Further, after Psalm 29..

In coming off the back of 29 ...

Some thoughts are percolating round about.

To talk about God's strength and power's fine,

but in the same "way" he would do. Not shout!

The one thing he's not into clearly…

Most obvious about him seems to me…

to be, if you can follow, you don't see

this God in our dimensions, well our three…

as all contained, and neat, predictable.

This whole she-bang's a metaphor that serves

to help us think and "see" in deeper, full-

er ways. I find God's shaken all my nerves.

And yet this one delights in those who make,

gives nerve to keep enduring and to rest

in peace at night, and even while awake.

His strength, at length, 's creative. That's the test!

Except, not on it's own. There's always two,

or three, bear witness to a truth like this.

So power comes as well, and not just to

"enforce". This God would woo, and not coerce!

His voice that is so grand, can be ignored,

or overlooked as thunder, or a sound

from things about, by people who are bored.

Or else they do the other way around,

and say that every sound, means what they want

to have be said, just now. Self-serving stuff.

A God who loves his children is the font

of life, and love,... more seen when things get tough.

---

BD

I've heard the news that Shell-gal's getting old- 

er, by the day, but also by the year! 

And certainly she seems to be more bold- 

er - well, thats as to me it would appear. 

And yet she keeps on gently being kind. 

The kind of gal who speaks it as she sees; 

but makes herself to "see" what others find

incredible, for possibilities 

 

that were there all the time, she brings to light. 

She tries to see from others' points of view. 

The more that she does this, it just seems right. 

And she is helping others do that too. 

So now she's got a bit less than three score, 

in learning from who fathers ev'ry dad. 

I might just get the chance to know her more, 

than just as kids, or teenage lass and lad.

.............................       ___        ...............................

after Psalm 29

Acknowledge with your words what is the truth,

thus making words that come from you to match

reality, and thus to become true

things in and of themselves. Thus as they hatch,

from lips of you, they now display as  "fruit",

just as the king himself has once set down,

you will be known by this method that's true:

"You'll know them, by their fruit." Just like a gown,

or clothes that signify what kind of bloke

or sheila you'll become, and soon will be.

The use of words 's to broaden out good folk,

and make them to be true, right through, you see.

For beings who would use words right (at length),

it's plain to see all heav'nly beings would

ascribe to God, the Lord, glory and strength.

Name God, the Lord, the source of all that's good.

Acknowledge all that's good has come from here.

So all who live in truth, who would be true,

who'd suss out goods and services, and cheer

when truth wins out, will know just what to do…

Some call it "worship"; "stand in awe", "amazed".

And though this is what we will do at best,

acknowledging the source, against our crazed

society, still puts us to the test.

The "splendour of God's holiness" means to

acknowledge God as source of all that's good.

This justifies our being, me and you.

Our slendour comes in speaking as we should!

---

The voice of who's the Lord is over wat-

ers. "God of glory" thunders, and is heard.

It's out of all the chaos that he's brought

us.  Saying things, allowing things absurd.

The voice of who is Lord is pow-er-ful; 

this voice majestic, brings it all to be.

This voice can break the mighty things that pull

on heart strings, and teach dance to even me!

The voice of who's the Lord makes lightning flash.  

The voice of one who's Lord shakes deserts out; 

The voice of who's the Boss, can turn to ash,

or plant a verdant garden, round about.

And where he's worshipped, there  in truth, of course,

his living temple, fam'ly, where he's home,

all those who know, appreciate, endorse,

and speak or cry out, that he is alone

as source of goods and services we know.

This is that kind of glory that is right.

The Lord enthroned above the floods and snows; 

enthroned as King for ever. Glory bright!

The Lord gives strength to all his people too;

the Lord would bless his people with his peace.

So if you want to thrive, here's what to do:

Acknowledge who is Lord (or Boss) at least.

And then acknowledge where your  strength is sourced,

and gifts, and who would bless your moves as well.

And only speak in love, what's true - of course.

This saves you from a kind of "living hell".

(After Psalm 29)

---

Ascribe to the Lord , you heavenly beings, 

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; 

worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.  

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; 

the God of glory thunders, 

the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.  

The voice of the Lord is powerful; 

the voice of the Lord is majestic.  

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; 

the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.  

He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.  

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.  

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; 

the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.  

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. 

And in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’  

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; 

the Lord is enthroned as King for ever.

The Lord gives strength to his people;

the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalms 29:1‭-‬11 NIVUK

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 You came to me the other day yourself

wrapped in the “avatar” of someone else

for you can do what no one other can,

with people, when they work with you, a man,

or woman, or a boy or girl, a “one”,

an individual, special, have begun

(not just “by god”, but through their choices too)

becoming someone who can work with you.

Which is a privileged opportunity

- to work with one who made this all to be

a home and birthing place for their own kids

a sandbox that they grow to know, make bids,

and “have a shot”, create a world or two,

to do some re-creating, make a zoo,

preserve an ecosys/ society

and help it all to gel together, be

a way to say, or show, display - that love

of others who are diff’rent, with no “shove”

that is designed to take away their choice,

for if it came it would be to employ

some kind of extra energy we’d need

to open up more choices, or to feed

the baby bird, when it’s desires were

more out of kilter with the needs a bird

of it’s persuasion, or its DNA

might have. You have an open plan. That way

your kind of open-ness will be displayed.

You work with avatars, here they’re arrayed…

---

 I have a tow - be left, or right. M'tow.

I'll have a go, to help. This might. Motto.

---

Well how do I not let myself be too engrossed in things? 

- like marriage, house-hold items, a relationship that brings

much joy (& fun itself can be an idol of a sort),

the tasks, events, and things we do, can bolster us… we're caught

up then, for all these goods can be some kinds of little "gods",

(the Greeks had some, the Hindu's claimed "bout thirty million"! - "What?"

I hear you say, "that's quite a lot! - 'bout one for ev'ry bit

of life as lived upon this Earth, some might have two for it!

But I say that the starting point can't  be my life (- or ours)!

It was to be the One from whom all life has come, whose pow'rs

and even kind of life must be above, beyond our own,

there was a time when I was not alive at all, as shown

by all of Hist'ry up until the nineteen sixties when

I popped out into time and space (-that's when my life began).

And though I have to trust a lot of other people's tales

to learn this lesson, that's when I say "Common sense prevails!"

Now back to that ol' saying that you said (I thought): Love it!

About the Hindu gods '.. a lot, that's one for ev'ry bit

of life, as lived upon this Earth..." I think I'll take those words

to be my motto, as said Paul "without him, it's all turds!"

Then all the shit of life can be the empty waste and rot

divorced from love and meaning we live orphaned quite a lot

because we took inside ourselves the virus that brings hell..

until we're vacinated, with some antibodies, well,

we'll shuffle through and end our lives with meaning running out.

The triad of those Musketeers, had something that they'd shout..

And I'm inclined to take that up, to take it farther still:

So "ONE FOR ALL, AND ALL FOR ONE!" - and I think that I will!

---

Considering continuing, consolidating...

I live with confidence, though many things 

around me are much less than  certainties.

Well, ack-sh-el-ly each one of us now brings

inside us, to this world, communities.

And from this basis (which is who we are)

we build more of the kinds of habitats

and worlds we represent. We're like a star,

or constellation, which stays where its at,

still bringing tiny bits of light to "here",

that have the signatures of where they're from,

and ev'ry night on Earth, they may appear,

but from some galaxies light-years along…

So, knowing just the little that we know

of what a human is (&) meant to be,

will give me ways to offer, and to show,

the little understanding that we "see".

Which might enable pressure to come off,

and then a portal open up in space,

and let our worlds move, well, get close enough

to make responses which will not disgrace.

And somehow when we aren't the centre self

then we can learn to know in diff'rent ways,

not just a set of facts, though that can help,

but as folk know each other ev'ry day.

So, if it's true, I'll "know as I am known"

which must be of that real, & pers'nal, kind

of knowing which is deeper, more full-blown

than scientific formulas in mind.

---

Living in two dimensions, or kinds of worlds, at once.

e.g.  the relational world, and the world of tasks. Or…

---

A tune that keeps repeating itself more,

in mind throughout the day is mod'ling this, -

this way of life that I am hank'ring for,

a way of dying to my deathly wish..

 ... which is concerned with only "my desires",

my piddly little likes, and wants, and stuff,

like not having to grow to what inspires

the higher level of Passions - more tough.

And now I see this theme repeated heaps,

this living for a higher purpose which

will grow a fruit tree in me, one which reaps

the life of all the ages, that we itch

to see, and find and take it's fruit for us.

But maybe it's seeds grow within that place,

that hidden garden watched by messengers

of Yahweh who has eyes in ev'ry space.

A garden that's more like a tabernac-

le, tent that's kinder like a fence of sorts,

with skin walls … to demark the holy tract

all specially fenced off - dif'rent to forts. ..

And yet, a bit the same: "You shall not pass!"

It says ..", unless you come in as a friend."

To them it's opened up, and not held fast.

This tardis on the inside doesn’t end.

I guess, I'll have to jump in there and see.

Yup, see what he comes up with, him & me.

With me his under-study, that will be

a lot of fun. To live within that  "we".

---

Think of :

1. Timothy - "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no-one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:19‭-‬21 NIVUK

 (think plans, desires, at overall and small decision-making points not looking up to heaven and even sighing deeply, just taking it in their stride, as though they are up to this)...

2. THE THORNY SOIL, "but the worries and cares of this life, and the desires for things crowd in and choke the word, so that it does not bear fruit." (MARK 4:1-~20)

3. Phoebie the deaconess (Rom16:1-2), like Simon's mother-in-law (Mk1:29-31), - served them all - well! C.f. Mary and Martha, (Lk10:end)

4. "What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

1 Corinthians 7:29‭-‬31 NIVUK

The right mindset Paul looks to be engendering amongst those he is writing to is to living in this world, in the relationships of marriage, or ownership of material things,  while maintaining the overarching mindset of Christ. A mindset that these things are temporary, fleeting, soon to be over (unlike that foolish rich man- Lk 12 early on). So, making plans for the long haul, not just the next 50-100yrs. (Think of that book on Marriage by Francis Chan & his wife: "You & me forever")

---

Related to this issue, but not the same, is learning to have a will (choosing capacity based on a bigger and better basis than "my wants", "my desires") that is separate from and bigger than (& differentiated from) my desires.

Cf.: 

• She "desired it, and took it" (design pattern)

Gk word epithumia-  unbounded, desire. The state of being ruled by your desire - in practice, lust.

• 2Pet1:3-6

• 1Thess 4:1-8(?)

• YESHUA at his last meal.. "with desire I have desired to have this meal with you.."

• YESHUA IN THE GARDEN: "~Here is my desire. ., but its place is to be admitted & noted, and yet NOT allowed to have its way, as though it was in charge.. Not my will, but your will, be the thing that is done or followed.

• So that we might live no longer for ourselves (our desires - put as the ruling principle), but for him, whose motive force is love - not virtually, but actually.

• Ps37:5 to those who trust (?) him,.. he gives the desires of their heart (not always and invariably, but overarchingly and ultimately) - it's a matter of timing…. 

Timing?  Pay now in waiting and growing patience, and get your desires fulfilled really, ongoingly, and ultimately.. or get the "puffed up, bloated, vitual version", the "quick-fix" now, lose the chance to learn to wait, and develop patience, and then pay on-gingly and ultimately, for something that doesn’t fulfill, and doesn't properly develop that desire. Every desire is a seed that has to lose it's identity in our ground (of being) in order to grow and develop properly. After humanity has sinned... Having lost living, conscious (and unconscious) connection with the one greater than us, whose desires are bigger and greater than ours, we have defaulted to being ruled by our desires, which were meant in fact to be the next thing under his desire for us. "Do you want tea, coffee or juice?" "What colour do you want your wall?" These aren't  bad things, just bad to be your GOD, or ultimate ruller. Not bad to prefer trout over tuna, or barley over lentils. They need to be admitted, noted, and only "appropriately" given reign, ie. When they don't go against a bigger better will, or rule, or reign, - that of LOVE. This gives us the WAY to live in this world, the way to not be overcome by it, or ruled by chemicals or any desire that can (& will) become our ruler if we let it. So, when Jesus sends out his emissaries he says "eat whatever is set before you,", (and Paul adds, to explain for the gentile mission's new situation, "unless it offends conscience,- theirs, not yours", )

• Jesus Christ thinking of others (the rule of God, who is Love, hesed, agape), before himself.

• Right kind of suffering,  is Suffering because one is "concious of God" - living in his presence, awake to him. 1 Peter ch2, "committed his/their cause/self to their faithful creator, and go on doing all the good they can"

The question or point of exploration for me at the moment, is how to express that consciousness… not in words only, but in actions too. How to give voice to it, in its preferred language (which may be body language). I want to learn from him how to speak.   Even when communicating with him.

---

S E E K I N G of glory, honour, & immortality

 

For I do not accept the glory from

such human beings as would like to give

it, though God's image is in them quite prom-

in-ent - to see what's good, and help folk live.

For people who are "living dead" will do

what's in their nature, so to get along

as best they can; & I say I know you. 

I know that you don't have that loving song -

responding to God's overwhelming love

with singing in the background - in your hearts.

I've come in God’s own name here from above,

and you do not accept me; and won't start.

Since someone who comes in their own name, you 

will quite accept because they play your game

of giving, and receiving, glory too.

If they won't keep your rules, things aren't  the same.

But how could you believe what I would say?

Since you're receiving glory from each one

who plays this game with you each/ ev'ry, day.

Your glory source is not from our bright sun.

You do not seek the glory that would come

to us from outside our world ev'ry day

- the only God, who is the "Glorious One"

our source of life and energy. Go straight

to this our source and ground of being, which

we're made to run on! Faint reflections aren't

yet strong, or good, enough - to scratch our itch,

or be our source of kudo's. They just can't!

---

‘I do not accept glory from human beings,  but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.  I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.  How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God ?  John 5:41‭-‬44  https://bible.com/bible/113/jhn.5.41-44.NIVUK

---

"And God ('s the one who) saw that it was good"

Well, in the process, at each step, each day,

both in the doing, and the telling of

how things had gone, to his children he'd say

he "saw that it was good", and smelling of

the goodness that was him. When overseen 

by 'Good' himself, (then shortened back to 'God')

what chance has his creation got, I mean

the outcome must be good, you see you've got

both source, intent, process, apprecia-

-tion. Two words more might help with what he "saw":

"ensured", and since you're talking of cre-a-

-tion, "got-involved-to-bring-about", and more…

Another question comes to me about

the "it" that God so saw that it was good:

Until tonight I've only thought of "product",

but "process" is a thing that rightly should

be here considered, in this special week

commemorating where our goods came from,

as well as chattle, stuff we like and seek,

accoutrements of life, that go and come.

As well as just "appreciating prod-

-uct", maybe God's involving himself in

the process to ensure, by peek and prod,

luck's not the only motive force or sheen.

And so when I am letting him "see me",

and "see that I am good" as well  I s'pose,

to grow that way I'll hear his words that be

just what a man will live by, as he grows.

---

How to interact with people with alternative view-points, in the Way of Jesus...

A part of what appears to me to be 

God's answer to requests that came along

from me the other day, well, recently;

This gives me confidence to move, with song...

to be expectant that he's working still

within myself, and others who are near,

and that he always (not just sometimes) will

help people who long for him to appear:

---

• Understand what Larry Crab was trying to communicate by his technical use of the terms "goal", & "desire".

How to always (individually) learn from other view points… [this can validly be a goal for me]

How toahave a great argument with another person… (both parties agree to..)... [I cannot let this become a goal for me, only note it (to God, and any reflections of him around) as a desire of mine.]

---

1. Be like the spirit of creativity behind the making of this world. Be quick to Listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

2. Listen quickly or actively, not just passively. Ask questions to understand. Not to trap. Observe, look, listen with intent. 

3. Listen deeply; to someone's spirit communicated through their words. Or listen to their inside message. i.e. hear their words in order to hear their intent, the spirit of their communication, their heart attitude, direction of thoughts, attitude of mind.

4. When I do speak, speak in order to truly build up the other, or the relationship, rather than myself.

5. When I do speak, check that I am speaking the truth, in love.

6. When I do speak, check that I am not arguing about words (or names?), but trying to build real communication, rather than come to my judgement. (Who made me a ruler and  a judge over that person? Who made me their servant?)

7. Be expectant that in this interchange, through following the Way, displayed in Jesus (of both Truth and Love, now "married", working in tandem together) we will (both together & individually) be made more and more like Jesus…

---

's thair room?

So each room, yes some prisons, can become 

a portal to eternity for some,

or else a cage where devils are unleashed.

We have a choice to see who will be pleased!

When I am in a room, there's someone there,

who is the source of someone-ness, who cares,

but also chaos tries to take control

a storm of demons wants to take my soul,

my life, as someone made to image who's

the most creative being, in whose shoes

I'm called to walk, since I bear his surname,

he knows me, and says he is not ashamed

to call me someone in his fam'ly wild.

My "brother, sister, father, mother, child" 

'sa way he would explain our kinship ties,

We're closely knit, and he does not despise

those kinship ties, they’re solid things for him.

He wants them to extend, and not grow dim.

But pulse when all seems lost, right then he'll see

if hell's a thing I'm bringing here with me

or else something that will keep shrinking still.

Enculturing, his fam'ly surely will

do all that's in their power so to make

that happen, thus to have and eat their cake!

For as the children of creativeness

we're put here so to use, and so to bless

the places were he puts us, spesh'ly mess-

es, bringing kinds of order "KIND" would guess.

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