Sunday, May 4, 2008

Prophetic Pictures

I know that we've referred to this song a lot, but I just had to revisit it today. The reading for tomorrow in AYITN is Colorful Coat!, and it's about Joseph the Dreamer...the picture of Jesus at the bottom is called Coat of Many Colors, Lord of All, by Thomas Blackshear (it's one of my very favorites by one of my favorite artists) and if you look closely at His robe, you'll see that it's made of the flags of the all the nations...how do you interpret these pictures?

Let the river run, let all the dreamers wake the nations. Come, the New Jerusalem...
It's asking for the taking.
Trembling, shaking. Oh, my heart is aching...
We're coming to the edge, running on the water, coming through the fog, your sons and daughters...
We the great and small stand on a star and blaze a trail of desire through the dark'ning dawn...
It's asking for the taking. Come run with me now, the sky is the color of blue you've never even seen in the eyes of your lover...
We're coming to the edge, running on the water, coming through the fog, your sons and daughters...
Let the river run, let all the dreamers wake the nations. Come, the New Jerusalem!

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Prophetic indeed.
Overflowing power.

Whether His blessings come or not [but how could they not?], to know the power of His hand like anyone who has ridden on the Maid of the Mist knows the power of the falls is--priceless, and as it is known it changes the world, and frees the individual!

This is part of a quote from Roy Lessin that is next to my copy of the Coat:
He is the God of the multitude and the God of the individual;
He stretches out His arms toward you so you can see how strong they are!

Leaping is in order, but right now I feel really humbled and hushed by the pictures tonight, Bishop.







(itb, soon)

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Bishop!

Thanks for posting for us tonight, that's great.

I believe that we are a Colorful Coat surrounding and embracing your vision (dream)/and ours at CITN.
What a wonderful dreamer Jesus our Lord was and is...who better than He to teach us to dream.

May His river run and wake us all up! Asking for the taking, come and drink freely.
There are many at the edge of the boat,looking to see Jesus clearly through the mist and then come "running" on the water. We the great and small stand on a star (the Daystar)-our Rock, and blaze a trail!
Yes, come run with me now.
Oh Holy Ghost, let the river run and wake the dreams and nations within us.

Photo interpretations;
He's got the whole world in His hands-He's got you and me brother, the preacher man, the itty bitty baby, the sinner man-in His hands!
Ask of me and I will give you ALL the nations.
If you look at the photo with the rainbow, lean back from the computer a bit and right under the rainbow is a cloud that looks like a bird (in my mind a dove) flying right. Anybody else see it?

***I'm sensing something here...ok...Covenant(rainbow) to no longer flood the earth to destroy all flesh...BUT NOW a promise TO flood the earth with
RAIN OF THE SPIRIT to GIVE LIFE TO ALL!

...instead of hiding in an ark FROM the water (resisting the Spirit), you now want to get OUT of the boat (rock the boat, like Peter) and run through the water!

Our covering is Christ and His robe is the worship and praise of all nations. Selah.

...and Bishop, 2nd only to the Holy Spirit you are our teacher, and I'd like to welcome you back with this hit song from 1976 from the TV show "Welcome Back Kotter",
(words by John Sebastian),
bloggers if you remember, sing along...


Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.

Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.

Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.

Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Back here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)

Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've got him on the spot,
welcome back, welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

Welcome back Bish, see you in the morning-God willing. Love.

Anonymous said...

PEACEFULLY OVERWHELMING IS WHAT I FEEL LOOKING AT THOSE RIVER PICTURES. 'THERE IS A RIVER, THE STREAMS WHEREOF SHALL MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD, THE HOLY PLACE OF THE TABERNACLES OF THE MOST HIGH PSALM 46;4.' IN SUCH A TIME AS WE ARE IN, GODS SPIRIT IS STILL AT WORK PURGING, CLEANSING, RESTORING AS WELL AS PREPARING HIS PEOPLE TO TAKE OVER HIS KINGDOM. CREATION IS WAITING AND GROANING. IT IS A PEACFEUL YET POWERFUL WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. GODS MERCY COVERS THE EARTH AND IN MERCY HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOLPE UNLIKE THE TERIFYING FLOOD OF DESTRUCTION IN THE DAYS OF NOAH AND THE DAYS OF MOSES. TODAY IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY. AS THE BLOOD OF ABEL CRIES FOR VENGENCE, THE BLOOD OF JESUS CRIES FOR MERCY AND FORGIVENESS SO THAT ALL CAN PARTAKE AND BE SOAKED WITH THE RIVER OF GOD AFTER WHICH THE NATIONS SHALL BE AWAKEN BY OUR DREAMS, GET READY, SO HELP US GOD AMEN, LOVE MERCY.

PattiL007 said...

I awoke laughing this morning with this song on my heart...always a good sign. Looking forward to service today...see y'all ITB!

(Will be back l8r to blog again on these incredible pics/service)

Blessings Blog Fam!

Anonymous said...

Not a blogger, nor a blurker. Just an observer observing to see if it is real. Peace.

PattiL007 said...

Article 9 in the Japanese Constitution...an awesome statement of peace we all should consider adding.

Rumblings of Peace across the globe...coincidence? Of course NOT! The arm of the Lord is mighty, strong, and long indeed...PERCEIVE IT! Hal El to Jah!

The dreamers have wakened the nations...the nations have stepped it up and the New Jerusalem is on the horizon! We the great and small stand on a star and blaze this trail! Glory to God...are you shoutin' yet?!

Blessings Blog Fam!

dgm2007 said...

so funny that u post that song. i listened to ur playlist for the first time as i began packing. and i was thinking i remember when that lady woold sing let the river run. and bish loved it.. these were my thoughts..so very funny to mystic and i both... lol i cant get the pictures. thanks for the post i love sundays..

Anonymous said...

Real people....Real God......Real world.

No mask here.....

God that is really.... God.....

Where we ......really live....

Peace & Grace,

Dennis

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

DGM, try it again...I re-uploaded all the pictures...got to get ready for church...

Anonymous said...

good morning dreamers!

to the 1st anonymous;
-liked the parallel of the blood of Abel crying for vengeance and the blood of Jesus crying for mercy and forgivenss, that one hit me.
...yes, creation is waiting and groaning.

to the 2nd anonymous;
thanks for observing, and when you're ready, come and jump in, enjoy the swim, I don't think you'll drown, and you have us like lifeguards to help you out if needed. It is not a mirage, it is real!

...I'm trying now to get my son and I ready for the service, might be late but still planning on making it.
I'm looking forward to all the wonderful things in the Spirit today, and the comments to come.

Blessing!

Anonymous said...

That was really awesome, I loved the pictures,made me want to just stay and stare at the pictures but I must get ready for church. Sorry I can't be there in person but you can blame Machion and Jaquetta they stayed out of town longer than they thought and I have the babies. See you on the cyber.

dgm2007 said...

wow what a great service.im still watching. i dont think i can type all that is coming to me. I just keep ministering and connecting with others of all faith. and i totally get what u mean when u say how u connect withthese ppl more than some other leaders of the chuch. God is so massive and we are so finite. but our spirit is connected to that og god and that is our portal to eternity. what a great service i cant wait for the summer. the Sprirt has all ready said get ready.. im so waiting to recieve and I cant wait to share over and over how GOOD GOD IS.. wow... So many blessings and speaking blessings to others is a great thing. I am so meant to be a member. what a great Minister Pastor and leader in the spirit.. you are so humble.. I cant stop.. Love love love CITN.. and the blog..

Anonymous said...

WOW, service was so breathtaking today, I am so glad that I came to this chuch for such a time of NOW!! It was a long road getting here but thank God I am here, NOW!!

Lisa said...

The pics speak to me of 1) How God is going to not pour out his spirit but flood us with his spirit with a force No One has ever seen. 2) God has us in the palm of his hands so no worries It's all good. 3) The calm as the fog of the storms pass. 4) Rejoice for all that God has done to make the change happen in the world. 5) The Holy Spirit soars 6) See I told you I would not destroy the world but bring good and wonderful things be at peace. 7) I am here with you all.

dgm2007 said...

ps the pictures work now.. beautiful stuff im always changing my background to one of ur posted pics

Wordsmith said...

Bishop,
Hello bloggers! You are all such blessings in my life. I hope to soon transition from blurker to blogger, spectator to participator. I graduate from college on May 10th and will be able to fully engage in the world around me. I am thrilled to hear of your recent experiences. I live vicariously through you :o) You are truly a prophet to the nations. The picture, Coat of Many Colors, Lord of All, is my favorite. What a wonderful visual story of the connectedness of us all and the love of God that transcends all natural borders into the hearts of humanity. I visited the Hindu Center of Charlotte today as a culmination to a Hinduism and globalization course. The guru spoke of the most powerful manifestation of God being fire and that within each of us, the energy of that fire ignites our body temperature and when needed, escalates into a fever to heal us, or purge us of impurities. We ended our nearly two hour conversation of sharing faith and the goodness of God with “Namaste.” It was truly heartfelt.

lhollow27 said...

OMG- ok, so service today was amazing. It's 3:38 here in Alpharetta :) and I am just taking a breath and have no one here to share what an experience Church was today. So pardon me if this blog is a little long. Usually the long blogs get on my nerves a little. lol.BUT Today a breakthrough took place. I knew it was coming because as I blogged ealier this week that everytime I have logged into this blog for the past week, there has been an anxiety. Not a bad one. Just the feeling of a spiritual storm. As I was listening to Bishop today I took a few notes that I would like to share. BEFORE Bish made mention of the passport prophesy, I wrote the following notes on my bulletin:
*Remember to mention the passport prophesy on the blog. We may or may not travel physically to the same destination but all of our spirits are pushing Bishop and we are connected and in this together. I believe with ALL of my being that we have been in preparation and receiving spiritual conditioning over the past 10 years for the level Church In THe Now is headed....not to be cynical, but I honestly believe this movement is bigger than CITN, Bishop, or life as we know it today.*
Perhaps that is an extreme statment but I make no apologies. Today I understood the Holy Spirit clearer than I have ever before. Yes, I always felt the comforter and understood the spirit of GOD but I can't say I truly understood the purpose in such a clearly defined meaning. Bishop, you are doing exactly what you have been called to do. I admire your obedience. You ARE different and if anyone can make a stamp in World Peace and the movement...it is you and Pastor Debye. I know that all of your flock who have been delivered from all various backgrounds are here for this time of your ministry.It is not by mistake that you have brought together such a diverse group of people that worship together (worship at all :)) in this ministry. The reason no one has been able to figure out how we pull it off week after week, is because they were not supposed to understand it yet. As I was driving home, it clicked. The reason our church is so diverse and what some would perceive as "different" is because it is coming face to face with the REAL HOLY SPIRIT. Like you said today, you can't box the holy spirit, or label it, or discriminate it....it is what everone recognizes it is. Everyone regardless of their religion recognizes "spirits". While we were singing Mercy and Grace today, I was overwhelmed because I kept hearing the words "The same SPIRIT that raised Jesus from the dead is HERE NOW!"
Did anyone else experience that?
Profoundly stated.
I'm still in awe and can't seem to explain it to anyone I am conversating with today unless they were under the words that were spoken. I'm aphonic with an emotion I can't quiet put words to it. For now, I will dwell in the majestic place I am spiritually right now. Thank you all for allowing me to be part of this family.
Love to all of the Cyber Community!

Has anyone heard from DBA since the storms in the Mid West? Just been praying over DBA....dont know if you are male or female but you are very much missed on the blog. We welcome different opinions or thoughts. I hope all is well and you and your family are blessed.

Hurry home CremeB and Hairslinger...I miss ya'll!
PEACE XO-lhollow

Anonymous said...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The picture of the falls is worth more than words can express. To see the beauty of the Father. To feel the rain on our heads, the wind on our backs, the sun on our face. To see His awesome power to see a tornado, a hurricane, a flood. To feel peace when looking at a river, a lake, the ocean. To smell the flowers, the herbs, the crisp clean air.
That's more than a picture can paint. To lay on our backs and look at the sky seeing clouds as they pass by. Take a close look it's just our Father making pictures in the sky. Look at all the colors around. The earth is His canvas and in it we abound.
So go and Look, See, & Smell The earth is His and in it we are found.

Larry Usher said...

Hey everyone! Wasn't ITB today as I have "a cough due to cold" as Forest Gump said as well as a strained lower back which makes it difficult to negotiate around at the moment. Hated to miss the service & y'all. Didn't get outa bed til 2! but was reading more of "The Release of the Spirit" by Watchman Nee and seeing how the "outer man", the soul man has to die and allow the spirit to have sway.
Loved the pics of nature, especially the horizon-to-horizon rainbow over the ocean. Two summers ago there was an approaching storm up at the St. Lawrence River coming in from the west. As I went over the 150 foot high bridge over the river, the sun broke through the clouds and rain and within minutes the rainbow, which had come blazing in full color spectrum had turned into bright red because of the redness in the sunset! What an amazing sight! Didn't have my camera, but a few nights later another awesome sunset and rainbow happened that we got great pictures of...love it!
Talked to several people about the service today & heard that Judah had his truck broken into and some stuff stolen. Just another opportunity for God to show Himself strong in the midst of our storms, and the storms they will come, but in the boat is The One who calmed the seas, raised the dead, fed the multitudes and healed the sick. Truly all we need!

In His Love,

Larry

Jesus Groupie said...

It is great to go out of town and come back to almost the same family you left. Y'all keep getting better or maybe we just missed all of you today. Whatever, we're back Now and find that Jesus is wearing all the nations on His back. Boy, some things never change.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Wow, great stuff, everyone...thanks so much for your words...I love all of your insights...

Anonymous said...

Refreshing! Cool Breeze! Pictures are great for meditating eyes. How GREAT IS OUR GOD!

Holly T.

G8TRGRL said...

Catching up since the modem has been out all weekend.... aarrrrgggghhh!!

Avatar... (from 5/3)... it's St. Patrick's Cathedral, Oct.07!!

So, anyone who went to "The Lion King" today, how was it??

The pictures are... soothing.

God is so good!!