My daughter, Christina, was three weeks old the day that I started the church (then known as Word of Faith), and today she turns 25...she was about 2 in this picture, which was taken at the groundbreaking of the original property that we bought for our permanent home...we ended up not building on that site (it's a long story), but a few years later we were able to obtain the current property, which is much bigger and much better than that first place...click on the pic for a larger view of it...
Everyone knows how much I love my boys, but there's something so special about having a daughter, and in my opinion she's the best one in the world. We nearly lost her a few years ago in a near-fatal automobile accident, but today she is completely recovered from that, is married to a great man (my fourth son, Daisson), is an incredible mother to two beautiful baby girls, and is just generally a wonderful young woman who has my total respect, admiration, and love. Anyway, I've referred many, many times over the years to the fact that Christina and CITN are exactly the same age, and in multiple ways I've always seen great parallels between them and their respective growth...CITN will celebrate her 25th birthday in a few days, and I'm equally proud of the way she has evolved into something beautiful and mature and really awesome...
I hope you'll all be there on the 23rd to celebrate...
Also, a few days ago I posted a snapshot from Sofia's 1st birthday party that contained a picture of the much-loved Miss Marion Houston...Marion went home to be with the Lord yesterday at the age of 86...her memorial service will be held at CITN on Sunday, the 16th...she was and is a great lady, and even though we know we'll see her again, it won't be the same at church without her...
Tonight I'll be teaching out of The Gospels In The Now...Matthew, Chapter 17...hope to see you there...
Have a great day!
And Happy Birthday, baby girl...love you with all my heart!
"A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future."
- Author Unknown
14 comments:
Happy Birthday, Christina, again, as I posted to you on your facebook, and Happy Memories to you, Bishop. There is nothing heard but pure fatherly LOVE in the words you wrote in that article. Pure pride, pure love, pure heart <3
You are blessed, as is she ~
Happy upcoming Birthday to CITN, it's gonna be quite a party and one worth celebrating BIG TIME. I, along with all the others, can't wait to see your proud and happy "fatherly" self; honoring that "birth" also that day.
Peace * Love,
Northern Light
Teresa W Mason said...
Happy Birthday Christina and happy ministerial anniversary Bishop Swilley!
Deb Muehlstein said...
great pic of both of you....Happy Birthday Christina & Happy Anniversary to U Bishop....and many more...
Christina,
Happy birthday from Uganda, Africa.
Your father is a great man with true approach to the gospel. When writes something that tells a lot to those that partner with him. When he calls you special that what it. So may God almighty give you that special place even in all your walks.
Bishop humbly pass over my greetings to your daughter my white sister.
God bless,
Ben Nadiope
Good morning bish,
Enjoyed reading the post...thanks.
Just found out about Marion, really enjoyed her smiles and laughs...I'm sure they will continue.
Congratulations to both Christina and the church on their special days!!
...I'm looking forward to the 23rd, already have tickets!
Hoping to make it to Body Builders, maybe 10:30, hate to miss out on it...always good.
A terrific day to you.
Rhonda West said...
Happy Birthday Christina! You are beautiful on the outside and you have a inner beauty that shines..Thank-God you have a father who nurtured that!
That's good stuff right there!
Happy Birthday Christina!
Bishop Shoots, he scores !!!!
Service was great tonight. All of us have The Spirit and All that we are already within us. Every One is the offspring of The Creator, infused with All of the Universe, - Each one equally seeded and cherished by God.
God is in every detail and broader than any single person, faith, nation, culture, species, quark, electron, atom, universe. The Creator is beyond any definition, and always enjoyed in that mystery. One thing is clear to the most casual observer – God, and what Christians may understand as ‘The Christ’ , is equally validly expressed in every faith that is known, and in so many that are not. The Creator is not monopolized by any, and is beyond the most intricate detail and any perception any one of us can have. No religion comes close to defining God. The beliefs of each one reflects an aspect of God, and not one captures The Creator’s entirety.
The Wonderful News is that Every belief, Every person by their existence, magnifies, glorifies, and expresses God. Peace, Joy, Love, and experiencing the rightness that God gives is imbedded in All, each one.
Did I share how I think ‘CITN’ is pronounced? – Kitten – I know, cracks me up, going to ‘Kitten’. Not quite Lamb, but in same general area. Either way, definitely non-threatening, and at the same time completely powerful in its trust, acceptance, openness, and vulnerability.
Jeff Ferguson said...
Happy Birthday, Christina!
Darlene Swilley said...
Wow...beautiful...meaningful....hard to believe tho..she is a true blessing in all our lives....xo
Many blessings for your Birthday, Christina...and one of the blessings will be that I will NOT share a favorite WOF Christina story that Marian enjoyed sharing...(smile)...you are a blessing to so many...thanks for being "you".
Mary Anne Earles said...
Happy Birthday Christina.
Beautiful picture.
Wonderful family.
God Bless you both.
The Earles Family
Jane Angeles Mirafe Magtagad said...
Happy birthday, beautiful!
Brenda Forrester Pollard said...
Happy Birthday, Christina. You are highly favored of the Lord.
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