seriously, everyone keeps talking about her at Bethel, and I am quite certain I know the most famous girl in the whole world. I didn't know until I came to Bethel the amount Grace had done, Grace set my spirit free, Grace healed me, Grace allows me to live off God and not what my bank account says. Grace is pretty amazing actually. I knew she was great when I met her, she is from Texas and is small and gutsy but wow how much guts?! Grace allows God to give above and beyond what I deserve, she must really have a special bond with God! I didn't know how much I needed her until I was on a plane to a land I have never been before, in a city I knew little about and living off money that didn't exist until I got here. I really don't know how she does it. Apparently Grace came when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, I thought she was about 21. It's amazing how much Grace lives! HAHAHA What IS so amazing about Grace?

I reckon she is pretty sweet. I like her and her cherry Cokes too.

Identity

A big theme in this season is IDENTITY.

who am I?

I know the RIGHT answers but what are the deep-inside-my-heart-for-realsies answers.

PRINCESS

I am royalty, I am a daughter of the one true King, but what does that mean? I could give you a biblical sound answer by searching for references on Biblegateway.com or I could tell you what I have been told for the past 20 something years of my life...or I could tell you my hearts answer
The King, my Daddy, who has a long beard that tickles my nose when I cuddle Him. Bold, Strong and All Powerful, can speak Life into being with a whisper and send Death to it's grave with a beautiful, loving and gruesome gesture. The King that reigns over all kings, all powers and principalities, no matter how BIG they seem. That is just a snippet of who my Father is, I am His daughter, so don't mess with me. He delights in me, with the twinkling of His eye He ravishes me with His overwhelming LOVE.

BRIDE
I am God's first love. I am His pure spotless Bride. Pure and Spotless only because He first loved me and gave Himself for me on the Cross. His flesh ripped and torn to pieces, blood dripping and trickly down to the dirt, making me pure. He is romantic and loving towards me, showing grand gestures toward me, the kind that I would like, my flavour, my tone, my style. He twirls me and carries me, His arm stretches out toward me as He asks me to dance.
This is me. The Bride

POWERFUL
I carry the Power of God with me, the Holy Spirit resides in me and I have been given the power to cast out demons and heal the sick. I have more power in my little pinky finger than all the hordes of hell, they know it and they tremble. I hold the power to change nations, to set captives free, and to show love and compassion to the hurting and broken.

This is just a taste of who I am in God. I am beautiful, I am courageous, I am a sign and a wonder, I am powerful, I am pure, I am desired and loved. I am Rachel.

Going to U.S.A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I have been accepted into the School of Supernatural Ministry~I know this will change me for the better and grow me immensly!  I can't wait!

 I leave for Redding, California on 5th September this year.  There is just one catch!  I need $.  I have worked out that I need $10,000 before I go and another $18,000 while I am over there, for living costs and because I need really comprehensive health insurance due to a condition I have.  This wil change my life and not only mine but the people I dream of helping.  I look forward to showing people their beauty on a large scale by teaching them their worth. This is particularly with Drug Addicts and Forgotten Artists and Musicians, but really everyone I can. 

I have a put a link on my blog in order for y'all to be able to donate money to my cause. 

Click on the Paypal button and this will allow you to give directly to my savings for Bethel. ANY donation is acceptable even $1.

In the Name of Tolerance

I have been thinking about how far the western world is going with tolerance as it's mantra.  Many of us talk about the good ol' days when we could run around in our backyards, barefoot, naked in the hot summer sun squirting each other with the hose.  I know I am not the only one who did that. These days it is not done, fearing pedophiles, not wanting offend anyone and even because we fear the naked body.  It's just not done.  When did children's exploration of the world became so boxed in?  But I'm off topic here.

What was I talking about?

Oh yes tolerance.

Although we have our anti-PC television shows and radio talk back shows, there is some inconsistency.  When is it that it was not ok to speak about Christianity for fear of "Bible Bashing?"  When I was in High School it was evident even then, if you were a Christian, you were known for imposing your beliefs onto others.  Has society become so fearful of offending people that they end up offending people?  Is it a vicious circle?

I have just finished reading a book by an amazing author Ted Dekker called Sinner.  In this book a law was passed in the name of Tolerance, saying that if someone was to speak against another race, religion or culture it was against the law. So if a Christian was to say that Jesus was the only way to God, they were breaking the law.  Is it coming to that?

One thing is for sure.  About Jesus...


....I WILL NOT BE SILENCED

Faith Trip ONE: Big Learning Curve

As I listened to an amazing story about how far a man would go just get a word from God, how he would risk his life to get a prophesy from a highly anointed leader I wondered where the adventure in my life was.  I asked God why did I not have amazing stories like the one told here.  He replied you will when you take trips by Faith only around New Zealand.

Romans 5:19
For just as by one man's disobedience (failing to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so by one Man's obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable toGod, brought into right standing with Him).




First Faith Trip:  Hamilton -  Levin!

First Leg:  I left Hamilton a little too late but I knew no matter where I was, I would have to fully rely on God for my meals, transport and accomodation, so what did it matter where I would have to stop for the night.  MISTAKE NUMBER 1.  It DOES matter where you stop cos it gets to almost freezing at night in some places, like Bulls. But back a few steps.  First ride I got was just to Ohaupo not much out of town, then I got a ride by a lovely lady who stopped for icecream and bought me one.  Ya it was that warm up in the Waikato.  We chatted about life and God and how I hated religion and it turned out she needed to hear about the true love of God without the religious undertones, she grew up in a Devout Catholic upbringing, though I NOTHING against Catholics, her mother believed in striving for God's cause and mercy.
She dropped me off while protesting that the weather was too wet and I should stay with her the night.  I knew she was a lovely lady and safe but I was feeling like I needed to move on.  I got picked up straight away by someone who was just heading 20 minutes away and dropped off in a funny spot where not many drove past.  I was wet and cold but I was filled with joy and freedom.  I got picked up about 20 minutes later and he drove me all the way to Taumaranui.  All the way we talked about my testimony and he was a bit skeptical that a girl like me had changed from a party animal to an enthusiastic and positive lover of God.  After being picked up in Taumaranui by a Christian guy in a BEAUTIFUL clubsport, I was dropped in Owhanga and picked up by a Truckie driving all the way to Bulls.  The trucky learned a lot about being a spiritual Christian from me and he talked about his Maori upbringing and how his father was "religious".  We talked about so many things and I told him that God sent Jesus to die not just for anything wrong we may do in our lives, but to free us from all spiritual and physical slavery.  He was very interested and open.  As I sang for him he was deeply moved.

BULLS:  After climbing down the ladder from the truck, I was in Bulls.  I headed over to McDonalds and looked around in the closed shops.  It was 10pm and I should have stopped for somewhere to stay earlier, maybe with that woman.  I felt nothing but Joy though and kept laughing out loud with God.  I walked around alleyways and churches but couldn't find somewhere to sleep. I never did find a good place to sleep.   The next day I went to Marton and a couple helped me out by letting me stay in their Lodge, I didn't think I could wake them up so I didn't ask the night before.  YES timing is everything.  Listen to that small quiet voice.

The next day I went to Levin safely on  a bus.

LEVIN:  When I arrived in Levin I didn't know how to get hold of my cousin and although I text her a few times I found out later her phone was broken!  I thought I would see if God provided accomodation but when it started to get to dinner time I went to her work...Noone knew her contact details, and couldn't get hold of her.  One of her amazing colleagues gave me a place to stay and we talked about life to the wee hours of the morning, although I was exhausted.  I left a message for my cousin on Facebook hoping she would see it.  She ended up getting contacted by my Aunty (her mum) and seeing the Facebook message.  I was dropped off to the paddock where my cousin's horse grazes and when I knocked on the door to the closest house they knew my cousin!  As we tried to do detective work over coffee, who turns up but my cousin!  All things work together for the good for those who love HIM!!

 Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

P.S. I never had to buy any meals!

I'm So in Love. Not just a pimply Teenage Crush

Today I feel inspired...
If I had my way I would be walking through a land with candy coloured clouds, flourescent green grassy hills and where rose petals were boats.  I would walk through the land hand and hand with lover, Jesus and talk about how the world works and where it began.  We would find a quiet and lovely spot near a shady tree but in the sun because I prefer life in the Sun.  Eating Fish n Chips Jesus would teach me the ways of life and love and how to love; something I am not that good at yet, though I do try.  He would look at me with unconditional love in His eyes and we would whisper "sweet nothings" as only we could.  I am my beloved's and He is mine.  He would show me that I am made for Him and that His love would be the only thing I would every need. 

I would imagine Jesus with a guitar, a hippy of sorts, singing folk songs about the love He has for me.  I could see Him singing from His heart and with all that He is showing how much His love extends, to me, to the ends of the Earth.  He would sing like the songs were just for me and He would look into my eyes and I would fall into the pools of eternity that lived inside them.  I am my beloved's and He is mine.

Jesus is more than just a friend of mine.  I am in love with Him.  I live for each moment I have with Him.  I seek more of His love for me so I can love Him back. 
This is not just a pimply teenage crush. It's for life!