Sunday, July 5, 2009

Our Fourth of July Fishing Trip

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great slide show. will look at it again. Real good to commune with you and fam this AM. Excellent word as always. Wife and I discussed your message before we heard it today. That happens often.

Mackerel is very tasty when smoked over hickory chips. Use a little lemon pepper spice and some fresh basil with a drizzle of olive oil over it and sprinkle some sea salt on the top half. It is done when you can break it apart easily with a fork. Erik may have an even better recipe but what ever you do, try to enjoy eating it soon because it will not keep well in a freezer. Don't throw it away though, give it to anyone who loves fish first and put me on the list if that is your decision.

Anonymous said...

Are we all not like fish in the ocean? The greater majority of us live out our lives without notice and without contributing much. Certainly, in respect to what is before and what is ahead of our existence that is true. There is however the fact of consciousness, from which perspective this is written, that we as humans feel superior to fish by. We are responsible to what we feel is a higher calling than to just survive until we ultimately die. That call seems to be from within our deepest being. So many of us have thought it to be from without but there is no mistake, for the seekers of truth, that the call is a part of who we are. To become aware that our existence is making a difference in the overall improvement of those who will follow us is the most exciting goal to be accomplished among humans. All historical recordings including those considered to be Holy make a point of telling us the great accomplishments of those before us who have made the world a better place and we are challenged more today than ever before to do the same. Unlike fish in the ocean that seem to care less about such things we as humans do, but much like those same fish it appears that most of us just keep swimming and surviving as life passes us by. That is not true of course for those of us who can not seem to come up with great world changing ideas but do what ever we can in the way of supporting others who do.

The collective American citizen, will be called N from here forward, has expressed the desire to give as much as N has received. That much is evident in this past presidential election. N decided not to listen to –N that wanted to suppress the idea of liberty and justice for all but instead placed a representative of our whole selves in a position to include the whole world in the blessings that we enjoy. That is one part of making a difference and not just swimming. To support that ideal regardless of our past choices is another.

What I have done is done but what I will do is yet to be seen. It is my prayer that the voice within will continue to speak and that it will be listened to. That voice is from the Creator and it is my belief that it is the same as the Holy Spirit. Yes, we should try that spirit/Spirit as directed in Holy writ and confirm it with witness. We are fools to follow any voice that speaks and would only swim in circles until we perished if we did. That is one of the primary importances of having a spiritual compass, a fellowship of likeminded believers who love God will all our hearts and lives. If there is anything that has been very well confirmed to me it is that Church In The Now places that example before the world.

Until the time comes giving me the great idea that will improve the world to follow me, I will contribute to the work of others that it seems are making that difference. The ministry of CITN has proven itself as a true changer of the world for the good and it is my blessing to be a part of that.

There is a call that is not only being heard but the greater majority of us swimmers with a desire to be contributors in are following after. That call has been identified to be from within N to bring all humanity in.

Let there be continued Light.

Donald said...

Fun time! Did you make it to Captain Andersons?

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Cap'n Anderson's is one of my favorite places, but we didn't make it there this trip...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

And thanks for the mackerel recipe, Anon@334...and for the good word...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

And all I can say is "WOW!", Anon@518...

Anonymous said...

Bishop I 2nd the WOW. My WV is in red MODSI MEN OF DESTINY SERVE IN ______ you fill in the blank. After yesterday and all the day stood for and what I read of anon@518.Pic are cool , hope everyone had a great holiday. Keith

SCRIBE said...

Bishop,

Would it be appropriate to say that now not only are you a FISHER of Men, but also a Catcher of the Big Fish. It gives a whole new enlightenment on your sermon that you preached a while back earlier this year when we passed the net through, amongst, and over the people. You told us that when we have Fished All Night and have caught nothing and about to give up, then cast your nets on the Other Side of the Boat. Amen to that. And I may add, to cast out your nets on both sides of the boat, for you know not where the overflow / abundance will come in first and the stronger the nets are, then the more fish / people you are able to draw in. Then even if the net breaks before you are able to get it completely into the boat, a few may be lost, but many will be drawn in. And for those that fell through the cracks of the net or dropped back into the water, they are fare gain for the Next Catch / Next Harvest. The fish may not look like much we they are drawn out of the water, but it takes some to catch the fish and draw them in, while others can be stationed and set up to clean the fish. After they are cleaned, and prepared, they may serve as food for the hungry and the smaller ones may serve as bait to draw in other fish. Through the process, each has a purpose. So, let us not be so quick to simply catch the fish / people for sport and throw them back, but to utilize them to serve in the GREATER Purpose.

A while back, when you gave the Prophetic Word at the end of a service and said "There is indeed Money in the Fishes Mouth", I meditated on that for a while. And where most people may be looking for that "Particular Fish" in the name of treasure seeking / hunting, if we simply work diligently at our task in the process / God's Assembly Line of Tasks / Assignments, we won't have to see out that particular fish / treasure to retrieve the blessing, those fish / treasures will be drawn unto us! The word of the Lord states that if HE be lifted up in and through us, then HIS SPIRIT operating in and through us has the power to draw all other into / unto HIM. It is the goodness of the Lord that brings about Repentance. Thank God for His Grace and Mercy! For we too at one time were but a wet, slimy, smelly fish--- yet after the process and through the process of proper preparation and the savory seasonings of the Holy Spirit and the Sweetness of the Glory / Presence of God, we are made palatable to serve as essential food to feed others who are hungry....

So, as of late, I no longer ask God to show me where the money is or our "Treasure Fish", if you will--- instead I ask God to SHOW ME WHERE TO FISH and even if our nets first come up empty, at least we will have followed through in obedience of going to the PLACE that God specified and assigned us to, at His Appointed and appropriate TIME, while being dressed in the right uniform. Location, Divine Timing, and Proper Attire are Paramount. When we follow through on these instructions, we may not catch the "Treasure Fish", yet catch / receive something so much Greater and that is sweet fellowship / communion time with God. And in this transition and uprooting from common grounds and familiarity- GOD shows up, thus providing us with the Greatest Treasure--- HIMSELF. Greater Portions of HIS PRESENCE, when treasured, esteemed, and Honored for WHO HE IS--- not just what HE possesses and provides for us.... EVERYTHING that is needed WILL INDEED SHOW UP.... We need not look for the Treasured Fish, for we may very well be going through the process and transitions to SERVE as God's Treasured Fish to others whose needs are so much greater than ours.

SCRIBE said...

We must learn to become, grow, and serve in the capacity of that which is also needed in our lives. And as we are served up and dressed with all the sides as food for others... How much greater shall God also provide us with when we are willing to BE HIS SACRIFICE? He may prepare us to be the fish / main course, while others may be put through the fire to Arise and Brown to be served as Broken Bread to accompany the Fish, while yet still others may be the crushed olives and fruit that will be used for Fresh Oil (the Anointing) as Garnish. And when we all step up and say YES LORD, May YOUR WILL BE DONE IN ME AND THROUGH ME... whatever it may be, we shall be as one Grand Feast, yet different courses of the meal to satisfy the insatiable hunger and thirst for God by way of the Holy Spirit to feed the multitudes.... The Most Wonderful Culinary Delights begin with "Food for Thought".

River said...

Glad to see you had a good time. This is for Daisson next time you go fishing catch one for me. One fish can feed many two can feed the multitude.

Iris said...

Bishop... looks like you had a wonderful time... I've been deep sea fishing before... the pics makes me what to go again... We caught Blue's when I was with the McGuire's... one of the memories that I have is... On the way back to shore, Dony and I had a water fight... He had a bucket and I had a styrofoam cup... Totally unfair fight... but a lot of fun...

Luv ya
Iris

Unknown said...

Sunrise and dominion on the sea...beautiful...thanks, Bishop for letting us share in y'alls victory and fun!

Iris said...

Sorry for the miss spell... The pic's makes me "want" to go again...

Son of Zadok said...

"I'm on a boat! I'm on a boat!"

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

SOZ, that's one of my all-time favorite movies...

Son of Zadok said...

I was actually referencing the Saturday Night Live, Andy Samburg song, "I'm on a boat". Funny....yes. Appropriate...um..., no way whatsoever.

What movie were you talking about?

I'd be really surprised if Saturday one of the guys didn't look over at each other and recite a few lines from "I'm on a boat". Big pop culture thing.

Son of Zadok said...

actually don't even post that these last two comments. After watching it again theirs just to much cussing in it, to bring it to anyones attention. sry.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Oh yeah...pardon my pop culture faux pas...I actually like Andy Samburg (we say "cool beans" from Hot Rod all the time), but I forgot about his album...mainly because the songs didn't make me laugh...I saw him and his friends do "I'm On a Boat" on Conan (your other comment just came through as I'm writing this, and, yes, the language was foul)...

Anyway, I was thinking of What About Bob...."I'm sailing! I'm sailing!"...

Son of Zadok said...

20 years can do that to you. But your still the coolest cat south of the mason dixon.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Could be, could be not...although I dare say not many guys my age would even know who Andy Samburg is...

I'm just sayin'...

Gotta go...

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a great day! I'm glad. I enjoyed the slide show especially the big wahoota pic! How much did you pay those folks to let you take a picture with the fish?

I thought our bunch was the only one that still said "cool beans"

Peace,
Dennis

Anonymous said...

Great slide show!!! Looks like a great trip!! Lots of smiles! And it made me smile watching it! Glad you were able to put it together. ENJOY that fish!! :)
Jere