BREAKING BETHEL EP 8: Asbury Revival, Brian and Jenn's Interview, and Cessationist 

“Kids shouldn’t be focused on the gifts, they should be focused on the Gospel”. Nailed it. That’s beautiful. 💕

Jesse I’m a 65yr old man who was regenerated in Oct of 1985. We have been through many “church” experiences since then including the Toronto Blessing, laughing, and up to Bethel style learning to operate in the gifts. As I listened to this RU-vid tonight I couldn’t stop crying with you. I learned to LOVE Jesus through this movement and am having difficulty finding anywhere close to the same level of love I had in the past. I’m absolutely a believer but it is so different it’s hard to reconcile my emotional belief to the way I see things now. I weep with you brother and thank you for at least trying to articulate your experience for other’s. I most relate to your statement of trying to make it work for so long, I did the same thing and desperately wanted to see God “Move” but finally realized He was moving every day in my life. Thank you for your speaking out about this. If we don’t have the Jesus of the Bible we are going to Hell that’s the bottom line, we need to know the Jesus of the Bible or we are just worshiping an idea of who we think He is. Thanks

Every Christian wants revival. The problem is not every Christian wants biblical revival. Love your videos mate keep them coming.

Your resume as a former Bethel worship leader is a huge street cred. Your insights and telling us the behind the scenes strategies is just something we would've never guessed or known. You're uniquely qualified to speak about this stuff! Don't ever let anyone or any technical hiccups discourage you. You're doing an enormous amount of work in record time, studying theology while responding to current events and developing this channel... while being husband and dad of 4 little ones. Give yourself grace and take breaks. Your heart and your instincts are right. Praying for you!

Would love to connect. Moved our family from WA to Redding for Bethel. My husband followed them since about 1995. I started when we married in 2003. Reworking our theology is VALID!! Came out of membership with Bethel during the pandemic. So many red flags popped up before our journey out. We feel God has opened our eyes and literally have been rescued!

I so appreciate you, brother. Countless people all over are processing similar things as you when it comes to NAR. I could tell stories for days… Your tears are precious to our Father!

I just have to tell you Jesse that I was listening to this in my car today -sitting at a stop light-and as soon as you said the quote about not making a moment a monument, I looked up and I was at Monument Avenue. I didn’t even know that street existed. It put a smile on my face. I used to follow Bethel and even visited there but not anymore. Thank you for your videos!

Good work! I hope the opposition to the NAR movement keeps growing.

Brother. I'm not a cessationist, but I love this and your heart. Thank you for your honesty. Praying for God's continued work in you

My brother. My husband and I can relate to what you are walking through. The NAR, charismatic, signs and wonders, prosperity ideology claims to be "freedom and non-religious." In truth, it is bondage, pressure, uncertainty, anxiety and works. Freedom is in trusting God's Word and submitting to God's authority. To know that we don't have to believe harder, dance faster, sing louder, in order to measure up to the level of success, power, health that is not promised to us in scripture. Letting go of the pressure to "create an experience" and resting in His providence has been a very difficult adjustment. The panic that we aren't enough or aren't doing enough, or we might "miss something God is doing" can be paralyzing. The NAR works against the beauty and holiness of simple faith in our perfect Father. Please pray for us, as will we for you.

This is what is tearing me up also. Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton are on the stage, teaching at Asbury through their songs. We refuse to confess their theology but we'll sing it. One of the greatest heresies in the early church, Arianism, was not spread through sermons but through music.

Wow. Such a compassionate and articulate video... I know you were a bit self-conscious about your "ugly crying", but I think your heartbreak speaks so much to your character and to your tenderness. Many in the cessationist "discernment" crowd would be wise to learn from your gentle approach. Praying for you... 🙏🏼

Wow. Physics of Heaven is taken DOWN????? Um absolutely admittance of their teaching. Please do the same with “When Heaven Invades Earth” 🙏🏻

Your attitude is golden: a person of peace trying to uncover God's truth. Truth is usually uncomfortable.Thank you for your thoughtful insights on these important matters.

I was raised in this. Chris Rosebrough explained it well describing it like surfers. Always looking for the next big wave, will travel to catch it. A big high followed by a drop where you’re searching for years for that same experience. I had lots of very self centered emotional experiences. But when I finally understood the whole gospel and went to a reformed, cessationist church, worship was another experience altogether. The depth of the gospel in every word of every hymn. The reminder of God’s mercy and grace in the depth of hymns and exegetical preaching. For months, I sobbed during worship. My voice still breaks mid song often. It’s not a roller coaster trajectory, it’s a growth trajectory. And I am so thankful for the overwhelming peace that comes from God’s beautiful scripture.

I'm in my mid-60's, got caught up in WOF in the 80's, have been in a mild Vineyard church for 30 yrs...and for the last 4 yrs. have become aware of Bill Johnson, NAR stuff, and the difference between exegesis and eisegesis. Am questioning everything including all my experience in the Vineyard. I just want you to know that your program, out of the many I follow, is one of the few that I truly look forward to viewing and learning from.

I went to Bethel for 3 months. I had no idea what I was walking into. It was shocking and disorienting. I questioned everything I was taught growing up. I can’t imagine having years of conditioning by this church. My prayers are with you and your family.

Jesse, I can very much relate to my understanding of worship now from years ago in the hyper charismatic movement. Now sitting or standing in services and singing songs like Come Thou Fount and Be Thou My Vision and thinking upon what the Lord has done in saving me and recognizing my utter need for Him has been a beautiful transformation that only God could have done in me. Emotions are not a bad thing, but emotions are not the barometer of gauging God's Presence, which we now understand and continue to understand and to keep at the forefront. I am overwhelmed at times at the grace and mercy of God, and I also know my tears or emotions are not the sign of His Presence. Thanks for sharing this video. We have much to thank God for in saving us and allowing us to minister to others, to the glory of God!!

I so appreciate you. You are honest and humble. I too thought Alisa Childers gave a very good summary of the revival. I too come from a charismatic background. I left it because of all the emotional hype and self focus. I go to a reformed church now and am growing in the Lord and living the word of God He has been so faithful to you as he has been to me. Thank you again for sharing your story. I appreciate it so much.

I'm a pastor and I lead the Lord's Table every week. I have to restrain myself from weeping most weeks...and on weeks where I haven't, I have had my head buried in my hands. I am also a card carrying cessationist and I feel weird when I lift my hands. Some folks don't feel that...and it's OK. I feel like our circles can go too far in condemning those responses, every bit as much as when folks on the other side makes those a mark of the Spirit's move. Love what you're doing, brother - and your sincerity speaks volumes.

Jesse thank you for being so genuine and heartfelt. I left the Vineyard movement just a few years ago and relate so much to what you’re saying. I’m always on hyper-alert, heart guarded. I pray God is moving in this and this generation comes to know the true Jesus of the Bible.

You're killing me Jesse! I'm at the gym this morning, gearing up for my next set on squats and now I'm sitting on a bench holding back tears registering with you as you talk about worshipping almighty God. I appreciate your candor even though it won't help me break any records this morning. 😁

I heard from my former pastor that a big name worship leader offered to help out and lead worship and they were told by the leadership at Ashbury, “thanks, the students have it covered”. I hope that comforts you as it did me

I want to encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing. This is such a blessing Jesse! I stayed in the Word of Faith movement for 11 years because I wanted so desperately to see the Lord heal me of my ailments. Once I came to truly know Jesus, He healed me spiritually and healed my learning disability without anyone laying hands on me or outside influence. (I had a learning disability due to my epileptic seizures that I gained later in life.) God still moves and heals today! I’m cessationist now as well. We have to keep speaking out and helping those who come out and praying for the Lord to open people’s eyes and ears!

Thanks for your honesty here Jesse. Watched the Remnant Radio this morning who talked about this. Josh visited Asbury and said this move of God is being really well shepherded, that they're shutting down attempts to hype and 'emotionalise' what's going on there. It seems it's in good hands and not messy!

I totally hear you and get what you’re saying. Thankyou for your courage and your transparency. As a former worship leader in NAR environments, I also get emotional now in a little traditional church just singing some old hymns and Be thou my vision also a long time favourite I recorded way back , and I end up a mess of tears. Even reading scripture publicly in a church service now, and I’m holding back the tears. There is wisdom in your words and God is using your videos to help so many.

You are putting into words how I've felt for over a year now. Praying for you, brother, truly.

Thank you soooo much for your vulnerability and transparency on this channel. 🙏🏾 I understand what you're wrestling with right now. My church support Bethel heavily. I have stopped going altogether. I LOVE God ❤️ and He has shown me who is truly is through his word. So many ppl want an "experience" and the by-products of Chirst, but not really Him. Keep doing what you're doing to show God's people the Gospel!!

Your testimony...your perspective speaks to my heart. Thank you! ❣️

You saying that you're a cessationist if only to guard your heart is so gold. Valid! Wise!

Guarding your heart. Absolutely this❤️. I have a very similar background as you, have been out of it for about 14 years. Last year, a family member (BSSM) was bombarding me with revival and prophecy articles and videos and I finally asked her to stop sending them. When she asked why, I told her because I needed to guard my heart. She didn’t understand that of course, but once you have come out of that influence you really do have to guard your heart in a sense. Also, I can totally identify with the caution surrounding the events of Asbury and concern for the music. I would say that I have seen how the Lord has been so faithful to bring His sheep out of that mess eventually. So even if bethel music is being sung from a right heart, the true believer yielded to the Holy Spirit will (in the Lord’s timing) see this error. He promised us the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. We need to be praying for these young folks to grow in discernment with their growing zeal for the Lord. Also, last thing. Two family members in BSSM and bethel tech in the last year and both had to read Physics of Heaven. So yeah, they have still been teaching that hot garbage 😢

FACT: if the " gift of healing" was to be dished out in this timeline, people would be healed, and it would be apparent and testable

Jesse I am a former charismatic who came out of Rhema Bible College and I hurt and cry with you. 2015-2018 and it really scarred me. I hurt and hope all at the same time. I would love to talk with you some time and swap stories. But none the less, keep doing what you’re doing because your rawness is genuine and love ya brother.

Brother, you’re on an awesome journey. Stay humble like you are and I know the Lord will meet you there and catch you up in His truth. Your vulnerability is so inspiring my friend. I am praying with you as a brother who is asking similar questions and kind of sick of the sensationalism and emotionalism. I JUST want to know God rightly. I want His word and His truth alone.

Jesse,...I so appreciate your honesty and humility. I am going to be 64 yrs old and have picked up my guitar again to help out with our small church with the P&W time. We are very traditional with doing Hymnals. But man can I relate to all the struggles you have dealt with,...with the music and style of P&W. The last church my husband and I attended where I was also part of the P&W,...was based on emotions and ecstatic worship. So glad we are out of that. Continue in your work and revealing truth. Your spot on. God Bless you!

Glad physics of heaven was pulled! I’d hope that Mike winger’s video for it Loved you clarifying cessassionism vs continuationism

The cessanionst position is sadly one of the most misunderstood positions.

So this is my problem too! I despise how wounded I am when it comes to being in the presence of God after the NAR and hyper charismania. Be thou my vision is one of my favorite songs and I'm so thankful to have a church that plays solid worship ❤️ I can't sing it either I choke up.

At 7:55 - yay right on!!!! Equip your kids with the gospel rather than making everyone into a little prophet. That was the best take ever.

I’ve recently started listening to you and appreciate your experience and insight. I have been out of the Charismatic church for several months and it’s amazing how my eyes have been opened and my heart has been changed. Please continue to spread the word and using your platform to help bring the lost sheep home. Warm regards to you and your family.

I am completely with you on cessation…. 💯. You explain it on point 👌🏻. Keep doing your thing!

Jesse, thank you for opening your heart up with us. I cry when reading certain scriptures and when worshipping in songs but I see it as God working through me or disciplining me on. Keep up the good work. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" James 4:8

Forty years ago when I was a freshman in high school I went to a charismatic church. They wanted everyone to speak in tongues but I never did. My friend told me she faked it. I realize she wanted to be part of the group. The church had a hard time seeing me as a believer which I was and still am a believer in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Thank you, still struggling after waking up to Hillsong formula

I'm with you brother. So much of what you're speaking about is exactly what I'm considering and seeking the Lord about. After years of being a charismatic I couldn't shake the feeling some things were way off base.

I can see why your heart is torn. Thank you for talking about this. Yes, we do need to stick to Scripture. Your heart for others and our Savior is beautiful.

Dude! Thank you so much for your honest and raw heart. We as the generation that is cocooning out of the murky past decade in Christianity, we need this. 🤝👍

Love ya brother, your a real one and I really appreciate it. As one who also comes out of the NAR, I relate to you so much. Thanks for laying open your heart, keep it up :-)

Key word, repentance with actual actions...

Another very interesting video! I really appreciate your channel and your tenderness toward God! ❤️

This really tugged at my heart strings.... I have been feeling the same way that you have. Spiritual struggles that I have had in the past seem to have resurfacing since hearing about this.

Thank you for being humble and willing to change you whole belief system. God brought me out of that movement as well I’m a different part of the country. The more I read my bible and listen to sound teaching, the more my eyes are opened to truth. So thank you for sharing your journey. It really helps and encourages me that there’s other people out the like me. I long for a work of God so deep in me, that nothing could ever choke it out. I feel like a failure sometimes because even after my eyes were opened to truth, I still went back to my addictions. Please keep me in prayer brother, that I would walk humbly with the Lord and that I would never go back to my wickedness again!

One of the best episodes yet. Appreciate you brother ❤️

I can’t imagine for someone coming out of Bethel and the like to separate from the worship music. It is such a big part of that culture. It makes sense to have such a tenderness/rawness and a guard in hearing/singing music after years of negative experience. You were not just singing the music but had a big part in setting the atmosphere for the rest of the church. A huge responsibility that can lead to huge regret and sorrow. Praying for continued healing for you Jesse. I think this is the miraculous healing God does inside of our hearts.

Your videos have hit personally. Because up till now, I didn't understand how damaging it was to grow up in Churches that adopted the Drunk in Christ ideologies. I only left when I was 22, now I'm 36. And still struggles with a lot of it. I'm Brazilian, and this movement has ravaged the Brazilian Churches. All the churches I know, have different and overlapping aspects of Bethel.

Jesse - Never apologize for a tender heart. We'd all do well to seek the Lord to make our hearts softer and more pliable to Him. I share your joy and concerns in so many ways. Having such conflicting feelings at one time is difficult. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and heart.

Well done bro, this was really good, appreciate you being truthful and vulnerable

I was really moved by your heart in this video brother. I came across your videos after watching the Mike Winger video on Physics of Heaven and I have so greatly appreciated your humility and compassion in the videos I have since watched. You have expressed frustration where you ought to, and compassion and grace where you ought to, all the while coming across extremely genuine and that will keep me tuned in to your videos. I, too, have felt so many of the same things, and I find it so difficult in these situations with anything nearing charismatic, that my default is to be a skeptic. I think the point you made about the times we live in (a social media age) and dealing with the hype and the publicity of events like this makes it hard to imagine it is still pure after this many days, and now people are just wanting to be a part of the event taking place to say they were there. I have had my own emotional moments in similar situations and I think it is a beautiful healing thing God is doing in your heart through the tension you are feeling in these moments. I’ve heard it called a “holy tension” and I seem to like that term, myself. I really resonated with so much of this video and the previous ones as well and I am excited to continue following this journey alongside you. Again, I really appreciate your genuineness in these videos. Lastly, I see Christ in you brother. Be encouraged. He is faithful to complete the work He started in you. God bless.

I just saw in a livestream post today that they denied entry to Todd Bentley and Copeland Ministries. That’s a win even though I’m sure there are others under their instruction inside.

I'm so thankful for this video from you... I've been thinking through the Bethel music stuff for a while... Looking forward to more of your thoughts on this. I react the same way to Be Thou My Vision...we put it in the line up for this Sunday. Me on piano, guy on cajon, girl on synth doing strings...humble, quiet, small, country church. ANYWAY...waiting eagerly for more thoughts from you on music choices.

Don’t apologize for being vulnerable! Love seeing and hearing your heart and love for God. I greatly appreciate what you’re doing!

Thank you for sharing this and letting us see behind the curtains. Grace and peace.

I was talking to a buddy of mine over the weekend and he was telling me about the Asbury thing and I am cautious about certain things (which is why I really like your channel Jesse!!) and something I loved was hearing that it started off as something normal and ordinary, just a normal gathering that happened, and then it seemed like the Holy Spirit really came in and moved, and that is helping me think that, at least at first, like you said, it really does seem like a move of God. I love that they didn't go in there saying "we're going to have a revival". I've never heard that quote before about you can't plan a revivial anymore than you can plan a hurricane, and being from Florida I totally get that!! You can PREPARE for a hurricane that you see coming or is predicted to come, but you can't schedule it.

I understand feeling torn about this. I also thought “A revival? Great!” Then hesitating. I’m praying that there is true discipleship, that there’s true repentance, that God really does snatch up these kids and keep them from false teachers and evil. That they will cling to their bibles like their lives depend on it. Cause it does. I will be sharing this video. God bless you, sir. ♥️

Well said young man! Prayers for wisdom and understanding!

Thank you for sharing your heart! Your videos are truly a blessing. Thank you for having the courage.

Jesse, you’re being real and I am so grateful for you allowing your emotional side about saving souls to be viewed. Continue to be real.❤ it is very encouraging to those of us whose hearts break for these kids and desire so badly for them to see truth. Keep praying! God hears us!!

Dude thank you so much for doing this. My friends are in Jesus Culture school doing Sozos and all their stuff. I tried to warn them but your videos are equipping me for solid intel. Really appreciate all the effort your putting into this

I so appreciate your authenticity - you are helping to provide a way forward for us and our young people. We've started doing a contemporary portion in our services and I'm really struggling - I play keys - looking forward to your music insights and worship.

The definition in the beginning was well done! God can do anything but he will not go against what he has already said.

Thank you for clarifying your position on cessationist and believing God can heal, etc. You said that the gifts, especially apostolic and prophetic have ceased. You have obviously been around Bethel and takes years and years to change your position so I would really love to see a video or two that explains why the gifts have ceased through biblical explanation, not just your stating of what you believe without more thorough justification. You have a lot going on and appreciate the topics expressed. If you decide to do that, would love to see more. Thanks.

I hear you. I am a worship leader too and I hear you. 😊 I love that your heart aches for the authentic and organic expression of repentance, surrender, and reverence in worship. We can pray for God to guard their hearts in Christ Jesus and that the “kids” won’t get swept away into the extremes. God ALWAYS looks at the heart. Those students probably ignorantly sang the songs from Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation, from an honest place. We know and see some of the theology inaccuracies but it’s because we’ve studied and researched as worship leaders. What we can continue doing is sing/lead/write theologically sound worship songs

Thank you Jesse- excellent job of speaking the truth in love.

Thank you for sharing your heart! You summed it up well

Thank you so much for your honesty and tears. 🥺✝️

You have a fair take on this for someone from a distance. I live in Wilmore and have spent a fair amount of time in and around Hughes Auditorium. I can assure you that God is moving in the hearts of people in a deep in powerful way. I believe the Holy Spirit is drawing people here and that while the specific reason may be different for each person, the common thread is that they are seeking the face of Jesus and to know Him more. There is a sweet, gentle, peaceful spirit about this. There is strong emotions but I personally wouldn’t call it emotionalism. I get that skepticism and concern and I was a bit that way at first. Good thing God doesn’t wait for my approval to move in people’s lives.

Great job Jesse, very balanced and fair. You're doing a great job with these videos. God bless.

Jesse, I see your heart & understand your plight. I’m 64 & also came out of a movement that did much damage to many people. I do understand your emotional resistance to certain songs. The same happened to many of my fellow refugees from the movement (or perhaps a cult) which I left. All I can tell you is keep pressing in and worshiping Jesus and healing from all that will come. Jesus loves you so much & will heal your heart. I believe what’s happening in KY is truly a move of God’s Spirit. I am old enough to remember the Jesus movement of the 70’s and reminds me of those days. God is answering my prayers for revival and He’s answering the heart’s cry of these kids who are hungry for God’s awesome presence.

Appreciate your perspective. I agree with your cessationist position with the caveat that God is Sovereign.

@The Westwoods ...jesse, you are so on point with this! having come out of stuff similar to what you have i can say my heart is so torn for exactly the reasons you express here. after 5 years i am still sorting things out from years (as in decades...i am 67) of craziness. while be thou my vision does it for you...i found myself at choir rehearsal last night trying to sing turn your eyes upon Jesus with tears streaming down my face...don't know if i will ever be able to sing it without tears...i am so grateful for God's mercy and for saving me out of so much! keep doing what you are doing! it DOES make a difference to those who need to hear to be set free and those, like me, who need to hear from those who can relate to where we are!

TY for speaking out. Appreciate it. On Point Preparedness also did a good vid on Asbury.

I've also been really challenged by the asbury revival. I just hope and pray that God can use this for his glory

God bless you brother, appreciate the tender heart.!

Your sentiments about the hymn at church hit me in the chest. The 1st time I heard and sang the hymn 10,000 Angels, in my new "reserved" Baptst church, after leaving a seeker sensitive mega church, I could barely get the words out." He COULD have sent 10,000 angels but he died alone, for you and me. " That sacrifice for me, a sinner, overwhelms me beyond words. Excellent video, wise advice. The long term effects and fruit/non-fruit will tell us if this was authentic. I think time will tell.... Blessings brother.

Oh man! Thank you. This was an earnest kind word. I have watched others, and honestly, I was ashamed to bear the name Christian. Thank you for being genuine. You have given a great example of having the mind of Christ.

Thank you Jesse and family.

Appreciate your humble assessment of Asbury and worship. I have to imagine it’d be so easy to be cynical and quick to jump to criticism. It’s a reflection of your maturity to address the nuance without compromising. You did a fantastic job emphasizing we need to be keenly aware there is a line and we need to be discerning without judging or assessing where the line sits for everyone.

Thank you for your honesty - bless you.

Jesse, we love to see your heart for the Lord! Thank you! I am certain I understand at least part of what you’re feeling with the struggle from having come out of such a movement and not falling aaaalll the way to the other end of the spectrum and finding yourself to be cynical or skeptical of everything. It’s a constant battle! Wanting to keep my heart soft before the Lord but trying to discern everything that I see/hear/read etc. Wanting to see people fall to their knees repentant before a Holy God but it not be wrought with music and emotionalism. Gah! The struggle is real.. So lovely to relate though and work it out in community in a way.

Love your heart. Thanks for sharing it.

Jesse, thank you for your wisdom and articulation throughout this video and thank you for your transparency and vulnerability. Your past experience in Bethel and their crazy false teachings resonates with so many of us. I was involved with a church, in fact was on staff at this church and they were very much promoting and teaching the same things as Bethel. I even lead their Sozo ministry of which I have repented of and deeply regret. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the nonsense that they teach and there is no gospel message ever preached. I am so grateful to God for opening my eyes to the truth and that He brought me away from that church. I can totally identify with you Jessie when ever you feel suspicion with regards to these “moves of the spirit”, and various things that are happening even with regards to the Asbury revival. Your take on this was spoken with great wisdom. God is using you mightily to reach out to others. Thank you for all that you are doing, you are like a breath of fresh air!

New to this channel. Just subscribed. Amazed how God has protected your love for him and his word through all of this. So impressed with your maturity and hard work to preserve what is good and genuine. I grew up in a church that believed the Apostalic gifts have ceased, have watched and learned more about charismatics, and prob will cont with a cess. stand. I am open but not likely to change. I do agree God can and will continue to work among us, but it is Him, not us.

Gosh, I am so with you about the Bethel songs! I heard them start to play Bethel songs, and my spirit was like, “oh no!” But then people are there worshiping and on their knees before God…I know that to this day there are Bethel songs that can touch a very deep place in me in a very positive way towards God! I feel your caution & hesitancy, Brother! I can’t judge it either💕

Thank you for sharing your heart. I feel the same way. I grew up in the charismatic movement, I was a worship leader and completely involved in the NAR for decades. I opted out of everything in the past 4-5 years. I hope this thing at Asbury is real but I'm feeling very cautious about it as well. It's hard to know where to stand on this after all I've seen and been through. Keep up what you're doing. It's much needed for all of us that are walking this same path. So many of us wounded and coming out of false teachings. God bless you 🙏🏻

Do not ever be sorry for crying, brother- your emotion reflects your wrestling and your heart for people to stay true to God and to the Holy Bible. And that's beautiful.

So many comments I can't read them all. But I see so many like-minded people here, it makes me smile. I'm another one of those 60-somethings with a charismatic background. But I never could jump into the so-called revival stuff that started in the 90s. I couldn't line it up with the Word. So I began to be one that spoke cautions to people while my husband was embracing it. I came to a point when I told my husband that I would no longer go to a certain church. As he is dependent on me to drive (health issues), I've told him I'll drive him and drop him off but I won't go in. So on Sunday mornings he sits home while I go to the wonderful little church around the corner. I get home and he says, "Did you worship? Did they worship?" Well, the answer is yes, I may have even lifted my hands a little and there were tears in my eyes, but was it showmanship worship? Nope! Their "worship team" needs a lot of help if we were to grade them on ability. They asked me to join them because they see my heart for worship. They haven't heard my voice though or they wouldn't ask, lol. All that to say that when I heard about Asbury the first thing I did was drop a note to my dd who lives in Lexington and asked if she heard about it. Her answer, "How could I not?" She did go over for a bit. Her husband went another time (and ended up in a picture with one of the oldest men present with whom he has a close relationship). My other son-in-law and several of his kids have also gone. My dd kind of gave me a progression of things. "It's really not a revival. Even the school leadership doesn't call it that. More like a refreshing or renewing or restoring." "Looks like the crazies are coming out of the woodwork." "The leadership at Asbury are on guard and doing their best to protect the students." "Locals don't even go now because so many out-of-towners are coming in, even though the school's administration have asked them to not come because what is here can be found in their own churches. You don't have to go somewhere else to worship Jesus." And she sent me posts about what is going on behind-the-scenes. The teams that praying in various places away from the hall where the meetings are happening. The folks that have had to step up hospitality -- people come and are hungry and need fed, bathrooms need cleaned, lodging is requested. As one letter said to people, "Our dorms are private residences, they are not open to your explorations." There's more going on than just people singing in a room (or rooms). And finally -- I'm not ready to write this one off yet. I don't have that big red flag waving (not to say there aren't a few little red flags). Your video was probably the most balanced one I've seen. Thank you.

Biblical fruit is SOULS SAVED not emotionally charged church services full of people on their knees, but to get their hearts right and go out and evangelise as the Spirit leads. I was in Bethel and I know your heartbreak, I'm totally free now so you can take courage and stay on the narrow path whatever the circumstances.

Brother, we are of one heart on this stuff. I battle myself all of the time, questioning wether I am being too harsh. But that's part of the deception that they use against us. I remember j.h. saying that I was becoming religious when I tried to question some of these things or said that I believed that some of the Bible translations should not be used. Anyway keep up what you're doing, it's very important. I feel exactly like you on many of these issues. It makes one feel impotent because they dig their heels in when you try to brace them on these subjects, and at least with me, usually ended up with me just shutting up. It took some major health issues to give me a break that I thank God that I got. It gave me much-needed time to reassess what was going on... I think that is what is needed, often a long break, to be able to step back and assess the situation in a logical non-emotional intellectually honest way. And that's a big problem there are so many that don't have intellectual honesty anymore and their cognitive dissonance runs so deep you can't break through... I'm rambling but I hope this makes sense. Anyway blessings from Port Angeles Washington... PS- don't worry about your crying, I never used to when I was younger. The last decade I've cried a lot over all this stuff and trying to figure it out. And the last few years I've cried multiple times everyday over this and over the people that I care about. I'm literally worried about some of the church leadership from the church that I was in. Worried for their souls since they're held to a higher standard since they call themselves profits or apostles or pastors. It scares me to death, and sadly I don't know what to do because the person in charge I know will not listen... And even if he listens I know from past experience he will not hear...

Your heart and your honesty are so beautiful, dear brother. Your heartbreak was palpable and brought me to tears. You cry because you love and your heart has been molded by Jesus through your trials. We will not have to wonder if this is truly revival as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Christ will judge and Christ will reveal if He is in this or not and it will be crystal clear. All Will Be Well!

I so feel your heart on these issues!!!!