Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Tell Me Something Good!

I hope everyone is keeping cool these days. If one more person asks me if it's hot enough for me, I'm going to...well, I don't know what I'm going to do, but let's just say I've heard it enough. And then that question is usually followed by, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity!"

Hey, it's summertime, people! It's supposed to be hot! Go pour yourself a glass of iced tea (the table wine of the south), and just be happy. As fast as time is flying these days, it will be winter before you know it...


Observations from watching the news last night…

…of course it’s unspeakably tragic…but aside from that, how absurd is it that a man who thinks it is immoral for a church to promote women’s rights and gay rights, to decide to make his statement for morality by walking in to a service at that church (while the children are performing the musical Annie, no less), and just begin randomly murdering people?!! It’s one thing to have a difference of opinion about the standard of morality…but to murder innocent people for the sake of that morality? It just doesn’t make any sense. It’s like those people who gunned down doctors who performed abortions in their clinics because they were, in their opinion, killers! Unbelievable! If you’re really pro-life, you shouldn’t be out destroying life! If morality is really important to you, you should obtain moral authority by being moral!

I understand that morality is a complex issue, and I do believe in having standards…but when I hear about the insanity that comes from rabid intolerance, especially among religious people, I want to embrace the “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” concept more than ever…

…on a lighter note, did I hear correctly that gas prices are the lowest they have been since May? They’re still high, but at least there’s a little good news in that department.

And did I also hear that we have had more rainfall in July than was predicted…and more than we have had for the same month in the two previous years? The drought isn’t over, but things are at least better than they were a few weeks ago in that area!

And then there was all of the nasty political stuff. All I can say about that is... just pray for the presidential candidates. They need it!

More than anything, I was just glad to hear a little good news. Does anyone else have any to share?

Also, it looks like Phillips, Craig and Dean aren't going to be able to participate in the GPF, but they may be replaced with David Phelps. You may know him from the Gaither Vocal Band. He has an amazing voice. And please keep posting your acts of kindness so that we can reach our goal.

If you haven't checked out the Barney Fife video from yesterday, go look at it and tell me what you think (Donald, your observation of his smugness at the end was my main point). Aside from making the point, however, I think it's just hysterical...and a merry heart does good like a medicine!

One thing I love about YouTube is that it has so many things like that which always make me laugh (like the newsroom scene from Bruce Almighty, when Jim Carrey takes over Steve Carell's voice, or Bugs Bunny in Hillbilly Hare). Just being able to see them easily and at any time is very cool to me.

Anyway, I command a blessing on all BLOGINTHENOW bloggers today, and I believe that all things are working together for your good. It's hot outside, but you're alive...you're going to make it...choose to be happy. Count your blessings, and don't waste this Tuesday on bitterness or pettiness or worry or fear.

That's what was on my mind today...what's on yours?

47 comments:

Son of Zadok said...

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none

When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And grin,
And say,
Oh

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow
Tomorrow
I love ya
Tomorrow

You're always
A day away

When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin,
and grin,
and say,
Oh

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on 'til
Tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow
Tomorrow
I love ya
Tomorrow

You're always
A day away

Tomorrow
Tomorrow
I love ya
Tomorrow

You're always
A day away

Anonymous said...

Thanks Bishop thats what Im talking about. See the positive and know that God is still the beginning and the end. He has not left us or forsake us. He will never depart from us,no matter what the news makes us feel. Why do people focus on the negative and dismiss the positive (news)? Thank you, Thank you. Maybe we can check in here for our daily news cast. LOL

Every one be blessed with your baskets running over today and your hearts full of love. See all that I have created and it is good
and for your dominion. Says the lord of ALL.

Lise said...

You read my mind on the craziness and intolerance! When I first logged on yesterday, that man's face was plastered on the charter site, so I breifly read what happened. Not what ya want to wake up to. So senseless! But what sticks in my mind the most is how tragic for those kids (on many levels). They'll never forget what happened. I hope they'll grow to work it out and put it behind them.

It rained here late last night. Was immediately thanking God. We've gotten little drizzles lately, but nothing greatly significant more than a couple of times. It RAINED last night. Sounded so nice outside my bedroom window!

Busy day, today. Take care, all.

Anonymous said...

NTL IS GOING TO BE A GRANDY!!!!!

OLDEST SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW!!

WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!

ANOTHER ONE THAT WILL RECEIVE JESUS
CHRIST AS SAVIOR!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

NTL

Anonymous said...

Something good; a movie with enthusiasts for the show you are watching mixed with popcorn, coke, gummy worms, reeces cups, sugar babies and topped off with Bruster's icecream afterward.

UHMMM!!!

Sweepea said...

Oh happy day! Thanks for the Barney Fife video Bishop, (I missed blogging yesterday), it was too funny! No better way to start the day than with a hearty laugh!

About the heat - we don't have central air conditioning in our 100 year old house yet, so it makes me appreciate the old school ways of keeping cool like closing down the house midmorning and opening the windows after the sun goes down. I've never appreciated a breeze more!

And my good news is we are blessed above measure just to be alive and kicking, living in this great country (despite its faults). Pastor Ben from Uganda on Sunday really put things here into perspective, didn't he? We have nothing to complain about. It's all good!

Donald said...

I'll tell ya something good,...nanner puddin'.

tracy said...

How about muggy-that's another one I don't want to hear again! Today is going to be a great day-yesterday was really good -today has the feeling of great already. I feel the winds r a changing. My kids go back to school Friday, and they can't wait (nor can I!)

Lise said...

Hey, Bish... just turned on the Today Show and found out that the two guys from the YouTube lion video that you posted will be on tomorow. Don't know which hour, but thought I'd let ya know!

G8TRGRL said...

Hakuna matata! Good things...

Our cement pond, on these hot, humid, muggy (hello, we live in the South!) days, now THAT'S SOMETHING GOOD.

The aforementioned rain, which no only waters the grass, my 2 tomato plants, but also helps fill up the cement pond!

Coming here, and reading and feeling blessed.

Anonymous said...

The GOOD NEWS is that today is a new beginning to jumpstart greater things which are to come. As we walk in gratefulness, thanksgiving, and praise TODAY, it sets us up to receive those things needed for our future. Therefore, let us not grow drained in doing well, for SURELY there are awesome harvests that await us if we do not give up.

Despair not, says the Lord of Hosts, for though in this world you may have troubles, TAKE HEART and be of Faithfulness to me and abide in courage, for I have come forth by my spirit to OVERTAKE THE WORLD.
My mercies and grace are more than sufficient for each day, for each day has enough troubles of its own. Focus on my presence TODAY, what I am pouring out TODAY, and give me all THANKS and WORSHIP, for these are but your reasonable sacrifices unto me. Waste not another moment on what has been, should have been, might have been, or those fist full of what you deem as failures, for if my people learn the value of those trials while they are in the valleys and trenches, and simply say HALLELUJAH ANYHOW!, they gain momentum to go the extra miles, span the distances ONE STEP AT A TIME. For it is by my grace that have brought you thus far, and my grace and mercy shall lead you on. I am ALIVE and WELL and so are you, therefore, stand in awe of me and rejoice in the Hope of mine promises, for my promises are always YES AND AMEN unto those that not only believe me at my word, but RECEIVE graciously those things which I have provided- event though they may not be visible as of yet, and TRUSTING ME in ENTIRETY to perform even greater works in them, through them, and on behalf of them than any that they have seen previously. I am the Lord of Hosts and My Holy Name shall forever be glorified, and should my people fail to praise me for where they are, then how can they run with the vision that I have already established for them before the foundations of the earth were laid. If they are unable to SEE / FORESEE / VISUALIZE those things in their spirits and mind's eye, then they do not believe me at my word. Wherefore, as they set out to live a lifestyle of obedience, they must remember that first they have to have a revelation to walk in step-by-step obedience, moment by moment, day by day. Should they forfeit and squander away the minutes, hours, and days- then they are wasting away the future and creating harder roads to travel in where they are going. I AM THE LORD and there is none like me. Stand on my word even when it makes no sense and fail not to give thanks, regardless of the appearances of things, for NOW! FAITH is the substance of things HOPED FOR and the clear unmistakable evidence of that which has not YET BEEN SEEN. It is one thing for my people to believe me for those things that they I have already done for them previously, but requires RADICAL FAITH and adaptation of NEW MINDSETS to perceive and RECEIVE those things that have never been seen, done, heard of, or even imagined. THIS IS THE DAY that I- the LORD thy GOD have made and ALL SHOULD REJOICE and BE GLAD IN IT. Shout HALLELUJAH ANYHOW, for I am JEHOVAH GOD and I HAVE ALREADY WORKED OUT EVERYTHING IN THE NOW! Stand before me with repentant hearts and uplifted hands, to grasp hold of that which I have released, and I speak to all unbelief that I am either GOD over ALL or master over none. Choose Ye' THIS DAY WHOSE REPORT YOU SHALL BELIEVE and what master you shall serve. Rejoice and again I say rejoice- for I the Lord Almighty uses the foolish and least likely things of the world to confound those who have deemed themselves wise in their own eyes while toiling tirelessly to establish and impress "RELIGIOUS ENTERPRISE"! The Kingdom is mine and the fullness thereof, and as my people SEEK MY FACE and PRESENCE INSTEAD OF MY HANDS, they shall not only receive houses they did not build, but INHERIT NEW LANDS! Stand, stand, stand, for MY WORD SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME VOID, for I am the Lord Almighty- God of Ancient Days, RIGHT NOW, and that which is to come! Oh, Give Thanks unto Me- the Lord of Hosts, for I alone am Worthy to be Praised, High and Lifted up. I have given you just enough light for the step that you are on and even though things may appear dark and glum and you are unable to see your hands in front of your face, my light is within you to lead others out of darkness. Keep your eyes fixed upon ME- and take heart that I am HERE, I am PRESENT, I AM NOW- and NOW IS EVERY MOMENT THAT MY PEOPLE ENTER INTO. Shout Hallelujah for there is NO GOD greater that Me- the Omnipotent Jehovah God! Selah... Amen.

Lisa said...

Hmm maybe ya'll should come to my house! It has been perfect and in the high 70's low 80's!!!!! Gets cold at night and I've had to put the winter jammies on!!!! Thank You God for the perfect summer temps!!!!

Anonymous said...

The same! And I also command a blessing over you Bishop P.Debye, your Family,Mom & Dad Swilley, and all the staff at citn, and all the bloggers.Today
and always!
Please enjoy this Tuesday because this the Day (Tuesday) the Lord has made. Amen!

Sweepea said...

OK, I heard this hilarious though completely blasphemous and irreverent song on the radio called "She Left Me For Jesus". It may not be everyone's taste but here's what a blogger said about it that I completely agree with:


I had a hearty belly laugh, played it several times and immediately called a friend to tell him and will pass it along further. I'll send it to my mother. It is a beautiful piece of work. It is a humorous take on the country music belly aching song style with a good humored nudge to the overly selfrighteous who take themselves too seriously. I think Jesus might just approve with a smile and giggle.


It's a free download; I'm just saying - it made me fall out of bed laughing!

dgm2007 said...

its funny how people forget what season it is and complain about the conditions... winter "its so cold...geez why is the world so cold" so on and so forth.. i like seasons for what they are and the sun will come out tomorrow.. This peace and calmness has really come over me.. this Swedish Proverb really explains it all "Fear less, hope more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Hate less, love more; And all good things are yours."... thats how i feel.. another Good thing is I absolutely love being at CITN.. in the building its great and i try to soak it up when ever possible.. i helped out yesterday at the teacher thing and i just sat and thought these people don't know how blessed they are to just sit here.. this place is awesome.. I loved seeing it so packed out and i just thought wow this place is so beautiful... really great experience.. luv the BLOG u guys are awesome.. cheers!
ps. its so cool that school is about to start.. and dancing last sunday was awesome.. so much fun

Unknown said...

This is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it - no matter how I feel today. I'm turning my attitude around and I will have a great day! Leavin my funk in the trunk.. ha ha

Bishop, something about you lately... I don't know... you have a different light shining upon you. More loving then ever - More forgiving then ever - Happier then ever and funnier then ever! AWESOME!!

G8TRGRL - Lovin it!
Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase!
Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze!
It means no worries for the rest of your days!
It's our problem-free philosophy!
Hakuna Matata!

Unknown said...

This was just playing....

Joyful, Joyful
Lord, we adore Thee
God of glory
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee as the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light
Fill us with the light
Oh, fill us with the light of day......

Iris said...

What a wonderful day to be alive… Bloggers.

I have been sick lately, and now that I am feeling better I have some work that needs to be done…. SOOOO how blessed you are that this post of mine will be shorter than the rest….LOL

We are a blessed people… no matter what happens around us… we still live and move in the promises of God…. I will not let the news or any negative thing prophecy to me… or determine how my life will be… I will only let His word prophecy over me… and as He and I speak it… it becomes…

Here are one of those promises… maybe it will help some of you out today…. Most of you are familiar with it... Psalms 91… Some friends of mine wrote a song about it… I will just quote some of the words of the song… It goes like this…

Hear my cry sweet lovely Jesus
Keep me safe from all my enemies
That would destroy my soul
Let me dwell in the fortress
of your love
My heart is marked by Your blood
Oh Lamb of sweet communion
Your my security
And Your covenant
covers every part of me

He who dwells in the shelter
Of the Most High
Shall rest in the shadow
of Your wings
He who dwells in the shelter
Of the Most High
Shall rest in the shadow
of Your wings

A thousand may fall by my side
Ten thousand fall at my right hand
But You said they can't come near
You've got a heavenly host
of angels guarding me
Though the plagues
may rage around me
Oh God of sweet deliverance
You've crushed that serpents head
And Your covenant conquered death
Just like You said

He who dwells in the shelter
Of the Most High
Shall rest in the shadow
of Your wings
He who dwells in the shelter
Of the Most High
Shall rest in the shadow
of Your wings

Iris

Some things coming, something good…And something great is coming! Who knows? It's only just out of reach, Down the block, on a beach, Maybe tonight . . .

P.S. Well maybe it was ... well... one line shorter than usual... what can I say...LOL

Son of Zadok said...

Wow, such great posts today! What a blessing you are all. Scribe that prophecy was Awesome! God truly speaks to His people! Amen & Amen! DGM07, I'm jealous. I know, coveting is a sin, but your so right about what a privilege it is to grace the the grounds of CITN. I can't wait to visit. Donald, I flat love nanners! God made maters' and that was one thing, but nanners' ,oh boy, love em' so many ways! Sweepea, our AC went out for a few weeks this summer and we went through the same ritual , so I can relate. Iris, that song was great. I don't know what melody and rhythm you all put to it, but I sang one of my own while reading it and it was giving me goose bumps!
Here's to many more rainy nights, candy we've never tasted, and nanner' ice cream!

Hakuna Matata!

Son of Zadok said...

Wow, such great posts today! What a blessing you are all. Scribe that prophecy was Awesome! God truly speaks to His people! Amen & Amen! DGM07, I'm jealous. I know, coveting is a sin, but your so right about what a privilege it is to grace the the grounds of CITN. I can't wait to visit. Donald, I flat love nanners! God made maters' and that was one thing, but nanners' ,oh boy, love em' so many ways! Sweepea, our AC went out for a few weeks this summer and we went through the same ritual , so I can relate. Iris, that song was great. I don't know what melody and rhythm you all put to it, but I sang one of my own while reading it and it was giving me goose bumps! Iris, God's healing to you , and your so right; SOMETHING IS COMING!!! Something is coming forth in us and those God brings into our garden.
Here's to many more rainy nights, candy we've never tasted, and nanner' ice cream!

Hakuna Matata!

Son of Zadok said...

I know it's Tuesday, and twice a week we get to feast at the table which is CITN. What a feast the praise and word always is! But to anyone who needs some of that good word today let me throw this out there. This is one of the messages from the Father's Day Conference in Oklahoma. You can access the entire thing from a site called Restoration Nation. This message inparticular has so stayed with me and affected my life. In fact I haven't been the same since I heard it. I've watched it already almost 3 times. It is by a man named Tim King. If anyone wants to get blessed today here's the link.

Again it's Tim King , Friday 11 am message, 4th message from the top.

http://www.restoration-nation.tv/

Be Blessed!

Unknown said...

When asking people how they are I hadn't noticed until today after reading the blog how many people reply with a sigh and claim how hot it is outside... ha ha... I just came back from lunch and was sitting outside under the shade enjoying my lunch. (I love to sit outside!) Other tables were around and these guys were making small talk about how hot it was... ha ha... too funny!

Son of Zadok said...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Next year I'm planning a trip in early June to Bonaroo in Manchester TN! For those of you who have never heard of it I'll tell you about it. It's widely considered throughout the world as the greatest festival in the world! Stage upon stage of music. Hundreds of acts. Thousands upon thousands have flocked their the past 7 years and it's legend has grown upon each. Is it secular? Yes. Is the music good? Oh yes , some of the best in all the earth, creams of the crops! Music lovers music. I just had a "vision" in prayer of CITN having some type of presence their next year. Their are many booths set up and I could see CITN having one and its banner over it is LOVE.
Bringing the love of our God to the masses. The true living God of Love. Not to convert one soul, but to contribute love. Not with a spirit of conversion , but a spirit of contribution! If this sounds like something anyone is interested in let me know.

www.bonnaroo.com

Unknown said...

Hot AND sunny!
PERFECT weather for growing tomatoes!
[was that wrong? I'm already in my room for being prideful-- is my restriction extended?--(smile)]

SOZ, you're welcome. That makes restriction totally worth it!! Tell your house mom hi for me. [you might be in here with me for that coveting. Bring some nanner puddin'. Donald will be with us shortly and maybe Sweepea!)

Sweepea, I've heard that song and it is HILARIOUS. Love the line, "if I ever find Jesus, I'll..." May be an option for constant purveyor's of whining about the weather too.

LIFE is GOOD! Ditto Iris, what a WONDERFUL day to be alive!

Donald said...

SOZ Bonnaroo! My tree hugging daughter goes up there sometimes. She brought pictures back one time and I was flipping through them and there were people walking around naked and I said, "My God, couldn't you have at least taken those out before you handed them to me!"
She thought that was so funny.

Anonymous said...

Is the salt losing its savor, or have I missed something?

Son of Zadok said...

Yeah Donald it wouldn't be something for the religious or faint of heart. Theirs a lot drugs and some nakedness about (and I'm not condoning these things), but these are the very people we need to reach with the true evangel. These are also the people who when they hear that God really loves them and has not appointed them to wrath and destruction, fall in love with God. Sometimes we waste to much of our time on the "religious" folk. Trying to convince them of who God really is. When we can tell the "world". And when they hear, the light bulb lights up immediately!
Well the "church" can call Him Jesus all they want ,but their God is not my God! In fact my God is so opposite of what most of Christendom preaches; it might as well be another god or another religion! That's strong ,but it's true. But I will love them and retain fellowship with them as I will with the world.
I am reminded of Icon's words about when he was pastoring a church and he'd often have a "vision" while preaching of the audience sucking on pacifiers and bottles as he spoke.

Let's grow up! Let's reach the world for Christ, in the world where they are at, as Christ did himself, to the disdain of the religious. To hell with them!
That's what Jesus said. He only preached Hell to the pharisees because they were the only ones dumb enough to believe it!!!

Let's truly be a church without walls.

Anonymous said...

this song came to mind when I read bishops heading for his post today

Now y'all listen to this with your spiritual ears and you will be blessed......its all good!

Rufus & Chaka Khan -
Tell Me Something Good

Lyrics

You ain't got no kind of feeling inside
I got something that will sure 'nuff set your stuff on fire
You refuse to put anything before your pride
I got something that will knock all your pride aside


Tell me something good (tell me, tell me, tell me)
Tell me that you love me
Tell me something good (tell me, tell me, tell me)
Tell me that you like it, yeah

Got no time is what you're known to say
I'll make you wish there were 48 hours to each day
Problem is you ain't been loved like you should
What I got to give will sure 'nuff do you good

Iconoclast

Anonymous said...

I just went and listened to that song again....man I love that song!!!!...tell me something good!!! tell me tell me tell me....you aint been loved like you should....tell me somethin good.... tell me that you like it...tell me that you love me.... I like it LORD I love you to LORD...

some of y'all may not relate to that...but ITS GOT SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHAT BISHOP SAID SUNDAY ABOUT BRINGING SEXY BACK INTO THE CHURCH AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD......spiritual ears Y'all.......

Iconoclast

Donald said...

You've got some good points there SOZ.
I'll let you witness to the dopers and I'll witness to the naked people. I'm afraid that if I hang around with those dopeheads that I'll be tempted to do something wrong.

Anonymous said...

what happened, I thought I posted the lyrics before I posted that last post.....maybe I was bleeped out....didnt think there was anything wrong....Maybe I "thought" I did???

Iconoclast

Anonymous said...

Amen SOZ, good stuff preach it bro! some good idies there too. I used to minister in the christian motorcyclist Asc. CMA. and we used to go to a lot of places like that plus some pretty ruff biker RALLIES. You would be SURPRISED at how receptive those folks are to the truth and how they can spot a fraud a mile off.

Anonymous said...

sweepea...I wanna here that song where do you download it?

Dgm... I had that proverb on my blog just the other day...how wierd...do you go to sparkpeople.com too? It's a good site.

Hey scribe..HALLELUJAH ANYHOW! amen!

Hey Donald...here I go again but I dont like nanners in my nanner puddin - just the cookies

anyway

Anonymous said...

The song I was singing in my post was

Rufus & Chaka Khan - "Tell Me Something Good "

I love it I put on my play list

Ole Iconerclat

Anonymous said...

What do I know that is GOOD?

I know that HE is the lifter of my head
When I lift my head, I lift my heart,
When I lift my heart, I lift my soul
Now that is a "spiritual posture check"
Shalom

Anonymous said...

It's a miracle. A fountain that has fresh water and salt water coming out at the same time.

Son of Zadok said...

Donald if you went to Bonnaroo with me next year your daughter might flip. Would that blow her mind?
I struggle to understand all of this myself. At least where the rubber meets the road on it. Drinking a beer, having an occasional smoke. Rastafarians used to smoke grass and read the word because they believed it brought them revelation knowledge and closer to God. Are we going to say it didn't? whatever. I'm drawn to what Paul said concerning the matter of sacrificing meat to idols. In that day it was a BIG DEAL to sacrifice meat to idols. But in God's eyes, the truth was, it really wasn't a big at all, in fact; it was completely lawful. Meat sacrificed to idols was really just meat, and we were free to eat it. However, Paul stated that if it confused your brother and caused him to sin, then don't eat it. What's more important? Eating meat sacrificed to idols or your brother landing in Gehenna? But what's landing our brother's in Gehenna now? Abstaining completely from these things or being able to partake in moderation while showing them God is really Love. Are we so sure of what the answer is? Who are we trying to save, the religious folks or the world?
So what do we make of this? We have to be led by God's Spirit. And He's led us this far, He won't quit now.
The church loves to point its finger at the world and its sins. Drinking, smoking, cussing, sex out of wedlock. Many of these things are clear-cut in the Bible as to what is and is not permissible. But many are not. But all the while as the church points its fingers on these "sinners" destined for hell. They sit in doubt, unbelief, fear, judgment, gossip, backbiting, HATE (which if you look up in the dictionary means to NOT CARE FOR, "I just don't care for them, that's all") etc.. It's just that the "world's" sin is not the churches sin so they THINK their alright.

May we be led by the Spirit on these things. Bishop I'd love to hear a sermon on this sometime in more depth. You may have already dealt with it before. I don't know if the body of Christ can handle it. But it's an area of great confusion and leads to much bondage and true sin.

Son of Zadok said...

I know I've been posting a lot on here lately, but I don't care, whatever. It's a blog not a sacred parchment.

Not long ago I went to a thrift store with my Mom and we were doing our thing. When I came back with our stuff I had found the coolest Led Zeppelin T-shirt. It was a take on the Physical Graffiti album cover from 76' I think. Great double album. She looked at me like, what?! "led zeppelin worship the devil! How can you wear that shirt?" I proceeded to explain to her that I doubted Zeppelin really worshipped the devil, and that they were one of the most revolutionary bands in history, combining blues and rock in ways that had never been accomplished and still stand as overwhelming songs to this day. But that's not why I'm buying it.
I said to her mom, "If I'm wearing this shirt and someone see's me praising God with all my heart, and all my soul, and all my strength; IT COULD SAVE THEIR LIFE!"
Does anyone understand that? The world is so confused about who God really is and something like that could be just what it takes to allow them to see things from an entirely new paradigm. She didn't say another word.

Anonymous said...

iconoclast,
I noticed in your 8:36 that there are some letter changes in your name. I think that Ole is one of the coolest names I have ever heard. I also noticed a change from iconoclast to iconerclat. What's up?

NTL

Anonymous said...

Can I just say how tired I am of "church" people.
SOZ one of my best friends just got back from Bonaroo. She had a blast, got high, and was probably naked. She is interested in God but was kicked out of her youth group as a teen for dating a guy who wore black and had long hair. At school her peers spray painted her locker with "devil worshiper". Needless to say she hasn't been back to church. Boy do I appreciate CITN! Other than Bonaroo, I've always wanted to see CITN at PRIDE in Atlanta. In the parade there are so many churches that make banners and march down the street telling people they love them (which is nice because most of the time religion is standing on the street corner with signs and megaphones telling us we are going to hell)and at the event there are booths inviting people to come to church. I'd love to have CITN be one of the churches loving people there!

Anonymous said...

Good Evening Holy Spirit!
Good Evening Bishop!
Good Evening Bloggers!

What a wonderful Life!

Bishop,
I truly missed reading your words on BITN, being under the sound of your voice ITB@CITN, and seeing/hearing you via SITN (Streaming in the Now) - (since I move around a good bit you are my Cyber Bishop as well my Blood Bishop)...this time, however, I ventured to places with no reception capability for cell phone or internet.

Bishop, you may appreciate knowing that earlier this evening I commented that you continually plant tiny seeds that are watered and lighted to grow well in ways that you may never know. As an example, I added that when speaking on a small, informal panel in Chicago Monday a week ago, on how art and visual images can serve as conduits to healing, I briefly mentioned the video you posted on Christian the Lion and noted bloggers' reactions. After the program, another speaker was so interested in seeing it that we used an available laptop to pull up the blog site. As a few others huddled around to view the screen, one man asked who the guys were who raised the Lion, explaining that he bet his producers would love to see that.

I was a little amazed when Avatar informed me at that point that someone had posted that the Today show was doing a piece on the men in the video tomorrow...There may be no connection between your posting the video on BITN, showing it during service the following Sunday, and a last minute decision to plug a mention of it and its impact in a presentation...but...I'm just saying....

I don't believe in coincidence, and no matter what, it confirms my belief that your open-mindedness and creativity when it comes to possibilities with technology positions you to be used in phenomenal ways in that arena and will continue to draw others to you who are like-minded and equally gifted...even when the connection seems to be small or insignificant, or a "just so happened" event...I'm just saying...

Bless you...and rest easy,
mayam

PS: Thanks Avatar!

Son of Zadok said...

Matthew 15

Clean and Unclean

Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"

Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God, he is not to 'honor his father with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean."

Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"

He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

Peter said, "Explain the parable to us."

"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean."

Anonymous said...

NTL...just foolin around

Anonymous said...

It’s 1:20 AM in the Morning Bishop! Where are you? Where are you? Are you asleep? I need my word so that I can go to sleep. So, come on get up, let’s get to it. I (we) are waiting.
Thanks you for not been tired with us, by making our demands on you. Well I have this to say where there you’re tired or not (don’t really mean that, well maybe I do) get up I need my word.
Thanks a Millions for understanding.
God Bless you!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

The word is...go to sleep!

Anonymous said...

Thank you I am going to sleep right now sir! Your will is my command.
God Bless you. Good Night!

Anonymous said...

Avatar - Mayam .....I thought the same thing about the video
ICLST