An apple for the road : wisdom for life

90 Pages·2012·0.94 MB·English

by  Pam Spinosi

Dedication
This book is dedicated to the students of Bethel School of Supernatural
Ministry, who bring so much joy to our church and our city and then go out to
change the world.
Endorsements
An Apple for the Road is a compilation of stories from several of our Bethel
Church staff. I thought I knew them quite well; after all, I hired most of them.
But as I read their stories, hidden treasures began to emerge from the pages of
this book. Their honesty and transparency so moved me that I was literally
undone inside. The courage it took to uncover their dreams, fears, and failures is
inspiring as well as convicting. Their testimonies will challenge you to press into
God for greater manifestations of His very presence.
To be honest, I’ve read a hundred manuscripts and heard thousands of
testimonies, and they always encourage me. But this manuscript reads like the
book of Acts; you can feel the authenticity of each author as you peer behind the
veil of their intimate relationship with Jesus.
An Apple for the Road is like watching a great love story unfold or reading a
well-written romance novel. No matter who you are, this book will make you
hungry for deeper encounters with God. I think every believer should read this
book!
Kris Vallotton Co-Founder of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry
Author of seven books including, The Supernatural Ways of Royalty
Senior Associate Leader of Bethel Church, Redding, California
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. —Proverbs
25:11
Contents
Preface

PART 1.
LOVING GOD
Chapter 1 Holy Spirit, My Best Friend

by Joaquin Evans

Chapter 2 No Offense Taken

by Chris Gore

Chapter 3 I Want More!

by Deborah Sawka Stevens

PART 2.
LOVING OTHERS
Chapter 4 Comfy in the Cluster

by Pam Spinosi

Chapter 5 True Intimacy

by Sheri Downs

Chapter 6 Letters From a Shoebox

by Stefanie Overstreet

PART 3.
LIVING LIFE
Chapter 7 Called, Guided, and Prepared

by Paul Manwaring

Chapter 8 Should I Buy Bread? Should I Wear Red?... What's That God
Said?

by Pam Spinosi

Chapter 9 Living in Rest

by Crystal Stiles

Chapter 10 Celebrate the Simple

by Bill Johnson
About the Authors
Preface
To Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, thousands of students have come
to fan the flames of their passion for God, receive instruction and impartation,
and grow in moving in the supernatural in order to see God’s kingdom spread
through all the earth in every realm of societal influence. Many of them stay for
three years and leave equipped to see the impossible bow the knee to the Lord
Jesus as they preach, prophesy, heal the sick in the name of Jesus, and follow the
leading of the Holy Spirit to invade the dark places of the earth with the glory of
God.
In the third-year deployment program, interns work under various leaders at
Bethel, who mentor them in the areas of the interns’ interest.
Two years ago, I had interns, so I could attend the monthly meetings for
them at which a Bethel senior leader would share and host a Q & A session. As I
listened to their questions, many of which seemed to be about practical things of
life, I got the idea for this book: life lessons from Bethel leaders.
Several people came immediately to mind because of certain life messages
they carried that I felt were pertinent. Others seemed to be highlighted to me.
While there is an enormous pool of wisdom to draw from at Bethel Church, and
I would have liked to include chapters from about 40 others, I have assembled a
small group of mostly previously unpublished writers who have much to say and
from whom I suspect we will hear much more in days to come. (Look for their
full-length books in the very near future.) Each one is special:
Joaquin Evans is co-leader of Bethel Movement Activation Teams;
previously, he was the Healing Rooms director. His sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
is so beautiful. Joaquin’s spiritual radar can recognize His voice no matter whom
He is speaking through. His love for the Holy Spirit spills out on everyone
around him, refreshing them and enabling them to run after the more. His heart
for God comes out in everything he does.
When I asked Chris Gore, current Healing Rooms director, to write a chapter,
I hoped he would choose the topic he chose. Every time I hear him share it, I
weep. I am greatly touched by the testimonies of his ministry.
I so appreciate Deborah Stevens, our events director, not only for the
excellence with which she does her work, but also for the depths of her hunger
for God, love for others, and capacity for joy. She’s a truly great person.
A few months ago, I was in a meeting at which a BSSM pastor, Sheri Downs,
led worship. It was one of those moments when the worship leader was so in
tune with the Lord that others could encounter Him powerfully, too. At least that
was how it was for me. I really heard Him call me as she sang. Such is the
preciousness of her walk with Him.
I love Stefanie Overstreet’s story of her romance with our outreach pastor,
Chris. I’ve been waiting for years for her and Chris to come out with the book
about it! So to prod things along a bit, and because I felt others would be blessed
by her story, I invited her to contribute.
I’ve always been impressed with Global Legacy director, Paul Manwaring’s,
story about how God called him and led him in interesting paths. What he has to
say is so important for all those grappling with the questions of what to do with
their lives and what "ministry” looks like for them. I am so pleased he was
willing to share his story in this book.
Though I don’t know Crystal Stiles, another BSSM pastor, well, I felt led to
ask her to contribute. I’ve appreciated her heart for prayer, and just recently I
heard her receive a prophetic word that showed how God sees her. It’s a time of
promotion for her. Yea, Crystal.
I’m grateful to our senior leader, Bill Johnson, whose words, life, and
writings inspire us all and who permitted me to assemble notes from some of his
messages to the interns as a concluding chapter for this book. I first got the idea
for this book while listening to him share insights from a rich and very fruitful
life with God.
And now, here’s a glimpse of lessons forged in life by some who write that
others may run.
Pam Spinosi Redding, California
Loving God
T
his is a photo of a Huguenot cross. The Huguenots —16th century French
Protestants — experienced great miracles and visitations from God, but endured
intense persecution from their countrymen. Hundreds were martyred, and many
eventually fled to neighboring countries as well as far-off lands like the United
States and South Africa, where their character and expertise in many fields made
them a great blessing. This cross represents a people so stalwart in their faith and
alive in their relationship with God that they persevered in the face of harsh
opposition. Their legacy endures, and their intimacy with God created some of
the rich wells of revival from which the French may draw for ages to come.