cope in dry times

How do we cope with dry times when they start?

I now remember: what you said about
how you de-si-re truth in inward parts;
& psalms that speak of ugly things, & SHOUT;

and learning to be real with-in myself;
continuing to meet with others too;
and list-en-ing to truth which brings on health;
and practices (creatively) that do

express the facts as I see them to be
at this-here time and place, in bag of skin,
the flesh and bones of this your sanctu’ry
with worship true & spiritu'l within.

And then there are the songs that come at night

(or day), that move us to a different beat

for when we let them move us (not in fright),
we find our mind and body at your feet,

& sometimes crying out in loss and grief

(and then we share a bit of your own heart),

but also in your company we leave

our burdens on your shoulders. Then we start

to know the moisture that comes out of love,
the salty tears evaporated up,

that fall as dew or rain down from above,

and helps a fresh green tincture to erupt.

But all of this is just a way to say

that running to "Our Daddy*" is a must,

to “Open up” (Ephatha!^) is the way

made forward by Yeshua, for “dry crusts”!

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*   Mark 14:36; Rom 8: 15; Gal 4:6

^  Mark 7:31‭-‬37 GNTD

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Singing Psalm 96

A new song sing to Yahweh, all the earth,

as well as all the peoples whom he made,

yes join the stars, wind, trees, each babe at birth,

and sing with joy & praise his name; proclaimed

not only our creator, but our save-

yah who redeems, he saves us day by day.  

Declare among the nations, let flags wave,

yeah shine his marvellous deeds. All peoples, (hey!)

you have become "his own", so now be known!

Creator's greater than all gods we've made,

most worthy of our praise; as can be shown

since ev'ry good we've known, has come, as bade

by him whose voice and word the waters stirred.

All other gods are nothing, next to him.

Just images of gods, who never heard,

or saw, or made, except to make light dim.

The source of light and majesty hang out

around him, strength and glory emanate.

Acknowledge who's the ‘Lord’ without a doubt,

all fam-il-ies of nations, get this straight!

Ascribe to God, the Lord, the glory due

to his name. Who'll afford an offering

and come into his presence (the one who

is truly splendid, and is profering

a holy unique-ness)? Tremble before

him, all the earth.  Among the nations, say:

‘The Lord reigns’, so the world is firm, and more -

it can't be moved; he’ll judge in ev'ry fray -

the peoples with an equity unmatched.  

Let others yet rejoice and too be glad!

The heavens & the earth will yet be hatched;

and let the sea resound, and all it's had.

The fields be jubilant, and all their horde;

let all the trees of forests sing for joy.  

Let all creation dance before the Lord,

for HE comes, with judgement that's unalloyed.

He’ll see the world is judged rightly himself,

and all the peoples (in his faithfulness)

will be connected to their greatest wealth.

The world rid fin-al-ly of wraith-full mess!

[...Oh praise him, halleluyah! My delight and my reward!

Everlasting, never failing! My Redeemer! My Lord!]

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Psalm 96

Learning to love - in practice...

"So try this during May, the coming month."
She intimated. God, please help me learn
to love with actions in this world, where none
that truly are, can be, unless they turn

potential into act-u-al-it-ies.
These have a pow-er more than just what might
can do, or what might be, for if it freeze-
es, it can stop, but only what's in sight...

Sure, might might make quite scared and then to fear
in servile fashion, seeking for one'self
to minimise the suffering and tears
& then to choose one's way to "pow'r and wealth".

Well, weirdly "pow-er to coerce and make"
some people to do what we'd like them to,
instead of making world's, manipulate-
ing matter to serve people, so like you

they have real choice, (connected to the vine)
they really can produce the kind of fruit,
that smells and tastes like vintage, real good wine.
Direction then empow'rment makes life beaut.

This pow'r without the training to raise up
the heart, & soul, & mind and strength of love,
is dynamite, compared to what erupts
volcanoes, supernovas up above.

So God, thank you, for lavishing your love
on us, on me, before I knew the fact,
And help me dare reflect your zun above
as he sent out your light, each word, each act!

---

I might need to spend a couple of days on each one?!

For more of the Love Dare, see this link.

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WACA (Paul & Dave)

Well God, it's 30 years ago we met,

there's lots of heartache that we've both gone through,

and lots of good; you say there’s better yet,

so we’re real grateful. Thanks for all you do.

Especially for our kids, we thank you heaps.

They help us see the world through your own eyes,

and sometimes we are sure that we get peeps

into your very heart, we won't despise

a thing like that, we’ll see it as a gift.

But with those accusations that distress

we look to you for help. Please will you lift

our spirits and please help us in our mess.

There's nothing more that comes to mind just now.

The day is gorgeous and the sky is blue.
But Dave is smiling knowingly, somehow,

I think my mate is feeling like that too

at least a bit; there's lots still happ-en-ing.

So thanks for friends who help, and for our kids

and thanks for lunch & coffee; and no “slappening”

from Dave to Paul; 'n that we're not “on the skids”.

“We're done!” he says, ’coz maybe he is bored,

but I don't think we are, ‘coz you're around.

And thanks for our two women. We have scored!

Unless you gave us them, we would have drowned.

Yes, thanks for “mates” and people who just give

like Tim and John with movies and the rest,

and work and income that helps us to live.

And just to tell you; “We think you’re the best!”

Amen.

by Paul Walker & Dave Acason

Beware unfair things bear on crosses where…

To do the good you can, even when mocked;

this is the calling you received from Christ

who made the way through suffering unblocked^,

for you to follow in his steps. His tryst

is made in shade of cross that he took up,

not ’coz he needed to himself, but they

had need of him to lead them lest abrupt-

ly they would turn and run right clean away.

And I am still in need of his exam

-ple. His disciples are still us today.

The prophet’s insight to his life is am-

ple to help us not vilify, degrade,

and otherwise just do a double take,

by saying "He must be so very bad,

for God has never suffered, and won't make

his willing son do anything the lad

would find to be quite difficult and hard."

‘For he committed no sin, no deceit

was found within his mouth’*  I think he’d guard

his heart°, and when they hurled insults complete

at him, he’d not retaliate at all;

and when he suffered, he himself made no

big threats to take revenge, he would not call

his curses down upon them, he would show

the heart of God for his lost stolen kids.

Instead, he trusted himself to the One

who's Father and Life-Giver, he whose lids

are never closed, and who cannot be shunned.

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*  Isa 53:9

°  Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your heart. Then, as you unwrap my words, they will impart true life and healing to your whole body! Guard your heart with all diligence, for it determines the course of your life!!  Proverbs 4:21-23 (PM Version)

^  Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.  1 Peter 4:1‭-‬2 NIVUK

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For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 NLT

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It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 GNTD

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To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 NIVUK

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Learning to communicate with people

from Jesus and his ambassadors

Div Thanks to God for dem, and what dey've done.

Conduit Appreciation so they've heard,

by letting dem know Dat and having fun.

Bles-sing them, in both action and in word.

Ask THEM good questions, think about them well

(the kind that are appropriate each time).

This is not feeling that you have to Tell

them off, or what to do. It is benign.

                0. “What did you mean by that? Could you repeat

                      that please? (I think I missed it, sorry mate.)

                      What evidence helped you to draw complete

                      conclusions like these? Stories that relate?

1. “What opportunity seems now to be

the greatest glowing in the world just now?

2. “What do you see to be the greatest need

or problem that should be addressed somehow?

3. What think you of conceptions that a close

and big need in the world ’sfor leadership -

that sees itself as minding it for those

who are not “we ourselves”, whom we can gyp.

4. And what would that true leadership look like?

What qualities would need to be a part

of who they are, since they were just a tyke,

Describe them for me, with science or art.

5. You ever seen a leader in your life

who lived a bit like that? What did they do?

(The story, with the background stuff, and strife,

might help us to appreciate your view.)

6. "What do you know of others who were so?

(Not just from me-di-a reports - to get

more “Likes” on them; that you can say you “know”.)

And are there commonalities? - that set

the life of such a one, that makes them “shine”,

and might help us to see the way ourselves

and follow up, till their likeness is mine?

To make this world a little less our “hells”.

7. What do you know (of leadership like that)

from Joshua that ancient Jewish lad

who in an occupied terit'ry sat

and said to hate their enemies was bad

his option for a human was to pray

for them - a blessing from their father God.

He hung around enough to act and say

things that to Empire pow'red ears sound odd!

Be careful then, to hang around myself

(with wisdom from above, to know the time)

to Listen to them, in sickness and health,

to all their feedback, not just words that rhyme..

Creatively respond like Jesus to

these people, with that kindness that brings life,

in desp'rate sit-u-a-tions, for he'd choose

to lose his life on Earth and trust what's rife

of God's good purposes, that go beyond

horizons that we see from where we are.

For he knew that his God was “rather fond”

of every person that he'd seen so far!

'dExpect good seed to grow; but know there is

an enemy about who also plants

the seeds of weeds to make the crop a fizz

competing for the nutrients. Per chance

they MAY have a good purpose in the world,

it's just that here and now does not “go there”.

I'll need an access to what God has hurled

about of knowledge, wisdom, and repair:

to know explosions don't have to bring dearth,

but only use them where they'll “helpful” be

(reactions that sustain all life on Earth

if closer than the sun, might kill the sea).

HAPPY COUPLE*

There's Sonja and Nathaniel who today

have “thrown in” all their pers'nal happiness,

to bring birth to a TWO-MAN* which will stay

as long as God (& they) grant life and breaths.

It's born of love between two human be'ngs,

a woman and a man who give their lives

and breaths, so air of archetypal queens

& king's, might visit Earth from heavens “hives”.

For humans do not come from a human,

well any more than milk comes from the shop.

They come from Heaven, t'Earth through a TUMAN*,

each TWOMAN* comes from humans, doesn't stop!

The birthday of a T'WOMAN* - a wedding,

will celebrate a fragile, living thing,

though tough as na-ils, still soft as bedding,

a breathing creach, invisible, with wings,

that lasts as long as its two humans love

& live on Earth, denying their “own selves”.

And who would guess it starts with taking up

your cross to die, undignified as hell's

own picture of a hell (it's got no art).

And follow close to who would lead in love,

to show us how to die to self-ish parts.

Like backyard poetry, come from above,

a symbiotic partnership that grows,

I lichen it to what can grow on rock.

It's tough and gnarly, as a knower knows.

Though delicate, its love can be a shock!

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* COUPLE, TWO-MAN, TUMAN, T'WOMAN, TWUMAN, all variations on a theme. Different pronunciations or spellings for the same entity.

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A Walker into Walls!

Well, Matt an’ Anabelle, you've done..  got hitched.
You're making quite a statement in this world,
where each of us hears slogans that are pitched
towards that self expression that's been hurled

at us since we were born: to think of who

is Number One, according to this Myth -

the story that gives rise to culture's zoo

of “Zees” & “Sows”, & “Mx”, ’gainst “Mister”, “Miss”.

Our culture's “self expression”, feigning love

is “helping others out” - so they'll help you -

a kind of, well, obsession, where folk shove

you, for what their desires want you to do.

It's needed, so they say, for their “self-love”,

because they're flat out doing that at all.

Unless you ask for help from up above,

where-ever you are standing now, recall

you’ll prob'ly sink to life as it is here,

as though this is the whole of what is known.

The best help we could have might be a clear

map of where others have been, so we're shown,

and benefit from who has gone before.

The chance to learn from others who share well,

and live a life that is self for-get-ful.

Thus saving us from bringing more of hell

to this ol' Earth, from living like the best

things of this life have come from laws, and pow'r.

Both Matt & Belle, you're hereby placing bets

on 'nother way of living in this hour!

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Our society tells us “put yourself first”, “look after number one!”,  “go for your dreams”. Depending on the context, there can be some truth in those statements, but as a guiding light, an overall dictum, or way forward, I reckon you won't stay married more than a couple of years if you follow this advice. If I spend my time focussing on what makes me feel good, on demanding that you treat me as I want to be treated, I end up turning life with my mate into a battle between despots, and I can easily miss love.

As Mat 'n Annabelle know, the person who was (in my opinion) the most loving authentic leader that humanity has seen, communicated his own shocking Way forward, to hopeful followers:

Give up all rights to yourself, take up your instrument of slow, undignified, painful death, and follow me!

This Way forward is at odds with our society's mantra regarding the way forward, and ends up demanding that I treat others in the same way that I would want to be treated, if I was in their shoes. But, because we are creatures of our culture, you’ll take on your culture's way, unless you continue to choose an alternative. An alternative can be chosen, and our statements can be made; not just by our words, and sometimes only by our actions.

As I view life and marriage at the moment, the real issue that makes them “sing”, or work well, does not have much to do with income or religion: It seems to me that there are two mindsets, one that is scraping for skimpy resources, at the cost of others, as put to us by the dominant Empire based on laws and power, and motivated by the fear of losing control; or there's a mindset that is  sharing abundant resources, at the cost of ourselves out of love, as put to us by humans who are working with the creator of the Universe, for his world and life. This second mindset sees life in this world, as a precursor to & faint picture of what is coming. A bit like our life before we were born, in the womb of our mother was a precursor to and faint picture of life in this world.

This involves not only learning from others, but also learning to listen deeply to them. And of necessity finding your own fulfilment in responding to your creator's wooing call to step up, to Love! So, we're talking about a marriage focused not on self-fulfillment, but on self-giving.

(You might see in this poemish reflection thingo, parts where I am acknowledging a lovely mindset in you two. I hope you'll also see a description of the mindset I think you're up against in our disintegrating culture - what to beware of, and I hope you'll see a few hints as to how to move forward, given the battle we find ourselves in, between these two mindsets. A better name for this might actually be: A Walker into Walls - & through them!)

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