CHECKING IN

Just a couple of things...first, I hope to see many of you tonight at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN, especially those of you who haven't been there since we started meeting at Virginia-Highland Church...it's more of a traditional setting than some of you might be used to, but it's a really nice (and beautiful) environment, and we've been having some really great services since we've been there...

I'm currently writing an article about this, but let me go ahead and give you a heads up so that you can know a little bit better what to plan for...

This coming Sunday (4/1/12) at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST will be a very full day...we will have our First Supper/Upper Room service (Communion)...'His Hands' will be ministering in worship, as well as my good friend, Alain Emmanuel (you'll really like him)...we will also be receiving new members into the church (first time in a long time that we've done it that way), and immediately after the service I am inviting everyone to come into the Fellowship Hall (Kids In The Now/404 area) for a piece of my birthday cake...

The following Sunday (4/8/12) will be Resurrection Sunday (Easter), and will be CITN's final service at 1873 Iris Drive...I'll tell you more about that in my next post, just wanted to get you up to speed on everything that's happening as much as is possible right now...

Also, since I changed the template of BLOGINTHENOW, some of the posts may not look exactly right because of the layout edit...I can't go back through all 854 posts here and check on them, so I appreciate you just receving it as it is...just felt like it was time for something new...

I hope to have some news for future plans to share by this Sunday...in the meantime, check here for updates...


You're very important to me...

Have an excellent day!

GOOD REPORTS!!!

 

Meditate on these things;

give yourself entirely to them,

that your progress may be evident to all.
(1 Timothy 4:15 - NKJV)

What an excellent and encouraging 27th Annual Business Meeting we had last night at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST!

In an age when many churches never even consider being so open with their congregations about the finances, it feels really good to know that we have maintained our integrity in that area. For more than a quarter of a century we have practiced the tradition of being open with our books.

And who would have believed, after all that has happened over the last year, that we would hear such a good financial report?

As Debye was sharing the surprisingly impressive figures and outcome from a year of such transition, I was listening to her words, and thinking about the goodness of the Lord...thinking about how the offerings have been up considerably lately, and how that so many people have pitched in to help out in so many different ways, recently.


It just confirmed to me once again that, not only is this church blessed, its very existence is a sovereign work of God!

His favor on us is obvious.

Even the small fire that we had in the building last week proved to be a blessing, in that it gave us front page coverage (free advertising) in the local papers. It has been a year since the foreclosure on the property, and many people assume that we are no longer meeting there on Iris Drive. But after the story ran (especially because there were so many firetrucks in front of the building), the community now knows that CITNE is still a very active part of Conyers/Rockdale.

I want to thank the 7 awesome people who presented themselves as candidates for the Board of Directors. As I listened to each of them speak so eloquently to the congregation (live, on video, or on Skype)  about their history with the church, not to mention their impressive accomplishments, I couldn't help but thank God for all the wonderful, high-quality people in my life. I am a very blessed man.

We were supposed to elect three new members, but because of a discovered ballot tie, we actually elected four, which is fine with me.

CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN is also experiencing a manifestation of favor. The historic Virginia-Highland Church has made its beautiful facilities available to us for as long as we need them, so we will be meeting there, starting tomorrow night! As you may or may not know, CITNM is completely autonomous, and does not depend on CITNE for any support. They are an amazing group of people who have been consistently faithful to this part of the CHURCH IN THE NOW vision since we started there 9 months ago.

I have about three more chapters to finish on the book, and may get them all done before next weekend. I can't wait for you to read it!

It's all good, and that's all for now...

Now Hear This

Couple of things...the book ('First, The Good News') is coming along quite nicely...I've taken a few weeks off from looking at it so that I can keep some perspective on the material...when you are immersed in it every day it's easy to get lost in the enormity of all you want and need to say, at least it is for me, anyway...but as of yesterday I've been able to proof it again with some objective eyes, and I must say that I'm really very proud of it so far...I mean, on one level I know I'm kind of asking for trouble in addressing some of the subject matter, but there's really not much of anything left to be said by the religious community that hasn't already been said about me, so it is what it is...the fundamentalists you have with you always...but I know that a lot of people are going to be set free by it, and not just people with same-sex attraction...freedom and authenticity and 'Real People Experiencing the Real God in the Real World' are blessings that everyone should be able to enjoy...I don't think that 2012 will be the end of the world, but I do believe that it will usher in the end of an age, or of an era...everything that can be shaken will be shaken, including the lies and pretensions that much of the modern church is built upon, and this book is some of the fruit of that shaking...I probably have two, maybe three more chapters to write, and when I do I'll post them here...might even finish the next one today...

Things are going well at both CITN locations...surprisingly well, in fact, and I'm not just making a statement of faith in saying that...we really are doing something that hasn't been done before, and even the things that appear to be setbacks (like foreclosures and financial challenges) are in reality all working together for our good...there are still just too many unfulfilled prophecies over the Conyers property, and it's quite possible we may not be able to leave there until they are manifested (yes, CITN EAST is still meeting at 1873 Iris Drive in Conyers, nearly a year after the foreclosure)...

Debye has done a great job ministering on Wednesday nights in January at CITNE, but now that she has finished her series on 'The Power of Agreement', I'll be back on Wednesdays, starting next week...not sure what series I'll be doing yet...may even do something in connection with Black History Month...

Look, I don't don't understand all that's going on with CITNE...God knows I've put those 43 acres on the altar a thousand times and have said goodbye in my heart to all of it, and yet we can't seem to be able to leave it...I mean, if it sells tomorrow I still believe that our steps are ordered, and that God will have something even better for us, but as of right now there are no deals of that nature on the table...

CITN MIDTOWN is doing well, and I really love it...I do, however, need to make some decisions about a permanent meeting place for us...in fact, tonight will be an important service there at The Biltmore House concerning that very issue, and I'm hoping to see many of you there...


Anyway, I'm going to try to get some writing done now...oh, by the way, today's 'A Year In The Now' is a really good one...check it out...if you don't have the book, it's posted on the CITN website (www.churchinthenow.org)...

Peace to you...

LOOKING AHEAD

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Good things are happening in the new year at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST, CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN, CHURCH IN THE NOW ONLINE, and NOW MINISTRIES. Please check out these important dates, and be aware of certain changes, particularly the Week of Prayer and Praise (Jan 2 - 6), Pastor Debye ministering at CINTE/CINO on Wednesdays in January, the return of (NOW MINISTRIES) BODY-BUILDERS, and the new COMMUNION BRUNCH at CITNM, beginning on January 8...

Wednesday, December 28 -

Last CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST/CHILDREN ONLINE service of 2011...(P. Debye will be ministering on Wednesday nights at CITNE/CITNO for the month of January, so we'll be finishing up our study of Luke In The Now on 12/28)
7 PM, EST...

Thursday, December 29 -

Last CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN service of 2011...
Biltmore House, Imperial Ballroom,
7 PM...





Saturday December 31 -

No New Year's Eve service at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST, but you're all invited to attend the Watchnight Service at THE CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
10 PM


Sunday, January 1, 2012 -

FIRST SUPPER/UPPER ROOM SERVICE AND BAPTISM
CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST/CHURCH IN THE NOW ONLINE,
11 AM, EST*

*(please note that the service is an hour later)

No service at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN



Monday, January 2 -

2012 WEEK OF PRAYER AND PRAISE, CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST
(led by Bishop Swilley)
 7 - 8 PM


Tuesday, January 3 -

2012 WEEK OF PRAYER AND PRAISE, CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST
(led by Pastor Judah Swilley)
7 - 8 PM


Wednesday, January 4 -

BODY-BUILDERS (NOW MINISTRIES)
Mary Mac's Tea Room (Board Room)
224 Ponce de Leon Ave
Atlanta, GA 30308,
11 AM

2012 WEEK OF PRAYER AND PRAISE, CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST
(led by Pastor Debye)
7 - 7:30 PM

Pastor Debye ministering, CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST/CHURCH IN THE NOW ONLINE
7:30 - 8:30 PM, EST


Thursday, January 5 -

2012 WEEK OF PRAYER AND PRAISE, CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST
(led by Pastor Scott Pettite)
7 - 8 PM

CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN
(Bishop Swilley ministering,
Dan Shives leading worship)
Biltmore House, Imperial Ballroom)
7 PM



Friday, January 6 -

2012 WEEK OF PRAYER AND PRAISE, CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST
(led by Pastor Michael Person)
7 - 8 PM




Sunday, January 8 -


CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST/CHURCH IN THE NOW ONLINE
10 AM, EST

CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN
COMMUNION BRUNCH
Cypress Street Pint & Plate
817 W. Peachtree St. NW (next door to Biltmore House)
2 PM

 

 

One Year Later (Part II)

Q. How is CHURCH IN THE NOW doing?

A. CHURCH IN THE NOW is alive and well, but it has definitely gone through some transition. As has been widely reported, the property on Iris Drive went through a foreclosure back in April of this year and was put up for sale, at which time we moved back into our original building on the property. We've been meeting there for the last six months and leasing the building from the bank. There have been a few offers made on the property during that time, but, as of yet there is nothing definite. The word on the street is that the property has already been purchased by another Conyers church, but that is not the case at the time of this writing.

The ministry in Conyers is now called CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST, and most Sundays there are several hundred people who attend the 10 AM service there, and hundreds (perhaps thousands) more attending CHURCH IN THE NOW ONLINE. On Easter we had approximately 1,000 in attendance, but most Sundays the attendance is in the hundreds. Apparently, a lot of people think that the church was disbanded when I came out, but that's certainly not true. We're not as big in numbers as we were before, but we're definitely as strong, if not stronger. The presence of the Holy Spirit is very evident in all of our services, and miracles continue to happen there on a regular basis as God is exalted.

Many of the hateful "Christian" blogs (more about them later) have celebrated what they believe was our demise, but, as Mark Twain said, "The rumors of my (our) death have been greatly exaggerated". The bottom line is that the property was not foreclosed on as a result of my telling the truth about myself. Of course that was a factor, in that many of our financial supporters left the church because of it...but anyone who knows our history knows that we have been in a financial struggle since we built the main building. We were headed toward foreclosure long before 10/13/10.

Some other of the mean-spirited "Christian" bloggers have speculated that I came out because I knew we were headed toward financial ruin, and I wanted to re-invent myself so as to attract and fill up the church with gay people who could support the church. Well, let me tell you that that idea is, as they say, a hoot and a half! Be assured that telling people in the Bible-belted South that you're a gay minister is NOT, I repeat NOT the way to fill up a church! These people...these anonymous bloggers with their crazy suspicions...continue to amaze and amuse me. Believe me, if I was wanting to save the church building at any cost I would have NEVER told the truth about my sexual orientation!

Considering everything that has happened at and to CITNE, the fact that we still have what we have...a church that is still considerably larger than the average American church, and still meets the definition of a Megachurch...is really quite remarkable. If and when the property sells we will simply move to a more manageable location (one with less than 43 acres and three large buildings to maintain!) and will continue to meet somewhere on the East side of Metropolitan Atlanta, preferably in Conyers or Covington.

We are not worried about the future of CITNE for two reasons. The first is that God has always taken care of us and we know He always will...and the second is that the church is more than bricks and mortar and acreage. The "CHURCH" in CHURCH IN THE NOW is what really matters, and it's not going anywhere.

In the meantime, we have added a second congregation in Atlanta called CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN, currently meeting in the Imperial Ballroon of the iconic Biltmore House. That church is doing very well, and I am blessed to be able to minister weekly in both locations. I've already said a lot about CITNM, so I won't repeat myself...but I do want to make it clear that CITNM is NOT a gay church...nor is it a black church, or a white church...it is a melting pot of all kinds of people, gay, straight, black, white, young, old, married, single, liberal, conservative, democrat, republican, believer and non-believer...in a word it is simply REAL PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE REAL GOD IN THE REAL WORLD.

I have never had a ministry demographic, and I never will. I only want to pastor a New Testament Church where we recognize that "Christ is all and is in all", and that's what we have in Midtown. CITNM is certainly gay-affirming and has a considerable gay population, but everyone is welcome there, and everyone comes. The gay people I have spoken to there have no desire to attend a "gay" church...they just want a church where they can hear the Word and be themselves without fearing the wrath of religious bigots and pharisees...a place where they are not forced to live a lie, but can worship God in Spirit AND IN TRUTH. We provide that place weekly at CITNM.

The vision...the Big Picture, if you will...is that there will eventually be a CHURCH IN THE NOW NORTH and a CHURCH IN THE NOW SOUTH in addition to the two current locations...maybe a CHURCH IN THE NOW in every city in America. Who knows?

In the meantime, it's all good. Many people who left CITNE because of my telling the whole truth are now returning. They have realized that absolutely nothing about my ministry has changed, and they still hear my voice as being the voice of their shepherd, so they want to come back and find the green pastures of revelation that have sustained many of them for the last 26 years. We gladly receive every one of them back, no questions asked.

This past year has no doubt been an adventure and a walk of faith, but we believe that our latter will be greater than our former!

CHECK THIS OUT!

Hey...just a few things I need to tell you or remind you of...

For those of you in the Orlando area, I'll be ministering tomorrow at Oasis Fellowship Ministries...I have a lot of FB friends in central FLA that I haven't met yet, and this is a good opportunity for us to connect in person...hope to see some of you there!

Pastor Judah will be ministering in the 10 AM service at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST...he has a really good word for you...those of you who are a part of CHURCH IN THE NOW ONLINE, don't forget to stream it live at www.churchinthenow.org...

And, speaking of Judah, those of you who are in the Athens, GA area should check out his new ministry there...it's called IGNITE ATHENS (www.igniteathens.com)...they meet every Monday night and some really cool stuff is happening there...

Also...

For those of you who attend CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN, don't forget to bring an hors d'oeuvre this coming Thursday night for a little time of meet and greet after the service...

Also, Oct 9 is our first Sunday service at CITNM! I'll be ministering and serving Communion there every Sunday at 8AM, and then will come out to Conyers and minister in the 10 AM service at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST

...(btw, CITNE still meets at 1873 Iris Drive in Conyers for those of you who think we've moved...)

...and because several people have asked about this, let me remind you that the Sunday services at CITNM are IN ADDITION TO the Thursday services...hope to see you ATL people at both of them!

So, the new schedule of services is as follows:

SUNDAYS:
8AM: CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN
Biltmore House, Imperial Ballroom

10AM: CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST
1873 Iris Drive, Conyers

(MONDAYS: IGNITE ATHENS)

Wednesdays:
7PM: CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST

Thursdays:
7PM: CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN


And a big THANK YOU to all of you who continue to support this ministry and believe in (and understand) the unique vision of this house! We couldn't do what we do without you! I love you all!!!

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!

BRIGHT FUTURE!

Last night at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN was awesome...pics of it are posted on the CITNM Facebook page...thanks to everyone who came out for the service (and thanks, especially, to all of you who brought all the delicious food!). Also, for those of you in the Houston TX area, I'll be ministering tonight at CORNERSTONE FELLOWSHIP (currently meeting at Grace Lutheran Church 2515 Waugh Drive 77006). Here's today's affirmation from A Year In The Now...

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the times comes."
(Matthew 6:34 – The Message)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because my attention is on the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is always in the now.

Today I will not worry about what's coming up, because the things that I am dreading may not even happen, and the unknown things are impossible to prepare for. But regardless of what tomorrow brings, I will face it with the confident assurance that the Lord perfects all that concerns me.

Today I will run toward the giants that intimidate me, the way David ran toward Goliath. I will not give place to cowardice, but will be aggressive enough to intimidate the thing that is trying to intimidate me!


Today I will have no fear of the unknown, but will anticipate the adventure with appreciation for the attitude of authority that I have attained through accepting the Word of God as an absolute anchor for the soul!


Today I will start making plans to go to a higher level, preparing myself for new responsibilities.


Today I will believe that my latter is going to be greater than my former as I go from glory to glory.

Today I will enjoy the day, believing that tomorrow will be even better. I will protect my dreams and visions today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me be ready for what’s ahead, and thank You, in advance, for how good it’s all going to turn out for me.
In Jesus ’name, amen.

FATHER'S DAY AT CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST

"I had the pleasure of visiting Atlanta and CITN this morning. All I could do during worship was cry as I watched beautiful people from all walks of life love on Father together...I am deeply grateful for your commitment and your sacrifice for the Good News..."
- Jeremy Brooks

"Fabulous service! CITN is on the cutting edge of revival..."
- Jamie Gray

"...wonderful word today Bishop and enjoyed Judah singing...he was great."
- Don Craddock

"...tell your Dad he is My hero...I love your Dad so much...he is a great Dad."
- Alicia Neal

"What a mighty out pouring of the HOLY SPIRIT!"
- GRT

"...U R Simply The Best and todays message was Awesome thank u!
- Luv Tuff

"Always love when Judah does that song..but in honor of fathers day and to you, as the cameras cut away to Jonah on drums and your face, the connection of love, passion, and gifts were greatly expressed and all tied together...so glad I get to be a part of that!!"
- Debra Murphy

"Thank you Judah and Jonah for sharing your gifts with us today."
- Barbara Clancy

"If grace is an ocean...we're all sinking...."
- Nancy Courter

"Judah did an awesome job on that song under the anointing. It's the best I have heard anyone sing it so far. He was "smoking". we enjoyed watching Jonah playing in the Spirit on those drums. You are so blessed to have such talented and gifted children."
- Nadine Coker

"Bishop u are a great father and a wonderful example to ALL men everywhere for ur truthfulness, integrity, and sprituality."
- Nechemyah Levy

Thanks so much, everyone, for your beautiful words about yesterday's service! It really was a great day...in fact, it was a great weekend. Jared's in Europe (I think...or is it California?...I don't know, we've been phone-tagging), but I got to spend time with Christina and the grandbabies Friday, and then Judah and Jonah blessed me so much in the Sunday service with their music (btw, the praise and worship was excellent, too!). Then we had a wonderful Father's Day lunch afterward with the whole extended family. By the way, Jonah is singing this coming Thursday night at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN (don't forget to bring an hors d'oeuvre and/or dessert if you're coming!). The boys also got me/us tickets to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and are taking me to see it Tuesday night at the Fox. Awesome! It's going to be a busy week...Wednesday night at CITNE, Thursday night at CITNM, and then I'll be ministering in Houston over the weekend, but will be back for service next Sunday.

Lots of good stuff happening...

And we're still trying to perfect the website...thanks for your patience while we work some bugs out.

It's all good.

Love you all...

WEDNESDAY NIGHT REFLECTION

Good day today...brainstorming with the staff this afternoon about future plans for CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST...lots of laughter around the table, regardless of some circumstances that could potentially be overwhelming...in fact, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time...good to be with FAITH PEOPLE...PEOPLE OF VISION!

...sharing revelation tonight with the beautiful, faithful followers who made (and always make) the effort to be ITB...I love you guys!

I really wanted to watch the Total Pageviews counter for BLOGINTHENOW role over to 100,000 views...I knew it would probably happen some time today (total views since 2008), but it happened tonight during church while I was preaching...oh well, I missed it...guess I'll have to wait for 200,000 views! The immediacy of Facebook has made the blog a little less dynamic, but obviously people are still logging on to it...a lot has happened since the advent of BLOGINTHENOW, but I'm glad to still be in contact with many of you who have participated in this medium since its inception...

And speaking of blogs, please check out the new one for CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN that I just put up today...click on www.citnmidtown.blogspot.com and answer some of the questions that are posted if you can...thanks!

Don't forget that this coming Sunday is Father's Day...

HOPE TO SEE MANY OF YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE BILTMORE HOUSE!

Something's Coming/Tonight In Midtown

Happy Thursday!

As I told the congregation at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST last evening, we have some direction and good news to share with you about the future of our presence in the Conyers/Covington area, which I will talk about more this coming Sunday. We really do believe that the best days of this ministry are ahead of us, and we are committed to seeing much of that unfold in the community we have invested in over the last 26 years.

By the way, if you couldn't be there last night, or weren't able to stream, you might want to get a copy of the teaching "It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit, and to Us" (order at www.churchintenow.org). It was a continuation of the subject from the previous week about the real meaning of "binding and loosing", and there's some good stuff in there.

Tonight is our second meeting at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN, and I am really looking forward to seeing even more new faces in the audience there. Last week's premier service exceeded expectations, but many people come to the opening night of something just because it's an event. Tonight will be another beginning of sorts, because it will show more acurately who is really interested in becoming a part of the Midtown congregation.

CITNM is currently meeting every Thursday at 7 PM in the Imperial Ballroom of the historic Biltmore House, 30 5th street NE in Atlanta (corner of W. Peachtree and 5th). There is FREE COVERED PARKING, and no childcare provided.

In light of all that's happening, I want to share today's affirmations from A Year In The Now:

SOMETHING’S COMING!

"And then God answered, ‘Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming – it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on the way. It will come right on time.'" (Habakkuk 2:2, 3 – The Message)


Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I have a vision, and a vision from God doesn't lie. It lets me know that something good is on the way, and that I must make room for it in my life.

Today I will have faith in my goals and in my ability to reach them. I will write a petition, which will give my faith a focal point, and I will find a word on which to stand to make that petition come to pass.

Today I will have a positive outlook, anticipating the arrival of a long-awaited answer to a prayer. I will not be weary in well doing, knowing that I will reap in due season if I do not faint.

Today I will run with the vision, because the vision is alive and growing – mobile and evolving – and running to keep up with it will be good and healthy for me. I will abandon my comfort zone, and stretch toward the bigger and better breakthrough that is bound to become mine!

Today I will be appreciative of the little things that are a blessing to my life, as I increase my capacity for accepting even greater outpourings of God's love and affection for me. God wants me to be blessed even more than I want to be blessed, and He has written a vision on my heart to make sure that I receive all that He has in store for me!

Today I will not be moved when it looks like I am having a setback. All things are working together for my good, and God's timing will ultimately be perfect – so I will walk in the faith and patience that enables me to obtain the promises! I will not become discouraged, because I will keep my eyes on the big picture.

Today I will keep hope alive by believing for the impossible, seeing the invisible, and feeling the intangible. I will speak of the non-existent things as though they already existed, because the vision in my mind is increasing with the faith in my heart. Something's coming, and it could be here any minute — I will be ready for it today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, write Your vision on my heart today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Just wanted to check in and tell you all that I love you, that I appreciate all of you who are in covenant with us more than you know, that I'm extremently excited about tonight, and that the best is yet to come!

CITN MIDTOWN PREMIER SERVICE REVIEWS

It was beautiful...perfect, really...to all of you who helped make the evening such a success I say thankyou, thankyou, thankyou...I love you!

"Bish, tonight was perfect and felt so complete, so right! The ballroom...ahhh I loved it. So happy to see you truly happy deep within. Midtown just does not even know...they better get ready, bc they're about to find out. I love you. xoxo"
- Lindsey Pettite

"You were great and AWESOME! We felt your happiness and peace. We are so excited for you, us, our new family. It was the most beautiful room of peeps I've ever seen. Much love to you sir. So proud to call you my pastor."
- Sheri Travis

"My divine Bishop, "there's a sweet sweet spirit in THAT place...and I know that it's the spirit of the LORD" A very humble thank you for a beautiful service."
- Javalyn Hall-Johnson

"The New Date Night: Thursdays - 7pm at The Biltmore (CITN - Midtown). It was awesome, it's going to be awesome - what a great night!!! We loved it!"
- Rowena Silvera

"Awesome, awesome, awesome!! Bishop I loved it! everything about it was blessed just like I said it would be! Oh...my "new" spot now on Thursday nites! So glad to be part of it!!!! Love you much!!!"
- Ethel Higgins

"Wow what a wonderful place, and people and message!! The whole evening was a beautiful begining for CITN Midtown!! Thank you for letting us have a part in it!!"
- Linda Green-Richardson

"CITN Midtown had a prosperous turnout!! It was a wonderful experience Jeff and I were a part of tonight!! Thank you again Bishop Jim Swilley for getting the word out!!"
- Bryce Hardin

"It was electrifying tonight at the Biltmore - it was so cool too from where I was sitting I could see the Peachtree St sign - it was like Atlanta was soaking up everything - from our music to your words Bishop - even my fortune cookie was right on the money tonight - great evening - thanks Bishop - many more to come."
- Pamela Holbrook

"I never miss a service..even if not ITB...So wish I could have been there...got goosebumbs looking at the pics and seeing you standing there...very confirming..and feeling/seeing the support from all that love you was beautiful!!!"
- Debra Murphy

"Jim, your dedication and commitment to the people you come into contact with is simply amazing. I wish you the best and hope that you continue to inspire and lead by the example of honesty and compassion you extoll every single day. You are amazing. Atlanta is a better place with you here and working in the capacity you do."
- Rich Sullivan

"The service was awesome. The Spirit of God moved in a mighty way. You folks are real and real awesome. I look forward to being there again sometime. Peace and love, Namaste, jeff"
- Jeff Rust

"I could tell by the pics, it is the right place, the right time and the right season... I am thinking of the first message I sent to you several months ago"
- Claudia James Weaver

"Great turn out and awesome Premier Service at Church In The Now Midtown last night! Those who missed it, missed the start of something great. But no need to worry, next Thursday is just around the corner. Bishop, I am so proud for you!"
- Bobby Newsome

"It was bliss for us too. An absolute pleasure. Very excited about so many new people getting to know Church In The Now!"
- Eddie Brumlow

"Bish I'm soooo jealous, i wanted to there for the opening night....seem like it was a beautiful service based on the comments below. super happy...all smiles. Go Bish.
GO CITN."
- Renaldo C. Blocker Sr.

"O What a Night! The first of many...and already additional room is needed. It was a rockin' night filled with the fresh and new. CITN Midtown is THE Place to be on Thursday nights! Way to go, Bishop...you did it...I'm so very proud to have been present at this inaugural event and so proud of you. It's great to see you so happy and relaxed! Peace & Blessings!"
- Patti Cook

"Moving on up, moving on up...to that beautiful Imperial Ballroom on Peachtree. Loved the atmosphere. Loved the spirit. Loved the beautiful people that showed up tonight. So proud to be a part of CITN Midtown tonight. Look up and count the stars in the chandellier. CITN Midtown shines. In fact, the parking attendant ask us to say a prayer that she can attend a service some time. Already reaching out and touching..."
- Cheryl Tiedemann

Not sure how to even express what I felt last night. Not the music which -my God - Jon Scott , Dan - it had no choice but to be awesome. Not you - who are always life changing, but the feeling in the room. A mix between the overwhelming joy you feel when you watch someone marry, or even those Home makeover shows - always sob when they move that bus. Anyway, there was a tangible feeling of happiness, belonging, acceptance (maybe for the first time ever),someone finding their way home, and more than anythng else, peace...you know me i am not a visions, doves, gold dust, - yada yada, kinda person, but last night was something I have never felt, and a bunch that I have all rolled into one - I, as you, have been in services where blind see, etc, etc, but last night was an inside thing, hearts, wounded spirits...beautiful. God I hope that makes sense.I love you immensely, and am honored to be a part of any and everything you do.
- Soni Dailey Brumlow

"Church in the Now Midtown was the bees knees"
- Jonah Elijah Swilley

See you next Thursday night!