for the love of God...(1)

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"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples" Jesus. John 13:35 (PM Version)

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There is an outcome that's the proof of the ...

perhaps the pudding - when it's eaten up!

There is an output of near any tree,

when fruiting body of some kind erupts,

that helps determine, more or less, quite well,

the kind of tree it is, it helps to tell.

And there's an outcome which when seen in midst

of outcasts from society, can twist

about our expectations and show off

the kind of kingly character in life

that honours well their teacher, well enough,

it somehow does the trick, when they see love!

The kind of love and care that's really true,

that is not crimped and stifled any bit;

that flows to anyone, like me or you,

not conscious of the self, except a lit-

tle, maybe just 'cause it's a self there too.

And Jesus said that if his students had

that kind of thing between them, that would do

the trick to show off what we really had

as motivation, and the riches of

his kind of kingdom, and the way he ruled.

He was determined to display, show off

this quality, that others be not fooled

to thinking that his motivation for
obeying who was over him in truth,

was anything like how he could get more.

His love led him to act as God's own  youth!

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...but the world must know that I love the Father; that is why I do everything as he commands me. John 14:31 GNB

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for the love of God...

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples" Jesus. John 13:35 (PM Version)

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There is an outcome that is the proof of the pudding. There is a fruit that shows people what kind of tree you are, or that shows people which is the Rabbi/ teacher that you are in fact disciples/ students of. 

You yourselves, not just your words, or you intentions, or your thoughts, or even actions, but the whole lot, amalgamated as these things are in a human self, are the fruit of me and my love, your lives are the fruit of me and my teaching/ training. You, not even just individually, an integrated individual self (except the new larger self that is made by the combination of all of us [pre-figured in little groups of these people who are thrown together throughout the Empire] into a self with a unified purpose, goal, approach, mind, and attitude), but a united new "body" of selves, that practice and display it (i.e.  the kind of life, and bold love, of God's anointed Christ) more fully together, because there is more of a chance to do so from both sides (e.g. when there is misunderstanding, how does each work to minimise it, and bring true understanding [i.e. of the other], into their own mind and life and being, first). 

And the life, and virulence, and thriving Shalom of the life of God's Christ, and his life's attitude (the meekness and yet boldness that is born from 

• trust in God because of the trustworthiness of God, 
• hope in God because of the inveterate hopefulness of God, and 
• love of God (& of any reflections of him) because of the love we have experienced from God) 

will be seen, not only in one (individual) life, but 

in the life of the community who live around God's Christ, who are infected by this same attitude and kind of life, that is the attitude and kind of life of God. 

And not only in that life seen in 

• the body of the disciples of this Christ, but in 
• the life that is passed on to others through them! i.e. we really see that their life is in fact LIVING, infective, vibrant, virulent, & a fertile kind of Godly life, when they can pass it on themselves to another group of people 
• (etc).

Teach us your love oh Lord, 

infect us with your love oh Lord,

fill us with your love oh Lord.

Use us to display your love oh Lord.

Help us to value and prize your love above all other things, oh Lord.

Oh LORD God, you have appointed your anointed Lord Christ over us, & we join with your choice, when we claim him as "Our Lord!"

We now see (along with Most Excellent Theo-philus; whom Luke is writing to, both his "gospel- of what Jesus began to do and teach" (Part One) & his "further Acts of the Holy Spirit of Jesus" (Part Two), & with the apostle Paul writing to new disciples of Jesus in Corinth) that God's Eternal Love, is manifested ultimately in God's Christ, & is the MOST EXCELLENT WAY, oh Lord.

We want to learn to reflect it and respond to it, above everything, oh Lord!

So, please, if I will not humble myself, please quickly utterly humiliate me, when I am not acting out of your love, motivated by your love, expressing your love. Burn out the nothingness from me, and make me something like you. That your springs of living water (your kind of loving life)  might be flowing from this life, as it remains connected to its trunk, or stem, or vine.

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"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples" Jesus. John 13:35 (PM Version)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13 NIVUK

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No-one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: he has given us of his Spirit. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. We love because he first loved us. And he has given us this command: anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:7‭-‬9‭, ‬11‭-‬13‭, ‬16‭, ‬19‭-‬19‭, ‬21 NIVUK

..our house is set! And yet,.. & yet..

So, do not let your hearts be troubled. You

trust in the God; now trust also in me.

My Father’s house has many, many rooms;

and if that were not so, how could I be

soon "off" as I have told you, to prepare 

a place for you within what he'll have built.

And he's the builder of all houses where

they stand, as built secure and will not tilt

and topple in the winds and rains of time.

Remember now, unless the Lord is he

who builds the house, the builder's work won't rhyme,

and then the builders work ain't poetry,

it is a useless phrase without a home,

without a sentence to give meaning to

it, and though it's potential might get known

it's only in undoing all the glue

that holds it in its place, inflexible,

unyielding to the maker of all things.

recall that God said it would be he who'll 

be building David's house. Then David sings

and prays and makes his poetry to God,

then gets the stuff he thinks is needful for

the house he's told his offspring will build, what

will be a house where God lives kind of "more".

Yeshua's "Peace" he said "I leave with you;

my (thriving, growing, living building) peace

I give you (my shalom). I don't give to 

you as the world gives, lest the world would cease,

and though it may, my word continues on.

So do not let your hearts be troubled and 

now as you trust yourself (while I seem "gone")

to me, you will be un-afraid, you'll stand

in times of great uncertainty, you'll be

the one who is the rock, whom I have named.

Like Peter, God is teaching you, as he

says from the cloud, "My boy! I'm unashamed!

Delighted well, in fact. He is the ONE.

Be list'ning up to him! He'll give my word!

-  in secret ways, involving what is done

from love of him, and his reflections hurled…

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‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God   ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  …

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. …

I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,  but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.  ‘Come now; let us leave. John 14:1‭-‬2‭, ‬27‭, ‬30‭-‬31 NIVUK

I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”

8 “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! 10 And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, 11 starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! 12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. 15 But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. 16 Your house and your kingdom will continue before me[a] for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

17 So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.

David’s Prayer of Thanks

18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,

“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?[b]

20 “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. 21 Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.

22 “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! 23 What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations and gods that stood in their way.[c] 24 You made Israel your very own people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God.

25 “And now, O Lord God, I am your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. Confirm it as a promise that will last forever. 26 And may your name be honored forever so that everyone will say, ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is God over Israel!’ And may the house of your servant David continue before you forever.

27 “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, God of Israel, I have been bold enough to pray this prayer to you because you have revealed all this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings!’

’ For you are God, O Sovereign Lord . Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant. And now, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign Lord , it is an eternal blessing!”. NLT. 2 Samuel 7:6-29 (HEB, NIVUK, NRSV, MSG)

If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.  It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the Lord provides for those he loves, while they are asleep. Children are a gift from the Lord ; they are a real blessing.  The sons a man has when he is young are like arrows in a soldier's hand. Happy is the man who has many such arrows. He will never be defeated when he meets his enemies in the place of judgment. Psalm 127:1‭-‬5 GNTD

‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?”  Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.’. Matthew 7:21‭-‬27 NIVUK

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honour than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honour than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ‘Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,’ bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.  Hebrews 3:1‭-‬6 NIVUK

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.  Ephesians 2:19‭-‬22 NIVUK

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’  Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and, ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.  1 Peter 2:4‭-‬17 NIVUK

Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)  Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.  Mark 9:5‭-‬8 NIVUK

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’   ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’ Luke 10:38‭-‬42 NIVUK

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pair of mouses, moving houses

My girl she is a woman, and ya know..

Although she’s nearly  60 years or so,

she still knows how to flirt like she’s sixteen,

devoted to my faring well, she gleams…

and smiles as little girls are wont to do.

And somehow turns me to a young man who

looks after his girl thinking of her growth,

and more's because he's given her his troth.

We sat back last night after we had done

a marathon of cleaning, it was "fun"

at least adventure, purposeful good work,

to make this world more useful, less berserk!

And I knew that she loved me, in her ways.

And I don't care if never she displays

her love by other means for goodly ends.

Oh thank you God for friendship, and for friends.

And this good friend who is, though she's my wife,

I feel like I am blessed in "death" and life,

and more look forward to the best that's yet

to come, as friendships grow mature and get

more true and friendly, thus more good and glad,

not from (though by) our customs - from our Dad,

until there's something set within our selves.

That's character I s'pose - from cleaning shelves

together in a moment when we must,

and yet we do not grumble, but we trust

that everything, by God is woven well

into a bright NEW world, not just it's shell!

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his little brother, our big..

James 1:9-11)

So let the brother who is lowly boast 

in being raised up, in a diff'rent way..

a way of life that's true and is the most

most excellent, upon this earth today!

And too, the rich, when they are then brought low, 

because the riches of this world are not

the realest thing, or what shows that we know

reality, or that we've really got

the stuff it takes to come out like a gem,

or else refin'd gold, with the dross burnt out.

This tem-por-ar-y life, is like a stem..

a flower picked, to pretty things no doubt.

But in a vase ain't where it's life will shoot

up and take root, and flourish and bear fruit!

It's more a sign that gardens are a hoot,

and hopefully a beckon to a beaut

quiet eve-ning wander, with some goodly friends

within a garden not too far away.

And when we aren't defined by means and ends

of this world (& its zombie ways) today,

we are that pithy proverb*, or psalm-one

who shows the kind of flourishing that's meant

-  when God's word on a matter 's heard, &  done,

& meditated on before it's spent.

While this world and it's busy-ness is seen

as all there is, we miss this very best.

And even this ol' world loses its gleam.

So this is our big job, and our big rest!

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*  pithy proverb: "This temporary life is like a stem.." or else…

• "Life (presently) is like a box of chocolates." (It's got a "use by" date.), or 
• "One pretends to be rich but is poor. Another pretends to be poor but is quite rich." Proverbs 13:7 TPT
• "The rich and the poor have one thing in common: the Lord God created each one."  Proverbs 22:2 TPT
• It’s better to be meek and lowly and live among the poor than to live high and mighty among the rich and famous. Proverbs 16:19 TPT
• “Happy are those who claim nothing (the meek), for the whole earth will belong to them! Matthew 5:5 NTIME (J.B. Phillips) text in italics above in brackets, added by me.
• The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; Psalms 103:15 NIVUK
• A voice says, ‘Cry out.’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ ‘All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. Isaiah 40:6 NIVUK
• ‘Two things I ask of you, Lord ; do not refuse me before I die:  keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord ?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7‭-‬9 NIVUK

in hospital..

She is doing remarkably well, asleep but through surgery. Don't know yet what the effects of the bleed might be.

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We'll, God, she's in your hands. As we are too.

Please do your healing thing, that just you do.

Your life in her is stronger than a few

Millenia, and you will give a new...

.. a brand new body to her, like you did

already when she came - a little kid

out of her Mumma's tum, from where she slid

with body that now breathed air, as you bid.

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issues that real leaders sing about

The real issues that king's must sing about

(and live to magnify, and give space to),

are loyalty, or faithfulness no doubt,

the honesty that shows itself as truth,

and justice - that is more than being fair!

It’s stooping down to help those who are weak.

Kings "do", & build a culture - so that where

their people are, they think & act, & speak

in ways reflecting his priorities.

He's lifting up the few who'll serve themselves.

They'll understand the ambiguities,

they know their king, his "take on things" brings health -

so all the kingdom is being built up.

Especially leading done with wisdom and

the insight into, not 'What fills my cup?',

but so the others grow & understand.

To you, O LORD , I'll sing & study thē 

way that is blameless. O to be that way!

And when I walk at home, integrity 

of heart will guide all that I do and say.

I will not set before my eyes a thing 

that's base, in case it models that for me.

Since I can choose about what I will sing,

I'll choose what's good, or else things that will be.

I will eschew the work of those who fall

away; it's likely to lead others too!

And their technology will not be all

that clings to me. God you're my leader who

has made all things, and is my father true.

My leader into life, and love, making.

A selfish perverse heart shall never do

a thing for me; and evil may not bring

her "bounty" to my court, it's born of plun-

der. I'll destroy a secret slan-der-er!

A haughty look and arrogance will blun-

der near me as will a philanderer.

I'll look with favor on the faithful in

the land, so that they may live close to me;

whoever walks in ways that don't blame sin

on ev'ry body else, yet blameless be

themselves, will be whom I allow to serve

me, influence by presence and friendship.

And no deceivers will remain to perve

within my house; no liars stay to gyp!

And ev'ry morning then I will destroy 

the wicked come to hand within the land,

by cutting off the evildoers ploy.

And start with me and my house, understand!

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Psalms 101:1‭-‬8 NRSV-CI

 The song of a godly king!

1I will sing of loyalty and of justice;

  to you, O Lord, I will sing.

2I will study the way that is blameless.

  When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart

  within my house;

3I will not set before my eyes

  anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away;

  it shall not cling to me.

4Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;

  I will know nothing of evil.

5One who secretly slanders a neighbor

  I will destroy.

A haughty look and an arrogant heart

  I will not tolerate.

6I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,

  so that they may live with me;

whoever walks in the way that is blameless

  shall minister to me.

7No one who practices deceit

  shall remain in my house;

no one who utters lies

  shall continue in my presence.

8Morning by morning I will destroy

  all the wicked in the land,

cutting off all evildoers

  from the city of the Lord.

Psalms 101:1‭-‬8 NRSV-CI

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