Friday, September 26, 2014

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW

It's early Friday evening, and I'm sitting in a Starbuck's trying to think of something to write for a post here on METRON-SPEAK...my partner, Ken, is on call with his job tonight, as he has been all week, so I've spent a lot of time alone with my thoughts over the last few days...you'd think that I would have been more prolific this week with all of the spare time that I've had, and that I would have posted more here than I have posted, but that's not the way that creativity works, at least not for me...I generally find that the more free time I have on my hands, the less that I tend tend to get done (if you want something done, ask a busy person, I always say)...there's been some business to attend to this week, and some pastoral duties that I have fulfilled, and I started working out with a trainer again, but basically I have just spent a good deal of quality down-time with myself, and it's been good...I like accomplishing a lot in a day, but at this point in my life I'm also OK with just being...I've worked hard over the last 30 years, and have enjoyed some of the benefits of success, but these days I don't mind some seasons of guilt-free relaxation now and then...but I do like to write, and I aspire to put something out there every day, even when I don't make that goal...I've said and written a lot over the course of my professional life (thousands of sermons and 16 books so far), so sometimes I think it's just good for me to be quiet...but I do enjoy this blog and want to keep it alive and vital...I'm going to see a movie in a little while, but I've been sitting here in Starbucks drinking iced coffee for a minute, trying to think of what I want to talk about here, and so far tonight I just don't have that much to say...

Well, here's something I can talk about...on Tuesday of this week I went to the hospital to visit the brother of someone who attends METRON...he (Richard) has been quite ill for several months with a life-threatening condition, and when I got to his room in ICU on Tuesday morning, I found that he was not conscious...but I prayed with him, anyway, and spoke to his spirit as if he could hear me (because I believe that he could) and told him that his sister and his mom (who I met up with in the hallway right after) loved him very much and wanted him to get well, but that if he was tired of fighting and wanted to rest, that he could and should do that...I told his family afterward what I had said to him, and they were in agreement and at peace with whatever happened, and then I left...about an hour later his sister called to tell me that Richard had crossed over...I'm doing his funeral on Tuesday of next week...

Being a pastor my entire adult life, and growing up as the son of a pastor, I've been around death and dying for as long as I can remember...pastors spend a lot of time in hospitals and convalescent homes and hospice facilities, as well as in prisons and jails and courtrooms and other places where people are in distress, but especially in hospitals...these days I don't feel obligated to respond to every request for hospital visitation that I receive, and I make no apology for that...some people are angry at me for it, and I've gotten my fair share of rebukes and reprimands for it recently, but I honestly feel that I only have influence in the area of healing with people who are currently a part of my life and who really hear my voice...I didn't know Richard, but his family is very supportive of what I do and are quite connected to who I am now, so going to see him was obviously the right thing to do...but, as a rule, if I don't feel like I can really help a situation, I'd just rather not show up in person, and simply be in agreement with whomever for the best case scenario for them or their loved one...I hope that the people who are upset with me for what they perceive as my lack of interest in their suffering can understand my paradigm on this...anyway, I've seen many people literally and miraculously raised up from a death bed over the years, but I've also seen many people cross over to the other side...the mystery of it all (death, dying, healing, health, longevity, etc.) still intrigues me, and I understand a lot about the whole thing, but I also have many unanswered questions about it all...that's why I am studying things like cell memory and energy healing, in addition to what I know from the Scriptures, because I want to really help those who are a part of my present "Metron" (my current sphere of influence)...

Dr. Wayne Dyer at Unity North - 9/23/14
That evening a sweet couple who attend METRON took Ken and me as their guests (he was able to get away from being on call for a couple of hours) to see Dr. Wayne Dyer who was in Atlanta for one night only...it was an extraordinary experience...I have to say that I have seen Dr. Dyer many times on TV and have read a couple of his books, and I quote him quite frequently in my teaching, but seeing him in person was a completely different experience for me...he really is something special...he lectured for nearly two hours and never lost my attention once...he also spoke to several things that I was thinking about in relation to my time in the hospital earlier that day, and about life and death, and gave me some insight on some of the questions and observations that I have about it all...it was an interesting day, to say the least...

Most importantly, he gave me some profound food for thought about how to better reconcile some of my historical beliefs with my present understanding of things...I truly believe that a major part of my calling is the reconciling of belief systems...I plan on talking about the things that his message inspired within me this coming Sunday at METRON...I think it's going to be a very important day for me and for the people who are connected to me...in a word, he was awesome, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to hear him in person, and I really believe that his message was a catalyst for my upcoming message, and for where that message will take us...

OK, that's all I have to say tonight...just sort of thinking out loud and writing about what I know...

I am very grateful to those of you who consider the things that I say, and especially for those of you who respond to them...you're all awesome and beautiful, and I love you...I even love those of you who are angry at me for whatever reason...I hope that we can all better understand one another in the future...

Well, my movie is about to start, so I'm going to close it here...

Peace and love to all...

40 comments:

  1. Matt McDonald said...

    Dr. Dyer spent a year living out the lessons of the Tao Te Ching.

    This is one of the lessons from the Tao that I have found incredibly rewarding to my soul.

    The softest thing in the universe
    overcomes the hardest thing in the universe,

    - Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching

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  2. Donald Cofield said...

    Well for someone who was having some difficulty thinking of something to say you just kept me intrigued for the last few minutes.
    I enjoy these conversations even though all I do is read them, or should I say listen to them?

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  3. Donald Cofield said...

    Dude, I wonder if you really know what a positive influence on my existence you have been.

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  4. Angela Hayes said...

    Sometimes the simple things are the most valuable. Reading this post, for whatever reason really spoke to me. I've had so many changes of beliefs, opinions and have questioned just about everything I've ever thought and believed. I find peace in knowing that, that is okay. And that there will be a reconciliation of it all so that the past and present can live in harmony within me. You have so many times had the word in season for me, and for so many others. Once again, I find myself reminded of truth and encouraged to keep searching for it within. Thank you, Bishop.

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  5. Connie Sue Allen said...

    Well I am a true fan of Wayne Dyer and although I haven't seen you in person since you were a child at Faith Memorial, I must say that virtually everything you post on here speaks directly to my heart. I'm really interested in the blending together of traditional religious thought and more modern spiritual ideas. As for me I am still trying to somehow recover from the sudden death of my younger sister in May. Every day had been a challenge What you say on your posts had really helped me in my recovery. Keep up the wonderful work you do. You are helping more people than you know. I still say your Father is the best pastor I ever heard preach. He got me through a tough time back in the mid 70s. Best wishes.

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  6. Avery Price Rogers said...

    "I truly believe that a major part of my calling is the reconciling of belief systems" ~ Agreed!

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  7. Richard Russell Jr. said...

    What a relaxing read as I'm out grilling beautiful steaks listening to the frogs and crickets having just seen about 40 geese come in and land on the lake for their dusk ritual. God is good all the time.

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    1. Wow...thanks so much, everyone! I'm still here at Starbucks...I missed the show time for my movie, so I'll go to the next showing...no deadline tonight, so it's all good...

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  8. Cheryl W. Stephens said...

    You don't always have to "have a message" for us. You're always real so just do you! We (well, I) always get a message, confirmation and/or clarification from the things you post. Me, personally, I like your ramblings.......LOL. I 'get it' and enjoy your train of thought. #It'sAllGood

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  9. John Tiedemann said...

    I'm still carrying 15 yrs. of Jim Swilley therapeutic revelation. Certainly enough for the near future and much more.

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  10. A James Collins said...

    Transition is challenging but life transforming... Njoy Life!!

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  11. Amy Hamrick said...

    Love u!!! I love the place you are in now...u are an amazing man!!

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  12. Aubrey Gallimore said...

    It is just AMAZING to see the person you have evolved to. I have been under your leadership since late 90's early 2000's and I am amazed at your change in paradigm. What I get from it most is freedom. Freedom to be who you want to be and not living the rest of your life how others expect you to be. It encourages me that I don't have to wait until my 50's to have that freedom. I am also amazed at how my outlook on what I have been taught all my life has changed but my faith is stronger than ever and my love for my creator is stronger than ever. I'm just amazed at who you have become and becoming.

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    1. Blog of my Bish...his "thinking out loud" is my manna...

      Thanks for sharing with all of us, Bish! Just what was needed today!

      Of course, you know...the people who are with you...are the ones who are supposed to be with you. We hear your voice and it calls to something deeper...higher...more expansive...it makes us want to be better, more loving people.

      For those who may think they are or feel they are angry with you or with anyone for whatever reason, I encourage them to do as Jesus stated for us to do...to Fear Not and Be of GOOD Cheer regardless of the season one is in.

      The man of God has simply to SEND THE WORD AND HIS SERVANT WILL BE HEALED! AGREEMENT is ONE of our SUPERPOWERS as HIS BODY in the Earth. We are to MANIFEST HIM in the HERE AND NOW!

      Our cells remember what health is and what it looks like...they are always attempting to return to that state of being. It MANIFESTS in us, around us, over and through us...allow those cells to do what they are meant to do and let yourself BE HAPPY! It's what your body and your life were meant to fulfill every moment of every day!

      Be JOYFUL and FILLED with LOVE and Gratitude for this...another day the Lord has made! Happy Friday Night Everyone!

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  13. Aubrey Gallimore said...

    Till death do us part Bish. Have a good night. And if you can...send some good intentions my way. I could use an extra dose right now as I go into another month of unemployment.

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  14. David VanCronkhite said...

    Thank you for accepting that challenge –. "I truly believe that a major part of my calling is the reconciling of belief systems" - not a better man for it. One of many who believe in you and your voice for Atlanta and beyond…

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  15. Patti L Cook said...

    I agree, Mr. Donald Cofield...Bish is a Revelator and has changed/improved more lives than he will ever know...until he stands with all of those he has affected and realizes and is told what he has never heard or imagined! He is a Giant among men in the pages of a catalog

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  16. My goodness! What brought on all of this tonight?!

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  17. Patti L Cook said...

    New Attitude!

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  18. Patti L Cook said...

    <3 for <3's sake!

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  19. Patti L Cook said...

    ...and telling everyone every day how I feel about them :-)

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  20. Patti L Cook said...

    I'm just "thinking aloud" :-)

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  21. Patti L Cook said...

    Ok...one more...and because your post called out to me from the blogosphere...am looking forward to Metron at Landmark's Midtown Art Cinema! Peace & Safety Y'all!

    Goodnight & Sweet Dreams!

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  22. Deana Furnish Hartshorn said...

    I'm part of your long distance congregation and I know I would love to hear you speak life over me... Truth is truth...

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  23. Jerry Keenan said...

    I, like John, carry many years of your teaching. The lessons still present themselves often and carry me through some trying times. I agree with your statement of not showing up somewhere where you do not feel you will do nothing more than stand in agreement. Sometimes it is best to stay physically absent from a situation or it looks like the person is just trying to show his self worth.

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  24. Audrey Green Morahan said...

    I think what were all trying to say is...its our turn to feed your spirit like you have ours for so long. You are a light...a lighthouse and we are ships you have led us to safety and we are filled with gratitude. Thank you for being a light bringing us to a place of transformation and wrapping us in the loving cacoon so we can emerge as the butterflies God has called us to become. Love you Bish

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  25. Audrey Green Morahan said...

    You are loved by more people than you know and the calling you had on your life as a teenager on the streets of Atlanta has not diminished it has evolved. You are called to a higher place the annointing is fixed upon you and it has not been shaken. You have overcome much and much has been required of you you have not failed you have conquered the mountain. It has crumbled at your feet and the serpents have diminished under you.

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  26. "And that's the trupth" ~Edith Ann

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  27. Gina Hay Bryan said...

    I am so moved by your writing.Thank you for speaking truth and love into our lives.

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