Thursday, March 19, 2009

MAKING A CONNECTION (RE-POST)

ommunication is life…that’s why we come here to this blog site every day…we come to meet in cyberspace to exchange ideas, to edify one another, to create an environment of faith, and to proclaim the Kingdom of God as we prophecy to the Blogosphere. I’ve used this Scripture before in reference to the purpose of BLOGINTHENOW, but it’s one of my very favorites, and should be repeated often: Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name. (Malachi 3:16 – AMP)…in The Message it says it this way… Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God's name. I love that…"God saw what they were doing and listened in…” God is listening to us right now, and we are listening to him through each other. My favorite quote by Confucius is “Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I'll remember. Involve me and I'll understand.” A blog is all about involvement, and, indeed, nothing is better at creating understanding than simple involvement. Communication is involvement...

pening lines of communication creates vulnerability in a sense, but being vulnerable doesn't have to be threatening. Some of you blurkers and ex-blurkers have said to me that you have to deal with a certain kind of intimidation about blogging here. You worry about not being able to sound clever enough, or smart enough, or profound enough to engage in this dialogue…but I don’t accept that. You are a member of this community, and this is a safe place. No one is going to judge you…get over yourself! Just have the courage to be sincere, open and honest. You have something to say…a valid contribution to make. And when you step out in faith and write what is on your heart, it opens the door to deeper communication all around. It creates self-empowerment and the kind of connections with others we all want in life. Most importantly, it builds up the Body of Christ. Speaking from the heart frees us from the secrets that burden us, because we all want and need to be heard, and we all need to be a part of something that is bigger than our own individuality…

etworking, in the business world, is all about creating more possibilities in the workplace, and networking, in general, can open up whole new worlds in relationship potential. Here on the “net” the possibilities are endless, which is why social networking sites like Myspace, Friendster, Facebook, and now Twitter, have literally exploded in popularity in just a few short years. Everyone wants to know and be known on some level. God made us that way. And, previously, I’ve shared statistics with you about the number of existent blogs on the internet (the number of them is literally mind-blogling!), which only further confirms that communication and the need for it is alive and well in the 21st century…

o man is an island. This famous phrase is part of a quotation from John Donne (1572-1631) which appeared in Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII. The full quote is this: "All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." The meaning is simply that human beings do not thrive when isolated from others. Donne was a Christian but this concept is shared by other religions, principally Buddhism, but certainly the Apostle Paul grasped the concept when he said that we are the Body of Christ, and that the eye cannot say to the hand “I have no need of you.”

very day you have a golden opportunity here before you to connect with others in a meaningful way…a chance to be blessed, and to be a blessing. Don’t ever take it for granted. Make the effort to stop by and say hello, even if you don’t have time for a long visit. It saddens (and insults) me when people in my life (especially people in my church) tell me that they’re not really interested in making a connection here. I can always tell when someone is disconnected by some of the things they say, and by some of the questions they ask. But I do believe that more and more of you are beginning to realize that BLOGINTHENOW is Church In The Now (and cyber-CITN) in microcosm, and are starting to appreciate the value of it…

hurch In The Now, as you know, is more than just a church in the conventional sense. As we have deconstructed the definition of ecclesiastical “business as usual”, we are being forced to write new definitions of what church is, and what it could or can be…to do, as has been prophesied, what hasn’t been done before. Church In The Now is an idea in the mind of God, manifested through the dreams of those of us who are called here for such a time as this. I’m writing this because the word “CONNECT” is so strong in my spirit these days. We are called to CONNECT…to connect what? I’m still discovering the answer to that question, but it has something to do with reconciliation…the reconciliation of all things which is, basically, the CONNECTION of all things…God and man…the old and the new…the sacred and the secular…the familiar and the unfamiliar…black and white…

alk to me about this…tell me what you think. Why are we here? Where are we going? Are we on the right track? As the Pastor of this church, the Seer in this House, and the Bishop of your souls…am I leading you in the right direction? Do you think that the people are “connecting” with the vision? Are they “connecting” with their sense of responsibility to it? Are they “connecting” to one another? Are they “connecting” with my voice as I follow Christ? What role does this blog play in the connectivity of this community? Why is connection so important, anyway? As an individual, are you “connecting” with your own, personal “best destiny”, and, if so, how is this ministry helping you to do that? And, most importantly, how “connected” are you to God at this point on your journey? Make the time to respond to this, because this is important, and I want to hear from you.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bishop,

If you are not doing a great job!
So tell me who is. One thing I do know since my tenth year of going to church, I have never, ever enjoys church;the way I am right now.
God is good!
We love you and we are grateful to have you as our pastor, our seer, our shepherd, our spiritual father, and our friend too!

Peace, joy and love
kettly

Leesa said...

Bishop, I am in a very "weird" place right now, feeling a bit like I don't know anything...but with that comes a lot of "new" discoveries. Anyway, I looked up "connect", here is just a couple definitions:
1. to join, link, or fasten together; unite or bind: to connect the two cities by a bridge; Communication satellites connect the local stations into a network.
2. to establish communication between; put in communication: Operator, will you please connect me with Mr. Jones?
WOW! Yes, Bishop you join us, give us an opportunity to unite. You are the epitome of a "bridge-builder"! We "connect" so much better with you as our leader, our satellite!

Most people think of communication as someone talking ..the other listening only. But communication is shared understanding. You and Pastor Debye have been such a beautiful safe haven of "shared understanding" to Don & I! I always leave your presense feeling stronger and more connected to God. To say "thank you" sounds a bit lame for the depth of gratitude...nevertheless, Thank You! In the true sense of the word, you, Pastor Debye, & CITN are awesome! Leesa

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful.

I met a man yesterday at the little farmer's market on Usher street who was rather distinguished but before we met his voice was the first contact. It ended being like hearing the voice of God speaking to me and it so fits in with today's contact message. He came up behind me as I was paying for a basket of t words and said how are you doing in a robust kind of way that a well known aquaintance would. My first thought was he is talking to the man taking my money but that gentleman looked up and his eyes told me that I was being addressed. After turning to greet him there was a moment of being speechless that happened as my eyes were sending messages to my brain that it was having difficulty with processing. Here was a tall distinguished older African American that seemed like someone I should know but couldn't pull any pictures from my memory files on. He just said "its a great day" and my hand was reaching to shake his before I knew what was going on. As we shook hands I weakly said yes it is and followed in a stuttering way to explain that I should know him but apologetically admitted that I didn't. He smiled and said, "sometimes I find it hard to talk too but you should just do like I do and talk anyway". My smile at recieving what he said was returned and we parted as I walked to my truck and he stepped up to the merchant's window.

The goodness of God is all around us all of the time and even catches those of us who think we are optimistic off guard sometime.

This was a good lesson from the Teacher for me that said first, you shouldn't be on guard so much and secondly, if you ask and believe for peace and then adamently follow up by proclaiming it they way you have then don't be so surprised when I give it to you. I smiled all the way home and then laughed when regathering my thoughts from just before being greeted by God. I was thinking how funny it would be if Bishop saw me buying tomatoes just a few yards from his home and that also taught me something. Just enjoy the tomatoes and the contact.

The way that gentleman was dressed made me think he could have been a judge or some other potentate from the nearby courthouse that is probably well known in the community but then again the Presence that contacted me was more like only for my sake at the time.

Just do like the man said. Talk anyway. It is important to all of us and it is perhaps one of the greatest streangths of our Bishop to evoke communication from us. Have you ever wonderd why Bishop often says at the close of his teachings, "didja get anything outa this"? I've heard would be detractors assume that he is just wanting affirmation but they are greatly missing it. It is a provocation for us to go our way considering just what we did get out of the teaching.

Anyone who has read my entries over some time would think that on some occassions there was a complete miscommunication or at least a very ecentric one going on and they would be right. It is fully my intent to be supportive of Bishop but it has not always come across that way to others and perhaps to him sometimes. I have been forgiven and accepted as a cherished family member anyway.

It is good to talk.

JB

Anonymous said...

JB,
Sounds like that experience was one of "angels". You may never see that man again, but you may well never forget his face.

Peace,
Northern Light

Larry Usher said...

Great JB! Since the Lord set me free I have been talking! I always envied those that could strike up a conversation with a total stranger and enjoy it. This is who we all are once some junk has been shed off our soul! Some a little more gregarious, some less.
When we were kids playing in the neighborhood, EVERYONE had a voice and would let it be heard because we were all "family", there was nothing you could say that would get you kicked off the "friend" list...this is how it should be and is at CITN.
Everyone essential, everyone needed, nothing wasted, all priceless!

Bro Lar

Lise said...

Bishop,

Your commitment astounds me, because I now know what goes into blog-creation. And it IS alot of work, especially for someone who has 7 (or 8) blogs! But this place is greatly appreciated by those of us who love it and choose to participate, and I'm guessing that even the blurkers, who may never decide to contribute, get a word in season or a fresh perspective from the communication that happens here.

I'm having a blast with mine and, of course, hope to eventually have more feedback, but I think it's more like an adventure to me, as I've never really been a technical person. For instance, in my opinion, a 'blackberry' is a fruit... and that's all there is to it! And a 'cookie' is meant to be devoured and enjoyed :)
Guess I need to do something with my 'cookies'... currently have to sign-in all the time. Beats me!?!
So far, the only technical devices that I've completely bonded with and don't want to live w/out are my digital camera and my iPod (the greatest invention on the planet)!
I still have much to learn (computer-wise) and facets to explore, but the process is gratifying my creative urges at this point in time. And like JB was saying, sometimes you just need to talk, or in this case write. And writing is cathartic... purgative, so it benefits the writer as much or more than the audience. For Heaven's sake, there are days that I go from 7-6 without talking to anyone except my dogs. Do THAT long enough and the brain might quickly go to mush!
(Maybe I should start reading to them... hhhmmmm... )

Anyway, thank you again for this. Its value is priceless!

Larry Usher said...

word ver ELIQU- Eloquent? Except with the root od ELI

"ELIQUENT" forcefully speaking the voice of God within onesself. OK, I get credit for making up that word! Ha!

Eloquent

1. having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech: an eloquent orator.
2. characterized by forceful and appropriate expression: an eloquent speech.

Anonymous said...

Bishop....

What do I think of this blogging opportunity and all your efforts? I think it's wonderful...... I like that word today, replacing awesome. Of course, you know that I'm perfect with GOOD, 'cause that's what HE said about his creation, so yea, this from you is GOOD! What more on that ?

On my personal perspective, I, too, like talking. I need to communicate AND enjoy it. This is 'another' way to talk, to connect, to communicate, all the above you mentioned in the original post. The allowance is to be taken, and I believe there's something far more going on here than just "blogging". Yep, we are connecting and getting to know each other. The people here are like good "in-laws". ( I DON'T know where that came from, but as I was about to erase it I decided maybe it was meant for someone out here, so I'm leaving it. While it made no sense to me, just came out my fingers to the keys.......Holy Spirit, I'm supposin !)

I furthermore believe, yes BELIEVE, that this blog allowed me in & keeps me in communion with a church body of believers and worshippers, that I am not blessed enough to be ITB with each Sunday, but feel that when I ever can travel and be there, I am not a spectator, but a member of that body, as well. I look forward to the opportunities to meet face to face all of you, when those visits can occcur.

I think HE's grooming my future for a move, for a different path, and this may be all part of HIS plan. I'm rolling with it and blessed for it ! Won't that be a testimony some day .....wow !

So,yes, Bishop....I think you and your efforts are priceless and irreplaceable.......THANK YOU !

HE looked at what HE had done and it was GOOD !

Peace,
Northern Light

Anonymous said...

Bishop of my soul and Pastor of the house that I am connected to, Peace be upon you.

First, I must say that I am glad you reposted this "Making a Connection" because it sure is important. It is like we almost had a face to face conversation about this. This is really interesting and I am in learning mode that if I am connected to God and the other person is connected to God then we are connected by the Spirit.

As I read today's post in it's entirety, I was happy that you covered the things that you did. The quote from Confucius, certainly great words to live by. Communication is important and having this blog is a great idea because it helps me to stay connected. It helps me to be accountable in some sense...if that makes sense. I think the churches today are lacking in the accountability area. This may sound crazy but even though you don't know what I am doing everyday of my life, you challenge me to be different, to be better to want more for me and my family. Having this site helps me stay connected and I feel like I belong to a family. The scripture that you quoted from Malachi 3:16 AMP is exactly what I am talking about accountability in that God is listening in. I feel like I get to say the things that I can't say in Church as it would be inappropriate of me to lift my hands and say, Bishop, that's great word and go into why I think so. On the other hand, this blog helps me do that.
I know that I am being led by you in the right direction because the Spirit in me doesn't lie. That "gut feeling" that we so often ignore doesn't lie. I think that you are a tremendous teacher of the WORD and if you weren't chanllenging me then I would have questions.
In terms of other people "connecting" to the vision, I think so. You can't help but "connect" with where you are being fed. It's like a child being fed whether it is food or values or whatever, if that is what that child is in need of in that time then that is where that child will feel connected. I think that people are "connecting" and can connect if they wanted to because it is accessible. I am blessed on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights when you would say to give someone a hug or hand shake, and the person on the other end looks so happy to get a hand shake from me. For instance, the night of the Global Peace Festival Inter-Faith Celebration, I hugged a Caucasian woman and she was so happy. She turned to her daughter and said, "she gives good hugs". Or the Sunday Judah preached and it was great but for a first timer it may not be the same experience and this one woman said, this wasn't what I was expecting. And I said to her, my Pastor is out of town and that was his son but you should come back next week. I think that I have done part of my responsibility as a member of CITN. And I said that to say that I am sure several people have had similiar experiences and so they owe it to themselves and to the house that they are getting food to be responsible and be connected.

I am always challenged by your messages. I am motivated to be all that I can be as Christ has laid it out my destiny for me and you help me see that everyday that I set foot in CITN or on the blog. You motivate people in every possible way that you can think of. And I know that not only do you have a joy for being on the computer and creating things, the real joy comes when you know that people have gotten what you have taught. In the section of your post that "no man is an island" and you explained that "The meaning is simply that human beings do not thrive when isolated from others." Socialogist have said that the number one reason people commit suicide is because they are lonely.

Thank you for doing all that you do to show us God's way and make information available.

Peace,
Nicola

Anonymous said...

Thanks, I needed that. Because this blogging does seem a little risky at times. This blogging- we must be aware not to comment harshly to one another to keep the sacredness of the blog. At this time of my day I am feeling somewhat disconnected. So that is why I am blogging. I am praying that my emotions will catch up with my understanding -I am not alone-and I will have a good rest of the day!
May his will be done on earth as it is in heaven and may it begin with me.

annon in north ga

SCRIBE said...

Hello All:

I'm simply "checking in" for now, and plan to drop back in a bit later in response to making connections. Thanks and hope that everyone is having a fabulous day thus far.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, Kettly...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Good stuff, P. Leesa...still haven't watched the video you sent yesterday, but Debye was just telling me about it...I'll check it out...you'll need to get a CD or DVD of the word for this coming Sunday...I just Twittered that the HS downloaded it into my spirit a few minutes ago...I have a strange (good) feeling about this one...

Stay strong...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

JB...you don't need to be forgiven by me (or anyone else, for that matter)...I've never once doubted your support...how in the world could I? Your every word is always welcome and appreciated here...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Larry, I like it every time I hear you say "since the Lord set me free"...it always feels real to me when you refer to it...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, Elle...I got another good chuckle the other day after our exchange about your playlist challenges...and then you got it resolved...and then someone left a message that they couldn't hear your music...

You'd have to have spent some time in technical/blog/playlist hell to understand why that's funny...

And still ironic...

Rebecca Blood wrote a cool book about weblogs (blogs)...if you Google her name you should be able to find some quotes that you will relate to about the need for expression...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

NL...thanks for your input here and in all the rooms...I don't always respond to everything you post, but I read it all...

I appreciate the way that you've jumped in and have become a major contributor to this community...you have the spirit of some of my originals like Avatar, Peacemaker, P. Dennis, and others like them, who have been here since day one, and are here pretty much every day...

I like that you came late to the party, but you didn't stay on the periphery ("They that come in at the 11th hour will receive the same wages...")

Which makes me wonder...did SOZ get raptured?

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks for that, Nicola...there's always a lot of light surrounding your words...

When I orginally posted this nearly a year ago, I wrote in the last sentence that I was believing for a hundred comments on it...I got 163...

Thanks again for being connected...

Northern Light said...

Bishop Bishop Bishop.........

I JUST got the mail from the mailbox and last Sunday 3/15 DVD came........I haven't gotten to see it yet and ALREADY you have me wanting NEXT Sunday's message from your post to P.Leesa.....

I'm telling ya', I WILL be ITB, I WILL be ITB. I feel it, I just don't know when HE's ordaining it~
and I don't mean just for a visitor !

Peace,
Northern Light

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Anon @ 2:36...Paul said that we were "alienated from God in our minds"...you may feel disconnected at the moment, but don't assume that that is your reality...it may just be (probably is) your perception...

blog on...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Hey Scribe, and thanks...

Anonymous said...

Up until Now……. I did not realize I was making a connection!
I get up this morning I ask the Lord, what He wants me to do.
I found myself take the box of my cards out, pick up the church directory close my eyes count to three to see which name’s my finger stop onto. Where my finger stop, that’s the person I send the card out to!

I thank God, for all of you today dear friends.
My life would not have been the same without you all.
Your love, your faith, your loyalty, has enriched my life.
I have become a better friend, a better communicator because of all of you in my life.
Being there for one another has helped me become more loving and very compassionate towards other people. I believe together we are participating in a divine plan of friendship, whether we have walked the path of life for a short time or for a long time.
Our Spirit within has been and will eternally be the source of the love that inspires us to become BROTHERS and SISTERS.
LOVE, PEACE and JOY,
Kettly

Anonymous said...

Well now Bishop,

It's been exactly two hours since you posted to me and I am still thinking of your words about coming late to the party. How I joined right in and still get the good stuff, even being the newest one in the family.

Communicate, Connect, Celebrate.

I love a party! I love to plan a party ~ I am suggesting a party.
SOME DAY....when you're ready...what about something like a "NICE TO MEET YOU BLOGGER BRUNCH"...on a Sunday after service. Better yet, let's have it the day after the night before's "GODFATHER MOVIE & SPAGHETTI DINNER"......if I'm planing/helping one long weekend to fly in for would be best ! haha

All the "kids" together at home.
Ah........what fun ! You know you're thinking about it, Dad !

Peace,
Northern Light

Friend4Life said...

Good Evening Blogfamily!! How has everyone's day been? I've come down with a cold, but feeling much better than yesterday.

I don't ever want to feel disconnected here. There are some days I am lost for words. I don't want to type the same stuff. I was thinking..how can we get more to blog here. (Even me) (smile) Well, I did think...how about you can't view the comments until you comment on the topic. If there was a special button to switch..that's what I would do.

Anyway, looking 4ward 2 Sunday.

Every-1 have a Blessed Day!!

~Peace, Love, Dream Big, & Keep Believing~

Linda Luke said...

Kettley said it well for me!!

I understand the hesitation blurkers have as I was one! Just have to take a leap of faith and it is so worth it!!

Being connected here definitely has helped me to be more connected with my destiny and in tune with God and the 'Wonderful Life'!!! It has given me so much direction, inspiration, joy and insight!!!

I can only imagine the work and time that you put into this place! It is so appreciated!

We truly are not islands unto ourselves and we all are connected to one other thru the Spirit I believe whether it's realized or not. We each have our place and a purpose and this place definitely affirms the value of 'EACH' and love for one another and others is so evident!

My walk and direction have and are more firm because of this place! It is a haven in a desert~esp today with so much negativity out there I can come here and be refreshed and connect with others that are positive, loving, and get some gold nuggets for living a better life!

As far as helping me to connect to God! I am more connected and in love with Him than ever!!!!!

Your efforts and work are not in vain!

Love you Bishop and each person here! You're all a bright spot in my day and life!!!

Peace,Love, Joy~

Larry Usher said...

Yah Bishop- I was so bound up, so not knowing who the real me was. Just like the Keith Green song it was
"like waking up from the longest dream,
how real it seemed,
until your love broke through"!

When you don't feel like you belong anywhere then all of a sudden this total love and acceptance pours in- ohhhh! Thank you Lord! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It has been three years now and life is just starting and getting better all the time!

Blessings to all,

Larry

JR said...

I definitely have a connection to CITN and this blog. That was an awesome post Bishop.

tracy said...

To me this is the secret place of the most high. This is where I come every single day to either unload or unwind. Somedays, just like at home I like to just sit on the couch and listen and know I am aloud to just be quiet and receive- other days I can vent, reflect or encourage someone else. It is a good place here. It is home. Thanks Bishop and thanks all.

tracy said...

allowed not aloud--

Anonymous said...

Bishop,
You and Pastor Debye was sent in my life for such a time as this. If you only knew the number of Sundays I have sat in church saying there has got to be more to church than this but not knowing what to do about it. I knew what was going to happen two songs that I had been singing since grade school and a prayer. Announcements, giving( where I knew I was going to be cursed with a curse) then the message and go home. I was about to die because a thrist had been placed in me and I wanted to know God in a different way not the don't do this or you are going to hell. Jesus said I came to give you life and give it to you more abunduntly but I wasn't living that life and no one was telling me how. Just have faith and then by and by but by and by never came.

I came to visit the church but I kept coming and I have no regrets because when you get to there you know it and then you will have abundant life. A whole new world has been opened up to me full of green pastures and clear running waters. I don't want to miss a service because its nothing like being in the house. You bring the word to life and I never know what to expect next. I'm basking in the overflow of your wisdom and knowledge.

I know I don't blog everyday but this sight is the first one I come to in the morning because it starts my day. My girlfriend gets tired of me saying Bishop says, so she is coming for a visit to hear this Bishop and Pastor Debye that I speak so highly about.

This blog is the best thing going and I hope it is here to stay.

A whole new world is opening up to me and its all good, old wounds are healing, fresh new wholesome relationships are forming and I'm on the right road now with signs and wonders following.

Anonymous said...

Several times a day I come here to read everything that has been posted. Sometimes I laugh other times I am filled with joy still other times I weep but my heart is always filled to overflowing because I am hearing from family. It is love in writing.
Sissiedo

The King's Cup said...

I have only met you once in person, and FATHER showed me your heart and I saw it to be pure. As David of old it is never about the perfection of one's heart, but always the direction. Your heart is a heart that longs after the HEART of THE FATHER - Worships the SON and adores the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD!

My heart knows you after the SPIRIT of GOD and because of that I pray for you daily, because of the LOVE HE has placed within my heart for you and your family.

I came to know you through two of your books, It's All Good and Twenty-Three. I was going through a very hard time in my life and someone gave me these two books to read. They confirmed so many things to my heart that I already knew and you became a dear friend to me that I could go to through your writing. They were life to me. Then I started watching you via streaming and once again HE would confirm things to my heart by the words of your mouth.

I am the new kid on the block when it comes to the blog and started blogging because of your blog on prayer, and I always try to sense in my spirit just what HE would have me say when I write. So I would say tonight I connect because the people on your blogs are precious people - people who love GOD and if I can give them just alittle bit of the FATHER I know and love, then I am living my destiny - Right here - Right NOW!

Why are we here and where are we going? We are reaching for the heart of the FATHER and reaching out to each other because each one of us has a unique relationship with God giving us a unique part of GOD to impart to one another!

Because you said; It was important to you I wrote, from my heart!

Blessings to you Bishop, your family and the family of GOD who gather in this place!

Anonymous said...

just keep gettin these great very words, rtboilin; that tells me there is some Righteous Teaching BOILIN for (believers on & in Love interceeding now).

The greatest communication connection we can make is to add our faith in spirit/Spirit communion and say it is finished with a sure foreknowledge that our communication is heard and completed by the I Am.

Friends of CITN, be encouraged to add your agreement going forward in your blog entries to include a word of faith/Faith for our Bishop's pursuit in the Holy Spirit right now.

sincerely in Love,

JB

Anonymous said...

Q: "Why are we here?"
A: God's grace

* To clap our hands. To stomp our feet!
* for the trail mix
* for spiritual fruit salad
* lights in the darkness

Q: "Where are we going?"
A: Forward, over, onward, upward, inward, around, in the now

Q: "Are we on the right track?"

A: Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." (here, even when we're at rest, it serves a purpose)

Q: "Am I leading you in the right direction?"

A: Yes. (Though, sometimes I feel goofy standing in line @ Piccadilly's in a space suit.)

Q: "Do you think that the people are "connecting" with the vision?"

A: Love connects

Q: "Are they connecting with their sense of responsibility to it?"

A: Can only speak for what I treasure about it.

Q: "How "connected" to God are you at this point in your journey?"

A: Exceedingly; there was never a disconnect from God.

dgm2007 said...

I havent checked this ina few days and honestly I have been wanted to post why i think this blog is important and all of them really. I think whats so cool about all of your blogs is that its now.. I was watching a bill cosby video love youtube :) on the importance of parenting and rah rah rah.. and he talked about churches and how they should always be open.. and he said ALWAYS. he goes "to be clear they should never close!" whats great about your blogs or our blogs is that there always open and kids people whoever can log on and be somewhere safe. Theres so much stuff on the web so many places you can go but I love coming in here and just peeking around. Sharing a laugh with another member whatevs.. its great..

Unknown said...

OMG, Izumi/Joy...I can't go any further from laughing about us all feeling goofy in line at Piccadilly's! That is hysterical! You ready for that NL?

wordver: aspesect...A SPE-cial SECT...yeah, space suits would be really special all right!

Oh...and thanks for the question list...I was about to go make one!

Unknown said...

I just had a great time reliving the party we had the first time this post was up.

A few observations from April '08:
--it took four days to get 163 comments.
--I played so much I only commented on "C".
--A LOT of blurkers joined the discussion and fun that day...speak up again, y'ALL!!
--Some of now's regulars were new that day!
--Izumi/Joy and Donald continue to get funnier and funnier...and so profound!
--I still very much agree with what I posted...so I shall re-post too.

Unknown said...

Q: As Pastor of this church, Seer in this House, Bishop of our souls,
Are you leading me/us in the right direction?

A: I don't know, but I trust that you are. [Mar2009 update: I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are.]

What I do know is:
--that I feel protected by your knowledge of Scripture, your balanced view of the world, your transparency and candor, your willingness to share that you don’t know something, your trust in God, your willingness [and demonstrated obedience] to turn on a dime if you believe God tells you to, and your over the top commitment to doing whatever it takes to get us to the right place, no matter what it costs, no matter how long it takes and ultimately, no matter what we think.
--that you love God more than anything
--that God loves you and us so much that He can and will turn anything you might do “in the flesh” into something golden and part of His plan
--that I trust God in and for more than I trusted Him before I was protected by you and I trusted Him for a lot before.
--that I know how to worship Him now in ways I didn’t think of on my own, with more understanding of the depth of each type of worship and praise.
--that I sense a connection to all the saints before and those to come that I did not before.
--that I am “full” after you speak
--that I no longer wonder “isn’t there more?” I know there is. [March2009 update: I'm LIVING that there is more!]
--that I trust that I’m being led there.[March2009 update: I KNOW that I'm being led there; I SEE that I'm being led there; there is no question in my mind, heart or soul...I AM being led there!]

That’s probably the answer to several of the questions, but I know there’s more. Got a dinner date. Won’t eat dessert so I can stay awake in the quiet and pull out the rest.

April 25, 2008 5:42 PM

March,2009...clock shows after midnight. I'll be back after some sleep, blogpeeps and Blogmaster

Unknown said...

“Make the time to respond to this”

I believe this quote is the kernel of the seed of this post…the essence of the “how” of CONNECT. It is the “therefore” statement that those who are familiar with Scripture learn to search for. Time is one of the few things we have in common equally with every other human being. It is the equal talent that was given to each of the stewards.

“because this is important”

If we all believed that this Golden Opportunity to add our “post” was really part of a sentence, a prophecy, a YES or a NO that needs to be sent out to BE, a word that was necessary to speaking into existence the manifestation of the Christ in the Earth…time could stand still for each us and we would all have more than enough.

“and I want to hear from you”

It’s hard to imagine a shepherd wanting to “hear” from his sheep. All they do is bleat, right? Not to a Good Shepherd.

“Church In The Now/Blog In The Now is an idea in the mind of God...”
YES! I agree.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Avatar,yes!

“Church In The Now/Blog In The Now is an idea in the mind of God...”
YES! I agree.

veriwor - connuct; CONyers Now United/Christ's Teachings.

or a better one might be; Christ Our News Now Unites Christian Theology! yea, yea I like that one better!

See ya in a few

JB

jules said...

I am grateful for this blog. I am grateful for you Bishop. I am grateful for television which is how I found CITN. I am grateful for the internet that allows the Body of Christ to connect. I am grateful God sent Monty to Atlanta last month with a message that brought me back to a place of faith! I am grateful for the steak in my fridge that I am going to go cook for dinner. I am thankful for the entertainment NASCAR will bring to all of us crazy fans today. I am grateful for a Dale Jr. win today (prophesying to the wind for JR. Nation!)

THANK YOU FATHER!