Friday, June 6, 2008

Unconditional Love

Matthew 5:7, in the King James Version, says -
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
.

Matthew 5:7, in the Khaboris Manuscript (in Aramaic, the language that Jesus actually spoke), says -

"A heavenly attitude is theirs, those whose love is without conditions; they will therefore receive unconditional love."



At the end of the day, love is all that matters. Love is the only thing that makes things make sense. Love is the answer. Love is the purpose of creation. Love rules. Love never fails. Love is what validates the Gospel. I don't always walk in it, or manifest it as I would like to think that I do, but I am never unaware that it's the most important thing. When I walk in love, I am truly happy...

Here in the Khaboris Manuscript, Jesus reveals the concept of "Agape"...the idea of unconditional love. With man this idea is impossible, but not with God. With God (Who is love) ALL things are possible...

Today I am praying for a manifestation of love in the earth...


_________________________________


John, Chapter 13:1-35 (John In The Now)

1. It was right before the Feast of Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to physically leave the earthly dimension and return, full-time, to the spirit realm to be with His Father in the now. And having loved His own who were in the world, He continued to love them right up to the very end of His existence as the Word made flesh. He loved those twelve men with an intense and unfailing love, as much as any human being could possibly love another. He didn’t simply have divine affection for them as an almighty Creator would have for His creation. His connection with them was more complex…more than that of God benevolently loving mankind…He actually cared for them with the very vulnerable, heart-felt emotion of a man who enjoyed their company and depended on them as His partners in the ministry. They were His friends, they were His confidants, they were His brothers, they were His sons. They had worked together, prayed together, fished together, changed people’s lives together. They had all become a part of each other.
2. But as the evening meal progressed, Judas became increasingly adversarial toward Jesus in his attitude, giving in to his dark side in a way that made it seem as though the devil had entered him and had prompted him to betray Jesus. On another occasion, Jesus had referred to Judas as a devil (which simply means adversary), and now His prophetic words were coming to pass.
3. But Jesus, being completely confident in the fact that God had put Him in charge of everything that was happening, and everything that was about to happen, was not intimidated by what was going on inside Judas’ mind. He was focused on the knowledge that, in the same way that He had come from God, He was about to return to God.
4. So He got up from the table, stripped down completely, and wrapped a towel around His waist. In so doing, He girded Himself in the manner that servant boys did at that time when they waited on houseguests.
5. Then He poured water into a basin and began to humbly and deliberately wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that He had wrapped around His waist.
6. But when He got to Simon Peter, Peter objected, saying, “Lord, surely You do not intend on washing my feet!”
7. Jesus replied, “You aren’t able to comprehend what I’m doing right now, but later it will make perfect sense to you.”
8. “No!” Peter said emphatically. “It’s not right. I will never permit You to be subservient to me in this way. I absolutely will not allow You to ever wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Let Me put it to you this way, Peter. Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9. “All right, then,” Peter finally said. “If that’s the way it is, if it is that important, then go ahead and do it, but don’t just wash my feet...wash my hands and my head, as well!”
10. But Jesus answered him, saying, “Those who have had a bath only need to wash their feet after walking on a dirty floor, because the rest of their body is clean. This act is symbolic in that you, as a group, are clean, but not every one of you.”
11. He said this because He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said that not every one of them was clean.
12. When He had completed washing the feet of each disciple, He put His clothes back on and returned to where He had been sitting at the table. Then He asked them, “Do you have any idea why I have done what I just did?
13. “Let Me explain: You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and it is appropriate that you do so, because that is what I am.
14. “But the point is this: now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also serve one another in this same way. You should take every opportunity to wash one another’s feet just as I have washed yours.
15. “I have set the example for you – the example of unconditional love, of covering one another, of serving one another, and honoring one another. This is a kingdom principle, and you should continue to do for one another as I have done for you,
16. “because the truth is that servants are not greater than their master, and those who deliver a message are not greater than the one who sent them to deliver it.
17. “And now that I have demonstrated these principles to you, you are responsible for them, and you will be blessed if you do them.
18. “And you need to know that what I am saying applies to every one of you. I know those that I have chosen, and I never second-guess My choices. But what is happening, even as I speak, is the fulfillment of the Scripture that says ‘He who shared My bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
19. “I am prepared for this, but I am telling you about it now, before it happens, so that when it comes to pass you will have another reason to believe that I am who I am.
20. “Always remember how this truth works in this dimension: Whoever accepts anyone that I send, ultimately accepts Me, and, likewise, whoever accepts Me accepts the One who sent Me.”
21. But as soon as He said this, the reality of what was happening dawned on His human nature, and He became troubled and depressed in His spirit. The God part of Him was fully in control of the situation, even emotionally detached from it, in a way. But the part of Him that was a man – the part that loved Judas as a friend and a brother – suddenly cried out in sorrow, ‘The painful truth is that one of you sitting right here is going to betray Me!”
22. His disciples were so dumbfounded at this that they just stared at one another in disbelief. No one knew what to say.
23. But one of them, the one known as the disciple that Jesus loved, was reclining so close to Jesus that he was actually leaning on Him.
24. And Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said to him, “Lean in a little closer, so that He can whisper to you who He’s talking about.”
25. So leaning back even closer into Jesus’ personal space, he asked, “Lord, who is it? Who is going to betray You?”
26. Jesus responded to him, saying, “The one to whom I give this piece of bread after I have dipped it into the dish.” Then He dipped the bread and handed it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27. As soon as Judas took the bread, a sense of darkness overtook him and he completely surrendered to the devilish plan to betray Jesus. And, being fully aware of what had just taken place in Judas’ heart, Jesus said to him, “Don’t put off what you are going to do any longer; go ahead and get it over with, quickly.”
28. But the disciples were so in denial of what was actually transpiring in that moment, that not one of them was able to understand what Jesus was talking about. It was too unthinkable for them to grasp that anyone in that room, including Judas, was capable of actually turning against Jesus.
29. So, since Judas was in charge of the finances, they just assumed that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed to celebrate the festival or to give something to the poor. That was the end of it as far as they were concerned.
30. But nothing was ever the same after Judas took that bread from Jesus, and they both knew it. There were no other words that needed to be said, so he just got up and quietly went out into the shadows of the night.
31. As soon as the door closed behind him, Jesus turned to the remaining disciples and said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
32. “And if God is glorified in Him, He will glorify the Son in Himself, and He will glorify Him in the now.
33. “Listen, My sons, I am only going to be with you a little while longer. You will look for Me,and, as I told the people in the temple, so I tell you now, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’
34. “So this is what I need to leave with you – these are My last words to you – what I want, more than anything, for you to remember. I have given you many instructions and insights during our time together, but here is the new commandment, the new order, the thing that is superior to every other thing: in a word, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. In the way that I have loved you, so you must love one another. Do you understand?
35. “You see, this is the only way that people will know that you are My disciples. Your love for one another is the solitary thing that will validate My message in the long run – not the miracles, not the signs and wonders, not the teaching – but your unconditional love for each other. It is not optional.”


27 comments:

Erik said...

Hello Beautifuls,

Conditional love is soooooooo boring, pedestrian, sophomoric, and so 20th century (Yick!!). Actually, it has been done so many times over the millenniums, it is used and abused. I mean, conditional love involves zero effort. It is a phoned in life. Maybe that is why I enjoy The Heathen so much (sorry, not really). I know a lot of Heathen, myself gladly included, and one thing that crosses all the subcultures of Heathen is that they Love. Incredulously, maybe foolishly, completely, and so much out of the ‘box’. Often, I have experienced, we Heathen love especially what is out of the box, because we are. We do Love the box too, in an endearing way, but excitedly Love in a way that ‘God only knows what’. That phrase, to me. Is exciting when I think people are up to ‘God only knows what’, ‘cause I know it must be amazing, since only God can know it. That is where I want to be a fly on the wall.

It is actually the 21st Century. Time to catch up, everyone that is hanging onto bitterness, grudges, hatred. The pain that produces it is ALWAYS prevails until Forgiveness and Unconditional Love is showered upon those that prompted the bitterness, revenge, boring etc. The pain then disappears, but never before. Cling to the boring bitterness, and feed the pain. Shower the Unconditional Love that is as real as the Earth and God, and the pain evaporates. Truly. All that conditional love is stale news, been there, done that, same song, and the umpteenth trillionth time it is on the airwaves, second verse worse than the first, on and on. Lukewarm, spit out from God. (Yick!! So boring God spits it out?) Be hot with Unconditional Love and cold to judgment, lukewarm, between both, simply spittle. Be a Heathen, Love everybody. All the Heathens I know do (and I know plenty- including me). God Bless The Heathens !!!!!!

Unconditional Love is as old as God, and as new as the morning dew. That other thing is perverse, adulterated, and full of spiritual sexual immorality. The orgies that worship bitterness and hatred within individuals, nations and cultures devalue the virginal characteristics within each. We save ourselves for our true Love, Unconditional Love, not having spiritual intercourse with conditional love every chance available. We are chaste outside of our true Love, Unconditional Love, The Anointed One, The Christ, Faithful and True, The one with no name we know, and every name we proclaim.

I love the little conditionals, but they get a smack in their little behinds today, and are on restriction for awhile until they straighten up and learn to behave in civilized society. The Kingdom is also within them.

Yes and Amen.

PattiL007 said...

LOL Erik...Go Heathens! WooHoo! :-)
As for the “conditionals” you can go ahead and keep them in time out...or whatever since you seem schooled in that...I yoke I keed...I yam a keeder! ;-)

Seriously though I sure hope this makes sense...if not...let me know and I‘ll just delete it...Ambien take me away...hehehe...

Monday night was the first time I'd ever heard the Beatitudes from the Khaboris Manuscript. It was used in a most enlightening and provocative teaching by another amazing member of the CITN staff...Robyn Darby. (BTW...Pastor Debye...you know we all love to hear you at Real Women--and are looking forward to your Sunday message--but it must be really wonderful to know that you can go and do whatever God asks of you when necessary knowing full well that you are leaving us in such capable hands...thank you, Robyn...you were awesome!) I know that the men who translated the Bible into English did so reverently and with great care and respect, but let’s face it...the KJV doesn’t really communicate the true meaning of this chapter in Matthew...just as it does not even come close to communicating the love-filled gospel of John. Bishop, please understand that I do not say this lightly or for any reason other than this: It is my truth.

I only felt that I had begun to comprehend the height, length, breadth, and depth of God’s love after reading your paraphrase, JITN. I still remember when I tried to read it for the first time...I say “tried” because I would read part of it, realize that the reason I could no longer see the words was because tears were streaming down my face, then put it down to take a moment to gather my thoughts and emotions, and then return to reading it. I did that throughout all 21 chapters of JITN and still find my heart pounding each time I read it and especially when I reach the story of the crucifixion--which I can only read from time to time because, for the first time, I actually relate to the people, places, and events therein and to be completely honest, I cannot always deal with the violence I see, hear, and feel in reading it. JITN made me a participant instead of a bystander...a witness instead of a reader...you made Jesus REAL to me in ways I never imagined possible in those pages, and because of it, His Love has become REAL to me.

Many times I think...”but Lord, I’ve done so much wrong”...
He replies, “I BECAME SIN FOR YOU SO I‘VE GOT IT COVERED”...
I say, “but Lord, I don’t feel very loveable“...
He replies, “IF I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE LOVEABLE...AND I LOVE YOU”...
I say, “but Lord, I don’t feel very deserving”...
He replies, “IF I SAY YOU ARE DESERVING, YOU ARE...AND I SAY YOU ARE DESERVING”
...
I say, “but Lord, I don’t think I can love/forgive myself”...
He replies, “I LOVE AND HAVE FORGIVEN YOU...WHAT RIGHT HAVE YOU TO DO ANY DIFFERENTLY?”...
I say, “but Lord, I keep disappointing you...
He replies, “I KNEW YOU BEFORE YOU WERE BORN AND KNEW WHAT YOU WOULD DO WITH EVERY BREATH, EVERY WORD, AND EVERY STEP...IF I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE YOU DO IT...AND I DO...THEN HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DISAPPOINT ME?”...
I say, “but Lord, I want so much to do only what you want me to do but keep falling short...
He replies, “STOP TRYING TO DO...JUST PRAY CONTINUALLY, THINK OF ALL PRAISEWORTHY THINGS AND KEEP PRAISE ON YOUR LIPS, GIVE TO KEEP FOOD IN MY HOUSE...DO WHAT IS “IN YOUR HAND” TO DO...AND YOU WILL SOON FIND THAT YOUR ABILITY TO LOVE WILL HAVE GROWN EXPONENTIALLY AS WILL HAVE YOUR SURPLUS...THE MORE YOU GIVE AWAY, THE MORE YOU RECEIVE...THE MORE YOU RECEIVE, THE MORE YOU GIVE AWAY”...
I say, “but Lord...”
He says, “I LOVE YOU...BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM“...

HE REALLY DOES LOVE US ALL...He really did BECOME SIN so that we have BECOME RIGHTEOUSNESS. These are unchangeable truths.

When I choose the better part...if at work I make the active choice to avoid gossip or if I allow someone who needs a pat on the back to receive some credit for a team project...or if it’s a simple smile given to everyone with whom I come in contact...those simple actions can have huge effects on everyone around me and actually change lives. We have all heard the stories of the people who had determined to make an irrevocable mistake because they felt as if no one cared or loved them and then God sent that one person into their lives who only gave them a smile or perhaps bought them a cup of coffee or spoke kindly to them and it caused that man or woman to change their plans and to avoid that particular irrevocable mistake. Those stories should be much more common IMHO because that’s what we’re here to do...to change peoples lives and we can do that in SO MANY WAYS! You don’t have to be behind a pulpit to preach...your life preaches to everyone everyday. If someone comes to us asking for a favor...if it is in our power...then by all means we MUST DO IT! It is possible for the Ghost to win over the hearts and minds of the entire world and I know He will...but I believe He will do it through you and through me...through us all together functioning as the Body of Christ!

I realize I have gone on a bit here but this topic always draws out a great deal from my heart and belly...Bishop, of course, is right on with this: LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS---NOW IT’S LOVE---TOMORROW IT’S LOVE---WHEN SOMEONE OR SOMETHING FROM YESTERDAY IS BROUGHT ROUND AGAIN IT’S LOVE! It will be the ONLY standard by which every ministry, every minister, and every individual is compared...not what they did for God, not what they built for God, and not how many “decisions” were made for Christ at their meetings...I sometimes wonder if I or others will be surprised when we find that when all our long and prosperous years on earth are finished and we shall behold Him...will it surprise me if He said, “Put me in remembrance of your LOVE.” “Love, Lord?” “Yes, Love is all that has ever mattered...as I spoke throughout all ages and all prophets, and all both logos and rhema words daily...so tell me, my daughter/son...what did you do for/in/with Love and without any other motive or to receive...but only to give Love, show Love, or exude Love?

Would I stutter and wring my hands to locate something or would things easily come to mind...at this time I would bring it all out...my proverbial wood/hay/stubble and my gold/silver/bronze and maybe a few precious stones as well to be tried by God Himself, the ALL CONSUMING FIRE...one pass and the wood/hay/stubble is now ash and all that is left is the purest, finest gold and gems...I want there to be a great amount of them.

I don’t always know what’s right and what’s wrong...it’s not always so black and white...there are a zillion varied shades of gray but I strive to get close enough to Him to hear Him say, “This is the way, walk here...”

LOVE and ONLY LOVE...the pure kind, the heavenly attitude kind, the kind we have for our friends and family...the ones for whom laying down our own lives wouldn’t require thought...just the action.

I feel as if I am getting closer to my goal...my goal of loving everyone like He loves us. I realize that the spirit of the Living God resides in each and everyone I see and because I love Him, I must love everyone...I simply look for that part of God I can see in them and it makes it easier to love everyone. That’s the only advice that I have--such as it is.

Thanks Bishop for another wonderful entry...Unconditional Love, using religion as its own anti-venom; while these are necessary, they are for greater minds than mine to discuss and debate. Until I get it all, I will just keep plodding along keep praising, praying, and doing what’s in my hand and loving all I see.

Safe travels...Go in Peace.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE today's blog. You have put it all out there...and it reminds me of the original act of unconditional love...and I am humbled, warmed, energized, and made peaceful at the thought of it.

I feel/know love reading the passages from John in the Now. Thank you.

Love certainly is the most important thing...and I, also, am constantly reminded of its power...most emphatically in those moments when I fall very short of it...but then, love lifts me.

love,
mayam

Kettly said...

Erick, this is gooooooood! Dare I post another comment, you? I don’t know, but I’ll try.

Remember that Love is the power which transforms the world. Love not only of God, Love not only of few dear to you, but Love of all- of the publicans- the sinners- the harlots- just Love.

Love is the only weapons with which sin can be driven out. Drive sin out with love.
Drives fear and depression and despair, and a sense of failure out with Love and Praise.

I have these beautiful quotes about Love, hope you like them:

1- The world is full of beauty when your heart is filled with Love.
2- There is no greater invitation to Love than in Loving first.
3- What’s so remarkable about Love at first sight? It’s when people have been looking at each other for years that it becomes remarkable.
4- I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in Love even when not feeling it. I believe in God even when He is silent.
5- The great tragedy of life is not that men perish but that they cease to Love. (W. Somerset Maugham)
6- Love is the medicine for the sickness of mankind. We can live if we have Love.(DR. Karl Menninger)
7- I have found the paradox that if I Love until it hurts, then there is not hurt, only more Love.( Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
8- His Love enableth me to call every country my country, and every man my brother.(Daniel Wheeler)
9- Faith is the key to fit the of hope, but there is no power anywhere like Love for turning it.(Elaine Emans)
10- Commitment gives substance to Love.( Heather Gills)
11- Love is for the young, the middle-aged, and the old.
12- Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend(Martin Luther King Jr.)
13- What must come first in all prayers, however varied they may be and what gives them value is the Love with which they are made.(Charles De Foucauld)
14- It is natural to Love those who Love us, but it is supernatural to Love those who hate us.
15- To Love as Jesus Loves; that is not only the Lord’s precept, it is our vocation. When all is said and done, it is the only thing we have to learn for it is perfection.(RENE VOILLAUME)
16- Christian Love represents both being and doing. Change on the inside affects what we do on the outside.
17- The golden Rule of Love- Do to others whatever you would wish them to do to you(Matthew7:12) Love Kettly

Anonymous said...

Erik,
I love you man. You got any chips? I just ran out.

Sole

Anonymous said...

Once again my mind is full.

Thank you Erik, you are good medicine for all.

Mystic, you speak my heart.

Not much left for me to say right now but the day is young.

Thanks to you all and especially Bishop for the spark of the day.

JB

lhollow27 said...

hey- it's me. I need prayer today over my aunt sarah ann/family. My father has lost a brother and a sister in the past 9 months. Lastnight his only living sister was rushed to ER and they have no idea whats going on. They cant explain whats going on and things are not looking too good right now. She's going for tests now. She loves the Lord but is scared to death right now. I'm in a training class this morning but I would like to feel the comfort of prayer. love to all, lhollow

Donald said...

I read the blog this morning and then read the comments and thought, Erik, dude! Back off on those ‘shrooms! Just kidding man, I always like reading your comments.
But after I finished reading, I decided to go get the newspaper and when I opened the front door I was totally shocked.
My first thought was, OK, what’s going on! We don’t have kids in high school anymore and its not homecoming, graduation or prom weekend or anything like that. Then I noticed all the hot pink “Big 5-0” signs stuck in the yard and signs with other sayings and realized that someone had decided to “show” Her Majesty their love for her.
It was awesome! There was toilet paper everywhere. I mean it went all the way to the top of that big magnolia tree in the front yard. There was crap written all over the windows of the car!
I went back inside and got the camera and told Her Majesty that she was a very rich woman. She said “why?” I told her “because you have got some very good friends who love you a lot.”
I finally got her to go outside and when she saw all the stuff they had done for her she cracked up.
Some of the neighbors may not understand, but we understand that that is her co-workers way of showing her that they really love her and care for her. She called them and thanked them for rolling her yard. I mean, is that normal?

Donald said...

I'm praying for them lhollow.

Lise said...

Erik,

You're a SCREAM!!! Eloquent, profound... and hilarious! Can't you just picture God and/or the 'loving Heathen' saying to the 'little conditionals' while smacking their little behinds, "you KNOW this hurts me more than it does you"?

Sorry Donald, but I think that old bumper sticker needs to change from "EAT MORE POSSUM" to "EAT MORE 'SHROOMS" ;) (forgive me religious ones)

Off to face the day with a dazzling smile (in 'Pearl Drops' fashion... it's a GREAT feeling)!

Erik said...

Ihollow, adding my prayers for your father, aunt Sarah Ann and your family. In agreement with you for Peace, especially to your aunt. In Jesus name , Amen.

Anonymous said...

Morning Bishop & bloggers,

I was thinking on the different kinds of love and the passage of scripture given by Bishop and it seems to me that it is easier to have agape love for people that we don't know. I know that sounds odd, but that's what I keep experiencing.

As a Christian, we are required to love unconditionally, so when there are NO conditions we can have that agape kind of love. When we hear of innocent people losing their lives in mass numbers like in China and other countries, the agape love rises up in us. But, when people walk with us in our everyday lives, they often offend us, betray us, dislike us, love us, desire us, give to us, etc.... and we tend to develop other kinds of love for them. Unconsciously or maybe sometimes consciously, our love for them is defined by conditions and circumstances. It becomes either romantic (eros), affectionate (storge), friendship (philia), or attraction (epithumia). I find that once we catergorize our love for a person, we have a hard time reintroducing agape, because we allow our relationships of love to be defined by good or bad conditions. It seems that when we break eros, storge, philia and epithumia, we ought to still have agape! We often don't.

Jesus knew that the conditions surrounding Judas' deed might make the disciples hate him. He, too, would have had justification not to love Judas, yet, He still had agape love and then demanded that the disciples have the same for each other.

He knew this ultimate betrayal would serve as an example for us and that we all would desperately need it so that we could also walk in love. Is it easy? No. But, even when another love relationship breaks up because of conditions, our role model, JESUS, says, "Walk in Agape love." I'm working on that!

Blessings,

May flower

Anonymous said...

lhollow27:
I'm praying....there is a balm...
Rest easy.

Anonymous said...

Rev. Caldwell,

Remembered you at intecessory prayer this morning and trusting that all will be well.

Sissiedo

Anonymous said...

love is beginning to be different things than it once was, in the now. it is waking every morning to a new sunrise (or hopes of one through the clouds) and welcoming the newness of God's mercies and His day! it praying for others because I know their well being is counting on it! it is taking a daily 30 minute walk because I love myself so I must care for myself. And eating a truly healthy break-fast like organic cereal and soy milk and fruit even when I don't want it and would rather be eating grits and sausage and eggs.

it's receiving what the Holy Spirit is impressing upon me for this now day and then being a conduit for His love. its asking Him what He wants from me and then doing it. Now that's love. its speaking to my neighbors (all of them) because I realize I am his hands and feet and a good morning feels good to even the grouchiest person. it's reading AYITN and being blown away that this was written (in ink) 4 years ago but it was written by the Holy Spirit through Bishop since the foundations of the world. it is truly knowing how great our God is in spite of our shortcomings and inadequacies. its running through the doors at CITN only to embrace and be embraced by the horizonal beam of the cross and by His spirit. it is being free to worship or pray or move and breath His breathe in and feel good to be alive. it is meeting different people from different countries with different cultures who eat different foods and wear different clothes and accepting their differences and celebrating their lives. it is the fun of your relatives never knowing who you new best friend is, whether they are Italian, or Nigerian, or Haitian, or Spanish or young or old or male or female and knowing that it is all God! it is ministering God's love to the repo guy as he takes the car you have sacrificed groceries to pay for. it is loving unconditionally the person who keeps giving you more reasons to hold unforgiveness but knowing that he/she like you has been touched by their humanity. it's loving your children when they appear to make your life's work in vain. it's eating a great big salad of mixed greens because your body needs it instead of the fried junk food you really want. it is loving God with all of your heart and your mind and your soul and it is going to each level of trust with Him and loving Him even more. it's slowing down in the mall to watch a toddler do something so ridiculous and adorable and acknowledge the joy of the parents/grandparents. it's beaming with joy when you see Obama take the high road with Hilary, when the world thinks he is being too humble, but you know he is displaying God's kingdom in the earth for all the world to see. It's learning those lessons You teach us daily, Lord, even when we don't want to learn them. it is loving your neighbor as you love yourself. it is the knowing that even the hardest things are possible because we trust and love you and know that Your heart for us is perfect! it's accepting the fellowship of suffering for Your sake and the sake of the gospel! it's being a kingdom kid for real! it's walking on water, when you are ready to ride back to the shore, but knowing that you are way too far out to turn back. it is being patient as you God empower us with your power and your prosperity! it is all love. it is not always traditional but it is beyond being all good! it is all God! All God!

Water walker!

Reign! said...

At the end of the day, love is all that matters. Love is the only thing that makes things make sense. Love is the answer. Love is the purpose of creation. Love rules. Love never fails. Love is what validates the Gospel. I don't always walk in it, or manifest it as I would like to think that I do, but I am never unaware that it's the most important thing.

That last sentence contains a double negative. A double negative is positive. Bishop could have just as easily written,” I am ever aware that it’s the most important thing.” Selah.
He then he gives us the story of The Last Supper; the prelude to the cross (which for me is the ultimate tear-jerker; by the way Bishop I feel your heart in this!! You really put your foot in it when you wrote John In The Now.
So many of us are going through so many different “negative” things right now. And like the disciples some of them go right over our heads. Hindsight is 20/20 vision.

The first negative was Judas’ betrayal, the second being the death of Jesus by crucifixion. But glory to God! On the third day Jesus rose! He is …resurrected! He is… LOVE!
He is…!
A double negative is a positive!


Quiver – a reaction to fear; fear – often a response to new revelation

Shake- a process by which things are mixed or blended to create something new

Quake – an explosive result of change

Baby – new life

Quiver, Shake & Quake, Baby! ©
JESUS IS LORD!

Anonymous said...

Water Walker, That was awesome! Love it, love it, love it!

I want to be just like you when I grow up!

May flower

Anonymous said...

Would uncoditional love be like if someone left the church because of some unfamiliar teaching and some time later this someone decided to come back to the church they left because deep down they really loved the church they left and when they came back they were loved unconditionaly because everyone loved them and would never hold it against them that they left the church they loved because they didn't understand the unfamiliar teaching? if that is unconditional love then that is the coolest thing I have ever heard of.


me

PattiL007 said...

Dear "me",
Abso-freakin-lutely!
Love,
Us

PS: Unconditional love not only welcomes you back, it runs to meet you, throws its arms around you, weeps with joy at your return, throws a party to celebrate, praises God that you have come home, and doesn't even remember that you left.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Well said, Mystic!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

And everyone else...

Erik said...

To :
Mystic , those are questions we all seem to have. Thank you for writing out what we struggle with, clearly stating God’s unequivocal response.

Kettly – quotes about love , the core of everything, without it there is no ‘living’ only ‘dying’. “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’. “

Mayam - I hear yatalkin' on John in the Now, there is no power in all of existence like Love.

Sole – I have bags of chips, any dip on your end (French onion please)

JB – what you say is always something much, even with few words

Ihollow27 – Blessed Peace and unfettered connection for all of your family

Donald, Happy 5-0 to Her Majesty . Clearly, she transcends normal.

Elle, ‘Go Pearl Drops’ and I agree , shrooms over possum , especially with garlic , at least that’s what my Incan friends say. :)

May flower – Jesus showed us, those closest get the first, best, everyone else gets the leftover, which is actually refreshed by giving the best to those closest.

Rev. Caldwell – Remembering, The Ebenezer stone reminds us, and fortifies our trust.

Water Walker, yes, the conduit for God’s love through us, as The Holy Spirit makes a way in the wilderness, with the only desirable way is forward.

Reign, Love is all that matters, you are so right. Without it, we have no matter, with it all we do matters.

Me, mystic speaks on this for all of us. Absolutely.

Mystic, you’re such a heathen. Bishop sure got those he requested.

Bishop, Thank You for requesting and receiving. Thank You for all of the ‘unfamiliar’ that is at home within us. Thank You for a place (physical and cyber) to congregate, and Thank You for listening when you were called. Thank You.

Love, E

dgm2007 said...

really cool to read... God really does do everything.. just makes me think how u cant really use adjectives with God u just kinda say.. well u are God.. this makes sense in my mind so bear with me.. reading that passage just made me think How God really does work everything out for our Good. i mean the death of his son.. sounds simple but with all the things we think are difficult in our lives just imagine what our big bro did for us and how significant that was.. if we just move past the adjectives associated with emotions...and simply follow God.. it would be much easier.. to Grow with him instead of without.. i dont htink im making much sense but to me i am so.. eh.. peace love and good stuff.

Anonymous said...

Mayflower, you are like me, in the now. And I am a reflection of you because we are part of each other!

Erik, this morning as I continue my walk on water, I was just hearing that song in my head...Lord.. you make all things new...there is no looking back..I am here to declare to you...I moving, moving forward. I pray Pastor Jimmie does that song in praise and worship tomorrow!

Erik, we are all conduits - for whatever we choose, today, now..love unconditional or poison (conditionals). I choose love, now and today I will live in the now.
Loves moves forward and it progressive and is the true and living God and because He created me...I am love...because after all I do greater things!

And anonymous...we welcome you back...with kisses and hugs..we need you!

Kettley, absolutely loved the quotes.

Pastor Dennis, you are such a spiritual man with all of your many spiritual thing to say and the website, I am so inspired by your blog...it is great!

Bishop, you have such a way of speaking truth that allows me to locate me, the God me in the earth!

Love is really all that matters at the end of each day!

In His love, Water Walker

Tom said...

Bishop and everyone else,hi.

Unconditional love,the agape or love of God is a love that loves no matter what.No matter how vile,no matter how depraved,no matter how arrogant,or unworthy one may be,the love of God loves any way.Agape is determined to love no matter the obstacle based on it's own need to give love,not to receive love in return.

Thats a love that is so beyond me,that it's only possible by the Holy Spirit to love like that.

I don't know if any of that made sense,but thats what I'm feeling.

God bless everyone!

lhollow27 said...

Amen and received!!!! I come to you Sunday morning with good news! We went to the hospital lastnight and she was sitting up telling us how much better she was feeling. Amazing how the power of prayer works. Literally Friday morning her only remaining kidney was failing quickly and the Dr.s were talking about dialysis.Which in her health condition was grave information. By the time I posted the blog and made it to the hospital, miracously the news had changed.Thank you for your prayers and trust me....I could feel the peace of knowing that it was all good! I love my church and I appreciate you all. God Bless and thank you!
Love, lhollow and dad

Anonymous said...

Avatar...Thank you for our one on one HG party we had yesterday...God is SOOOOOOO Good!
See you later ITB...Love you!

Here to Worship & Serve