Wednesday, March 26, 2008

For Unto..."US"!

For unto us... not unto me… not unto you... but unto us, the collective, corporate community of mankind...the household of humanity...unto all of us, a child is born; unto us, the global family, a Son is given, and the responsibility of the government will rest on His broad shoulders. In fact, all the governments of all the peoples of the world will ultimately recognize Him as their one true foundation, for the earth is His, and He belongs to all of us . He will be the physical embodiment of the “I Am,” the God who defies description; and, in an attempt to define the indefinable, He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase and expansion of His kingdom and government and peace there will be no end. He will reign initially from David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time, on into the eternal now. The passionate zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6,7 - The Bible In The Now


I haven't really started paraphrasing the book of Isaiah yet (or anything else in the OT, for that matter), but I have done a few passages here and there. These two verses were already posted on the CITN website for Christmas, but I wanted to use them again in the light of "US" (U-nified S-ynergy?) describing a blog community. The prophet said that Christ would be revealed to US...and Jesus said that where two or more are gathered together in His name, that there is a manifestation of His presence. Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here today in cyberspace, in His name, for a revelation!

This is how we do it...



eing vulnerable doesn't have to be threatening. Just have the courage to be sincere, open and honest. This opens the door to deeper communication all around. It creates self-empowerment and the kind of connections with others we all want in life. Speaking from the heart frees us from the secrets that burden us. These secrets are what make us sick or fearful. Speaking truth helps you get clarity on your real heart directives. - Sara Paddison


istening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.– Dr. Joyce Brothers







ne learns people through the heart, not the eyes or the intellect. - Mark Twain







ood communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.
- ANNE MORROW LINDBERGH




f you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.
- MITSUGI SAOTOME




one of us is as smart as all of us. - Ken Blanchard




he life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.
- FREDERICK BUECHNER



ow does one keep from "growing old inside"? Surely only in community. The only way to make friends with time is to stay friends with people…. Taking community seriously not only gives us the companionship we need, it also relieves us of the notion that we are indispensable. - ROBERT MCAFEE BROWN


verything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again. - Andre Gide





ever doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - MARGARET MEAD


ne kind word can warm three winter months.
- Japanese Proverb




e are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free.
- Starhawk




(From a department store window in Malaysia)

38 comments:

Kettly said...

Good Morning Everyone,

"UNTO....US!"

An Affirmation Word:

We are unique human beings linked with all of creation and gathered from diverse places to share a ministry faithfully, to raise questions hofully,to work for justice lovingly.
In whom and in what we do we believe?
We believe in God,eternal yet ever-
moving one, who creates and is creating,who keeps Covenant with humankind, who sets before us the ways of life and death. we believe in Jesus,the Servant,Avocate, who lived the way of dying-rising, who embodied justice and reconciliation
who,with authority,call us to share
this way and this embodied(example represent).We also believe in the Holy Spirit,sustaining presence
and transforming power,who dwells amongs us in the clarity and in mystery,who inspires us indidually and corporately,who challeges urges
us to be bold and courageous. we believe in the Church,Community of Faith and Caring,Covenant and Promise,which nutures our journey and through which we are called to be witnesses to God's Thruth,Love,
and Justice.

Because we believe,our believing affect our daily walking and talking,our doubting and struggling,our decisions and choice
making,our responses to persons and
systems.We intend in this community
in these days to raise questions hopefully,to work for justice lovingly,to share our ministry faithfully,and, by God's grace,
PASSIONATELY!
Cannot wait for tonight Service.
Bless to you Bishop,and to Everyone
Kettly.

Ebony said...

Hebrews 10:25 The Message:
"Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."

Other verses say "forsake not the assembly", but to me, that's what this blog is. An assembly of believers laughing together, praying together, crying together, and (best of all) discussing the goodness of God together. Bishop I think the cover of time magazine you used is very important because there are a lot of people that will never be comfortable inside the walls of a church for whatever reason, but they can come to a sight like this, engage in some cool discourse, hear some great tunes and be blessed and hear the Gospel. God is in the now, and you can't get more ITN than a blog.

Erik said...

Wow Bishop, today’s post, the pics, with the music shuffle, really great !!! U-nified S-ynergy --- Brill.

Every connection in cyberspace or ITB has always manifested His presence with revelation - that is always a forgone conclusion.
The 1st quote – Being vulnerable does not necessitate threat – That to me is being bare before God, and in effect before everyone. No fig leaves, no shame, and no victims, just who we all are. Actual, spirit and heart based connections. When words match the heart – the present is manifest, The Christ within us all, between us is manifest and our experience is beautiful. Heroes of ourselves, no victims. No blame, full, joyous responsibility.

Mark Twain – always a stable voice of reality. The heart can be known, it ultimately is The Heart we all share, which makes it really the only real point of reference.

Starhawk? - Bishop, I think I love you more each day. Excellent combination in the overall aspect of this site. Our half remembered , glimpses in this life of our home, except of course, when we are completely in the now, then we are also completely here, which is always home. That happens more and more in this U-nified S-ynergy, of course. We can speak with passion to each other, without hesitation. We light up as each of us enters, We receive all who come, we celebrate every one who comes to themselves, especially those we share a conscious connection with. We heal, we free each other. We add our agreement and strength in The Christ within each of us , and always see the Christ in each other, we recognize that foremost in each other.

This site, and CITN embraces and encourages the desire to see The Christ first in every one, and every instance. Praise God !!!!!

Scribe said...

Unto US ! Good Morning All:

The awesome thing about GOD is that He does not ask others about our character, for HE already knows. So, when we begin to examine ourselves based on other peoples' opinions, let us not forget to SEEK GOD first so that HE may show us the clear picture of who we are in Him, and how we serve him for the betterment of others. And in serving HIM while building solid, stable relationship with HIM, HE sets us in places of right relationship with others. Iron sharpening iron, so as one brother / sister to another.

God does not ask others if we are worthy, HE deals with each of us on a personal basis in regards to the innermost workings of our being. GOD deals with us right where each person lives, thinks, and breathes. Foremost, the only person's behavior / actions that GOD shall ask us to give account for is OUR OWN.

As we listen to HIM and follow His instructions through obedience, it becomes easier to minimize or silence the background noises (the negative voices of our own being and the negative voices of others speaking to us.)

If we are not in right relationship with GOD, we cannot build right relationship with others. The communities are built through foundations of truth, and if GOD is our foundation, His truth shall liberate and free us to become just who we REALLY ARE without regret or apology, and building bridges through one contact, interaction, or person at a time. We cannot reach many if we are not willing to stop, help, and reach out to just ONE.

That's my take on community. May the grace, peace, and favor of GOD overtake everyone in OUR COMMUNITY today as He meets each of us at the place of our need in our constant pursuit of HIM. AMEN.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant Honey! Love the "Blog in the Now" accrostic! Only you.....Love also Margaret Meads quote...and the synergy of it all....and "Unto Us"....and the fact that I may not have it all together but, together we have it all....blessing, favor, insight, revelation, and most of all LOVE to all today!

DoubleBack Alley said...

Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, Jesus on the mainline now. Great shot of Jesus looking for Blog In The Now. We now have a Malaysian representative.

Sahib, you are sure to recognize this. Yesterday, the locomotive engine topped the hill and is now in that lurch between pulling the weight of the train with it over the hill so that it can freefall into zero gravitational pull. Man this thing is taking off. There is a buzz here today that is palpable and exuding expectations.

Donald, LP, Peacemaker, Iz (wizard of Iz?), Avatar, Kelly, Ebony, Erik, Yvonne, and Iris, you guys make my day. The gift really is given unto us. Sahib, all honor to you for being the gift bearer and nurturer of this site. God is real here. The Universe is connected here. We solicit one another’s thoughts and we get Pennies from Heaven (the 1936 vehicle with Bing Crosby, not the 1981 flop with Smartin). We troupe the day solving familial, collegial, and regional issues and whistle our way back in here for a cup of blogga latte.

Wonder why Jesus was in Malaysia? If he was given to us, why do they get to have him – waaahhhh. Sorry guys, see how long it takes to revert?

A penny for your thoughts.

Ain’t God Good?

Anonymous said...

On this past Friday, some of US from CITN gathered around to celebrate "Good Friday". We had a great fellowship and then the conversation went towards Rev. Wright and Obama and needless to say politics. I know many of the issues, I read them on line and catch some things on CNN and there is much to be said, if one found it necessary to engage in that discourse. I listened for a while and certainly it became pretty passionate, and they turned to me and I simply said, I just believe the government is on Jesus shoulder's, I trust God.

I really liked the translation "the government will rest on His broad shoulders." When I started reading this translation, I was thinking, when did I miss Bish, translating the OT. I forgot about this translation from Christmas. I encourage you to continue with Isaiah, I believe a Now translation will be powerful for the body.

I love the "Unified Synergy" for "US".
Unified - make things into one: to bring people or things together to form a single unit or entity
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2005

and Synergy: combined effort being greater than parts: the working together of two or more things, people, or organizations, especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual effects or capabilities
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2005

Honestly Bishop, your break down of words causes "US" to be more sensitive and intelligient about what we say and write, for that matter and it gives us a light yoke of responsibility to "our brothers and sisters" pertaining to our expression and communication.

I like that fact that "He belongs to all of us and that He will be or is the physical embodiment of the "I Am". Because he is the God who defied description, we defy description, we are spiritual men and women who have available every gift according to His will and the power that works in "US". Everyday I look forward to the manifested presence of the prophetic through the mouth of two or three gathered together in Cyperspace. It is an extension or CITN but daily we are being feed not just by our spiritual father but by our peers.

I am presently listening to MLK in his speech, I Have a Dream. Dr King says so many important statements and indeed it was a phenomenal speech that transcends time. In one of his sentences that "We have come to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. Wow...the fierce urgency of Now...

As far as the break down of Blog in the Now...sheer genius..I now you are only a man...but a spiritual man nevertheless..both Wow.

I believe Dr Dwayne Dyer wrote in one of his books, maybe "The
Road Less Traveled", that it really was one of the greatest forms of love and respect to truly listen to another person, to really pay attention was so very important. I am paraphasing, because I no longer have that book, he says to really listen to someone is a great act of caring and love.

I thought of that when you quoted Dr. Joyce Brothers. I am not sure why listening would be flattery,except in a world where everyone wants to get their point across and they keep saying "do you know what I mean...", it becomes maddening to speak a simple truth that is really heard. The word tells us to be slow to speak and quick to hear but this blog forces us to recognize there are some great thinkers out there in the Cyber-congregation with tremendous input.

God saw that this is good and He said "Let there be..." and there was THE BLOG IN THE NOW...

Excellent work, Bish, You go boy..with all due respect...Peace and blessings, Yvonne

miraclegirl said...

Bishop: You help me so much. I love you and I love this blog. Please never stop what you are doing. I go through so much junk and I couldn't make it without you and CITN. Most of the time I just read, but I want to be a part and will try to start sharing. I know how awesome God is.... I need this place. Thank you for everything you do.

Lise said...

OH GEEZ! I was just gonna blurk today... but OK, I'll come out and play for just a minute ;]

DBA, ditto to what you said. All of you guys make me smile and brighten my days to the utmost! So funny that you mentioned Jesus on the mainline, because that was my first thought when I saw 'Malaysia Jesus.' Jesus Christ is online, tell him what you want! Also have to say that there is a vocal group called Ollabelle that did an awesome rendition of that song. They are NOT technically an inspirational band, but they cut a CD of old spirituals, as they love the harmonies and such. I have it, and it's REALLY good! "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus" is also included .. love that one, too.

Avatar, in regard to chartreuse... somehow I think you must have been reading an old 70's fashion rag by the light of Izumi's lava lamp. But that's OK, I'll go with it!

And Izumi, I'd NEVER ask you to walk Astro! But I might ask you to change the papers in Louisa and Izabella's litter box!

Gotta go for now. Could be back... could be not ;p

Donald said...

Community, togetherness, family, etc. I get the overall feeling that we’re talking about communion with others. I’ve often told myself that I really enjoy being by myself without another human being anywhere in sight. And that is absolutely true. Some of the best moments of my life are when I’m out in my shop working on a project all alone or taking a long motorcycle ride by myself all night long. Let me clarify, that is not the way I like things all the time or even most of the time, but there are those times when I really like the solitude.
But while reading the post today it dawned on me that when I’m alone I am not really alone because I’m either praying/talking to God or I’m reminiscing about times shared with family and/or other friends. Then it occurred to me that if we didn’t have those times and memories that involved others, just exactly what would be going through my head. I mean, what sort of thoughts would I be able to have if I couldn’t think about events that involved others?
Can you imagine living a life totally apart from any other person? Thinking about when I have seen someone portrayed as a hermit in a movie or on television (I actually used to watch those things before I became sanctified), they were never really viewed as normal.
Take the Unabomber for example. Normal? What about the mean old troll? Normal?
What about Chuck Noland? If it hadn’t been for Wilson, he would have hung himself from the highest point on the island.
I don’t think that any human can be “normal” without interaction with other humans. Nope, we need others. Our DNA is tied to others all the way back to creation. We’re programmed to commune with others and anyone that attempts to deviate from that path seems to be considered bonkers by everyone else.

Unknown said...

Ditto here too.
waaahhhh!! [funny, and real! DBA]
...ditto to all who've "spoken" today.

Bishop. ALL.
I am blown away speechless.

(LP: probably, but you got the point. And its MY lamp. She borrowed it. I'd almost given up on ever getting it back! Moving day surprises. Woohoo!)

Jesus: you know what I was asking for this morning. Please?

el ojo y la luz said...

Don't mean to sound like a broken record...but even the playlist speaks to me. Found myself praising to "We are the World" if that is even possible. It felt so right. We complete us.

-P. Debye, I am right there with ya. I am feeling that "together we have it all." WOW!

Donald said...

Believe me this is not to bum anybody out, but my sister called me this morning to tell me that my 100 year old grandmother passed away last night. She (my grandmother, not my sister) just turned 100 about a week and a half ago.
I was talking to my daughter about it and she asked me what happened as if the surprise factor was present.
I told her, "My God, she was 100 years old, what do you think happened, it wasn't like a hiking accident or her parachute failed to open or something."
You'd think that when someone that old dies people would take it for granted that old age finally kicked in.
But I'm cool with everything.

Lise said...

Donald,
Peace to you, my brother. She must've had a pretty good life to want to stick around for as long as she did!

Anonymous said...

lp in sc - Hmm... let's see... if we put a llama in the litter box that might levitate the lineoleum.

Scribe said...

Hello again Everyone! I do not know who this word is for that I am about to post or if there is something here for everyone on Blog in the Now! Nevertheless, GOD told me to share a portion of this word HE gave me 4 years ago. So, here it is for whoever needs it.

Written On: Friday Evening
26 MARCH 2004 @ 1807 Hrs.

"I AM JEHOVAH Shalom (The Lord is Peace) , JEHOVAH Jireh (The Lord WILL Provide), JEHOVAH Nissi (The Lord is My Banner), JEHOVAH Rapha (The Lord Who HEALS), El-Shaddai (The All Sufficient One GOD Almighty), El-Elyon (The GOD Most High), Elohim (The All-Powerful Creator), El-Roi (The God Who Sees My People).

I AM the One and ONLY GOD; whatever my people be in need of- I AM HE, and as surely as they call unto ME, I shall heed their cries of distress and inhabit their praises, says GOD. Ain in all that I have done- I SHALL do entirely MORE THAN THAT, then some! Let the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding be your cup and portion of plenty RIGHT NOW, says GOD. For I am about to show up and show out on your behalf. Your enemies are now subject to you and they will be MADE to BLESS YOU, despite how they truly feel. Supernatural Restitution enroute unto you, says GOD and RECOMPENSE outpouring be yours swiftly. Financial Harvests pouring out into your household. Love offerings and gifts be plentiful unto you, along with Newfound Revelations tapped into, says GOD. Solid commitments and never-ending love be unto you in abundance, for the LIGHT is upon you. Grace and honer be yours, for I- your Father delights in you. SELAH...AMEN."

Anonymous said...

avatar

Lise said...

Happy news!
Just read a bulletin from my friend, Leilani (myspace). The docs detected no cancer in the tests that she had a couple of weeks ago :)
YEA GOD!!!!!

el ojo y la luz said...

erik - Thank you for reminding me that we are not victims.

scribe - I receive that! Amen.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great "blog soundtrack"! I so needed to hear "Hold on Tight" by ELO. The kids started bopping around the house when they heard it too! I'm pulling out my Traveling Wilbury's as soon as I'm done..

Love the acrostic; especially the proverb at the end; a word, a song, what a difference it can make!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks for the early words, Kettly and Ebony and Erik…and thanks, Scribe38…

Thanks, babe, for acknowledging the acrostic…it took some time and effort to create, but I enjoyed doing it…

I did feel that about yesterday, DBA…your excitement is appreciated...is that a Lucy Ricardo “waaahhhh”?

Wow, Yvonne, thanks!

Miracle Girl, I don’t remember seeing your blog name here before…if you’re just moving in…welcome!

Hey, LPnSC…happy for your friend…

Beautiful words, Donald, and I appreciate that you wanted to share the news about your Grandmother with us…I’m sure she was (is) a great lady, and we all observe a moment of silence in her honor…

Thanks for keeping the conversation going, Avatar…

El ojo y la luz, broken record is good…love that you love the playlist…

Izumi, I inadvertently rejected a comment of yours (still getting used to Blackberry)…my bad…

el ojo y la luz said...

I hope it's ok for me to say a little here and a little there. Most of the time I don't get to sit at the computer long enough to write a lot.

ebony - This place is so important. Having the opportunity to express yourself without feeling the need to cover up and hide, to ask questions and get to know others, a safe environment outside of the 4 walls of a church. You can be completely free here and I can see thousands of people, tens of thousands or more, sharing and reasoning together here. This is truly an amazing blessing.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Yeah, it's cool , El...and thanks, anonymous...I love everything by ELO, but 'Hold On Tight' is my favorite...

Unknown said...

Elohim: "I SHALL do entirely MORE THAN THAT, then some!"--humbly, in faith, thank you, thank YOU! THANK YOU!

Anonymous said...

Hey everybody, home again.

A funny thing happened on the way to the doctor's office. I turned on the radio (Dave FM). There was a Beatles tune playing when I looked over @ a dark Suzuki in the lane next to mine.

The license plate was from Rockdale county & had CITN on it. Tried waving @ the driver but she was talking to her passenger.

Haven't intentionally neglected responses - busy w/errands. Figured I'd be on here for an eternity if I started with The Bible In The Now, etc. (great work, btw - quotes, pics, etc.)

Interesting one of Jesus. (not what I see in the mirror. But still, different.) I joke! I joke!

Jesus @ the monitor... cotton candy? Celestial pillow fight? Love those jammies.

Great reading everybody's posts. Cracked me up. (Which, is not necessarily pleasant when you're experiencing back pain, but I forgive ya & will mostly likely return tomorrow.... muah ah ah...)

That's OK about inadvertently deleting my post Bish. It said

Unknown said...

...and thank you DBA [without your post, I wouldn't have asked again here]
...and thank you Scribe38 [oh my, 2004!]
...and thank you anonymous [you must know its too easy to think I'm crazy!]

An offering will be brought to the altar, in your names.

DoubleBack Alley said...

No Sahib, that is the kind of waaaaah a big fat baby screams as he sits in the middle of the floor with a lollipop in one hand and in the other hand he has a half melted chocolate bar gripped in death's throes. He is waaaahing because he doesn't have "Foofie" and no one will get it for him. Much too selfish, obese, and absolutely unmotivated to change his condition.

This blogs reminds me everyday, that if I do not show due diligence, I can regress back into that portly pampered progeny just like pfffttt. Before the vision of Christ conscience was revealed in me, that’s the way I felt. Always a victim, Satan this, Beelzebub that, Slewfoot everywhere. I am currently in treatment for of religious opiate dependence. I have been sober now for thirteen years.

But that one taste, that familiar smell, it is so easy to believe that way. All you have to do is recline in a pew and let it drip into your vein of thought. Comfortably numb. There’s a great movie called “Hatful of Rain”, starring Eva Marie Saint and Tony Franciosa. Franciosa plays an enabler trying to help his addicted friend. Fear mongers are like that to religious folks. The more terrible the news, the more lost we feel, when we are lost, religion brings us back from the brink. The trouble is that with every cycle, one feels less and less saved and we never quite reach that initial euphoria of the first salvation.

I can’t believe that I lived there for so long. Embraced it. Fought for it. Fought you for it if you disagreed. Sent you to Hell if you were not converted. Prayed for you to return from the brink so that I could judge you back with the next infraction.

Man, Sahib, I had no idea all of that was in one little waaaaah. That and more. The good news is that is in the past and I can now embrace it. It is now a cornerstone of my philosophy. I have to preach, live, eat, digest, exude, and promise everyone that God’s grace is sufficient. I would much rather be wrong about Grace than right about being a baby.

Hi, my name is Doubleback Alley, and I am a graceaholic.

Ain’t God good?

tracy said...

DBA- awesome!!! We also are graceaholics! Everything in your blog was great. Put away childish things do's don'ts, will's and won't's. Some days grace is harder than judgement and hellfire and brimstone, that can feel so good initially to throw all that on somebody...temporary fix. Stay clean from that religious drunk, i
mean junk.

Iris said...

Hi Everyone…

I’m in a really weird spot this evening… really needing everyone tonight… really needing to feel connected…

I wanted to go to church this evening Bishop, but because of several things that have happened this week… I didn’t come… I had hoped that just for tonight I could stream the service and enjoy it while taking care of other things that needed to get done… But… every time I tried to connect to the service it disconnected the internet and I was not able to view CITN… suddenly the things that needed to get done were not so important anymore… I needed the service… I needed the community… I have to have you all or I can’t survive… I need the “US” tonight… wow… the need for US came crashing through my world as I realized I was going to have to face this evening on my own…

Hence I write… House work… Laundry… things … just stuff doesn’t matter… I have to be connected…

This week something have been shaken round me… it is all good… but very sobering… walls came down… trumpets blown… standing at the edge of the canyon of life and death… (My Father is not doing well… don’t know how long he will be here with us… He is ready to go home…)

Being at the canyon’s edge is a really weird place to be… It’s a thin line that separates life and death… I know others have recently been there…Donald… and someone else who is very dear to my heart also visited someone today where death was knocking on life’s door… What matters and what doesn’t is easily distinguished… No one is asking about salaries or positions… the car you drive or the town you live in… all the games of life seem sadly silly… I will tell you something though… religion will not give up… no matter how close you get to the edge of the canyon… One would think that religion wouldn’t matter either… but the accusations of how we believe came flying in like torpedo’s… All I could do is say… “All will see How Great Is Our God”… then smile and love them in spite of…

Bishop… I love JIN 11:25 “…I am the Resurrection and the Life! Whoever believes in Me will live, in spite of the fact that they experience the rite of passage called death.” This is the flaw found in deaths armor…the buzzards scatter… as Life confronts death and wins!... Nothing else matters than this… It comes down to the question of “Do you believe this or not”… When all props… crutches… and costumes are gone… and we are forced to see Him for what He claims to be… Our only hope… The Resurrection and the Life…

Then to realize that though US… we are the demonstration of the Resurrection and the Life… that is why I so desperately need to feel connected to US tonight… No connection to the service… Oh well… Ber’sITN… you rock… Because I do believe the question… I believe in US… I believe … I believe as we shout and proclaim through our life’s that we are the manifestation of “The Resurrection and the Life”…

Thanks so much for this “sight” again Bishop… thanks for everyone in the community of Ber’sITN… I can feel you… I so desperately needed to feel connected… thank you for allowing me to be connected…

Iris

Ebony said...

Well I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can't seem to get a full eight hours of sleep lately. I go to bed, wake up around 4 or 4, and can't go back to sleep, and when I do drift off, I have to get up for work. so I came on here, blogged and tried to go back to bed, and it did help. Now I got word from my mom that another one of her neighbors went to be with the Lord, and while I know she and my dad are fine and they have abundant life, it's still scary that close to home..literally. Spirit is willing, flesh is weak. But to my fellow bloggers in Christ, be encouraged, all is well.

ps: seeing "This is How We Do it" before the BITN acrostic had that song in my head all day (for those who don't know my reference, "this is how we do it" was a VERY popular R&B song sung by Montell Jordan in 1995,) and It brought back so many High School memories for me. Hard to believe I'm 10 years out. Anyway, blessings to all, and to all a good night.

Unknown said...

Iris: leaving the lavalamp on for ya! That's interesting. Suddenly the blobs look like hearts! Love ya!

dgm2007 said...

Wow so these post have just solidified everything I've been thinking about today. The quotes were awesome this blog is such a great way to connect and feel at home wherever you are. Great community. Being in college and away trying to make new connections can seem tough at first without God. But having the Joy the true Joy of the LORD really is your strength. I find myself fitting in with so many different people. The joy of the lord helps you maneuver through anything and any attitude. Love the post on this blog. Really enjoyed Eric's post. That’s awesome. Love the Mark Twain. Once you step outside your religion and meet different people from different backgrounds and faiths you find the heart of the matter. The true depth of people. This is what makes US. The reality of love and commitment to faith and community this is the tread that runs through all people and connects US in such a deep way. Keep Blogging. I actually flew in to see church last Sunday and it was awesome. Like seeing your fav band live.

Kettly said...

A call to Teezy313

Where are you!
You're been missed very much.
Don't be a stranger now.
Keep in touch!
One of your sister in Christ.
Hope you're okay.
Miss you.
Kettly

Anonymous said...

I loved the picture of Jesus on the computer. Maybe He's posting His parables.

Imagine what it would be like; if someone missed a hillside meeting they could still log on and see a list of parables spoken during the week, read a list of miracles for that day, and Jesus could command a blessing over them through cyberspace, too.

famman87 said...

Thanks, Scribe. It's very easy to lose track of God's goodness and love when you are deep in the fiery trial(s). I needed to hear that in such a way... Be back later...

Anonymous said...

DBA - Graceaholic - great words! Not a wizard of anything. But, coincidentally, was born in the land of enchantment.

I read your post before going to an appointment yesterday. Interestingly enough, you mentioned an engine pulling a train, so it could freefall into zero gravitational pull.

Don't quite understand all of that. But, did find it uncanny how those words applied to my dr's diagnosis: "There are the places in your spine that are compensating for disc degeneration."

Part of his advice was, "Quit carrying more than you can handle. It's causing your body to be out of alignment." I assured him that I wasn't. But, he proved it by showing me the X-rays.

Seemed like a rhema word, for some reason. Maybe that's why we're to cast all our cares on Jesus.

Teezy313 said...

HA! The Jesus pic on the computer.... RIGHTEOUS!!!

(Been busy with research papers and schoolwork lately....missing everyone back @ CITN and here @ BITN.....hopen you have an awesome B-Day Bish!!)

Teezy

Anonymous said...

This is a shout out to my sister Kettly. Many of you may not know Kettly but let me say that in spite of English being her second language (French being her first language), I am so proud of her to labor to write from her heart, right from her heart to be such a tremendous blessing to the body. You must know how much courage this is for her to step out of her sensitivity to English to love up on us, while ministering to the Lord. Namaste, Kettly...

I am grateful that she truly is a sister in the body and makes herself availble 24/7 for the things of God. I am grateful that you Bishop, as you have taught us to truly embrace the God in each other and that which is holy in each individual (Namaste - I believe). That idea transcends countries and denominations and stones and hinderances and obstacles. This is what makes US, us!

Bishop, we are a city set on a hill and it is because of your obedience and long-suffering that a girl from Haiti and a girl from Bronx, NY can fellowship and love each other like true sisters, with all that entails, because of the clarity of the evangel. I shout out to US (Unified Synergy)...love, Yvonne