[and all of you who will one day become brave.]
Bravery is all about risk. There is nothing to be brave about if you are not going where your strength and your power are no longer enough. This leads me to believe that bravery is always preceded by fear. No one ever needed to be brave if they weren't afraid first, because if I know I can do it, it's not something I have to be brave about.
Some people would call it bravery to jump from a twelve foot ledge. But that doesn't really require bravery from me, because I know I can do it. Some wouldn't consider it bravery to confront a friend about a problem they're having with them. But I would, because that is something I have always been weak at and afraid of- that they will reject me, dislike me.
Living in this Kingdom requires total bravery. The more I learn about it, the more I am convinced that I will be the most powerful where I am utterly my weakest, because that is where I must be my most reliant on my Father. And He is
perfected in my weakness.
I'm terrified of being weak.
But that's where this leads. Straight into the places I cannot stand on my own.
"... he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
------
Hi guys.
How are things?
I'm really, really good.
I've been accepted to Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry for this Fall, out in Redding, California. With the way my plans are currently going, I will be driving out there the 1st of September, class starts the 16th.
http://www.ibethel.org/schools/ministry/?page=27
It's a really, really good school. The basic premise- God is real and wants to invade every circumstance and situation where there is not congruence with the Kingdom of Heaven. And the places there are? He wants to come more. And that the amazing, all-surpassing promises in scripture, like-
"
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days," and, "
You will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father," and so many others that the religious leaders and theologians have told you and I, "That's for the Millennial Reign of Christ."
Effectively, that everything in the Bible that rocks? That's for the Millennium. And everything that sucks? That's for you. That the world is going to get worse and worse until Jesus comes back.
I think the Bride of Christ is going to make herself ready for His return, and it will be a triumphant Bride in a world where they have made His Kingdom manifest. Where all works of darkness are cast down and destroyed.
But even now, I know I don't comprehend how far it will stretch me to live in this Kingdom. How much it will require, in areas where I am not strong and don't know what I am supposed to do. That this requires that I walk in mystery, in things I have no understanding for.
It will hurt. I don't even realize what this will require.
I don't know how I will get there.
When all of my strength flows out like water, I find out I don't even know what to say. I don't know how to ask questions.
All there I can do is listen. "And He has said to me, '
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'"
We don't want theory or theology- Jesus, we want you.
------
Your humble servant,
-Ethan
Comments (5)
I think bravery is classified oddly sometimes, when people set up pointless situations for themselves and call it brave.. like in the Lion King, when Simba goes the that elephant graveyard. Hahhh.
When and where is Cornerstone?
Ya hooo! No wait, I meant to say Yee ha!... I think....
Wow, this is some really good news. Though it makes me sad that if we have Bible study, you might not be there to laugh at every other little comment.
This is like, the umpteenth major thing happening this week for me (to one of my friends, I mean), so I'm kind of on an emotional vacation. But I am very happy for you. I want to take some classes in Christianity as well. I was thinking about it this summer or next year. I hope you have a lot of fun.
Bonjour et Adieu!
Emilie
Amen, amen.
(and I'm still excited.)
this lyric popped into my head:
"Though we hunger, though all that we eat brings us little relief,
We don't know quite what else to do;
We have all our beliefs, but we don't want our beliefs...
God of Peace, we want You." (Four Letter Word pt. 2, mewithoutYou)
^^ that's what came to MY mind too!!
i'm excited for you, Ethan. sounds like, bit by bit, God is making his specific purpose for you known to you.
that's so exciting!!
adventure...here ethan comes. :)
Hmmmm... I guess that makes sense. But it's still not bad to learn things-- of course.... I guess it's ok if I'm not interested in everything, too... ah well. Finals are over, so it matters a little less.
I no drive because I no want to. =( I don't know... I think because now pretty much everyone wants me to drive, it makes me NOT want to drive. The alternative is to ride my bicycle, but it's already so hot, and Fresno is so stretched out, I think I would pass out, or die, from a heat stroke. Bleh. Thoughts of driving put a bad taste in my mouth. But I'll probably get around to it sometime....
I don't know why, but I was thinking about you the other day. I hope all is well-- and if it's not, I know that it will be, because our father is the Lord G - D almighty.
(still still excited.)