to sing/pray while ascending … on the journey into the Lord’s presence more fully

Oh Lord, I’ve checked my heart, my mind I’ll stop, 

my eyes aren’t overlooking folk near me. 

I’ve put aside desires to be on top, 

to understand so I can rule and be 

in charge before I’ve learned in your good time. 

I’m not the big boss. You are that I know. 

And you’re the wise one, who can make things rhyme. 

I’ll not usurp to be the one who’ll show 

 you how it’s done, from my great knowledge store. 

I’ve calmed and shushed myself like a weaned child. 

Just like a little child on own is poor, 

but with Mum's rich in all that’s good and wild! 

Oh all who are God’s people, put your hope 

not in technologies and other things.

But in the Lord, who smiles, & who can cope 

both now and with what any future brings.

 

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After Psalm 131 ; Paul Walker 24/06/2020, Orange NSW, Australia.

God picked us!

My fam'ly, think of what you were when you 
were called. Not many wise by standards here; 
not many influential; jobs we do
are lower echalon, kinds that appear

to be quite or-din-ar-y, not "of note".
...not many were of noble birth, or wealth.
But God chose foolish things to float his boat,
to shame the wise ones. God chose not just health,

but sick and weak ones of this world he picked
to shame the strong and capable, and proud.
God chose the lowly things considered sick,
despised and overlooked by our old crowd.

The things that are not yet, they're just a thought,
– to nullify the things that seem so strong,
so that no-one may boast before him. Caught,
he'll bring them down to Earth before too long.

It is because of this God, who's like this,
who picks the weak and useless ones like us
that we are now the "chosen ones" of his,
this Leader of Humanity - Jesus,

who has become for us our wisdom from
Creator God – he is, our righteousness,
our holiness, redemption, our shalom.
The first in this new order we confess.

Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the ones
who boast, boast in the Lord’ (that's Yahweh God),
for we're  not independent, we are sons
& daughters, still to grow up quite a lot!

(combined effort of Mark and Paul)

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Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’  1 Corinthians 1:26‭-‬31 NIVUK

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mind your imaginations

So in your thoughts continually reflect

on what's authentic, real, and hon'rable. 

What's admirable, & beautiful, respect-

ful, pure and holy, kind and merciful. 

And make a "fast" to stop within yourself

that unkind grumpy, fearful worried jerk.

And all your thoughts then fasten on God’s wealth -

abundant stores & every glor'ious work.

And as we grow like God, may it be said

that "We saw it was good!" (- the stuff that is)

and after wasting time in life declared

the wonders of this God, what glory's his!

The Lord said that "My grace is all you need. 

My pow'r works best in weakness, it's displayed

more fully when your trust is like a seed

that isn't static, dead, or just plain “stayed"!

So now I'll celebrate, my weaknesses, 

for when I'm weak I sense more deeply this

this mighty life of Christ, which as he says

is welling up, and flowing out. I'm his!

So I'll not throw away my confidence,

rewarded richy it will surely be.  

I need to persevere so that when hence

I've done the will of God, I will receive 

what God has promised, since God cannot lie!

I can rejoice (that's even when I run

into those problems/ trials, till I die),

for I know that they help develop fun -

a sense of that God-humour, that endures.

And that endurance is an exercise

that grows/develops strength of love & lures

the character that never will despise

but strengthens all true confidence & hope.

Salvation steady then will surely come 

that will not lead to disappointment's cope-

ing strategies ... For we know surely some

of that dear love of God who dearly loves,

(and we would keep ourselves within it too!)

because he's given us here, from above

his spirit, such a holy thing to woo,

and fill our hearts with motivation that's

the hesed, faithful loyal love that keeps

on, as a never-ending wine, in vats

or water-jars of stone, or skins. Not cheap!

So we will not conform to this old world,

nor be corrupted by its way of "life",

its pattern that it seeks to see unfurled,

its way of moving forward in the strife,

but we will let God's boy transform our mind

renewing it from inside out by his

anointing, & we'll gladly then combine

these gifts to test and see what God’s will is..

God's will that's good, and pleasing and perfect,

though it may well involve great suffering,

yet what comes out of that will then effect

much greater good than other ways could bring.

Because we trust, we wear it like a glove,

just as Yeshua did, though all seemed lost,

by praying in the holy spirit's love,

we're built up, as is faith of greatest cost.

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So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God,praising him always!! Philippians 4:8 (PM Version)

The Lord said "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness"!! So I will celebrate, my weakness, for when I am weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (PM Version)

So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richy rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  Hebrews 10:35-36 (PM Version)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Roman 5:3-5 (PM Version)

But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life.  Jude 1:20‭-‬21 GNTD

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (PM Version)

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