When things get tough - Let's see ya stuff - can't thank enough!

Even when our livlihood fails. 
And with it our food supply.
While the economy ails,
and all the hotels are dry.

No wine to help sleep at night,
or to lose inhibitions,
and help lovers taste delight.
Economic conditions

no longer support people,
and all the crops and the meat
are dying, the sort people
relied on, not just to eat!

Yet in the middle of that,
I will rejoice in The Lord!!
(Even if I turn to fat
and even if I feel bored)

I will be joyful in God.
He's the one who does saving.
He saves me IN (but not from) 
all of my fears, and craving.

So, make a joyful noise to
Yahweh, The Lord of the earth. 
Serve The Lord with gladness!! Who
comes to His presence is worth

a whole lot more, 'cause his love
is the basis of value,
all good things come from above!
If you are "with us", God, you

the creator of singing,
will help us all so to do,
untill this place is ringing
with clebration, the new

Heavens and Earth will erupt,
when you let them, not before,
we don't want any corrupt-
ion to then ru-in all your

goodness that grows as we speak.
Help us acknowledge and see
goodness that's here, though it's weak.
The Lord God's the source, & he..

He made us, and, we are who's?
His people, his sheep - that's us; 
and it's his pasture we use.
We love 'cause first he loved us,
and his love we won't refuse.

---

Even when the fig trees have no blossoms and there are no grapes on the vines, even though the olive crop fails, and the crops in fields have all died, even though the sheep and cattle are dying. Yet I will rejoice in The Lord!! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18 (PM Version)

Make a joyful noise to The Lord, all the earth. Serve The Lord with gladness!! Come into His presence with singing!! Acknowledge that The Lord is God!! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:1-3. (PM Version)

We love because God first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (PM Version)

--- another year eh?---

Well, “Mate-os” you are one great oaf, and yet
you're getting older ev'ry day you live.
Experience like yours can't just “forget”,
so wisdom grows, if mem'ry ain't a sieve.

There's those who think you live a life that’s charmed,
and then at times you see just what they means -
when “evil” has lashed out, you've not been “harmed”:
been punched, rammed, shot, hit, rolled, and stroked it seems,

an “endless” list of maladies hit you,
and though you're hurt and injured, still well healed.
But pain still lingers, sometimes you are blue.
You know that bitterness and hatred wheeled

like vultures over-head to take their “friend”,
they seemed to aid against being annealed
for you'd not s’often, bend to them at end.
So “good” ain't been the only thing you feeled.

But on the other side you know the pow'r
of what you give yourself to think upon,
The d'rection of your thoughts in ev'ry hour
effects the ending of your whole life's song.

For melodys of songs are the “high notes”;
the focus of it's end is not just “where”
upon a scale, or scales; it’s end connotes,
or is connoted by a stepping stair,

and “..whether it is going up or down?”,
and “.. at what pace?” might make a diff'rence too.
So “Mate-os” I am glad that you're around,
and thanks for all your thoughtfulness. Adieu.

a pizza deliverer is bashed - again!

Oh God, please help our friend now at this time,
and please give wisdom to 'is fam'ly too,
while things don't seem to have poetic rhyme,
or make much sense, they even smell of poo,..

insanity, and hatred, lying, spite,
and jealousy are growing round about,
as much of this world has shut out the light,
and only thinks of “feeling good”, as louts

that want to do whatever they would like,
want other folk to make their food, and bring
it to them where they are, even to hike
a distance to them. They would still not sing,

or grow more thankful, they would think "of course",
"folk should be doing this to me, their god,"
So now we need your wisdom to divorce

what man has glued together where we've trod:

our goodness and our comfort, in this world,

are not synonymous at all we see,

so here we are, and you can bet we're hurled

by God's own spirit, to shine out and be

a source of God's own life to who looks on,

another way, responding to our lack

with open hands, that will not beat upon

a person passing to cover our backs.

So as this culture falls apart, around

about our ears, we want to follow well,

our Leader, and to listen to the sound

of his voice, thus to save our souls from hell!

---

dream-time and the lamb

The Lord is my shepherd, 
I have all that I need
He lets me rest in green pasture. 
He leads me beside still water. 
He restores and gives life to my soul. 
He guides me along the right path to take, for His name's sake.
Psalm 23:1-3 (PM Version)

I am very well
looked after and too,
provided for. Shall
this not continue?

Since the one who does
this is bigger than
all the universe
- IT is just HIS DREAM.

A Prayer Carta

Tight fists, ..  to palms down, ..  to palms up;

---

In God's presence as a body-language prayer to God and expression of your own determination to identify our most valued things coming to us, and to change clutching, into letting go before God, and then receiving from God… Our Sensai unclutched, did not cling to, let go of glory, honour, and immortality; took on shame, dishonour, mortality, & death; & won! He is teaching us this new, and True Way of Life, which is anti-the-”reign”-of this-world.

(repeated as often as needed. We started with a minute for each.) cf Philippians 2:5-11

---

following the Leader


And looking out for one another's int’-
-rests, not just for your own. That’s just like him!
His attitude's becoming your eye's glint,
expressed in his own life in ways undimmed.

Thus he who was by very nature God,
did not think he must clutch it close to him,
and cling to be seen “equal” as he trod
this earth, entrusting self into God's whim.

And so, of his own will he gave it up,
he let it go, and then he took suff’ring
on up, the nature of a servant, cup-
bearer who must drink what's on the off’ring .

Un-erring like a “son of Adam” he
appeared on Earth and humble, walked the path
o’be-di-ence, and all the way to “D”
his Death- a death of shame, and a “blood bath”.

So FOR this reason God has raised him to
the highest place above, and given him
the name and title greatest, which can do
“much more”. Compared, all other titles dim.

And so, in honor of the name “Yeshu’”
all beings in the heavens, on earth too,
and in the world below will fall onto
their knees, and all will openly say you

were right in making Jesus Christ the Lord,
and god of all humanity, our Boss,
His attitude is like yours. He's no fraud,
and God the Father's glory isn't lost!

---

Philippians 2:4‭-‬11 GNTD
https://bible.com/bible/69/php.2.4-11.GNTD

What kind’a God?

---

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

(Words of Jesus, taken from the NIV Bible, “Luke”, chapter 13 verse 6 and 7. I have taken out the verse numbers, and added a heading that unlocked something for me.- Chris Uys)

---

What kinder god?

Some say their god’s a tyrant, who would rant

and rage from up above with lightn'ing bolts,

with leprosy and plagues to cast aslant

upon an unsuspecting world of faults.

With fault-lines strewn around from growing out,

the problems which entail will come along

for growth and change are difficult, no doubt,

as most of us have found when we're not strong.

The god of Jesus (whom he called his “Pa”),

at times was spoke of as a gardener bloke,

who's planting trees and shrubs and vines to start,

but knows “trimming & culling” is no joke.

He's quite aware of ecosystems, more,

I’d like to say than most of us have been.

He gave such plants to animals, then, for

their food and places they could live, and breed.

And fruit is more than seed - an excess, gift

to other forms of life that come around.

A kind of “help to live” for those that lift

and drop the seeds, or trim the trees, or ground.

The gardener gave his ground and garden to

his children, for productive work and care,

and food, accommodation that renewed,

and places where their fam'ly life could share…

the time and space, enjoy it all as friends,

and lovers could in such a paradise.

Not sure you could get kinder, nicer ends

to aim for, or that god could be more wise.

"Follow me" -_ - , - ^

... I've been enjoying reading a chapter in a book I've been slowly working through for a while. The chapter was on discipleship and training. I'll have to read an excerpt if I can remember to bring it along tonight. ...
Enjoy the rest of your day!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians‬ ‭4:4-9

---

Amen. Amen,
may that be so!
May we, again
right here, below,

as Paul did then,
(and asked those who
followed him when
he lived here too),

follow the Christ
of God, Jesus,
who sacrificed
himself for us

and learn what love
and wisdom are,
here, from above
that shine afar...

As we look on
we then reflect
the Life God's Son
has resurrect-

-ed before that
Great Judgement Day.
He's where it's AT.
His life display!

Oh bright Spirit
'vGOD'S clear Word
help us bear it
your Love absurd!

Thank-Pray-Joy-Peace

There's nothing I am anxious about now!

In every situation, I give thanks

to God for all he’s done… then I’m somehow

already praying in that circumstance.

A life-time is its circumstances strung

together on continuous spun thread;

so when my thanks is given (spoken, sung...)

’nall circumstances - think within your head -

it means that I con-tin-u-ous-ly pray,

with nod of head, or wink of eye, or sigh

(not in a special rit-ul-is-tic way),

but like we share life with a friend who's by…

When praying I experience God's peace,

exceeding anything I understand.

His peace guards heart and mind, & it won't cease

as I share in the life of Christ, as planned!

Lord, even when your path takes me through deep

& dark valleys, fear will not conquer me.
For you remain close to me, and you'll keep

on leading me to what I'm meant to be...

For your authority's my strength and peace.

The comfort of your love takes all my fear.
And I will never be alone, or cease

to have you close, for you are always near!!

And further Jesus told them, “.. if you grow

a trust in God, and don't doubt, you can do

things like what I have done - these you will know.

Your words will bring realities to view.

---

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 NIVUK

I am not anxious about anything, but in every situation, I pray and give thanks to God for all he has done. And when pray I experience God's peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. His peace guards my heart and mind as I live for Jesus! Philippians 4:6-7 (PM Version)

Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me.  You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away all my fear. I will never be lonely, for you are always near!! Psalm 23:4 (PM Version)

Jesus told them, "I assure you, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, 'May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and it will happen." Matthew 21:21 (PM Version)

---

truth and love's kiss on the lips...

Some hearing, thinking, and expressing love
in truth is growing us all up to be
just like that one who came down "from above",
for truthing it in love will make folk free!

---

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19‭-‬20 NIVUK

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.  You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ‘A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.’ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offence of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Galatians 5:5‭-‬18 NIVUK

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed to and fro by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14‭-‬16 NIVUK.

https://appallinglife.blogspot.com/2018/10/baby-portals.html

---

apostello*

When Truth and Love hung out, they kissed, conceived,

then sent their baby child to earth to be

a portal (for all Earth then un-believed

that Truth or Love existed, or was free).

Child came with opposite of pow'r and pomp,

with no coercion, only weak-, or poor-,

or foreign-, or old-, people who'd not stomp

on any disobedience, for THEIR  Law

was then the law of love. Though truth be told,

it's function was as news or when asked for,

so people could refuse, or be so bold

as to ignore it - show what's at their core.

Thus each performed the judgement on themself,

by showing their responses in this world

to truth and love when here in full good health

with no pow’r of control (of folk) unfurled.

Though here in deep disguise as builder man,

then occupied in territ'ries of Rome,

with no pow’r 'cept the pow-er that began

this world creatively, to make a home.

He said he came not judging, but to save,

his pow'rful life sought out, and healed, and taught,

his very self, showed love unto the grave.

it's our response to him that’s “judgement fraught”.

He's into life and out the other side,

for death must be encountered to be beat,

his very life has opened heaven wide

and brought it down in rivers to the street-

side level of this hell we’ve unleashed here,

and still he's cooking up more good he said

and left his spirit till he’ll re-appear

and take his place as prince, when death is dead.

And even in this world back then, his trust

allowed Life's super-nat’ral pow-er in.

His life became a portal to bring rust

to bureaucratic structures from the bin.

So never doubt Love's mighty power to work

in you, and then accomplish ’mazing things

through you. It will achieve more than can lurk

in all our wildest, best, imagin-ings!

This pow-er is right now at work in you.

And glory be to Love & Truth's gath'ring,

in their anointed child, so graceous through

all generations of humanity

for ever, and forever, amen, ah!!

Ah-darm, as male and female, will endure.

Since we're en-wombed just now, our beauty's marred,
and growing understanding's immature.

---

*   apostello (Greek)= I am sending.

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Psalm 85:10 NIVUK

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[a] full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:14-17 (NRSV)

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 (PM Version)

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.  2 Corinthians 13:8 NIVUK

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 NIVUK

Never doubt God's mighty power to work in you and accomplish amazing things through you. He will achieve infinitely more than you can ever imagine. For His miraculous power is constantly working in you. Glory to God in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever Amen!! Ephesians 3:20-21 (PM Version)

God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has planted eternity into man's heart, but even so, people cannot fathom the work God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (PM Version)

---

A spirit of power, love, and life..

A spirit of timidity and fear,

has not been given us from God above,

for power comes from him when he draws near,

and he draws near to us when we're in love -

when we draw near to him (he sees it well),

by thinking more of others than ourselves,

he wants us not to stop, but he won't yell

or dance around to “make us” like the elves.

He wants: “to love”, to be our deepest choice;

capacity to discipline be ours;..

ourselves to live above our childish noise

(bravado of our boasting). He empow'rs

towards this goal of living lives of love.

So let us cling on tightly to the hope

that lives within us, knowing God above

will always keeps his promises. He'll cope

with us who’ll keep on asking, who'll receive,

and keep on seeking so that we will find,

& keep on knocking, thus the door he'll leave

just opened on the latch - if you don't mind.

The Lord is my best friend, my shepherd too,

so, always I have more than just enough!
And this is how much God loves me and you

- he gave up his own Son (he did it tough!)

that’s somehow as a gift to all of us -

so anyone who trusts him won't be dumped,

but will have his life doing what life does,

that's living, growing in him; started; jumped!

---

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline 2 Timothy 1:7, (PM Version)

Let us cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises. Hebrews 10:23 (PM Version)

Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (PM Version)

The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough!! Psalm 23:1 (PM Version)

This is how much God loves the world- he gave his only Son as a gift to us!! So who ever believes in him, will not perish but will now experience everlasting life!! John 3:16 (PM Version)

---

..NEW EVERY MORNING..

The Lord says "I will rescue those who love

me, who'll accept my love, reflecting on..

background to me, or to others, - from above);

for giving out will turn them, before long,

into a kind of giving person who

will want to go back to love's very source,

and thus become a conduit for it too,

and this will thus define them more of course.

You said you would protect those who do trust

in your name, not just those who know your num-

-ber. When they call to you, you will adjust

your world, your words, your answers they will come!

But you yourself will be with them in troub-

-le. Rescuing and honouring  who trusts,
rewarding them with long life, not a rubb-

le, saving from destructive storms and gusts.

But THOSE who find their strength in God, the Lord,

how rich are they, within their hearts they find

the highway of his holy life that's bored

through mountains, over valleys, in our mind.

"Forget the past,” said he, “it dain’t compare

to what I am about to do for yous".

I hear that, and it seems like he is there

communicating that his love renews:

and so the best is “yet to come”, ahead,

& shoulders over what has come before,

so don't let expectations be misled

to thinking that the way forward is “More!”.

---

The Lord says "I will rescue those who love me, I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call me, I will answer, I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honour them! I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation"  Psalm 91:14-16 (PM Version)

How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord, within their hearts are the highways of holiness!!  Psalm 84:5 (PM Version)

"Forget the past; it is nothing compared to what I am going to do" says the Lord (PM Version)

"Forget the past; it is nothing compared to what I am going to do" says the Lord. Isaiah 43:18 (PM Version)

---

blinded by the sun?.. whose light gives us sight!

Your word is a shining light that guides me on the right path to take. Psalm 119:105 (PM Version)

....... ,,,,,,, ''''''' ,,,,,,, .......

Your Word's a shining light
who took away Paul's sight
as he went down to fight
your folk, he felt the bite

of all your "goads" that guide-
ed him onto the right 
WAY. Your path has your might
behind your Word's insight!

young and growing PORTALS...

God into his world sent his Son, but naught

to be the judge of it,  he came to save,

his pow'rful life sought out, and healed, and taught,

his very self, showed love unto the grave

and into it and out the other side

for death must be encountered to be beat,

his very life has opened heaven wide

and brought it down in rivers to the street

lev-el of this ol’ hell we’ve unleashed here,

and still he's cooking up more good he said

and left his spirit till he’ll re-appear

and take his place as prince, when death is dead (?)

And even in this world back then, his trust

allowed God's super-natural pow'r in.

His life became a portal to bring rust

to bureaucratic structures from our sin.

So never doubt God's mighty power to work

in you and then accomplish ’mazing things

through you. He will achieve more than can lurk

in all our wildest, best, imagin-ings!

His pow-er is right now at work in you.

And glory be to God in his gath'ring,

in his anointed Yeshua, all through

all generations of humanity

for ever, and forever, amen, ah!!

Ahdarm, as male and female, will endure.

There's beauty in this time en-wombed, though marred,

with understanding growing, immature.

---

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 (PM Version)

Never doubt God's mighty power to work in you and accomplish amazing things through you. He will achieve infinitely more than you can ever imagine. For His miraculous power is constantly working in you. Glory to God in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever Amen!! Ephesians 3:20-21 (PM Version)

God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has planted eternity into man's heart, but even so, people cannot fathom the work God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (PM Version)

---