Metron Live

website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow In this deeply personal and spiritually expansive teaching, Bishop Jim Swilley introduces a new series titled “Align with the Divine: Discovering the New Heaven and Earth From Within.” Using stories from his recent family experiences, encounters in New York, and reflections on Pentecostal spirituality, Bishop Swilley explores the power of alignment — the harmony between thoughts, words, actions, spirit, soul, and body. He argues that inner peace and manifestation come not from striving or controlling outcomes, but from authentic self-acceptance and releasing the need for external validation. The message blends scripture, mysticism, emotional healing, and practical wisdom into a powerful meditation on living without internal conflict. Main Takeaways Alignment Is Harmony Between Your Inner and Outer Life Bishop Swilley defines alignment as living in integrity where your thoughts, words, and actions work together instead of against each other. He references a quote often attributed to Gandhi: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” — attributed to Mahatma Gandhi He explains that misalignment creates internal conflict, which eventually manifests as external conflict. Authenticity becomes the key to peace. “You cannot be inauthentic and in alignment.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Revelation’s “No More Sea” Represents the End of Separation Using Book of Revelation 21:1, Bishop Swilley offers a symbolic interpretation of the “new heaven and new earth.” “I saw a new heaven and a new earth… and there was no longer any sea.” — Revelation 21:1 He teaches that in the ancient world, the sea represented fear, division, boundaries, and the unknown. The “new earth” is a consciousness without separation. “The sea represented division. It represented the unknown. It was a border. It was a boundary.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Manifestation Flows Best Without Anxiety Drawing from Epistle to the Philippians 4:6-7, he teaches that peace and manifestation come through non-anxious living. “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” — Philippians 4:6 He reframes manifestation as clarity and flow rather than force. “Manifestation has to come out in clarity.” — Bishop Jim Swilley The More He Accepted Himself, the More the World Changed Around Him One of the strongest sections of the teaching centers on Bishop Swilley’s journey after publicly coming out. He contrasts the hostility he experienced years ago with the peace and acceptance he now encounters. “Because I’m so okay with it on the inside, I believe people are picking up and they’re okay with it on the outside.” — Bishop Jim Swilley He shares touching stories from his son’s wedding and a surprising conversation with a Church of God pastor in New York to illustrate how alignment changes energy and interactions. “Hold On” and “Let Go” Are Both Necessary One of the most memorable metaphors comes from his Pentecostal upbringing. He recalls altar workers shouting contradictory instructions during prayer meetings: “One person saying, ‘Hold on, hold on, hold on,’ and another saying, ‘Let go, let go, let go.’” — Bishop Jim Swilley He says both were right. “I’m holding on and I’m letting go simultaneously.” — Bishop Jim Swilley This becomes the central spiritual principle of the message: trust deeply, but release attachment to outcomes. Peace With Yourself Creates Peace With Others Swilley emphasizes that much suffering comes from trying to control or change other people. Alignment means accepting both yourself and others as they are. “The more you are at peace with yourself, the more you’re going to be at peace with everybody else.” — Bishop Jim Swilley He teaches that stress, agendas, and unresolved internal conflict block creativity, abundance, and joy. Key Scriptures Referenced Book of Revelation 21:1 — “A new heaven and a new earth” Epistle to the Philippians 4:6-7 — “Be careful for nothing” First Epistle to the Thessalonians 5:23 — Spirit, soul, and body Epistle to the Hebrews 4:12 — Dividing soul and spirit Book of Proverbs 25:11 — “A word fitly spoken” Gospel of Mark 11:24 — “Believe you receive when you pray” Memorable Quotes “When you stop bleeding, you stop attracting the sharks.” — Bishop Jim Swilley “The conflict is where the energy is.” — Bishop Jim Swilley “You want it, and you’ll be okay without it.” — Bishop Jim Swilley “You can’t be at peace with the world until you’re at peace with yourself.” — Bishop Jim Swilley “The agendas are the dams.” — Bishop Jim Swilley

website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow In this heartfelt episode of Metron, Bishop Jim Swilley shares a deeply personal testimony about healing, reconciliation, and trusting life to unfold even when circumstances look uncertain. Reflecting on his son Jared’s wedding, family restoration, and years of personal growth, Bishop teaches that many of life’s painful chapters eventually become beautiful endings when we stop trying to control every detail. Rooted in Isaiah 46:10, he reminds listeners to “declare the end from the beginning” — to believe that what feels broken today can still become whole tomorrow. This message is full of hope, vulnerability, and practical wisdom for anyone waiting on their own breakthrough. Key Takeaway Points 1. Declare the End from the Beginning Bishop centers the teaching on Isaiah 46:10: “Declaring the end from the beginning…” He explains that faith is not knowing every step in advance — it is trusting the final outcome even when the middle is messy. Main takeaway:You do not need all the details to believe something good is coming. 2. You Can Trust the Outcome Without Controlling the Process Bishop reconciles two ideas: trusting God’s sovereignty while also releasing obsessive control. He teaches that you can hold a vision for your future while remaining open to how it arrives. Main takeaway:Faith says, “I know it will work out,” even if I do not know the route. 3. Healing Can Happen in Unexpected Moments Using his son Jared’s wedding as the backdrop, Bishop describes tensions in family relationships that were unexpectedly healed in one night. “It was one of the best nights of my life.” — Bishop Jim Swilley What looked strained became joyful. What looked lost became restored. Main takeaway:Sometimes healing happens quietly when everyone simply shows up with love. 4. Stop Blaming Yourself for the Past Bishop speaks directly to people carrying regret, shame, or self-condemnation. He reminds listeners of Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good…” That includes mistakes, delays, failures, heartbreak, and confusion. Main takeaway:Your past is not wasted material. It can still serve your future. 5. Heaven Is Not Far Away Bishop shares a mystical insight: “You don’t go to heaven. You remember it.” He teaches that peace, presence, joy, and divine awareness are available now — not merely after death. Referenced by: Luke 17:21 – “The kingdom of God is within you.” Main takeaway:Paradise is often a shift in perception before it is a change in location. 6. Keep Showing Up One of the strongest practical lessons in the message: Show up Stay kind Stay grateful Refuse bitterness Let life surprise you “Just keep showing up. Keep being yourself. Keep being grateful.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Main takeaway:Many breakthroughs happen simply because you stayed in the room long enough. Powerful Quote of the Episode “The most powerful thing you can do is believe that it will work out.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Scriptures Referenced Isaiah 46:10 – Declaring the end from the beginning Romans 8:28 – All things work together for good Psalm 138:8 – The Lord will perfect that which concerns me Ephesians 3:20 – More than you can ask or think Luke 17:21 – The kingdom of God is within you Final Thought This episode is a reminder that today’s confusion may become tomorrow’s testimony. What feels delayed is not denied. What feels fractured can still be healed. Trust the ending before you see the path.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow In this powerful Metron message, Bishop Jim Swilley teaches that many of life’s struggles come from living reactively instead of proactively. Centered around the phrase “the head and not the tail” from Deuteronomy 28, he explains that we are not meant to simply survive circumstances, wait for rescue, or be victims of life. Instead, we are called to change the energy of our situations through gratitude, vision, action, and spiritual alignment. By seeking the kingdom first, reframing challenges, and making intentional moves, we can shift outcomes and step into blessing, peace, and personal authority. Main Takeaway Points 1. You Are Not Meant to Live Reactively Bishop teaches that too many people spend their lives responding to crisis after crisis instead of leading their own lives with intention. “You’re the one you’ve been waiting for.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Instead of asking who will save you, realize that strength, wisdom, and answers are already within you. Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:13“The Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail…” 2. Seek Spiritual Alignment First He connects Deuteronomy 28 with Matthew 6:33, explaining that when you prioritize inner peace, kingdom awareness, and righteousness first, other areas begin to come into order. “Seek the spiritual life first, and everything else follows suit.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Scripture: Matthew 6:33“Seek ye first the kingdom of God… and all these things shall be added unto you.” 3. Change the Narrative of Your Situation Bishop shares personal stories about aging, caring for parents, and life transitions. Instead of sinking into discouragement, he reframed those moments into opportunities for creativity, gratitude, and growth. He teaches that one shift in perspective can unlock blessing. Scripture: Romans 12:2“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 4. Gratitude Attracts What Complaining Cannot He emphasizes that waiting until things improve before being thankful keeps people stuck. Gratitude changes momentum. “You have to go ahead and express gratitude, and then the things that you should be grateful for will be attracted to you.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18“In everything give thanks…” 5. Start Small, But Start Now You may not solve everything today, but you can begin. Make one call. Pay one debt. Change one habit. Take one step. “You can’t do it all today, but you can get started.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Scripture: Zechariah 4:10“Do not despise these small beginnings.” Strongest Quote “You are not a victim. You are a victor.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Final Encouragement This message is a reminder that life changes when you stop waiting for circumstances to improve and start leading from within. You are blessed, equipped, creative, and capable. Take one intentional step today, and let momentum meet you there.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow Main Message in One Sentence When the light of truth rises in your own heart, no false voice, fearful system, or borrowed belief can extinguish it. In this Mobile Metron episode, Bishop Jim Swilley blends community updates with a powerful teaching on discernment, personal revelation, and spiritual authenticity. He reflects on upcoming Metron gatherings, the importance of real human connection, and then moves into a deeper message from 2 Peter 1 about the “Daystar arising in your heart.” His central point is that genuine faith is not built on fear, manipulation, political prophecy, or borrowed beliefs—it is built on the personal experiences that awaken truth inside you. Bishop challenges listeners to question voices that claim to speak for God while encouraging them to honor the moments in life when light truly came on within their own soul. 1. Real Community Still Matters Bishop emphasizes that while online connection is valuable, nothing replaces gathering together in person. He notes how meaningful hugs, presence, and shared moments were during the recent meditation weekend. Takeaway: Digital connection can inspire, but embodied connection heals. “People really were ready to see each other and hug each other and stuff.” — Bishop Jim Swilley 2. Your Body Is Temporary, But You Are More Than the Body Using 2 Peter 1, he highlights Peter’s description of the body as a tent—temporary housing for the deeper self. Scripture:2 Peter 1:13-14 – “As long as I live in the tent of this body…” Takeaway: You are not merely physical circumstance. There is something eternal working through you. 3. Witnessing Is Not Selling Religion Bishop reframes the idea of “witnessing.” A witness is not someone arguing doctrine—it is someone who can testify to what truly happened in their life. Scripture:Acts 1:8 – “You shall be witnesses unto me…” Takeaway: Your testimony carries more power than debate. “A witness is somebody who can verify that something happened that they saw.” — Bishop Jim Swilley 4. Beware of People Who Weaponize God He strongly warns against those who attach God’s name to politics, ideology, fear, or manipulation. Takeaway: Just because someone says “God said” does not mean God said it. Scripture:1 John 4:1 – “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” 5. The Daystar Rising in Your Heart Is Personal Revelation This is the heart of the message. Bishop teaches that the “Daystar” is not merely a future event—it is an inner sunrise, a moment of awakening that no one can take from you. Scripture:2 Peter 1:19 – “Until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” Takeaway: True faith is experiential. It is what became real inside you. “Hold on to the things that have happened to you that you know are real.” — Bishop Jim Swilley 6. Don’t Let Others Define Your Spiritual Journey He reminds listeners that revelation cannot be inherited secondhand. Each person must encounter truth for themselves. Scripture:1 John 2:27 – “You need not that any man teach you…” Takeaway: Guidance matters, but awakening must be personal.

Bishop Jim Swilley uses this Palm Sunday message to draw a sharp contrast between the way Jesus entered Jerusalem and the way modern religion often chases power. He frames the triumphal entry as a protest, not a coronation, arguing that Jesus rejected political domination, nationalism, and exclusion in favor of a kingdom built on spirit, faith, and radical inclusion. The heart of the message is that the blessing of Abraham is not about protecting a nation-state, but about walking by faith, manifesting hope, and recognizing that Christ is in all. Main takeaway points 1. Palm Sunday is presented as a protest against power, not a celebration of empire.Bishop Swilley says Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey was a direct rejection of earthly kingship and domination. He ties that to Jesus’ repeated refusal to become a political ruler and to the statement, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Scriptures referenced: John 6, John 18:36, Matthew 21 2. The message argues that Christian nationalism stands in opposition to the spirit of Jesus.A central claim in the teaching is that nationalism, especially when presented as “Christian,” distorts the message of Christ by replacing love, humility, and inclusion with control, exclusion, and political power. Bishop Swilley insists that Jesus did not come to build a national government, but to reveal a spiritual kingdom poured out on all flesh. Scriptures referenced: John 18:36, Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17 3. Genesis 12 is framed as a blessing on faith, not a blank-check endorsement of nationalism.One of the strongest teaching points is his reading of Genesis 12. He argues that “I will bless those who bless you” was spoken to Abraham personally and that the deeper promise was about faith, not modern geopolitics. In his view, the blessing of Abraham is realized whenever people walk in faith and manifest the impossible. Scriptures referenced: Genesis 12:1–3, Romans 4, Hebrews 11:1 4. Jesus’ gospel is reduced to its clearest center: love God and love your neighbor.Bishop Jim repeatedly pulls the focus back to what Jesus actually emphasized. He says if the gospel becomes more complicated than loving God and loving your neighbor, it has drifted from Christ. This becomes his measuring stick for evaluating religion, politics, and public theology. Scriptures referenced: Matthew 22:37–40, Mark 12:29–31 5. Inclusion is treated as evidence of the kingdom of God.The sermon leans heavily into the idea that Christ is not confined to one ethnicity, nation, gender category, or religious in-group. Bishop Swilley uses Paul’s language to argue that “Christ is all, and in all,” making inclusion a direct expression of the gospel rather than a compromise of it. Scriptures referenced: Colossians 3:11, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 3:14–15 Quote from the message“If you make the gospel any more complicated than that. If you make the gospel exclude anybody, that’s Antichrist.” — Bishop Jim Swilley In this powerful Palm Sunday message, Bishop Jim Swilley challenges the idea that Jesus came to build political power or religious nationalism. Instead, he points back to the triumphal entry as a prophetic act of resistance and a call to remember the true message of Christ: love God, love your neighbor, and stop confusing faith with domination. Drawing from Genesis 12, the teachings of Jesus, and Paul’s vision of inclusion, Bishop Jim reframes the blessing of Abraham as the blessing of faith and reminds listeners that the kingdom of God is bigger than nationalism, exclusion, or fear. Bottom lineThe big idea of this episode is that Palm Sunday is not about crowning Jesus as a political ruler. It is about recognizing that he rejected empire, rejected exclusion, and revealed a kingdom where faith, love, and Christ in all people are the true signs of God’s reign.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow This Metron message from Bishop Jim Swilley is a powerful, reflective teaching on the relationship between thoughts, words, actions, and ultimately destiny—while also reframing that classic idea with deeper spiritual nuance. Instead of promoting rigid thought control, Bishop emphasizes freedom in the mind, wisdom in speech, and intentionality in action. Drawing from personal experience, scripture, and spiritual philosophy, he teaches that transformation doesn’t come from suppressing thoughts, but from curating what we give life to. The message crescendos with vulnerability about caring for his mother, showing that character is ultimately revealed not by what we say—but by what we consistently do. “Judge me on my actions, not on my words… because I was there. I showed up.” — Bishop Jim Swilley The core takeaway is a redefinition of the famous progression: thoughts → words → actions → habits → character → destiny. Bishop affirms its truth, but adds an important layer—your thoughts should be free and limitless, not condemned or suppressed. Instead, the real discipline begins in what you choose to say and do. This aligns with Proverbs 29:11, “A fool speaks his whole mind,” reminding us that wisdom is found in restraint and discernment. He also reinforces that words carry power, echoing teachings often associated with Smith Wigglesworth—that unspoken negative thoughts can “die unborn,” but once spoken, they take on life. This connects with Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” A major spiritual pivot in the message is this: thoughts are not the enemy—condemnation is. Trying to “not think” something only strengthens it. Instead, transformation happens by introducing new thoughts, aligning with the principle that “what you resist persists.” This mirrors the renewing of the mind described in Romans 12:2. Bishop also explores the humanity of Jesus, emphasizing that spirituality is not about rigid doctrine but living, evolving truth. He references how Jesus’ words are “spirit and life” (John 6:63), reminding listeners that anything truly from God brings freedom—not restriction. The most powerful moment comes through his personal story of caring for his mother. Despite moments of frustration in words, his consistent actions of love, sacrifice, and presence defined his character. This beautifully illustrates James 2:17, “Faith without works is dead.” What we do repeatedly—not what we say occasionally—reveals who we truly are. Main takeaways: Your thoughts are not your enemy—give yourself permission to think freely without condemnation. Be intentional with your words, because once spoken, they create reality and are hard to take back. Your actions—not your words—ultimately define your character and shape your destiny.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow In this deeply personal Mobile Metron, Bishop Jim Swilley weaves together grief, faith, healing, and surrender through the lens of Mark 9. Reflecting on his mother’s passing, her final days, and the emotional weight of caregiving, he reframes the story of the father who brought his suffering son to Jesus. Rather than presenting faith as rigid certainty, Bishop shows it as something far more human: a daily negotiation between belief and doubt, synchronicity and surrender, hope and honesty. The message is tender, transparent, and liberating, reminding listeners that faith is not the absence of questions, but the courage to keep walking with God through them. The biggest takeaway is that faith is not always a bold declaration with no cracks in it. Bishop centers the exchange in Mark 9:23-24, where Jesus says, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes,” and the father answers, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” He shows that this is not weak faith, but honest faith. Real life often holds both conviction and uncertainty at the same time. Another major takeaway is that life with God involves negotiation, not just certainty. Bishop connects prayer, healing, grief, and even manifestation to an ongoing partnership between human willingness and divine presence. His insight is that we live in the tension of “if” and “but,” learning when to trust what feels aligned and when to surrender what we cannot control. That idea echoes Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together,” and Romans 12:18, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” He also makes a powerful case for spiritual maturity over rigid legalism. Rather than reducing scripture to literalism or certainty formulas, Bishop invites listeners to move with the Spirit, where compassion, interpretation, and growth matter. He points toward 2 Corinthians 3:6, “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life,” as a foundation for understanding faith as alive, fluid, and evolving. A fourth takeaway is that grief can still teach. Bishop’s reflections on his mother’s final days reveal that even at the end of life, there can be peace, meaning, and sacred timing. He describes her passing not as chaos, but as a final act of release, framed by music, memory, and love. In that, he echoes Psalm 139, especially the idea that God knows our “downsitting and uprising,” and that there is nowhere we can go from the divine presence. One especially strong quote from the message is: “Faith includes conjunctions, and that’s okay. You’re not being double minded. You’re just negotiating.” — Bishop Jim Swilley Another memorable line is: “The if and the but are working all the time. Synchronicity and surrender.” — Bishop Jim Swilley This episode’s core message is clear: you do not have to fake certainty to have real faith. Sometimes the holiest thing you can say is still, “I do believe, but help my unbelief.” These notes were empowered by AI.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow In this deeply moving final gathering at the Atlanta Theater, Bishop Jim stands in the raw intersection of grief, gratitude, and transition—mourning the loss of his mother while honoring the end of an era for Metron. With honesty, humor, and remarkable vulnerability, he shares the sacred details of his mother’s final days, the complicated beauty of caring for her, and the peaceful, unforgettable moment she let go as familiar voices and songs guided her home. What unfolds is more than a farewell; it is a powerful meditation on love, forgiveness, legacy, and the strange holiness of endings that make room for new beginnings. As the community reflects on loss, safe spaces, and what comes next, this service becomes an invitation for anyone standing in their own valley of change: grief may close one chapter, but grace still has more to say.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow Metron Live Podcast – “Origin Stories (Part 2): Finding the Good Part”: This week’s message is a real one—about how life (and the Bible) can be both beautiful and baffling at the same time, and how maturity looks like refusing the cheap choices of denial or cynicism. We talk grief, caregiving exhaustion, community, and the holy work of learning to “choose the good part” without pretending the hard parts aren’t real. Because abundant life isn’t just light—it’s a lot of life—and the goal isn’t perfection, it’s showing up. And maybe the most important origin-story question of all: “Who told you who you are?” Walk in the light this week, stay human, stay connected, and don’t let someone else’s opinion write your story.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow What if the “worst thing that happened” is actually the crack in the concrete where your Tree of Life starts growing? In this Mobile Metron message, Bishop Jim Swilley announces Meditation Weekend #28 on Jekyll Island (Easter weekend)—then turns a real-life avalanche of caregiving decisions, renovation pressure, and even a surprise vet bill into a sharp spiritual lesson: Hope deferred makes the heart sick… but fulfilled desire becomes a Tree of Life. He contrasts the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil (either/or, endless alternatives, analysis paralysis) with the Tree of Life (no Plan B, no more bargaining, just a clean “this is what must happen”). Along the way, he challenges biblicism (“bibliolatry”), reframes scripture as a living mirror, and delivers a direct word to anyone whose back is against the wall: take the exit the universe provides—before you pray against it. 5 takeaways The Tree of Life shows up when you don’t have options.Swilley frames “fulfilled desire” not as getting everything you want, but as the moment you’re forced into the only sane next step—and it sets you free. (Proverbs 13:12) Either/or thinking is the trap; “yes, and” is the upgrade.He links the Tree of Knowledge to binary thinking and anxiety—while the Tree of Life becomes the reality where you stop grading life as “good/bad” and start moving with clarity. Sometimes deliverance arrives wearing a tragedy costume.A fall, a forced placement, a hard decision—things you’d normally pray against—can be the exact mechanism that saves your life. Stop worshiping the book and start listening for the Voice.He calls “bibliolatry” idolatry, argues the Bible is “as human as it is divine,” and insists it’s meant to connect you to the living Word—not be used as a weapon. If your back is against the wall, take the miracle-shaped door.He offers a pointed “prophetic” nudge to people stuck in situations that are draining them: when the exit appears, don’t overthink it—move. Pull-quote (from the episode) “Whatever looks like a tragedy right now—before you pray against it, pray that you understand it.” Scriptures referenced (with citations) “Let there be light.” — Genesis 1:3 “Rightly dividing” / “correctly handling” the word — 2 Timothy 2:15 “The heavens declare the glory of God.” — Psalm 19:1 “Man shall not live by bread alone… every word that proceeds…” — Deuteronomy 8:3 (quoted by Jesus in Matthew 4:4) “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” — 2 Corinthians 3:6 “Honor your father and mother.” — Exodus 20:12 (also Deuteronomy 5:16) “Fathers, do not provoke your children…” — Ephesians 6:4 (also Colossians 3:21) “The servant of the Lord must not strive.” — 2 Timothy 2:24 “Believe that you have received…” — Mark 11:24 “Faith is the substance/evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1 “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” — Hosea 6:6 (quoted in Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:7) “If it be possible, let this cup pass…” — Matthew 26:39 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” — Proverbs 13:12 “Tree of life” in the promise of Revelation — Revelation 22:14 (some translations render this as “right to the tree of life”) “My God shall supply all your need…” — Philippians 4:19

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow What happens when the “timeline” of your life (deadlines, calendars, logistics) collides with a “God moment” you didn’t plan for? In this Mobile Metron episode, Bishop Jim Swilley tells the raw, unfiltered story behind his mother’s fall, the impossible decisions of elder care, and the unexpected “angels” who showed up right on time. Then he pivots into a provocative teaching on Chronos vs. Kairos, why guilt keeps us trapped, and why Jesus’ words to Peter in John 21 sound a lot like modern caregiving. Along the way, he challenges fundamentalism, reframes “the fall,” and asks the question most of us avoid until life forces it: Are you trying to live longer… or live freer? 5 takeaways Chronos measures life. Kairos interprets it.Chronos is the clock/calendar; Kairos is the “time-out-of-time” moment where meaning snaps into focus (anchored by “my times are in your hands” — Psalm 31:15). Elder care isn’t a “curse” — it’s a season.Swilley reads Jesus’ words about aging and dependence (John 21:18) as less “doom” and more “this is what long life often looks like.” Guilt isn’t proof you’re loving. It can be a leash.A care team’s permission—“you don’t have to come every day”—becomes a spiritual release: love can be real without self-punishment. Be specific about the life you’re asking for.Not just “more years,” but “more years with clarity, mobility, and peace,” reflecting on the idea of long lifespan (Swilley references 120 years; see Genesis 6:3) and the cost of unmanaged longevity. Your life becomes lighter when it becomes useful.The old hymn idea—“If I can help somebody, my living shall not be in vain”—turns into an inventory of legacy: what you built, who you lifted, what your presence changed (echoing the wisdom of “teach us to number our days” — Psalm 90:12). Pull-quote (from the episode) “Focus on the kairos time of your life. Don’t be so obsessed with the chronos time.” Scriptures referenced (with citations) “The kingdom… brings out… treasures new and old” — Matthew 13:52 “The Spirit of the Lord… liberty to the captives” — Isaiah 61:1 (also echoed in Luke 4:18) “The tongue of the learned” — Isaiah 50:4 “Let there be light” — Genesis 1:3 “My times are in Your hands” — Psalm 31:15 “Rightly dividing the word” — 2 Timothy 2:15 “The heavens declare the glory of God” — Psalm 19:1 “Man shall not live by bread alone…” — Deuteronomy 8:3 (quoted in Matthew 4:4) “I AM” — Exodus 3:14 “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” — Hosea 6:6 (quoted in Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:7) Curses / sweat of brow / labor pains — Genesis 3:16–19 Jesus & Peter on love, feeding sheep, aging, and “what is that to you?” — John 21:15–22 “Teach us to number our days” — Psalm 90:12 “120 years” — Genesis 6:3 “Blessed when you come in and go out” — Deuteronomy 28:6 “No plague… near your dwelling” — Psalm 91:10

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “My times are in Your hand…” (Psalms 31:15 – NKJV)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, REDEEMING THE TIME” (Colossians 4:5 – NKJV) _______________________________ II – “Be habitually walking about within wisdom…toward those outside…being ones constantly buying for yourselves – as from out of the market place – the fitting situation (redeeming the season within yourselves; purchasing the fertile moment for yourselves; or making the best use of the opportunity in the public concourse)” Colossians 4:5 – JMNT) _______________________________ III – “And I will restore or replace for you THE YEARS that the locust has eaten…” (Joel 2:25 – AMPC)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 – AMPC) II – “That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself].” (Ecclesiastes 3:15 – AMPC)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn’t have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him. But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you. (I Corinthians 2:6 – 10 – The Message)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow  

Join us for Motivation – Enlightenment – Transcendence – Renewal – Outreach – Networking. Happy Holidays. +website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – AI Overview of “Holding Space” Holding space means being fully present, creating a non-judgmental, safe environment where someone can express their feelings, experiences, or struggles without you trying to fix, change, or guide them, allowing them to feel heard, seen, and supported in their own process. It’s about compassionate witnessing, offering a safe “container” for their emotions, and simply being there, which builds trust and deeper connection. Key aspects of holding space: Presence: Being authentically and undistractedly present in the moment, focusing on the other person’s experience. Non-judgment: Accepting their feelings and story as valid without criticism or imposing your own views. No fixing: Resisting the urge to offer unsolicited advice or try to solve their problem, which can feel dismissive. Safe environment: Creating a sense of security where they feel safe to be vulnerable and express difficult emotions. Bearing witness: Acting as a supportive witness to their pain, joy, or uncertainty, letting them lead. How it’s different from other interactions: Not “hijacking” space: The opposite is taking over, controlling the narrative, or making it about your own anxiety or ego. Not just being nice: It’s a deeper, intentional act of support, distinct from just sharing laughs or being polite. When to use it: When someone is grieving, stressed, or in crisis. To foster deeper, more authentic relationships. In therapy, coaching, or supportive friendships. How to do it: Listen actively and ask clarifying questions like, “What are you feeling about that?”. Validate their experience with phrases like, “That sounds incredibly difficult,” or “I can see why you’d feel that way”. Sit with them in silence if needed, offering your quiet presence. Communicate your presence, e.g., “I’m here for you, no fixing needed”. _______________________________________ II – #jimswilleybooks “But the angel spoke immediately and authoritatively, saying to them, “Do not be afraid! I am here to announce good news to you…good news of a great and joyful event, and of a new reality! And this good news…this new reality…is for all people everywhere…it is for the entirety of humanity! This very night a Savior has been born in the City of David…a Savior who will perfectly embody the Christ, and will be known as the Lord! If you seek Him you will find Him…and this is what you’re to look for: a baby swaddled in a blanket, and lying in a feeding trough for animals!” As soon as the angel made this declaration, the sky above the shepherds’ heads lit up, and was filled with a seemingly infinite number of angels who formed a thunderous, mass choir, singing God’s praises, and shouting, “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST PARTS OF THE HEAVENLY REALM…AND IN THE EARTHLY DIMENSION, PEACE…PEACE TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE EARTH…AND A REVELATION TO THEM THAT GOD’S WILL TOWARD ALL OF HUMANITY IS ONLY GOOD!”” (Luke 2:10-14 – Luke In The Now/Gospels In The Now) _____________________________ III – José y Maria by Everett Patterson

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow This memorial gathers a spiritual family to remember Dr. Sheila – healer, friend, quiet warrior, and constant presence at Metron. Her passing came suddenly leaving everyone stunned at how quickly everything unfolded. Jim shares the ache of wanting to have been there sooner, but also the sacred gift of his final visit on Thanksgiving: standing by her bedside, speaking to her spirit, thanking her for years of love and care, and giving her permission to let go if she was tired of fighting. He and Ken wept, hugged her “heart to heart,” and blessed her with peace – a moment he says he’ll never trade. Throughout the service, story after story paints a fuller picture of who she was. Dr. Sheila was more than a chiropractor; she was a healer in every sense. She treated people on Christmas Eve when they were in unbearable pain, never charged her pastor for visits, and even drove to adjust his mother—and her poodles. When his mother had to give up her birds, Dr. Sheila quietly took them in, lifting a huge burden from his shoulders. She created a beautiful quilt from his Peachtree Road Race t-shirts, a piece of art he treasures as a symbol of her love literally sewn into his life. Others share how her touch and presence changed them: nerve pain disappearing after her hands rested on someone’s back, quiet envelopes of money slipped into palms after a speech, healing energy that felt like electricity, and a steady calm that made people feel seen, safe, and loved. She introduced many to heart-to-heart hugs, alkaline water, and a deeper understanding of self-healing and spirit. Friends describe her as deeply compassionate, fiercely authentic, generous to a fault, and spiritually curious – open to past lives, the divine feminine, and the idea that those who cross over still walk with us. The memorial becomes both a goodbye and a challenge. As they speak of her presence still lingering in the room, they honor her as part of the “great cloud of witnesses” and talk about how grief and gratitude can coexist. Her death, especially so close to the holidays, sharpens everyone’s awareness that time is short. In her honor, they commit to living fully, following their bliss, taking care of themselves, loving boldly, and cherishing each ordinary week that passes. Dr. Sheila, they say, is sewn into the fabric of who they are now—living on in their hugs, their kindness, their courage to heal, and their choice to make every day count.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how THE WIND BLOWS THIS WAY AND THAT. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” (John 3:1-8 – The Message) ____________________________ II – He cites the blowing of the wind as an example of those who are born of Spirit. The new birth is a change that comes here and now. It has to do with the present man, the “Son of Man,” the real ‘I AM’ in each of us. “And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of Man, who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, EVEN SO must the Son of Man be lifted up.” (John 3:14) This man in each of us is divine now, is in heaven now, but his manifestation is still in limbo. He must be lifted out of this condition into a spiritual one; this is being “born anew.” – Fillmore Faith _____________________________ III – “The entire cosmos is the object of God’s affection. And he is not about to abandon his creation – the gift of his Son is for mankind to realize their origin in him who mirrors their authentic birth – begotten not of flesh but of the Father. In this persuasion the life of the ages echoes within the individual and announces that the days of regret and sense of lost-ness are over. God has no intention to condemn anyone – he has sent his Son, not as Judge, but as Savior of the world. The cosmos was rescued because of him!” (John 3:16, 17 – Mirror Translation) ______________________________ IV – “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:15-17 – NKJV) ______________________________________ V – “Yet when God – the One marking off boundaries to separate and sever me from out of my mother’s womb (or cavity; a figure of the religion of the Jews), and calling me through His grace and favor to unveil (reveal; uncover; disclose) His Son within the midst of me (in union with me), to the end that I in myself…would announce and proclaim the message of goodness, which is Him, within the ethnic multitudes (may bring and tell the message of ease and well-being: Him now among the nations), I did not immediately place myself back toward flesh and blood (present my cause up for the approval of other people; consult anyone; seek communication or advice from my race, kin or religion), neither did I go up into Jerusalem, toward those who were people sent off (to face and be with the commissioned representatives) previous to me, but rather, I went off into Arabia, then later I again returned into Damascus.” (Galatians 1:15-17 – JMNT) _____________________________________ VI – “…to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.” (Galatians 1:16 – NIV)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how THE WIND BLOWS THIS WAY AND THAT. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” (John 3:1-8 – The Message) ___________________________ III – “But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared].” (Proverbs 4:18 – AMPC)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how THE WIND BLOWS THIS WAY AND THAT. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” (John 3:1-8 – The Message) ___________________________________ II – “THE WIND BLOWS WHEVER IT PLEASES. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 – NIV) ____________________________________ III – “THE WIND BLOWS ALL AROUND US AS IF IT HAS A WILL OF ITS OWN; we feel and hear it, but we do not understand where it has come from or where it will end up. Life in the Spirit is as if it were the wind of God.” (John 3:8 – The Voice) _____________________________________ IV – “THE BLAST IS BLOWING WHERE IT WILLS, and the sound of it you are hearing, but you are not aware whence it is coming and where it is going. Thus is everyone who is begotten by the water and the spirit.” (John 3:8 – CLV) _____________________________________ V – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 3:34-35 – NKJV) _____________________________________ VI – “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” (Matthew 5:5 – The Message) ______________________________________

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how THE WIND BLOWS THIS WAY AND THAT. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” (John 3:1-8 – The Message) _____________________________ II – “But He said to them, NOT ALL MEN CAN ACCEPT THIS SAYING, but it is for those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given. For there are eunuchs who have been born incapable of marriage; and there are eunuchs who have been made so by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves incapable of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. LET HIM WHO IS ABLE TO ACCEPT THIS ACCEPT IT.” (Matthew 19:11, 12 – AMPC) ________________________________ III – “I have still many things to say to you, BUT YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO BEAR THEM or to take them upon you or to grasp them now.” (John 16:12 – AMPC) ________________________________ IV – “When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law FOLLOW IT MORE OR LESS BY INSTINCT, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but WOVEN INTO THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR CREATION. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.” (Romans 2:14-16 – The Message) __________________________________

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how THE WIND BLOWS THIS WAY AND THAT. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” (John 3:1-8 – The Message) ___________________________ III – “Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don’t impose it on others. You’re fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you’re not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you’re out of line. If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong.” (Romans 14:22-23 – The Message) _____________________________ IV – “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:22-23 – NIV) ___________________________________ V – “Sign of an abusive system: getting angry at other’s real needs.” – Jeff VanVonderen _____________________________ VII – “Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.” (II Corinthians 3:17-18 – The Message)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow T – ake responsibility for your own actions, so that you never allow yourself to feel victimized by anything outside of yourself… “He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.” (Proverbs 18:9 – AMPC) __________________________ R – elinquish the responsibility of trying to control everything… “Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” ― Steve Maraboli _________________________ U – nderstand that you don’t have to understand everything that’s happening right now… “You don’t have to understand the world. You just have to find your own way around in it.” ― Albert Einstein ___________________________ S – ee the big picture at all times… “Nothing is coincidence in strategical perception.” ― Toba Beta ___________________________ T – alk up the good things that are happening… “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” (Philippians 4:8 – The message) _____________________________________ T – rust your instincts… “Don’t second guess yourself. You know the right answer and what’s best for you. Life is so much easier once you realize this.” ― Brittany Burgunder ___________________________________ H – ave confidence in your ability to figure it out when you need to… “You’ll eventually figure it all out, and everything will make perfect sense. Every experience will get you to where you are supposed to be. Every loss, every heartbreak, and every mistake. Don’t be afraid to mess up, and don’t expect success overnight. Get lost; get so damn lost and find yourself over and over again. Believe in yourself, forget about what other people think, and trust your journey.” ― Charlotte Freeman ___________________________ E – xpect the best to happen, no matter what it currently looks like… “For Abraham, human reason for hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So numberless shall your descendants be.” (Romans 4:18 – AMPC) _____________________________________ P – ace yourself to live in the moment… “Let everything happen to you Beauty and terror Just keep going No feeling is final” ― Rainer Maria Rilke ____________________________________ R – emain flexible and receptive to new ideas, and unexpected opportunities… “If you believe it will work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t, you will see obstacles.” ― Wayne W. Dyer ____________________________________ O – pen your heart without fear of failure or rejection… “Healing and a reunification with our unblemished Soul, occur by the hand of grace. There is nothing to integrate nor to understand. Wholeness was gifted to us at birth and is never truly taken away. The power of the present, prayerful moment- within the stillness of your open heart, will know when it is time. Open the heart and the Soul to the energy of miracles.” ― Ulonda Faye _____________________________________ C – reate a mindset and lifestyle that allows for best-case scenario to happen… “Miracles start to happen when you give as much energy to your dreams as you do to your fears.” -Richard Wilkins ________________________________________ E – volve with the world around you by accepting change… “Blessed are the flexible, for change is inevitable. To fulfill our true destiny as spiritual beings we must trust in our divine power to adapt.” ― Anthon St. Maarten ______________________________________ S – tay present, knowing that all you really have is now… “Forever is composed of nows.” ― Emily Dickinson _______________________________________ S – ay out loud what you want to happen, while at the same detaching from outcomes…(it sounds like a contradiction in terms, but the process unfolds in the space between those two concepts)… “If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17, 18 – Berean Bible)  

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow   I – “I can’t believe how you waver—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing an alternative message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I’ll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed.” (Galatians 1:8, 9 – The Message) The Instagram Reel VII – “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.” (John 16:12 – The Message)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – ‘In A beginning, created by the Alueim were the heavens and the earth. Yet the earth became a chaos and vacant, and darkness was on the surface of the submerged chaos. Yet the spirit of the Alueim IS VIBRATING over the surface of the water. And saying is the Alueim, “Become light!” And it is becoming light.’ (Genesis 1:1-3 – The Concordant Literal Old Testament) ____________________________________ II – “Within A beginning…there was the Logos (the Word; the Thought; the collection of thoughts; the Idea; the Reason; the discourse; the communication; the verbal expression)…. (John 1:1 – JMNT) ____________________________________ III – “That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself].” (Ecclesiastes 3:15 – AMPC) ____________________________________ IV – “If the multiverse turns out to be the best explanation of the fundamental physical constants, it would not be the first time we have been flabbergasted by worlds beyond our noses. Our ancestors had to swallow the discovery of the Western Hemisphere, eight other planets, a hundred billion stars in our galaxy (many with planets), and a hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe. If reason contradicts intuition once again, so much the worse for intuition. Another advocate of the multiverse, Brian Greene, reminds us: “From a quaint, small, earth-centered universe to one filled with billions of galaxies, the journey has been both thrilling and humbling. We’ve been compelled to relinquish sacred belief in our own centrality, but with such cosmic demotion we’ve demonstrated the capacity of the human intellect to reach far beyond the confines of ordinary experience to reveal extraordinary truth.” ― Steven Pinker ____________________________ V – #jimswilleyart “This is why I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer…whatever you decree…BELIEVE…accept the reality that it exists in another, unseen dimension, simply because you say it. Don’t suspend or delay belief until you see it manifested in the physical realm, because what is unseen is more real than what is seen. Be confident that your request is granted to you, and you will get it…your own irresistible faith will attract it to you.” (Mark 11:24 – Mark In The Now/Gospels In The Now)

I – ‘In A beginning, created by the Alueim were the heavens and the earth. Yet the earth became a chaos and vacant, and darkness was on the surface of the submerged chaos. Yet the spirit of the Alueim IS VIBRATING over the surface of the water. And saying is the Alueim, “Become light!” And it is becoming light.’ (Genesis 1:1-3 – The Concordant Literal Old Testament) ___________________________________ II – “Within A beginning…there was the Logos (the Word; the Thought; the collection of thoughts; the Idea; the Reason; the discourse; the communication; the verbal expression)…. (John 1:1 – JMNT) ____________________________________ III – “Bring about Your kingdom. Manifest Your will here on earth, as it is manifest in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 – The Voice) _____________________________________ VI – “I will be giving you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatsoever you should be binding on the earth shall be those things having been bound in the heavens, and whatsoever you should be loosing on the earth, shall be those having been loosed in the heavens.” (Matthew 16:19 – CLV) ______________________________________ VII – “I will continue giving to you the keys [note: = means of locking or unlocking] which have their origin and source in the reign and activities of the heavens (or: which pertain to and have the characteristics of the kingdom of the heavens; or: which belong to the sovereignty from the atmospheres; or, as a genitive of apposition: the keys which are the sovereign reign of the heavens). And so, whatever you can (or: may; should) bind upon the earth will continue being [something] having been bound, and still remaining bound, within the midst of the heavens (or: in the atmospheres). Also, whatever you can (or: may; should) loose upon the earth will continue being[something] having been loosed (unbound; untied), and remaining free of bonds, within the midst of the heavens (or: in the atmospheres).” (Matthew 16:19 – JMNT)

The mic lost power and the audio was lost mid message. Go to Bish in the now on Youtube for an 11:11 that fills in the gaps.  +website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – ‘In A beginning, created by the Alueim were the heavens and the earth. Yet the earth became a chaos and vacant, and darkness was on the surface of the submerged chaos. Yet the spirit of the Alueim IS VIBRATING over the surface of the water. And saying is the Alueim, “Become light!” And it is becoming light.’ (Genesis 1:1-3 – The Concordant Literal Old Testament) ___________________________________ II – “Within A beginning…there was the Logos (the Word; the Thought; the collection of thoughts; the Idea; the Reason; the discourse; the communication; the verbal expression). And the Logos (the idea; the thought; the expression; the Word) was facing, [directed, and moving] toward, (or: continued being face to face with) God. And the Logos (the Word; the thought; the idea; the reason; the expression) continued being God…(or: In beginning, the collected and put side by side Thoughts continued in progressive existence, and the collected and put side by side Thoughts continued being a progression to God)…(or: In beginning, the Word continued Being. Then the Word was Being directed toward God. And yet the Word was Being God)…” (John 1:1 – JMNT) _____________________________________ III(a) – “Each person that you see is their own unique universe, their own unique reality. Even though you all appear to be in the same room, on the same world, you’re not. You’re all in your own unique realities. You’re just matching one another’s frequencies sufficiently enough to create the illusion of all being on the same planet, but that’s not the case. It’s a shared consensus reality experience that you’re all giving rise to.” – Ryo ______________________________________ IV – “It’s like a human body is the animated reality of a parallel dimension, so where you see a body, you see a different dimension. We all are in the same space, sharing the same moment.. but we’re all perceiving a different world. We’re not all in the same world at all, we just share space thinking we are. We’re literally all in our own world.” – Matt Kahn _______________________________________ VI – Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place!This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:10-12; 16, 17 – NIV) ________________________________________ VII – “Time and space are illusions. Everything exists at the same time. We only see what we are tuned to the vibration of to see. As we change our ideas, we change our vibrations, we start to see a different world, literally. Because we have shifted our consciousness, our focus, to a different version of Earth that exists simultaneously with the version we were on a moment ago. And we are experiencing literally, bit by bit, whether fast or slow, a progression through different versions of Earth. So the change has to be made within the person. They may for a while still be able to see and observe the version of Earth that they are no longer really strongly connected to, but that will change over time. It’s not that the world they were on changes, it’s that what changes is their ability to still perceive that world as opposed to perceiving one that’s now more in alignment with the vibrational frequencies they have changed within themselves.” ― Darryl Anka

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow Bishop Jim Swilley teaches that breakthrough starts by acknowledging your current reality—“Here I am”—and meeting the Divine “I AM” on the holy ground beneath your feet. Using Exodus 3, he reframes the miracle of the burning bush as its persistence, urging us to attend to long-running signals in our lives. He widens God-language to the “I-AM-verse,” calls for discerning (“rightly dividing”) Scripture, interprets John 14:6 as a path mirrored in us rather than a weapon of exclusion, and invites “yes/and” faith that holds paradox (Acts 2) while speaking creative words over our world. The practice: identify your ongoing “burning bush,” honor your present as sacred, and move forward in blessedness even in the presence of enemies (Ps 23; Deut 28). “Here I am” → Meet the “I AM” on holy ground (right where you are). Jim teaches that transformation begins by acknowledging your current reality (“Here I am”) and recognizing the Divine Presence (“I AM”) right there. Contentment and awareness precede change; you don’t wait for the desert to change—you realize the ground under your feet is holy now. (Ex 3:1–6, 14–15) The Burning Bush’s miracle was continuance, not combustion. Brush fires in the ancient Near East were common; what drew Moses was that the bush kept burning. Likewise, pay attention to the issues or signals that persist in your life—they may be your “burning bush” calling you to a new path. (Ex 3:2–4) Take off your sandals: recognize holiness in your present place. “Holy ground” was the same spot Moses had stood many times. Jim applies this: stop postponing life for a different season/location; claim sacredness in the present. (Ex 3:5) From “the universe” to the “I-AM-verse.” God self-identifies as “I AM”—a reality larger than any label or image. Jim’s language widens the frame: the Divine is bigger than a single tradition or depiction. (Ex 3:14–15; Elohim/plural nuance; Gen 1:1 “in a beginning”) Rightly divide the Word (crab-legs metaphor). Scripture is inspired yet humanly written; it requires discernment. Not every ancient instruction carries the same weight; learn to “crack the shell” and get to the meat. (2 Tim 2:15 implied; discussion of Mosaic laws/abominations) Jesus as Way = a mirrored path, not a narrow gatekeeping slogan. John 14:6, in Jim’s reading (incl. Mirror paraphrase), means Jesus’ I-AM way is mirrored in us: we too must walk the surrendered path that reveals the Father—not weaponize the verse to exclude others. (Jn 14:6; Mirror paraphrase) Inclusion over exclusion. If someone isn’t “against us, they’re for us.” Jim affirms namaste-style mutual honor of the sacred in one another and notes proliferating denominations as proof that absolutism divides. (Mk 9:38–40; cultural “namaste” reference; mention of many denominations) Paradox is part of faith (“yes/and,” not “either/or”). Peter says Jesus’ death was both a human wrong and within God’s plan. Hold tensions. The sweet spot for change lives between desperate striving and apathy—faith and patience inherit promises. (Acts 2:23/3:15; Heb 6:12) Speak to your world. “The world is at your command” (Beatles lyric sparks the point): words carry creative force. Jim shares simple testimonies (commanding a phone transfer to work; others speaking to pain) to model practical, faith-filled speech. (Ps 33:6; Prov 18:21 implied; Beatles “Nowhere Man” lyric) On hell & alternate realities. Jim refuses fruitless fights; if someone’s reality needs a literal hell to live rightly, he lets them have it—while he chooses a different reality. (His “multiverse/I-AM-verse” lens.) Blessing in the presence of enemies. Expect goodness in the struggle, not only after it ends: table set before enemies; live blessed coming/going while the bush still burns. (Ps 23:5; Deut 28:1–14) Identify your long-running “burning bush,” stare into it without denial, say “Here I am,” and honor your present ground as holy. Then move from that consciousness. Scriptures & Sources Exodus 3:1–6, 13–15 — Burning bush; “I AM”; holy ground. Genesis 1:1 (Hebrew nuance) — “In a beginning.” Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens declare the glory of God.” John 14:1–6 — “I am the way…” (with Mirror paraphrase emphasis). Mark 9:38–40 — “If he is not against us, he is for us.” Acts 2:23; 3:15 — You killed Jesus / according to God’s plan (paradox). Daniel 3:17–18 — “Even if He doesn’t…” (faith’s “yes/and”). Hebrews 6:12; 11:6 — Faith & patience; “must believe that He is.” Deuteronomy 28:3–13 — Blessings (head, not tail, etc.). Psalm 23:5 — Table in the presence of enemies. Romans 4:17 (implied) — “Call those things which be not…” Hymn: How Great Thou Art (“I see the stars…”) as extra-biblical wonder. Cultural refs: “Namaste” (honoring the sacred in the other); Beatles “Nowhere Man” lyric (“the world is at your command”).

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – ‘In A beginning, created by the Alueim were the heavens and the earth. Yet the earth became a chaos and vacant, and darkness was on the surface of the submerged chaos. Yet the spirit of the Alueim IS VIBRATING over the surface of the water. And saying is the Alueim, “Become light!” And it is becoming light.’ (Genesis 1:1-3 – The Concordant Literal Old Testament) ______________________________ II – Trust the Word that is written on your heart today…”In A beginning, God (Elohim) created”…(Genesis 1:1)…”In A beginning was the Word…” (John 1:1)…”Within A beginning…there was the Logos (the Word; the Thought; the collection of thoughts; the Idea; the Reason; the discourse; the communication; the verbal expression). And the Logos (the idea; the thought; the expression; the Word) was facing, [directed, and moving] toward, (or: continued being face to face with) God. And the Logos (the Word; the thought; the idea; the reason; the expression) continued being God…(or: In beginning, the collected and put side by side Thoughts continued in progressive existence, and the collected and put side by side Thoughts continued being a progression to God)…(or: In beginning, the Word continued Being. Then the Word was Being directed toward God. And yet the Word was Being God)…” (John 1:1 – JMNT)…Observe these very telling and descriptive words and phrases implied from the original language in this famous passage about the “Word” which became flesh…”the Thought”, “the collection of thoughts”, “the Idea”, “the Reason”, “the discourse”, “the communication”, “the verbal expression”, “the continued existence of the Idea”, etc…whatever that “Word” was that John’s Gospel was trying to describe in human language existed long before there was any concept of a collection of books that we now call The Bible…In A beginning, the “Theo-logic” that was defined as the Thought/Reason/Idea/Logic/Willed Action existed, and eventually became a person in the physical dimension for approximately 33 revolutions around the sun, who then declared that “He” had to go away, so that another Helper could come who would lead us into all Truth…not into a collection of books written by 40 Jewish authors over a span of 1,500 hundred years, but into ALL TRUTH…The Bible contains it and connects to it, but is not by any means ALL of it…the Word became a human being, not a library of books, and then that person said that He had to go, so that Something/Someone else could come…”man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that PROCEEDS (present-tense) out of the mouth of God”…That person was called “The Firstborn among MANY brethren…”…Embrace your I Am-ness today, and trust the eternal Word written on your timeless heart…you are the Word made flesh, too…don’t waste a minute in regret over the past, or anxiety about the future, or misperceptions about yourself…shake off whatever happened yesterday or last night that is creating a spirit of heaviness, and recognize that you are already seated in heavenly places, JUST AS YOU ARE…anything else is a smokescreen…the real you is what is real and eternal and holy, and the Word you know is forever settled in heaven…the spirit of the Aluem IS VIBRATING, and creation continues…You don’t have to “get in the NOW”… YOU’RE ALREADY THERE… #JESmeditations ________________________ III – “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 – AMP) _________________________ IV – “The past has no power over the present moment.” – Eckhart Tolle ________________________ VI – “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray ______________________ VII – “In an infinite multiverse, there is no such thing as fiction.” – Scott Adsit

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – ‘In A beginning, created by the Alueim were the heavens and the earth. Yet the earth became a chaos and vacant, and darkness was on the surface of the submerged chaos. Yet the spirit of the Alueim IS VIBRATING over the surface of the water. And saying is the Alueim, “Become light!” And it is becoming light.’ (Genesis 1:1-3 – The Concordant Literal Old Testament) ______________________________  II – Raise your vibration today…it’s never too late for a new beginning…The Spirit “IS VIBRATING over the submerged chaos”…”is”, not “was”…creation is still in progress (“In A beginning”, not “In THE beginning”)…the relationship between the Holy Spirit and quantum physics is a topic explored in both religious and scientific contexts, often leading to discussions about the nature of reality, consciousness, and the connection between the spiritual and material realms…some interpretations suggest that the Spirit’s role in creation, as described in religious texts, resonates with the foundational principles and phenomena observed in quantum physics, such as the interconnectedness of particles, and the role of observation in defining reality…some interpretations of Genesis 1:1 suggest that the Hebrew phrase “b’reshit” is better translated as “in A beginning” rather than “in THE beginning,” implying a broader concept of beginnings…this interpretation suggests the possibility of other beginnings before or after the one described in Genesis…some interpretations of the biblical creation story, particularly Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God moves upon the waters, are seen as analogous to the “shaking” or “fluttering” energy fields observed in quantum physics…concepts like quantum entanglement (where particles are linked regardless of distance), and the idea that particles exist in a superposition of states until observed (as in the double-slit experiment) are sometimes used to draw parallels to spiritual concepts like interconnectedness, Divine Presence, and the nature of consciousness…some theologians and scientists have explored whether the concept of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can be understood through the lens of quantum mechanics, particularly the idea of something being “one and many at the same time”…the role of the observer in quantum mechanics, where observation can affect the state of a particle, is sometimes linked to the idea of human consciousness, and its potential influence on reality, drawing parallels with spiritual practices focused on intention and belief… #JESmeditations _________________________ III – “In THE beginning” and “In A beginning” are both valid phrases, but they have different nuances…”In THE beginning” typically refers to the start of a specific, known period or event, often implying a contrast with a later state…”In A beginning” is more general, suggesting the start of any event or story, and can sometimes imply a more open-ended or multiple possibilities for beginnings…the often-quoted, much-misunderstood words of Jesus, “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life” is better translated, (in my opinion) this way: “Jesus said, ‘My I am-ness mirrored in you is your way, this is your truth and also your life! Every single person can now come face to face with the Father entirely because of my doing.'” (John 14:6 – The Mirror Translation)…when you focus obsessively on the “THE” of it all, you miss the context of what He was actually saying…words matter…”…the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life.” #JESmeditations ________________________ IV – “In A beginning” is perhaps a more accurate translation than the more familiar “In THE beginning”…it really opens up a lot to think about, especially when exploring the concepts of multiple realities (what some call “the multi-verse”), and the embracing of “Yes, and…”, instead of “Either, or…”…the best part of this Hebrew translation, however, is, in my opinion: “Yet the spirit of the Alueim is vibrating over the surface of the water…” …the Spirit IS vibrating!…not “was” vibrating…IS, IS, IS…now…present tense!…God is in the now…The Creator’s Universe is still expanding (still being created) faster than the speed of light…what if you’ve had and exercised the dominion that God (Elohim or “Alueim”) talks about in Genesis 1:26, 27 all along?…what if you’ve been calling the shots in life, and getting what you really, deeply wanted (or thought you deserved) more than you’ve realized, or can even admit to yourself?…what if the same Spirit that vibrated over the surface of the water in Creation is still vibrating over your spirit and your thoughts and your words and your intentions? #JESmeditations _______________________________

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3 – NKJV) ______________________________ II – ‘In A beginning, created by the Alueim were the heavens and the earth. Yet the earth became a chaos and vacant, and darkness was on the surface of the submerged chaos. Yet the spirit of the Alueim IS VIBRATING over the surface of the water. And saying is the Alueim, “Become light!” And it is becoming light.’ (Genesis 1:1-3 – The Concordant Literal Old Testament) ______________________________ III – “The subject of quantum physics is identifying the smallest parts of an entity and understanding its nature and its part in the whole of existence. In every case we come to the understanding that there is no objective world that we perceive, except for the conceptions inside of our minds. We are all collectively dreaming together the empirical realm. We collectively hold the fundamental energies in the frequencies of the electromagnetic wave patterns that we perceive. The quality of our experience is created in our consciousness.” ― Kenneth Schmitt ________________________________ IV – “When faced with contrast, take nothing personally and don’t try to defend yourself. Defending one’s self is a vibrational relative of guilt. People will think what they like; do not feed fuel to the fire by reacting. Simply ask questions for clarity and in response say ‘Is that so?’ Take responsibility for the energy you brought to the situation, acknowledge the illusions without attachment, and move forward. Other people’s opinions are none of your business. Remember that each person is on their own unique path, and the mirror of contrast you hold up to them may be exactly what is necessary for their conscious growth at that time.” ― Alaric Hutchinson _______________________________ V – “Everything That Is, is the result of vibration. And if you don’t like the result, change the vibration, that’s all! ‘How do I change a vibration?’ Think differently. ‘Well, how do I think differently? That’s the way I’ve always thought.’ Well, start paying attention to how the thoughts feel instead of the content of the thought.” ― Abraham Hicks __________________________________ VI – “You are already a VIP – a vibrational interference pattern. Your vibration is as specific and unique to you as your fingerprint.” ― Catherine Carrigan __________________________________ VII – “Here is the true secret of the Law of Attraction: You have a core vibrational frequency. It is purely uniquely you. It’s a beacon. It’s like a lighthouse. It shines. It radiates purely that signature frequency of your unique being. It never stops radiating that light, that frequency, that energy – never stops. Everything that is in alignment with that frequency is doing its utmost to come to you. Everything that is not aligned with that frequency is doing its utmost to get as far away from you as it possibly can. If the things that are aligned with that beacon aren’t reaching you, it’s not because “you’re not vibrating at the resonance that you need to attract it”. It’s because your definitions and beliefs are holding it away. If the things that are trying to get away from you can’t get away from you, it’s not because they’re not trying – it’s because you’re holding onto them. So the true Secret of the Law of Attraction is not “how to learn to attract what you prefer”, it’s how to learn to let go of what you don’t, so that you can let in what is trying to get to you automatically – by definition. That’s the true Secret and that’s why it’s effortless. It’s just about letting go and letting in. It’s not about having to learn to do something you’re not already doing.” ― Bashar

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – NOW FAITH IS the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (Hebrews 11:1 – AMPC) II – “…for he who comes to God must believe that HE IS, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 – NKJV) III – “Carpe Diem”, as you probably know, is a Latin phrase meaning “seize the day”…it encourages living in the present moment, and making the most of the opportunities at hand, as the future is uncertain…what you may not know is that the famous phrase is a shortened version of a quote by the Roman poet Horace (65 to 8 BC), the full version being, “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero”…it translates to “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one”…when Jesus instructed His listeners to pray “Give us THIS DAY our daily bread”, it was an allusion to the manna that the Israelites ate in the wilderness, which could only be consumed one day at a time…according to the Exodus narrative, it was a miraculous food that God provided during their 40-year journey through the desert, described as a white, flaky substance like coriander seed, tasting like honey wafers…but “manna” was not technically a noun/word, as much as it was the question “man hu” (Hebrew: מן הוא, romanized: mān hū), seemingly meaning “What is it?”…in other words, they ate it every day, but never really knew what it was…it couldn’t be defined, and it couldn’t be stored up, because it would spoil if kept over night…it became a symbol for living in the now, not necessarily because the one who eats it wants to, but because he/she has no other alternative…the mystery of it all is actually the point, especially for people on the move, who didn’t or don’t have time to settle down and plant crops for their sustenance…will the manna – the “what is it?” – be there tomorrow morning?…who knows?…we don’t even know what it is…the ones who eat it have no choice but to live and eat IN THE NOW…”in Him we “MOVE”…the prayer is “give us THIS DAY”, not “give me bread today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life”…even when Jesus referred to Himself as “the bread from heaven”, He was perhaps implying that the Jesus you knew yesterday is not necessarily the Jesus you know today, or will know tomorrow…this concept of spiritual evolution is a powerful counter-balance to “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever”, because even though the manna in the wilderness was the same every day for 40 years, it couldn’t be predicted, or cultivated as a crop, could only be experienced in the present moment, and ceased to exist once the Israelites reached their “Promised Land” (read into that what you will)…is your understanding of God or Spiritual things different than it was in the past?…good!…the “bread from heaven” can’t be stored in jars of doctrine and dogma, or else it will be filled with the deadly worms of legalism…the I AM can only be known IN THE NOW…are you uncertain about exactly what’s going to happen in your life tomorrow?…good!…”It is not for you to know the times or seasons…but you shall receive power…”…prediction and forth-telling/foretelling have their place, and living with intention is crucial, but sustenance from manna means you don’t know how it’s going to get here, or where it’s going to come from, or even what it actually is, but that when tomorrow morning arrives, breakfast will be somehow served, and it will empower you to get through another day…Mangia! Mangia! #JESmeditations IV – “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson VII – “Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry – all forms of fear – are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.” – Eckhart Tolle

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HISTORY TO DEAL WITH. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 – The Message) ____________________________________ II – “The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge”? ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die….’Yet you say, “Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?” Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” (Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19, 20 – NKJV) ______________________________________ III – “For every living being belongs to Me—parent and child alike. You will die for your own sins, not because of what your ancestors did. So why do you ask, ‘Why is the son not also punished for his father’s guilt?’ Don’t you see? The son did not commit his father’s sins. The son chose to do what is just and right by remembering and following My laws, so he will surely live. The person who sins will die. The child will not be punished for the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent be punished for the guilt of the child. The righteous will be credited with righteousness. The wicked will be charged with wickedness.” (Ezekiel 18:4, 19, 20 – The Voice) _______________________________________ VII – “Jesus said, ‘Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.'” (Mark 10:29-31 – The Message)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HISTORY TO DEAL WITH. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 – The Message) ________________________________II – There was a time in my life when I needed to be right more than I needed to be free. I didn’t know that’s what was happening at the time, of course. I genuinely believed I was pursuing truth, defending what was holy, standing firm in my convictions. But underneath that righteousness was something far more fragile, far more human. I wasn’t defending truth. I was defending myself, from the unbearable possibility that maybe I didn’t matter unless I was right.Growing up in the religious tradition I was born into, there was no distinction between truth and identity. They were one and the same. To question doctrine was to question your standing with God. To disagree was to step outside the bounds of salvation. So when I fought to be right, when I argued for my interpretation, my theology, my version of truth, I wasn’t just making a case. I was protecting my identity. Or at least, that’s how it felt. My need to be right was not intellectual; it was existential. It came from a deep and invisible fear that, without rightness, I had no worth.What I see now, looking back with more compassion and clarity, is that my entire relationship to “truth” was built on the scaffolding of insecurity. I had been told, explicitly and implicitly, that I was born wrong. That I was broken. That I was sinful, depraved, undeserving. That I needed to repent, believe the right things, say the right prayers, and follow the narrow path. Only then would I be accepted. Only then would I be saved. So of course I needed to be right. My sense of worth, my sense of safety, even my sense of belonging in the universe depended on it.And not only did I need to be right, I needed others to be wrong. Because if someone else believed differently and they weren’t wrong, then what did that say about me? What did that say about the house of cards I had built my worth upon? Their freedom threatened my stability. Their questions threatened my certainty. So I did what many of us do when we’re still trapped by unconscious fear. I evangelized my programming. I preached my conditioning. I used spiritual language to justify emotional wounds. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was trying to prove that I deserved love by proving that my beliefs were more true than anyone else’s.Letting go of that was one of the most terrifying and liberating experiences of my life. There was no switch that flipped, no lightning bolt moment where everything fell away. It was more like an unraveling. It began slowly, subtly, with questions I couldn’t shake. Why do I need others to agree with me? Why do I feel so personally attacked when someone sees God differently? Why does being challenged feel like being rejected? These weren’t just theological questions. They were invitations, quiet, sacred invitations, to look deeper.And when I finally had the courage to look, I saw something I hadn’t wanted to see. I saw that underneath all my certainty was shame. A deep, buried shame that had been with me since I was a child. The shame of being told that who I was at my core was wrong. That my desires were wrong. That my questions were dangerous. That my thoughts were sinful. That my very being needed to be saved from itself. That shame had never gone away. I had just buried it beneath my need to be right. I had mistaken correctness for worthiness. And once I saw that, the whole game began to fall apart.What emerged in the aftermath was not despair, but something far more beautiful. A stillness. A space. A lightness that I had never known. I no longer had to defend myself with beliefs. I no longer had to argue people into validating me. I no longer had to project my unhealed wounds onto God. And in that space, something miraculous began to happen. I started to see that I was never wrong to begin with. I was never unworthy. I was simply young, impressionable, scared, and in need of love. And that love wasn’t waiting on the other side of theological accuracy. It was waiting on the other side of self-acceptance.The truth is, the need to be right is not a character flaw. It’s a cry for safety. It is the mind’s attempt to control what the heart believes is not yet lovable. But what happens when we no longer need to earn love through correctness? What happens when we see that being wrong never meant we were unworthy in the first place? What happens when we realize that God, if we must use that word, is not some external authority evaluating our performance, but the very presence that has been loving us the whole time, even in our confusion?That is when the game changes.That is when truth is no longer something we build to feel safe, but something we relax into as freedom.That is when we realize that what we thought we needed to protect was never under threat.And that’s when we finally become available for what was always trying to reach us, not the cold comfort of being right, but the warm radiance of being whole. – Logan Barone _________________________________ VI – “Who can detect inadvertent errors? From those concealed to me, hold me innocent.” Moreover, keep back Your servant from arrogancies; Let them not rule over me. Then I shall be flawless, And I will be innocent of great transgression.” May the sayings of my mouth be acceptable And the soliloquy of my heart be pleasing before You, O Yahweh, my Rock and my Redeemer!” (Psalms 19:12-14 – CLV) __________________________________ VII – “Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don’t impose it on others. You’re fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you’re not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you’re out of line. If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong.” (Romans 14:22-23 – The Message)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HISTORY TO DEAL WITH. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 – The Message) ___________________________ II – “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr ____________________________ III – “I believe that in each of us there is a small piece of history. In one half a page, in another two or three. Together we write the book of time. We each call out our own truth. The nightmare of nuances.” -Svetlana Alexievich ____________________________ V – “But the Fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness…” (Galatians 5:22, 23 – NKJV) ______________________________ VI – “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way…” (Galatians 5:22, 23 – The Message) _______________________________ VII – “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” ― Henri Nouwen

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “This stirred their curiosity, because the favorite pastime of Athenians (including foreigners who had settled there) was conversation about new and unusual ideas. So they brought him to the rock outcropping known as the Areopagus, where Athens’ intellectuals regularly gathered for debate, and they invited him to speak. Athenians: May we understand this new teaching of yours? It is intriguingly unusual. We would love to know its meaning. Paul: Athenians, as I have walked your streets, I have observed your strong and diverse religious ethos. You truly are a religious people. I have stopped again and again to examine carefully the religious statues and inscriptions that fill your city. On one such altar, I read this inscription: “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” I am not here to tell you about a strange foreign deity, but about this One whom you already worship, though without full knowledge. This is the God who made the universe and all it contains, the God who is the King of all heaven and all earth. It would be illogical to assume that a God of this magnitude could possibly be contained in any man-made structure, no matter how majestic. Nor would it be logical to think that this God would need human beings to provide Him with food and shelter—after all, He Himself would have given to humans everything they need—life, breath, food, shelter, and so on. This is the only universal God, the One who makes all people whatever their nationality or culture or religion. This God made us in all our diversity from one original person, allowing each culture to have its own time to develop, giving each its own place to live and thrive in its distinct ways. His purpose in all this was that people of every culture and religion would search for this ultimate God, grope for Him in the darkness, as it were, hoping to find Him. Yet, in truth, God is not far from any of us. For you know the saying, “We live in God; we move in God; we exist in God.” And still another said, “We are indeed God’s children.” (Acts 17:19-28 – The Voice) ____________________________ II – “For as I passed along and carefully observed your objects of worship, I came also upon an altar with this inscription, To the unknown god. Now what you are already worshiping as unknown, this I set forth to you….He is not far from each one of us. For in Him WE live and move and have OUR being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring.” (Acts 17:23, 27, 28 – AMPC) ____________________________ III – “When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.” (Romans 2:14-16 – The Message) ______________________________ IV – Moses (to God): Who am I to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel’s children out of Egypt? Eternal One: Do not fear, Moses. I will be with you every step of the way, and this will be the sign to you that I am the One who has sent you: after you have led them out of Egypt, you will return to this mountain and worship God. Moses: Let’s say I go to the people of Israel and tell them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to rescue you,” and then they reply, “What is His name?” What should I tell them then? Eternal One: I AM WHO I AM. This is what you should tell the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to rescue you.”…This is My name forevermore, and this is the name by which all future generations shall remember Me. (Exodus 3:11-15 – The Voice) ____________________________ V – “Recently, someone asked me about the concept that we can let go of the stories we tell ourselves – and, in doing so, create a new future. She’d witnessed someone having a strong physical reaction to the suggestion – his entire body had broken out in a rash – and she’d had such reactions herself. It seemed like just the thought of giving up a past narrative had produced a strong somatic reaction – which automatically occurred within seconds. “Why does it make people so uncomfortable?” this woman asked me. “Why does it feel like such a radical idea to let go of these stories?” The stories we tell ourselves – about our memories, our past, and our struggles; our interaction with certain people, objects, and things – are familiar to us, so let’s call them the known. We identify with them; they become who we think we are – and, ultimately, our personality. That’s because reliving the past fires and wires the same circuits in the same ways – reproducing the same mind – and works our bodies into an emotional froth of chemicals. Biologically, as well as subconsciously, we become our past. We believe the old story and behave as if it is our truth – until we become it. So many of us remain invested in these narratives – the stories of the past – because to invest in our future, instead, is so unpredictable for the body. And the body doesn’t trust the unknown. The body is comfortable in the old stories – and all the identity-affirming emotions that accompany them. More than comfortable; it craves those emotions. In fact, any time we’re recycling one of our favorite stories – about ourselves; about someone else; about the way we grew up with our parents and siblings; about our history with illness, trauma, or the ways we were wronged – what we’re really seeking to do is fuel the emotions we associate with those stories and memories.” – Dr. Joe Dispenza ___________________________ VI – “When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught to fly.”― Patrick Overton ___________________________ VII – “After all, if you focus on the known, you get the known. If you focus on the unknown, you create a possibility. The longer you can linger in that field of infinite possibilities as an awareness—aware that you are aware in this endless black space—without putting your attention on your body, on things, or on people, places, and time, the longer you invest your energy into the unknown, the more you are going to create a new experience or new possibilities in your life. It’s the law.” – Dr. Joe Dispenza

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow AI assisted with these notes: Welcome to Metron Live, where spiritual growth meets unconditional love, bold truth, and deep transformation. 💫 Whether you’re joining us for the first time or you’re a longtime member of our tribe—you belong here. Today’s message is real, raw, relevant, and filled with hope, healing, and clarity. 🙌 What to Expect in This Powerful Gathering: Uplifting affirmations for healing, self-love, and divine connection Candid talk on life, aging, caregiving, and spiritual resilience A bold message challenging outdated religious beliefs with love and wisdom A compassionate, modern understanding of scripture, inclusion, and justice 💬 Topic Highlights: ✅ Why the Bible is more than a rulebook✅ What “chosen people” really means (hint: it includes YOU)✅ How love—not fear—is the highest truth✅ The danger of biblical literalism without context✅ Why spiritual evolution matters now more than ever✅ Personal stories that make you laugh, cry, and say “me too” 💡 This Message Is For You If You’ve Ever Felt: Hurt or excluded by religion Confused about the Bible’s contradictions Hungry for a deeper, more authentic faith Ready to let go of fear-based beliefs Curious about inclusive spirituality rooted in love, not law 📅 Special Announcements: ✨ Meditation Weekend #26 at beautiful St. Simons Island – Aug 2–3, 2025❤️ This month’s outreach supports United Way – thank you for giving 🌿 Quotes to Remember: “You don’t need to be wrong for me to be right.”“Christ is all, and in all.”“Let love lead your interpretation of scripture.”“The Bible is a mirror—look at your heart, not just the page.” 🎧 Listen, Reflect, Share: This is more than a message. It’s a moment to breathe, heal, awaken, and reconnect with your divine identity.If it spoke to you, let us know in the comments. Like. Share. Subscribe. Someone you love may need this truth today. #MetronLive #InclusiveFaith #ProgressiveChristianity #SpiritualAwakening #GuidedMeditation #FaithDeconstruction #BishopJimSwilley #YouAreLoved #BibleWithContext #MindfulFaith #MeditationAndAffirmation

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “At the very beginning there was willed action, and the willed action then was by God (Alaha), and God was that willed action. The beginning was by God. All was by Him and without Him not a single thing came into being out of that which was. From Him there came into being a perfect life and this perfect life became light unto all men. And this light out of darkness caused light, and darkness did not overcome…And willed action became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw glory as if begotten from the Father, completely filled with heavenliness and righteousness.” (John 1:1-5, 14 – Khaboris Manuscript) _________________________________ II – “Jesus said to them, ‘A little while the light is with you. Walk while you yet have the light so that darkness will not overtake you. He who walks in darkness does not know where he goes. While you yet have the light with you, have faith in the light, that you will be children of enlightenment.’ Thus spoke Jesus and went off and hid from them. ‘I came as enlightenment unto all men so that whoever completely believes will not stay in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I will not condemn him, for I came not to condemn men, but to save men.'” (John 12:35, 36, 46, 47 – Khaboris Manuscript) ___________________________________ III – “Across the Universe” is a song by John Lennon that explores themes of spirituality, self-discovery, and the interconnectedness of the universe. It’s a song that encourages acceptance of the present moment and a sense of freedom through meditation and spiritual practice. Key Themes and Interpretations: Spiritual Freedom: The song suggests a feeling of liberation from the burdens of daily life and a connection to a higher consciousness. Acceptance and Gratitude: The lyrics convey a message of accepting the world as it is and finding meaning in every little thing, even the mundane. Interconnectedness: The title itself, “Across the Universe,” implies a sense of being linked to all things through space and time. Spiritual Teachings: The mantra “Jai Guru Deva, Om,” is a Sanskrit phrase that means “Victory to God divine” or “All glory to Guru Dev,” referencing Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s spiritual teacher. Poetry and Imagery: The lyrics are highly poetic and use vivid imagery to represent abstract concepts, like thoughts “meandering” and words “slithering”. Specific Lines and Their Meanings: “Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup.”: . This line is a simile that uses the image of rain overflowing a cup to depict the feeling of words flowing freely. “Love is shining all around me like a million suns.”: . This line is a metaphor that uses the image of a million suns to represent the intensity and all-encompassing nature of love. “Nothing’s gonna change my world.”: . This line suggests a sense of being grounded in the present moment and accepting the world as it is, without the need for external change. In essence, “Across the Universe” is a song about finding peace and meaning in the face of a vast and complex world, through spiritual practice and a sense of interconnectedness. It encourages listeners to appreciate the beauty of the present moment and to find joy in the simple things. Google AI ________________________________ IV – “Jai Guru Deva, Om” translates to “Victory to the Divine Teacher” or “Hail the Divine Teacher”. It’s a mantra, often used in meditation, intended to bring a sense of peace and connection to a higher consciousness. The word “Guru” refers to a spiritual teacher, “Deva” means divine or god, and “Om” is a sacred sound representing the ultimate reality. Jai: This word means “victory,” “triumph,” or “hail,” expressing a sense of praise or recognition. Guru: This term signifies a spiritual teacher or guide who can illuminate the path to enlightenment. Deva: This word means “divine” or “god,” indicating a higher power or a divine being. Om: This sacred sound is a fundamental aspect of many Hindu and Buddhist practices. It is believed to represent the sound of the universe and is used to focus the mind during meditation. The phrase “Jai Guru Deva, Om” is a mantra that can be used to invoke a feeling of gratitude and reverence towards the divine teacher within oneself or a higher spiritual authority. Google AI ________________________________

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – #jimswilleybooks “Don’t set yourself up as a judge who takes the liberty of casually condemning others, or even as a critic who thinks that he or she has the right to criticize them, because when you do that, you set a universal law into motion that will inevitably bring negative things back into your own life. In other words, don’t judge so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For in direct proportion to your judgment, criticism and condemnation of others, you will be personally judged and criticized and condemned. It’s just the way the law works. And in accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others…whatever you may deal out…it will be dealt out again to you. You define the terms of your own life in this sense. And why do you fixate on the very small particle…the tiny speck of sawdust…that is in your brother’s eye, while you are completely unaware of and oblivious to the huge beam of timber that is in your own eye? Or how can you obsessively say to your brother, ‘Let me try to get that tiny, superficial splinter that I’m preoccupied with out of your eye,’ when all the while there is the beam of timber that is obvious to everyone but you lodged in your own eye? Don’t be such a clueless hypocrite! Work on dislodging that beam of timber from your own eye first, because until you can completely remove such glaring, personal obstructions, you’re frankly not qualified to take on the responsibility of extracting anything at all from your brother’s eye, no matter how big or how small.” (Matthew 7:1-5 – Matthew In The Now) _________________________________ II – “The ‘Let Them Theory’ will teach you that the more you let other people live their lives, the better your life gets. And, the more you let people be who they are, or feel what they feel, or think what they think, the better your relationships will be. Learning how to let adults be adults has changed my life. And it will change yours too, because when you finally stop giving your power to other people, you’ll see how much power you truly have.” ― Mel Robbins __________________________________ III – “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 – NIV) ___________________________________ IV – “Peter: Lord, and what will happen to this man? Jesus: If I choose for him to remain till I return, what difference will this make to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:21, 22 – The Voice) ____________________________________ V – “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:25-32 – NIV) _____________________________________ VI – “The source of your power is not in managing other people, it’s in managing your response” – Mel Robbins _____________________________________ VII – “When you let go of control and commit yourself to happiness, it is so easy to offer compassion and forgiveness. This propels you from the past, into the present. People who are negative spend so much time trying to control situations and blame others for their problems. Committing yourself to staying positive is a daily mantra that states, “I have control over how I plan to react, feel, think and believe in the present. No one guides the tone of my life, except me!” ― Shannon L. Alder

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15 – NIV) ______________________________ II – “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” ― Anne Lamott _______________________________ III – “I think we are in a moment where Jesus is a victim of identity theft… -Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock ________________________________ IV – “Jesus did not come to change the mind of God about humanity (it did not need changing)! Jesus came to change the mind of humanity about God.” ― Richard Rohr ________________________________ V – “The Bible is only as good and decent as the person reading it.” ― Dan Savage ________________________________ VII – “Jesus supposedly lived over 2,000 years ago. We don’t have his voice. We don’t have his handwriting. We don’t have a single thing he himself actually recorded or preserved. All we have are stories. Stories written decades after his death by people who never met him in person. And those stories only cover maybe three years of his life—just a handful of moments, parables, and miracles, scattered across time and text. And yet… we’ve turned those fragments into doctrines. We’ve built moral codes, churches, political systems, entire identities around what other people said about him. And I don’t know… something about that has never quite sat right with me. I’ve always wondered: why didn’t Jesus write anything down? If he was really God in the flesh—the only one ever to be that—why wouldn’t he use his divine power to make sure his words were recorded, preserved, protected? Why didn’t he leave us something direct? Something undeniable? Instead, we’re left with layers of interpretation. And now, everyone’s got their own version of “Jesus.” I’ve met hundreds of people who say they have a personal relationship with him—and yet no two versions of him look exactly the same. Some see a loving, nonjudgmental mystic. Others see a king, demanding obedience and worship. Some follow a Jesus who preaches peace and inclusivity. Others follow one who’s always already to cast people into hell. So who’s right? Who is Jesus? Honestly, I’m starting to think… maybe we don’t know. Maybe we can’t know. Maybe what we call “Jesus” is less about who he was and more about who we are. Maybe Jesus is a mirror—reflecting back to each of us our deepest beliefs, our buried wounds, our unconscious projections. Maybe we don’t see Jesus clearly because we’re still looking at him through the lens of our ego. Judgmental people? Their Jesus judges. People addicted to certainty? Their Jesus punishes doubt. People who’ve done deep inner work and opened their hearts? Their Jesus looks like unconditional love. What if Jesus has always been a mirror? A way for us to see ourselves? Not to worship him—but to wake up to us. And maybe that’s what’s been lost. We pedestalized him. We made him untouchable. We turned him into a divine exception rather than a divine example. And in doing so, we forgot that the whole point might’ve been to realize that what was in him… is also in us. Maybe the real gospel isn’t “Jesus is the son of God.” Maybe it’s: So are you. Maybe it’s not “Worship me.” Maybe it’s: Follow me—into the divine truth of your own being. Because the moment we stop worshiping Jesus and start embodying what he pointed to, everything changes. We stop asking, “Who’s right?” and start living, “What is love?” We stop drawing lines around who’s in or out and start realizing there were never lines to begin with. Only illusions of separation. Only walls we inherited and called holy. And maybe—just maybe—the kingdom of God really is within us. Not in a book. Not in a belief. But in the quiet stillness of our own being. The real question isn’t “Who is Jesus?” It’s “Who are you?” – Logan Barone

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow   I – “…a man double-souled, turbulent in all his ways.” (James 1:8 – CLV) _________________________ II – “A two-souled (divided-willed; emotionally split) adult male is unstable (unfixed; inconstant; turbulent) in all his ways.” (James 1:8 – JMNT) ________________________ III – “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi __________________________ IV – “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are contrary to each other, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?” (Galatians 5:16-18 – The Message) _____________________________ V – “In weaving, “warp” refers to the lengthwise threads that are stretched vertically on a loom, while woof” (or weft) refers to the crosswise threads that are woven over and under the warp. Together, these threads create the fabric. The term “warp and woof” is also used figuratively to describe the fundamental structure or foundation of something, like a society, a process, or a system. The warp threads are the vertical threads that are held taut on the loom. They run parallel to the length of the fabric. The woof (or weft) threads are the crosswise threads that are inserted into the warp.They are woven over and under the warp, creating the fabric’s texture and structure. The expression “warp and woof” is also used to describe the essential foundation or base of a structure, organization, or system. For example, one might say that “the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are the warp and woof of the American nation”. Google AI _______________________________ VI – “Cognitive dissonance is a state of mental discomfort experienced when an individual holds conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. This discomfort motivates individuals to resolve the conflict by changing their beliefs, justifying their actions, or ignoring the conflicting information, accirding to The Decision Lab. At its core, cognitive dissonance arises when two or more of an individual’s thoughts or beliefs are inconsistent with each other. A classic example is someone who knows smoking is harmful to their health (a belief) but continues to smoke (an action). This creates a conflict that leads to discomfort. To reduce the discomfort, individuals may employ various strategies: They might start to believe that smoking is not as harmful as they previously thought, or that the benefits outweigh the risks. They might rationalize their smoking by saying it helps them manage stress. They might avoid thinking about the negative aspects of smoking or focus on the positive aspects. Cognitive dissonance can have a significant impact on an individual’s behavior, decisions, and self-perception.” Google AI _____________________________ VII – “A common quote related to manifesting from the subconscious mind is: “Until you make the subconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate,” attributed to Carl Jung. This highlights the subconscious’s influence on our lives and the importance of understanding its role in creating our reality. The subconscious mind, often seen as a “hard drive” of the brain, stores experiences, beliefs, and habits that unconsciously guide our thoughts and actions. Manifestation, in this context, is about bringing desires and intentions into reality. The subconscious plays a crucial role in this process by acting upon our thoughts and beliefs. Jung’s quote emphasizes the importance of understanding and working with the subconscious to gain control over our lives and destiny. Until we become aware of and actively shape our subconscious, it will dictate our choices and experiences, which we may mistake as fate. This understanding can be applied to various aspects of life, including personal growth, career aspirations, and relationships. By consciously influencing our subconscious through techniques like positive affirmations, visualization, and self-reflection, we can actively shape our reality.” Google AI

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “…and then to be continuously renewed (or: from time to time, or, progressively made young again) by (or: in; with) the spirit (or: attitude; breath-effect) of your mind (or: from the mind which is you)… (Ephesians 4:23 – JMNT) _________________________ II – “You cannot see the way out of a challenge if you are looking at it every day from the same level of mind, emotions, thoughts, and feelings of the past.” -Dr. Joe Dispenza __________________________ III – Walk the walk, and talk the talk… This month at Metron Community, I’m teaching a series that focuses largely on the story of the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda to whom Jesus said, “Take up your bed (bedroll, mat), and walk”…in this series I’m talking about what the man’s sick bed represented – 38 years of suffering, a misguided belief in an urban legend, victimization, etc – but mostly the bed represented the past, and the way the man viewed and communicated his own story… For the first 2 installments of the series, I’ve talked mostly about carrying the past with us into a higher level of consciousness, and rethinking and reframing our own narratives about our biographies…we’ve even discussed how past, present, and future are really all simultaneously existent, and we’ve gone deeply into it from both a spiritual and (neuro)scientific paradigm…but the series is actually about the process of manifestation, and how we create our reality out of our subconscious mind… “Taking up your *bed” (*memories, past experiences, trigger points, trauma response, negative patterns of thinking), and “walking” into a new reality seems, on the surface, like a contradiction in terms, at best…but as I personally evolve, I find that it’s easier for me to believe for the impossible, and to manifest miracles, but at the same time, I’ve never felt more realistic and practical about viewing life as it is…even when I “call those things which are not as though they are”, I am still very cognizant of what actually “is”…that’s why I don’t overreact when I find myself falling back into an old way of thinking…it’s simply the awareness of an old, familiar mat, rolled up, and tucked firmly under my arm, that I carry with me as I walk into a greater place of healing and awareness… You don’t need to burn the bed of “sickness”, you just need to pick it up, change the narrative of your story, until it permeates your subconscious, and start walking (and keep walking)… I’ll say more about this on Sunday for Part III of the series… The bottom line I’ll leave with you today is the simple fact that YOU are indeed the angel you’ve been waiting for, and only you can “trouble the water” by changing how you see it, and how you talk about it… #JESmeditations _________________________ IV – “For those of us who believe in physics, the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion”. – Albert Einstein __________________________ VI – “Neuroplasticity enables manifestation. The brain’s ability to modify and adapt its structure and function throughout life is the foundation of manifesting. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows us to create new neural circuits and prune away old ones that no longer serve us. By redirecting our attention, we can literally change our brains, creating more gray matter in areas that help us learn, perform, and manifest.” -Dr. James Doty ___________________________ VII – “Self-compassion has the power to heal the parts of us that feel chronically unsafe and unloved—the basis for our shadow and our resistance to thriving—and transform them into vital sources of wisdom and compassion to share with others.” -Dr. James Doty

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. (John 5:1-9 – NIV) ______________________ II – “The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.” (John 5:9-15 – NIV) _________________________ III – “That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by so that history repeats itself.” (Ecclesiastes 3:15 – AMPC) _________________________ IV – Feel all your feelings… Letting yourself embrace the totality of all your feelings allows you to self-validate your own humanity, and helps you create a life for yourself that is fuller and more satisfying…just be aware that even though all your feelings matter, they may not always be the proper touchstones for making important decisions…certain feelings may cause you to overreact in particular situations, and result in knee-jerk responses that ultimately bring frustration and embarrassment to you…when you respond in a way that’s out of proportion with an actual reality, you can end up creating a situation that’s even worse or more complicated that the one to which you are responding… Don’t make big decisions when your emotions feel out of our control, or when you feel overwhelmed or exhausted…scientific studies have shown that even something as basic as simple sleep deprivation hampers your ability to regulate your emotions, as it affects your prefrontal lobe…they’ve also found that when you don’t get enough sleep, you’re more apt to overreact to experiences, especially negative ones…then there’s the kind of exhaustion that can’t be remedied with a good night’s sleep – the emotional exhaustion that comes from dealing with a difficult situation over an extended period of time that leaves you worn out on the inside…that’s a whole ‘nother thing, entirely, but the same caution applies…in a word, avoid making important decisions when you’re overtired physically or emotionally… Life will always be a series of decisions and choices…some of the keys to ensuring that the decisions you make support the kind of life you desire to lead is getting enough sleep, meditating, remaining present, pacing yourself, taking it one day at a time, and not allowing yourself to be pressured into making decisions concerning things that can wait… Timing is everything… Keep your eye on the prize… Breathe… Maintain your courage… Make your decisions only when you’re good and ready… #JESmeditation _______________________________ V – “I’ve felt that connection with others throughout my life – sometimes it’s a random person in an elevator, where you look into each other’s eyes, and for reasons you can’t explain, there is a connection, not just simply eyes meeting, but some deeper knowing, an acknowledgement of each other’s humanity and the reality of being on the same path. And when that happens, it’s pretty magical. Other times I’ve looked into the eyes of someone who is homeless or just down-and-out, and when our eyes connect it is as if I could see my very own face staring back at me and for that brief moment, and often even longer, I experience the pain of my own journey and feel deep empathy followed by gratitude that my journey has taken me to where I am today. Everyone has a story, and I have learned that, at the core of it, most of our stories are more similar than not. Connection can be powerful. Sometimes just a brief meeting can change someone’s life forever.” ― James R. Doty __________________________________

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow   I – “Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?” The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.” Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.” (John 5:1-9 – The Message) ___________________________ II – “Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.” (Proverbs 4:23 – ERV) __________________________ III – In the western mind Sigmund Freud was more than entitled to the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the unconscious mind. Apparently, for untold thousands of years before the birth of Y’Shua, the existence of the unconscious mind and its functioning was so well-known to the Aramaic speaking people that it was a part of their syntax and grammar. A translation of the Aramaic teachings of Jesus into western imagery, such as English, which preserves these psychological distinctions inherent in the words actually used by Y’Shua himself gives to the western mind new and deeper insights into His words. This is a new “evangelion,” new “good news,” for “good news” is the meaning of that splendid Aramaic word applied so many years ago to His teachings. For the first time, the western mind can easily see, hear and understand the psychology taught by Y’Shua.” – Khaboris Manuscript ______________________________ IV – “Manifesting is defining an intention such that it gets embedded into our subconscious, which functions below the level of consciousness. By doing so, we activate brain networks associated with goal orientation that make an intention important, salient, or noteworthy. In practice, this means that regardless of whether or not that intention is present on a conscious level, brain mechanisms that remain focused on the goal are activated around the clock. Our inner intention now guides our life. By using our inner power to tap the vast resources of our own brain, we gradually decrease the impact of our external environment and begin living from our deepest intentions.” ― Dr. James R. Doty ____________________________________ V – “Warning: when feelings become the means of thinking, or if we cannot think greater than how we feel, we can never change. To change is to think greater than how we feel. To change is to act greater than the familiar feelings of the memorized self.” ― Dr. Joe Dispenza ___________________________________ VI – “There is no perfect life we are born into, and there is no escaping the awful reality of suffering. There is also no escaping the beautiful synchronicity of the heart” ― Dr. James R. Doty _____________________________________ VII – “For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.” (James 3:2 – AMPC)

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow Join Bishop Jim Swilley and special guest Zach Kio for a deep and thought-provoking conversation on The Evolution of Knowledge. This episode explores the spiritual, historical, and societal journey of how humanity seeks, shares, and sometimes suppresses understanding. 📚 From ancient scripture to modern science, we dive into: The history of knowledge management The impact of eradicating knowledge throughout time Insights on learning institutions in modern U.S. history The changing landscape of education reforms and demographics How all of this connects to our personal growth and spiritual path ✨ Featuring reflections on timeless wisdom like: “…Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.” – Apostle Paul “Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.” – George Washington “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – Apostle Paul Don’t miss this inspiring and intelligent conversation—where spirit meets intellect, and the past lights the path to the future. 🕊️ Subscribe and join us live – or catch the replay right here! #InTheNow #JimSwilley #ZachKio #Knowledge #Spirituality #EducationReform #LiveDiscussion #FaithAndReason #HistoryAndScience

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 – The Message) ___________________________ II – “Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don’t impose it on others. You’re fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you’re not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you’re out of line. If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong.” (Romans 14:22, 23 – The Message) _____________________________ III – “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:18-22 – NIV) ________________________________ VII – I’m going be very bossy here, and just tell you what you need to do…now that I’m a year older (thanks again for the birthday greetings), I’m leaning in, harder than ever, to the Seasoned Elder/Oracle/Wise Man vibe, so I don’t want any back talk about this… So here it is (and these aren’t suggestions)…stop apologizing for who you are…you’re awesome, even with your flaws (you’re “flawsome”!) just the way you are…for goodness sakes, forgive yourself already for whatever you did, and let it go…you’re thinking about it WAY MORE than anyone else is, and it’s probably much bigger in your mind that it actually was…stop wasting your time over-explaining yourself…just live your authentic life, and allow the people that you affect to adjust to you unapologetically living your truth…and if they can’t, it’s not the end of the world…stop trying to micro-manage everybody else, and convert them to your way of thinking…some people in your orbit are never, ever, ever, ever going to come around to your way of thinking, so you just need to accept it like you do the changing of the seasons…and if by chance they ever do come around to your viewpoint, it won’t be because you nagged or shamed them into it…you can influence people, but it’s also true that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink…either they get it or they don’t…if you think they’re idiotic for seeing the world the way they do, then go for the “Let him who is ignorant be ignorant still” concept, and move it along…free yourself…say what you want to say without hesitation, post what you want to post, hold fast to your beliefs, but stop letting yourself get so frustrated over and over again when other people don’t embrace those beliefs…it doesn’t matter…live and let live… Be happy, and follow your bliss, every single day…do what brings you joy, and if it doesn’t bring your joy, cut it out of your life…who cares if other people get it or not?!…your joy matters…your sense of well-being matters…your freedom matters…and if there’s something hard or unpleasant that you have to do that’s not avoidable, then do what you have to do to make the thing as tolerable and workable as it can be, and get through it without compromising who you are… Remember that loving people and being a people pleaser are not at all the same thing…loving people is empowering…living only to please other people is sad and pathetic…you can love people and still tell them no if you need to (depends on your relationship with them)…boundaries are perfectly compatible with unconditional love, so don’t get it twisted, or allow someone to manipulate you… Go the extra mile, and but don’t forget to advocate for yourself when you’ve done enough, and there’s nothing left to give…take care of yourself FIRST…period (in the words of Forrest Gump, “And that’s all I have to say about that”)… Stop wasting your time waiting for the apology that’s never coming…you’ve given that person enough of your power…learn from it, and keep moving… And once again, if it makes you happy, and you’re not intentionally hurting anyone by doing it, THEN DO IT…whatever you do with your time and with your money is YOUR BUSINESS alone…when other people have judgments or opinions about the way you live, or with what you wear, or with what you spend, or about what you believe, etc, DO NOT HESITATE TO REMIND THEM THAT YOU ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM (“Owe no man anything but to love him”)… Protect the life that you’ve curated, and celebrate it…don’t compare it with anyone else’s… Remember you are an ORIGINAL, so be willing to pay the price for nonconformity…it’s TOTALLY worth it! I could say a lot more, but you just need to work on these things for right now…I’ll be back when you need some more… #JESmeditations

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow   I – “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2 – KJV) ______________________ II – “It is the glory of Elohim to conceal a matter, And the glory of kings to investigate a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2 – CLV) _______________________ III – “Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults.” (Psalms 19:12 – AMPC) _______________________ VII – “You never do find out what makes you tick, and after a while it’s unimportant.” ― Norman Mailer