"Learn what I teach you my child..*

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Creative Love is teaching us these days, 

a lot about just waiting patiently

with trust, & hearing caref'ly what he says 

to learn from such a teacher as is the..

..anointed leader - king, prophet & priest,

a father who holds all his offspring close 

& loves to spend the decades - years, at least,

in sharing life on Earth1, as though a dose

of friendship tasted here, would be enough

to let us learn to trust him, and grow up

in taking on his attitudes2 and stuff

like his same motivation2, character2.

Per-chance till we grow up, to be "like Christ"

and Christ is formed within us, we are his ..

.. his womb (or living tent/house) that sufficed

for seed of God to grow in soil like this!

This garden he is tending, with such trees

as figs and olives, vines and grassy banks,

and paths to walk between on, in the breeze

which wafts and touches ev'ry life, with pranks..

.. as kitten plays with grasshopper or bee,

or other kitten's tail, or just its own.

The soul of God is like, both you and me,

but goodness grows out where his breeze has blown.

If I'm to grow like Christ, beloved son, 

I will get quicker at this list'ning3 game,

with active list'ning questions of the one

who can be trusted more than life and name!

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* Prov 2v1ff The wise sage teacher of Israel, a grand-fatherly figure who calls his students his children, yet can say "listen to your father and mother my child, for their teachings are like a handsome turban or a gold chain around your neck.. etc"

1 Compare & contrast the two genealogies of the "first" and "last" (mentioned) sons of Adam in Genesis, ch 4 & 5.

2 His disciples got to see his life during joy and heart-ache, view and feel his motivation, and his response to the swift sure hand, hear his mind… and his apostles (functionally, Ambassadors) offered for folk to follow them, as they followed Christ, in "way of life", that included attitude, & approach, as well as action...

• "But,.. the world must learn that I love the Father, and that is why I do his will." (Jesus, as recorded by John 14:31) 

• "Please take this cup from me. Never-the-less, may your will have predominance over my desires." (Jesus' three-times-prayed prayer, in the garden, the night before his crucifiction, (Mark 14)

• "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." 2 Thessalonians 3:3‭-‬13 NIVUK  "Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord… will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17 NIVUK) "Our attitude among you was one of tenderness, rather like that of a devoted nurse among her babies. Because we loved you, it was a joy to us to give you not only the Gospel of God but our very hearts—so dear did you become to us. 1 Thess 2:8-12

• "If I have faith that could move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing!" (Christ's Apostle Paul to newish followers of Jesus, in Corinth, 1Cor13)

• "By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you  … 2 Corinthians 10:1 NIVUK (Christ's Apostle to newish followers of Jesus, in the Roman Empire);  "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind towards each other that Christ Jesus had.." Romans 15:5 NIVUK

• "Let the same attitude be in you, that was in Christ Jesus,.. " (Christ's Apostle Paul to jewish followers of Jesus, in Phillipi -Phil2:5  in context)

3 Yacob, Yeshua's younger brother gave this most important three-stranded advice to his little brothers, coming as it did from looking at, listening to, learning from, his big-brother over about 30 years, through the lens of the scriptures they had, which described God's character as being "THE Lord, the lord, … slow to anger, abounding in hesed (loyal love)…"(Exod 34:6; Psalm 86:15; 103:8; 145:8;  Numbers 1:3, 14:18; Nahum 1:3; Joel 2:13; ); "My dear brothers, (I remember my dear brother, who is also now yours, so) everyone of you must be quick to listen slow to speak, and slow to anger.." (James 1:18-27) cf. "Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani!?"(Matt, Mark, Luke)

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