Things we see are simply surface visuals of much deeper insight...

I am in Redding, California. There just isn't much on the surface in Redding, CA... Unless you dig a little deeper...
I am on a spiritual quest. I could call it a pilgrimage but my pilgrimage has a moving target so is it a pilgrimage? The target is to chase God in every place I am. That in no way means He isn't with me always but there are depths of His thoughts and ways that I need to discover. So let's call this part of an Ecclesiastical journey. How many places can I discover Him and how much deeper can I go?
So here I am. In Redding.
We went to Bethel yesterday morning and had a great time with praise and worship. We heard Bill Johnson bring a word that was as always great. This is part of my journey of discovery. I am somewhat reserved to say I love California but I can say I completely enjoyed what I've seen so far. Bethel is different. There is a freedom at Bethel. There is order at Bethel but freedom under order is astounding to witness. So here's what I've seen so far.. Just remember our position changes as we grow so what we see today may look completely different tomorrow...
Kingdom. A kingdom is comprised of people living under the covering of a King. There is an allegiance that comes with living in a kingdom. It is a two way allegiance. The people pledge allegiance to the king and the king is in allegiance to the people. We live in a kingdom. Our allegiance is to God, the King. The King has an allegiance with the people who declare Him as their king. A king that loves His people loves to reside with His people (remember this). A kingdom is made up of many different parts. There is the king's court, the nobles, in public places the nobles are to be revered but not feared for they should reflect the heart of the king. There are many other facets of a kingdom. There are the service people, the thatchers, the craftsmen, the bakers, the cleaners, etc. there is the Clergy, the healers, the seers, etc. use your imagination and consider the kingdom to be a living functioning body. Think about the different zones of a kingdom. If the kingdom is a good place, it resonates with most who visit, some will reject it others will embrace it. Some will simply accept it as shelter and just reside. Many will strive to build it bigger, better, more magnificent, and all the things to make it more appealing but the heart of a kingdom is two things that must resonate with each other. The first is the King. The second are the people (subjects). Without these two elements a kingdom cannot exist. The reality we embrace is the king is "a rock star"! The King loves to be among His people! we often don't act the way we would live in the presence of the King but He loves who we are not who we think we should be in His presence! Here's the deep of this perception. To experience the life of His people and feed the love He has for His people requires Him to often disguise Himself in cloak and hood so the rock star effect doesn't alter His experience with people. He visits the different zones of the kingdom to get a feel for the needs, wants, and desires of His people. The hard thing is each zone has a perception that defines its character. In the bible there is a reference to the body made by Paul. Paul says if the hand offends another member of the body do you cut off the offending member? I think not. Each member must learn to harmonize with all the other members to accomplish the overall goal of a complete body. In the kingdom I see the zones are religion. Each saying the other is wrong or saying we're better than the rest but in no way does that reflect the heart of the king! When we behave this way we become aliens in the kingdom because we don't reflect the heart of the King. Remember every kingdom requires two components.  I'll have to revisit this blog to update but for now I will say I love going to the bazaar or market in this kingdom. Bethel is the market in my eyes. It's a wonderful place. There is sustenance there. There is color everywhere. There is life everywhere. Love is apparent everywhere you turn. There are no shadows. There is laughter, joy, music. Glorious music! I can see the king wandering through the market spreading His love and feeding on the love of His people, even under cloak and hood you know He's there! There is a time for Him to appear in all His glory so the people are inspired to love. His heart is being among the people where they live. Think about my expose. Are you residing in the kingdom or are you a poser? Do you reflect the heart of the King? Visit the zones, find your place but be who you are no matter which zone you are in. Find your place!