Saturday, July 11, 2009

The Gospels In the Now (Status Report)

Matthew In The Now is finished and about to go to the publisher...just posted the foreword below...

Most of Mark In The Now is published here on the blog (up through Chapter 10)...six more chapters to go...

Work on Luke In The Now will begin in a few weeks...

John In The Now is published and available (www.churchinthenow.org)...


















FOREWORD TO MITN: Why write a new paraphrase of the book of Matthew?

1. Because I love Jesus.

I love the real, living Jesus…the outspoken, passionate, confrontational, provocative, liberating, counter-culture, strong and brave and totally secure-within-Himself, fully integrated Jesus…the Word made flesh who became Jesus, the Christ…Jesus in the now…the One who embodies the “I Am,” the God who defies definition and description…the manna or the “what is it?” that came down from heaven…the One whose humanity is every bit as beautiful and intriguing and wonderful as is His divinity…the God-man who cannot be bound or limited in any way by religion or philosophy or doctrines or dogma…the firstborn among many siblings in the family of God who live in the 21st century. I love that real Jesus now more than ever and am in no way offended that He says that I must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have a revelation of Him!






















2. Because I love the Scriptures.


They are a part of me, as absorbed into the fiber of my being as they could possibly be. The words of God vibrate in every cell of my body... they occupy the largest part of my mind…they completely saturate my spirit. The Bible is a miracle – not a book, but a collection of 66 books written by 40 authors over a period of 1,500 years in different languages to different people groups in different generations for different purposes. Therefore, the Scriptures must be rightly divided instead of wrongly connected. In other words, each book must be judged in its own context and on its own terms, whether it confirms any other book or not. In this way, biblical contradictions are not only acknowledged and accepted...they are expected. I celebrate the tension caused by the conflicting viewpoints of the writers who had different paradigms of God; their contradictions make the Bible literally pulsate with life! And amazingly, in spite of the given contention, the confirmation of Jesus, the Christ, is still the glue that holds the whole collection together!


3. Because I love the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew's Gospel...the Gospel of the Kingdom...the Gospel of THE KING...is uniquely important. Matthew writes it for the Jews, from a firsthand, up-close-and-personal viewpoint, portraying Jesus as the Messiah so long awaited after Abraham... the King after David. There is a particular and sometimes palpable tension in Matthew, probably due to the fact that it was written by a Jew whom the Jews hated, because he was a collector of taxes for the Romans. And yet he wrote it with much love, even for those who hated him. Matthew was apprehended by Jesus, and was not at all like the other disciples, so his writing brings a certain richness to the Jesus narrative that is very important. What the other Synoptic Gospel writers call the "Kingdom of God", Matthew calls the "Kingdom of Heaven" (or, better translated: Kingdom of the Heavens". "Kingdom of God" says what and Whose it is..."Kingdom of Heaven" says Who authorized it and where it's from. Perhaps the most significant contribution of Matthew is his attention to detail in the Sermon on the Mount...the radical, out-of-the-box blueprint for the "Kingdom of/from the Heavens", which is at hand for all of us!

4. Because I love the diversity among all the translations and paraphrases of the Bible.

Although I wholeheartedly reject the notion of an official “authorized version,” I do honor the grandeur and loftiness of the Bible that James, the King of England, authorized for his subjects to read in the 17th century (King James Version). That’s why I have memorized vast sections of it. And I love the way James Moffatt could turn a phrase in his translation. I could virtually live in The Amplified Bible with all of its shades of meanings and wordy explanations and parentheses and brackets. It’s like heaven to someone who loves exploring words and their meanings as I do. When I was young, Kenneth Taylor’s beautifully accessible Living Bible changed my life and set the course for my whole ministry. Many years later, Eugene Peterson’s daring paraphrase called The Message affected me nearly as dramatically. In recent years I have grown to respect the Today’s New International Version for its modernity and clarity and lack of religious sexism. In my opinion, it is probably the most accurate mainstream translation of them all*. But I also love the New English Bible and The Jerusalem Bible for other reasons. I am constantly referring to all of these translations for my teaching and writing, along with some other great ones not mentioned here. You may ask then, “If you love all these translations so much, why write a new one?” My only answer is that this writing is my way to pay homage to those who have already blazed this trail of translation before me. I could not do this if they hadn’t done what they did. But this translation is what I hear when I read and teach these chapters and verses. These are the things I have seen...what I have read between the lines...for the last 36 years of ministry, and I simply want to submit them to you, the reader, for your consideration.


5. Because I love communication.

Nothing is more important to the life of relationships than communication, and nothing is more gratifying than knowing that you have effectively communicated your message to someone else. I certainly don’t claim to know everything about Jesus; in fact, the more that I increase in my knowledge of Him throughout the course of my life, the more mysterious He actually becomes to me. For me that’s not a problem. I’m rather glad that, even though I know Him more intimately than I know anyone else, there is always a part of Him that is past my finding out. I know that I will never reach the limits of the breadth and length and depth and height of Him, ever. But, what I do know about Him is the most wonderful knowledge that I possess, and I have a need to share that knowledge with others.


6. Because I love people.

One of the greatest songs ever written contains the words, “If I can help somebody as I pass along…then my living shall not be in vain.” I try to live by the philosophy of that song, so if this book can help someone to rediscover and rethink the Bible – someone who has previously been intimidated or confused or bored by it, regardless of its available translations and paraphrases – then I will have fulfilled at least a part of my destiny. I want to help people know and love Jesus better, but I also want to make them more comfortable with the Bible and with their own interpretations and opinions about it. The Bible is hearty, robust – it is not delicate or fragile – it can withstand a lot of handling by human beings, because it was meant to be people-friendly, and I want to open a door to the house of understanding and let the people in!






















7. Because I love living in the now
.


More than anything else, I believe that I was specifically put here on this planet to be a good steward of the concept of living in the now. God is in the now because He is always revealed as the I Am. His word is in the now because people cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds (present tense) out of His mouth. His kingdom is in the now because it can only be discerned one day at a time by those who take no thought for tomorrow. I will proclaim and defend the doctrine of the “now-ness” of God for as long as I live and will aggressively wage war on every religious idea that tries to relegate God to the past or attempts to project Him into the future. God is always now and my prayer is that, as you read Matthew In The Now, you will walk in a fuller revelation of that. Now is all that matters!



*In general, I bestow that honor on The Concordant Literal New Testament

36 comments:

Northern Light said...

Bishop,

It's simple to understand "why" you do the things you do......and if the first words of each point don't scream at anyone, then allow me to tell you all.....because he LOVES!

Bishop does what he does, because he Loves......like we know HE Loves.

You got it right with it all, Bishop.

Peace,
Northern Light

Donald said...

Good stuff, Bishop.

Son of Zadok said...

These are such awesome achievements. A legacy that will last, impacting throughout this age, and the ages to come.

Well done and Congratulations!

A Course In Miracles (3 of 3)

The opposite of seeing through the body's eyes is the vision of Christ, which reflects strength rather than weakness, unity rather than separation, and love rather than fear. The opposite of hearing through the body's ears is communication through the Voice for God, the Holy Spirit, which abides in each of us. His Voice seems distant and difficult to hear because the ego, which speaks for the little, separated self, seems to be much louder. This is actually reversed. The Holy Spirit speaks with unmistakable clarity and overwhelming appeal. No one who does not choose to identify with the body could possibly be deaf to His messages of release and hope, nor could he fail to accept joyously the vision of Christ in glad exchange for his miserable picture of himself.
Christ's vision is the Holy Spirit's gift, God's alternative to the illusion of separation and to the belief in the reality of sin, guilt and death. It is the one correction for all errors of perception; the reconciliation of the seeming opposites on which this world is based. Its kindly light shows all things from another point of view, reflecting the thought system that arises from knowledge and making return to God not only possible but inevitable. What was regarded as injustices done to one by someone else, now becomes a call for help and for union. Sin, sickness and attack are seen as misperceptions calling for remedy through gentleness and love. Defenses are laid down because where there is no attack there is no need for them. Our brothers' needs become our own, because they are taking the journey with us as we go to God. Without us they would lose their way. Without them we could never find our own.
Forgiveness is unknown in Heaven, where the need for it would be inconceivable. However, in this world, forgiveness is a necessary correction for all the mistakes that we have made. To offer forgiveness is the only way for us to have it, for it reflects the law of Heaven that giving and receiving are the same. Heaven is the natural state of all the Sons of God as He created them. Such is their reality forever. It has not changed because it has been forgotten.
Forgiveness is the means by which we will remember. Through forgiveness the thinking of the world is reversed. The forgiven world becomes the gate of Heaven, because by its mercy we can at last forgive ourselves. Holding no one prisoner to guilt, we become free. Acknowledging Christ in all our brothers, we recognize His Presence in ourselves. Forgetting all our misperceptions, and with nothing from the past to hold us back, we can remember God. Beyond this, learning cannot go. When we are ready, God Himself will take the final step in our return to Him.

el ojo y la luz said...

I recently had a conversation with someone who asked me if I was sure if I wasn't in a cult. I asked this person if they knew what the word gospel meant and he said he did not. So I explained that the gospel is good news; news about the goodness of God. I said that the true word of God does not alienate you from Him, but draws you closer to Him. I also said that each time I hear the word of God spoken at CITN, I do feel closer to God and I am left with questions and wanting to know more. My eyes are opened. I didn't feel the need to defend us against the comment and I tried my best not to.
After this conversation, I started thinking that what brings us closer to God and what makes us turn and run from Him differs for each of us. What I think is gospel; someone else might feel is heresy or even blasphemy. From there, I began to consider the importance of working out your own salvation and concentrating on your own walk with God.
I commend you Bishop for having the courage to write a paraphrase of the Bible. You write in a way that brings those written words to life. I have a new understanding of the word because of your teachings and your translations of those historical texts. What you have done makes me feel free to explore, question, interpret and share my ideas about what God and the biblical authors are telling us. Thank you.

Brenda said...

I'm lying in bed trying to shake the flu but after reading your words its as if my fever has broken and I feel somewhat better. Just need to finish getting my rest on and all will be good again. Thanks for your writings, there are no words to describe it other than its just good. If I don't make it ITB then I will be cyber.

Iris said...

I’ve had a really long enjoyable day, and couldn’t resist posting before I go to sleep…

Amen Bishop… “And the greatest of these is LOVE”...

So many times in life, through fear of the past and the uncertainty that it may be repeated in the future, we pass by a beautiful gift… Love…

When we put down all our doubts of self-inadequacies and truly experience love in its truest form, we give ourselves the opportunity to rediscover what love is truly meant to be… we abandon ourselves and encounter the wonderment of the long lost passion that is the core of our being...

Just because we bury our feelings, and pretend love can’t exist the way it is intended… doesn’t mean it isn’t there… it never dies… it is all around us… in everyone and everything…

I guess what I am trying to say… if God is love… and love never fails… then in the power of love all fear has to die… Fear of past relationships… fear of failure… fear of hurt… Because love never fails…

I was told earlier this year by a very close friend of mine… Love without judgment… love when it hurts and love when all seems to be lost… love with the unconditional love that God has shown me… Love will always win even when our natural eyes don’t see it… Even though we may spend a life time loving and die without seeing its result… know that love never ever fails…

Love is alive… and constantly evolving… Don’t attempt to understand it… or reason with it… or defer it… or deny it entry into your heart… with excuses molded from doubt or insecurity… rather grasp love with everything you have inside you… Hold on to it for all you’re worth… never let fear keep you from life bouquets… and finally never ever fail to take a chance… on love…

Iris

Friend4Life said...

Hey...just wanted to say congrats on your publishing of MITN. Look 4ward to getting when it comes in.

I've been listening to one of your music CD's at night. There are two songs I can't stop listening to. I've playing them over and over...It was crazy b/c I dreamed last night you sung one Sunday.
The two songs are "You are Holy" and "He is."

"He is"--is the one I couldn't get off today. Been singing that all day in my spirit. Hearing all the name of the books of the bible being sung is so "Powerful"!! Those two words is just it!!-- "HE IS"~~

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, NL...

wordver: gestholy

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks Donald...trust you're doing well...by His stripes you are healed...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

I appreciate that you used the word "legacy", SOZ...not that I think anything's going to happen to me, but I've been to so many funerals this year...way more than usual...it's made me keenly aware of how important legacy is...leaving a legacy is the top incentive for my paraphrasing the Bible...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

It's been a long time since you've blogged, El ojo y la luz...welcome back!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Your health will spring forth speedily, Brenda...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, Iris...glad the rafting went well...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Wow...that's something I rarely ever hear any more, Friend4life! Thanks for the shout out to the music...I'd really like to do another one soon...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

OK...that's all for tonight...gotta get my awesome word together for tomorrow (or later this morning)...

Anonymous said...

Bish, the four art-deco gospel icons are way cool!

Erik said...

Love Jesus - Of course, ---

‘the One whose humanity is every bit as beautiful and intriguing and wonderful as is His divinity…the God-man who cannot be bound or limited in any way by religion or philosophy or doctrines or dogma’ --- Absolutely and complete, 100% Amen.


The 21st Century, the 100th century and the 1st century absolutely confirmed .

Love Scriptures --- ‘In other words, each book must be judged in its own context and on its own terms, whether it confirms any other book or not.’…. “In other words, each book must be judged in its own context and on its own terms, whether it confirms any other book or not.’ ---- Absolutely and complete 100% Amen.

Bishop, you continuously bring it as it is.

Love Gospels -- “Perhaps the most significant contribution of Matthew is his attention to detail in the Sermon on the Mount...the radical, out-of-the-box blueprint for the "Kingdom of/from the Heavens", which is at hand for all of us!´ --

It is for all or not one. Amen !!!! All are in or all are out, no exception, Glad to be in  , no matter how many wish I or We were not. I guess ALL is really ALL. Yaaayyyy for Me.


Love Diversity ---- “But this translation is what I hear when I read and teach these chapters and verses. These are the things I have seen...what I have read between the lines...for the last 36 years of ministry, and I simply want to submit them to you, the reader, for your consideration.” ----

You embrace diversity, which is why I can be here, and you express what is in your soul and spirit , which is this embrace. This is an expression of NOW. It remains NOW because it is, it is I AM.

Love Communication --- “nothing is more gratifying than knowing that you have effectively communicated your message to someone else.”…. “nothing is more gratifying than knowing that you have effectively communicated your message to someone else” …”I have a need to share that knowledge with others.”

There is nothing better.

Love of ALL people --- “I also want to make them more comfortable with the Bible and with their own interpretations and opinions about it.”


Peace in whom they are and what they see.

Love living in the Now ---- “More than anything else, I believe that I was specifically put here on this! planet to be a good steward of the concept of living in the now….. “I will proclaim and defend the doctrine of the “now-ness” of God” …. “and will aggressively wage war on every religious idea that tries to relegate God to the past or attempts to project Him into the future.”

This is why I love your vision Bishop, and why I am here.

This is beautifully excellent, Yes and Amen.

ver word -- really -- routs -- all others have been routed from power. -- it has been long done...

karl said...

Great post Bishop, and good morning.
Makes me think, what can we all, what can I do now that will bless people today, while I'm alive, as well as leave a legacy that will continue on and continue to bless long after I'm gone, for the strengthening and growth of the Kingdom.

Love,
Karl

Izumi/JOY said...

Congratulations on your labor of love, Bish.

I appreciate your answers in MITN's foreword.

I especially like your statement (point 6) about the Bible being hearty and robust - not delicate or fragile. It's interactive, isn't it? (seems so to me)

It releases readers to become greater than.

Greater than accountants, homemakers, cubicle occupiers, or every other honorable livelihood.

We become miners. And mountain climbers. And fishermen. And fencers. And visionaries. And adventurers.

We can discover our inner heroes and vanquish our inner meanies.

We can find our voices, where we didn't know we had anything significant to say. We can sing and dance, when we didn't realize gifts and talents were latent.

All by the renewing of our minds. All by the washing of the water of words. Might be tears. Might be sweat. But life words. Holy Spirit words.

Why do I study Matthew In The Now, and Mark In The Now? Because, of your charge to locate the Kingdom of God.

To wrestle with Him and agree with what He said in the beginning, "It is good."

Your words encourage (nay, provoke, sometimes) this, joyfully.

Izumi/JOY said...

... "Honorable livelihood"? What she mean by that, Bishop?

Well, hold on thar, Izuma/JOY - what about the slackers, the schemers, the sleepers, the creepies? The broken, the token, the haters and such?

"Peace!", says God.

He loves us as much.

Erik said...

Izumi/Joy

Always your excellent Spirit pours out in your words, and in the 810 AM entry super especially, Thank You. I smile when I see your name on the entry and am excited to read it every time.

Every blessing to you.

Erik said...

I am so blessed, and so is everyone else, I just need to thank God again and again for Grace and Mercy, Love , Beauty and simply putting up with me, and showering me with blessings anyway.

A thanks I cannot ever measure. This is certainly one of those blessings, listening to CITN waiting at the airport, with everything that I experience, listening to Pastor Jimmy lead praise and give a prayer and blessing to God, blessing our brothers and sisters around us as I bless now in The Spirit each person I can see around me. Amen

What a great life I have !!

DoubleBack Alley said...

Sahib,

Great Steve Miller reference. I love the word pompatus as in "I speak with the pompatus (ice?) of love. I once heard that Miller used conjurations like this in songs to describe those words that are used in quiet settings to those you love intimately. I can feel those immediate moments with God and can never know when to expect them. Thanks all ways for being topical, tropical, and non-apolocalyptical.

Ain't God Good?

Anonymous said...

How GREAT is our GOD????? What an awesome service this morning!!!!

Bishop, I shared with some old friends about where I "attend" church now. She and her husband were part of the cyber congration this morning and were blown away!!! We don't often get to experience the Holy Spirit like that!!! Thank you for being sensitive to Him and allowing us to experience that without worrying about the clock!!!

HALLELUJAH!!!

Jere

peacemaker said...

You may post something for Sunday but I'm going out of town and couldn't wait...
That was one of the most MAGNIFICENT pieces of revelation today I've ever heard. When you feel a word that strong, I feel you--which makes it very easy to tap into what you are seeing.
Today, a lot of old paradigms shifted, beliefs altered, and sacred cows slain. That's real spiritual evolution...Thanks.

Namaste,
PM

Izumi/JOY said...

Some people call him a space cowboy... some call him a gangsta of love...

Another round of that Spirit stuff. (on the house, Papi Bish)

Now, THAT was awesome. (more, please)

Today was so cool. Kinda like walking around barefoot on a tile floor, when, outside, it's... well, you know.

Anthropomorphic. (whew - repeat that one, a couple of times)

P. Jimmie & beloved PRAISE team - WOW. (I'm STILL clapping my hands) Wonder what happened throughout the earth today, because.

Just because.

To Him Who sits on the throne! (one of my favs, btw)

And that singer (forgive me - still ozone floating) who encouraged us at the end - WOW. (I know... inadequate for what happened) but, WOW.

Safe passage, Erik! Big hugs in the Spirit! (reading your posts is like sitting in a cozy kitchen, sipping homemade almond stuff and talking like old friends)

If we bottled the service, the label might be, "Suddenly, Spirit".

Ebony said...

What a wonderful Sunday to come back to church to! (Bishop thanks for not giving me a lot of grief for my being out of town, I am back now for the long haul!). I know that CITN is all about being in the now-hence the name-but something about today's service brought got me in touch with some good memories along my spiritual journey, especially the songs chosen (shout to the Lord was always one of my favorites when I sang it with my youth group), and the praise break at the end of service. I was worried that I would feel awkward having been away so long, but no need for me to worry at all. One of the things I love about CITN is that there really is something for EVERYBODY, and I love how you can find a way to connect with all members of the body of Christ (with a pure heart for God), and despite where we are on the theological spectrum-pre rapture trib, post rapture trib, no rapture, whatever-we can worship together. To some it is deception, to us it is "one Lord, one Faith". I have been keeping up with the blogs and the Gospels in the Now postings, and I must say each one has been beautifully written. And-perhaps the coolest part of all- is that while making the language and the stories for a contemporary audience, the message of each gospel doesn't get lost in translation. What I mean is, MITN still resonates the message of Jesus as the promised Messiah, MkITN (so far) beautfully illustrates the power of his works as the son of man. And JITN beautifully expresses the depth of God's love shown through His Son. I always wondered when you begin to write a translation of a book of the bible, do you feel like those who came before you are cheering you on, or is there still a sense of fear and trembling with each passage? Either way it has been a beautiful process, and I can't wait to see the end result.

Larry Usher said...

Taken from the movie "Miracle"

Jim Craig: Wait a second... I've given you all I've got, now you're pulling the plug on me?

Herb Brooks: Have you? Given me your very best? Because I know there's a lot more in you, a whole other level that for some reason you just don't want to go to. Aw, hell, you don't understand what the hell I'm talking about.

Jim Craig: No... you know what I don't understand, Herb? I don't understand you, nobody on this team understands you. You, with your ridiculous sayings, and your drills, and those stupid pyschology tests you had everybody take...

Herb Brooks: Everybody?

Jim Craig: What, so this is what this is about? Because I wouldn't take your test? Fine you want me to take your test, I'll take your test, is that what you want?

Herb Brooks: No. I wanna see the the kid in the net who wouldn't take the test.

I like this scene in the movie because, like God, all a coach can ask of their player is that they are themselves and do their best. Sometimes I feel there is a whole other level the Body needs to go to-myself included!

Daddy will see to it we get there!

karl said...

Hi Bishop,
I missed most of the message today, wasn't feeling well and company was coming to the house, but I know it was something about the Holy Spirit coming.

When I got home, I opened the Bible and read the following, does it tie in anywhere with today's message?

The voices of your watchmen-they lift up their voices, shouting for joy together; for EVERY EYE WILL SEE WHEN THE LORD RETURNS TO ZION.

Anonymous said...

The service today and the thunderstorm that just rolled through Conyers reminded me of this incredible video I received this week - it is significant on many levels.

The rock band Toto scored their biggest hit with Africa in 1982. The song is instantly recognizable. But it has been reinvented.

Perpetuum Jazzile is an a cappella jazz choir from Slovenia. It's hard to think of something further from an 80s rock band. But their version of “Africa” may best the original. The group has amazing voices.

But the beginning of this video is really striking. Group members
simulate an African thunderstorm with their hands. It's really something to see and hear. It starts off very quiet so don't think, as I did, that the audio is missing. Storms typically start with just a few drops and are hard to hear. When the rain sounds really start, close your eyes, opening them indeterminately and briefly.

http://videos.komando.com/2009/06/18/african-thunderstorm/#atabc

Son of Zadok said...

Anon @ 11:51

That was just great. Thank You.

I was thinking about the rain today.

The service this morning. What can be said? The residue of sweet thought that passes through my mind...
It spoke so universally and yet so very personally.
Let us come into the childrenhood of the Kingdom. Let us seek God's presence in our private daily life, that we would live.

Larry said it though; the Father really is taking us where we need to go. It's all God working in us to have the will and to do the work.
Don't judge yourself in what some call weakness. What others may call evil I call grace. Have I not given you keys to enter the Kingdom. You will not have to put down the old man, only dwell as to the Lord. The Most High is turning His face towards you and the old man will be forgotten. His face is turned toward you.

Really having nice thoughts all day today after this morning. Had a dream this afternoon that I was traveling on a bus with the Jackson five and the whole family. It was a really fun feeling interacting with them. Towards the end of the dream I was ministering to Michaels parents. I remember telling them that Michael was being helped to move along to the next part of life and that he was fine. His father wept and seemed consoled. Sounds crazy/flaky I know, it just seemed so real.

On a further "quantum" note. I feel that the admonition to pray in the Spirit today goes beyond just yesterday's service. It's a call to re-awaken that desire in you throughout your daily life in the days ahead.

We are free to walk in the New Man!

I am free to walk in the New Man!

You are free to walk in the New Man!

Izumi/JOY said...

Good morning beloved Universe! Hope all slept well, and entered into the Lord's rest.

Look what I just discovered. Holy Spirit through Prophet Clement said:

http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word
/7812

Brenda said...

I am so happy that I pressed my way out to church because even though I was not 100% coming in I was 110% going out. The service was priceless and I would not have captured that on the internet. It was as if God himself just took over the service and Bishop I am so thankful that you hear from Him and know how to step back. I have been in so many services where the Holy Spirit wanted to take over but because of the program that had been printed He was crowded out. As I sat in the service I felt like a burden had been lifted and I could now stop looking in the clouds and find peace in the fact that He is already here. That just feels so right to me, its what I have been thirsty for and now my thirst has been quenched. I want so to tell everyone but all I can do is live it and hope they see the light in me and ask the questions. I knew there were more and now I understand why I went through the rejection so that I could come to the place of revelation. God always knows best. As I was leaving Golden Corall I saw a writing on someones car that said "Consider the wonderous works of God". He is here and I don't have to wait until the bye and bye. I saw heaven on earth as all the people danced and worshipped God in their own way, indeed consider the wonderous works of God.

Izumi/JOY said...

From, "Navigating The Winds Of Change":

I know, I know... stay in the NOW, Izumi... But, I couldn't properly collect/convey all of yesterday's, "what's this?". (and, I want to share it fresh, before it stinketh)

Last weekend, we celebrated the Eucharist. (the physical representation of the Lord's supper)

Yesterday, we shared Communion - the invisible manna.

I love the book of Acts, and being transported somewhere to an upper room with the disciples. All in one accord. Praying, and supplicating with the brethren, and the cistern.

I love how verse 8, in chapter 2, asks how every man heard in his own tongue. (Well, some danced their shoes off, and fell at their feet, alive, I s'pose.)

Can't speak for everyone who experienced the service.

To some, maybe the sound of the winds was in words.

There was order, rhythm, solidity, solidarity and simplicity. There was precipice and precision. There was anticipation and acceleration. Carbonation, exhilaration, and elation.

Maybe it was childhoods past. (the playing cards between our bicycle spokes - riding like the wind)

Might have been the clackety-clack of little engines that always could.

At one point, I thought the wind song was an oscillating fan. Texas was synonymous with hell in the summer. Daddy set up a fan in our bedroom to alleviate our suffering.

It did nothing to drown out the sounds of our neighbors. Cecil regularly beat Audrey. I'd listen to the fan until I could filter out the ambulance sirens. Our pine floor boards were warped, so that fan had a particular rhythm to it.

Just like the hand claps in, "Look what the Lord has done!"

I'd focus on its heartbeat, when Abel, another neighbor window peeped.

The winds of change could have been footfalls of past, present and future. Coming to the ege, running on the water, coming through the fog, our sons and daughters. (God's sons and daughters)

Maybe it was the sounds of the, I AM more than. More than enough.

And more for, than against. The sounds of victory and angelic intervention, heavenly chariots and horsemen.

Maybe it was the sounds of a royal processional. The advance of kings, lords, princes, and sons of God.

One could tell you it was currents rushing past the love train.

Another, would insist it was the rumbling of the soul train.

But, for me, it was the peace train.

Love how you reminded us that the book of Acts was written by a physician, Bish.

Unknown said...

I don't have any human words for yesterdays teaching/happening yet.

Man, Lion, Ox and Eagle...for some reason these images keep coming into my thoughts. Though I don't have anything else on this yet either.

I do have this (smile)...

The book I was reading last week, Picking Up Prayers, has made me very aware of what "comes into view". Its a short read but very eye-opening account of how to see what God is asking you to pray about...and the relationship that develops with Him when you do.

My experience: when I finished the book, I "noticed" a mosquito by the sink. Squished it and then "really noticed" it as well as the fact that I had killed it. Hmmmm. Book said ask "is this something you want me to pray about, HS?" Very cool what the following thoughts led me to declare! I'm enjoying this new perspective on "pray without ceasing" and the wonderful work of God that He wants us involved in.

Izumi/JOY said...

Great clip, Anon@ 11:51!

Something about the images of man, lion, ox and eagle - ditto that for me, Avatar.


*correction: edge - not ege