This is a clip from the Leadership Advance held out at Bethel Church in Redding, California in May 2009. It seems that Muslims in Indonesia have been beheading and dismembering Christians. That, however, is no deterrent to God when He decides to put someone back together again. Literally. Listen and enjoy, and let your faith be challenged to reach out for more. There’s always more with Jesus!

God is doing amazing things in Indonesia once again. The recent The Call held there drew 90,000 people. If you are from my generation, you remember Mel Tari related amazing stories from the Indonesian Revival of the 1960’s in his book, A Mighty Rushing Wind.

Who is Dr. Leslie Keegel, named as the source for these stories?

Leslie & Belen Keegel

National Leaders

Leslie was born to Christian parents and came to know Jesus at age 12. On two successive nights Leslie saw the crucified Jesus who spoke to him. Jesus told him that He died to save and heal him and that if he dedicated his life, Jesus would use him to bring many to Himself, at home and abroad. Leslie began to minister at once in the church any way he could. At 16, he became the youth leader at a church in Colombo. He later attended the Foursquare Bible College in the Philippines, where he graduated in 1981 and where he met his wife, Belen, They were married in June 1981.

In 1983, missionaries Richard and Betty Kaiser left Sri Lanka to return home. Leslie was appointed the national leader of Foursquare Sri Lanka and initiated a unique discipleship program that increased the number of churches from three to more than 1,000 meeting places and churches. Leslie and Belen have three daughters: Blessie, Julie and Rosie.

From The Foursquare Official website

The goodness of God never ceases to amaze me, especially when He just decides to do stuff to prove to those who don’t know Him that he is good.

What is the heart of the Father toward His children who have sinned? What is His attitude toward His children who have repented?

This is what many in the church seem to think should happen to Todd Bentley:

You can get out, Todd, as soon as you've proven your repentance and earned forgiveness.

But is this the heart of God? Is this how the Father treats His children? This is what the Father says:

⁷ I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity ^[a] and will rebuild them as they were before. ⁸ I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. ⁹ Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

Jeremiah 33:7-9

When the Father forgives, He not only forget the sin, but He chooses to rebuild His fallen child as they were before. Is that an expression of “greasy grace?” No, it is so they can bring Him “renown, joy, praise and honor.” It is all about Him. Restoration brings Him joy and honor.

Bill Johnson made a fabulous point in his sermon on March 22. He spoke at length about Todd and his restoration. This is actually an incredibly meaty sermon and covers a lot of points. You can see the entire sermon below:

What he said that was so fabulous was if Todd’s repentance is false and we accept it, God is not going to be angry. Todd will still have to answer to the Father for his sin, but we will have obeyed the word and extended mercy. If, however, Todd’s repentance is genuine and we do not accept it, he will be fine, and we will fall under the judgment of God for our sin.

God has made it abundantly clear in His word that if we do not forgive others, He will not forgive us. He hasn’t given us the option of judging whether a heart is repentant or not because He alone knows the secrets of men’s hearts.

Pastor Johnson also talks about the Political Spirit and the Religious Spirit, both of which oppose Grace. The Political Spirit washes its hands like Pilate did in order to appear righteous. The Religious Spirit takes up stones to kill the sinner, forgetting their own sin and need of mercy, in order to appear righteous.

The Spirit of Christ stands with the sinner and gives grace because, as Romans 2:4 says, “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”

Titus 2:11-14 makes it abundantly clear that grace is what empowers us to live holy.

¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

The passage above makes it abundantly clear that godliness and purity are processes. Grace teaches us. It is impossible to learn the lessons of grace without mistakes, just as it is impossible to learn mathematics without making mistakes. You do not destroy children for their failure to perfectly master the lessons of mathematics. You do not destroy college students for their failure to master the concepts of Calculus I. In the same way you do not destroy the Father’s children for their failure to master the lessons of grace.

Does this grace lead to compromise? No. Those who have been forgiven much, scripture says, love much. That love expresses itself in gratitude to the Father for His amazing grace that you have no desire to repeat the offense.

Rick Joyner has responded to J. Lee Grady’s attack in Charisma against Todd Bentley and the restoration process Todd has only just begun. Rick responded as follows:

(Rev. Rick Joyner of Morningstar Ministries sent this response on March 12, 2009)

Lee, I think what you call “the Lakeland disaster” would be disputed by multitudes of people who got healed or touched there. If you are such judge of this what gives you the credentials? What moves of God have you led? What have you built? Paul the apostle claimed to have authority for building and for tearing down, but what gives you authority to tear down the work of others is having built something yourself.

I, Todd, Bill and Jack all know this is a very serious matter, and are treating it as such. I am deeply offended that you would call our work “a travesty.” The Lord had far more grace for sinners than for the self-righteous, who He had no grace for at all. I am personally far more concerned for you than for Todd.

Lee, I love some of the things you write, but I also feel that some are straight from the mouth of the accuser. I do think you have done at least as much damage to the church as Todd’s fall has by your unrighteous and unfair judgments. I don’t think you have earned the credentials for it, and you’re putting yourself in far more jeopardy by trying to be such a self-appointed judge.

I’m quite sure you will misunderstand what I’m saying, and I’m definitely not implying that we want to cover anything up, or promote cheap grace. We have just started the process and its being judged negatively. Give us some time, and some grace. Grace is, by the way, something we are supposed to be giving to each other.

If you care to follow this, Todd and I will be doing Video Special Bulleting each week that will be posted on our website, U-Tube, and carried by many others. These will be short, like the first, only about 10 minutes, but we want to cover the mistakes Todd has made, and as much as we can in the time we have, how he fell into some of the traps he did, strictly for helping others to not have to go through what Todd has. He will no doubt be doing a lot of public apologizing during this time because the public deserves these apologies.

I think you owe Todd, myself, Bill, and Jack apologies for your presumptuous judgments. I think they should be as public as this letter was. If not, I feel that I will have to address this publicly, and I don’t think that is in your best interest.

I also think you need to come down and spend some time with Todd and me. If you have problems with someone we have Matt.18 as a guide to how we should deal with them. Read the first part of that chapter. This was given to help protect people from becoming stumbling blocks, which the Lord made quite clear was something we do not want to be. If you think being a journalist exempts you from complying with Scripture, I would like to know what philosophy you have bought into that trumps Scripture.

Sorry if this comes across as harsh. I don’t mean for it too but I am quite busy and just don’t have the time that I would like to maybe be a bit more tactful.

THANK YOU, RICK!

I personally know people who were saved and healed through Lakeland. More importantly, I know people who were encouraged to go for it, to believe that God could use ordinary, imperfect people in extraordinary ways.

The Florida Outpouring was never about Todd Bentley. It was about the body of Christ connecting with the desire that God has of partnering with His people, His CHILDREN, in the work of ministry. Todd Bentley was not out in the parking lot of Wal-Mart praying for people. It was the Body of Christ out doing the works of the Kingdom.

People came from all around the world to get some and take it home. They got hope and fire. They got training in evangelism. Jeff Lewis was AMAZING in what they were doing down there, and what his CityTakers.com is still doing. Roy Fields is in Australia leading revivals there. He’s had nearly 2,000 souls saved in his We Are the Generation tour. Jeff Gavin is tearing Iceland up right now in meetings there. Lakeland didn’t end with the departure of Todd Bentley. The fire just spread out.

I for one am grateful for what I received from the Lakeland experience in general, and from Todd Bentley in particular. It has been the cry of my heart that he would not be a casualty of the war as Evan Roberts was.

Todd has been at Morningstar only a couple of weeks. Mr. Grady has no idea what is going on there, and to write this off before it even begins as greasy grace is astounding to me. I have posted a study on divorce and remarriage, and it is plain that Grady has never taken the time to study the scriptures out and look at the Greek and Hebrew behind them.

It also appears that Charisma took an communication that was intended to be private and made it public. This was addressed personally to Mr. Grady. Rather than keeping this between brothers, Charisma has chosen to make this a public disagreement. Way to go guys! Scriptural guidelines evidently don’t apply to you.

Enc: Wagner memo of June 24, 2008

To: Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Team: Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Lee Grady, Steve Strang, Ché Ahn, Jeff Beacham, David Cannistraci, Joseph Askins, Bill Johnson, John Arnott

From: C. Peter Wagner

Date: June 25, 2008

Subject: Personal Report of Lakeland Outpouring

As all of you know, what I believe to be God-orchestrated circumstances over the past three weeks or so have brought me mainstream into the Lakeland Outpouring and the controversies surrounding it.

I am writing this from Lakeland. The night before last Doris and I attended the meeting in the tent along with 10,000 others, the largest crowd yet since meeting in the tent. It was the 82nd day of the Outpouring. Todd Bentley used his speaking time in giving the most detailed testimony so far of the “dark night of the soul” that he experienced for 18 months 2005-2007. It was a very remarkable and transparent confession of his pride during the ten years previously and details of the wilderness that God took him through to break the pride. He was very clear about his lack of discipline, his emotions out of control, his rejection of God, his dislike of reading scripture, public meltdown on the platform, memories of childhood rejection, loneliness, sexual abuse, his marriage on the brink of divorce, etc. He was so burnt out he cried 4 hours per day for 21 days straight.

When it was over, God restored everything related to his staff, his marriage, his ministry, and his newly-refined personal character. This was a very remarkable and touching presentation. There was no hint of victimization or wanting a pity party. It was a confession of his own sin and the consequences he paid for disobedience. Doris and I were very touched by this, and we were thankful to God for a window on Todd’s character that we didn’t expect to be so wide open to us

Let me remind you that Doris and I have been very close to other similar outpourings, especially the John Wimber signs & wonders phenomenon of the late 70s and 80s and well as the Argentine Revival of the 80s and 90s. We believe we have paid our dues in terms of the ability to discern truth from error and also in receiving severe and often painful criticism for some of the judgments we made in supporting those two movements. As we observed and participated in the meeting in the tent, we became very nostalgic about Wimber and Argentina, even noting some physical resemblance between Todd and Wimber. His accuracy in words of knowledge reminded us of both John Wimber in the past and Robert Henderson in the present. The worship time was similar to the worship we experience in Freedom Church in Colorado Springs except on a larger and more exuberant scale. We saw or felt nothing that would cross the lines we have previously experienced in high-profile revival. We have learned that God-driven revival is often messy, tending to pull some out of their religious comfort zones, but at the same time opening gates for new seasons of the movement of God.

All this was in preparation for last night, June 23, when we held a ceremony of apostolic alignment for Todd Bentley. As you will see from the document I will attach, the gist was that Todd would be aligned with Ché Ahn, Bill Johnson and John Arnott, representing Revival Alliance, who would then commission him as the evangelist to lead the Lakeland Outpouring. A few of us met with Todd personally before the service, and we found him to be a wonderful individual. Doris and I had never met him before. I explained to him what the ceremony would be like, and he agreed. I thought that it was interesting when he wanted to change one thing I had written in this document, because I could then run a quiet test of his humility and his respect for authority. Keep in mind that this was Todd’s ministry and Todd’s meeting. However, he had delegated the leadership of the ceremony to me. I suggested that his change was not wise, and he immediately accepted my decision. We were on the same page! In fact, we like each other!

The scenario was that I took the podium and called around me Todd, Ché, Bill and John. I then called to the platform a number of apostles whom I had chosen to stand behind us: Stephen Strader of Lakeland FL, Karl Strader of Lakeland FL, Jeff Beacham of Sydney, Australia, Rick Joyner of Ft. Mill SC, Doris Wagner of Colorado Springs CO, Sharon Stone of Burton, England, Paco Garcia of Chiclana, Spain, Clarice Fluitt of Monroe LA, Richard Maiden of Scottsdale AZ, Michael Maiden of Phoenix AZ, Joshua Fowler of Orlando FL, Barry Boucher of Ottawa, Canada, and Wesley Campbell of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Unfortunately Bishop Bill Hamon had to cancel because of a travel problem. I then read the paper I am attaching and, despite several requests, I even desisted from telling a joke! When I finished, I handed the microphone to Ché and he was in charge.

Ché, Bill and John laid on hands and anointed Todd with a special new “Be Revived” oil that Chuck Pierce (who was in Africa) sent for the event. Todd went down under the power of the Spirit and the three prophesied over him, commissioning him as the evangelist to lead the Lakeland Outpouring. Then most of the backup apostles prayed and prophesied as well. The power of the Holy Spirit was so heavy on that event that you could almost have cut it with a knife!

It was quite evident to those present that this was a groundbreaking event. A serious public problem had been growing in the body of Christ revolving around concerns about Lakeland from respected leaders. Even “schism” had been mentioned frequently. Because of the extensive media coverage through GOD TV, it was much more than a private or a trivial matter. Something was called for to set things in order, and this is the stated role of apostles. We are now in a place in what I see as the Second Apostolic Age that apostles can agree publicly to bring alignment. The seventeen apostles involved in this event represented three distinct apostolic streams: ICA (10 were ICA members), Revival Alliance, and Morningstar. Even though we are not networked formally, we believe in and support each other and we stand together when a crisis such as this one comes along. I may be wrong, but I cannot recall an event of this nature in the recent history of the church.

There was a notable prophetic dimension accompanying the event. Around a month ago, Bob Jones prophesied that on June 22 the outpouring would increase so much that it would appear that the revival would really begin at that time. Of course no one knew that June 23, the day after June 22, would be the date of Todd’s apostolic alignment which could well be the event to release increased spiritual power. Parenthetically both June 22 and June 23 broke previous attendance records in the 10,000-seat tent.

There is a great deal more to say, but I will leave it as it is for the moment. My paper, “Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Alignment,” which I am sending you will fill in many details. Although I am writing this primarily to you who are mentioned above, I will also send it to some others to whom I feel responsible for a report of Todd’s alignment and commissioning.

Blessings,

Peter

C. Peter Wagner

President, Global Harvest Ministries

Chancellor, Wagner Leadership Institute

CPW/jmc

P.S. on June 25. Last night was Todd’s day off, so Ché Ahn took the service. Among other things, he used Chuck Pierce’s “Be Revived” anointing oil to personally anoint the 1,000 or so pastors as “carriers of fire” to their churches. Forty-seven nations were represented in the meeting. He admonished them to receive it here in Lakeland and then give it away!

Dear Friends,

We have had several people write with great concerns about the current move of God that has been stirring in Lakeland, Atlanta, Dallas and other areas of our nation. Let me share some things with you. I actually believe this letter would be worth reading as you continue praying for us in Africa.

We have made our way into Northern Nigeria. Continue to pray for us. Life here is what you may have imagined in Africa: tin roofs, raining, hazy mountains in the distance and bugs buzzing. When we got five miles from the Compound in the rural area of Kafanchan at the Throne Room Trust Ministry, International Prayer Village, you could feel the tangible Presence of His Spirit. I love being here, even though the surroundings are not what I am normally accustomed to; the food is different, and well, yes, there are many different creatures. The main issue is this: in the midst of this environment, I am not afraid of being infected by malaria or getting dysentery because I am in a different land. The people here are some of the most gracious in all the world.

I see that some individuals view “moves of God” this way: they see all the dangers, they are afraid that they will have a demon transferred to them, they analyze every move and shake and scrutinize doctrinally everything that is happening. This may be the only way that some can process their relationship with the Lord and the Body of Christ. I know that many would not like to be here in northern Nigeria in this rural area, nor would they like to be wearing the kingly, African traditional clothing that I am wearing this evening. Some of us are more adventurous than others. Some need to fully test the water before they swim. Personally, I have found that there is great joy in watching God’s people express themselves, work through their issues, learn to discern both good and evil and continually mature in Him.

I was just in Zambia. We saw a great reconciliation of the nation and people with the ex-President. This man had a great reproach from his terms in office. However, God in His grace chose to bring him forth, humble him and forgive him, and use him to change a nation. From a political standpoint, many would have wished he would have stayed estranged from the Body. However, I chose to go with the Spirit of God above political party divisions and reconcile him back into God’s Kingdom plan.

We at Glory of Zion International have chosen to number ourselves in intercession with what is happening in Lakeland and other places throughout the world. Some have written asking me to reject Todd Bentley. GZI does not have a philosophy or mindset to reject anyone. We watch, pray, and then try to communicate what the Lord is saying to help the overall Body of Christ advance.

I have seen others get offended because key leaders commissioned Todd as a modern day evangelist. We at GZI have no problems with this. Please know that we are living in an age where the Apostolic gift in the Body has come into a new position and era of authority. I was very excited to read Peter Wagner’s report (you may go to our web site to read this) on the commissioning service in Lakeland. I admire Ché Ahn, Bill Johnson, and John Arnott. I can now rest in Him, knowing that if things get way out of sync, they can help Todd make adjustments so the Spirit can keep moving.

We will continue to pray that the Lord raise Evangelists all over the world who can reach the harvest fields today. Yes, they may look different than Billy Graham, and they may have experienced some unusual happenings that perhaps will be better communicated as they grow in the Lord. But overall they are stirring the Body of Christ, leading people to the Lord, and doing the works of Jesus.

Let me share with you a personal experience. When Pam and I were in the Baptist Church in the early ’80’s, we were in a “move of God.” The Fullness Movement had touched the Baptist Church in the late ’70s, led by Jim Hylton, Ras Robinson, Jack Taylor and others. We had had some incredible meetings at our church. Many had gotten saved, gotten right with the Lord and filled with the Spirit of God. I loved this time. Pam and I both reminisce over it and call it “the Glory Days”. Then James Robison had his annual meeting and invited John Wimber to minister. Many of you remember our story of Pam’s barrenness. You can read about it in two or three of the books that we have written. We were told by all of our leadership how this “move” had gotten way out of hand, and now that John Wimber (who had no Baptist roots), was invading James Robison’s meeting, we should all stay away from these gatherings. (You should know that John Wimber and Peter Wagner helped revive signs and wonders in the ’80s.) Well, I heard God very clearly tell Pam and me to go in January, 1984 to the James Robison meeting where John Wimber was speaking. While we were there, the Spirit of God fell on my wife and sovereignly filled her. His power knocked the clots out of her uterus and He dramatically healed her. When the Spirit of God fell on Pam she said, “You were right! There are demons everywhere, but I AM HEALED!”

This was not about John Wimber. This was not about Baptists. This was not about controversy. This test was ours! The situation was about us following God without fear so He could reward us with an incredible blessing. Pam became pregnant two weeks later and continued to be pregnant for the next 10 years of our life. We had six wonderful children. I’m so thankful I listened to the Spirit of God and did not let religious fear rule us. There were others with us that were not touched at all by the meetings. As a matter of fact, they did not appreciate at all the way John Wimber ministered. However, in the midst of his ministry, the Spirit of God ministered to us and changed the course of our lives.

I am honored that God brought me into alignment with Peter and Doris Wagner after I embraced the move of God that had been stirred by he and John Wimber. We have now been together for 17 years. During that time, I have continued to get the best God has to offer from the revivals in Argentina, Toronto, the “Laughter Movement”, Brownsville, and any other fresh breath of wind that blows. I have many friends who have great cautions over experiential manifestations and extra-Biblical sensational happenings. I heed those friends’ voices and listen carefully. This does not keep me from experiencing what God is doing. I love what Bishop Bill Hamon says, “Eat the meat and spit out the bones and you will find yourself nourished.”

Recently, I have been pondering the first several verses of Genesis. In the midst of a wreck and ruined, chaotic, without-form earth, the Spirit of God began to hover. Once the Spirit began to hover, God could speak into the earth realm and pull forth creativity. He did this for six straight days. But notice God’s order: He didn’t try and set in order the sixth day before the first day. He didn’t try to place the fourth day before the second day. Little by little, as the Spirit hovered, order came and man was offered a new position as a result. That is how I view every move of God.

What I would encourage you to do is to keep discerning by the Word and the Spirit, but to be open to see the Lord move in a new way. The disciples could not understand why the Lord would go to Samaria and visit with the woman at the well. However, because of His love and boldness to break a religious standard, a whole city was saved (John 4). The Lord is preparing to save entire cities today.

Thank God that Jesus talked to this woman – a person with a past, a Samaritan, and a woman. He was not afraid of His reputation being marred. Recently, a letter from one of the major Bible churches in Denton went out to leaders in our city on the doctrine of women and how they should have a subservient role in the Body of Christ in public ministry. Prior to this letter going out, I had invited Cindy Jacobs to minister at Glory of Zion on Sunday, July 6. I want you to know that I have been a champion for women ministers throughout the years. I am so very excited to have Cindy with us on July 6th because women are welcome to minister in Denton, Texas. I would never shut the door of ministry for her to come into this city because of man’s opinion.

Neither would I, Robert Heidler or any leader that is aligned with me, shut the door to Keith Miller or Todd Bentley to come to Denton to minister what the Spirit of God is doing in their lives. We consider it a privilege that God has opened the gate for Spirit-led ministry to come into Denton. We are glad that He “needs” to come to Denton just like He “needed” to go to Samaria. You are always welcome to come to Denton. As a matter of fact, you might “need” to come here to gain your next release from the Lord. You can go to Keith Miller’s meeting. You can come to our Firstfruits Gathering. You can come be with Cindy Jacobs on Sunday, July 6. You can come to Tuesday Morning Prayer. You are invited to come any time and you will not be rejected as you come into this city.

Keep praying for us. We will be home on Tuesday.

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce

On June 23, 2008, Todd Bentley was commissioned by apostolic group, Revival Alliance, and brought into formal affiliation with this group. Revival Alliance is an organization of revival leaders that includes Bill and Beni Johnson, Che and Sue Ahn, John and Carol Arnott, Georgian and Winnie Bannov, Randy and Deanne Clark and Roland and Heidi Baker. The video below is the first of four on You Tube showing the entire ceremony. Click on the video, go to You Tube and watch them all. C. Peter Wagner, head of Global Harvest, presided.

Bill Johnson explained the motives and discussion that lead up to this event in is his sermon Sunday, June 22, at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. The sermon is available here at the Bethel website as a video for the next few days and is entitled, The Loyalty of Bethel. It is also available on their podcast.

Revival Alliance is the result of a prophetic word that Bob Jones gave to Heidi Baker regarding an alliance of 12 revival leaders. Heidi contacted those Bob saw in the vision and Revival Alliance was born. The leaders of Revival Alliance is determined to give themselves away for the benefit of others. The goal of this group is to stand together, explore together, and stay accountable together; basically to live and die for each other.

In the original vision, Todd Bentley’s ministry was part of the alliance, but Bob said that at that time it was not the time yet to include Todd. When Bill Johnson asked Bob Jones if now was the time, Bob said, “It’s time because of his enemies.” Because of who is opposing Todd, it is important for them to rally around him.

Pastor Johnson makes it clear in his sermon that for him, when a man of God is being shot at, that is where he wants to be to stand with them. He wants to throw his hat in the ring with people who are making a mess of the kingdom of darkness. It is not the time to jump ship when someone is facing a hard time. That is when you rally around them and give the enemy multiple targets to shoot at.

Xtreme Encounters has been an Overflow Room for the Florida Outpouring since April 21. We have made a decision that, although we are a small ministry, we will stand with Fresh Fire Ministries and see this thing through. We want to see the good fruit that we see (people have been healed and saved in our ministry as a result of the encouragement we have received from the Outpouring) spread, not just in Lakeland, not just in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we are, but all over the world.

I came across this photo on my friend’s Been Up 2 site. By the way, I think Been Up 2 is now the Bethel Church networking site. There are a zillion people who are somehow linked to Bethel over there posting photos of their wild adventures. Bill Johnson’s current wild adventure appears to be eating some of the best food America has to offer (he has taken his beloved wife on vacation and is tormenting the BSSM students with photos of such things as Kobe beef and truffle mashed potatoes while they eat their ramen noodles as all college students do.) Steve Jobs should also be paying Bethel a spokesman’s fee considering the continuous endorsement that community gives all things Apple.

Anyway, back to the photo. This is a photo of Bill Johnson ministering at Impact Christian Fellowship on December 18, 2006. He was praying for the release of miracles and this photo was taken by Max Greiner, Jr. Notice the orbs visible in the photo. Max has done an article on this phenomenon on his site and you can read the entire article here. He is an artist (take some time and browse his site – he’s good!) and has taken many thousands of photographs that have this phenomenon in them.

One of the things I found interesting in this article is the date that these orbs were first being notices in photos, which was in 1996-1997. This was about the same time that the “gold dust” started appearing in churches. Some of these orbs have faces (notice the lion-looking one in the lower right corner of this photo). Others appear to be covered with eyes (like the living creatures Ezekiel speaks of in his vision).

I have seen orbs in photos I have taken and in photos friends of mine have taken. I actually saw an angel a few months ago standing in the doorway of the place we are meeting as an Overflow Room for the Florida Outpouring. You could feel the presence and when one of my guys drug out a camera phone, it was clearly visible as a human figure of blue light. Unfortunately, I do not own an iPhone and so the resulting photo was not as clear as what we saw on the screen.

I personally get tickled at the manifestations like gold dust, diamonds, feathers and such. I see them as just more proof of the interest the Father takes in his children. He cares enough to come and play with us (which is how humans build deep relationships, through play). By the way, I love Joshua Mills’ comment on feathers falling in his meetings. A guy came up to him and said, “I have a problem with the feathers,” to which Joshua replied, “If you have problems with the feathers, what are you going to do with the whole angel?

These type of phenomenon fascinate those in the New Age movement and those who are spiritually hungry for the reality of the spiritual realm.  Unfortunately, many of these people have tried the church and found us seriously lacking in spiritual reality.  Why on earth would you come and hear about supernatural experiences from an ancient book that the people believe tells about what once was but is no more, when you can experience supernatural things through your spirit-guide?

We have unlimited access to the God of creation and all that He has given us.  Part of our inheritance in the Kingdom is interaction with His house and all that is in it.  Do you seriously believe that what the writer of Hebrews calls an inferior covenant (the Old Covenant that God made with the children of Israel) is supposed to produce superior blessings to what we have in the Kingdom of God?  They were given covenant promises of health, healing and blessing.  They walked under a cloud by day and fire by night.  Their shoes did not wear out the entire 40 years they were  in the desert.  An angel was visibly present with them.  THEY HEARD THE AUDIBLE VOICE OF GOD, the entire nation of them did.  God fed them daily for 40 years.  The supernatural was a way of life for them.

The same is true of the ministry of Jesus.  His disciples walked in the continuous presence of God.  Think about it.  God was literally with them 24/7 in the person of Jesus.  He has told us that He is with us always.   He spent three years showing us how the Kingdom of God works and then told us to continue His work, doing the things He did and more.

The presence of our supernatural God doing His works through us is what will attract the lost.  The church has become more and more of an irrelevancy in American life.  Alternative religions are making a huge impact in this country.  Why?  They offer people a supernatural reality that the church has denied.  Again, why do we accept that an inferior revelation (the revelation that the evil one offers people of the supernatural) can produce supernatural results,  but deny that the church can and should be walking in the supernatural power of God?

One of the things that I though was very good in the article was one of Max’s comments on those who do not believe in the miraculous. Max, by the way, spent the first 40 years of his life as a Southern Baptist, which is not an organization noted for it’s flow in the supernatural power of God.

In fact, if you are a Christian with an “anti-supernatural” worldview, understand this: It will take a supernatural, unexplainable miracle of God, to take you to Heaven when you die! Just because you don’t believe miracles are still happening, doesn’t mean they are not happening. It just means you don’t believe they are happening. Jesus said you must have faith and believe first, before you get to see.

Read the article (it’s 3 pages long) and tell me what you think. I am looking forward to the the feedback.

A number of leaders in the Body of Christ are going to be in Lakeland on June 23th to bless the Outpouring. Bill Johnson, Che Ahn, C. Peter Wagner, John and Carol Arnott, among others, will be there according to the announcement Todd made last night.

I saw another great statement from Bill Johnson regarding Todd Bentley. This is from his ministry site.

Recent response to the above answer:”How in God’s name can you endorse Todd Bentley?” This is my response:

Have you spent time with Todd? Do you know him? Have you watched him with his wife? Or have you seen how he treats his kids? Have you spent any time with his staff? Have you been to his ministry? Has he been to yours? Have you laid hands on him and prayed? Has he laid hands on you and prayed? Have you grieved over tragedy together? Have you celebrated victory together? Has he sought your counsel? Has he traveled a great distance just to meet with you privately for advice? Have you ever received his counsel? Have you been in the room when God has showed up on him, and used him in stunning miracles? Have you seen him operate in the word of knowledge or the prophetic? Have you met with his counsel of elders? Have you personally benefited from his gift? Has he benefited from your gift and ministry? Has he ever honored you for who you are in God? Has he partnered with you as a friend? Have you sacrificed for his welfare, or that of his family? Have you sought God with him? Have you ever worshipped the Lord with him?

I didn’t think so. I have. And I’ll continue to support those who I have walked with in life and ministry. He’s my friend. More importantly, God calls him friend. And if you and I were ever friends in that level, and people hated you and turned against you, and started web pages to tear down your ministry, and criticized you to your friends, and wrote against you in Christian magazines, and criticized you on the radio and wrote emails to other conference speakers and authors, I’d still be your friend.

By the way – criticism in the form of a question is not a question. But to respond to your statement, “How in God’s name can you endorse Todd Bentley?” It’s easy. I do it in God’s name.

Bill

One thing that I admire about Bill Johnson is the fact that he makes no apologies for his friendship with Todd. He focuses on what God is doing, not what God is not.

Thank you, Bill Johnson, for being a man of integrity.

I have really been struggling with the doctrine police and their treatment of Todd Bentley since the beginning of the outpouring in Florida. I am used to the doctrine police being rude, but the outright hatred I have seen expressed toward Todd Bentley by people who claim to be followers of Jesus – not just followers, but superior followers who’s superior knowledge of the word of God qualifies them to pass judgment on this movement, absolutely blows my mind.

People have gone out of their way to dig up Todd’s past – his before Jesus, unsaved past – and claim that his actions as a SINNER disqualify him from holding any type of ministry position. Never mind that Paul was a murderer. In their world, he wouldn’t be qualified for ministry either. For the record, Todd has always been honest about the fact that he has a horrendous past and managed to cram a lot of sin into his 17 years before he was apprehended by the Holy Spirit. That is part of the beauty of his testimony, that God would take such a foul sinner and transform him into a minister of the gospel of grace.

This is one of the things that is truly bothering me about the current onslaught from the doctrine police – their total lack of grace. They do not, by their accusations and words, leave any room in their theological world for the grace of God to transform a sinner into a saint. Or maybe there is no room in their theological world for the transformation of Todd Bentley.

Todd has built his ministry on the fact that God saved and transformed his life, and He will do the same for anyone. Maybe the problem with the doctrine police is that God never transformed their lives. Maybe they have never experienced the grace of the Lord or experienced His love. Maybe they are just like the Pharisee that said, “I thank you, God, that I am not like that foul publican over there,” not realizing they are in just as much need of the grace of God as Todd Bentley ever was.

I found a quote on a BeenUp2 site from Bill Johnson about Todd Bentley:

It is foolish to judge another mans experience by your own lack of experience. To critique a meal you’ve not eaten is another activity of the religious spirit. Todd is a personal friend, and more importantly a friend of God. He has an unusual passion for God, and gives Him first place in everything. God trusts him, and has entrusted him with this extraordinary move. God has heard the cries of the church in America for revival – He’s now seeing how bad we want it by putting it in a package that is different than we’re accustomed to. He’s found someone who is not embarrassed to talk about the unusual experiences that God gives. God will not contradict the Scriptures, but He will gladly contradict my understanding of Scripture.

Pastor Johnson says, “Todd is my friend, but more importantly, he is a friend of God.” Those are two very important statements. Todd Bentley is not a man out doing the Lone Ranger thing. He is in relationship with godly men and women who speak truth into his life. He has a board who hold him accountable. He has a leadership team who hold him accountable.

I think that is one of the things that sets this apart from the Voice of Healing movement of the ’40’s and ’50’s. Todd is in relationship with other parts of the five-fold ministry. He is working closely with a pastor in this outpouring. Stephen Strader is working on how to pastor what is going on. He is working on how to disciple the new converts and train them up in sound biblical principles. Todd is in relationship with more mature prophetic voices who give him feedback on his prophetic revelations.

The other thing Pastor Johnson said that was important was that Todd, “was a friend of God.” Todd isn’t just God’s friend. He is a child of the King, a son of the Most High. The problem with abusing a child is that eventually you will find yourself having to deal with the angry parent of that child. I would seriously consider that if I were you, Doctrine Police.

People have problems with the package that is Todd Bentley. They don’t like his tattoos. They say they are unbiblical. That particular prohibition was part of the Law. If you don’t want to uphold every part of the law, then don’t try to force Todd to follow that one scripture. They don’t like his theology. They don’t like his angels. They don’t like the way he prays. They don’t like the way he takes an offering at 11 pm after people have started leaving. Fine. DON’T WATCH HIM!

What I would ask the doctrine police is: What’s your motive? Why are you so hate filled in your denunciations of Todd? Why are you posting a zillion pages about what a horrible person he is without ever having met him? Many of you are posting these things without ever having even watched a broadcast of the Florida Outpouring.

Here are the motives that come through these posts like a halogen light.

1. Jealousy – Todd’s ministry is world wide and he has seen well over a million souls saved. He is successful in ministry. Most of those who are bashing him on the net don’t even have a ministry in their local church. If they did, they wouldn’t have time to post their zillions of posts.
2. A Religious Spirit – Many of those posting deny that the power of God and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to believers today. They hold to a form of godliness, a form that totally depends on their own ability to maintain it, thus giving them a basis for feeling superior, but they deny the power thereof. Paul says that the true church of Jesus Christ is to have nothing to do with such people.
3. Hatred – The hatred for the person of Todd Bentley radiates in these posts. They don’t just disagree with him, they hate him. They would cheerfully burn him at the stake if they could.

I have another quote from Bill Johnson that totally illustrates the difference in the heart attitudes of the two groups.

Revival Critics – Neither Bob Jones nor Todd Bentley would get information about you and then repeat it. If they had dirt on you, they would never use a public forum to criticize you. Be careful, because “reaping and sowing” are still in effect. You will eat from the seeds you have planted. Pray you don’t get famous, because then it will be a BIG meal.

Don’t worry, Pastor Johnson, about the majority becoming famous. Most of these critics are only legends in their own minds.

A number of months ago, the church I attend became a part of the Global Legacy network of churches. This group is affiliated with Bethel Church in Redding, CA, which is pastored by Bill Johnson. Since that time, various members of our leadership team have traveled to Redding to be a part of various meetings and conferences. My pastor’s oldest son is currently attending the School of Supernatural Ministry there.

What has happened to our small fellowship since this affiliation is amazing. What we are doing corporately is chasing after the presence of the Lord. We want to experience God rather than just know about Him intellectually. And you know what? He like it! He really does. As Patricia King frequently says, “He’s a relational God.” He likes relationship with His kids. He wants us to know (that means experience) Him, not just know a lot of facts about Him and His Kingdom.

The western church has accepted a powerless gospel as the plan of God. We have come up with doctrines and theologies that justify our powerlessness and call it dispensationalism. We accept poverty and disease as the will of God rather than enemies of the Kingdom that are to be warred with and destroyed. Jesus Christ, scripture says, was made manifest to destroy the works of the devil. Destroy. Not work out a comfortable compromise.

The fruit of this compromise is that the western church has so perverted the gospel that we look at any supernatural occurrence as automatically demonic. God doesn’t heal today. Angels don’t talk to people or appear. Oh, really? There are over 370 references in scripture to angels alone. And those are just the references using the word “angel”.

Paul told the Corinthians that he did not preach to them with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. He wanted their faith to rest on the power of God. Isn’t that interesting? He didn’t say he wanted their faith to rest in the name of Jesus, but in the power of God.

It’s time we stopped being paranoid about the supernatual and start exercising true discernment. Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to know the source of the power behind activity. It is not paranoia or a critical attitude. God is a supernatural being and when He comes on the scene, He is going to do supernatural things. Deal with it.

I think the saddest statement in scripture is from the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai. God shows up in power on the mountain and it freaks them out to the point where they say, “You go deal with him, Moses.” They didn’t desire the intimacy that Moses had with God because His power terrified them.

We need to be determined to experience and walk in all that God has for us, not just pick and choose those parts of scripture we like and are comfortable with. We have to consume all of the Lamb and leave nothing out. Nothing less will enable us to reach this generation.