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wings
He's off to the Holy Land
ON JAN. 23, Bishop James Swanson departed his Knoxville office to participate in the Wesley Leadership Institute's "Survey of the Bible in the Holy Land." More than 50 Holston members joined Swanson in a 10-day tour that included Amman, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Galilee.
In Swanson's absence, recent excerpts from his blog, "Soaring," are featured below. For complete text of the Bishop's blog, visit bishopsblog.holston.org.
Jan. 18, 2006
Well, I will be departing on a Holy Land Pilgrimage this Monday, Jan. 23. It will be my first time going to the land where Jesus walked. I am excited, especially because I will be with some new ordinands who will experience this great land early in their ministries. I am told that after being in that land, it makes a difference in how one preaches. I look forward to standing in places I have read about in the Bible - just closing my eyes to imagine I am there with the Lord while he perhaps watched fishermen toil in the Sea of Galilee.
I believe it will be a time of spiritual refreshment, reflection, and growth. I ask that you be in prayer for us while we are there. Pray that I will not only see where Jesus has walked, but where he is walking today.
Dec. 31, 2005
Well, it is time for the annual New Year's resolutions to begin spilling from our mouths, our hearts, and yes, the yearnings of our spirits. Let me list mine. I need to lose about 35 pounds, continue to increase my walking, spend more time with the family, read more books, be more frugal with the finances God blesses me with, practice a bit more patience (especially with two teenagers I know), and schedule time alone in prayer and Bible study...
Dec. 16, 2005
...I must say that the United Methodist Church in particular and the Church in general are in challenging and opportunistically laden times. I believe we are missing opportunities and failing to meet the challenges of this era. I realize that statistics are not always good barometers of the strength or weakness of a person or group, but they are certainly indicators that potential for failure is present. It appears, therefore, to me, that the United Methodist Church is in dire need of leaders - or else we need to find a way to release leadership...
Dec. 8, 2005
...Sometimes when we (the Church) decide to speak truth, it is difficult for some of us to do so. It places us in positions that we don't like to be in. I realize that we cannot always avoid getting people angry about what we say. But when we speak, we should be clear that our desire is to bring about transformation of people, systems, organizations, and places in such a way that God's Kingdom comes - even when it is painful.
Are there places and issues to which Christians should not speak? No. I believe I hear Jesus say to us, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you"...
Dec. 7, 2005
Last Sunday I went to the Wytheville District, in the southwest corner of Virginia, to preach at Mountain Plains United Methodist Church in a combined service with Island Creek UMC. These two congregations are served by the Rev. Vickie Neese. It was such a meaningful, moving, and spirit-filled worship experience. The most meaningful moment for me happened with the lighting of the Advent Candle. This was done by the husband-and-wife team of Ted and Diane Webb. They talked about the partnership between Mary and Joseph, with Diane pointing out the lonely proposition that Mary faced of bearing a child out of wedlock.
Ted then said to Diane and to all of us there, "Yes, and that is why God gave her Joseph. God knew she needed a partner." Then he went on to say to Diane, 'God also knew I needed a partner, and that is why he gave you to me. I want to thank you for being my partner throughout the years of our marriage."
Well, about that time, those of us sitting and taking this in began to wipe away tears, including the Bishop. Ted and Diane blessed us with this wonderful display of love and helped us to catch a glimpse of the love between Joseph and Mary, the chosen parents of Jesus.
It was then that I realized that we were in a spirit and an attitude of worship. We had been ushered into the presence of God.
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Bishop James Swanson
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