Florida outpouring journal

Youthwork international publish article on florida

2008-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Just a quick email to inform those of you who have been reading this blog, that Youthwork International have now published an article that I have written reflecting upon the move of God that started out there.

There is a link to youthwork international from the rolltherock website: visit:

www.rolltherock.org.uk click on links, and then on young people and youthwork and you will see the link to youthwork internaitoanl.

being in Florida has impacted our work, and for more information about what we do, and how we do it, please visit:
www.rolltherock.org.uk

Roy fields in Harrogate

2008-09-22T03:44:00.000-07:00

It was great to experience the worship of roy fields last night, as I had seen him in florida back in July.

Not only did he lead worship for an hour and a half, but then he spoke, poweruflly and wisely as well afterwards.

During the worship we were brought tangeably into the presence of God, and you could not escape that at all.

He spoke about being in the presence of God, and not chasing ministry, but deepening that relatonship with god.

And ultimately this has to be right, if we aim to build church, rather than kingdom, which implies relationship with God, then we are focussed on Church rather than God.

There was no healing of my eyes, but I can say for certain that my relationship with God was deepend, and taken forward many many steps.

It was also great for me to see my wife deepen her relaitonship with God, and be touched so powerfully by god's presence.

Outpouring meeting in Harrogate

2008-09-16T00:21:00.000-07:00

Next event in Harrogate is on Sunday 21st September, when worship leader and speaker from Lakeland outpourings, Roy Fields, will be in the area and lading a meeting for the area.

He will be at the Cedar Court Hotel on Sunday the 21st September, and the event will start at 7 pm.

Do make it if you can, as Roy is a great worship leader, and great speaker as well.

Dates and happenings

2008-09-05T03:42:00.000-07:00

I just thought it was important to ensure that people knew what was happening locally, and where and when, so I shall update here, when info comes through:

21st September, roy fields, worship leader and teacher, at Cedar court hotel, 7 pm.
30 September, - 1st october, Charlie robinson in Harrogate, Cedar court hotel, and then second night at st andrews Church starbeck.

Outporung meetings will start to happe monthly, and there is a good close link, and network now starting to happen between ministries and local churches to make these happen.

For dates and times, please visit:

www.harrogatenewlife.com
www.rolltherock.org.uk

dates for Harrogate meetings

2008-08-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Sunday the 24th August 2008, was the last evening of the regular outpouring meetings in the area. god has touched many lives in the area and beyond through these meetings, but they will continue, even if not so regularly.

Dates for future outpouring meetings in the area:

14th September,

12th October,

9th November,

14th December,

For further information about these events, ie venues and timings, please visit:

www.rolltherock.org.uk

and visit the diary pages.

Further posts about florida will be coming soon, so do keep coming back and checking these pages.

entry 12, continued meetings in harrogate

2008-07-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

Having spoken to a church leader here in harrogate, the outpouring meetings are continuing here in harrogate at Saint Andrew's church, for the forseeable future.

Meetings will start at 7 pm, I believe, and we will see how long the hunger continues for.

One thing that has continued to strike me since my return from flroida, was the reconnection with the spiritual.

there is without doubt a hunger in this country for something spiritual, but we dilute that in Church, if not ignore it all together.

These outpouring meetings certainly seem to have brought something of the spiritual back into our faith, and that has to be a good thing.

Entry 11, outpouring in Harrogate

2008-07-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday 20th July, outpouring meetings started in Harrogate.

It was great, I didn't want to lose what I had received in Florida, so to be able to be at this first meeting, and impart into others what I had received myself was fantastic.

Lots of hunger there, and even though, mostly older worship songs used, great presence of God there.

The hall was packed out, and noone seemed to want to leave until they had received something from God, great hunger for God, and this has excited me even more now on my return.

I shall keep blogging here, as these meetings take place and things continue to happen.

Saw a woman healed of some knee joint problem, as Kevin King and I prayed for her, she was able to do more than she had been able to do for a long time. She was so excited, a miracle must have taken place there, and not just osmething she had done before.

Thank you god for bringing it to |Harrogate.

Entry 10, conclusions

2008-07-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

What I shall not do here is suggest any thoughts about our experiences in Florida, and how these experiences could or should impact Church. John was out there as well, and is a man wise enough, and filled with the presence of God enough, to reccommend anything as far as Church is concerned.

What I aim to do, is conclude, in regard to the questions I had when I went out to Florida, and elaborate where apropriate, upon the extra thoughts that I have.

So, could this be called a revival?

Working on the basis for the term revival that I got from the dictionary in an earlier post, the answer has to be yes. God's people, those who want to be, are being revived, and awakened again, to the great things that God does throgh people.

Jesus, is totally at the centre of all that is going on, not any person, regardlesss of God tv decisions, and not any Church. Although it might have started in ignited church, they are working with 3 other Churches locally, to support hwat is happening.

Are they seeing new hristians? Absolutely, there were many new Christians while we were there, and many more who recommitted themselves to Christ.

Is it bible based? Certainly, all the teaching that we encountered, was solid bible based scriptural stuff. Every session was ountlined by scripture, rather than just finding scripture to back up a point, it started with scripture./

Is there a presence of God? Tangeable. You cannot get away from the presence of God. He is undoubtedly there, and moving there as well.

Is it something that can be brought back? I would say that anyone who encounters God in the way that we encountered him out there, would have to bring something back. You cannot experience God like that and not bring something of it back again. You were almost imparted with something in your own times with God, never mind others praying for you.

Qualifying comment: It might not be apropriate to do things exactly in the same way in your own culture or country, but what you get from being there, you can certainly take something back, and reenergise, reinspire, release others into that relationship as well.

Was I healed? No, I am still blind, disappointed a bit, but still hold on to what God has done, and realise that although there is a deffinite outpouring, and special anointing that is in florida, that God still moves, still touches people, and still heals regardless of the country and situation.

What next for me and RolltheRock?

It would be inapropriate for me to post here all the things that I think RolltheRock may be doing over the coming weeks and months, as I believe that our supporters should be the first to know abot these things, but it would be fair to say that one idea in particular was without doubt confirmed to me.

There was also a lot of releasing that had taken place, whilst out there, as God released me from restrictions I had allowed others to place upon me, and now I can minister in the way that God wants me too, rather than under any human restriction.

One comfirmation for me, which had been spoken over me before going out, and it was spoken over me, by at least two others whilst out there, neither of whom really knew me, was an increase in my spiritual authority. How this works out in practice, I leave in gods hands, but know that he is guiding and protecting, and releasing me into some new things.

Was it worth going out there?

To the supporter who paid for me to go out, I offer my most sincere thanks. I met with God in a way that I don't think I have done in many many years. thank you doesn't explain the grattitude I have toward that supporter, but it is what I can say.

I wasn't healed, but I did meet with God. The emphasis out there is to deepen that relaitonship with God, and signs and wonders come after it, without any shadow of a doubt, my relaitonship with God is deepened, and far more than I thought it could be, but yes, honestly, disappointed about not being healed, it is there. I would have loved to come back and John be walking without pain, and me walking without holding his arm, but the reality is that it didn't happen that way, and Gods timings are perfect. And in any case, to meet with God in a tangeable, personal way, has to be preferable to being helaed, although both would really have put the cream on the cake.

Final for now:

Many have commented, critically about what is happening out in florida, and for what it is worth, my view is that their criticism is unfounded. God is at the centre of all that is happening out there, and the leaders go to some length to ensure this as well.

It is certainly not about Todd Bently, despite my annoyance and disappointment about how things are being bandled as far as God tv are concerned, and any thought that people out there want it to be about Todd bently, is misguided.

The so called Teronto blessing that took place 14 years ago r so, seemed to be very much for the church, it seemed to be a belssing from God for the church, this move of God seems to be a world wide evangelistic empowering move of God. Anyone who just goes to take, and doesn't impart to others on their return, or start to push some boundaries is missing a chunk of what I believe this is about.

The challenge for me now, on my return, is to ensure, that that relationship which has been deepened doesn't get destroyed or eaten away, and also for me to believe in seeing so many others come to know Christ, and be healed of many inforimities.

For what it is worth, RolltheRock totally endorses what is happening in floirda, and we believe that it is a new move of God energising his people to go, reach the world, to see new and greater signs and wonders, and to see things happen in a way that maybe we haven't seen for many many years.

I would suggest that maybe you continue to visit this blog, as I am sure that other conclusions will come to me over the next while, and I shall be posting them up here.

I shall be at Saint Mary's church in Harrogate on Sunday evening, if anyone wishes to ask any further questions.

I shall, along with others be releasing my journal, if you would like an email copy, or paper copy of my journal and others, please email:

florida@rolltherock.org.uk and let me know what you would like to receive.

Entry 9, journey back,

2008-07-17T00:12:00.000-07:00

It still takes some getting used to the thought I have just returned from America, I spent so long beleiving that it was hard to come to terms with me going, now it is hard to think that I have been.

Whilst sat on the plane, a number of other things came to mind:

1: on the last night, the monday night I felt the hand on my back again, and again there was noone there, I also felt a hand on my elbow at one point and gain there was noone around.

I know I can imagine, but my imagination isn't that strong, nor did I even think of a hand touching me.

2: John and I also examined a list of criteria that someone had sent to us, in regard to a revival, but I shall come back to this in my final conclusion on my journey later this monring.

It was a great journey back, british airports have so much to learn from American ones, or at least the ones we were in.

The food was great, and it takes real skill to eat on a plane, even greater skill to eat on a plane when the food is rice, keeping it on the fork, duirng tubrulance deserves some kind of an award I can tell you.

John and I felt as though we were flagging somewhat as we got on the train frm leeds, back to harrogate.

great to get home yesterday and be with the girls.

I would like to finish this posting with just a brief comment on the last week, and then say more in a final blog for the week away later this morning.

John and I spoke on Monday, and both asked the question, whether we would rather meet with God in such a personal and dynamic way, or be healed. I can honestly tell you that both of us said that we would have wanted to meet with god, and this is what has taken place over the last week.

I struggled a bit on the monday night, because I didn't want to have the focus upon me and my eyes, because john's knee was equally as needing to be healed as my eeys.

I noted a number of times how much discomfort he was in, and I can say, that I felt more dissatisfaction about him not being healed than me.

It is an absolute testiment to John, not only that he put up with me for a week in sometimes strongly intense situations where God was meeting with us, but also on the Journey back, when his knee was hurting, and we were both tired, and he still had to guide me thrugh the aiports and train stations.

John demostrated so much of the love of God to me whilst out there, and throughout all our jonreys, and through his demonstration of kindness, love, graciousness, understanding, and patients, I will continue, and never stop praying until his knee is healed, I publicly want to say a huge thanks to John, for everything that he is, and everything that he did for me whilst out there, the man is not just a great church leader, not just a special friend, but a true man of God.

I shall reflect further in my next posting about healing, revival, the week in general, and what I have brought back with me.

I do believe, in the terms they use out there, I went, I got, and I have brought back, and I am really excited about what God has in store for RolltheRock over the coming weeks, months and years.

Entry, whatever, suplemental,

2008-07-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

I have worked out that it should have been entry 8, but hey you do loose track of time.

And go on, admit it, you would be disappointed if there was no suplemental wouldn't you?

So yeh, now blogging from Tampa Airport, feels really surreal, but this whoel week has been that to an extent.

So yeh, I broke down when praying about my eyes and telling God that I wanted to see my wife and kids, something that hasn't happened for so long, and 10 minutes before when asked by Ema, I real can say hand on heart, it didn't affect me.

The other thing which I missed out from the ealrier blog, was that one thing they do lots here, is create fire tunnels, they create a tunnel with the people on the ministry team, and you walk thorugh they all pray for you as you walk through.

It really is a cool idea and ensures people get prayed for lots and people move on quickly.

god really touched me as I walked through hat tunnel, and a number of things that I felt God had released me from, and confirmed to me all came to mind at the same point, and I really can honstely say, that I felt God say, go for it Andy.

The evening was hot so we booked our seats, and went outside for a drink and to enjoy a little sunshine.

We prayed again for johns knee, and my eyes, and this time there was no upset, thank God, emnbarrassing enough crying in front of John and kevin without 5000 others.

Some fantastic worship, made even the better, when Martin I believe his name is, put a bit of u2 in there as well, cool to have u2 as worship music.

Jim Drwon, I am sure I've spelt that wrong, spoke, and there really wasn't a great deal of content, or substance to his talk.

Reflecting on this some time later, A revival isn't always about the teaching, it is about connecting with God, and being empwered by God. So maybe the teaching, or lack of it last night is not that big an issue.

The bigger issue I had, was not with the things he said, because what he said was fine, but he repeated each phrase virtually, at least 3 times, purely to get a reaction from the audience.

If he had left it to saying what he said once, then it would have been fine, don't know why he felt the need to say it a few times accept to get a reaction.

There was enough to be excited about there, with what God was doing, without him raising the level of exctement any further.

shame was the first time that this had really happend all week, and it didn't need too.

There was lots of praying, and a few people near us, asked if they could pray for my eye sight, and I said yes.

Again at this point the hurt nd pain of not seeing my wife and kids hit me, and I cried to god, to let me see them.

There was a kind of firey pain in the left eye, but no sight was restored.

many other healings took place in the tent, and I have no reason whatsoever to but to believe that they were real.

The disappointment reached the level that when it was time to go through another fire tunnel, I was ready to leave, so was glad when john wanted to as well.

Felt bad though, because God was doing something for loads of people, but my thoughts, and many of them were Irish thoughts, went along the lines of: (missing out some words):

why not me?

why them and not me?

What have I done wrong?

Am I going to be healed?

All of these and more, many more ran thorugh my head.

Went for some rehidration, and basically left my disappoinment behind.

I held on to the truth, that at times I have been able to see, and the left eye socket is changing, and all this is true, and all this is because of God.

I want to spend some time on the plane hime, reflecting upon the week, and then will post my final conclusions on the week tomorrow.

I will probably also continue blogging on here once god tv start again, bless them.

2008-07-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

Entry, whatever, lost count, haven't checked, last full day,The first thing to say in this entry of the blog, is that I would really appreciate it if people didn't really call on Wednesday evening when I return

I would like to spend some quality time with my wife and kids, if there is anything dramatic to tell, then I shall share it duirng the coming days, be assured.

The morning meeting was great, A woman called Kim lead the worship, and she really did a great job. Almost a warfare type style of worship, but again free, not controlling in any shape manner or form.

Some of frshfires interns spoke, and The first Girl, christa, spoke well, and seemed to have some depth to wht she was saying, as oposed to the other intern, who just seemed to use many phrases and words that Todd Bently would have used.

Had a fantastic bbq for lunch, and then went looking for shops.

Not long though, because I hate shopping.

Got back and chatted to emma on skype, She asked me if I was disappointed that I hadn't been healed, and I can honestly say that at that point I knew that ghod was stil going to heal, and there was no disappoinment there.

10 minutes later when praying with John and Kevin, and we prayed for johns knee as well as for some stuff back home, I also prayed for my eyes, as didjohn and kevin, when I prayed I broke down, something in me just hit me and the disappointment, and the hurt of not yet seeing my wife and kids got to me, don't know why, it is something I have lived with for so many years.

It got to me later as well, but I shall come to that soon.

Theevening meeting posting here, will come later on today or tomorrow, as we now need to leave the hotel and fly through some what looks like very stormy weather.

do pray for safe journeys, and I shall update this journal soon.

Please do keep checking it out, there is still lots for me to put up here.

Entry 7, Bravery and prophecy

2008-07-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

After a day like yesterday, where John and I had both had over 12 hours of meeitngs, we had decided we would try and relax a little today, so had come to the conclusion that we would only go to the evening meeting, so that we could ensure we got the most from it, and didn't tire ourselves out.

so late morning came, and John wanted to go hunting for wild aligators. It would be bfair to say that I was more than a little nervous about this, not sure if it was the fact of not being able to see what would eat me, or the fact of being beaten alive scared me more, but I decided to go for it, even though the fear never left me.

the first reserve we went too, there was nothing, thank God, and we even met some lads who told John where to go and find som gators, bless them, why did god bring them into my life.

They told us that they had handled a gator that had bitten them, and it had been about 3 feet long, questions of sanity were rushing like wild fire through my head, but the questions got worse.

As we walked back to the car, John got excited about being bitten by a gator. Yes its true he actually wanted to be bitten by a gator, I have real concerns about this man of God, and lack of sanity.

As we arrived at the next nature reserve I was all for staying in the car, but something told me that I needed to go and do this, I think it was the fear of being called a woos by my wife.

this reseve was deffinitely more wilderness, and far out from any road, and i really felt that we were totally abandoned to the elemnts, and all that existed in them.

When you are surrounded by all sorts of noises in the wilderness, and can't see, it really does do wonders for your prayer life, believe me, I hope that john didn't think I was being rude, but talking was not a high priority when there were a whole load of noises that needed to be listened too.

Part way round, jhohn stopped, he asked if I was ok? I said yes, he didn't really move, I guessed he was looking at the surroundings as he had done before, but how wrong could I have been.

He told me about 5 minutes later that he had stopped because of a snake on the path, great, a snake, that helps relieve the fear, not.

I asked him, about the snake and he told me that it was a safe one, but I late found out that this was a lie, but a lie I was happy to accept.

the snake that john saw, was one of the four most deadly in the area, boy was I glad he ahdn't told me that when we had stopped.

I completed the trail, and believe me this completion was a real achievement, as I don't think I had let go of my fear of that place all the way round.

A quick bite to eat, and a quicker shower, and then it was off to the evening meeting at the tent.

We had a discussion with Kevin about the fact that God tv had stopped showing the meetings, and it really did strike me again, that with all the things leveled at this outpouring, god tv with their decision, have done nothing to put to rest the challenges, and in some respects it could be seen that they have confirmed them. especially now tha tI know that god tv, aren't showing other programmes, they are just showing other previous meetings, what's the point? If people were to ask me, I think I would suggest they supported FreshFire rather than god tv at the moment, because everything I am seeng from fresh fire, speaks of Jesus, but yet the stopping of the programmes on tv, does not say the same thing from God tv.

The evening meeting was a strange one for me, my feet were already sore from a lot of walking, so standing for the worship was not comfortable. But yet, I still stood at various points, and you could really feel the presence of God again, even though I didn't necessarily know many of the songs.

One song struck me a lot, as a different reaction was given to it tonight than on previous nights.

the first line goes "the enemy has been defeated,", and this is fine, but when it started last night, there was a great cheer.

The question that went thorugh me, was whether or not people just liked the song, or whether they were cheering in the triumph of what Jesus had accomplished on the cross.

So on Saturday night there was a great cheer, tonight there wasn't, which indicated to me that they were excited and cheering about what Jesus had done rather than the song itself.

The guy who spoke, spoke a lot of prphecies, most of which I won't relay here, but one he said for the uk, was that the uk was going to blaze, for 90 days. Let me just point out this blaze was with the fire of God rather than any other fire.

His style of speaking was one that I had to work on, because it wasn't comfortable for me, but he never at any time, as far as I was concerned, tried to hype up the congregation.

Although a couple of things struck me:

1: A couple of the prophecies he gave were for specific well known Christians who weren't there. I questioned this with John afterwards, and suggested that he would have been better giving those prophecies to the people in question. John pointed out to me, that himn saying it on the stage gave him a level of accountability, and something sat more comfortably in me with this, although I still wish the people had been there.

2: He in no way hyped up the congregation, but many of the people there tonight just shouted at everything he said, and clearly weren't listening to what he was syaing.

I would suggest that this says more about some of the poeple there rather than him as the speaker.

I just wish when prophecies are given, especially powerful ones, and he had many of those, that people would listen, yes get excited, but shut up and listen to what is being said, and then get excited.

It was interesting when he called those who lived in England forward for prayer, that as soon as we got to the front, the lights went out, and also unknown to me there was some strange flashing going on around the roof of the tent.

I can accept totally that this could suggest the current darkness spiritually over England, and the sparks and fire that God wants to ignite in the uk.

I have had to challenge myself a bit over the last couple of nights, because there is some triumpalism in the worship. But for me now, the triumphalism is totally justified.

god pointed out to me, the triumpalism I was prepared to shout about and cry about when Man united won the doubel this season, so why shouldn't Christians get triumphal abot what Jesus has done.

After all, this is the greatest victory of anyting ever, and it is for me, and for you, so we should be excited about this.

excitement and triumphalism are fine for me, if the people are focussed on Jesus, and accknowleding what he has done for them, becuase that really is something worth celebrating.

And I have to say, that thorughout the worship and the teaching here, it is totally %100 about Jesus, and about us having that deeper relationship with him.

So I know that this is a complete move of God, and i totally embrace it, and RolltheRock does as well, even if god tv only want to show Todd bently, But god has lots to say through prophets, and we need to lsiten, and maybe even allow ourselves to be used as prophets, and God wants to heal, and we should open ourselves and our churches up to helaings, and god wants to touch his people, and this also shoudl be encouraged.

Intemacy with god is the greatest thing that could be experienced, and intemacy could and should never be controlled or contrived, and there is certainly no controlling or contriving taking place here in florida.

Entry 6, very varied day

2008-07-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

Before going through the day, and the happenings of it, I feel that it is important for me to note a response to something that has been said today.

Earlier this week when we arrived, it was anounced that Todd Bently was taking a holiday, under the guidance of the Freshfire board. This totally made sense, as the guy had been ministring almost every night for 100 nights.

The trouble that I had and it was confirmed last night, was that when Fresh fire anounced that Todd was having a holiday, God tv decided that they were going to take a break from showing the meetings live on the tv. they were still going to show them on the internet, but weren't going to show them at the moment on the tv.

Well it was anounced last night at the meeting, that God tv were taking a break from showing the meetings live on tv, but they were going to resume this at the end of this coming week, the same time that Todd Bently was coming back of his holidays.

One of the major things leveled at this revival, has been that is it all about todd Bently, and the guy himself has gone out of his way, to ensure that people come to meet with God and it is not about him. But yet, the moment he takes a well deserved holiday, god tv stop showing the programmes, and as he is returning they start shwoing them again.

Personally I think it is a shame, or even more than a shame that God tv are doing it in this manner. All they are doing are showing that as far as they are concerned that it is all about todd Bently. Otherwise they would have continued showing the meetings, and some of the miraculous stuff that God has continued to do.

I know that at least one person at home has sent off an email to God tv, and is also reconsidering a donation to the channel, due to their handling of this situation, and in my view, for what it is worth, I think they are right to email off and ask the questions.

I would encourage as many as possible to email off and ask the questions, because what is happening here, is of God and not of Todd, but all God tv seem to be interested in, is when todd is around, which is missing the point big time.

Believe me that was quite restraint, as last night I really was annoyed and frustrated with God tv, and couldn't believe it when they anounced all of this. The revival continues, God continues to do amazing things, even when Todd isn't around, so maybe God tv, need to wake up and realise that it is totally about God and not about todd.

Ok, rant over, what happened yesterday?

Saturday was an interesting day, I had decided to go to the healing school in the morning believing that this would give me some trainng for my return to Harrogate.

I am not going to say much because I don't want to sound condemnatory about it, as Christians we are not meant to condemn, but all that I shall say, is that I got nothing at all from the 2.5 hours I spent in that meeting.

The afternoon was better as John and I both went to a deliverance session. Not that we needed deliverance ourselves you understand, but just to see and learn, and listen.

John had said at the beginning that the guy leading it looked as though he had a lot of authroity, and power, but also was a gentle giant.

As soon as he opened his mouth you could tell that John had been exactly right in his comments about this man.

He didn't give any training, which I felt was a shame, but he wa so gentle in his aproach, maybe to gentle as John and I both nodded of at different times, only for about a minute, but what the guy said and the stories were really fascinating, it was just that he had a soothing voice that just didn't help.

He actually lead the whole congregation through deliverance, and seemingly many people were delivered of many things that had been holding them. Whether or not many of the things he said were demonic I don't know, and don't necessarily believe so, but never the less, people needed delivering form them.

My only thought was that a session like that could and maybe should have come with a strong health warning, as there was a lot of shouting, screaming and various noises, which were all perfectly justified but could have scared some people.

The guy himself lead it perfectly, and stayed so calm all the way thorugh it,. and really lead it so well.

We then raced off to the tent, We worked out later onin te night, that John and I had spent maybe 12 hours in meetings during the day, a long one, and it felt it later on.

roy's leading of worship was an example to so many people, and you could tell that it wasn't just something that he phad planned or constructed, but he was totally lead by the spirit during the worship, and part the way through god really touched him, and he had to hold on to the mic, as he was very drunk in the spirit.

As he said later, if he as the leader couldn't experience God, how could he lead others, a very strong, but yet a comment I could relate too.

so yes, as well as leading worship for an hour and three quarters, Roy also spoke last night, for the best part of 2 hours. And beleive me it really didn't feel like two hours.

His message was strong, and he pointed out to us all that what he felt was going on in the revival was all about the heart.

he pointed out that if our heart was not in the right place then things would not happen to the full extent that maybe God wanted them too.

He was very strong in saying that the heart is what needs to be sorted as that drives everything else.

He also said that many people had criticised him, and also todd, but he said that both of them just wanted to be close to God, and bring others close to God, and you could really tell this in the way that he spoke, as well as in the way he lead worship.

It was good for me to hear this message, as I had preached almost the same message myself before coming out here in a church in Harrogate.

Many people were saved, and truly saved last night, and many others renewed their relationship with god, hundreds of them.

I do really think as I sat and spoke with John last night, and he asked me how I would describe what was happening here, and I said that I felt that God was taking us back and renewing us to the times of the acts of the apostles. It was a time to draw closer to God, and see so many salvations, and healings, and people touched by his spirit, the challenge is for us all, and for me as the person leading RolltheRock is to see thishappen on my return to Harrogate, as I toally believe that it is meeant to happen there as well as everywhere else around the wrold.

Entry 5, suplemental, worship, and prayer for sight.

2008-07-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

It is really interesting to me that i have spent so much time blogging about the worship, here as most people who know me know that musical singing worship is something that I really struggle with, and that is not just because of my bad singing.

tonight Ro fields lead worship which I was really happy about, as he is someone who I have watched a lot on god tv over this last while, and someone who I have grwon in respect for as a worship leader, as he out of all the worship leaders here, seems to have the real god given gift, of being able to lead worship without intruding or invading on my worship.

there was plenty of space in the worship for me to connect and relate to god in whatever way and time that I wanted.

The only way that I can describe it, and it is an imperfect description, is that we go on a jounrey. The jouney end is meeting with God, but what the worship leaders do so well is basically just provide the vehicle for us to go on the journey.

the problem I have found with a number of other worship leaders is that they don't just provide the vehicle, but they try to drive and use their own directions, and we end up going on their journey rather than having our own.

So tonight was great, being able to go go on a journey into a relaitonmship with god, in the way, adn the time that I wanted too.

When it came to prayer and ministry at the end of the meeting, it was clear to me that a group next to me at the front, were more interested in their laughter, and flaling around rather than in Jesus. There was no praise or anything resembling any acknowledgement of Jesus at all.

I have no probs with people falling over, or laughing lots in the spirt, as all of that is criptural, but generally to me it comes with praising Jesus, and in any case he is the centre of our praise.

I really wanted healing for my eyes tonight, and Kevin said that my left eye was blinking like a normal eye would and he also thought that the right eye had opened up a bit as well.

Whilst stood at the front, someone grabbed my hand in a very reassuring way, but Kevin said that he hadn't and that there had been noone near me. Could this have been the reassuring hand of God, or of an angel, either is possible, but it wasn't anybody there in the meeting.

at the time of writing this post, ie, 1.15 am us time, 6.15 am uk time I am still blind, but have felt a lot of heat around both eyes and an increased level of brightness as well.

A great woman of God called constance prayed for me at the end, and it was interesting that everytime she said peekaboo that I could really feel the presence of god's spirit, and she just wanted to pray and pray for me to be healed. She said she was not going to give up,a nd this was really reassuring to me.

Even though I am not fully healed yet, god could do it in my sleep, or during a meeting tomorow, or even on the way home, or even when I get home. But I do know, and have becomed even more assured, that he is going to heal me at some point.

Please do keep praying, but only pray please if you are totally convinced and blieve that god is going to heal my eyes, pray in expectation, not in hope any more. There is no room for hope, I am living in expectation now.

Entry 5, confirmation, tears, and surprise

2008-07-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well let's deal with the surprise first. I recdeived an email this mroning from God tv, which started of by stating what I already knew that Todd Bently was taking a break, or had been instructed too by the fresh fire leaders. What surprised me, was that God tv, have then decided to stop showing the meetings on the tv. They are only going to show highlights.

Surely if this is a move of God then it doesn't matter who is spekaing, but if God is at the centre of it, then it shouldn't just be about showing meetings when Todd Bently is there.

I will be emailing God tv, with these thoughts, and hoping that they change thir minds on this, because the stopping of showing meetings on the tv live, starts to indicate that for them it was all about Todd Bently, and I hope, and I pray, that this is not the case, for He himself said, that the meetings were not about him, and people should not come to see him, but to meet with God.

Confirmation:

Have heard a lot this week about release, and impartation to others. I have felt a freal confirmation about soem stuff that we wanted to do with RolltheRock, so look out in the next few weeks for something new.

Tears:

This is confession time, and openness of the heart surgery kind.

Before coming out here, one of my favourite worship songs, ws I am Free, but every time we have sung that song this week, all I can do is cry. tears jsut drip down my face, and I can hardly get the words out of my mouth.

I am beginning to realise a little bit why, and I think it is largely due to the fact that RolltheRock is small, based around me, which is not what I wanted, I want it to be based around God, and also the fact that I had felt threatened by various things, and had fear about various things recently.

And I beleive that through the confirmation, and the battle that I am fighting to sing those words, god is releasing me, and the fear is going, and the understanding that what God has called into place, noone can pull apart.

It is so frustrating though, as all I want to do is sing those words.

A realisation of freedom is taking place, and again, a third person now within a week has told me that there is authority in the spirit in me, and I need to take that, and beleive in it, and begin to function in it.

What that authority is, I don't think I fully know, but all I know is that I have laid down RolltheRock a number of times to God since being in Florida, and every time he gives me the same vision and picture, so I am accepting that and excited about returning to Harrogate and moving forward in that.

One final thought, at 3.05 pm us time, 8.05 in the evening, British time, today is 28 years to the day when I was registered blind, wouldn't it just be amazing, a fantastic testiment to God, if the 11th of July was remembered for something miraculous rather than something being taken away.

Entry 4, suplemental

2008-07-11T11:39:00.001-07:00

Oh look at the subject, captain Kirk is back again.

Interesting discussion about what is happening in florida, and what to Name it, or whether even it needs a name or not.

Many have used the word revival, I have checked to see what Revival means in the dictionary, and the following kinds of words and phrases are used:

Restoration of life, becoming bigger, or stronger.Restoration of old customs.

An awakening for the church.

The holding of evangelistic meetings by the Church.

All of the above phrases would suggest to me that what is happening in florida and around the world is, or at least could be a revival.

But the question occurs to me, do we need to name everyhting that comes from God. Can we not just leave it at the fact that God seems to be doing something new and somethng exciting, and hey, the church should want to be a part of what God is doing throughout the country, or even the world.

Is the Church growing bigger and stronger through what is happening, certainly, the level of expectancy has grown, people are wanting to see more of God, have a deeper relaitonship with him, see helaings, see salvations, so yes, the church is getting bigger and stronger.

The same statement could also go for reviving old customs. All the way thorugh the new testament and beyond people spoke of healings and many people coming to know christ. So maybe the old customs are being renewed here as well.

The church is certainly awakening to what God can do, and their level of expectancy is growing as wlel, and many evangelistic meetings are taking place, and people are being saved.

14 years ago, or so, when the teronto, blessing, so called, took place, it seemed to be very much for those inside the church, very much as a refreshing, but this cannot be said of what is happening in the world today. Many people outside the church are being healed and saved, so it couldn't just be left at a blessing, because new things are happening.

If we take the phrases above as deffinitions for revival, then for me, yes revival is taking place, but whether it is just me personally I don't know, but I am quite happy to say, that god is doing something new, something miraculous, something awakening, and restoring many things in the world, and I just want to be a part of that, whether it is a revival or not.

Entry 4, healings do take place!!!!

2008-07-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

Well this was an interesting night, and I had to come to terms with some things quite quickly.

For those who know me well, know that I struggle with music worship, and how worship leaders engage people in worship. But tonight again, for the second night running whilst here in florida, the worship has touched me masively.

Last night made some sense, as when cahterine, or ha ha as I now know her, lead worship, I knew most of the songs she sang, but tonight I didn't know any of them, and yet I still felt able to worship god, and feel his presence.

For those who know me best you will know how much this is a miracle in itself, becuase of how hard I find musical worship and musical worship leaders.

But tonight, for the second night running the presnce of God was so strong, that I just felt that I had to praise him.

the interesting thing for me in the worship, is that, in most situationjs I have been in, the worship leader leads the congregation, but tonight, as it was last night, it really felt as thogh the peple there were actually leading the worship, rather than the worship leaders themselves.

This gave me a large amount of hope, because, in my opinion, worship leaders should be there to lead people into the presnece of God and then allow them to worship in their own way. and this is what seems to be happening here in florida.

There is nothing forced, nothing contrived, and nothing false about the worship here, and it gives people an amazing amount of space to worship God in the way in which they want too.

The space that has been there, and the ability to worship God how I want too, has enabled me to build a much strnonger relationship with god.

Having spent some time reading Mark chapte 10, verses 46-52 before coming out here, it is clear that people need to have that deeper relationship with God before asking for anything else. It is all about the depth of relaitonship with God.

there was prayer at the end of the meeting, and it was great to see someone who had had parkinsons and needed 3 people help her on to the plantform, actually walk with only one person holding her hand, and then when she fell over in the spirit of god, she was able to get herself up of the platform, what an amazing witness.

People prayed for my eye sight, but nothing massively happend, wa sable to blink lots, but have been able to do that for a while, and felt the eye socket itself, and stil believe that it is getting bigger.

A number of things have become clear to me whilst being out here for the role that Rolltherock needs to paly over the comning months and years, and more of this will be in our newsletter and on our website.

One last thought before going to bed, is it always necessary, to label what god is doing at any time. Is our mindset as humans set that we need a label for somthing, ie revivival, a move of god, or something similar. why can't we just say that god is doing something new, something amazing at this time, and we as he poeple want to be involed in it.

Entry 3, second suplemental,

2008-07-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is not my attempt to sound like Captain Kirk honestly, just things I remember and strike me as I go along.

Comedy value this one:

Last night towards the end of the evening meeting, we were all stood up, and Craig the speaker last night called forward all those who wanted to commit to Christ, and he said he wanted to commission them to go and reach others.

I think John missed the first part, as he turned to me and said, "I'm going to the front, are you coming with me?"

I asked him why he was going to the front, and he told me he wanted to be commissioned.

I pointed out that it was only for those who wanted to make a commitment, John suddenly realised this, but I did point out that if Our church leader wanted to commit to christ then I had no problem with that, and I was quite happy to pray for him myself.

Brits really do have so much to learn, whilst having something to eat at lunch time today, I got half way thorugh a drink of coke, and it was taken away, as the watress wanted to give me a full one. can't be bad.

also when picking Kevin up this morning, the car park at the aiport was free for the first hour, if only that were true in the uk.

Hoping to encounter even more of God tonight than last night, I am always thinking of Bartimais who before he was healed of his blindness kept shouting out to Jesus to have mercy on him, and that is my cry, to deepen my relaitonship with God so much that I take something amazing back to England with me, and out of that relationship could well come my own healing.

Entry 3, suplemental

2008-07-10T05:41:00.000-07:00

Now this deffinitely does sound like something from Startrek, Suplemental, was always the phrase used by captain Kirk, when something new happened, oh well, am I a treky, hope not!!!!!!!!

Anyway, Wednesday evening meeting in Lakeland, at the tent, wow what a night.

The worship was lead by a girl, who Emma and I had nicknamed ha ha as she said this quite a few times during her worhsip leading, but she was very good whilst watching her on tv, but last night she was just a brilliant worhsip leader.

She had a very good balance in encouraging the people there in worshipping God, but also allowing them space to worship in the way that they felt comfortable with.

there was very little shouting down the mic during the worship, and especially when there was meant to be just music, rather than the actual worship words, which gave you your own space to worship and meet with God.

The leading that she did was also done in a gentle manner, which also enabled you to have your own space with God and didn't intrude on what you and God were talking about during the worship.

It lasted for nearly 2 hours, and I didn't realise how long it was, just an amazing time, freedom to worship, no constraints, no time limits, noone telling you how to worship, just the ability for you to meet with God, which is what worship is all about.

Todd Bently has been given a few nights off by his leadership, which is probably a very wise thing to do as he has been here for nearly 100 nights, and burn out is always a possibility.

A guy called Craig spoke last night, and he was very good.

He pointed out that in essence we as humans expect God to do things in the way we would want them to be done. But he pointed out that Jesus himself didn't come in the manner that the Jews wanted him to Come, nor did he do things the way they thought he ought too.

So is God going to bring a revival in the way that we want him too, not likely I would imagine.

Sometimes things hapen, and we don't understand them, but hey, we don't necessarily understand all of God at all, so why should we reject things just because we don't understand them.

Questioing is fine, if done with right heart, and as long as people want to meet with God, does it really matter how god wants to do things.

Steven Strader had said in the morning, and probably rightly, there could well be some flesh in amongst the revival, hey, what a surprise, God is using humans, and we get it wrong, and do tings wrong, sometimes, it happens, but should we reject what God might be doing, because he is using humans, I don'tt hink so.

We are meant to understand God necessarily, we are meant to relate to him, have that relaitonship with him, love him, and allow him tolove us.

There was some prayer at the end, and when examining my left eye socket last night, it felt to me that the bottom eye lid had grown a bit again, and the eye socket itself had developed a bit, but I shall wait to see what emma says as she has seen it develop over the weeks.

Going to go to some of the evangelism training tomorrow to see what trianing they are giving people, and see what happens.

Really met with God last night, couldn't actually stop crying for the first 3 or 4 songs, wierd as they were the lively dancing songs as well, but couldn' stop crying.

As the worship went on, felt real release, and just felt God saying how much he loved me, and all I wanted to do was t shout back that I loved him.

If we get excited about football, which many know I do, and at concerts, why not get excited about our relaitonship with a loving God who has done so much for us.

I know people think there is hype in florida, but having been there last night, and also at the meeting in the morning, I can honestly say, I have not felt any hype, just the real presence of God, and the freedom to enter into that relationship in a new and fantastic manner.

Entry 3, first morning meeting

2008-07-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

Ignited church, by feel reminded me a little of alc in Bradford, but their main hall didn't quite feel the same.

The worship was good, and deffinitely brought you into the presence of God.

Pastor Steven Strader, the leader of Ignited Church spoke well, about the land and the calling upon your life. Helped to confirm a number of things for me about my ministry amongst young people.

After he spoke, there was a female prophet, and I struggled at first, as there was a lot of noise as she encouraged all of us to make a sund.

The porblem was totally with me, as once there is a lot of sound, then my spacial awareness gets messed up, and I start to feel slightly awkward.

Also once she started shouting, it became difficult to understand what she was saying, but what I had to remember was the fact that god used joshua in similar ways, he got him to walk round the walls of the city, then make a large noise, and the walls crumbled.

Just because some things feel awkward to us today,does not mean that they cannot be from God, and maybe God just wants to do something different to make his presence felt, and enable us to have a deeper relationship with him.

JOhn walked of and left me, ony for the second time this trip, but a third person asked him a question about me, without asking me in person. Interesting how people think blind people can't talk.

Wendy's berger afterwards went down a real treat.

John had said he felt cold in the building, but I felt that there was a fire going on all around me.

A very kind woman spent some time chatting to me as she was sat next to me, and gave us a book, called how to keep your healing. She said sh was around for the next week, and she would be pryaing for my helaing. She was very kind, as she said rather than me buying the book, she wanted to sow into my life, and I felt really blessed by her.

She gave us lots of info about the meetings, and was genuinely very kind, and I prayed that God would belss her for her kindenss, and generousity.

Looking forward to evening meeting, as one of my favourite worship leaders from the meetings is eading tonight, and she is very very good.

Entry 2, expectations, and journey to florida

2008-07-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

Many people asked me before coming to America, what I expected from the trip, as well as poitning out that God also worked in Britain as well as in America.

I will attempt to explain briefly my expectations about coming to florida:

1: To see if there was a different anointing there: I accepted and totally agreed with the viewpoint that God's spirit is also in the UK as well as in America, but part of me wondered, and had no theological basis for it as such, whether or not there was a different anointing out in florida, and wondered as to whether it was transferable, or not.

Although part of me struggled with the idea, I got the impression from reaidng the acts of the apostles and other books, that Jerusalem was also a kind of central point, and people visited there, so why not Florida?

2: Deepening relationship with God: Having watched so much on tv, I wanted to experience some of the worship which seemed to be totally free, and enabling you to connect with God, I also wanted to see if there was hype attached to what was happening, or whether it was genuine or not. Further to all this, I wanted to hear, firsthand, and listen, and experience the testimonies about what people claimed God had done.

3: Healing: Maybe the most difficult one of all was my own helaing. I have believed for such a long time that God has wanted to heal me, and even the growth of a new bottom eye lid on my left eye, gave some indication to this. In as much as I totally believe that God does and can do instantaneous miraculous healings, the growth of a new bottom eye lid, suggested to me, that it might be a progressive ealing, but maybe, part of the process was to go to Florida, although again, there is no reason on earth why God couldn't heal me in Harrogate if he wanted too, but maybe there is a different process to the one I would have thought of in my head.

So the journey began, July 8th, the reality of going to america arrived quickly, and even quicker at 3 in the morning as I got up to have a cup of coffee beofre leaving.

The flight from Manchester was fine, once they finally put the Continental flights up on the board.decent enough food, and the mp3 player got a good work out.

The transfer in Newark was interesting as John and I sat and had a drink, we suddenly realised that they were bording the plane, so we had to finish quickly.

This second flight down to Florida, was more eventful, as we hit a large storm, throwing the plane around, and throwing food out of people in a very undignified manner.

We had to wait over the gulf of mexico as tampa had been closed down, interesting as John had booked a car to pick up there.

Eventually we were allowed to land, and we retreaved our bags without any great hassel.

Whilst acquring our car, we spoke to the woman at the desk, and she was hoping to get to the meetings at the weekend, but was encouraged by my new eye lid, and the fact that my daughter had just been given the all clear for her eyes as well.

I tried to get in to the wrong side of the car, forgetting that we were in amaerica where everything is back to front. And they have a go at the Irish, honestly.

Felt better later on when John showed me to the wrong door of the car as well after we had been somewhere to eat, I know I shouldn't have said anything and just got in, but I said I didn't feel like driving.

We arrived to late to go to any meetings, sadly, but a good nights sleep was needed, and JOhn and I agreed we would go to the morning meeting on Wednesday, as wlel as the evening meeting.

Entry 1, before visiting Florida

2008-07-09T22:32:00.000-07:00

This sounds like something from Startrek, captains logue, but what I hope it is, is an account of all that I encounter as I experience the outpouring of God through the tv, and also by visiting Florida it self.

Having watched the vast majority of the God tv programmes relating to the revival meetings in Florida since their start back in April 2008, it would be fair to say that my relationship with God had got a lot deeper and stronger, and I had also experienced so much more of God working through me, and also thorugh RolltheRock.

The event at the Ladies College in April was during the second week of the revival meetings in Florida, although I knew nothing of their existence at that point.

Throughout June, I had a new botom left eye lid start to develop, and a new whole eye socket start to develop.

My wife, after I had prayed for her one night, acquired a gold filling, and this was without visiting a dentist.

So it had become clear to me that something new and exciting was starting to take place.

One of Rolltherock's supporters, when finding out that one of our Church leaders was going to Florida, said that they wanted to pay for me to go with him, and so, the journey began, my first journey ever to America.