Sunday, May 11, 2008

Celebrate Today! (And then some)

First of all, today is Mother’s Day, so I want to honor all of you great women who have brought life into the world, and who have faithfully nurtured it! I especially thank God for my mom, Darlene, my wife, Debye, my mother-in-law, Shirley, and my daughter, Christina, all of whom are exceptional women, and excellent mothers. Your children rise up and call you all blessed!

Even as He was dying, Jesus made it a point to make sure that His mother was taken care of…

…But standing by Jesus’ cross were His mother and her sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother standing there, and the disciple that He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Great lady, this man is now your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “My brother, this woman is now your mother!” And from that moment on, that disciple took her into his own home and loved and cared for her as if she were his own mother. After taking care of this last detail, Jesus knew that His work in the earthly dimension was now finished….
(John 19:25-28 – John In The Now)

God bless all of our moms!


Secondly, today is Pentecost Sunday, so I want to honor the Holy Spirit and His movement in the earth! I started CITN (then called Word of Faith) on Pentecost Sunday 1985, and usually we acknowledge the church anniversary on that day each year, whenever it comes, but we’re going to celebrate it this year, instead, next Sunday on the 18th for several reasons. A few weeks ago I wrote and posted this acrostic for PENTECOST which I had planned to use on Pentecost Sunday, and I may still refer to it, but I’m kind of going in a different direction in today’s service, as I talk about the dynamic maternal aspects of the Holy Spirit. Once again, here’s the acrostic…

P - ushing limits

E - mbracing diversity

N - etworking nationals

T - ranscending culture

E - mpowering believers

C - ommunicating truth

O - vercoming divisions

S - eeing globalism

T - aking dominion

God bless the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all humanity!


Thirdly, today is the Three Monthaversary of BLOGINTHENOW, so I want to honor all of you who have been (and are) a part of it. It seems like we’ve been doing this for longer than 3 months…so much has happened in these weeks…so much has evolved. But I really love connecting with you all here every day, and I believe that the best is yet to come.

God bless BLOGINTHENOW!

So today is an important day, and I want to celebrate all of it! What does this day mean to you?

____________________________

Sunday evening: Hey bloggers...just thinking about the day and wanting to reach out to you...great service this morning...Golden Girls were cute...hope the message wasn't too "out there"...loved the new song about the city...I've posted an apology to Aaron Conyers on the church blog for not reading his name with the other graduates, but can't get in touch with Robyn to put it through...looking at Dottie Rambo clips on YouTube and feeling really sad about what happened...feeling especially bad for Reba to get that news on Mother's Day...very windy outside...praying for protection over all of you...if you still have your mom, did you call her today?

31 comments:

Donald said...

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers.
Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mother wherever you are and whatever realm you're in.
You understand why I never visit your grave because I know that is not where you are. I believe that you're closer to me now that what I once believed.
I hope to see you in about 70 years or so.

Anonymous said...

Today is a great day. I am so glad to be alive and well in my right mind. Today is a day to think about how Blessed we are. I was having a conversation with one of my family of client about how we grew up. Well, we both had some things in common. We both had outhouses. We didn't have regular restrooms or showers. They were outside. As children, We had to walk very far to get water, and we learned to appreciate the smallest things. So when I look back at where we were, and where we are today.It is a miracle. We are so Blessed We've come a long way baby... So today, I celebrate with all the mothers. No, Its not easy. Its a rough ride, but that's why we are considered great mothers. We give more than just a balanced diet, and a roof over our children heads. We teach them how to feed their souls and give them a spiritual foundation on which to build. We direct them in the right path. Proverbs 31 describes us fully. Don't take yourself for granted, or your mothers for granted. Its a miracle to wake up every day. So make each second count. I am so glad that I was able to call my mom in Florida to wish her a happy Mother's day. I know that for some, its sad, but with every new day, comes with a fresh new aroma. Choose your aroma. Is it perfume, a flower, or just breath of fresh air. No matter what our circumstances, God has promised that he will be there. We break down, we repair, we start up again. Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers, the grandmothers, the mothers of whoever God made you a mother of. Its a high calling, a God given challenge.

Love you all.

Ebony said...

Anyone else see the beautiful irony in the fact that it's raining on Pentecost Sunday? How great is our God indeed!! BITN, you guys are awesome, and for every laugh, thought, or tear I've experienced through one of your posts, I thank you. Spending Mother's Day w/ my mom in Columbus so I won't be ITB today, but I know it's gonna be awesome.

Sweepea said...

Today I honor the incomparable Miss Marion and I also praise God for the honor of being the mother of my dear sons Anthony Gilbert Powell and Victor Lewis Rosser, one in this realm and one in the other. They are both embedded in my heart and spirit and I thank God for the joy of knowing them and the opportunity to be an influence in their lives.

Anonymous said...

Happy mother's day to Mary the mother of Jesus. Chosen to be mother of God in flesh is the highest honor among men.

Choosing to recieve Holy Spirit as Mother is likewise the highest honor given to God.

Speaking of true parents, Holy Spirit has definately been my true mother. To be coddled in Her arms is still my favorite memory of comfort.

Happy Mother's day, Mom.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Friends,
Happy mothers day to all mothers out there, physically and spiritually.

Gal 4:19 GNB
My dear children! Once again, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ's nature is formed in you.

Wow! Talk about stacking the deck!

BITN anniversary.

CITN anniversary.

Mothers Day…..Honoring those that give Birth…birthing – giving life and new beginning.

Pentecost anniversary….giving new birth in the Spirit!

Joh 16:21-22 MSG "When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. (22) The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you.

Act 2:1-3 MSG When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (2) Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force--no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. (3) Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks,

Act 3:19-21 GW So change the way you think and act, and turn to God to have your sins removed. (20) Then times will come when the Lord will refresh you. He will send you Jesus, whom he has appointed to be the Christ. (21) Heaven must receive Jesus until the time when everything will be restored as God promised through his holy prophets long ago.

Peace,
The way I see it,
Dennis

lhollow27 said...

Streaming today....I know it's gonna be awesome! Love to all and Happy Mother's Day to Paster Debye!!
---peace, Lhollow

Lisa said...

P Debye,
Thank you for your words to your mother today in service. As an Adoptive Mother your words moved me in ways I can not describe. Your words brought forth all the emotion and heart I feel. I pray my children know how loved and wanted they are!!!!! Thank you again!! Much Love and Happy Mothers Day!!!!

Anonymous said...

Bishop,
All the symbolism you spoke about today of the Holy Spirit is what really jumped out at me. I think that is the reason that God put these metaphors all around us to remind us of the presence and presents of the Holy Ghost everywhere.

By the way Bishop, I think the collar is cool, sort of a symbol of spiritual authority that is comforting in some way.

Pastor Debye, Wow! Talk about spirit filled preaching, the wind was blowing and the fire was falling as you spoke today! Loved it, if your that anointed all the time I don’t know how you manage to hold it in.

Mom loved the service today. She said she wished there was a church like that around here. You never know…………….nothing too hard for God. This new move of the Spirit is pouring out everywhere!

Peace,
Dennis

Kettly said...

To All the Mother’s Bloggers,
And to You Bishop Swilley,

First and foremost Pastor Debye,
Words cannot describe how much I love you.
You have been a sister, friend,
But most of all a Mother.
Thank you!
When you said, you die red in your hair, because of this fire burning inside of you….
That’s the same feeling I’ve been having lately.
So I pray, and decided to have an afro red hair do. And I love the change, and I did not think anything out of it, I just feel like doing something new.
Never on a million years, would I image, have I kettly had a red hair do.
Like you said today, when the Hold Spirit get a hold of you there‘s little one can do expect to oblige to the instruction.
Thank You!
This is for You (Mother) Pastor Debye!
Proverbs 31:25-29 HAPPY MOTHER”S DAY TO YOU.

She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
She is always busy and looks after her family’s need.
Her children (and her Spiritual children) show their appreciation, and her husband …PRAISE HER (YOU).

Mother Swilley, I applaud you today!
Thank you for giving us, our SPIRITUAL FATHER.
And the song today was a BOMB! You should do it again maybe Father’s Day. (What do you think of that idea?)
HAPPY MOTHER”S DAY TO YOU MON SWILLEY!
***AND***
To All the Mothers: This Poem is for of you
From Helen Steiner Rice!
A Mother’s Love Is a Haven in the Storms of Life.

A Mother’s Love is like an island
In the life’s ocean vast and wide,
A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the restless, rising tide…

A Mother’s Love is like a fortress
And we seek protection there
When the waves of tribulation
Seem to drown us in despair…

A Mother’s Love’s a sanctuary
Where our souls can find sweet rest
From the struggle and the tension
Of lives fast and futile quest…

A Mother’s Love is like a tower
Rising far above the crowd,
And her smile is like the sunshine
Breaking through a threatening cloud…

A Mother’s Love is like a beacon
Burning bright with Faith and Prayer,
And through the changing scenes of life
We can find a HAVEN THERE…

For A Mother’s Love is fashioned
After God’s enduring Love,
It is endless and unfailing
Like the Love of HIM above…

For God knew in HIS great wisdom
That HE couldn’t be EVERYWHERE
So HE put HIS LITTLE CHILDREN
In a LOVING MOTHER’S CARE.

HAPPY MOTHER”S DAY:
TO ALL MY SISTERS: Widza, Elizabeth, Kerling, Charline, and Rosie.
AND TO YOU ALL BLOG”S MOTHERS
AND TO CHRISTINA

BELIEVE IT OR NOT! TO YOU BISHOP
For been a Mother to us all. When you teached us, how we should behaved when we meet someone new in our lives. Thank You for being our Pastor, our Bishop, our Friend, our Father and (Mother) when you have to be one.

One Serious Note: Bishop as always your MESSAGE today is SUPER, SUPER, SUPERB, MAGNIFICIENT, and EXCELLENT. Especially the part you explain about forgiving the world. To tell you the true I thought I needed to forgive myself first before I try forgive the world. But when you explain the concept of forgiving the world today, I think I understand it much better the reason we as Christian should learn to forgive the WORLD! Thank you, for explain it more clear for me. And that’s the reason why you’re a MOTHER.

God Bless You All
Kettly
P.S. The song's Today said:For greater things have yet to done. And greater things are still to be done in the Citi.(I'll say this: GREATER THINGS ARE STILL TO BE DONE IN ME!)

dgm2007 said...

once again another great service and great post. the service was off the chain. my fathers passed away 3 years ago and to hear the I must go so he can come thing has really touched me.. just in the way of when ppl go to be with the lord they go and the spirit of God comes. i dont think im makin gmuch sense but its what i feel so ... eh.. Mothers day is such a great day. I like to stay in contact with all my relatives as best i can and the end of service Pastor Debye totally killed it.. cool to read that even Jesus sent someone to be with his earthly mother.. I just love mothers day. I love my Mom.. after service we went and she prayed for my best friend.. what an anointing.. God is so Good. the in this city song today.. was awesome. just made me feel like theres more to be done in me.. Greater things man.. wow.. So good.. and I didnt know that the blog was only up for the past 3 mnths.. feels like its been forever.. :) I love this Blog.. I totally agree with everything that kettly posted.. Love all my Blogging blurking bros and sisters.. pz yall

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day to all you mama's.
Today I streamed.
Golden Girls awesome
You know it's true
Greater things are yet to be done.
Greater things are still to come in this city.
Congratulations to our graduates.
Pastor Debye & Mama Shirley you guy's are great. Mama Shirley adopted you Pastor Debye but many of us have adopted Mama Shirley .
So I guess your really Pastor Sister Debye. Happy Sister Mother Day.
What does today mean to me?
Rememberance, Acceptance, Love & Friendship.
Sorry I missed being at today's service. Under the weather.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Interesting insights, everyone...definitely out of the box...and very touching...

Anonymous said...

My birth mother made the transition in 1992, and because she was so extraordinary, Mother's Day remains a precious time to me.

Since I was out of town, I streamed today with two wonderful women who have received me in their hearts and families as a daughter. Because I was torn over which one to spend the day with, they decided the two families would come together in one household so that I might have the opportunity to honor them jointly.

The three of us had a great time experiencing the service as their sons prepared a late breakfast (PST). Our God is an awesome God! The music and the message were so spirit-filled the power was felt through the monitor. We cannot stop ourselves from commenting on how blessed we were by "being" a part of it.

As I thank them for being a mother to me in ways that I could have never imagined, I thank you, Bishop, for your obedience and for being a conduit of truth.

And, of course, I thank God for being GOD.

Anonymous said...

hello TO EVERY BLOGGER, HAPPYMOTHER'S DAY AND PENTICOST DAY.TODAY'S SERMON WAS TRUELY THE HEART OF GOD TO US. I WAS WEEPING WHEN BISHOP WAS PREACHING ON THE MATERNAL ASPECT OF GOD MANIFESTING IN THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES AND ON EARTH.JESUS WAS TOUCHED BY OUR INFIRMITIES SO AS CHRISTIANS WE NEED TO BE TOUCHED BY PEOPLE'S ISSUES. AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD ALERTS ME TO THE NEEDS OF THE WORLD, THE BROKEN HEARTS , THE NEEDY AND THE HURTING,IT BOTHERS ME THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST HAS SHIFTED FROM HER ASSIGMENT. BUT TODAY GOD USED BISHOP MESSAGE TO CONFIRM HIS DIRECTION OF MINISTRY IN MY LIFE AND THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN MY THIRST. TODAY GOD COMFORTED MY SPIRIT AND FIRED ME UP IN MY MINISTY OF INTERCESSION TO PRAY EVEN THE MORE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE WAYS THE MATERNAL ASPECT OF GOD IS SEEN THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN INTERCESSIONS. SO INTERCESSORS ARE ALSO THE TRUE MOTHERS OF THE EARTH AND IN THE BODY OF CHRIST BECAUSE WE WEEP AND WATER THE EARTH WTH OUR PRAYERS AND TEARS. TYPICAL OF HOW MARY MAGDALENE WEPT AT THE FEET OF JESUS FOR HER SINS.THIS UNDERSTANDING CAME TO ME AS BISHOP WAS PREACHING. IT IS OUR DUTY TO SET THINGS IN ORDER THROUGH OUR PRAYER LANGUAGE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.WE CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS ELECTION TIME SO THAT GOD'CHOICED PRESIDENT WILL MANIFEST. AS BISHOP RIGHTLY SAID, THE NEWS IS SO DEPRESSING THAT YOU CAN HARDLY WATCH OR LISTEN. IT IS TIME WE ARISE AS SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS WARING AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS AND SETTING GOD'S PEOPLE FREE. IT IS TIME WE SET FRESH ALTERS OF PRAYER TO GOD IN MIDNIGHT HOURS INSTEAD OF SLUMBERING OUR SOULS AWAY WHILE THE ENEMY SOW TARES IN OUR VINEYARD. SHOW ME A PRAYEREFUL CHURCH AND I WILL SHOW YOU A POWERFUL HOUSE OF SALVATION. NOT ONLY TALKS BUT WORKS. BISHOP HAS SPOKEN TODAY LET US NOT HARDEN OUR HEARTS OR CLOSE OUR EARS.IF JOSHUA CAN COMMAND THE SUN TO STAND STILL OVER GIBEON AND THE MOON OVER THE VALLEY OF AIJALON {JOSUAH 10;12-13]how much more we can do under the new covenant of our lord JESUS CHRIST THE BALL IS IN OUR COURT AND ONCE AGAIN I BLESS GOD FOR CONFIRMING THE DESIRES OF MY HEART THROUGH TODAYS MESSAGE AND I SAY GOD HERE I AM USE ME IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUR HEART FOR HUMANITY. LOVE, MERCY.

mrkoolcat said...

To my Mom, Maria T., I love you for who you are, although there are many reasons to say otherwise, you have come a long way. I will be here to believe in you and as your Son, I know we can believe in each other. You have given life to me that alone is enough to say thank you. I type these positive thoughts into your reality and believe the best will happen in your life regarding your husband & your daughter as well as you. I believe that drug abuse and addiction will be broken into pieces by the Spirit of God with His indefinite mercy. To all reading this that have an addiction or can relate to such, PLEASE: Pray for them as I remember you all in my own prayers. The battle of addiction will not stand firm and must be overthrown immediately. To God in the HIGHEST be glory. Peace to you all.

Joshua J.

Tom said...

Bishop Swilley,awesome message this morning.I'm sorry to hear about Dottie Rambo,I'll keep her family in my prayer's.

I mainly just want to say a word about my Mama.Though she will never log on here or any where else to see the words I've written about her,I want the whole world to know how much I love her.I thank God for her everyday,she has always believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.She has never given up on me,she has always been there for me,she has always sacrificed what was good for her so I could have what was good for me.Their is no one stronger I know nor softer and kinder.Though one book will never be wrote about her,I know of no one greater.I love you Mama,I pray that you will be with me for a very longtime and that God will shower you with blessing beyond your farthest dreams!Amen!

God bless everyone tonight.

Donald said...

I managed to watch the service this morning on my laptop. Thank God for internest access in just about every motel now.
I can't remember how many times I said "Man, that's good" this morning to some of the things you said.
Have any of you folks ever watched a movie where someone had amnesia and as they were beginning their recovery it would show quick blasts of images from their past and as the recovery would get more complete the blasts of images would get more frequent?
I'm beginning to get similar sensations, but not about the past or about the future. I perceive that God is hitting me with short blasts of images attempting to reveal what he is really like instead of what I have always thought he was like. As I hear more of the Word like I heard this morning, it seems that those sensations are coming more frequently.
It is hard to explain right now, but I am truly thankful to God for what he is doing as far as revamping my ideas about Him.
That was sad about Dottie Rambo. When you announced it this morning we called back home to some friends to let them know because our former pastor, Donna Spence, was good friends with Ms Rambo. If I remember correctly they were all hooked up together with Johnny Cash and his wife in some sort of way.

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day -2008
I have no greater joy than this, to hear my children are living their lives in the truth!
THANK YOU LORD!

Bishop and Pastor Debye, Today's service once again leaves me in awe

Meditating on the Holy Spirit

Peace and comfort
Nancy

Anonymous said...

mrkoolcat- I wills tand in agreement and prayer for you, your family and your mother... I have also felt the pain of addiction and believe that it curse ir broken off of my family and my husband.

Bishop - awesome service today. Pastor Debye - thank you...
It's been a great Mother's Day and Happy Mother's Day to you.

-fredshead...

Anonymous said...

Had TBN on @ 10pm and they were replaying an old tribute to Dottie Rambo. Saw you Bishop and Debye sitting in the audience. It is a sad thing and I am praying for her family. Really encouraged by today's service. Miracles are happening in my life since today's service. So moved by the song about the city. Confirmed a word I received about 8 years ago about the city in which I dwell. Did Judah write that song?

Unknown said...

Happy monthiversary ALL. Thanks Bishop! For the many things you've birthed that bless us, but, tonight, for the blog. [obviously the message wasn't too out there for me!--(smile)]

Great amnesia analogy, Donald! It helped me understand why I was picking out these:

Neither male nor female...the motherness of our Father is creative and fiercely protective...
Sweepea honoring her children, one in this realm and one in the other...
Anon honoring Mary and the favorite memory is of true mother Holy Spirit coddling in Her arms...
Dottie Rambo in the other realm now...many of our mothers, in this realm or the next...mrkoolcat, a son believing in his mom...knowing bloggers are praying whether they type it or not...one body, manifesting in the earth...and wind that cannot be ignored.

Forgiving the world is on my heart tonight as well as the fiercely protective motherness of the Father who created the earth that groans for the revealing of the sons of God.

A most happy monthiversary, Bishop, bloggers, blurkers and those are yet to come to this city set on a hill!

Anonymous said...

The day is almost over and I am thankful for all the things that have happened. It was a great day!!! Thanks for the great message about the Holy Spirit. It is so great to live in the Spirit! I was there today.

One time, in particular, I remember being so prayed up and so sensitive to the Spirit that I was floating on the clouds. I felt the presence of God so assuredly and I could see life through spiritual eyes! Life was so peaceful. I loved it and promised my self, I would stay in the spirt because it felt so good and it made me a better person. Well... a few hours later, life brought people into the room and situations and circumstances that were challenging and tough and that wonderful spiritual person I knew vanished.

I know the people in the upper room must have been so caught up in love and the presence of God that they thought they would love everybody forever! All the beautiful people of different races and cultures and genders who stood and listened to them speak of the wonderful works of the Lord were their family. What happened as time went on? Where did prejudices and separatisim and pharaseeism come from? When we lose sight of the presence of God and the Holy Spirit, we slip back into the cares of the world that divide and frustrate us! It happens to us all at various points.

Thanks Pastor Debye for exhortation and encouragement! You are a prophet for such a time as this! May God bless you from now into eternity. Today I choose to walk in the Spirit and in the presence of the Lord. I will not let the cares of the world pull me out of the joy of the Lord. Walking n the spirit and then moving back into the flesh realm is like slipping in and out of consciousness and when we are in
the spirit, we are the most conscious.

Love and blessings,

4 May flowers

Teezy313 said...

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers especially my own!!!

Golden Divas......you ladies are amazing!!

Pastor Debbye...such an anointing and awesome flow today!!! When are you preaching again?(sorry Bish haha..I still love ya)

Nation of Worship and Judah.....awesome time in the prescence of God today!!

Holy Ghost.....you are the greatest thing to happen to me....your prescence lately has become more and more real to me in my life and even those around me...I can only imagine where you are going to lead me...I love the way you show up and show out @ CITN.....I honor you in all I do!

Blessings to all,
TEEZY

Unknown said...

Dear Bishop:

Blessings to you!and Pastor Debye. I want to thankyou thankyou thankyou for doing you. I was invited to go on a local radio station in Covington Georgia today from 12:30-2:00. It was awesome and we talked about you and your dynamic ministry for at least 25 minutes. The sister who invited me is a converted muslim and she attends CITN periodically and we had a spiritual feast today. I have heard you mention that there are some who use precious internet time to refute your teaching. Just know that we used valuable radio time to glorify God for the revelation of truth that is coming through you in this hour. Doors are beginning to open for me to minister again and i want to thank you for pouring into my spirit. As God is speaking through you, the spirit of the lord is calling in your spiritual sons and daughters.
I love the Holy Spirit and how it brings us together from all corners of the earth. I love the fact that in the spirit there is no gender, race, etc. there is just love, there is oness. When the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentacost, diversity of culture was celebrated and the spirit came to make us one. This is so awesome! We can be diverse and yet be one. So it's not you that is doing this awesome work in the nation, you represent the Holy
Spirit that has come at this appointed time (the now) to speak to the heart of men and bring the nations together. So flow Bishop...flow. Love you
Carolyn

Unknown said...

Oh, and I missed the skywriting pic connection. Very cool, Bishop.
Very, very cool.

I've typed this paragraph twenty ways--can't seem to get it right. I'm trying to express the sense of God's desire [for us to see His gifts too] that you showed us when you shared the meaning of the picture this morning. The sense of you, and Him, searching for every way that you both can to reach us. I can't get the Godlove it sends into these words the way I want to.
Holy Spirit, translate for me, please?

Anonymous said...

Bishop, thanks for an amazing service this morning. Meditated on the 'Holy Spirit hovering over the earth' as we drove home from TX. Prayed for you and the commitment to work with the 'other' church. YOU ARE BLESSED!! What an example!!! Thanks!!
Our kids are home for a while. Nice. Maybe they'll cook.? Just kidding - will be glad to throw something together for all of us. But they 'hang out'and help now and it makes me happy when I see they can function n the kithen.
So very sad about Dottie. Am thinking about Reba-she's in my prayers.
Talked to my mom twice this weekend. I'm thankful I could.
"Father, we thank you for your Holy Spirit". We can make a difference where we are in 'our' world.
alc

Anonymous said...

If there is such a thing as a maternal figure that well represents the Holy Spirit, it would be our pastor Debye.

I loved the fire lights in her hair Sunday morning.

Pastor Debye, although the only true Mother, Father, Brother or Sister for me will always be Holy Spirit, you are surely a human representative of what it means to be both Holy and Spirited. The same Holy Spirit that coddles and overindulges me as Mom has evidently excited His little girl with a Father's kiss on the forehead.

My own mother is a sweet little lady who has a smile for everyone. I had a special place with her in this life in the kitchen and around the table. I will have an even better place with her in the life to come because of the investments we each have made in the other that neither of us are aware of in this present state.

Holy Spirit has assured me of this and also told me yesterday that there was a miraculous reconciliation that occurred during the service as a result of of yours and Bishop's prayers.

What the Love that guides you two has done in your private meditations and intercessions has already produced good fruit and that will continue beyond your long lifespans.

Thank you for being excellent represetatives of the True Parent.

Anonymous said...

MrKoolcat
While reading your blog I felt stirred deep inside of me. In my line of work I see many people who are suffering daily. Physical and emotional pain usually go hand in hand. Some have addiction issues as well, and turn to drugs, alcohol, overeating, etc. to escape the mental distress or elevate the physical pain. I have found that the addicions in most are only the result of something much deeper inside. A damaged root needs to be healed/restored physically or emotionally and God is the ultimate restorer. Unfortunately, when someone we love is suffering or addicted to some substance that seems to control the person, we are affected. We feel helpless because we are unable to help the person as it must come from within the person. But our God can help and He is bigger than any addiction. Standing with you in prayer.

I love the name Joshua. So strong. Stand strong.

Overcomer

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

No, Melinda, Judah didn't write it, but it does sound like something that we would author...

Thanks for your words

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

...and I thought that they would probably play the TBN tribute last night, and they did...I think that was in '94...