Families are supposed to be free and powerful. They are supposed to be filled with love, joy, compassion, and the presence of God. Heaven is all about relationships. Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit set the standard very high for healthy relationships. Unfortunately so many have relationships that are not healthy, even in families. Family means a lot more than dad, mom, son, and daughter. But lets start here. I believe there is not one wasted word in the Bible. Every word has a purpose and is an invitation to an encounter with the person of Jesus. Throughout the Bible God is constantly bringing up genealogies. He takes the time to write generation after generation. I'll be honest, I skipped a lot of these when reading the Word. But a few days ago I purposely read them, and then I had a revelation of His goodness. God cares more about our families than we do. Whoa! Most families are crippled with sin, disease, torment, poverty, and death. Is that okay with you? Because it's not okay with God. Lets say a Grandfather and Grandmother have twelve grandchildren. They have raised them to be lovers of Jesus. They are blessed by two more, a set of twins. But when they are born they have a heart defect, and they only have days to live. What does this mean? We can blame God and get bitter, but if we really knew Jesus we would know how good He is. We could also thank God, thinking He's teaching a lesson. How many times did Jesus give a disease and tell someone to learn character? Oh right, never. We need to realize disease is sent to destroy family. The Grandma realizes this and heads to her prayer closet. She praises God for His goodness and love, not the disease. This is an attack on her family and generational line. Her grandchildren are her inheritance. She agrees with God, saying this is not allowed. Within hours the doctors are clueless because they are totally healed. Families are destroyed through many other ways. How many times do we hear of a son and dad not talking? And how often do we become passive and take our family for granted? The closer we are to people the greater capacity we have of hurting them.
Danny and Sheri Silk are some of my biggest heroes ever. They devote themselves to see the restoration of all families. Families are made to represent Jesus and His love. There is nothing more powerful than a family that are laid down lovers. There is hope. There is no unforgivable sin. Divorce, adultery, physical or verbal abuse, sexual immorality, and betrayal, are all very hurtful. But as Christians we must always forgive and not stay bitter. We are powerful and free, we always have the choice not to forgive and walk away. But how's that going to work out for you?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
a little renaissance to stir the soul
I was on facebook the other day and I saw a great quote. It said, “I learned everything I need to know from Disney movies.” This made me laugh. I love the classics, they are my most favorite movies. The “Disney Renaissance” is a celebrated time of high quality animated motion pictures. Some would argue how long it lasted, but the general time is 1989-1999. Which is the prime of my youth. These movies were a creative explosion of minds and hearts coming together. They literally helped shape a generation. Movies are powerful, they impart whatever was in the hearts of their maker. Four movies in particular left an imprint on my heart. I've never seen a better movie because I've never received such a strong impartation from other movies.
The Little Mermaid (1989): The part of the movie I want to talk about is when Ariel sings "Part of Your World." Whether the song writer knew it or not, the message of this song is right out of the Bible. Every time I hear it I get tears in my eyes. She starts out the song with how thankful she is for her home and all the things she has. But she quickly moves into how she wants more, she isn't satisfied. She wants to dance and walk on her feet! When I hear that I feel warmth in my soul. I want to dance and walk on my feet! Banning Liebscher, a pastor at Bethel, taught me that I must always stay thankful, and at the same time never be satisfied with what I have. The two go hand in hand. In God there is always more. He values thankfulness, and wants us to stay grounded in that. But He never sets limits for us, we set our own limits.
Beauty and the Beast (1991): Whoa! A movie that moves the heart. This movie shows the power of a curse, and more importantly, the power of love. There was a dream in my spirit for a long time that my soul didn’t really know was there. David had to command his soul to rejoice because it wasn’t as quick as his spirit. I know that to be true in many ways. At the end of Beauty and the Beast there is an amazing scene where Beast is pulled up into the air and is transformed into the prince. At last love conquered the curse and his dream became reality. As a young boy my spirit captured that image and God set it in me. My soul never realized it was there. I never talked of it. I believe the reason why God gave it to me is because God wanted to show my spirit who I am, how He actually views me, and what He wants to do with me. I am that prince and love has conquered this disease. My King conquered every curse. It will be reality on earth. The scene was implanted in my spirit and has never let me go.
Aladdin (1992): This movie showed that I knew I wanted a princess. I believe that Aladdin is one of the most romantic movies ever. I knew I wanted to love well. To love every girl as a beautiful princess. Women are free and powerful. In the movie Jasmine is on the streets and she is trying to stay hidden, she has a hood on. She sees the palace guards capturing Aladdin, and she commands them to let him go. They push her and laugh, saying by who's orders? She stands and removes her veil and says, “by the orders of the princess!” Whoa! The princesses of the world must be unveiled. Creation and mankind are waiting for their orders. Aladdin makes a transformation from pauper to prince. Like most of us he tries to become someone he's not. It's what we do when we don't know our identity. He realizes Prince Ali is just not him, and he gives up hope. He betrays Jasmine's trust by not being himself. Unfortunately like most of us, he sees himself as a pauper and unworthy of love. But he finds out he was born to be a prince. He breaks old mindsets. He is worthy of love and the princess. It's a journey in the depths of his heart.
The Lion King (1994): Mufasa is power. He is so big and strong. He is usurped by Scar in an act of violent love. He gives his life for his son. Scar releases shame and condemnation to Simba. He runs away like so many of us do. He becomes careless and apathetic. He reunites with Nala, and he tells her bad things happen and there's nothing you can do. She responds, “it's your responsibility!” We like to take the responsibility off ourselves. But in fact God left us in charge. We cry out to God for help. I love the secret place, it's a great time to yell, scream, cry, and rejoice. We make an exchange, our stuff for His heart. But we must understand Jesus already defeated everything we face. It's our responsibility to enforce His victory. Mufasa appears to Simba and tells him, “remember who you are.” Simba goes to defeat Scar, taking back his throne. His kingdom is restored.
The Little Mermaid (1989): The part of the movie I want to talk about is when Ariel sings "Part of Your World." Whether the song writer knew it or not, the message of this song is right out of the Bible. Every time I hear it I get tears in my eyes. She starts out the song with how thankful she is for her home and all the things she has. But she quickly moves into how she wants more, she isn't satisfied. She wants to dance and walk on her feet! When I hear that I feel warmth in my soul. I want to dance and walk on my feet! Banning Liebscher, a pastor at Bethel, taught me that I must always stay thankful, and at the same time never be satisfied with what I have. The two go hand in hand. In God there is always more. He values thankfulness, and wants us to stay grounded in that. But He never sets limits for us, we set our own limits.
Beauty and the Beast (1991): Whoa! A movie that moves the heart. This movie shows the power of a curse, and more importantly, the power of love. There was a dream in my spirit for a long time that my soul didn’t really know was there. David had to command his soul to rejoice because it wasn’t as quick as his spirit. I know that to be true in many ways. At the end of Beauty and the Beast there is an amazing scene where Beast is pulled up into the air and is transformed into the prince. At last love conquered the curse and his dream became reality. As a young boy my spirit captured that image and God set it in me. My soul never realized it was there. I never talked of it. I believe the reason why God gave it to me is because God wanted to show my spirit who I am, how He actually views me, and what He wants to do with me. I am that prince and love has conquered this disease. My King conquered every curse. It will be reality on earth. The scene was implanted in my spirit and has never let me go.
Aladdin (1992): This movie showed that I knew I wanted a princess. I believe that Aladdin is one of the most romantic movies ever. I knew I wanted to love well. To love every girl as a beautiful princess. Women are free and powerful. In the movie Jasmine is on the streets and she is trying to stay hidden, she has a hood on. She sees the palace guards capturing Aladdin, and she commands them to let him go. They push her and laugh, saying by who's orders? She stands and removes her veil and says, “by the orders of the princess!” Whoa! The princesses of the world must be unveiled. Creation and mankind are waiting for their orders. Aladdin makes a transformation from pauper to prince. Like most of us he tries to become someone he's not. It's what we do when we don't know our identity. He realizes Prince Ali is just not him, and he gives up hope. He betrays Jasmine's trust by not being himself. Unfortunately like most of us, he sees himself as a pauper and unworthy of love. But he finds out he was born to be a prince. He breaks old mindsets. He is worthy of love and the princess. It's a journey in the depths of his heart.
The Lion King (1994): Mufasa is power. He is so big and strong. He is usurped by Scar in an act of violent love. He gives his life for his son. Scar releases shame and condemnation to Simba. He runs away like so many of us do. He becomes careless and apathetic. He reunites with Nala, and he tells her bad things happen and there's nothing you can do. She responds, “it's your responsibility!” We like to take the responsibility off ourselves. But in fact God left us in charge. We cry out to God for help. I love the secret place, it's a great time to yell, scream, cry, and rejoice. We make an exchange, our stuff for His heart. But we must understand Jesus already defeated everything we face. It's our responsibility to enforce His victory. Mufasa appears to Simba and tells him, “remember who you are.” Simba goes to defeat Scar, taking back his throne. His kingdom is restored.
Friday, April 23, 2010
face to face
I really can’t wait to be married. It’s such a huge desire of my heart. When I was in high school I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend, I was looking for a wife. I’m excited to give everything I have to my wife. I’ve never been married, obviously, but I’ve seen many marriages in action. One of the most important things is to give, give, give, and when I’m sick of giving, I give some more. I’m excited to love her as a daughter of the King, and to fight for her heart. I’m excited to fight along her side, displacing darkness for the Kingdom of our Father. I’m excited to start a family and have children. A family after God’s heart is powerful and is dangerous to darkness. They cultivate the very heart of our Father. More than all of that, I want to know my wife. I’m not going to get married to know about her, but to know her intimately. I plan on actually being with her, and liking it. I want to know what makes her heart beat, what she cries out for when no one is looking. I want to partner with her and God to see her dreams fulfilled. I want to know her so well that I’ll know what she thinks without talking. I believe she is a daughter of the King, and she really is royalty. That’s not a theory, it’s a reality. It’s my privilege and responsibility to know her as she is. And to not live as though it’s a theory.
The same goes with my relationship with Father. I talk a lot on this blog about miracles, signs, and wonders. You will get no apology from me. I want my full inheritance as a son of God. I won’t settle for less. But it’s important to keep the main thing, the main thing. I’m alive to know and love my Father deeply. Even deeper than my wife. People throw a lot of phrases out, including me. “Jesus is the lover my soul.” “I’m an abandoned lover and worshiper of Jesus.” Most of my life these truths have been a theory. But I can honestly say it’s now a reality in my life. People don’t know the extravagant love Father has for us. If people really knew Jesus and His love, people would literally RUN to Him. Most Christians settle for religion. Religion says God is distant and impersonal. We settle for knowing about God. What does your heart cry out for more than anything else? Well I really want to walk. We also want money, blessing, peace, and joy. But more than all that, our hearts ache for love. What in the heck tells us God doesn’t want love even more? Oh right, religion. Father is aching for our love. He is the Lover of all lovers. This is not a theory. Jesus is a person, waiting to be known. He’s longing to know us. I want to know what makes His heart beat, what He cries out for when no one is looking. I want to partner with Him and my wife to see His dreams fulfilled. I want to know Him so well that I’ll know what He thinks without talking. Holy Spirit is my best friend. The love of my life. I live to know my Father face to face.
The same goes with my relationship with Father. I talk a lot on this blog about miracles, signs, and wonders. You will get no apology from me. I want my full inheritance as a son of God. I won’t settle for less. But it’s important to keep the main thing, the main thing. I’m alive to know and love my Father deeply. Even deeper than my wife. People throw a lot of phrases out, including me. “Jesus is the lover my soul.” “I’m an abandoned lover and worshiper of Jesus.” Most of my life these truths have been a theory. But I can honestly say it’s now a reality in my life. People don’t know the extravagant love Father has for us. If people really knew Jesus and His love, people would literally RUN to Him. Most Christians settle for religion. Religion says God is distant and impersonal. We settle for knowing about God. What does your heart cry out for more than anything else? Well I really want to walk. We also want money, blessing, peace, and joy. But more than all that, our hearts ache for love. What in the heck tells us God doesn’t want love even more? Oh right, religion. Father is aching for our love. He is the Lover of all lovers. This is not a theory. Jesus is a person, waiting to be known. He’s longing to know us. I want to know what makes His heart beat, what He cries out for when no one is looking. I want to partner with Him and my wife to see His dreams fulfilled. I want to know Him so well that I’ll know what He thinks without talking. Holy Spirit is my best friend. The love of my life. I live to know my Father face to face.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
a superior reality
I want to finish my story from when I visited California. This story has had a huge impact on me.
Friday was the last day of the conference. It was so awesome. As I said before, the worship is outrageous. Unlike anything else. It literally pulls down Heaven. I got so much prayer that night, from so many different people. David spent a lot of time with me that night. We had a lot of stuff happen in my brain. It was crazy. I’m not sure if it had to do with my SMA, or if it was entirely something else. People kept giving me words about my brain. It felt like electric currents running through my head. David and many other people told me I need to come to the healing rooms bright and early the next day. Healing rooms are a place to go receive your breakthrough. I wanted to go. That night in the hotel was crazy. I was so wired and pumped. I laid down at 2:30 and had to wake up at 6 AM to go to the healing rooms. For three and a half hours I didn’t shut my eyes once. It was wild. Bryan and Steve woke up and we debated going. I was worried because I didn’t sleep at all, I wasn’t sure how I would feel. But I pushed through and went. We got there and Bryan and Steve fell asleep right away. How amazing are they? They gave EVERYTHING to make sure I had the week of my life. I wanted David to pray for me but God put me with a couple I didn’t know. They were incredible. They prayed for the fire of Holy Spirit to come upon me, and I felt it. And then Denise’s sister Amy came and laid hands on me too, and His presence increased on me and in me. The couple told me to close my eyes, and they asked Holy Spirit to show me how He sees me right now. Instantly I saw myself RUNNING in a field, totally healed and free. I just wept. I heard God say, “this is you NOW!” Wow. More than any other time, my miracle became a promise. When people die some say well God just decided not to heal them. How can that be? Jesus bought our healing in His death and resurrection. He put my disease on Him so that I won’t have it. Lets say we buy a truck. We can drive it for ten years, leave it in a garage, burn it, sell it, crash it, or give it away. But we can’t un-buy it. We can’t go back to the dealership and say well I decided I don’t want it. They won’t give us our money back. Just like God can’t take back His payment for our sin, disease, torment, poverty, and death. So many reduce the cross to forgiveness of sin. If that’s all it was, then praise God. Best gift ever! But Jesus told us to repent because the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 4:17) He also taught us to pray “on earth as in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Heaven is made up of righteousness, peace, and joy. (Romans 14:17) Peace is one of the most pregnant words in the Bible. One meaning is divine health. Divine health is in my inheritance as a son of God. Not to enjoy just when I go to Heaven in 85 years, but it’s available now. Heaven is my destiny, but my assignment is to bring it to earth. I dare you to dream of God’s goodness. Dream your biggest dream and God will still out dream you.
A few months later my friend Denise Gater painted me a picture of my vision. It’s so great. I have it in my room and look at it everyday. Everyone loves it. I would like to suggest to you it’s not just a picture. It came out of an encounter with my loving Daddy, where He spoke to His son. And when Father speaks, His words carry the weight of Heaven. It’s a picture that shows a superior reality of peace invading an inferior reality of disease. In the fall of 2008 the apartments above us burned down. Our ceilings caved in and our home was ruined from water and smoke. But out of the ashes came my picture, untouched and protected by Father. He wanted to remind me that I am His son and we have a good Father. His love never fails.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
layla grace
Tuesday March 9th, 2010 Layla Grace went to Heaven. She has been battling cancer her whole life. A short life of two years. On her parents twitter account they have over 40,000 followers. She has taken this world with her heart. I spent a lot of time genuinely praying for her miracle. But she is dancing with Jesus now.
I want to honor her and her family, so what I’m sharing is from my heart. I will not buy into a theology that says it was Gods will for her to pass today. Cancer is never from God. He hates cancer. He can’t give what He doesn’t have. People often say that God gives cancer to teach people lessons. When did Jesus ever give anyone a disease? He didn’t. Bill Johnson says Jesus Christ is perfect theology. Layla has touched a lot of hearts, including mine. I’m glad she has helped us, she reminds us that our problems aren’t that big compared to the hell they have been through. But God did not put her on this earth to teach us that. She is a daughter of the King. Cancer is illegal. Jesus defeated disease on the cross. Today was not her time to go. I won’t create a theology that says “well it was just Gods plan.” NO! What father among us plans their child’s calamity? Our Heavenly Father only plans our destiny. So why did she die? I don’t know. I do know God is always good. So we wrestle with what we do know, and what we don’t.
God I know you are always good. There is no lack on your part. I will not create a false theology to make myself feel better. I will not give up until all cancer bows to your name. I ask that you would give us grace to go low and serve. I ask that you would fill us with your love. Give us grace to be an extension of your love, a love that heals ALL disease. I ask that as a church you would give us divine justice, a seven times greater authority over cancer. Please give us grace and peace as we grieve her loss, especially Layla’s parents and family. Thank you that she is with you today. You are such a good Daddy. We give it all to you.
I want to honor her and her family, so what I’m sharing is from my heart. I will not buy into a theology that says it was Gods will for her to pass today. Cancer is never from God. He hates cancer. He can’t give what He doesn’t have. People often say that God gives cancer to teach people lessons. When did Jesus ever give anyone a disease? He didn’t. Bill Johnson says Jesus Christ is perfect theology. Layla has touched a lot of hearts, including mine. I’m glad she has helped us, she reminds us that our problems aren’t that big compared to the hell they have been through. But God did not put her on this earth to teach us that. She is a daughter of the King. Cancer is illegal. Jesus defeated disease on the cross. Today was not her time to go. I won’t create a theology that says “well it was just Gods plan.” NO! What father among us plans their child’s calamity? Our Heavenly Father only plans our destiny. So why did she die? I don’t know. I do know God is always good. So we wrestle with what we do know, and what we don’t.
God I know you are always good. There is no lack on your part. I will not create a false theology to make myself feel better. I will not give up until all cancer bows to your name. I ask that you would give us grace to go low and serve. I ask that you would fill us with your love. Give us grace to be an extension of your love, a love that heals ALL disease. I ask that as a church you would give us divine justice, a seven times greater authority over cancer. Please give us grace and peace as we grieve her loss, especially Layla’s parents and family. Thank you that she is with you today. You are such a good Daddy. We give it all to you.
when heaven comes down
“This is what it sounds like when you sing Heavens song, this is it what it feels like when Heaven comes down, this is what it looks like when God is all around….”
In June 2007 I went to visit Redding, CA to go to Bethel Church. I first heard about it in June 2005 from my friends, and I was blown away. Bill Johnson spoke of a good God in a good mood. Their mandate is to bring Heaven to earth. Their number one priority is to love and worship Father. From that place of abandonment they love people. And out of that love they heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, and bind the broken hearts. It’s the normal Christian life. It’s the standard Jesus saved us to live by. I kept listening to their sermons every week and I loved every second of it. So me and Steve Nelson and Bryan Hamilton took off and started our adventure.
I love Redding so much. In June it’s super hot, which I totally love. It’s a beautiful city. We didn’t have a lot of money so we stayed at a Motel 6, but it was rocking. We made it fun. The first morning there we went to IHOP for breakfast. And after we paid Steve realized he had no more money left, and we were going to be there for ten days. It was quite hilarious. We went to Target and bought peanut butter and jelly for the rest of the week. But Denise Gater took care of us, her daughters and sister met us there. It was really fun to go around the city. I heard so many testimonies of miracles on the podcasts, it was so fun to see the different locations they took place in. A few months before, and before I knew I was definitely coming, I sent Bill Johnson a letter. I told him how much he meant to me, what a great impact he has had in my life, and that I’m coming to see him for the conference. I got to Bethel and it’s so beautiful. We registered and there was a huge line to go in the sanctuary. As we were waiting, Deborah Stevens introduces herself, and she said your Zac Beach, we got your letter and have been expecting you. I was so shocked. She gave me a hug, and asked me if I have ever been there. I said no. She then asked me what am I believing God for, and I said I want to walk. She then gave me a hug and said, “Okay I’m believing with you.” I started crying. This lady didn’t know me, but she was investing in me. I’ve never had anyone say to me, your disease is not God’s will, lets believe together for your miracle. I was so honored and loved. We skipped the whole line and she took us to our seats. It was fun to see and meet so many names I knew. Two of Bill’s assistants, Judy and Mary, both came and talked to me. They told me it was such an honor to meet me and read my letter, and that Bill loved it. We met Jamie and Donna Robbins, they pretty much fell in love with me, and me, Steve, and Bryan fell in love with them. They will be in my life forever. Crazy how that happens. Before the conference started, Bill Johnson himself came and met me. I kept thinking holy crap in my head. When I was 19 I wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to live. But this man changed my life, he showed me how much Jesus loves me. It was such an honor to meet him. Throughout the week he prayed for me several times. All I can say is wow. The worship there is unlike anything else. God’s presence is so strong. Deborah took me, Steve, and Bryan into a meeting we weren’t supposed to be in. She wanted me to be around the fire of Holy Spirit. What favor! The meeting was outrageous. Everyone was completely drunk on the Holy Ghost. Now this was before I spoke in tongues and before I was used to that kind of encounter, but I was cool with it. But Steve and Bryan had no idea what to think. People were speaking in tongues, laughing wildly, shaking, and falling over. It’s a manifestation of Father’s extravagant joy. It’s like being drunk on joy, the wine of Holy Spirit. And sometimes when God’s power fills you, no matter how hard you try, you can’t contain it. I told Father I want to know Him deeply, and He touched me over and over.
The first or second day we met David and Erica, two ministry students at Bethel. They are so amazing. They basically spent the whole week with me, pursuing me, loving me, and praying for me. They didn’t see me as I was, having a disease and being in a wheelchair, but they saw me as I will be, disease free and walking. I got to know them and build a friendship. It was awesome. Every time they prayed for me I felt fire in my body. A lot of fire. Bill wanted me to get prayer during worship, so David and Erica surrounded me and just loved me. We started singing the chorus to “What Does it Sound Like” by Brian and Jenn Johnson. I started this post with the lyrics. I’ll never forget this. Erica began to cry. She laid her hand on me and said, “Daddy show us what it feels like when Heaven comes down on Zac!” At that instant I saw two huge angels with my physical eyes. They were as real as any person. I just kept worshiping and they began to circle around us over and over. I felt such a hot fire in my spine. I was consumed with Father’s love, I was just weeping. I thought I was going to get out of my wheelchair at that moment. I knew that was Heaven on me. I have more stories, but that’s for later.
More than anything else, people at Bethel want you to take what you learn and what you receive from impartation, and use that to change the world by bringing Heaven to earth. I give my word to honor Bill & Beni Johnson, Kris & Kathy Vallotton, Danny & Sheri Silk, Brian & Jenn Johnson, Kim Walker-Smith, Eric Johnson, Banning Liebscher, Dann Farrelly, Paul & Sue Manwaring, Jason Vallotton, Joaquin Evans, Ben Armstrong, Deborah Stevens, Judy Franklin, Mary Walker, David D’Louhy, Sarah Beni, Erica Gismegian, Allan Logan, and Joseph Payne. And most of all my parents, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. I bring Heaven to earth!
Daddy show us what it feels like when Heaven comes down!
In June 2007 I went to visit Redding, CA to go to Bethel Church. I first heard about it in June 2005 from my friends, and I was blown away. Bill Johnson spoke of a good God in a good mood. Their mandate is to bring Heaven to earth. Their number one priority is to love and worship Father. From that place of abandonment they love people. And out of that love they heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, and bind the broken hearts. It’s the normal Christian life. It’s the standard Jesus saved us to live by. I kept listening to their sermons every week and I loved every second of it. So me and Steve Nelson and Bryan Hamilton took off and started our adventure.
I love Redding so much. In June it’s super hot, which I totally love. It’s a beautiful city. We didn’t have a lot of money so we stayed at a Motel 6, but it was rocking. We made it fun. The first morning there we went to IHOP for breakfast. And after we paid Steve realized he had no more money left, and we were going to be there for ten days. It was quite hilarious. We went to Target and bought peanut butter and jelly for the rest of the week. But Denise Gater took care of us, her daughters and sister met us there. It was really fun to go around the city. I heard so many testimonies of miracles on the podcasts, it was so fun to see the different locations they took place in. A few months before, and before I knew I was definitely coming, I sent Bill Johnson a letter. I told him how much he meant to me, what a great impact he has had in my life, and that I’m coming to see him for the conference. I got to Bethel and it’s so beautiful. We registered and there was a huge line to go in the sanctuary. As we were waiting, Deborah Stevens introduces herself, and she said your Zac Beach, we got your letter and have been expecting you. I was so shocked. She gave me a hug, and asked me if I have ever been there. I said no. She then asked me what am I believing God for, and I said I want to walk. She then gave me a hug and said, “Okay I’m believing with you.” I started crying. This lady didn’t know me, but she was investing in me. I’ve never had anyone say to me, your disease is not God’s will, lets believe together for your miracle. I was so honored and loved. We skipped the whole line and she took us to our seats. It was fun to see and meet so many names I knew. Two of Bill’s assistants, Judy and Mary, both came and talked to me. They told me it was such an honor to meet me and read my letter, and that Bill loved it. We met Jamie and Donna Robbins, they pretty much fell in love with me, and me, Steve, and Bryan fell in love with them. They will be in my life forever. Crazy how that happens. Before the conference started, Bill Johnson himself came and met me. I kept thinking holy crap in my head. When I was 19 I wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to live. But this man changed my life, he showed me how much Jesus loves me. It was such an honor to meet him. Throughout the week he prayed for me several times. All I can say is wow. The worship there is unlike anything else. God’s presence is so strong. Deborah took me, Steve, and Bryan into a meeting we weren’t supposed to be in. She wanted me to be around the fire of Holy Spirit. What favor! The meeting was outrageous. Everyone was completely drunk on the Holy Ghost. Now this was before I spoke in tongues and before I was used to that kind of encounter, but I was cool with it. But Steve and Bryan had no idea what to think. People were speaking in tongues, laughing wildly, shaking, and falling over. It’s a manifestation of Father’s extravagant joy. It’s like being drunk on joy, the wine of Holy Spirit. And sometimes when God’s power fills you, no matter how hard you try, you can’t contain it. I told Father I want to know Him deeply, and He touched me over and over.
The first or second day we met David and Erica, two ministry students at Bethel. They are so amazing. They basically spent the whole week with me, pursuing me, loving me, and praying for me. They didn’t see me as I was, having a disease and being in a wheelchair, but they saw me as I will be, disease free and walking. I got to know them and build a friendship. It was awesome. Every time they prayed for me I felt fire in my body. A lot of fire. Bill wanted me to get prayer during worship, so David and Erica surrounded me and just loved me. We started singing the chorus to “What Does it Sound Like” by Brian and Jenn Johnson. I started this post with the lyrics. I’ll never forget this. Erica began to cry. She laid her hand on me and said, “Daddy show us what it feels like when Heaven comes down on Zac!” At that instant I saw two huge angels with my physical eyes. They were as real as any person. I just kept worshiping and they began to circle around us over and over. I felt such a hot fire in my spine. I was consumed with Father’s love, I was just weeping. I thought I was going to get out of my wheelchair at that moment. I knew that was Heaven on me. I have more stories, but that’s for later.
More than anything else, people at Bethel want you to take what you learn and what you receive from impartation, and use that to change the world by bringing Heaven to earth. I give my word to honor Bill & Beni Johnson, Kris & Kathy Vallotton, Danny & Sheri Silk, Brian & Jenn Johnson, Kim Walker-Smith, Eric Johnson, Banning Liebscher, Dann Farrelly, Paul & Sue Manwaring, Jason Vallotton, Joaquin Evans, Ben Armstrong, Deborah Stevens, Judy Franklin, Mary Walker, David D’Louhy, Sarah Beni, Erica Gismegian, Allan Logan, and Joseph Payne. And most of all my parents, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. I bring Heaven to earth!
Daddy show us what it feels like when Heaven comes down!
some eat meat, but others don't
I spend a lot of time dreaming with God when I’m awake. I just let Him take over my mind. I will act out situations that I was born to do. I dream of people instantly getting off of ventilators and out of their wheelchairs when the power of God hits them. People who have never walked in their entire life. I dream that I literally empty Mott’s Children Hospital here in Ann Arbor. I’ll think about pulling into an automobile accident where someone has died. I start worshiping my Father because He is ALWAYS GOOD! I release Heaven into the situation, and then Holy Spirit comes with life! The person has been raised from the dead, breathing new life again! I think about my first day walking and what that will be like. I’m going to go super crazy and dance and worship all day. I’m pretty sure I won’t stop hugging and kissing my family and friends. I think about how I’m always going to be giving. My parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends have been selfless my entire life. They give everything so that I can live. I want to spend my life giving back to them. I want to invest in them and give them everything I have. I can’t wait to cook my Mom dinner, or to drive to see my grandparents just to pursue and honor them, or to go on vacation with my friends without needing care from them. I think about falling in love with my future wife, pursing her, loving her as a daughter of the King, and fighting for her heart. I will treasure her and I will give and give and give and give and give, and when I’m tired of giving, I’ll give some more. I think about starting a family with her, having sons and daughters and being so blessed. I want to build an inheritance for my children’s children’s children. They will be in perfect intimacy with Father, and they won’t know disease, addiction, immorality, poverty, or death. But most of all, I think about being an abandoned radical lover of Jesus. He is the love of my life, He is why everything above is possible. I think about spending hours in His presence just worshiping Him. Without deep and real intimacy with my Father, my life isn’t worth living. I want to obey His every word and be completely yielded to Him. It’s going to cost me. I would like to suggest to you that if I’m not paying that cost now, my Father can’t trust me to do it when I walk. It’s embarrassing to talk about the cost of revival. Christianity is not a message of sacrifice, it’s about hope, love, faith, and abundance. But there is no doubt that it requires sacrifice to obtain the impossible. God requires our full hearts and nothing less. He wants all of us. But when we do that, God gives back a hundred times over.
He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God – Romans 14:6
Many Christians live with sin management, or they often live in legalism. But Christianity is actually a culture of grace, it’s rooted in a relationship with a loving Father. A culture of grace is actually more demanding than a culture of law. We have a personal responsibility to live a life abandoned to our Father. It’s why I’m giving up all television and movies. I have really felt Father asking me to do this for quite some time, but I’m finally listening and obeying. Like the verse says, some eat meat, but others don’t. Eating meat isn’t a sin, but our relationship with our Father demands certain things. For me, I’m not supposed to be watching television or movies. Watching television is not a sin, but since God told me not to, it is for me personally. There are many people that can have real intimacy with God and still watch television, but I’m not one of them. For some, it might be that God tells you to not have alcohol, or certain foods, but those issues don’t effect everyone. It’s all about the heart.
I’m saying to my Father that I will give Him everything. At any cost God, you can have it all. There is nothing more important than my intimacy with Him.
He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God – Romans 14:6
Many Christians live with sin management, or they often live in legalism. But Christianity is actually a culture of grace, it’s rooted in a relationship with a loving Father. A culture of grace is actually more demanding than a culture of law. We have a personal responsibility to live a life abandoned to our Father. It’s why I’m giving up all television and movies. I have really felt Father asking me to do this for quite some time, but I’m finally listening and obeying. Like the verse says, some eat meat, but others don’t. Eating meat isn’t a sin, but our relationship with our Father demands certain things. For me, I’m not supposed to be watching television or movies. Watching television is not a sin, but since God told me not to, it is for me personally. There are many people that can have real intimacy with God and still watch television, but I’m not one of them. For some, it might be that God tells you to not have alcohol, or certain foods, but those issues don’t effect everyone. It’s all about the heart.
I’m saying to my Father that I will give Him everything. At any cost God, you can have it all. There is nothing more important than my intimacy with Him.
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