Tuesday, December 30, 2008

2008: So...What Did You Learn?

55 comments:

Son of Zadok said...

This year I learned,

That God is not mad at me.
That Peace is Possible.
That God really loves us.
That God is wise and powerful enough to finish what He starts. And He’s also brilliant at it!
That we all really are One. So individual, yet so truly corporate.
That All means All.
That the opposite of Love is Fear.
That there is no Fear in Love.
That Perfect Love casts out all Fear, which is punishment.
That I’d rather live by a Love that can keep me than a law that I can’t keep.
That I can’t, but God in me can.
That the world is not coming to a horrific and apocalyptic end.
That it’s not my team vs. your team.
That I don’t have to save the world. Jesus already did that 2,000 years ago.
That the church system is a wreck, but I’m to pray and love it, not condemn and murmur it. And that God really is transforming it.
That when God has His hand on you and is calling you, run to Him.
That when you’ve failed yourself again, run to Him.
In all things, stay unto Him.
That praying need not be a request-line, but a love-line.
That love is an energy that affects everything.
That we don’t have to see eye to eye, to walk hand in hand.
That not only is their an Adam nature in all humanity, but a Christ nature.
That not everyone who says Lord, Lord is interested in love.
That sometimes for all my talk, I’m one of those people.
That I love Jesus more now than ever. I love you Jesus.
That even if it does get worse, in Him it only gets better.
That I have good days and bad days.
That for me to love, and accept, and fellowship with you, and even celebrate and in all things believe in you; You’ll never have to confess faith in Jesus. And at he same time I never have to stop praising Him.
That things that aren’t necessarily good for you, aren’t always a missing of the mark, and people who act like somehow it is, are full of the law and not love.
That I need more of God, never less. That I always will have need of Him. That my need is so great for Him. That everything good that originated in me is a result of Him.
That there is a real Spiritual Revolution beginning to take place that is more glorious than anything we’ve ever imagined!

That’s the first general 32 off the top of my head, for my 32 years on this planet. I might have to come back and post a few more times today. For some reason I’m really digging reflection on these lines. Great idea Bish!

River said...

Life is short and you must cherish each moment you live.

Friends will surprise you in good ways and they can also tear you down. That is where prayer comes into focus.

Things don't alway's last but that is where faith comes into play.

Situations can change just as the weather in Georgia changes.

Sadness may last for a night but joy comes in the morning

And lastly:
President Bush can play dodge ball or was that dodge a shoe. Just Kidding - LOL

Son of Zadok said...

What have you learned this year Bishop?

Son of Zadok said...

Yes River, we did learn his reflexes are awesome cat-like!

dgm2007 said...

good one!
I'm stuck on the all things new train.. I feel transformed from the inside out.. I learned that I'm not a child anymore and I'm doing something totally new. I learned to forgive myself and move forward..
I smile more..
Now more than ever I don't attach I am to anything that could hold me back or limit me..
I cant really put into words what i really learned this year.. I just know I've changed..
whole new era..
peace and love..
soz.. luv ur leasons :)

NTL said...

Son of Zadok
"That we don’t have to see eye to eye, to walk hand in hand"

I have lived that out this year.

There are those that I would never have called brother, but now I do.

word ver...brothe...

Anonymous said...

...that life is its own reward
...peace is the highest state of beauty
...joy is the result of a decision
...money counts, but love matters...

Rest easy,
mayam

Anonymous said...

That sometime things are right before your face, and you cant see them until God reveals them to you. Then you are amazed that it was right there all along in plain sight, but, you never saw it.

That you truly must worship in bad times.

That the joy OF the lord is my strength.

That at the end of the day nothing else matters but to love God.

Anonymous said...

I learned to love to blog and make blogs....(inspired by none other than BJES at BITN)
I started another blog last night on blogger it will be all video - except for the comments of course. The name of the blog is:

"Message in Motion" here is the link:

http://messageinmotion.blogspot.com/

For those that may be too tired to read but need inspiration....

I was thinking about now I have "two" blogs and looked down and the ver word is "dicatemi" = dichotomy = USAGE: Dichotomy should always refer to a division of some kind into two groups.[Greek dikhotomi, from dikhotomos, divided in two : dikho-, dicho- + temnein, to cut;]

so now my new "2nd" blog has been verified by the word.....

Happy, Blessed, New Year,

Dennis

OK
"second" ver word
cleduel

c=came
l=last
e=evening
dual

Anonymous said...

I have learned that God can turn your world upside down - reach in and turn it inside out - then fold it all together into a paper airplane and sale it off into a gentle breeze just floating on air.....

I have learned that there are a lot of wonderful enjoyable people out there that I love to fellowship with...especially bloggers....

I have learned that when SOZ has a long post, it is worth reading...that was great SOZ I am going to copy and past it into my keepers (with your copy right in mind)

I have learned that Bishop gets 48 hours a day, while the rest of us only get 24....hows he do that?

I have learned to use a lot of initials for things and people...

I have learned that there is no pain without purpose.

I have learned that there is love in some of the strangest places.

I have learned that the eye truly is the light of the body as your peace and prosperity lie in your perception.

I have learned that if you dont like the way things are, just wait on the Lord, they will change.

I have learned to think more before I respond.

I have learned that sometimes, it doesn't take a many words to say a lot......

I have learned that the only time we have is NOW.

I have learned the the deep truth of my Mother's saying; "nothing is ever so bad that it cant get worse, or ever so good that it cant get better, and nothing stays the same"

yes I have especially learned that nothing stays the same, everything is changing. And the good news is; in the overall picture its getting better....In other words I have learned - on a deeper level - that it is all good.....

I have enjoyed all the post on here..... this morning. especially this morning...

Happy New Year @ BITN

Dennis

LisaA said...

I've learned ALL is well.

Jesus Groupie said...

I have learned that when I ask God for something, to expect it. I learned not to miss what I ask for by looking for it to look like what's in my mind. I learned that God answers the "truth" of my requests.I learned that prticular lesson many times over when everything I put on the list that Bishop annointed this time last year got answered and fulfilled. Every single one of them. Not always in the way I wanted to see it or thought it should be, but the way God knew it would work best for the plans He has for me. I learned that because I don't know all of the plans God has for me, I've got all the questions and He's got all of the answers. I learned to trust His truth to my answers and bask in the glory of the results of radical obedience. I learned that every time I get broken and feel that I have nothing to lose, He puts me in a place I never thought I could get to. I keep learning who God is.

Son of Zadok said...

What I learned this year Part 2.

This year I learned,

That you don't choose God, He chooses you.
That the power or nexxus of healing is forgiveness.
That it really is easier to be healed than to believe your sins are forgiven.
That God has a plan for the ages and every age is unfolding as planned.
That perfection doesn't mean things are perfect.
That the Bible loses so much in translation, but the Spirit gives life.
That the doctrine of ultimate "free-will" is an evil lie.
That God will preform His will in our lives.
That if you want to see the Anti-Christ or the Man of Sin, just go look in the mirror.
That if you want to see Christ, look at anyone else.
That we all must have a greater revelation of Christ within.
That the mystery of the gospel hidden from the ages, is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
That when Pastor Dennis makes a video, you'd do well to watch it.
That there's no formula to relationship.
That we are co-creators with God.
That reality is only realized potential and that we have unlimited potential.
That everything is connected.
That God is not delivering people from a hell that awaits them, but from a hell that they've already created.
That heaven is not a destination, but a person.
That God's ultimate judgment is mercy.
That you can be an eagle or a chicken.
That the second Adam was far greater than the first Adam.
That God is more than we can ever fully realize and that makes life grand.
That Jesus had to go, so the Spirit could come.
That we have left the age of Pentecost and are transferring over into the age of Tabernacles.
That the "last days" were the last days of the Old Covenant.
That the Revolution is in knowing the heart of the Father.
That God is not just the Father, but the Mother and everything else.
That although we are comfortable with our paradigm, It will change again.
That perception is reality.
That God enjoys being human.
That the Kingdom is Now.

Linda Luke said...

I've learned ALOT!!!!!!!

...some of the highlights...

~To Blog!
~Relearned that it is not as much as what happens to us but how we respond that equals the outcome!
~To set healthy boundaries
~To say No when I need to more easily
~That we can Reign in His peace, love, joy in spite of what is happening around us!
~That LOVE truly is the greatest of all!
~That God is always faithful!



I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.
I will push you up to success or down to disappointment.
I am at your command.
Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me,
For I can do them quickly, correctly, and profitably.
I am easily managed, just be firm with me.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a
machine and the intelligence of a person.
You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin.
Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me.
Lead me. Reward me.
And I will then...do it automatically.
I am your servant.
Who am I?
I am a habit.

Lisa said...

I have learned that when God says he will do something all the help I try to give him doesn't work and leaves me in a mess, and to let God work it out for my good.
I have learned that ALL things are possible and things do turn out even if it wasn't the way I told GOD it should.
I have learned Love does move mountains of paperwork.
I have finally started to learn how to find the common ground to Love people I don't understand and or are different from me.
I have learned that GODs favor is real and can move mountains
I have learned not to worry so much about how GOD will do something but to try to just enjoy what is before me at the table and GOD will take care of the rest.
I have learned that even though I don't see the 4th man in the furnace and I can't hear or feel him he is there.

Lise said...

Wow... where to start?
(I've learned that I can hold a lot of lessons in my little pea-brain ;O)

I've learned that I love God more today than I did yesterday, and that I will, no doubt, love Him more tomorrow than today. I've learned that I can get upset with Him sometimes, and perhaps rant a little... and that's OK. In His humanity, He got upset sometimes, too. I KNOW that He loves me unconditionally; He proves it daily. In a world filled with conditions, such love is priceless! Literally, the 'free' gift given to ALL.

I've learned that I would never want to live w/out Him in my life.

I've learned that sometimes when we least expect it, God can wrap up little presents and send them our way. Sometimes they're just what we've always wanted... sometimes they're the worst gag gifts imaginable. But I seem to recall someone pretty smart recently saying something about learning how to RECEIVE a gift. There are lessons in the good AND the bad.

I've learned over the last several years to respect my body. And THIS year, through that little scare back in March (talk about gag gifts), I learned, personally, that if you don't have your health, you don't have anything!
By going through that experience with all of you, I learned a lot about love and the value of caring for others. I learned that it's good to ask for prayer when you need it, and to take God at His word in regard to agreement! And I THINK I learned, by not burdening my family with the situation, that I'm perhaps a little stronger than I thought I was... though I really hope not to be tested on that again!

I've learned that there are angels among us... always! Be prepared to meet them!

I've learned that God's voice can be heard via anything if we choose to listen. As much in the waves of the ocean, or the face of a praying mantis, or the many joys that 'man's best friends' can bring, as in the words of the most scholarly minister in the pulpit. There is value in God's voice no matter the vessel by which He chooses to speak. Just learn to listen!

I've learned that God enjoys a good game of backgammon ;} C'mon, guys... He really does have a sense of humor! When it comes to this particular game, my husband and I are very competitive... and it can get nasty sometimes! Not long ago, at the end of a very close game, there was only one roll that I could roll to win... double sixes. I looked upward and said, "Oh, PLEASE God... PLEASE!" Joe, of course, touted "that's not fair!" But what did I roll? Why, double sixes, of course :):):)
Yep, God enjoys a good game of backgammon!

I've learned that this blog is a bonafide ministry... probably more than any of us realizes. Thank you, Bish, for allowing us to minister to one another.

I've learned that, just maybe, I could prattle on forever, so I should perhaps stop!

But lastly, I've learned that in this occasion called life, we should rise to the height of the eagles... and SOAR!

Son of Zadok said...

Prattle On Elle!

I'm enjoying reading these today.

Anonymous said...

What did I learned in the 2008 ……? I LEARNED………

I don’t have to worry about anything, going on in the world this day.
Because every little thing I could be worry about, my Savior comes to my rescue.

To depend more & more on the Holy Spirit!

It’s good to forgive and to ask for forgiveness.

Not only to read the Word about Jesus. But to have a relationship with the Christ (Holy Spirit) that was inside Jesus and now inside me too.
(Don’t Me wrong, not that I am putting Jesus down. On the contrary I am learning more about Him (Jesus) through CHRIST (THE HOLY SPIRIT)

So much about myself because of this Blog!

To respect myself! So others will learn to have respect for me.

Things I thought I can never do; now I found myself doing them.

That fear is a copout not to do the necessary things I am call to do.

That God is not or will ever be mad at me.

That God loves me just as I am.

When I thought God only know me only ten years ago, but to learn He knew about me way before I was born.

He has chosen to relate to me in a new way.

He has chosen to be close to me in a way He wasn’t before.

Everything is beautiful on its own way.

I am a person with my own mind, my own will and emotion.

God the Spirit dwells within me.

God is everywhere.

God the Spirit is everywhere.

Even though God is everywhere, He doesn’t necessarily and automatically choose to act actively upon me to remake me, to commune with me. He can if He chooses. But because He is omnipresent He can even be in the atoms in my body, and yet not in spiritual communion with me. (But thanks are to God, He chooses to remake me unto His likened).

Even though I am now God’s very own special workmanship, a new creation in Christ, I am in this present body and in this present time a mixed bag as it were.

The same God, who created life in me, can be trusted with every details of my life.

“Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend stick closer than one’s nearest kin.” (PROVERBS 18:24)

I am very blessed to be attended CITN as such a time as this.

Through interaction with CITN people, how Heaven will be like.

My faith grows more and more every day.

To pay more attention to my calling of discipleship for the Kingdom work!

I can ask God the Purpose for my life on this earth!

To walk only towards God Purposes for me!

My life belongs to God. He gave it to me, so I can turn around and trust Him with it.

That Christ is my strength. (In Him I live. In Him I moved. In Him I do have my beings)

He knows my frame. He sees my desperate weakness. And He meets me far more than halfway.

I don’t have to be anxious for anything… as long as I seek the Kingdom first.

That He is my inspiration, and all the inspiration I need is in Him.

Most of all to let go and let God be God in everything in my life!

Bishop,
I would like to take this time to thank you, for your willingness to be used by the Holy Spirit. To speak the true, to preached the true. And to be truthful to us about things that concerns us with CITN. To teach us about God love for us, that is the Gospel, “the Good News.” how to be prepared and ready for ourselves to receive from the Holy Spirit.
May God bless you and your all family in this New Year
May love of Christ always be with you

Happy New Year... 20009 to all the BLOGGERS!
Yesterday gone……….Now,Today. let us Begin……….. New.....
Love Kettly

Larry, we miss you. It’s to come back home. Happy New Year!!!20009

Son of Zadok said...

That was awesome Kettly!

All of these posts are so good.

Son of Zadok said...

OK one more before I get going. I apologize if I'm going on to much, but this Blog is kind of like a spiritual diary to me in a way, and I want to give this a lot of thought today. What we learn is very important. Keep sharing what comes to your mind. Iron sharpens Iron!

Part 3

This year I learned,

That the entire Bible is a Revelation of Jesus Christ.
That just because a book is not your Bible, doesn't mean it's not inspired by God.
That their is a righteous purpose to God's judgement.
That in Adam all die, but in Christ all will be made alive.
That this life is the valley of the shadow of death.
That God doesn't make junk.
That God is the ultimate artist, not the ultimate abortionist.
That God created good and evil for His own good pleasure and purpose.
That we are all bridge builders.
That most of the church is preaching an Old Testament Jesus.
That Church In The Now is the Tip of the Spear.
That the "Underground Church" is alive and well.
That my day is greatly realized and multiplied when I take out real time to meditate on loving God.
That the devil has a lot less power than most people realize.
That the devil might in reality be something we don't quite yet percieve.
That the work of the devil in your life is actually your friend, helping to perfect you and propel you into your destiny.
That we fall so that we can get back up again.
That a random act of love in another person's life might be the most important thing you do in all of yours.
That when your on the run, God might be telling you to go back to Egypt.
That God speaks in parabolic experiences.
That the wages of sin is death, not eternal torment.
That reading John 3:16 without reading John 3:17, is like listening to Zeppelin's Heartbreaker without following it up with Living Loving Maid.
That gospel really is Good News.
That we are leaving the age of Pices and entering into the age of Aquarius.
That in this age God is calling out a Holy Priesthood.
That Christ's second coming is coming in you.
That we should be looking for His appearing.
That Christ didn't just die for us, He died as us.
That the revelation of the meanings of Aeon and Aionios can change your life.
That we can't compare natural things to spiritual things in God's Word.
That when you look at things in an extremely micro level, you find out their is nothing really here but energy and potential.
That the Son of Man came eating and drinking.
That All Things have come from God and eventually All Things will return to Him.
That God is the only one who can create the ear to hear and the eye to see.
That when you stand with God staring out from on top of the mountain, the mountain disappears.
That someone who steals in reality is probably a giver. That a liar is destined to speak the truth. That someone who is full of hate probably has a great capacity to love.

Lise said...

My favorite 2008 blog topic from Bish was the "MERRY CHRISTMAS" blessing.

My favorite 2008 posts from all of you are these!

Keep on going, SOZ... we'll let ya!

Son of Zadok said...

It's been a great year Elle. I'll never forget the very first service I streamed from CITN back in May on my birthday. It went dark in the sanctuary and the rain began to fall. The praises went up and the GLORY fell down!

Anonymous said...

Some highlights from 2008
by Michael Courter age 12
I learned about:

Africa
speaking French
Middle East
speaking Spanish
Cells
Integers
Line plotting
quandrants
linear equations
multiplying and dividing integers
how to mow the grass
the opposite of love is fear

live life to the fullest cuz you only have one...

Anonymous said...

What have I learned?

First let me describe what it means to me to learn something. For me, actual learning is something that imparts new knowledge to me in such a manner that the very path of my life is altered in a way that changes my view of things or the way I conduct myself. That has happened.

Continuous searching for additional enlightenment is a part of who I am. That one part of me is something that will not change. More light has come to me this year as it does every year. Searchings through readings of various authors is always a part of that and the voice of Jesus that I hear through Bishop Swilley both verbally and in writing is also a mechanism of new knowledge being emparted that I look forward to. Bishop is so used to flowing with the Holy Spirit that it seldom phases him when someone gets something but this year he provided the catalyst for a new view of God's goodness and mercy.

Without argument or apology I recieve scripture, as it is written in correct context, for a Holy Spirit inspired set of writings by men who love God and were called according to the purpose of promoting the good news to all humanity. The catch phrase is 'were called'.

This year the Holy Spirit has been challenging me to hear more and then repeat what I have heard. That AIN'T easy. The hearing part is OK but the repeating part takes some courage.

Among the voices that has spoken to me about this is Prophet Clement. I heard the Lord say through him that what has been said is in the past and God is looking for those who are willing to say what is in the present. I believe that Bishop is doing that with MITN and other areas of his teaching and it is also clear to me there are others ioncluding me who are called to do the same.

As clearly as anything has ever been spoken to me by the Holy Ghost, this year I heard Father say that there is not anything bad about what has been created and that it is only mankind that has ever said there is anything bad about it. Out of the written word I also saw that the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was made to be good for food. This does not stand in opposition to any teaching that encourages others to live their lives according to the tree of life concept over the 'forbidden fruit' tree. The most important thing that I have learned so far from this is that the woman and the man who followed her is not cursed by God for her disobedience as it has been said by other men including certain Biblical writers. There was just the beginning of a journey to become knowledgable of how great God is. When ever someone through time has offered a new view of another level of God's greatness it has always been met with resistence from others that are fearfull. The fear has not prevailed though. In every case the greater presentation of a greater God has brought renewed life to humanity.

The things I have learned this year that has altered my behavior is first, God said it is good no matter what anyone else says and second, I am called to tell others the latest news that I have heard from the Throne no matter what anyone else says.

Life is our purpose and Love is its destiny.

JB

Anonymous said...

In 2008 I have learned that,

It takes a fearless spirit to live in the mystery (everyday life).

You cannot change another person, however, you can change the way you respond to that person, thus you change that person.

You cannot change your past, however, you can change the way you perceive your past, the way you respond to your past; thus you "change" your past; a paradigm shift.

I have no room in my being for fear. Fear is a waste of energy. FEAR is an acronym, "false evidence appearing real".

We may not have it all together, but together, we have it all.

This, too, shall pass.

It's all good.

All is well.

Miracles are everywhere. Miracles happen in our lives on a regular basis, if we only believe, expect, recognize, accept gratefully, and share them with others... the "good news".

I have what we say, good or bad. The power of the word; e.g., God spoke the world into existence. He sent His Word to heal them.

We create our own world, most of what is accomplished by the way we react to each situation, the decisions we make, the actions we take.

I cannot worry about a situation, a waste of energy. It's always worked out, it always will, if I only believe; not how I expect, perhaps, but even better.

The 23 Psalm completes me.

I am highly favored of the Lord.

I should "look up and count the stars" often.

Frequently, I should pause, be still, and count the blessings.

I should strive to think deeply, speak gently, love much, laugh aloud, work hard, give freely, and be kind.

"Bloom where you are planted".

Wish it, dream it, do it.

I am wonderfully and beautifully made.

Life is good.

None will be lost, but all will be saved. God is great! We all go through (in this life), or will go through (in the life beyond), our own "lake of fire" so that we are purged and made spotless. What a concept!

"Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess..." is a good thing.

It's a beautiful world.

God loves me.

God loves this earth.

God gave the ultimate sacrifice. It is finished.

God's love is everlasting, eternal, for ever and ever; it never fails.

God loves everyone the same. If I can forgive the greatest of sinners, why can't God?

There are two ways of dealing with difficulties; I alter the difficulties, or I alter myself to meet them.

Life is short, eat dessert first.

I can't believe it's Christmas again already!

My 2009 New Year's Resolution is to share the "Good News" with those I meet.

Thank you, Bishop, for giving me the opportunity to "ponder" 2008 in a community blog. What a concept!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Son of Zadok said...

Wi Wi, Michael!

Tell the world JB!

Brenda that was fantastic!

I especially liked, We may not have it all together, but together, we have it all.

OK, someone shut this guy up! We get it! You learned stuff! Go outside, it's nice out!

Part 4

That God's Word is like the best meal you'll ever taste, and out back He has a barn full of desserts.
That God is the Savior of all men, especially those that believe.
That we should embrace God even in our darkness.
That I don't have to be right and you don't have to be wrong.
That I want to build up your Christ consciousness not your Adam consciousness.
That this body reaches out to hand the World the White Stone.
That I have a new name, hidden in Christ.
That I can never know God fully, but I can fully love Him.
That hidden in the command to love God and love your neighbor is loving yourself.
That the cross symbolizes the direction of these loves.
That we can obscure the simplicity of the cross with our doctrines.
That there are far superior Bible translations available.
That Jesus spoke in Aramaic and it's nothing like English.
That Jim Swilley, J.Preston Eby, Gary Sigler, and Charlie Osburn are some of my favorite teachers and gifts from God to me.
That talk don't cook rice.
That praying in the Spirit is a vital life-line for me.
That everythings origin is created with words.
That if someone is trying to put your fire out, your on the right track, keep going.
That many Christians have back filed the lieing horrors they have been taught about God. And it manifests in different ways.
That if you think God hates and condemns people, it's easy to pass those same judgments onto other people.
That before I was ever born, God and I knew each other.
That we didn't ask to be here, but we agreed to it.
The everything we'll ever know we've only forgotten.
That sometimes you can preach the gospel and someone will barely blink, other times someone can come alive before your very eyes.
That the world is often more receptive to the gospel than the religious.
That we have no need of man to teach us, but that teachers can be a real gift.
That I should never allow anyone to be my mediator or my source to the Spirit of God.
That knowledge without love is like listening to a trumpet blasting right next to your ear.
That the best gatherings are often when more than one person has something to give.
That theirs corn in Egypt.
That God is a consuming fire, and his servants are as a flame of fire.
That hearing the occasional curse word from the pulpit is good for the soul.
That I want to live by the Tree of Life, not the knowledge of good and evil.
That our attempts at "being good" are as stanky to God as "being bad".
That the life lived in the Spirit is a life of Inspiration.
That the five fold ministry and the church should not be codependent but singular.
That I hear, but sometimes I don't listen.
That people sometimes reject the very thing their heart so deeply desires.
That the enemy doesn't come in like a flood, the enemy just comes in, and like a flood God rises up against it.
That the Blast blows where it wills.
God doesn't call us to act a certain way and then end up doing just the opposite Himself.
That most of Jesus's life was spent as a disciple in preparation, and that's what we are called to be and to cultivate, and that good enough.
That if we till our garden, God will bring visitors into it.
That God had prepared a place for me in the presence of my enemies.
That I am my own worst enemy.
That in this poker game of life, God wins ALL the chips in the end.
That everything really is going to be alright.

Anonymous said...

SOZ,
You are just getting started, there's no doubt about it.

first word verification--tomas

Anonymous said...

Ask and keep asking
That we are all one
That I am
That God blesses everything I do as long as I have faith in His blessing
That I can not fear
That I have the ability to love unconditionally
God has called me to the nations
All things are good and come from God
Love is all
That I create my world
That I can hear the voice of the Spirit
We all hear each others spirit
Truth is different from fact because truth is intrinsic in all and encompasses all
That doing something is better than nothing
To forgive myself
To seek first the Kingdom
This is the Kingdom
That all these things were already in me and were revealed by the Christ in me

Anonymous said...

Awe come on SOZ, aint ya got nuthin good ta say?

Anonymous said...

I learned so much but I don't want to type a book so I'll say

Jesus sees & loves me just the way I am
and I hope that's the way we see and love each other.

Peace for 2009

linda said...

This year I learned...

Tell the people dearest to you that you love them everyday! You never know when they won't be here anymore! (Lost my Mom this year)

Things can and do change suddenly.. and even if you can't see or understand what going on, everything really does work out for my good.

I am stronger than I thought I was.
and
God never lets you down!

JR said...

This year of Our Lord 2008 I learned that I could only go to a church that is like Church In The Now. I've also had a lot of good ideas about what I want to do with my life this year. I've also had a
lot of good ideas for my tv show idea and plans for how I should go about doing those things. I would just like to say Bishop Swilley you've had the best services this
year that I have ever heard from
a man of God, Jesus, and the Holy
Spirit in their house. Oh and hey
Bishop, love your choice of songs for the blog playlist, especially
the modern songs, especially "Don't Worry Be Happy", and a lot of those great golden oldies that I love.

Donald said...

I'm off work and having an extremely busy (good busy) day, but this topic has caused me to think all day long and I will be getting back later.

JR said...

P.S., Everybody have a happy new year. One Love. Peace.

Lise said...

So, Bish...
I'm with SOZ. What have YOU learned?

Anonymous said...

I've learned so much...How do you speak in tongues on the blog?

Being a Kindergarten teacher I thought of this


All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten

©Robert Fulghum



All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned. Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life-learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup-they all die. So do we. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned-the biggest word of all - LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living. Take any of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if all--the whole world--had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put thing back where they found them and to clean up their own mess. And it is still true, no matter how old you are-when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Anonymous said...

Yes and amen!

Lise said...

Nancy,
I've had 4 of his books for years. They're all fantastic!

Son of Zadok said...

J.R. I have a vision to start a show here in Ohio on Public Access to spread the Good News. We should chat sometime.

Centurion, I want to put your post on a T-shirt!

Nancy, that was great.

Linda, loving our loved ones more while we have them. We all need more revelation of that truth. Thank You.

Alright, last one for me. I think...

Part 5

This year I've learned,

That I don't have the right to condemn myself and neither do you.
That we all have a Shack prepared for us where God waits to meet and heal us.
That it's so very hard to overcome what you hear first, but with God all things are possible.
That I'll never change by trying to improve Adam, only by coming alive in Christ.
That we are on an upward spiral.
That the living walk in the land of the living dead.
That from the world's most corrupt and grievous sins of darkness, lies the foundation for the universes most beautiful acts of love and forgiveness.
That if you run out of gas, God has a tanker truck full of Holy Ghost fuel right behind you.
That saying, "Hallajuha, Praise God, Glory to God, Amen", always stirs something up inside of me.
That It's good to gain favor with not only God, but also with man.
That we are born again, and again, and again, going from glory to glory.
That I strive to be post-political and post-denominational.
That what God wants, God gets.
That He's got the whole wide world in His hands.
That it's the goodness of God that leads to repentance.
That there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
That All is the most controversial word in the church today.
That unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit.
That I'm the sheep and the goat.
That the field is my life and that I'm the wheat and the tare.
That you can't watch the parade of time through a knothole in the fence and expect to understand the beginning from the end.
That the common concept of hell is a pagan myth.
That God is reconciling all things to Himself.
That only brave and bold revolutionaries will proclaim the truth.
That the truth will set you free.
That the whole world has been redeemed, but they just don't know it yet.
That those who carry the gospel on their lips are like bringers of water to those dieing of thirst.
That people fear what they don't understand.
That just because your daddy, and your daddy's daddy said it, don't mean it's so.
That, "You've heard it said, but I say...", says the Spirit of the Lord.

NTL said...

SOZ said,
That it's so very hard to overcome what you hear first, but with God all things are possible.

I had to take the long hard road on this one, but thank God that the road led me back to where I left from.

I also learned that unconditional love means unconditional love, and at CITN, it means what it says.

Erik said...

Excellent writings, SOZ (X5), Elle, Pastor Nancy, JR, Linda, Centurion, Brenda, JB, Kettley, Lisa, Machion, Crownjewel, River, dgm, mayam, NTL, and Anons, - y’all basically lay it all out. Yes and Amen !

I like learning something new, because when I learn that, everything else I have learned is revised, strengthened, broadened.

I have learned that every existence is in God’s presence, in God’s courts. All we do is present with God ALL the time. What great Freedom it is!! ALL time present with God for ALL of us, eternally. Everything is right in front of God. What peace!!!!

The more we are thankful, the more we have to be thankful for. The more we love, the more love we have. The more we bless, the we have to bless. The less we doubt, the less we have to doubt. The less we fear, the less we have to fear. – What we have more of, more will be given. That which we have less of, even what we have of that will be taken. What peace !!!!

I sacrifice my non-beneficial in the pur (for me everyday) and the aroma of the sacrifice is pleasing to God. I make offerings of my beneficial and my appreciation of beneficial pleases God.

Anonymous said...

I learned the meaning of "This too shall pass". IT DID!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I learned to say less and do more!

Erik said...

I have learned it is fun to be a disabler, an assassin of sorts, of bitterness, fear, confusion, lack of knowledge, boxes. To be a medium, a delivery mechanism- like water pipes, air vents, power lines -- happily. A great bonus is whatever goes thru, a little stays behind. Crumbs of the big cake are scrumptious.

Anonymous said...

This is all great stuff here today y'all, I would like to stay with you but I have fallen asleep several times sitting here reading these beautiful words from all of you.

SOZ I posted your 1 and 2 on my blog this morning (with your copy right) along with mine. If you dong mind I am going to post 3-5 tomorrow, its too good not to share.....

This I could totally relate to:
"That reading John 3:16 without reading John 3:17, is like listening to Zeppelin's Heartbreaker without following it up with Living Loving Maid."

Yep!

I know you are busy Donald, but I did miss hearing from you today....

You all dont forget my new Video blog "message in motion" if you get time sometime stop by. I have some great videos on there. None of mine yet, I put these up first cause they are better I will be putting some of mine up now and then and making new ones.

Here is the link:

http://messageinmotion.blogspot.com/

Good night all,
Peace,
Dennis

ver. word samula
2nd ver word supinelo

Anonymous said...

OK, I gotta say one more thing.

for any of you out there that didnt think last year was so great....here is something I used to here Robert Rutherford say "and it came to pass; It did not come to last"

Thems bible words y'all!

"Oh the times they are a changin"

You all remember Robert in your Prayers He has been on my mind for some reason.

really good night this time...

Peace,
Dennis

Donald said...

I have thought about this subject practically all day as I have been out in my shop piddling around.
I honestly wanted to come up with some outstanding material so that everyone would think that I have really made huge advances in many areas this year.
But as I have tried to be genuine in my assessment of this year I can’t think of a single thing that I’ve learned. I, like JB, believe that to learn something is to have some new knowledge imparted to you. As hard as I have tried, I cannot think of any new knowledge that I have gained. Oh sure, I have read a pile of books, but they have mainly been thrillers or suspense novels. I have watched all sorts of things on TV about how things are made and what makes this or that work the way that it does, and while some may consider that learning, and in one sense it is, it doesn’t directly make my life any better or any worse because I am not going to act on any of that information beyond being capable of carrying on an intelligent conversation concerning some of it.
Being someone who places a high value on formal education I must admit that to say that I cannot think of anything new that I have learned over the period of a year does sound like a poor commentary of one’s life for that period. But this year has been one of restoration for me. I began a new job after having worked at the same company for thirty years which was a tremendous leap of faith for me.
While I choose not to use the term “learned” I will say that I have built upon some previous learning and have come to some new realizations about myself. Some of those realizations have been good and some less favorable. For instance, I have come to realize that I do not trust God as much as I would like for people to think that I do. If I did, I would not have fretted over some of the things this year the way that I did. I would not have spent sleepless nights wondering how I was going to pay college tuition for two kids who mean more to me than my own life then find out at the eleventh hour that everything was just fine.
But then there is the realization that I am an inventor at heart while I have never invented anything in my life. But since I was a child I have always had ideas come into my mind about something that I think should be built. Only this year have I actually started putting those thoughts into action. I do believe that I finally heard the Holy Spirit ask me how many ideas was He going to have to put into my mind that I was capable of building before I would finally do something about them.
I believe that this coming year will be one of much learning. I am already making preparations to formally learn new things. One of those new things will be to learn a different language and another of those things is Her Majesty and I are going to take dance lessons (my Christmas gift to her).

Erik said...

Donald, you have learned volumes in those sentence you wrote. - Godspeed!

Son of Zadok said...

Erik, or should I call you Dissembler. That was great.

I sacrifice my non-beneficial in the pur (for me everyday) and the aroma of the sacrifice is pleasing to God. I make offerings of my beneficial and my appreciation of beneficial pleases God.

I will never forget that either.

Donald, that was the best post I read on here all day. Knowing things only gets you so far anyways. We're all walking down that same long road together.

My dot, dot, dot for the day.

That God is not a Christian
That a new expression of praise is on the horizon, get ready.
That Jesus is truly a friend that sticks closer than a Brother, and a Brother means a lot.

Son of Zadok said...

Whoops, it was NTL with the long hard road. Donald, your story just sounded like a long hard road, but it was a really gripping story none the less.

Probably from reading all those thrillers...

Pamela said...

I learned I am a work in progress, and I am good. I am where I am supposed to be. That God is perfecting everything that is in me and about me for my benefit and the benefit of the Kingdom. I learned that as long as I am open and always learning I am growing. I learned again and it has been reinforced that there is no other place for me But CITN. I have the best Friends at CITN, the best Bishop/Pastor in all the world, and I am where God wants me to be, and so blessed. I have gained peace to walk through what in the natural is a negative and ask God to show me the light/positive and what I am to learn or grow from the situation. I have learned to take the down time to draw closer to Him and absorb all I can. I have learned to appreciate the little things that most take for granted. I have learned that God wants more for me than I can even ask or imagine for. I am learning to love myself where I am, and accept God’s Love and Grace. I have learned that I am not everything and a bag of chips to everyone, but to God I am and that is all that matters. I have learned to forgive my self and others for the little things that will hold me back and keep me from growing. Thank you everyone who contributes to this blog and all of the sources that God feeds me with his word. I love you all. HAPPY BLESSED AND FAVOR FILLED NEW YEAR!!!! GOD HAS SO MANY GREAT NEW THINGS TO BE DISCOVERED ABOUT HIM AND OURSELVES IN 2009. Love, Pamela See you all ITB tomorrow and those who are traveling, I wish you and yours a wonderful celebration for New Year and a Safe Return to GA/CITN

Son of Zadok said...

When Pastor Dennis told me he was putting my "what I've learned this year" (I feel goofy saying that at this point) on the front of His Blog. I thought it would be wise to give some credit to those from whom I've learned.

Here's the post I put on Not1lost.

Pastor, it's real honor to have this here. Truly God is the giver of light, but if it weren't for ministries like these this year... well I just want to truly say thank you all for what your doing for our Lord's Body , you've made a difference in this life this year.

T.L. and Daisy Osborn for putting the seed of the Gospel in Carlton Pearson's heart on TBN many years ago. T.L. you've always been a hero to me.
Carlton Pearson and newdimensions.us - God woke me up in the middle of the night in March of 08' and used your voice on MSNBC to call me out of my wilderness and despiar. I am eternally thankful for your bold courage and faith.
Gary and Michelle Amirault and Tentmaker.org - I don't know what else to say, but thank God for you both.
Sozo2 and youtube.com/user/sozo2 - don't ever stop producing the Gospel like you do.
Dr.Harold Lovelace and
haroldlovelace.com, who if it were not fof His wisdom, I may have never found
Bishop Jim & Pastor Debbie Swilley and Family and Each one at Church In The Now - churchinthenow.org (stream live Sundays & Wednesday nights online!), boginthenow.blogspot.com, And now awordforwinners.blogspot.com - I love you guys, your my fam.
Your esteemed self and Not1Lost.blogpost & Not1lost @ youtube, completerestorationinchrist.org & now messageinmotion.blogspot.com - Your truly a Paul in the lives of Timothy's.
Doc Scott and youtube.com/user/BibleTruth - Keep making videos!
Sigler Ministries and sigler.org, Oh thank you, thank you Gary!
The Eby's and Kingdom Bible Studies kingdombiblestudies.org - Serious Bible Study -So true. I don't know whether God's work in your life is like a fine wine or dynamite?
Dr. Stephen E. Jones and gods-kingdom-ministries.org - I want to read everything you've written.
Kenneth B. Visscher & Family and overcomers.ca - especially for your letter to the church.
Dr.Lynne Hiles and lynnhiles.com
Gerry Beauchemin and hopebeyondhell.net, A bastion of truth revealed in your book.
growthingod.org.uk - I don't know who you are, but wow.
Kim Clement and kimclement.com - Hear and speak from the Lord.
Mike Miller at truth-over-tradition.com - Always visit your site
Tim King - for preaching one of the best messages I've ever heard.
Dick King - for preaching another message I'll never forget.
Kalen Fristad destinedforsalvation.org - Thank You
Thomas Kissinger and hearingthetruthofgod.com - Thank You
Paradox Church theparadoxchurch.org - your my fam to! Awesome things ahead for us!
And most of all the Holy Spirit for telling me that my time was up, I didn't have to be mad at God anymorem for guiding me into His glorious truth this year with the help of all His glorious church!

THAT,

"IF THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT MOST OF MANKIND IS GOING TO BURN IN AN FIERY ETERNAL HELL, DON'T TRY AND TELL ME WHAT THE BAD NEWS IS!"
~Louis Abbott

THAT THE TRUTH IS,

JESUS SAVES!

AND HE SAVES, AND HE SAVES, AND HE SAVES, AND HE SAVES, AND HE SAVES UNTIL HE FINDS EVERY-LOST-SHEEP!

YES AND AMEN, IT IS GOOD NEWS!!!

callmecrazy said...

This year I learned,


Not to let my fear or anger get the best of me.
That I'm complete in Christ.
That I'm not trying to get to Heaven,but that I'm trying to manifest Heaven here on Earth.
Their is more power in a simple act of forgiveness, than in the splitting of the atom.
Diversity creates wholeness.
I am incomplete without the whole Body of Christ.
It's love that gives my whole life meaning.
It's not what I do,but how well I have loved.
How much I love God is manifested in how much I love others.
That going forward is about letting go of the past.
That being in the presence of God alone will get me through the day.
Hate is fear.
That Christ is just as much Catholic as He is Baptist,Pentecostal or any other denomination.
If I'm at peace with God I can be at peace with anyone at any time.

Peace.

Anonymous said...

SOZ, You are equally a blessing. There is so much good stuff in you when your fingers hit the key board it flows like a rushing river of the pure Love and Grace of God. You are truly anointed and full of the Holy Ghost. It is very soothing and comforting to the soul of man to read the words of life that flow from your fingers brother!

Peace,
Dennis

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

OK, SOZ and Elle (and everyone else who asked me, personally...I finally wrote some of what I learned...