labour in the lord

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Yesterday morning we read together after breakdast: "Death" by James Web, in The Listening Book. 

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Declare I to you, siblings (since share we 

our parents), children of creative love,

that flesh and blood cannot inherit the 

reign of this God, nor can we walk above

unless we're born into that world - native,

indigenous to fam'ly, air, & morn.

These bodies must take on new ways translative-

ly, as did fetus from its womb, when born.

Perishability inherits the 

imperishable - takes it on, as clothes.

Our mortal bods take immortality. 

The ancient prophet's words shed light on those:

‘Death has been killed and eaten, swallowed up

by victory.’ And yet another speaks:

‘O death, you have not won! - your sting's abrupt-

ly dissipated, lost, behind yon peaks.

Death, can be simply sleep, a gracious gift.

But when combined with sin, it has a sting.

Sin gets its power to hurt and maim and shift,

from God's own law, a good and helpful thing.

And thank we all our God, for victory

through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who's won the day.

So listen, & I'll tell a mystery: 

'Not even ev'ryone will sleep.' I say.

But we his followers will all be changed 

– & in a flash, the twinkling of an eye,

at the last trumpet blast, all will be ranged

before Creative Love, though most have died.

All dead will resurrect, but those alive,

in Christ, will all be changed. So stand your ground.

Let nothing make you fearful or contrive

intimidation. Suffering's been found

to be in good God's service, to help grow;

and even death is sleep, so give yourselves

to do the work of God, because you know 

your labour in the Lord brings on more health!

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I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:50‭-‬58 NIVUK

Two things are certain: death & taxes…

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Who holds the reign is relational,.. not just personal

(A good bigger picture, to motivate good bigger actions, under God's good, bigger reign.)

Based on Matt 5:3-12…

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You're really lucky, you should know, just when 

you realize how poor you are in what's

the most important thing in life, 'coz then 

the reign of Heaven's life is yours - in pots!

How lucky those who lose most precious ones 

& mourne the loss (for they aren't unconcerned); 

for the most precious one has now   begun

responding to your small response. You'll learn..

..to know that comfort in your loss. Your turn 

as comforted by who's the world's most mourned -

the one whose sorrow caused his heart to to burn

with pain, full comfort's source - so now be warned! 

How very bless'd are those who claim no rights 

for self (who push not their own selves & wills) 

for all the Earth (from its depths to its heights) 

will be their own. This God's promise fulfills!

How well provisioned those whose hunger, thirst,

from lack of all that's good & right & true.

Our hunger/thirst makes us responsive first,

then open to be satisfied by who

is Source of all that's good, and right and true. 

For this you can depend upon, your aid 

& clear provision is at hand for you

are open to God's gifts (not to be paid)!

How well looked after, who absorbs all ill,

& seeks not justice - more than mercy gi'en. 

They've opened up the hose-line, they'll be filed 

themselves with mercy - as dew comes from hea'en.

How happy those who keep their motives, hearts, 

so pure & true that they won't compromise. 

The hope of all humanity then starts 

to come true: They will see GOD - only wise!

"Looked after" & secure are those who work 

to bring the peace that God engenders too, 

the outcome is so good it seems berserk! 

They're called God's sons & daughters -  & it's true.

How happy, & too shielded, very bless'd 

are those, whom this world kills & sets at nought 

because they act so rightly as God's guest 

- the whole of heaven's reign is by them caught!

And when this world insults you, that you wept,

& gives you trouble - just because you're mine.. 

Rejoice then, sing & shout (rewards are kept

for you, where they won't dwindle over time)!

This is to be expected, so he said; 

just look at all God's prophets who spoke out 

God's word within this world. Though mostly dead,

& un-app-rec-i-ate-d, they'll not pout!

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["It comes down to it that there's a much bigger picture than what you see in front of you" (as shown by our culture & society?) Fabian Corio]

Thus, some metaphors for seeing more!

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A prayer for a sick mate...

Brother, thinking of you. Glad that community health worker (Janine) is there. I've got a cold at the mo, and for the last week. So I won't come near you till I'm over it.

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God, help this fellow there at home again

to learn to breath that air and rest, refrain

from thinking and controlling what he can't,

and trust as a small child, who's open armed

to what's allowed to come his way this day,

until his body's newly made away

with, & his brand new bod, grown from this seed,

is then popped onto Earth-top here in deed!

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A wakening prayer: I invite you

(to the tune of "homecoming" on Samsung's Android )

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I invite you,

I invite you,

spirit of the Holy God, invest this body with

your mind, to mind 

things that you mind,

taking on your mindset, your motives, and your view.

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[If you want the tune on repeat, after clicking homecoming, click the settings cog (top right of You Tube) and choose Loop video]

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• The Greek word μετανοέω (metanoeō) is part of the two-fold response which is given a core place in Jesus's gospel along with trusting this God's living word to us  (Matt 3:2, Mark 1:14-15 "metanoia kai pistis") & is commonly translated in English bibles as "turn from your sins"; and commonly in my experience understood by Christians to mean "feel sorry for your sins". This often fits the context, so is often undisputed. One trouble with it however, is that over a century before Jesus Christ, when the Jewish bible was translated from Hebrew into Greek, in the Septuagint (commonly designated LXX), this (concept &) word is used of God himself, not commonly, but at significant junctures of the narrative (Gen 6:6; Exod 32:14; Ps 90:13; 110:4; 135:14; Joel2:14; Jeremiah 20:16; 26:13; Jonah 3:9-10; Amos7:3-6; ). A careful look back at the word and its use in First Century common usage, confirms what has been known but somehow drowned but by our own sub-cultural forces and understandings. This, it happens is the very thrust of the word metanoeō: "let go of your own understandings (of the way forward), & take on God's (freshly disclosed, now being revealed) understanding ( of the way forward)."

• With this in mind, the emphasis of the rest of the New Testament's letters from Christ's Apostles (think Ambassadors) to fledgling communities of God's new people under God's anointed King/Prophet/Priest (=Christ)… starts to make more sense! Their emphasis on a new way of seeing the world, new motives for actions, a new mindset, a wisdom from above; is not an additional next step, just a continuance of what it means to "metanoia kai pistis". [& Jesus also does this with another metaphore which he uses in both an initializing, but also in a continual- refurbishing/ renovating sense as well; that of "Take up your cross (daily)."] Early Christian leaders say 

• "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love him … – these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. … The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. …. for, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ." (Paul: 1 Corinthians 2:6‭-‬10‭, ‬16 NIVUK)

• "..he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,.. (Paul: Ephesians 1:5‭-‬10‭, ‬17‭-‬18 NIVUK)(I grayed the part of the text above which some devout Christians in my life-time (including me) have been prone to major on, to the neglect of the rest of this amazing text..)

• "Therefore, I urge you, brothers & sisters in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy & pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, & perfect will." … (Paul: Rom 12:1-2)

• (James- almost the whole book speaks of the mindset, & view, & wisdom of God as something to be trusted with our lives, and as the antidote to the hellish wisdom of this world. It is a focus on a real trust in God, and his gifts, especially his wisdom, his new-mindset from-above.)

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Fore-ward off infections?? (If anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask... the only wise.)

I'm feeling like I might be coming down with something. Infected sinuses? A small background headache at the front of my forehead. And my wife had a tickle in her throat, that she has to clear sometimes. We both slept in - to try to avert or ward off a cold. And I'm taking more rests, and popping my cartia every 4 hours. 

Who knows, I might be infectious. 

I don't know what to do. My wife is still expecting to be baby-sitting 2 grandchildren. About our meeting… I could keep in my room, or fast from food & drink, and keep a mask on, if I'm not feeling better by the time it's lunch?

What do you all think of that?

Or would you think it better to be somewhere-else? It's just that we both couldn't come then.

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God help us, in our ignorance undone,

to trust in you who makes us like our Dad.

We're doomed, for it's "Like Father, so, like son."

And now we see that that ain't always bad.

We see that you have led us right along

up to this point, and your Christ manifests

your presence with us on this Earth. His song

is still sung, so your people's lives attest.

Since they all sang, the night before the cross,

and Paul & Silas just after the whip.

And as we celebrate with those whose loss

came just because they owned the Christ, in quip.

We see in what has happened, your good path.

We know your presence and your leading too.

We learn the forward ways, and we can laugh

at our own sillinesses - when we do

 

our self-defensive thing, instead of love

(which thinks not of the self, but of the way

that's true, as well as living, "from above").

And looking back, we see love, then we say:

This is the way to walk, and so we shall

in learning from our Father here on Earth,

to bring his kind-a choices (against hell),

from Heaven to this Earth, his reign is birthed

in ev'ry little choice along the way,

that's made in partnership along with God.

And wisdom's fruit, and children, I would say,

are evident wherever Christ has trod.

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Creative Love's help..

 

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MSG2ME…(a husband, speaking for his wife and family) please be praying for my wife and I to have wisdom in knowing how to go gently with her body, she is having difficulty with build ups of anxiety that are making doing the daily routine a real challenge of discipline of mind for her. She is going to see the doctor again sooner than later, but it does feel like a long and challenging way forward to her. Thanks for your prayers … :)

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Oh help them God with wisdom from above,

that put this world together at the first,

and keeps each molecule (as hand does glove)

full blown, with substance so it's fit to burst

with meaning, for you mean it (from your love)

to be your children's nursery (or womb).

Please make them wise as serpents, harmless doves,

as they learn how to manufacture room

(& rooms) within the structure of their home.

And may you be their hiding place, and house,

and they be that for you, as they do roam

about this Earth, their sandpit (which is grouse!).

While they are here a bridge-way  through the sky

from Earth to Heaven, and then back a-gain,

with God's Messiah helping them to fly

& keep aloft, through sickness, health, and pain.

Please give them, from your vast resources, as

they need it, and become aware of needs,

and ask their father as Messiah has

enjoined us to be open - & to seeds

of your good life and love, as garden beds

become known by the plants that grow in them.

We join with them, to ask you (as they said)

so your good life might be displayed now when

these weaknesses are known, experienced

(that's when your love is known deeper again).

We see it growing in their prayer request,

and knowing you read too, we say "Amen!".

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practicing (to make..)

practicing (to make ..)

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Sunday at "Mark in da Park" we looked at Matt chapter 4; verse12 & following..It was amazing, considering various translations of the Greek words behind the English ones: Kingdom, Heaven, preach/ proclaim, repent, (to which we could have added: "at hand" & "gospel/ Good-News", and we could have noted that Jesus left his home village, and moved..verse 13). But it struck me that the most important thing is the spirit that impelled or led him forward, the spirit of the God who IS love (Matt4:1). With that in place, then all the technologies, or methodologies (like memory, meditation, message, the acts of heralding and teaching, the terminology/vocabulary employed in communication), have a place as well; but without the spirit/ motivating-force, impetus, being right, all the rest is useless. That spirit (of God), or motivating impetus (of love), is primary. Our ways of connecting, our technologies, though essential, are secondary.

After lunch a couple of us talked about spiritually helpful technologies, and practiced one (memorization) [that was a means to another (meditation)], with another bit of scripture. Here it is: Rom 12:1&2 (Dave & Paul; 16April23)

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Therefore, I urge you, 

brothers and sisters, in view 

of God’s mercy, to 

offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, 

holy and pleasing to… 

to God – this is your true 

and proper worship. Do ..

Do not conform to 

the pattern of this world,

but be

transformed by the renew-

-wing of your mind. Then you 

will be able to..

to test and approve 

what God’s will is – 

his good, please-

-sing and perfect will.

Romans twelve verses one & two

NIVU..

U 'K ?..

..

Me too!

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To put more creativity (& fun) into it, one can add rhythm, play a tune, etc..  e.g. (audio, versions with piano). and [ (an)other version(s) accapella, version with piano, final (so far) version with piano]

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Now, once it is crammed into our mind (memorization), we can have a week of meditating on it, slowly going over it in our mind, like a cow chewing its cud, letting it into us, and noting what it says? Who to? (singular and plural? etc) What does that mean to practice? How do you live that? (Practically?). But being led by that spirit of love/compassion is by far the most important thing.

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Lucas, thinking back on our time together as a group last night, I recalled that I made a deal about technologies (like scripture memorization & meditation, & clarifying our message & our understanding of it), being essential, but secondary. Then I only spoke about what was secondary. But on Sunday, as we had discussed Matthew 4, it had struck me that the most important thing is the spirit that impelled or led Jesus forward (Matt4:1), the spirit of the God who IS (not just "loving", but) love. With that in place, then all the technologies, or methodologies (like memory, meditation, message, the acts of heralding and teaching, the terminology/vocabulary employed in communication etc.), have a place as well; but without the spirit/motivating force, impetus, being right, all the rest is useless. That spirit (of God), or motivating impetus (of love) is primary. Our ways of connecting, our technologies, though essential, are secondary. I can only be at peace with half-finished projects, and people (like me), when I am partnering with Yahweh's creative, loving spirit. Could you please pass this message on to your people for me?

Oh, and this is a blog post on what I mentioned last night, if anyone is interested: https://the-euangelion.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-world-that-most-of-us-look-on-is.html 

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