You breathed fresh courage

At the very moment I called out to you, you answered me!!
You strengthened me deep within my soul and breathed fresh courage into me!!
Psalm 138:3. (PM Version)

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You did that God. And we begin to see
that you DO that quite often. It's your thing!
Do you just hang about to answer we
who call for help, to take us under wing

as mother hen takes chicks when danger's near.
But then you grow us up and teach us well.
Impart your courage, so that of good cheer,
with ev'ry thing we need, we won't bring hell

to your good Earth, in  what we do, and say.
But rather as we walk along with you,
as Jesus taught us  how to daily pray,
we'll work along with you, your will to do!

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Some po-em-ish thoughts on weaknesses fraught...

God please help me to grow up as a man.

And each of us, where-ever we may be

at, in our age and stage, so that we can

more truly represent your rule, that we

might, as the scriptures say, "grow up .. mature,

unto the stature of the Last Adarm.

And we recall with First Adarm, before

Humanity fell, and sin brought it's harm,

-  from him came woman, whom he called his "Life"1

(and knew that others too'd get that through her).

And so I wonder if, before the wife

of Last Adarm can come, and make a stir,

if there'll be a "deep sleep"2, or a time when he

the Ruler, Adarm, will not seem around

about and present like he was when seen

in times gone by, upon this dusty ground.

So like a foetus growing in a womb,

and as a branch connects to trunk of vine,

we must let God grow us out of our tomb

as it would soon become, if we decline

to grow out of it, with some re-al pain,

that maybe will be necessary too,

to help us, new responders, "come again"

and function as he did, not as we do

when disconnected from our source of life.

We're learning that connections aren't all seen,

and talked about with others, when that knife

will pierce our heart, we'll be more than we've been!

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1. "The man named his wife Eve* because she was the mother of all the living." (* 3:20 Lit. Living or Life) Genesis 3:20 CSB ; or "The man called his wife Havah [life], because she was the mother of all living."  B'resheet (Gen) 3:20 CJB

2. The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’  Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman”, for she was taken out of man.’ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:18‭-‬25 NIVUK 

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Modernism meets THE WAY

Story 1 - loving  truth…

Part 1 - seeing the singularity of truth.

Once there was a boy named Blaine. 

Blaine was afflicted with a strange un-easiness which meant that as soon as he grew, and learned something he despised & blamed his former state of ignorance and his former unformed or immature beliefs.

This led to the curious condition where he would always be putting down his situation of a year ago that he had now grown through and from which he had come to see deeper and more.  It was as though his approach to life saw immaturity and weakness as the same as evil and wrongness. Blaine had a lot to learn especially about this large "approach", but unless he allowed himself to "just drop", this  former way of approaching life, if he held on to it he would then just blame it as a wrong state and not be able to see it's contribution to his journey and acknowledge iggt as a contributor to his pathway to growth, maturity and understanding. Blaine was stuck unless something could free him from this whole way of approaching life and things; a meta-narrative that now had him in its talons.

Part 2 - lacking love...

But worse still (than the logical absurdity of looking down on and relegating to "falseness" every path that has brought you to your present understanding), Blaine found that no one wanted to be with him, because if they understood less than him they felt like he was judging them, or blaming them, or laughing at them. 

If however, they understood more than him (and they had his mindset), then they would be laughing at or blaming or judging him. Which wouldn't make him want to be around them.

So this set him up for a situation in which he could have very few good friends.

Part 3 - can you help me? [by writing this next Part (& pasting it in the "Post a Comment" on this blog) below]

The best bit of all...

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Dot points which may act as the "spermatozoa" that meet with the creative, nesting, provisioning, living "ovum", the way of things that real truth loves (and has united with) to give birth to more stories, songs, dramas, rhymes, chants, jokes & creative expressions:

In learning to grow how did Blaine cope? (This is a part of the Story of My Life) How could he ever get out of "putting down" his former state of ignorance before he learnt something (which is a necessary pre-requisite to the learning process, when one is NOT omniscient)? Some ways to move forward: 

1. He could celebrate what he has now learnt! Putting creative energy into celebrating the far-reaching consequences at least those that he could see of his new insight into and understanding into the way God's world works and into the way he's made us to live within it - with him, and with each other, and with ourselves as a part of humanity. In celebrating the new insight and understanding he would be spending his time amplifying and magnifying the goodness that has now occurred in his life or come to him, & wouldn't be spending his time and energy in putting down his former state of understanding and beliefs.

2. He could relate the story of the frustration or feeling of “something-is-missing” which he experienced at the time of his former ignorance or misunderstanding or immature understanding. This would help people understand his reasons for celebrating this new insight and goodness, and enable them to enter into his celebration with him. (A bit like the owner of the sheep that was lost, when it was found he came back and called his friends together; or the lady who lost the dowry money and swept the floor to find it and then called her friends to celebrate with her.)

3. He could make a creative expression of this new insight. Maybe name it.  This might help him to find other expressions or instances of the same insight coming into other people's lives. And this would enable him to now meet the community of other humans who have gained this bit of understanding and insight (into God's world) and to play his part within that community. So now he is not a Lone Ranger, but is able to see & celebrate his connection with many different parts of humanity - all on a journey of coming to know (& be known).

4. He could make a story up, that might help take that insight and it's discovery and express it in a way that is not involving (him and his world around him in) the present instance, but a way that might be showing the credibility of this insight or truth or understanding or approach to things, in a way that  could be expressed in other situations or instances. In this way people may be more open to, or less guarded against, this insight, as it comes from another direction or an unexpected source or genre to which they're more open.

5. He could get other genre to try to express the same insight or learning or new appreciation or deeper understanding. So, for instance, if he has already used poetry & film, to now have a go at using song & dance, or another artwork like nursery rhymes, or chants. To come at it from different angles, allowing him to hit on different learning styles, or circumvent different fears or defensive stances, of others (or even himself).

6. Maybe look for other analogies, or parables, or likenesses, that are using a similar principle, or principles which have been found in similar ways. It could be a parable on the method of discovery, or the way of coming to understand the content that has now been discovered.

7. He could ask God, while in his presence, for another way to move forward in reality, and to take this insight (which he is now focusing on more than the embarrassment of his previous immaturity, or the simply the insufficiency of his previous state) out to others, as well… (e.g. some thoughts just came to me: sometimes you can partially understand something by looking at it's opposite, or shadow, or absence; he could learn to make the distinction, and see the added value gained when one moves from knowing things, ideas, concepts, & truths, to knowing people (and then again, to being known by them).

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Working, not shirking..

God thank you for the goodness sharing life

with you, and with your children, though they're young

and im-mat-u-re, still get into strife,

and sometimes are quite baby-ish, among

other things, but I guess that's the purpose

of foetus's within a womb, they grow

from creatures, single celled (just usurpers?),

to full on sons and daughters whom you know...

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I will replace your heart of stone with flesh. Will you allow me?

That's him! That's just like him - to help us bite

the bullet that's about to shatter us.

To state the obvious, that no-one might

quite sanely disagree with (without fuss);

then act to do it, time and time again,

until we've every hope to really trust,

and grow our faith till we are like that MAN,

who's still the model for the whole of us.

And quell our un-believing hearts that won't 

believe what's good & true, though they are quick

to quite believe much evil and to moan

tomorrow's woes, and worry ourselves sick!

And help us see the way ahead ourselves,

and better still to turn that stony thing

Into a living organ that then wells

with life, and health, and love and other things!

Ok Lord. I will!

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The Lord says "I will get you out of any trouble, I'll give you the best care. Just put all your trust in me" Psalm 91:14-15

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good woman in (shooting/ erratic) pain

My dearest one I see you in this pain,

chaotic - doesn't follow any rules.

Without the bigger story we might name

as King, this Chaos; we his subjects, fools.

And when I see you put all else aside

in order to maintain your very soul,

I see a sea of chaos open wide

it's monster mouth to swallow you up whole.

And monsters I must face then just as well,

for somehow we are bound within this vale,

a valley between waves in wat'ry hell,

or else a womb - within it's wat'ry pale.

And when this chaos monster claims it's prey,

the light within their eyes goes right on out.

The Boogey Man says he likes it that way,

for light dispels the darkness without doubt.

Appearances are just the surface stuff,

they have some place within reality.

Reality is deeper and more tough,

for it can be both heard, and touched (and seen)!

But when those yappy dogs mauled dear ol' Mum,

or Jesus on the cross "misunderstood" -

apparently a failure that he'd come

to teach and show of God - "That he is good(!)"

I see that we are now in for a ride.

We're going deeper, learning to love true.

To learn to love & openly, not hide-

ing bits, returning Eden to us too.

---

that's by the special kind of pow'r Christ gives ...

Well, summing up my brothers & my friends,

do fill your minds with those things that are good 

deserving praise, and which work to good ends,

things that are true, & noble, right, & would

be seen as hon'rable, or else lovely,

by ten men good and true who knew the facts.

Put into practice what you learned from me, 

both from my words and also from my acts. 

If you receive from me what I can give,

the God who gives us peace will be with you.

More bless'ed than his gifts of life to live,

and thriving peace, is he himself who's true.

And in my life in union with the Lord

it's joy to me that after so long time

you once more had the chance to not be bored,

of showing that you care for his (& mine)... 

I don't mean that you'd stopped your care for me—

you had no chance to show it, as things were. 

And I'm not saying this because I be

or feel neglected; for, this I have learned 

a satisfaction with my things and stuff. 

I know what it is to be here in need,

and what it is to have more than enough. 

I've learned this secret (that's to counter greed):

contentment, so that hungry now, or full, 

and anywhere, at any time or spot

(that's whether I've too much or too little),

I have the strength to face each one, the lot!

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In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.

Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you.  In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. I don't mean that you had stopped caring for me—you just had no chance to show it. And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.  Philippians 4:8‭-‬13 GNTD

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Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.  I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.  Philippians 4:8‭-‬14 NRSV

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they ask quite sweet, to pray for that retreat...

God, please help these your children now to seize
these gifts in time, these opportunities
to spend time with each other in the breeze
(or gale) of your good spirit, yet not wheeze,
but hear your hopes in  rustling of the trees...

and then to be enabled to join in
in ways that if unstable are not sin,
thus we would ask for them (& too, ourselves)
to learn to walk so when they talk these smells

of heaven that are wafting round about -
in speech, and too in lofty thoughts, and doubts,
and songs and chants concomitants in time,
to be the smells of hominids sublime.

As I recall, and think about you mate

Oh boy! You've carried grief throughout your life.
Your Dad was not much there in growing up.
Your Pop was more a mentor in your strife,
And you were like a boofy gangly pup!

You've been a keeping private, these sad things. 
Now, also taking steps to tell them out.
Good on you mate. I think you're growing wings,
that grace you found within God's eyes, now doubt.

To hear your ol' man died 6 weeks ago,
brings te-ars to my eyes, and makes me think,
and realize how hard it is to know
and share another's life. How hard to drink

the cup that we've been given for ourself.
And yet I see you've been taking it down.
And glad to hear you reached him in un-health,
and we're just there as friend right on the ground.

It's good to hear you spoke that night as friends 
and that he was so mentally ok.
It's good to hear you talked of means and ends
And got to share the news that love will stay.

It seems so stark, to pull the tubing out,
and turn a few machines off, so he dies.
"A bit odd" 's understating it, no doubt.
And then the job of telling to his wife…

I'm glad that you were with him as he died,
in morning hou-rs - 1:30 a.m.
I'm glad that you were Jesus by his side.
Well done! A son of God, who loves that man.

---

Nov-em-b-ah child

Well this November Milly and Ah-Bell

are still some sisters, yet they're married off.

No bubs are on horizons (that they tell),

and yet they can not bring themselves to scoff.

Not thirty yet, and one not twenty five.

And each have brought a good man to our "fam".

We've sent them off, they come back more alive.

Their Mum is lucky, and that's what I am!

And we are glad they still see us as friends.

We hope that we can be that too, and more.

They're moving with God's "means" as well as "ends",

each wife already, maybe too, mother.

You've both played games like soccer well & good,

and keep yourselves as fit as you now are.

You're lovely ladies, friends to whom you could

be friends, you just continue near & far.

And so we'd like to wish you both the best,

in diff'rent places of God's world for now.

You'll each one have your own peculiar tests

but God has promised his presence - somehow!

And sometimes he is present in your skin,

that's even when it feels a scratchy bit,

and each of you is who he's living in

to be to your own sister some of it…

his care, his thoughts, 'n' love for this his child,

his sense of humour (just enough to smile),

his help with text/reminders ev'ry while,

and hug, and listen, then to scratch ya dial!

---

Paul Walker November 2019, Orange, NSW, Australia.

God - is a funny man!

For God himself's our dwelling place, and our...

.. our hope & strength and help to come on time.

His sense of humour, sense of adventure,

have been passed down to us along the line.

There is that river, that brings life and joy.

There is that food, en-cultured as it is,

the bread & wine of God, and of his boy,

that's stronger, better, than a lavish feast.

There is our staple food, and drink from cup,

he gives to us, then says it is himself.

A lot of paradoxes coming up,

when we deal with this God who's like an elf.

But giving of himself to help and serve,

to teach his kind of love that strong as fire

if only we would not lose all our nerve,

his Sun of love will "trump" our most desire.

But many of this race already know

a tiny bit of what this love is like

that's even if we've taken quite a blow

we've tasted at some place, or had a strike

-  of gold found in a commonplace on earth

and somehow had the intuition that

it's just a kind of paving (still of worth!)

within the world we're made for. Time to bat,

at least get off the bench and have a shot.

Or better still get coaching while we can!

And learn to play the game, enjoy this lot -

the folk that we are playing with. This man!

---

God is our hope and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

So will we never fear, even when the earth quakes and moves, and the hills crumble in to the sea.

For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves (and bushfires and droughts) cannot erode our faith in you!!

There is a river, that brings joy to the city of God, a holy place that we can call home- our holy dwelling place. 46:1-4 (PM Version)

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Looking at my Master

While looking at my Master, I can see
a man of skilful mind, far more than me,
who runs rings round the teachers that then be,
yet clings not to his mind-pow'r, he is free!

While looking at my Master, light in me
shines so that I am well, a slave who’s free!
And his call when he said “Come, follow me!”
brings with it legs to walk with, - on the sea!

While looking at my Master: “Who is he?
God’s spirit brings to mind, through stormy sea.
For he controls with po-wer easily,
the wind & waves, and fever, and a tree.

While looking at my Master, I then see
a man who loved and would set zombie’s free.
Their way of death could never capture he
who is the source of all good life-story.

While looking at my Master, I am free
to not react (as I am want to be),
and choose the way “on track”, as too did he,
for building God's good rule, using story!

Oh you, my Master, open eyes to see
and give a mind which follows logic’ly,
with intuition, serendipity,
and open mouths to boldly speak, clearly.

You are the one whom I will follow free-
ly, not “constrained and chained”,  but lovingly,
for greater good, of all (and thus of me).
You manifest God's love, our dignity.

God's people suffering in the flesh*

1So since Messiah, Christ our King suffered

while in the flesh (which you now are as well);

arm yourselves with his mind (get it buffered,

instead of adding to a living hell).

- his understanding, and expectancy,

his attitude within it, and his "take"

on what to do, in God's good world since he

not taken in, still coped with our mistakes,

and also just the weakness in our selves,

our failures from commitment to desire,

the giving in to what now "overwhelms",

instead of standing firm, because a higher

one's word has come, (and tap it's inbuilt pow'rs

to make a world from nothing - as it did),

recall that suff'ring in this flesh of ours

will mean we're done with sin, and capped it's lid!

No longer motivated by our lusts

(desires that left unbounded rule the roost),

led by and heading to God's will, we trust

some one who knows much better. And to boost

the case, he's "good-er" than we are;

compared to God, the human who's the best,

is still unjust and hasn't come that far;

God's into growing chicks up in his nest!

Sometimes he might not heed our comfort cries,

and sometimes, he might push us from the zone

where we feel quite secure; as eagle flies

above, below, its babies it has thrown

out of its nest, it helps them go beyond

where they could go  - they "know" (at least they feel).

God's will's that we in suffering respond

to love, to find our courage, not just squeal.

This living by, and to, and for, the will

of God, within our time left "in the flesh",

was just Yeshua's focus here until

God took him up to see their thrones enmeshed.

And when Yeshua taught us how to pray

he said to pray "God's will" be done on Earth

just like it was in heaven, where the way

appears to be, to do God's will from birth.

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1Χριστοῦ οὖν ⸀παθόντος σαρκὶ καὶ ὑμεῖς τὴν αὐτὴν ἔννοιαν ὁπλίσασθε, ὅτι ὁ ⸀παθὼν σαρκὶ πέπαυται ⸀ἁμαρτίας, 2εἰς τὸ μηκέτι ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαις ἀλλὰ θελήματι θεοῦ τὸν ἐπίλοιπον ἐν σαρκὶ βιῶσαι χρόνον. ΠΕΤΡΟΥ Α΄ 4:1‭-‬2 SBLG

 

1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.   1 Peter 4:1-2 NIVUK

 

Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking that he had; because whoever suffers physically is no longer involved with sin. From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God's will and not by human desires.  1 Peter 4:1‭-‬2 GNTD

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