Tuesday, July 28, 2009

What's Up?

Hey bloggers...those of you who follow me on Twitter know that I'm supposed to be writing (MkITN XIII)...haven't gotten as much done today as yesterday...phone calls, texts, e-mail and other interruptions like impromptu counseling appointments and praying for people over the phone and dealing with other administrative decisions have been non-stop...it's all good...comes with the territory...not complaining about it, just want you to know that I still have my day job even though I'm trying to paraphrase the Scriptures, and that I can multi-task all things through Christ Who strengthens me...

One of the discussions I had earlier today was about publication of what I'm writing...seems that it's going to be way more cost effective to combine all four Gospels into one large volume and have it available (The Gospels In The Now) in late fall or at least in time for Christmas...the current plan was to have Matthew In The Now out in a few weeks, and Mark In The Now out ASAP...haven't started on Luke yet...John In The Now, of course, is already out and is also on audio-book (I'm not planning on putting the Synoptic Gospels on CD)...anyway, I'm giving it some thought...curious to know what those of you who are involved in the process here daily think about it...

Speaking of the daily process...I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, and it only happens at certain times of the day, but I've noticed that most times when I tweet "I just posted on www.bloginthenow.blogspot.com", within a few seconds/minutes flags from all over the world start appearing on the spinning globe there on the right side of the blog...I don't know how it happens since I don't think there are that many international people following me on Twitter, but those of you who do should check it out the next time I tweet that phrase and see if you see it happen...

Anyway, I'm going to try to get some of this chapter written...13 is a challenging one because it's the famous "Olivet Discourse" (found also in Matthew 24) which, in my opinion, is generally greatly misquoted and grossly misunderstood...

I have some good stuff to share tomorrow night, so I hope that you'll be ITB if at all possible...it really helps right now to see your support for CITN...

That's all for now...tell me what's on your mind...

Peace...

16 comments:

SCRIBE said...

Bishop, as the LORD LEADS, and with you, He always does, However the Gospels are marketed or packaged, they shall yield Remarkable, Unprecedented Success. Anyone else that has attempted any similar work of the gospels, as that which you are doing, they should be prepared to become covered in dust because your Work of the Gospels will have a far greater impact globally than anything prior to it.

We all are cheering and PRAYING for you, your family, and all of the works that you are laboring over. You will surpass King Midas, everything he touched turned to Gold, but we'll speak that YOUR WORKS will be greater and shall be termed as PLATINUM or DIAMOND BEST SELLERS in the literary world, if there is such a thing. And if it that category / genre doesn't already exist, then you can Blaze the Trail and Set the new standard to which others will have to aspire. I pray you Much Success and Supernatural Returns on all your hard work! Thanks for the opportunity to provide feedback, and thanks for this forum BITN.... you are greatly appreciated. Even GREATER WORKS than those ever done before SHALL YOU ACCOMPLISH through God's Grace!!!!!!

Unknown said...

So be it--Amen, to what Scribe said!

I was able to be online right after one of your tweets yesterday, Bishop [am often on mobile access which means no globe]--and it was an "OH WOW!!" moment! I felt like a little kid..."do that again, do that again!"...and also like the future had arrived.

GospelsInTheNow seems to support the concept of "comparing"...and grouping would be a hint at that. The different personalities that show in Matthew/Mark are one of the enlightening things I've enjoyed about following online. I did wonder today "How is Luke going to 'sound'?"

In general, "breaking up the canon", grouped or ungrouped, is a never-been-done-before thing...and it seems so in sync for the InTheNow series to actually LOOK like a "biblioteca" and not a book.

You didn't mention this, but after Luke, I put my vote in for Revelation!

Son of Zadok said...

Putting them all together as, The Gospels in the Now, seems to me to be the practical hook that will send this work into the stratosphere.

In this great age where God is shaking so many things, I see GITN as a foundational catalyst towards the plan of increasing the revelation of Christ throughout the earth and as a rainstorm for the harvest.

As many places as you have been, GITN is going to take you to that many more, and open up doors that most people couldn't look at, let alone be willing to walk through and enter. When I see these works as one collection, I see it filling such a great need for light and truth in the world.

It's going to have legs. It's going to be a sleeper hit!

Sit down and calculate how many you would have to sell to just pay off the whole damn building; get back to us with a number, and we'll start from their.

We will all just make our requests known unto God.

I don't know if you have any ideas for covers yet, but I could see the title as something in a greco-roman/gothic theme surrounded in the corners by captivating original designs of man, ox, lion, and eagle.

New York Times Best Seller.

I'm throwing it out there..

Son of Zadok said...

Idea #2 for a cover

Maybe scratch the old world style in favor of a very futuristic, new millenium looking theme with the man, ox, lion, and eagles in the corners.

I'm really excited beacause I see this just taking off as a set.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Hey Scribe, Avatar and SOZ...thanks for the prophetic inspiration and encouragement!

SOZ, your ideas are very interesting...look at www.gospelsinthenow.blogspot.com and see what I was working on when you wrote that...

Unknown said...

Oh, wow...just wow. Wordless worship seems the best response!

...and a high five to SOZ!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Yeah...very cool...

I'm not starting another blog, it's just easy for me to use a blogger template to shop some pictures online...I was doing it to get some ideas for the cover...

Confirmation rocks!

Unknown said...

A painting is in the works?

Son of Zadok said...

Tonight driving, I had something to do, and stuck in the car I opened myself up to time with Spirit. Most days I just drive with my own thoughts to me, but sometimes Spirit just rises up.
Now I'm not much for the love song station, I'm usually all over in the styles I like, but tonight, several songs ran back to back on that easy listening station. Somehow there in those old secular classics their was Spirit for me.
They said things that summed up feelings I could never express. The first was, In Your Eyes. Their are just a lot of lyrics here that I can relate to Spirit.

Love I get so lost, sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place you are

all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes

love, I don't like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for our survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

and all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

in your eyes

-Peter Gabriel, 1986

You know what I'm starting to think. I'm starting to think their are many people in the world who are experiencing the Glory of God and they don't even really know what it is. While at the very same time,people are in the earth talking about God's glory, and studying it, and longing after it, and somehow it escapes them.

Now the grace of God allows all peoples to reach in and touch and be touched by Christ, whether they know it or not.

But the day they begin to all come together. The day the face of Jesus shines back at Jesus. That day Issac will serve Ishmael and Ishmael will serve Issac.

Then Marvin Gaye’s, 1973 Motown classic, Let’s Get It On, started up, and well, their's just something to that song and what we were talking about last night Erik. So I had to share.

Youtube either of those if you feel like it.

And I thought, you know what; If we can't get naked and transparent with Spirit, we're lying to ourselves. Maybe the one word away from changing our lives is Intimacy. Sheer, pure, holy, honest intimacy with God.

So I don't know.

The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, are making me fall for It more and more everyday, lol.

I know He loves you to!

As far as the cover Bishop. It's in the air. The whole body is working together. I’m sure that Spirit will reveal the cover perfectly. I’m not up to snuff in my painting and drawing myself. Maybe, you could have CITN hold an art show or something, with the four symbols as the theme, pulling from gifts in the body, having a chance to work from those ideas. There is a Broadway show of gifts throughout the seats of CITN. (you need to work those gifts in like relief pitchers sometimes). You might have to get deeper into your painting yourself before you publish. It’s all a mystery.

VER: HANKED

Holy Spirit Naked

Erik said...

Hi SOZ,

Your rawness is impressive. Being on Pacific Time, it is before midnight for me. I have been creating a powerpoint presentation, and grilling those lamb chops.

I got to say the Hilton properties are excellent, Homewood Suites all have grills you can use. Although I have not been paid to sponsor Hilton, but if you are looking for a place to stay when travelling, all of their properties are excellent.

After the commercial break, back to the show.

Well spent time with The Spirit with secular songs. So often the music and words in those songs get a message across that connects. – Reaching out from the inside, Yes!

All are touched by the Word made Flesh, it is in the hands of all. Isaac embracing Ishmael is embraced by us ALL, The naked intimacy with The Spirit is the real McCoy, whoever McCoy is. The raw completeness is Holy, Pure, Sheer, and Honest – Authentic.

It is alluring and purely , honestly seductive. The seduction that comes with no baggage, but complete surrender that unveils peaceful authority with humility. ---“ All the instincts return as we reach out from the inside fully exposed in audacious humility”.

Amen.

Unknown said...

Random piece of info stored in my brain...Erik, McCoy made unique and popular pottery...popular enough to be imitated...leading to making sure you had a REAL McCoy.

Enjoyed your business comment the other day. Hoping to get a conversation going on it...I'll probably post on AW4W. Will let you know.

Donald said...

"The Gospels In The Now" is probably the smartest route to take from a publication/marketing point of view.
It would seem that it would be more of an eyecatcher on the shelves at Barnes & Noble than the individual publications.

Izumi/JOY said...

Peace

What's on my mind, Bish?

Hmm... how, even if I've had a really challenging day, an A&W rootbeer float makes it all seem worthwhile.

The detour in Conyers on Sun. morning; road construction. I was en route to church. A Colonial bread truck pulled out in front of me along the way. (I actually said out loud, "You've gotta be kidding!")

Mick Jagger was on Dave fm (acoustic Sunday). You mentioned the Stones during service.

Re: The Gospels in the Now - if they're complete by fall, (and, they are, somewhere in the now) I think it'd be cool for some of the graphics people to construct a huge cornucopia pic, and have the volume (s) spilling out onto a groaning table.

If it's done by Christmas, I can see a caricature of you, wearing a Santa outfit, sitting in a rocker in front of a fireplace, reading it to Sophia (in red-footed jammies), your family, and bunches of CITN'ers (dressed as elves).

Or... a caricature of you and P. Deb in a sleigh, on top of a snow covered mountain. (the sleigh is loaded, and all the reindeer are wearing glittery, golden bedazzler vests that say, Good News)

That too corny? (fine! Then, you probably won't like my Halloween idea, where you're dressed as George Jetson. (in a spacecraft, with a copy of The Gospels In The Now, on the dash like a star map)

Son of Zadok said...

The location of Emmaus isn't clear. The name Emmaus may be derived from the Hebrew word hammat, "hot spring." Luke places it about 60 stadia from Jerusalem. At about 607 English feet or 192 meters per stadion, this makes the distance about seven miles.

Hot Spring - Wikipedia

A hot spring is a spring that is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are hot springs all over the earth, on every continent and even under the oceans and seas.

The water issuing from a hot spring is heated by geothermal heat, i.e., heat from the Earth's interior. In general, the temperature of rocks within the earth increases with depth. The rate of temperature increase with depth is known as the geothermal gradient. If water percolates deeply enough into the crust, it will be heated as it comes into contact with hot rocks. The water from hot springs in non-volcanic areas is heated in this manner.
Steam Crepuscular rays at Mammoth Hot Springs

In active volcanic zones such as Yellowstone National Park, water may be heated by coming into contact with magma (molten rock). The high temperature gradient near magma may cause water to be heated enough that it boils or becomes superheated. If the water becomes so hot that it builds steam pressure and erupts in a jet above the surface of the Earth, it is called a geyser. If the water only reaches the surface in the form of steam, it is called a fumarole. If the water is mixed with mud and clay, it is called a mud pot.

Note that hot springs in volcanic areas are often at or near the boiling point. People have been seriously burned and even killed by accidentally or intentionally entering these springs.

Warm springs are sometimes the result of hot and cold springs mixing but may also occur outside of volcanic areas, such as Warm Springs, Georgia (frequented for its therapeutic effects by paraplegic U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who built the Little White House there).

This is especially interesting

Because heated water can hold more dissolved solids, warm and especially hot springs also often have a very high mineral content, containing everything from simple calcium to lithium, and even radium. Because of both the folklore and the claimed medical value some of these springs have, they are often popular tourist destinations, and locations for rehabilitation clinics for those with disabilities.

Son of Zadok said...

Loved the word tonight. Here are some quotes about having an open mind.

"Where their is an open mind, their will always be a frontier."

- Charles Kettering

"The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind."

- Philipus Aureolus Paracelsus

"Tact is the ability to tell a man he has an open mind when he has a hole in his head"

That's a funny one

"The world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind"

-E.B. White

“Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart.”

-Phil Jackson

"Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind"

-Gail Rubin Bereny

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

SOZ, I'm going to move your comments...