Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Art of the Word

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. (1 Corinthians 13:12 - Amplified Bible)

Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and [a]everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19 - Amplified Bible)

We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (Hebrews 4:15, 15 - The Message)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.(Psalms 19:1-4 - TNIV)

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!From the ends of the earth,I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! (Psalms 61:1-4 - NLT)

That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself ]. (Ecclesiastes 3:15 - Amplified Bible)


30 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy

Unknown said...

Birth

Unknown said...

Celebration

Unknown said...

Day,

Unknown said...

Bishop!

It's gonna be a BLASTOFF DAY!

el ojo y la luz said...

Love the imagery alongside the beautiful word. I especially like the Amplified translation of Matt. 18:19 and the musicians. Harmonize together. Well-spoken. Happy 50th Birthday celebration!!

el ojo y la luz said...

We're all family, right? So, I have a confession to make. I have been blogging like nobody's business, (whatever that means). And I've been watching and refreshing periodically to see when my post is available for all to see. And I waited, and waited, waited...sometimes for days and NOTHING! I thought to myself...that's ok; Bishop said he reserves the right to post or not to post. I even thought maybe I typed the wrong word verification. So really, I was ok. Then, I wrote some really awesome words of encouragement and still, NOTHING!! So now, I'm trying not to feel hurt, but it was starting to get to me. I was like seriously Bishop; you don't think that would add to the discourse? Well, I finally figured it out and I feel really silly. I always read and re-read what I write, checking for mistakes and I didn't realize that I had to re-do the word verification and click publish in order for my post to be saved. Now I think I have the hang of how to use this things.

Have a blessed day everyone!!! Happy Sunday!!

el ojo y la luz said...

Forgot to say, Good day Avatar! Nice to see you this morning.

Anonymous said...

Happi tanjoubi to Bishouppu!

I'm laughing to myself about the word "to" and how often we refer to 2 Cor. 3:18 - "with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory TO glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord."

I just discovered that in Japanese, "to" can mean CELEBRATE!

OK....

First pic, I see God's left Hand, upholding an outstretched man (spear in his side) who's holding a luminous sphere.

The subject (obviously a student) is beckoning viewers to enter into his study. There's light sources. Window. Books to illuminate thought. Pictures on the wall.

This a spiritual Rorschach test? Is that Freud or representative of intellect vs. spirit life?

Here's where I see the Kingdom: There's no end to making books. And studying gets pretty tiring. The bottom line is to reverence God.

Don't know if it was the artist's intention. But, I couldn't help noticing where the ceiling light & window are positioned in reference to the man's chair.

Did anybody rotate the pic? If you do, maybe you'll see that that the ceiling light becomes a floor lamp. There's no furniture in the room at all; just LIGHT, books, portals and pictures.

Is that the riddle or enigma we're supposed to see from 1 Cor. 13:12?

Can we have cyber birthday cake?

el ojo y la luz said...

-Joy...Have some cake!! I changed my pic since I couldn't post the cake with this text. Love what you wrote. Going back to examine that artwork more thoroughly. :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy You Know Day.
Let's Party!!!
As For Today's Blog . It soo relates to what this weekend has been said between a few of us. That is why we are here to encourage and uplift one another.
When the world tears you down your brother / sister in Christ should lift you up. Sheperd man you have taught your flock well. Thank you Jesus for all my brothers/sisters in You.
L8TER

Scribe said...

Good Morning Family:

This is my Favorite Pic and scripture dislayed today...

God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!From the ends of the earth,I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! (Psalms 61:1-4 - NLT)

(This one touched me because when I looked at the person in the pic, I saw myself, and know that even though we may be overwhelmed, GOD shall serve as our refuge and fortress.

Scribe said...

Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BISHOP. I know that the celebration will be awesome! Wish that I could be there, but I thank GOD for being able to stream in the Cyber Community. When I get trasportation, I shall definitely be ITB. Have a glorious day! We love you and Thank GOD for your life, and most of all that you are not one of those "Untouchables".

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Very cool, Avatar...Billy Blastoff looks good...hasn't changed a bit...

Thanks for the feedback, bloggers...

Donald said...

HYVAA SYNTYMAPAIVAA! (Pronounced who-vee sin-ta-mah-pi-vah)
That's Finnish for Happy Birthday.
Learned that from a contractor I worked with years ago. Can't remember anything else he taught me.

Lise said...

Bish,
HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY-JOY-JOY!!!
Love the art post (but then, of course I would!)
Have a great day!

Wordsmith said...

Happy Birthday Celebration! I love pairing of the art and the WORD.

Teezy313 said...

Yeah I'm with El....totally loving Matthew 18:19 right now. If only two agree it will be done...imagine if more than two agree? WHEW!! To me that says it will be done and then some BEYOND what we ask or think or phathom!!!

Can I get a (few) witnesses?

Scribe said...

I tuned into the Birthday Celebration via the Cyber Stream... AWESOME ! I was truly blessed and Pastor Swilley's message was incredible. Please give him my props!

Here's a little something for today. GOD gave me this a few years back... it is short and sweet.

Thursday: 30 MARCH 2006

"In all the places gone,
And many things said and done,
Whatsover has hindered and bound previously,
Has been demolished-
And now have established,
The cornerstone to NEW FOUNDATIONS--
While Standing Ovations are in order,
For those Sons and Daughters,
Who somehhow overcame,
All limitations and barriers!

Hallelujah! Amen.

Scribe said...

Teezy313:

You've got a witness here! AMEN. As we agree, It is ALREADY DONE. Lord be it done unto us according to your word! Amen.

Tom said...

Happy Birthday Bishop Swilley!!!! I would say God Bless You!,but having streamed your church services this morning I would have to say God has already blessed you and may God continue to bless you!Bishop Jim Swilley your having a wonderful life and have a very long wonderful life,in Jesus name!

I would like to declare unto you also,that this is the year of your personal jublie.That this is the year you begin to reap all you have sown in your past 50 years.

Be blessed and know you are loved by many who have never met you.

Tom

Ebony said...

¡Felíz Cumpleaños a mi padre del espiritu (Happy Birthday to my spiritual father), the Picasso and Dali painting you picked are some of my favorites, I used to have a "Persistence of Memory" poster when I taught HS, but the one I loved the most is the one with "Do Unto others" on it, seeing people from all nations and walks of life worshipping together is always beautiful. There was a portrait that was in the old building that depicted the coming of Pentecost with the Holy Spirit falling on men of various ethnicities that I fell in love with, but I can't find it anywhere :-(. The Whole Earth will see his glory.
I think I've told you before that you and my dad have the same birthday, and this year is a milestone celebration for him: his 60th. And I find it so hard to believe because he's still so active, so full of life, I don't ever see him slowing down. As we speak, he's packing for a trip to Las Vegas with my mom. So just like his generation is redefining age with every passing day, you are re-defining what a pastor is, what a church is, and what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ. so, to the both of you, I say happy Birthday, I speak showers of blessings and favor, and that the BEST is DEFINITELY yet to come. I Love You!

el ojo y la luz said...

Bishop, "It's A Wonderful Life," how appropriate for you!! You have touched so many lives and you continue to daily. Your video gift was hilarious and perfect. Enjoyed it immensely!! I'm glad I was able to share in your celebration. Have a safe trip and a great 50th Birthday!!

Teezy...you already said it but you've got a witness right here!! That's at least 3 in agreement. :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh My Elohim! Okay...first, love the Norman Rockwell picture! I have it hanging in my living room, it is part of my Spirit time in the Morn. Second, birthday celebration..I was watching Tyler Perrys "What's done in the Dark" this week and this lady started singing and like her annointing had me on my knees weeping and crying out to Jesus and i said God if i come back in another life can i have her voice?(just kidding..)and then i stream in CITN and she is singing!!!! at least i think it was her...someone tell me please...and what is her name! she is the stuff!!! I was doing pretty good this morning until bishop, your daughter got up to pay you honor! Ugly cry!!!! for sure...wow you can accomplish so much and be soooo ahead of your time...but she is such a reflection of a true man of GOD... getting on the floor...telling her her favorite stories, I never experienced that, through her sharing, i felt that...even my big, masculine hubby had tears rolling down his cheeks! I am so grateful for the voice that cries out and brings me hope in my wilderness!

el ojo y la luz said...

Ronnielee, yes that was her. Her name is Chandra Currelley(Young). She has done lots of work with Tyler Perry. She also has a few CD's out. She has a great voice. You can feel the spirit in her song.

Unknown said...

Hello All. So good to see you.

Teezy313, add me in!

Afternoon, EL. We are soooo family. I read and reread too and have done the same thing--[I think my post about the service is lost right now!] When you said "seriously Bishop?" I laughed at your post so hard this morning I couldn't get dressed! Thanks for the shared joy! [you were up late and early too!] Loved the cake--I had two pieces and don't need to work out!

I'm glad you enjoyed Billy, Bishop. I had all the pics chosen and waiting. I considered finding 50 of them but decided that might be a bit like a waitress overfilling your coffee cup (smile).

I refreshed at least four hundred times trying to catch your post at the moment of posting so I could keep all of the words together! Felt like a quick change artist--please Holy Spirit, help me get these posted FAST so they won't get separated.

What an honor it is to be called to be one of your flock. I pray that your heart is filled to overflowing, beyond more than you have dared to dream. [Based on what we know about your dreams, I'm guessing God's gonna have to work overtime!]

PS--what's up with Peter not knowing your name? Hel-lo!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks Donald, LP, Wordsmith, Teezy, Scribe38…

Tom, I hadn’t even thought of 50 being the year of Jubilee…thanks for reminding me!

Ebony, that picture is hanging in the Media Center, and I think it’s a Thomas Blackshear print…

Thanks, El…

Ronnie Lee…Chandra’s awesome and she and her husband are members of CITN. She was in the Diary of a Mad Black Woman movie…check it out if you haven’t seen it. And I showed Christina what you wrote. Thank you so much…

Avatar, I owe you a huge apology. That cool review of yesterday’s service that you wrote wouldn’t send through my Blackberry for some reason, and I kept hitting the button to make it go to “publish”, and on one of the tries I must have accidentally hit “reject”. I really felt bad about it because I loved what you wrote. My big time bad.

Anonymous said...

el ojo y la luz - Cake was yummy, thanks. Helpful hint - save the pic to your computer & then rotate it from there. Cuz, trust me on this, standing upside down trying to figure it out after cake, makes ya feel kinda funny.

Unknown said...

Blackberry's can be sooo frustrating sometimes. I'm glad to know it made it through, Bishop! Last night I was beginning to think I had laughed way too hard at EL and then had forgotten to check a word verification myself. Some guy I know taught me to say "It's All Good!" No apology necessary, EVER, for real!

I can remember parts of it, but what I loved the most about the day was the I AM-ness of it. Each person being who they ARE. Showing their essence, adding to the whole. It was awesome to behold.

I think I'll use the gift of time this week to selah on this post. They stirred up a lot in me.

Anonymous said...

Loved the art with the word. I really started enjoying art mixed with the word around the age of 18.
What spoke to me greatly this time was the one of Psalm 19:1-4.

I had just read this very passage in the morning, was praying about it, came and turned on the computer, came here and saw the same message. How cool. So now I'm thinking about how to understand more about what is being said about God and our walk in Him by the speech and knowledge of the heavens and the sky. What do they tell?

Just like Jesus took a flower on the grass and told about God clothing us, and pointing out the common bird and telling us not to worry because the Father will take even more care of us, I'm sure there are COUNTLESS more lessons to be discovered with the help of the Spirit, in the heavens as well as the smallest things on earth all around us. Study time!-Karl