9/11 REFLECTIONS

Happy Monday...

Thanks to all of you at CITN EAST who came out yesterday for the service...it was a good day. I'm very excited to anounce that we will begin Sunday services at CITN MIDTOWN on October 9, where I'll be ministering every week at 8 AM before coming to Conyers for the 10 AM service. A lot of great things are happening in both locations...check out www.churchinthenow.org for details...

I ended up watching 9/11 stuff for hours on TV last night until I was saturated with it, and I still cannot believe it's been ten years! But I do want to say that I hope the Memorial brought some healing and maybe a little closure to those who lost loved ones on that terrible day. The picture above really touched me...I think the Memorial will at least give those who have lost so much a place to go and reflect, especially because they have no cemetery plots to visit. And I'm also very grateful that we got through the day with no problems or incidents at any of the ceremony sites in NY, Washington D.C. or in Pennsylvania...maybe it's a new day...at least I pray it is...

I referred to this yesterday in my sermon, so I wanted to re-post it:

OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD (Originally posted May 2, 2011)

As an American, I join in with the rest of the country in breathing a collective sigh of relief in knowing that Osama Bin Laden has been removed from the world stage, and I applaud the obviously successful efforts of our (American-born) Commader-In-Chief (who has had a very good week, by the way) and the amazing soldiers who executed a virtually flawless raid on Bin Laden's Pakistani mansion/compound. I wish it hadn't taken so long to find him, especially since he has obviously been hiding in plain sight, and I regret that we are still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan...but at least he's gone, and at least it happened before the up-coming 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Being as patriotic as the next guy, I was moved by the spontaneous celebrations that broke out at the White House and in Times Square and at Ground Zero last night, and I certainly don't want to be insensitive to the pain of the families who lost loved ones on that horrible September morning a decade ago...families that will never have full closure from the attrocities of that day, no matter who is assassinated...but I am sober today. Relieved? Yes. Happy? Not really...at least not totally...

Just yesterday I preached on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness", and how we live in such an unkind world...people killing one another...hating one another. Even though what was done in Pakistan in the last few hours apparently had to be done, I can't in good conscience really rejoice in the death of anyone, no matter how evil they are. Am I glad he's gone? No doubt about it. I'm glad to know that we don't have to dread another of his videos coming out that shows he's still alive and still a threat to our safety. But I am grieved that we live in a world where this kind of thing still has to happen at all.

The President gave a short but brilliant speech last night, in which he pointed out that Osama Bin Laden does not represent Islam, and he's right about that. In fact, Bin Laden has killed more Muslims than he has any other group. But where my mind is today is that the real enemy is not Osama Bin Laden or any other person, for that matter...it's religious fundamentalism.

Fundamentalism kills...be it Muslim or Christian or that of any other religious persuasion. The Crusades, The Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, the violence between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland, the Ku Klux Klan, the Taliban, etc...it's all about religious intolerance that stems from fundamentalist interpretations of holy writ.

Today I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud of our President and of our troops. I love this country, and I want it to be safe. But I'm really, really tired of religious fundamentalism, and all the hatred and death that it inevitably causes.

Terrorism happens every day in the name of religion...believe me, I know of what I speak.

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

Love never fails...

The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness...

God bless America...

And since I also mentioned Katharine Lee Bates yesterday, I wanted to share something else I posted a while back. Here is the first verse to her song...one of the most beautiful ones ever written, in my opinion. I love the Star Spangled Banner, but I'm one of those who would vote to have this awesome hymn become our national anthem. It's interesting to think that a woman who could write something like this would not be accepted in most mainstream churches today...

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

JULY IN THE NOW (From 'A Year In The Now')

Red, white and blue banners to brighten things up...

Marching bands to move you...

Parades to pick up your spirits...

A dazzlingly deafening display of light, color and noise to excite you as it explodes above your head in the heat of the summer night...

Celebrate it all - all that the summer brings...

Baseball games, barbecued ribs, and bare feet...

Cotton candy, carnivals and convertibles...

Hamburgers, hot dogs, and homemade ice cream...

Long, lazy afternoons, lemonade, and laughing out loud!

Put the top down and go to a drive-in movie...

Remember to ride a roller coaster...

And celebrate life!

Make a joyful noise all the earth!

"When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners. May all your wishes come true! (Psalms 20:5 - The Message)

Osama Bin Laden is Dead

As an American, I join in with the rest of the country in breathing a collective sigh of relief in knowing that Osama Bin Laden has been removed from the world stage, and I applaud the obviously successful efforts of our (American-born) Commader-In-Chief (who has had a very good week, by the way) and the amazing soldiers who executed a virtually flawless raid on Bin Laden's Pakistani mansion/compound. I wish it hadn't taken so long to find him, especially since he has obviously been hiding in plain sight, and I regret that we are still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan...but at least he's gone, and at least it happened before the up-coming 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Being as patriotic as the next guy, I was moved by the spontaneous celebrations that broke out at the White House and in Times Square and at Ground Zero last night, and I certainly don't want to be insensitive to the pain of the families who lost loved ones on that horrible September morning a decade ago...families that will never have full closure from the attrocities of that day, no matter who is assassinated...but I am sober today. Relieved? Yes. Happy? Not really...at least not totally...

Just yesterday I preached on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness", and how we live in such an unkind world...people killing one another...hating one another. Even though what was done in Pakistan in the last few hours apparently had to be done, I can't in good conscience really rejoice in the death of anyone, no matter how evil they are. Am I glad he's gone? No doubt about it. I'm glad to know that we don't have to dread another of his videos coming out that shows he's still alive and still a threat to our safety. But I am grieved that we live in a world where this kind of thing still has to happen at all.

The President gave a short but brilliant speech last night, in which he pointed out that Osama Bin Laden does not represent Islam, and he's right about that. In fact, Bin Laden has killed more Muslims than he has any other group. But where my mind is today is that the real enemy is not Osama Bin Laden or any other person, for that matter...it's religious fundamentalism.

Fundamentalism kills...be it Muslim or Christian or that of any other religious persuasion. The Crusades, The Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, the violence between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland, the Ku Klux Klan, the Taliban, etc...it's all about religious intolerance that stems from fundamentalist interpretations of holy writ.

Today I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud of our President and of our troops. I love this country, and I want it to be safe. But I'm really, really tired of religious fundamentalism, and all the hatred and death that it inevitably causes.

Terrorism happens every day in the name of religion...believe me, I know of what I speak.

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

Love never fails...

The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness...

God bless America...

This Land is Your Land

Hey bloggers...we're back...got in about 2:30 this morning...just now thawing out!!!...it was amazing/incredible/awesome...there's a picture posted on the sidebar of us in front of the Capitol, by the reflecting pool where we were standing, taken on Judah's cell phone (he's standing on a step which is why he's towering over me)...I'll tell you all about it tonight at LifeSkills In The Now, and then maybe write something about it for bloggers who aren't a part of CITN/cyber-CITN...

And thanks for your feedback from Sunday...I want to hear some more testimonies tonight in the service...

God bless America!

We The People (And then some...)

Hey bloggers...We're about to leave town, but I wanted to update this post (currently 10 comments). I'm really happy that those of you who were ITB today grasped the message, and understood what I was trying to do. Please tell me what happened to you in the service, especially at the end. I loved the feedback from those of you who came down front, and wish we had had more time to hear more. If you wanted to say something, but didn't have the chance, say it here!

As you know, Judah and I are in Washington for the Inauguration, and I may not post anything until we get back on Wednesday. I'll be back for LifeSkills In The Now on Wednesday night (teaching about self-esteem), but I wanted to post this, and leave it up, so that you can write your thoughts, prayers, and observations about this historical event. Even if I don't post, I can check your comments on my Blackberry.

The Inauguration is always on January 20, according to the Constitution, but how amazing is it that this year it falls the day after MLK Day?! There is so much I could say just about him, and about his Dream, and about all that has happened since he gave that iconic speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I said something about it this morning in church, but really...it just seems profound to me that the timing worked out this way.

Regardless of your political persuasion, on this coming Tuesday we will not be Democrats or Republicans, black or white, liberal or conservative...we will just be Americans. And, as Christians, we are required to be intercessors for all those in authority. As I said at the Walk By Faith, our prayers are with President George W. Bush and his family, and our prayers are with President Barack Obama and his family. And our prayers are with our great country. God bless America!

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle — I am telling the truth, I am not lying — and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. (I Timothy 2:1-8 - TNIV)

Please share your thoughts on all that is happening right now...

Congratulations, Mr. President-Elect!

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle — I am telling the truth, I am not lying — and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. (I Timothy 2:1-8 - TNIV)

The Day Has Arrived! (And then some...)

Hey bloggers,

My head and heart are very full on this Election Day...and I plan to be back later with something more to say.
- Jim, the Bishop

______________

Later that day (currently 19 comments)...

I need to be packing and running some errands (we leave for Korea early in the morning), but I can't stop watching the news and checking the blog, so I'll just go ahead and add some more now...

This was posted from JB a few days ago:

I was nineteen when voting in my first presidential election and have only missed one since. It is really cool that Judah votes this year too. Hope you never miss one for the next hundred plus years pal. I've mentioned this to several people this year and Bishop has written similarly to the thought as well but as a matter of prayer concerning our country, the first answer to a questioning prayer that I was sure of, came to me at nineteen. I was seriously wanting to vote for the right person, the one that God wanted to be our president. The answer that I recieved was that I should just vote for who I thought would be best and pray that I can continue doing that for as long as I live. God obviously answered the prayers of many people who had prayed for centuries when this country was established in such a way that the will of the people can be expressed with the selection of its leaders without coercion or reprisal for their choice. Judah it is my prayer that you and I both will continue to enjoy the favor of God to cast our votes for a very long time. I join all others in prayer for the nation and its leaders in this great time that we live in.

JB

To which I replied:

JB, On Thursday of last week, Jared took the time to come sit with me for several hours while I was in the hospital, even though he was leaving for a European tour that evening. He seemed genuinely worried about me (which is out of character for him), and it served to create a nice little father/son memory...On Tuesday of this week I took my dad to have caract surgery, and spent a good part of the day with him. He wanted to have lunch after the surgery, even though he was bandaged, and had on huge dark glasses, and was still a little groggy from the Valium they gave him. But I could tell that he was/is excited about our Korea trip and wanted to talk about it...and the conversations we had that day served to create another nice little father/son memory...But on Monday of this week, Judah came out to Covington (I went with him to get the oil in his truck changed and to get his tires rotated) but his real purpose in coming out here was for us to vote together. We stood in a very long line and talked about what it means to be an American, and about the future of this country, and what a privelege it is to be able to vote...and the genuine excitement that he showed about the whole process created a memory I'll never forget. I taught him how to swim. I taught him how to drive a car. But seeing him vote for the first time...well, that was very special...

Actually, I taught Jared how to swim, now that I think of it...Judah we took to the YMCA*...Speaking of Jared, I should say that he also voted while he was out here. I didn't even know he could vote in Newton County, but his drivers license has our address, and he called them to make sure that he could do it. My dad went with him (even though mom and dad voted week before last)...And also, Debye drove up to get Sofia and bring her down for the weekend, so that Christina can go vote (the lines in Fayeteville are super long, and she doesn't have anyone to keep the baby)...point being, we all voted (Debye went to do it day before yesterday)...but, again, experiencing Judah's first time was special because it's the first time one of my kids has turned 18 in an election year...

*Debye seems to remember it differently, and tells me that, even though I did take Judah to a swimming class at the Y, he ultimately just taught himself to swim.

Anyway, I'm very proud of the fact that all of my family has voted in this election (including mom and dad and Deb's mom and dad)...that is, everyone except Jonah...he's 15...but he's very interested in, and informed about the process...and he's opinionated about it. I'm just happy that my kids care about it.

God bless America!

If My People...

Hey bloggers,

You may have already seen this on-line, or in a newspaper, but I thought I'd post it here, as well...

Faith and Civic Leaders Call
for Prayer for the Nation


WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the eve of the election of the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday November 4th, it is appropriate and necessary that "we the people" of America take time to consider the core values and principles that should guide our nation in the next four years.

America is at a crossroads, and faces profound challenges at home and abroad. Our nation's strength - and ability to rise to challenges - lies in the principles that define its ideals, and the people who have endeavored to realize them.

On August 9, 2008, the Global Peace Festival USA launched a campaign to promote an American dream of building "one family under God." This vision underscores three core values that should guide our nation at this time:

1. The family is the "school of love and peace," the most vital social institution that must be honored and strengthened. The human family is bound together by its common spiritual heritage.

2. Universal principles are the basis for interfaith reconciliation and cooperation on a deeper level. Our nation's faith diversity is a great asset, making it possible for America to become a model of interfaith harmony.

3. Promoting a culture of service is the way to substantiate "one family under God." Service initiatives that are international, interreligious and interracial can provide transformative experiences to bridge differences and build mutual understanding.

Many of us are deeply concerned that the political process in our nation has become so partisan and polarizing. Although this election campaign has provided hopeful glimpses of the possibilities of unprecedented change, it has also exposed divisions that are yet to be bridged.

America's distinctive vision shines most clearly in the familiar words of the Declaration of Independence - that all men are created equal and endowed by the Creator with inalienable rights. Those words articulate the fundamental basis of human dignity and intrinsic rights, as well as the principles upon which "one nation" could be created "under God."

America became a pluralistic melting pot, representing how the world could live in harmony under a national vision rooted in our sense of covenant with God. When America has not fully lived up to its founding ideals, leaders have emerged as the conscience of the nation. Such was the case in 1963 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the nation to "live out the true meaning of its creed."

What is that "true meaning?" "One nation under God" expresses the essence of the true American vision rooted in our founding principles. In the 21st century we need to take this one step further into the greater, more universal ideal that all humanity is "one family under God." With such a universal vision, America could provide a model and leadership to inspire and unite the human family.

When the Constitutional Convention reached a standstill, Benjamin Franklin called for prayer, saying, "the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

When the nation was ripped apart by civil war, President Abraham Lincoln called for a national day of fasting and prayer. On D-Day as Allied troops landed in Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt led the nation in an extraordinary prayer of his own composition.

As our nation makes important decisions, let us pause to reflect, meditate and pray. We urge all Americans to pray for our nation, especially from October 31 to November 2 (covering Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the respective Sabbath days for Muslims, Jews and Christians). Beyond deciding prayerfully, let us also resolve to transcend our differences and come together in support of our newly elected leadership to address the serious challenges before our nation and world.

There is much historical precedent for Americans to call upon God in times of great crisis or momentous change. At this time we are on the doorstep of both.

May God bless America.

Global Peace Festival USA Partners supporting this statement include:

Co-Chairs:

The Honorable Walter E. Fauntroy
The Honorable Matt Salmon
Bishop Jim Swilley
Pastor Debye Swilley
Mr. David Caprara


Partners:

The Honorable Steen Miles
Rev. Mark Abernathy
Rev. Paul Murray
Dr. Mohammad Alam
Ms. Helen Ngo
Matt & Adriana Anderson
Bishop Benoni Y. Ogwal-Abwang
Mr. Dawud Assad
Dr. Charles Phillips
Ambassador Theodore Britton
Ms. Martie Pineda
Dr. Haitham Bundakji
Mr. Victor Pinzon
Ms. Olga Crupper
Imam Mustafa Qazwini
Rev. Tanya Edwards
Rev. Dr. Addie S. Robb
Bishop Jesse Edwards
Ambassador Phillip Sanchez
Ms. Gerry Eitner
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi
Rev. Darrell Elligan
Ms. Fannie Smith
Rev. Mark Farr
Rev. Andre Smith
Mr. James P Flynn
Mr. Gary Spanovich
Rev. Leo Franklin
Hon Richard St. Paul
Bishop Ernest Hamilton
Archbishop George A. Stallings Jr.
The Honorable Earl Hilliard
Ms. Mary Swopes
Dr. Abdul Hye
Mr. Asratie Teferra
The Honorable Donzella James
Mr. Lee Walker
Dr. Michael Jenkins
Mrs. Alexa Ward
Mr. Mohammad Khan
Rabbi Michael Weisser
Rev. Ki Hoon Kim
Mrs. Delece Williams
Dr. Simone A. Mason
Ambassador Sam Zakhem

God Bless America!

Today marks seven months since BLOGINTHENOW began...

...and, of course, difficult as it is to believe, today marks seven years since the September 11 attacks on the United States.

As I said in my sermon last night (Is Christ Divided?, Part II ), for a few days in America after 9/11/01, there were no democrats or republicans...conservatives or liberals...catholics or protestants...rich or poor...no one was black...no one was white...no one was latino...we were all simply broken-hearted Americans, united by a horrible tragedy that affected us all.

On this historic date, let us remember those in NY, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania who lost their lives, and also their families who are still dealing with the pain. But let us also remember to pray for the future of this great country...let us pray that we would all somehow find that unity again that we shared for a brief moment in time seven years ago...let us release our faith that that unity could be rediscovered, this time without tragedy, but through the movement and power of the Spirit of God.

Here is the first verse to one of the most beautiful songs ever written. I love the Star Spangled Banner, but I'm one of those who would vote to have this awesome hymn become our national anthem.

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!