Saturday, October 18, 2008

OK, Here's Another One


Ephesians 1 (The Message)

















1-2. I, Paul, am under God's plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.


The God of Glory


3-6. How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.



7-10. Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.



















11-12. It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.



13-14. It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.



15-19. That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!



20-23. All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.



63 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

"He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth."

That really says it all!

Amazing.

NTL said...

20-23
...and set him on a throne in deep heaven...
Deep heaven, wow, that is strong, I mean like beyond my imagination strong. I'm thinking impossibly possible. And that is just the explanation of where it is that He is. Deep heaven, and He is there right now keeping it all in order.
And to think it is to Him I pray for a parking space at the mall that is close to the building, so I don't have to walk so far...

SCRIBE said...

Hope that this brings encouragement to someone today!

Word of the LORD!... taken from Book Entitled:

"MIRACLE ZONES"
(Copyrighted Material)


Saturday Morning
18 October 2003 @ 0935 Hours

I am the Lord of Hosts and I decree miracles, breakthroughs, and divine appointments scheduled for my people while having commanded wealth and favor into the hands of those that have dared to take radical steps of faith while others have hung out on the sidelines and criticized the workings of GOD through religion, traditions of man, and legalism. SELAH… Those that have proven faithful by me are being elevated from the valleys of repose, making not waste of anything given, while in the land of the living and calling those things that are not as though they already exist. My people are to receive their daily rations of power from me- the Lord of all Glory and command that which is withered to thrive and become fruitful once more. I am the Great I AM and those that have sought my face and not my hands- wisdom abounds at this very hour, arming them with knowledge and revelation power to break the chains and set the captives free, while challenging them to cast aside all iniquities. They whom the Son of God has set free are free indeed. Embark upon the banks of the covenant seed; from the ashes emerges clarity without condemnation, bright complete recompense with family restoration. Behold! This day brings about change, outside the familiar and immersed in the peculiar and strange. I am the Lord thy GOD that strengthens and heals thee. So, receive ye’ on this day the mansions of grace, because the struggles to win this race are over as my people have been empowered with the victory easily. I- the Lord God Almighty abides with mine people through their faith and faithfulness unto me where there is sanctity and sanity beyond their falls and failures. To whom much is given, much more is required. As this utterance and content is Divinely Inspired, watch me- the Lord of Hosts works all things out and no sacrifices that have been made shall be in vain. For I reward the faithful ones in the droughts, famines, and rains. Holdfast to all that I give unto thee this day, for I the Lord thy GOD have proclaimed ways out of seemingly dead ends. Handle the weak in spirit with diligence and care; love and forgive they that have wronged your hearts and I shall deliver thee into the heavenly places. Grace unto thee, for this is birthed through much adversity and shall deliver others by way of testimony. Hallelujah! AMEN. Blessed and mighty indeed are the Sovereign Name and word of the Lord, for the ministry of reconciliation is on the rise. Let they that are redeemed through the grace and mercies of the Lord God Almighty boldly stand up and say so! AMEN.

On this day, declares GOD, I have given unto thee a stamped, signed, and sealed covenant and no stone shall be left unturned. Whatsoever thing that I have decreed, so be it established forever more, for mine word never returns void. Prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As my people keep themselves available to me- the Lord of Hosts, I shall speak to and through them Divine Things. Should anyone reject my prophets- not to be mistaken for those prophets-for- hire whom prostitute my word and Holy Spirit for ill-gotten gain, they shall be dealt with harshly and severely. The time has come to separate the flowers from the weeds and the fruits from the parasites. Be of good courage and boldly proclaim that because I am GOD- I am far greater than every circumstance and situation. So, may the Glory of the Lord rise among my people, while my grace and mercy goes out before them and favor seeks them out, says GOD. Rejoice always, declares GOD as I show up and show out in the lives of the lives of my bondservants. The just / righteous shall live by faith in GOD and it is not by might, nor by power, but by and through my Holy Spirit that the captives are set free. AMEN.
AMEN.

Son of Zadok said...

Well since you were all a gift from God to me on May 20th, five days before my 32nd birthday. It was the first day here with over 100 posts for me. April 16th notwithstanding.

"Embark upon the banks of the covenant seed!"

POW !!!

Encourages me Scribe, yes sir.

All we have to do is afford Him ourselves, with faith in His unfailing love and acceptance alone, to nurture the seed. Which is your true self, the Christ in you. Nothing in the universe is your key to life, save God alone.

Breathe in the air....

Feel The warmth and heat from the light....

Let Him water your very soul....

Arise in Christ and let your enemies be scattered,

Today is the Day of the Lord !

Son of Zadok said...

That day my parents skipped their local church and went to an Amish Baptist festival of some sorts. When I talked over the phone with them that week they told me of the absolute best food they had ever eaten that day. Specifically, the best meal ever, and ma can cook! They went on about how it truly was the best food they'd ever had. They were then ushered into an entire barn full of deserts.

God spoke to me immediately with an interpretation of this parabolic event.

The best food they ever had in their life was the word God was bringing into our families lives. It was going to be "the best" word/news we've ever heard. Then God would usher us into a "barn full of deserts", which represents all the wonderful pleasures He has before us in His sufferings and His glories.

The exact same time they were at the meal, I was streaming my first service at CITN, which now that I think more clearly about it was on May 18th, not the 20th. I'll never forget the rain on the screens in the sanctuary and the immediate Blast of the Spirit! Oh the Praise you all were lifting up and the power of the Holy Spirit that fell on me right in my chair. The entire service I felt like I was experiencing some part of Heaven here on Earth. I cannot express what that service was like for me that day. It was like finding a tribe in an oasis, after 10 years alone in the desert. And Bishop when you spoke, I was overcome with the strangest sensation like I immediately knew you. Everything about you seemed totally familiar to me. Imagine my amazement when I later read that that's not an isolated event. Still every service I feel as if I'm privy to the very councils of Heaven.

Oh how Lord, have you chosen a wretch like me to know your love? You've pulled me up from my darkest sorrows. Only because we have simply been chosen, it is of no work of ourselves. Every week God is adding those that He wills to this David company.

I can tell you today, every member of my immediate family, after years of strong religion, which drove us apart more than many families without any at all, each one of us have embraced the glorious gospel of conciliation! And thanks to ministries like CITN and most importantly the ministry of the Lord, the significance of that revelation in our lives is expanding each new day. Far beyond any knowledge of "heaven & hell." Seeming now to only have been the key to the lock, revealing to us a new side of the true character and nature of God in Christ, and the power within us to truly love one another.

Thank you all for 5 great months of growing together in the faith.

You speak to nations!

Anonymous said...

I've probably read it before, but rhema to me this morning, is that prior to his sacred profession, Paul acquired the trade of making tents (shelters, temporary dwellings) from goats' hair cloth.

Seems relevant to the introduction of the book of Ephesians and message of reconciliation. (regarding sacrificial offerings & how the blood of lambs, bullocks & he-goats didn't delight God)

Appreciate how the word "agent" conveys an instrument by which a guiding intelligence achieves a result.

Also appreciate the map (accck!) Well, sorta. Trying to. Reading one - a challenge. (Romans 8:26 goes here)

Anyway, pic reminds me of, "Can you see where I'm coming from?" (and even, "when")

The line, "I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God..." reminds me of Thanksgiving and His ladle of Providence.

And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...

Happy Clergy Appreciation Month: A sincere thank you to Bishop, Pastor Debye and God's whole house.

Anonymous said...

Bishop
The pictures today are striking.
The "eye" pictures are so cool and speak to me on a deep level.

We worship you in spirit
We worship you in truth
We worship you oh Father
For there is none like you

Anonymous said...

The God of Glory

Pic 2 - ...sits on the circle of the earth, like in Isaiah 40:22; also Ezekiel 1:28 - the appearance of God's glory resembles a rainbow's brightness in the clouds.

Pic 3 - Gen. 22:2, where Abraham's laughter was laid at the threshing place. And, (paraphrasing) Matthew 16:15, "Ewe say I Am."; and John 1:29.

Pic 4 - The Light of the eyes rejoices the heart... (Proverbs 15:30)

Pic 5 - Habakkuk 2:2 - "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming..." (The Message Bible)

Pic 6 - Acts 26:18 - to open eyes and turn darkness to light.

Pic 7 - (paraphrasing)... JESUS ...was conceived in earth's womb. (Luke 2:21)

And, Luke 1:78,79 - through the tender mercy of our God; ... the dayspring from on high has visited us; To give Light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Linda Luke said...

WOW!!! We get another day of delciousness to feast on!

I love all the pictures, esp the lamb is powerful even though it's a little hard to think about him as the sacrifice but depicts so what Christ did for us! All the pictures of the globes~incredible!

FREEDOM in Christ~there's nothing like it! I am loving it!

Does that mean if my heart is truly toward Christ and I fall down (say in the wrong attitude) that it doesn't block His blessings??? I am thinking not. Another paradigm shift. I am running down that road of Freedom and staying too!

POWERFUL Scribe!!! Delicious too!

and SOZ...All we have to do is afford Him ourselves, with faith in His unfailing love and acceptance alone, to nurture the seed. Which is your true self, the Christ in you. Nothing in the universe is your key to life, save God alone.

Christ my true self is grand! What a feast from heaven again today!

~JOY

Anonymous said...

Hey Everyone,

The meeting went Great yesterday with the local pastor and a friend of mine. The Holy Spirit was very strong, almost overwhelming. My friend told me after we left that it was all he could do to keep from shouting. This pastor is very influential with a lot of other pastors in town, so I have either opened up a can of worms or a bucket of blessings, maybe both. The power that accompanies this message is astounding, and will not go unnoticed whether in a positive or negative way is yet to be seen. We meet again next week, although the exact day is still not set.

“There is Power, Power, wonder working Power, in the Blood of the Lamb!”

Thank you for your prayers

Scribe…..Wow! could not have been more on time…. ”divine appointments scheduled for my people”… “Rejoice always, declares GOD as I show up and show out in the lives of my bondservants.” YEAH! AMEN!

SOZ…what a testimony……!

IJ….Great scripture analogies ……

Bishop……LOVE the pictures…..

Gotta Go, I’m busier now than I was before I retired……..PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

Peace,
Dennis

Anonymous said...

Love the reflection of the world eye picture.
Makes me think we are suppose to be a reflection of Him.
Not sure if I'll make it tomorrow having car problems. We'll see come what may.
But at least thank you Jesus we are free.
Just thinking of all He's done for me.
Sorrow may last for the night but JOY comes in the morning.
So come on morning I need the Joy.

The Cloud of Unknowing said...

Chapter 2

A short exhortation to humility and to the work of contemplation.

Take courage, now, and frail mortal though you are, try to understand yourself. Do you think you are someone special, or that your have deserved the Lord's favor? How can your poor heart be so leaden and spiritless that it is not continually aroused by the attraction of the Lord's love and the sound of his voice? Your enemy will suggest that you rest on your laurels. But be on your guard against this treachery of his. Do not be deceived into thinking that you are a holier or better person because of your great calling or because you have progressed to the Singular way of life. Far from being conceited, you ought to be all the more humble and devoted to your heavenly Lord when you consider that he, the Almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, has stooped so low as to call you. For out of all his flock he has lovingly chosen you to be one of his special friends. He has led you to sweet meadows and nourished you with his love, strengthening you to press on as to take possession of your heritage in his kingdom.
I urge you, then, pursue your course relentlessly. Attend to today and let yesterday be. Never mind what you have gained so far. Instead reach out to what lies ahead. If you do this you will remain in truth. For now, if you wish to keep growing you must nourish in your heart the lively longing for God. Though this loving desire is certainly God's gift, it is up to you to nurture it. But mark this. God is a jealous lover. He is at work in your spirit and desires no meddlers. The only one he needs is you. And all he asks of you is that you fix your love on him and let him alone. Close the doors and the windows of your spirit against the onslaught of pests and foes and pray-fully seek his strength; for if you do, he will keep you safe from them. Press on then. I want to see how you fare. Our Lord is always ready. He awaits only your co-operation.
"But," you ask, "how am I to go on; what am I to do next?"

Son of Zadok said...

Laura,

Happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy! Happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy! Happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy! Happy, happy, joy, joy, jooooooy!!!

I don't think your happy enough yet!

Happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy! Happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy! Happy, happy, joy, joy, happy, happy, joy! Happy, happy, joy, joy, jooooooy!!!

;)

Any old Ren and Stimpy fans should have an old familiar song in the head right now.

Pastor D,

That's great news. This ship is turning around.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Wow - thanks, everyone!

Anonymous said...

Trench warfare, is where the action is.

NTL said...

The picture of the sacrificial lamb:

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sins up on that cross.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

A speacial, heart-felt shout-out to all of you who came out this morning for the E.A.C.H. training day. Debye was just telling me all about it, and it sounds like everything was awesome.

I wasn't there because Bishop Tommy and I went to Athens for the funeral of Apostle G.C. McCurry, but I'm really happy that it went so well this morning at CITN.

Greater things are yet to come,
Greater things are still to be done in this city!

A three-fold cord is not easily broken.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Yes, Disciple...that really does say it all!

Unknown said...

Here's Another One?! There's so many left unopened from yesterday!!

Four hours of enjoying this post and I have nothing of my own to say in words...just this synopsis:

rainbow island: the pleasure he took in planning His lavish gift-giving...

Not just barely, but
Abundantly free!
A long-range plan,
to be made whole and holy
by his love

In Christ,
He set it all out before us
In Christ,
he had his eye on us

Grasp the immensity
—of this glorious praising way of life
—the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him
—endless energy,
—boundless strength!

On a throne in deep heaven,
in charge
At the center of everything, Christ rules the church.

VastAbundantENERGY:
The church is Christ's body,
in which he speaks and acts,
by which he fills everything with his presence.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

NTL, I also love that phrase "everything in deepest heaven"...really something to think about and meditate on...

I was thinking about you today (because I passed you on your way to the training day) but also as I was talking to Greg and Abigail Jennings at the funeral. In the last few years Greg really adopted Apostle McCurry as his spiritual father, and took great, personal care of him in his old age. We had a very nice conversation (I didn't know that he had been in a very serious auto accident recently, but is fine now)...anyway, it's all good...just wanted you to know that, I guess because I'm very happy that you've re-connected...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Glad to have you back in full, prophetic mode, Scribe. Your contributions here minister to many

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

people.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks for that, SOZ...your words really touched me...glad you found us, and I appreciate that you're such an active part of this cyber-community...

Also, a special welcome to all who have connected here because of you, there in Ohio...

Anonymous said...

Yes, Bishop, today was off the chain!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

I've said it before, Izumi, and I'll say it again...I love seeing things through your eyes...your comments make me go back and look at things I've posted here in a whole new light...love your attention to detail...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

And, thanks for remembering clergy appreciation month...I forgot all about it...

Also, you mentioned the map...I really liked it because it gave some perspective about Ephesus in relation to Iraq...for some reason I felt that it was significant...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, P. Nancy...always glad to hear from you...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Crownjewel, I really feel your joy when you contribute here...seems like I remember that you are part of cyber-CITN...isn't that right? If so, tell me again where you live (if you don't mind)...

I always like to know where people from other states and countries are...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

P. Dennis! Is Arkansas still there? I miss having you here every day...

Happy to hear that your meeting went well. I need to connect you with a pastor in Texas that I've been talking to. He was just recently "outed" for believing in a strong, complete atonement...for believing that the Last Adam was/is stronger than the first one...and you and I both know how dangerous it can be to believe that, and still be in the ministry!

He is going through some major transition in his church becaus of it, but I do believe that something has changed recently in that area of communication. Your good report was a confirmation of that...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

because of it

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

The Lord will perfect that which concerns you, Laura...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

And thanks, Avatar...I appreciate that you know how to savor the good stuff...

OK, that's enough for now...is anyone else besides me on this blog tonight?

Anonymous said...

SOZ - Ha Ha.

Bonk
Ouch That Hurts
It Does Not Matter
It's In The Past.
LOL

I know I just need to say

This Is The Day The LORD Has Made
I Will Rejoice And Be Glad In It.

Love the picture of the ocean
Click on it
The ocean and the sky form a circle with a rainbow in the center.
Notice how small the island in the back ground looks.
That's the way that today is looking to me small and in the background.
Again
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!!!
Really cool

SCRIBE said...

Excerpt taken from:

"MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST"
By: Oswald Chambers

The Key of the Greater Work

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to My Father." (John 14:12)

Prayer does not equip us for greater works-- prayer IS the greater work. Yet, we think of prayer as some commonsense exercise of our higher powers that simply prepares us for God's work. In the teachings of Christ, prayer is the working of the miracle redemption in others, through the power of God. the way fruit remains firm is through prayer, but remember that it is prayer based on the agony of Christ in redemption, not on my own agony. We must go to GOD as HIS Child, because only a child gets his prayers answered; a "wise" man does not. (At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and REVEALED them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.")
Matthew 11:25,26

Prayer is THE battle, and it makes no difference where you are. However God may engineer your circumstances, your DUTY is to PRAY! Never allow yourself this thought, "I am of no use where I am," because you certainly cannot be used where you have not yet been placed. Wherever God has placed you and whatever your circumstances, you should pray, continually offering up prayers to Him. And He promises, "Whatever you ask in MY NAME,, that I will do..." Yet we refuse to pray unless it thrills or excites us, which is the most intense form of Spiritual SELFISHNESS! We must learn to work according to God's Direction, and He says to PRAY! "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:38)

There is nothing thrilling about a laboring person's work, but it is the laboring person who makes the ideas of the genius possible. And it is the laboring saint who makes the ideas of his Master possible. When you labor at prayer, from God's perspective there are always results! What an astonishment it will be to see, once the veil is finally lifted, all the souls that have been reaped by you, simply because you have been in the habit of taking your orders from Jesus Christ! Amen.

SCRIBE said...

Bishop:

Thanks for your affirmation. I liken it to when John the Baptist was baptizing Jesus in the river and the clouds opened up and the light shone from heaven when they heard the voice of GOD speak and say, "THIS IS MY SON, in whom I AM well pleased." And after God affirmed Christ in an audible voice where others bore witness to, Jesus was THEN equipped and empowered to perform Miracles, due to the "I AM" in HIM which called unto the deepest things. Jesus always had it in Him, but GOD pulled it out of Him for the betterment of others, as He strived to please GOD, even when and if no one else had been pleased or satisfied with the Christ before, or just did not recognize Him based on where he came from, when they should have been listening to where and when he was GOING.

Jesus ALWAYS KNEW who He was, but refused to shine the light or draw attention on / to himself, he was content in being the servant, faithfully DOING all that needed to be done inside his sphere of influnce- blooming wherever he was planted... and did so unassumingly as unto the Glory of God the Father. And those who got it and received, it was for the Glory of God, and those who did not and misunderstood him and his motives, the Revelation was hidden from them until they became free of bondages, "religion", hangups, and preconceived notions about who they THOUGHT Him to be. Wrong mindsets can cause one to "miss the boat", get thrown overboard for causing confusion where there is supposed to be a place of peace, or simply hitch a ride on the modes of transportation which is pleasing to the senses as opposed to purging and edifying the spirit man. Selah....

Unknown said...

It's good to have a 24/7 filling station, time to FILL the tank and premium fuel available.

Interesting, Scribe. I was working on how I wanted to say this when your post came in--(smile).

Teezy313 said...

SOZ-You rule!!!

Happy happy joy joy happy happy joy joy!

or...

Sing the happy happy happy happy happy happy song sing the happy happy happy happy happy happy song!

Any Rugrats fans out there?

Teezy

Linda Luke said...

Thanky Bish! Actually my joy has been restored in its fullness by coming here!!!

I am a part of cyber CITN as~much as possible! My schedule has been crazy and so thankful that you all have streamin because it has allowed me to still attend church.

I am in South Georgia, (Tifton) but about to move to Orlando within the next few months. My husband is working there(in Orlando) and I am tryin to tie up loose ends here. I wish you guys were closer! God has used you sooooo much in my life and I truly am grateful! I do want to contribute toward CITN as soon as our finances are back in order. Some good things are starting to happen after a challenging journey.

Do you know where Tifton is? If you've ever driven to Florida you have passed thru.

I also have told many people about you guys~to check out your website and the blog because they will be blessed as well as telling people several people that I've met moving to the Atlanta area about CITN.

~Blessings

Anonymous said...

Dear Bish,

Sometimes it hurts me when you write stuff like that. On the day that my dad passed, he shared with my mom that he just "didn't get" his daughter (me).

There are six of us (siblings) and sometimes, I just get tired of trying to fit. What if I'm the puzzle piece with all the edges seared off?

So, when I say "thank you" to the clergy and everyone who's spoken life back into my spirit, it's with the utmost respect.

Mostly, I say nothing & wave.

See you all in the morning.

PS - weird segue, I know, but for intercessors, please pray for my nephew (Dylon) and Lucy (my dog).

PPS - After 2+ decades, I met my aunt Kay (Daddy's sister - only sibling) and Uncle Harry, recently. Right after blogging about Basil & Grandma Pearl!

Spirit of reconciliation, no doubt.

Teezy313 said...

P.Dennis...

One man's worms could be another man's blessings....

Teezy313 said...

Izumi...

I speak peace to you and add my Amen over Dylan and Lucy as well as matters concerning your aunt and uncle...the Lord is perfecting all, everything, and everyone that concerns you even as we speak...

Anonymous said...

Bishop, your humor is amazing and I totally get it.

Mystic, we all love you and our prayers are with you in your pursuit of the degree. You will amaze yourself as much or maybe even more than you amaze others. Most of us who read you already know there is an abundant wealth of intelect in you. Erik confirmed that when he channeled you.

Izumi/joy's inspiration is also mine; I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God..." reminds me of Thanksgiving and His ladle of Providence.

There seems to be a sense of thanksgiving welling up in me for no particular reason at all. When this has happened in times past it usually is followed by someone outside of me getting a blessing that I have the pleasure of seeing.

Peaceful hearts are the product of persistent souls seeking our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

JB

Teezy313 said...

Crownjewel...

To you I also add an Amen and say that your as well as your husband's steps are ordered in the Lord...this is a new chapter in your life that is opening up and new opporotunities await you in Orlando...the Spirit of the Lord rests upon you and you have the mind of Christ in all you do.....

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Crownjewel...of course I know where Tifton is! My father's family is from Valdosta, and my mother's family is from Baxley...

Thanks, Scribe and Izumi...and JB...

Linda Luke said...

WOW Bish, that is too awesome! Valdosta is usually where I go shopping. =)

There is also a new Christian coffee shop/cafe there in the Publix shopping center that is called Magpies. It's really cool and they have muscians there on the weenend nights.

THANKS Teezy!!! That is confirmation and I recieve it fully! I admire your gift of spiritual perception and your wisdom for such a young man! I also enjoy your posts. May Gods favor, peace, and presence go with you and before you and be blessed in all that you set your hand too!

HAPPY HAPPY~JOY JOY~~~

...SOZ..you've started and we can't stop~

Linda Luke said...

Izumi/Joy~in agreement with you for Dylan & Lucy~

God cares about every detail that concerns you!

Linda Luke said...

ps...Bishop, do you still have fam in Valdosta? I haven't ran into any Swilleys down here.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Yeah, I don't really know any of them, but there is a community called Swilley Hill where my dad was born, which is in Valdosta. There's a Swilley Hill Church of God there that is connected to our original family cemetary. I haven't been there in years, but my dad's family homeplace was where the church is now.

Anonymous said...

Bish, what are you preaching on tomorrow?

NTL said...

When the Bish is happy, everybody is happy.

Greg holds a place in my heart. Sorry to hear about the accident. Thank you Lord for his recovery.

I am leaving for the South Carolina coast in the morning, on business. I will be back Monday night.

All of you are in my prayers and I ask you to pray for me as I travel.

Larry, I enjoyed hearing you gush this morning. I love to hear someone who has passion for what he does for the Lord, and brother you are full of it to the point that it is gushing out of you.

Laura, somewhere out there, there is a car that is trying to find you. Just hold on.

Miracle, peace and love to us all.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

It's a surprise...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

I was answering Anon 9:57...

Yeah, I'm happy, NTL...safe trip tomorrow...

Friend4Life said...

Good Evening, Blog! OK..looks like I have missed a lot.

I read yesterday's post; today. Very powerful!! Thanks for putting your time into the blog everyday, Bishop.

Yesterday's blog--Like the part where the message says:He personally took on the human condition, entered the DISORDERED MESS of stuggling humanity in order to set it RIGHT, ONCE and for ALL!!(Romans 3-4) Reminds me of the 3 muskerteers quote: ALL 4 1 & 1 4 ALL.

And..YES, the "BE" picture spoke to me. (Just BE at peace; BE yourself; BE a friend; JUST BE!!)

(Romans 26-28)Picture & message; word 4 me.

Ok..Let me get 2 2day's blog, before its midnight 2morrow. ((smile))

Like the part in Ephesians 11-12; where is says: "He had his eye on Us"--he knows our beginning and He is THE END.

11-12. It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

2day's training was FUN!! I am so excited. Cya in the ITB 2morrow!!

~Peace & Love~

Ps--The first time I saw some bloggers doing the word verification; I thought it was some game. I didn't really get what they were doing. Very cool. Maybe I'll try it when I stop getting q's and z's. ((smile))

Anonymous said...

Whatever it is - it will be great!

Can't wait -

Won't be late -

Teezy313 said...

Something to rejoice over...

I'm not exactly sure how much gas is in Conyers/Covington but we hit a record low here in Barnesville last night at $2.45/gal for regular!!

Ain't God Good?!

Linda Luke said...

That is too cool Bishop! I am going to have to see if I can find Swilley Hill and the church f that's ok. Will let you know if I do.

I am sure the surprise message will be great!

I have got to get last Sundays to listen to again it was so good as well as the laughter!

Sweet sleep everyone~

Linda Luke said...

...if that ok...

i pressed the i but it didn't type...sorry

Anonymous said...

International Standard Version:
he predestined us for adoption to himself through Jesus the Messiah, according to the pleasure of his will,

New American Standard Bible:
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

GOD'S WORD® Translation:
Because of his love he had already decided to adopt us through Jesus Christ. He freely chose to do this

King James Bible:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

American King James Version:
Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

American Standard Version:
having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Bible in Basic English:
As we were designed before by him for the position of sons to himself, through Jesus Christ, in the good pleasure of his purpose,

Douay-Rheims Bible:
Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:

Darby Bible Translation:
having marked us out beforehand for adoption through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

English Revised Version:
having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Webster's Bible Translation:
Having predestinated us to the adoption of children to himself by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Weymouth New Testament:
For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure--

World English Bible:
having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,

Young's Literal Translation: having foreordained us to the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Anonymous said...

Ephesians 1:5 (above)

Anonymous said...

Ephesians 1:5

The One Year Bible - New Living Translation:

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.

Anonymous said...

Re: "Surprise" - when our girls were young, they couldn't say it. But, at unexpected moments, they'd jump out from their hiding places, giggling & yelling, "Preprize!"

We loved their word so much we kept it.

Seems to be a clarion call - like, God's glory.

Anonymous said...

Crown Jewel & Teezy 313, I receive your prayer agreement for Dylon & Lucy.

JB, I understand that same sense of thanksgiving - "for no apparent reason."

Sometimes, it erupts as laughter when Lucy strolls through the leaves, out back; sounds "crunchy", if that makes any sense.

Other times, my joy erupts through tears, when I watch her laying in the English ivy, basking in the afternoon sun - just being.

Pastor Dennis, I'm glad your meeting went well. I've visited your website - wow, that's a lot of work. (well done!)

You're welcome, Bish. I'm doing the sign for glory right now, but you can't see that. I like to think of the squiggly motion as flying confetti in an autumn breeze.