Monday, December 3, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Ecuador: MISSION TRIP
Yay! We have been selected for mission trips, I am so excited!! I WILL BE HEADING TO ECUADOR!!
In total I need $2650usd to be able to go. The trip is April 1-14, with 20-22 other students, here is the description:
In total I need $2650usd to be able to go. The trip is April 1-14, with 20-22 other students, here is the description:
"Ecuador
Every
year that BSSM students have journeyed to Ecuador they have continued to see
God’s
spirit
move, transform and heal many lives in this beautiful South American country,
and I expect
to
see the same on my trip to Ecuador!
With my team, I will be involved in working with city
officials,
prophesying life and hope, operating in words of knowledge, and we will be
partnering
with,
Geo and Charity Osorio, BSSM grads that are living and ministering in Ecuador, by
impacting
and transforming the business mountain. On this trip I will be used by God to
release
the
hope, joy, and peace that He has equipped me with, to bring impact and lasting
change to
Ecuador."
We haven't had our first meeting yet, so I can't give more details, but our first payment is due on Dec 07, it is a minimum of 10% of the trip with the full amount due February 26. I would so appreciate your financial support as I head on this trip. If you would like to donate to my trip please use the link provided:
https://missiontrips.ibethel.org/transactions/new/147
Thanks so much for your support,
Courtney xo
Thoughts.
Thanksgiving is coming up. I have enjoyed the food, food and more food. Thanksgiving is not until tomorrow, but it seems it is more of a week long celebration rather than a single day.
Its not hard to look back and be thankful.
I'm thankful that my high school friends cared enough to invite me to youth group, and love me unconditionally. I wouldn't be celebrating thanksgiving in Redding, CA if they hadn't.
I am thankful for a God who cared. and still cares. A God who cares about the details of my life.
I am thankful for my family and friends. My family, who are amazing, and friends who have become family and friends who are amazing friends. I am where I am today, and I am growing everyday because I have people in my life who pick me up and cheer me on.
I am thankful for my church, and my church family, and my new church and church family.
I am thankful for the Gagnons, and Brenda and Phil, and Lana and Dean.
//
We are in the process of being trained as prayer servants. Notes from Chris Gore's session:
Release the miracle. You don't need to convince God to heal someone, so don't pray out of your powerlessness. People will come in desperate situations, pray from the place that says "this is your day for a a miracle". Live with the conviction that it is impossible to pray and have nothing happen.
There is no such thing as "it will happen in God's time", God's time was 2000 years ago on the cross- come with an expectant heart to see people healed. Come with the conviction that "God is in us and He wants out". Healing is only difficult when you think its about you. The question is do you believe who He says He is?, because our job ultimately is to believe that He is good at His job. Pull the person "out" with compassion, don't let them "pull" you in with sympathy- He is the answer to every problem, their is no lack in God.
Bill Johnson says "I only look at sickness long enough to pull the trigger", our atmosphere of hope needs to be bigger than their hopelessness.
You can not become introspective when someone doesn't get healed. It's not okay if someone comes with cancer and leaves with cancer, but if you carry the burden you will take the glory. It's not your burden or your glory. Surrender the glory and burden to the cross. Don't minister out of your track record, minister out of His. His track record is impeccable, and He won't mind if you pray from it.
//
Notes from Papa Bill sessions:
Learn to discern what season you are in. We are both heirs and soldiers in the kingdom:
Matthew 11:12
12 (A)From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven [a]suffers violence, and violent men [b]take it by force.
Mark 10:13-15
Children and soldiers opposites. However we are to be both, "there are some things He won't give to soldiers, but He will give to heirs" -there are times where He says "Your not going to fight your way into breakthrough", There are times He calls us into a season of rest. There are seasons that we are to fight into our breakthrough- it is faith expressed. Faith is what terrorizes the spirit realm, it is saying "I believe in what is unseen." We need to learn what season we are in.
//
We are in charge of our hearts, we are in charge of the standards we set. A standard in our heart will attract that which will affirm and build the value set. What measure you set you attract. e.g If you want to grow in faith, you wouldn't focus on topics that would defer it. As we establish priorities we attract what is necessary for us to succeed. What are we going to embrace? What are we going to give place in our heart?
//
He will put you in school when you don't think your in school, it's easy to pass the test when you know its a test, the harder test is living out of who you are, when you don't know the test is over till its over.
You don't need to apologize for being blessed by God, don't let anybody talk you out of abundance. The issue is to sow your seed and eat your bread, do you know what is given for seed, and what is given for bread?. God will give us bread to enjoy, not to give away, His delight is in seeing us enjoy His blessings. We are also given seed to sow for future seasons, seed to sow into others, seed to help grow others.You can ruin your tomorrow by eating seed that was for tomorrow. Know what is seed and what is bread.
//
Proverbs 22:29 He who does His work with excellence will stand before kings.
If you want to influence influential people, become a person of excellence. Decision makers, leaders, influential people demand excellence, the finest around them, even if its not a reflection on their internal world. There is something about excellence that makes influential people want to be around you. Joseph, an ex-con, was entrusted with the Pharaoh's kingdom. His integrity in His life caused the greatest king of that day to trust him regardless of his surroundings. Your heart of servant hood will promote you, don't lose your servant heart. In 20 years, where will my sphere of influence be?
Perfectionism= religion excellence= kingdom
What does generosity look like when you give out of who you are, not according to the seen need?
The Queen of Sheba had nothing that King Solomon needed but she gave abundantly because of who she was. She gave and honored from that place.
//
Psalm 67:
God be gracious to us and (A)bless us,
And (B)cause His face to shine [a]upon us— [b]Selah.
2 That (C)Your way may be known on the earth,
(D)Your salvation among all nations.
3 Let the (E)peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
4 Let the (F)nations be glad and sing for joy;
For You will (G)judge the peoples with uprightness
And (H)guide the nations on the earth. Selah.
5 Let the (I)peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
6 The (J)earth has yielded its produce;
God, our God, (K)blesses us.
7 God blesses us,
[c]That (L)all the ends of the earth may fear Him.
Live with the conviction that "I am the wealthiest person I know". His favor, His face shining upon us looks like something, what does it look like in your life? The prayer in this verse is "Bless me God, so that they know that He is as good as He says He is. Bless me, so they see the Father's love and blessing". Earned? No. Always by grace. We live lives that should cause people to look and ask "why?, what is it about your life that looks so much richer than mine?". Everybody wants a king like Jesus, they just don't know it.."
Its not hard to look back and be thankful.
I'm thankful that my high school friends cared enough to invite me to youth group, and love me unconditionally. I wouldn't be celebrating thanksgiving in Redding, CA if they hadn't.
I am thankful for a God who cared. and still cares. A God who cares about the details of my life.
I am thankful for my family and friends. My family, who are amazing, and friends who have become family and friends who are amazing friends. I am where I am today, and I am growing everyday because I have people in my life who pick me up and cheer me on.
I am thankful for my church, and my church family, and my new church and church family.
I am thankful for the Gagnons, and Brenda and Phil, and Lana and Dean.
//
We are in the process of being trained as prayer servants. Notes from Chris Gore's session:
Release the miracle. You don't need to convince God to heal someone, so don't pray out of your powerlessness. People will come in desperate situations, pray from the place that says "this is your day for a a miracle". Live with the conviction that it is impossible to pray and have nothing happen.
There is no such thing as "it will happen in God's time", God's time was 2000 years ago on the cross- come with an expectant heart to see people healed. Come with the conviction that "God is in us and He wants out". Healing is only difficult when you think its about you. The question is do you believe who He says He is?, because our job ultimately is to believe that He is good at His job. Pull the person "out" with compassion, don't let them "pull" you in with sympathy- He is the answer to every problem, their is no lack in God.
Bill Johnson says "I only look at sickness long enough to pull the trigger", our atmosphere of hope needs to be bigger than their hopelessness.
You can not become introspective when someone doesn't get healed. It's not okay if someone comes with cancer and leaves with cancer, but if you carry the burden you will take the glory. It's not your burden or your glory. Surrender the glory and burden to the cross. Don't minister out of your track record, minister out of His. His track record is impeccable, and He won't mind if you pray from it.
//
Notes from Papa Bill sessions:
Learn to discern what season you are in. We are both heirs and soldiers in the kingdom:
Matthew 11:12
12 (A)From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven [a]suffers violence, and violent men [b]take it by force.
Mark 10:13-15
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 (A)And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; (B)for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, (C)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”Children and soldiers opposites. However we are to be both, "there are some things He won't give to soldiers, but He will give to heirs" -there are times where He says "Your not going to fight your way into breakthrough", There are times He calls us into a season of rest. There are seasons that we are to fight into our breakthrough- it is faith expressed. Faith is what terrorizes the spirit realm, it is saying "I believe in what is unseen." We need to learn what season we are in.
We are in charge of our hearts, we are in charge of the standards we set. A standard in our heart will attract that which will affirm and build the value set. What measure you set you attract. e.g If you want to grow in faith, you wouldn't focus on topics that would defer it. As we establish priorities we attract what is necessary for us to succeed. What are we going to embrace? What are we going to give place in our heart?
//
He will put you in school when you don't think your in school, it's easy to pass the test when you know its a test, the harder test is living out of who you are, when you don't know the test is over till its over.
You don't need to apologize for being blessed by God, don't let anybody talk you out of abundance. The issue is to sow your seed and eat your bread, do you know what is given for seed, and what is given for bread?. God will give us bread to enjoy, not to give away, His delight is in seeing us enjoy His blessings. We are also given seed to sow for future seasons, seed to sow into others, seed to help grow others.You can ruin your tomorrow by eating seed that was for tomorrow. Know what is seed and what is bread.
//
Proverbs 22:29 He who does His work with excellence will stand before kings.
If you want to influence influential people, become a person of excellence. Decision makers, leaders, influential people demand excellence, the finest around them, even if its not a reflection on their internal world. There is something about excellence that makes influential people want to be around you. Joseph, an ex-con, was entrusted with the Pharaoh's kingdom. His integrity in His life caused the greatest king of that day to trust him regardless of his surroundings. Your heart of servant hood will promote you, don't lose your servant heart. In 20 years, where will my sphere of influence be?
Perfectionism= religion excellence= kingdom
What does generosity look like when you give out of who you are, not according to the seen need?
The Queen of Sheba had nothing that King Solomon needed but she gave abundantly because of who she was. She gave and honored from that place.
//
Psalm 67:
God be gracious to us and (A)bless us,
And (B)cause His face to shine [a]upon us— [b]Selah.
2 That (C)Your way may be known on the earth,
(D)Your salvation among all nations.
3 Let the (E)peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
4 Let the (F)nations be glad and sing for joy;
For You will (G)judge the peoples with uprightness
And (H)guide the nations on the earth. Selah.
5 Let the (I)peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
6 The (J)earth has yielded its produce;
God, our God, (K)blesses us.
7 God blesses us,
[c]That (L)all the ends of the earth may fear Him.
Live with the conviction that "I am the wealthiest person I know". His favor, His face shining upon us looks like something, what does it look like in your life? The prayer in this verse is "Bless me God, so that they know that He is as good as He says He is. Bless me, so they see the Father's love and blessing". Earned? No. Always by grace. We live lives that should cause people to look and ask "why?, what is it about your life that looks so much richer than mine?". Everybody wants a king like Jesus, they just don't know it.."
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
BSSM Worship/October 30
http://soundcloud.com/courtneyrosesmith
We have 1st year worship teams lead us, they are amazing!. I was able to get this little moment we had this week, I am trying to capture as much of this as I can, oppurtunities to worship God like this don't come along everyday. Enjoy! Courtney xxoox
We have 1st year worship teams lead us, they are amazing!. I was able to get this little moment we had this week, I am trying to capture as much of this as I can, oppurtunities to worship God like this don't come along everyday. Enjoy! Courtney xxoox
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW07_cyaZ2g&feature=plcp
This week is Leader's advance, so there are a lot of people here in Redding!. So that means.. special guests at BSSM. We were so lucky to have Doug Addison come to share with us about his life and specifically about dream and tattoo interpretation. If you don't recognise him, he is in the film Father of Lights and spends his time loving people in LA. He offered to interpret a student's tattoo, so this is a little clip of the going's on this week. Love Courtney xx
This week is Leader's advance, so there are a lot of people here in Redding!. So that means.. special guests at BSSM. We were so lucky to have Doug Addison come to share with us about his life and specifically about dream and tattoo interpretation. If you don't recognise him, he is in the film Father of Lights and spends his time loving people in LA. He offered to interpret a student's tattoo, so this is a little clip of the going's on this week. Love Courtney xx
Sunday, October 28, 2012
October 28, 2012
October 27, 2012
“As we begin to submit
to a lifestyle of love and intimacy, God is faithful to transform our hearts,
nature and character in ways we have never imagined.” – Jack Frost
I have been in Redding
for a little less than 8 weeks. We are reading a book called ‘Experiencing the
Father’s embrace by Jack Frost. I have been looking for a way to express all
that has happened in me in the space of 8 weeks, and this quote sums it up.
“As we begin to submit
to a lifestyle of love and intimacy, God is faithful to transform our hearts,
nature and character in ways we have never imagined.” – Jack Frost
My last post was, well, it was factual. In truth I haven’t
found a way to express all the going-ons of my life here in Redding. So in my last post, I presented the
facts.
I have learnt so much here, it’s overwhelming to look back
and think through all the things that have captured my heart. There are seeds
planted that are for this season, and seeds for the next seasons, and seeds for
seasons I don’t yet see, but I know I am receiving impartation for things still
unseen, but seen to God.
I am learning that this is a season that I need to steward
well. That it is a time of rest, a time of simply leaning in and leaning on the
One who drew me here. That it is a time to cultivate my secret place with Him,
looking back this place in itself is a secret place. Here I am, a long way away
from home, tucked into a “small town” in California, leaning in and listening
to some of the most wonderful father’s and mother’s teaching us all about the
One. My journey has been entwined with some of the Jesus’ loving people I have
ever met, and here we are, doing life together, and learning and leaning on
each other like I have never seen.
“As we begin to submit
to a lifestyle of love and intimacy, God is faithful to transform our hearts,
nature and character in ways we have never imagined.” – Jack Frost
To be real, there are moments where times are too long, too fast,
too painfully slow, too painful, too scary, too unknown, to full of
homesickness and unrest. Just this week I wrote in my journal: “After crying it
out big time, I feel the still small voice whispering it’s going to be okay,
it’s going to be okay, it’s going to be okay..” what was not okay was that I
only had $7.32 in my bank account. By morning, my mourning had become joy, as
my dad had graciously put $900 in my bank account. My journal the next day
wrote: “I WOKE UP TO $900 IN MY BANK ACCOUNT HALLELUJAH”.
There are moments of “hard” where I don’t know how, what,
when, where or why things are hard, they are just hard. My normal vice in these
moments would be to shut down, to stow away and escape, but I am finding my
perception is being transformed. I am asking the Holy Spirit questions, “Why do
I feel like this God? why does this not make sense?, what am I believing that
is a lie about you? Or do I believe a lie about me?” As Papa Bill says “How
many words outside of His word are you willing to entertain?”
The majority of the time is just my mind being blown. I
still have moments where I am driving to school and I look at the new snow on
the mountains and it takes my breath away and my heart is full of gratitude to
Him as I think “I am in Redding
California”. I pray I never lose
that feeling, it sneaks up on me, and it’s a simple way the Holy Spirit makes
me smile. I find myself dreaming of “impossible things” and feeling safe
knowing that He who holds my dreams is the one who would love to see it happen.
Coming here was a dream in itself, I remember sitting in a car with a friend
and dreaming, and Bethel
was on my list.
It’s a new season, a new season in every sense of the word.
That is a lot of “layers of life” that is new or being renewed and transformed.
From simply being 20 years old, going from New
Zealand to America, from “regular life” to
being a student at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. From being “stuck”
in Christianity, knowing that I loved God but not sure or confident on how to
live it out. From being stuck on how I started, not realizing that what He has
given me is more than enough for any situation in my life. From feeling hopeless,
to hope-full in knowing that He is a good dad who has good things planned for
me. “Don’t settle for anything less than His best” is my most recent declaration.
Don’t settle for cheap thoughts, don’t settle having a bad attitude, don’t
settle letting yourself believe things about God or yourself or others that
aren’t true.
“I was born to stop
storms,
I was born to ruin
funerals
I was born to make
history” Kris Valloton
This week has been Prophetic Week, where we had Kris
Valloton for up to 2 hours everyday this week! He is my favorite for sure.
While getting ready for prayer he gets us to hold hands and says “Now if you’re
a boy and you like the girl sitting next to you, squeeze her hand…” and then he
releases the “spirit of cupid” over the class. He is the “dad jokester” for
sure! He will also ask you to stand up if you would like to get married and
take a look around and move seat if you see someone you like. 2 hours with him
sharing is easy! So fun! He also calls out “that is just a spirit of stupid,
don’t do that” He keeps it real!
This week was awesome, but it was a lot of information, I am
still processing but we learnt about prophecy, types of prophecy, how God
speaks and why, how to deliver a prophetic word. We learnt about prophets and
five fold ministry. From what I got: We need to see people as God see’s them,
and to know how He see’s them. Simply asking “how do you see them God?” and
serving them from that place is the most effective way to love someone. Our
role is to call out the goodness, the gold that He has placed in people. Know
that there is a difference between us saying “God loves you” and God saying “I
love you”, how does He want that person to know His love? You don’t have to be
profound to be powerful, you just need to do what He is asking you to do, and
His word will take on the grace it needs to reach a person. Do we seek to show
people His redemptive love? Or disqualify them? what you look for in people is
what you will see. Realize that the Kingdom within you is bigger than the
kingdom around you. Papa Kris said this: “Why does God allow bad things to
happen? The bigger question is: Why do you?” This is a much summed up version
of a week full of stuff- SO basically- Papa Kris rallied the troops! We are
heading out into activations this week, and they prepared us to love Redding well. My
activation is the Shasta Lake Community transformation activation. We are
having a bloc party and starting a house church, to build relationship with the
community and love on them J.
“Before Peter could
transform the world, God had to transform the way Peter saw the world, and the
way he saw people. Once God transformed Peter’s sight, the way Peter spoke to
the people transformed the people. How do you see the world and the people in
the world” Seth Dahl
“On the other side of your greatest fear could
be your greatest breakthrough” Chris Overstreet
“He wants us to have
an encounter so that we can be an encounter for other people “Kevin Dedmon
In summary: “As we
begin to submit to a lifestyle of love and intimacy, God is faithful to
transform our hearts, nature and character in ways we have never imagined.” –
Jack Frost. Yes He is!.
Thank you all for your prayers and support! Love love love
xxoo
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Kiwi kid with a California heart.
It has been a little over a month since i moved to Redding. As i settle in more and become familiar to life here, its feels like I have lived here for years.
Life in general//
Life in general is amazing. I love it here so much, as much as I look forward to going home I wonder how I will leave this place?, how will I go back?, what will life look like?, who will i be?. Life is busy here, and by the end of the week I am ready for space, time to be by myself, being able to come away from the "intense-ness" and hang out with the family is refreshing and fun. Friendships have blossomed, and I have some very sweet loving people in my life, our journeys being knitted together in a way only He can. I love America.
Our Revival Group is about 50-60 students, and within our RG we have small groups of 4 students. We went to Chico to Retreat with our Revival group, we were at a old hotel where we hiked, jumped off waterfalls (I watched), I tried "gravy and bread" for the first time (it's considered a breakfast), had night sessions and long nights talking with friends. It was awesome to get away from the chaos of school and homework and just do community with my group.
We spent time at Mountain Chapel church last week, the church that Bill Johnson, Kris Valloton and Danny Silk started in back in the day. The church has built a high ropes course, and we got to have a go!. For lunch we went to a elderly home, where we had lunch with the people there. I met a couple who had been married for 52 years!. We also got to hear from people who had been in Mountain Chapel back in the day, who shared stories of their time with our leaders.
School//
We do school altogether everyday with the subjects varying, worship (which is now led by our fellow 1st years! Amazing!), senior leaders sharing and guest speakers. Then we have revival groups, small groups, AMT's (Advanced Ministry Training), and activations. So our week is a mixture of these things.
My activation is the community activation, and I am placed in Shasta Lake (which is where I live!). We have not started in the community yet, but I am excited to take what I learn in school to the streets in Redding!. My AMT is the prophetic with Nancy Cobb, which is awesome!, we will have this class for 4 weeks then we are able to pick another.
I have 3 amazing girls in my small group, we had our first meeting last where we did a general "get to know each other", which turned into an awesome time sharing God's goodness with each other, and encouraging an praying for our sisters!.
School has been intense, so so so so good, amazing, the best thing ever!. Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry is affectionately called Bethel School of Supernatural Reading. There is a lot of reading. We are juggling about 4 books at the moment, 30 days to understanding the bible, grasping God's word, and 2 other books we are about to start. We also have book reports and worksheets for our Bible studies. SO all this to say I am learning a lot. It is intense, and there is a lot to process, but we are only 3 weeks into school and I have 8 months to go, I am blown away. We are lucky to have Bill Johnson and Kris Valloton regularly, and have heard from Beni Johnson, Chris Overstreet, BISHOP JOSEPH CARLINGTON (YES!) and Jason Valloton. Blessed beyond measure to hear from these father's and mother.
This week was Purity week, and the best part was Kris Valloton bringing us the "birds and the bees" in a way only he can. It was funny! but we captured the heart of healthy relationships.
"The only appropriate hug you kid's should have is the side hug. That's it. Unless your married.. then you should be doing the other hugging or you need help."
"Girls, if its not for sale, don't advertise; shark bait will only attract shark bait"
"Don't have a spirit of stupid, make responsible decisions even if it means that you lose out for a moment, it's not worth screwing yourself up"
"Intimacy without covenant is not love"
"Submit yourselves to accountability, which is not meant to be your friend, its meant to tell you the truth"
Just a few nuggets from this week. I will try to drop some more regularly so it's not in one big blog!.
Your existence precedes your conception,
Your purpose precedes your birth,
Your assignment precedes your awareness
Your believing precedes your seeing
-Bishop Joseph Carlington
"If it's going to be funny later, find the funny in it now" Bishop Joseph Carlington
We have been allocated to the twin view service, and we got to hear from Kris Valloton, Banning Liebscher, and Pastor Lance. Tomorrow we change to the Bethel Campus service! at 8am, where we will own the overflow room. This is a really long blog! So that's it for now. But I love you all, and will try to be more regular in my blog! BLESS!
http://web.stagram.com/n/_courtneyrosesmith/ This is my instagram _courtneyrosesmith If you don't have instagram you can use this link to check my daily photo's.
https://www.ibssm.org/a/ this link is for school donation! We have mission trip selection soon! If you would like to partner with me, select this link and search Courtney Rose Smith to donate. Would be such a blessing! We should have more information coming soon about missions.
Life in general//
Life in general is amazing. I love it here so much, as much as I look forward to going home I wonder how I will leave this place?, how will I go back?, what will life look like?, who will i be?. Life is busy here, and by the end of the week I am ready for space, time to be by myself, being able to come away from the "intense-ness" and hang out with the family is refreshing and fun. Friendships have blossomed, and I have some very sweet loving people in my life, our journeys being knitted together in a way only He can. I love America.
Our Revival Group is about 50-60 students, and within our RG we have small groups of 4 students. We went to Chico to Retreat with our Revival group, we were at a old hotel where we hiked, jumped off waterfalls (I watched), I tried "gravy and bread" for the first time (it's considered a breakfast), had night sessions and long nights talking with friends. It was awesome to get away from the chaos of school and homework and just do community with my group.
We spent time at Mountain Chapel church last week, the church that Bill Johnson, Kris Valloton and Danny Silk started in back in the day. The church has built a high ropes course, and we got to have a go!. For lunch we went to a elderly home, where we had lunch with the people there. I met a couple who had been married for 52 years!. We also got to hear from people who had been in Mountain Chapel back in the day, who shared stories of their time with our leaders.
School//
We do school altogether everyday with the subjects varying, worship (which is now led by our fellow 1st years! Amazing!), senior leaders sharing and guest speakers. Then we have revival groups, small groups, AMT's (Advanced Ministry Training), and activations. So our week is a mixture of these things.
My activation is the community activation, and I am placed in Shasta Lake (which is where I live!). We have not started in the community yet, but I am excited to take what I learn in school to the streets in Redding!. My AMT is the prophetic with Nancy Cobb, which is awesome!, we will have this class for 4 weeks then we are able to pick another.
I have 3 amazing girls in my small group, we had our first meeting last where we did a general "get to know each other", which turned into an awesome time sharing God's goodness with each other, and encouraging an praying for our sisters!.
School has been intense, so so so so good, amazing, the best thing ever!. Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry is affectionately called Bethel School of Supernatural Reading. There is a lot of reading. We are juggling about 4 books at the moment, 30 days to understanding the bible, grasping God's word, and 2 other books we are about to start. We also have book reports and worksheets for our Bible studies. SO all this to say I am learning a lot. It is intense, and there is a lot to process, but we are only 3 weeks into school and I have 8 months to go, I am blown away. We are lucky to have Bill Johnson and Kris Valloton regularly, and have heard from Beni Johnson, Chris Overstreet, BISHOP JOSEPH CARLINGTON (YES!) and Jason Valloton. Blessed beyond measure to hear from these father's and mother.
This week was Purity week, and the best part was Kris Valloton bringing us the "birds and the bees" in a way only he can. It was funny! but we captured the heart of healthy relationships.
"The only appropriate hug you kid's should have is the side hug. That's it. Unless your married.. then you should be doing the other hugging or you need help."
"Girls, if its not for sale, don't advertise; shark bait will only attract shark bait"
"Don't have a spirit of stupid, make responsible decisions even if it means that you lose out for a moment, it's not worth screwing yourself up"
"Intimacy without covenant is not love"
"Submit yourselves to accountability, which is not meant to be your friend, its meant to tell you the truth"
Just a few nuggets from this week. I will try to drop some more regularly so it's not in one big blog!.
Your existence precedes your conception,
Your purpose precedes your birth,
Your assignment precedes your awareness
Your believing precedes your seeing
-Bishop Joseph Carlington
"If it's going to be funny later, find the funny in it now" Bishop Joseph Carlington
We have been allocated to the twin view service, and we got to hear from Kris Valloton, Banning Liebscher, and Pastor Lance. Tomorrow we change to the Bethel Campus service! at 8am, where we will own the overflow room. This is a really long blog! So that's it for now. But I love you all, and will try to be more regular in my blog! BLESS!
http://web.stagram.com/n/_courtneyrosesmith/ This is my instagram _courtneyrosesmith If you don't have instagram you can use this link to check my daily photo's.
https://www.ibssm.org/a/ this link is for school donation! We have mission trip selection soon! If you would like to partner with me, select this link and search Courtney Rose Smith to donate. Would be such a blessing! We should have more information coming soon about missions.
Monday, September 10, 2012
The first week..
It's already been over a week since I moved to Redding, California. Familiarity is a thing of the past, but I am embracing my new home, church, and all the "America" a kiwi kid can handle. Excited to go out and see my new town, I quickly realized that everything is.. big. While I had spent 9 months telling myself and everybody else that Redding is a "town"- in the eyes of a kiwi who hails from little Whakatane. Redding is not a town. It is a city. A city. It has everything a 20 year old girl could want- makeup selling in the grocery stores for less then $10, drive thru Starbucks, Chipotle, Walmart, Target, whatever you need- America has got it.
Its overwhelming and exciting, and everyday I am left thinking "am I ever going to get my head around this place". I have been lost getting to and from places 3 days in a row- multiple phone calls to Amy, and driving around the motorways looking for my "Portland I-5" exit. This morning I was well lost on my way to the Civic and Amy came to find me sitting in a car park. I will get this!.
Looking back on this nine month journey, all I can say is He who promised is faithful, and in whatever circumstance big or small, He is our provider. Also, He loves to do it! He is a Daddy who loves to take care of His kids. He always always will. Regardless of what we do or don't do, where we are going, or what we left behind, He looks after His kids. Taking a step back, I see His hand in everything, weaving everything together perfectly. He is so so good. Its the night before school starts, and I have high expectations, but not specific in what I expect. I am here for 9 months, who knows what will happen when I finish, or while I am here. Getting here has been an amazing journey, and its only the second week.
I went to Bethel on Sunday for the first time. I'm not sure that I have words to describe it, you have to experience it to "get what I mean". Worship was incredible- not just the worship team, but the sea of people, with the same heart to connect and worship their God. The word was so good!, Pastor Bill spoke on the gift of testimony, and how we as believers should share and encourage others with testimony, as it reveals a piece of the Father. I am so blessed to call this church home for the next 9 months. It will forever be a 'home' to me, but I have 9 months to soak up as much of it as I can. My prayer: God make me like a sponge ;)
I am living with Jeremy and Amy, and their 3 girls. I love it here, and I love them for graciously opening up their home to me. They have been so graceful, understanding and open to a kid from New Zealand coming over and hanging out with them. They sometimes drop the nek minnut joke (I showed them!) ,"what day is Father's day?", they tried marmite, and hopefully I can show them the movie Boy. Jeremy told me he once watched the start of Once were warriors... They can be honorary kiwis!. They have helped me so much, I am so grateful that I have them. I would be extremely lost trying to get around this place on my own.
This past week has been deep breaths and stepping out into the unknown, literally. God is moving so much here, and its exciting to see His story for me unfold. This chapter is going to be life changing, and I can't wait to"see me" at the end of it. See how He moves through me, and how He uses me after this is all done. It is going to be a journey with ups and downs but life was made for adventures like this.
I love you all who supported me on my journey here, I pray your all blessed beyond imagination. This is setting me up for something so much bigger than I could ever imagine. Thank you all so much.
Courtney xxoo
Its overwhelming and exciting, and everyday I am left thinking "am I ever going to get my head around this place". I have been lost getting to and from places 3 days in a row- multiple phone calls to Amy, and driving around the motorways looking for my "Portland I-5" exit. This morning I was well lost on my way to the Civic and Amy came to find me sitting in a car park. I will get this!.
Looking back on this nine month journey, all I can say is He who promised is faithful, and in whatever circumstance big or small, He is our provider. Also, He loves to do it! He is a Daddy who loves to take care of His kids. He always always will. Regardless of what we do or don't do, where we are going, or what we left behind, He looks after His kids. Taking a step back, I see His hand in everything, weaving everything together perfectly. He is so so good. Its the night before school starts, and I have high expectations, but not specific in what I expect. I am here for 9 months, who knows what will happen when I finish, or while I am here. Getting here has been an amazing journey, and its only the second week.
I went to Bethel on Sunday for the first time. I'm not sure that I have words to describe it, you have to experience it to "get what I mean". Worship was incredible- not just the worship team, but the sea of people, with the same heart to connect and worship their God. The word was so good!, Pastor Bill spoke on the gift of testimony, and how we as believers should share and encourage others with testimony, as it reveals a piece of the Father. I am so blessed to call this church home for the next 9 months. It will forever be a 'home' to me, but I have 9 months to soak up as much of it as I can. My prayer: God make me like a sponge ;)
I am living with Jeremy and Amy, and their 3 girls. I love it here, and I love them for graciously opening up their home to me. They have been so graceful, understanding and open to a kid from New Zealand coming over and hanging out with them. They sometimes drop the nek minnut joke (I showed them!) ,"what day is Father's day?", they tried marmite, and hopefully I can show them the movie Boy. Jeremy told me he once watched the start of Once were warriors... They can be honorary kiwis!. They have helped me so much, I am so grateful that I have them. I would be extremely lost trying to get around this place on my own.
This past week has been deep breaths and stepping out into the unknown, literally. God is moving so much here, and its exciting to see His story for me unfold. This chapter is going to be life changing, and I can't wait to"see me" at the end of it. See how He moves through me, and how He uses me after this is all done. It is going to be a journey with ups and downs but life was made for adventures like this.
I love you all who supported me on my journey here, I pray your all blessed beyond imagination. This is setting me up for something so much bigger than I could ever imagine. Thank you all so much.
Courtney xxoo
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Hello Friends
I've made blog for all those all I am leaving at home, and for those at my new home away from home who might like to follow. I am leaving in 4 weeks to go to Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding, CA. I am a mixed pot of emotions about this.. excited, nervous, excited, nervous to name a few. But hopefully I can share with you all some little truths, fun finds etc I pick up along the way..
Much love!
Courtney
I've made blog for all those all I am leaving at home, and for those at my new home away from home who might like to follow. I am leaving in 4 weeks to go to Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding, CA. I am a mixed pot of emotions about this.. excited, nervous, excited, nervous to name a few. But hopefully I can share with you all some little truths, fun finds etc I pick up along the way..
Much love!
Courtney
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