What have you done - with God's Christ?

considering God's "open" secret: through Paul's message in his letter commonly called "Romans"+ etc*

---

Oh God, you will reward each one accord-

ing to what we have done, not our intents.

Our actions more than thoughts affect what's stored.

The folk who keep on doing good, will hence-

forth find a gift from God, spread from God's store:

the very life of God shared with them each.

If seeking glory, honour, and immor-

tal life, persist they in what God would teach,

and keep on doing good*, then God will give 

eternal life to them, so who will take

it from them? There is nothing, no one lives

who has the pow'r to separate or make

us not to be empowered by this gift

of Christ's immortal resurrection life,

whose way is pow'red by love, that holds and lifts

this Universe together, come what strife

might come our way. But there are other songs,

for sadly other people selfishly

reject what's right, to follow what is wrong; 

so on them God pours anger and fury.

There's suffering and pain for all who do 

what's evil, for the Jews first, then the rest.

But God gives glory, honor, and peace to 

all who do what is good - by him they're blest.

For it is not the hearing of God's Law 

that puts folk right with God; if they recite

his law, with chapter/verses - what's that for?

But doing - God's good word make(s) all things right!

---

*   Here the apostle Paul uses the same logic and starting point as John uses in his clear and candid comments to his "little children": "Be sure, then, to keep in your hearts the message you heard from the beginning. If you keep that message, then you will always live in union with the Son and the Father. And this is what Christ himself promised to give us—eternal life. I am writing this to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But as for you, Christ has poured out his Spirit on you. As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For his Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true, not false. Obey the Spirit's teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ. Yes, my children, remain in union with him, so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes. You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God's child."  1 John 2:24‭-‬29 GNTD

---

+ For God will reward each of us according to what we have done. Some people keep on doing good, and seek glory, honor, and immortal life; to them God will give eternal life. Other people are selfish and reject what is right, in order to follow what is wrong; on them God will pour out his anger and fury. There will be suffering and pain for all those who do what is evil, for the Jews first and also for the Gentiles. But God will give glory, honor, and peace to all who do what is good, to the Jews first and also to the Gentiles. For God judges everyone by the same standard. …

For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands. Romans 2:6‭-‬11‭, ‬13 GNTD

(And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them. In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son—will he not also freely give us all things? Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? As the scripture says, “For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:30‭-‬39 GNTD)

---

P R A Y / S I N G ?

Since pray & sing together gives us pring,

if sing & pray might ever be called say,

it could be said, whatever way we'd bring

ourselves into his presence, like in prayer,

if Jesus is "the way", then we'd be there.           

     

…   …   …          In pairs, read and follow, the following:

It is possible for our concept (& practice) of prayer to get "stuck in a rut", in many ways. It is even possible to get stuck in something as broad (or as narrow) as conceiving prayer to be  "saying words to God". 

Yes, one way to think about "prayer", is simply "conversation with God", another, is simply "communication with God", yet another is "life shared with God". 

These get broader from the first (conversation with God) to third (life shared with God). The third one, "life shared with God" will include much more, but will also include "communication" with God; the second one "communication with God" will include much more, but will also include "conversations" with God.

They can work with every part of life, every kind of communication, and every method of conversing or "chatting", and, every level of intimacy. The models in our mind, of relationship intimacy with God, can be at the level of "fellow beings in the Universe", "acquaintances", friends/enemies, family members (including categories like "parent-child", & "lovers"). 

When you understand love, our relationship with God (as the scriptures lead us to discover for ourselves), and that "God IS love", you understand that God has a desired direction for growth for you.

With this in mind, go for a quiet walk to a secluded spot, on your own or with a friend, and read three or four of these scriptures out loud, while trying to respond to God's heart for you as you grow in him, to be more like the Lord Jesus.

Have a conversation about what you read. Look for real communication and hearing and understanding of each other, and share God's gift of life together in his world, in whatever parts/ways/aspects/ & varieties or expressions of life that God leads you into. 

---

Consider both the different genres, provinence (who wrote it?, to whom?, from where?, to where?, on what occasion?, for what purpose?) and settings (history, culture, language etc), all held together in these scriptures, as well as their words of  encouragement: 

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.  1 Chron. 16:9 NIVUK

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:6 NIVUK

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.’ They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, ‘Surely you don’t mean me?’ ‘It is one of the Twelve,’ he replied, ‘one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them. ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:17‭-‬26 NIVUK

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."     Colossians 3:12‭-‬17 NIVUK, (https://bible.com/bible/113/col.3.12-17.NIVUK)

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:13‭-‬20 NIVUK

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7 NIVUK

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1 NIVUK

---

Then come back together, to continue living our lives "in Christ", growing up to the full stature of Christ, as we practice  "truthing" in love, & loving in truth, in the rest of our time together.

what's a bloke to do - well?

---

Well, what's a bloke to do when he's well worn?

He's damaged, shabby, tired of what's gone down.

He feels a bit used up since he's been born,

and likes not what he's seen, this end of town.

His personality and place within

his fam'ly life, and loves, have given him

the insight to see through, and to begin;

but still feels like a gold fish that don't swim.

The pane of glass (that walls him from the world),

the other side of which is calling him

(because since he has grown, it's now been "girled"),

can complicate and make all life seem dim.

Well, what's a bloke to do? I ask again.

I wonder if it starts with "Thank you" 's for

the little goods that come his way just when

they're needed; then, I think there might be more…

Well, something bit like "stick with other folk",

and "learn to hear the truth from them - in love",

and "do the same for them", as well as "joke

about a bit - in flavours from above".

I know I'm glad, my God, to be worn out

by doing good for sake of those around,

that's with creative energy and clout,

to trust your kind'a rule where it is found. 

"your kind'a rule" means that your rule is kind-

-er than the other rules around at times.

And "worn out" spreading this, sets a remind-

er: that I'll spend this life. See that it rhymes.

---

His strange & scary work

---

Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.  Psalms 74:12 RSV

But God has been my king from ancient times, performing acts of deliverance on the earth.

Psalms 74:12 NET

AND

From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still when God rose up to establish judgment, to save all the oppressed of the earth. Selah  Ps 76:8-9 NRSV-CI

From heaven you announced what their punishment would be. The earth was afraid and silent when God arose to execute judgment, and to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. (Selah)

Psalms 76:8‭-‬9 NET

---

Yet God, the God of me who is my King,

is from of old, and since his story's ours,

for I am of his people which would bring

me into his own presence, by his pow'rs

of life and health, allowing life to live,

and keeping what is here (- from what was not).

So in this way of speaking I would give

my King his children - he conceived the lot.

So, God has been my king from ancient times

(I'm taking metaphorical jumps here,

since I'm within the bigger, meaning rhymes -

the bigger - his folk, and Messiah Dear).

This God performs Salvation acts on Earth!

Delivering his goods, and right on time!

Delivering his children, his by birth.

If he were king! - working Salvation Mine.

From the heavens you uttered judgment; 

the earth (and those who live thereon) were still

as is it's part (for God said so, himself*)

& feared what might eventuate, it will

so often do this, in sickness & health.

The earth was dark, anticipating what

might come, as with that stormy "night" at sea

(in THE Beginning, and when two J's^ got

what's coming to them… stories let us see!)

when God our Father rose to bring about

his Justice, that un-Roman way of his,

establishing his judgment (with his clout!)

to save all Earth's oppressed. That's his core-biz!

---

* "Be still, and know that I am God!" (Psalm ?:?)

^ ("Y" or "J" - Jonah and Jesus, both asleep within a boat in overcast storm, with wind and waves lashing the boat, when those around were fearful of their lives. (And strangely mimicked by two "Y" or "J" fathers, with their daughters of 12 years, who were "saved" from the sleep of death, or a fate worse than death - end of Mk 5)

---

Listen up...

---

Your name connects a list-en-er to God,

and Love and Truth (for maybe they're the same -

except that God is personal - that's odd!

So persons aren't all evil). What's 'is name?

The one who hears and listens to our cries,

as Mums & Dads have done for most of us.

And at our sides, inside of us, he tries

to help us bear our loads... that's what he does...

So ask throughout the day for wisdom from

it's source, and primary focus, and it's spring,

from way below our circumstancial "OM",

to bring to us just ev'ry goodly thing.

Oh thank you God for this man here himself.

And I join with him, "Thank you for this day!"

For being with us, "in sickness & health",

and thanks for giving life. What's more to say?

...

Working together.. more than pack animals..

 

---

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another's speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. Gen 11:1‭-‬9 NRSV-CI

---

"So look," God said, "behold, take note, and see 

that they one people are, and they have all

one language to communicate and be

enabled to pursue both big and small

enactments, suppositions they suppose; 

and this is only the beginning when

they act as one; nothing that they propose 

to do will be impossible for them."

---

Above at BABEL, and then at the anti-babel, Pentecost, & after, in letters to the new people of God, empowered by the spirit of the Christ, the second or last son of Adam. Aiming for one purpose, and one mind, one understanding, despite a multiplicity of languages.

---

Humans have such a high destiny as baby gods.. we needed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, to be a test of whether our guide would be the very WORD of GOD (which brought the Heavens and the Earth into existence for life as we know it. For we were made to be guided by nothing less than it), or something less, our own desires, or someone-elses. We are the top of creation, God's own family members, with his very nature, made to be guided personally by nothing less than the word, or will, or mind, or attitude, or spirit, of God himself.

---

n' longer a lone ...

If I'm affected by this woman such

that when she's near, she's always on my mind,

my body longs (like hunger) for her touch,

I love to do things with her that she'll find

delightful, or amusing, or for fun; 

to share the stuff of building better homes

and gardens here on Earth under the Sun,

and building friendships here, as Local Gnomes.

It doesn’t  seem like she will ever start

to understand the ma-le that I am.

I know her love is growing, she has heart.

I see her choosing not to be a sham.

When she does this, my heart is like to burst;

she chooses to extend herself in care

for others, with their mix of best and worst,

my mind is drawn more to her, she is there.

But quickly some things push love from her mind,

and let some censure into that sweet soul,

and immaturity is seen as blind, 

and wrong, if not already at the goal.

She can't believe how lovely she is now.

But in this she's a picture of myself.

That as she is to me, I am, somehow

with God. Can I believe God's love is health-

y, if God's ready anytime to be

united with my spirit, body, soul.

Can I share life at ev'ry turn that we

(both God and I) encounter as a whole?

---

My October Prayer of Discernment - where's God's heart want mine to focus just now??

Thinking of my neighbours who are enemies... from Friday 1 October 2021 being added to during this month

---

1st, 2nd, 4th,

---

I pray that God will work in such a way 

that you will be (or see) in this our day,

a miracle - creative love displayed

in reconciling enemies, to play

and celebrate a "new creation" come,

together; this a sign stronger than that

of virgin having child. Stronger - then some!

I say "With God, that nothing can stay flat."

He's fruitful, ever living, he just IS!

He's multiplying. Children are God's thought.

Creative Love's creative options buis-

'ness is the bread and butter that it brought

into existence, just to see more good -

within relationships, not just good things.

So friendliness, or friendship is what could

define the kind of life that takes on wings

as butterfly from caterpillar is

a creature of the sky, not just of leaves,

so we were destined for glory like his,

not skulking in shadows, in clothes man weaves.

…..

each new question asked & begged; when one has been soundly egged.

Well eggs are tiny immature birds 

(or reptiles, or marsupials, as well).

An immature embryo - I have heard

some say - with food stores, stuck inside a shell!

But mostly they are also kept inside 

a nest of some sort to protect the young, 

and often this has openings not wide,

or else above,  or buried some-how strung 

up high, or low, or "both", to make it hard 

for predators or passers-by to squash;

and sometimes mum or dad stay in the yard 

nearby, if not on top, and keep a watch.

And strangely eggs have hard or bony shells 

and embryonic foetal creatures live

inside with food and drink for those who dwell 

within and air can seep through like a sieve.

But some don't often think that eggs do breathe;

the breath of life must still enter those shells.

Inside a little universe as we've 

grown here within our own - as some  can tell.

Some eggs are plain, some speckled, some are flecked, 

some white, or grey, or beige, some coloured blue. Some are affected by stuff in the nest,

they have some shit on them that others do.

But when those tiny schizmic cracks appear,

these tiny little universes soon 

will each have done their job. The time is near!

And baby critters show up as a boon.

---