growing up through troubles and difficulties

Oh God we really like this growing up

with you - & that's the bit that is the best!

And we don't want to shirk the showing up

if you ask us to be here, as a test,

or as a job that you gave us to do.

To learn to trust you well, and too obey,

and live your life out here, that your kids who

we're made by you - & have your DNA

somehow, because you are their father too

(that's what I draw from "in your image made"),

might catch a whiff, and somehow turn to you,

(or reach out in the darkness of their shade)

and find you, as you're hoping that they will.

And we are hoping that as well, you know.

We know this hide and seek happens until

we're fine'ly born and "come out", right on show,

as naked babies, in a brand new world,

Paul said the Cosmos on tip-toes awaits

this "day" of coming out, of standing bold.*

And we think that that sounds to be quite great,

so, looking forward, we'll do what we're told

by you, if you tell us, well, anything.

We know, you know us. Even when we're "cold"

and not responsive to your beckoning.

And every one-year old who'll ever smile

(responding to our love) is teaching us

how we're to copy you, show on our dial

responsiveness to your own reaching us!

---

*Rom 8:18-39 

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If God is teaching us to grow skillful in living within a (complex) human culture, not for the  end of only living in this dimension of this whole world as it now is, but to display his faithfulness as a sign of the existence of his love and care that reach beyond this world to  a new creation, it may mean either focussing on the job he gave us, as a way of seeking first his rule and righteousness) and leaving to him the mechanisms of how we gain our food, clothing, shelter in any given society he sends us to. But it is not that simple… When we do, he gives us back jobs to do to contribute to the society …. And we are told by him to love our neighbours. This embroiled us in the society… but it is the only motivation worth having, as distinct from the motivation of getting enough food, clothing, and shelter...

If, using ball-park figures, an average Australian family earns enough to buy a $400K house at the cost of ~$540/week over 25 years =$700K (@5% interest). Since we are living an alternative way of life, that is committed to focussing on time for people, even at the expense of minimising our acquiring of assets and money, we won't be likely to be gaining money and asserts at a family level. Can we work with God to set up structures that could be recognised by our society, that would allow the pooling of money or assets, for when we deal with owning or renting large assets like houses. E.g. a "Friendly society"? Looking at the application fees ($110K), it may be easier to just be a group of friends who are in a "partnership" to co-own, (e.g. two families I know of, each with six children, "owned" a small bus together for a number of years, in the names of the husband of one family, and the wife of the other), and to co-operate (e.g. those two growing families lived next door to each other, and for the first year before the second family to move there could afford/ build a clothes line, they shared the hills hoist of the other… this greatly enhanced their experience of community, as I could see it, and it was not all benefit when they did get to build their own clothes line.
Can it work to share an account, or form an association, for ownership of a building, or guaranteeing the payment in rental situations? Either form a national mission order, or if not, a local association, with agreed-on rules for opting in and out? I s'pose we can simply try the first options that come to us (Both families fill in the rental application forms, families with houses that have continuing rental to ask the Real Estate Agencies to consider swapping Tennants) , then go the next step, if that doesn't work…
i.e. Only try the more complex options if the simpler ones don't work… taking this principle across to the rest of our finances, we could just continue sharing costs, until that doesn't work… Therefore,  my question is: Are there any aspects of covering our costs that appear to any of us to be not working smoothly? 

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Celebrating a birthday... @ a restaurant together

Intentional community meets changes of membership, housing, individual differences in focus,

Oh God you know where you have led us thus

far - out onto a limb it sometimes feels,

and something deep within us wants to fuss,

well maybe it's just part of growing real..

so like ol' James' expectation for

these baby children of the Most High God

we'll learn to see these "tests and trials" more

as gifts to help us go where he has trod.

Oh God, we hear your culture's call, and choose

to let you make us diff'rent where you will,

and set ourselves to not be caught "at snooze",

asleep to what you're doing with us still.

And once again we hear what Jesus said

about that stuff of yearning first of all:

for your reign to become what is ahead

because of our responses to your call,

and for your hopes and dreams for all your kids,

the way that our Lord, Jesus would live here.

To listen to his words as that voice bids

ol' Peter and his mates when clouds appear.

And sometimes that is just how things feel now,

the vista that seemed good, gets fogged right in!

And we can't see who else to blame somehow,

and we don't want to say it's someone's sin.

It looks like you are in this mix, yourself.

Please help us by your cloud, or wind, or breath,

your attitude, or spirit, like an elf,

to listen well, increasingly "till death".

for goodness' sake...

Oh God I'm grateful for this great time full

of glad surprises, goodness more than I

can poke a stick at. Why do sheep grow wool?

And why should I be able here to fly

on helicopter's rotor,  wing of plane,

or glider, or by movies, or a dream?

So when you astro-travel folk again,

as Jesus did in new body it seems,

or Philip who proclaimed that news of yours,

who found himself transported (by your laws)

when he had gone to tell that bloke because

your angel told him to get dressed, no snores,

but get himself down to the "Highway South",

And when he went, as Shanks's ponies do,

and listened to the whisper of your mouth,

and used his ear to hear what he could too,

you made it clear what he was sent there for,

and he jumped in and did what you'd have asked,

and then responded to some questions more,

and trusted you as a small child who basked

within his Papa's care, and so you did

show him that your care for that bloke was some

of how you love to spread goodness.  You bid

your emissaries, though they may feel glum,

to be, and do, if they will step with you,

to pass your news on further to your few

who are the whole world over, not eschew-

ing, reaching out to find… well, you know who!

---

be-love-ed ..

But you, my fam'ly now, upon this Earth,
don't be like those who wander off the track,
who blind or deaf ignore their higher "birth"/
inheritance, for they have turned their back

on holy truths. They've stopped responding to
the love and truth of God themselves, and slumped
(a very dang'rous thing for all those who
are living here, where we have all been "jumped"

by Papa's en-em-y somehow, so now,
our fam'ly has been hard at work behind
the scenes, in taking back his kids, but wow
we have to be awake to it, to find

how we can work along with what’s been done
by God, and older children of his too,
in order to join his advent’rous fun,
not made-up work, real ser-ious stuff to do)!

He said he’d build his own ekklesia,
that’s “called out” ones, who live against the flow,
who trust their father, not just easier
appearing options, they will take the blow,

and "bear the beams of love"* in darkest place,
& work with him on what he’s working for,
by listening & responding with that grace
from his own spirit’s attitude and more,

to keep themselves within the love of God,
just like a plant whose roots seek out good soil,
we’ll wait upon his mercy - till we’ve trod
out of this womb-world - we will not recoil!

---

ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀγαπητοί, ⸂ἐποικοδομοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς τῇ ἁγιωτάτῃ ὑμῶν πίστει⸃, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ προσευχόμενοι, ἑαυτοὺς ἐν ἀγάπῃ θεοῦ τηρήσατε προσδεχόμενοι τὸ ἔλεος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.   ΙΟΥΔΑ 1:20‭-‬21 SBLG

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20‭-‬21 NIVUK

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

But you, dear friends of mine, build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith and by praying through the Holy Spirit keep yourselves within the love of God. Wait patiently for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will bring you to the life eternal. Jude 1:20-21 J B Phillips, (+ Greek, Good News, New Revised Version),

* A beautiful phrase for one of the purposes of humanity,  in one of William Blake's poems focusing on overcoming inter-racial conflict under God: 

    "And we are put on earth a little space,

     That  we may learn to bear the beams of love, ..."  

"the beams"... of the light of love, have a beautiful, horrific, deathly edge to them in the light of the crucifiction of God's Christ.

---

P.M.-BRACE yourself, and take it like a (wo)man!

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1b (PM Version)

When I was praying about 2020- the word EMBRACE came to me!!
I looked up what EMBRACE means-
"to hold closely and to accept willingly and enthusiastically"

2019 for many people was a year of challenges- I would say most people I know have had major changes in their lives or had periods of really tough times and for some there is still no light at the end of the tunnel. Life is tough and we were never promised an easy journey. But what I do know is these challenges and difficulties get easier as we learn to trust God in them- He is the only one that does not change and he has promised he will use all situations for good.
God also has promised he will never leave us or forsake us- I know this is hard to think about when you are in the middle of "it" but when I look back I can see how God was working things out in our tough times.

So let us "embrace" God and what God he has installed for us- let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us!!

I am praying that 2020 will be a new chapter in your life- it will be a great year that you will always remember for the good things that will happen.
Blessings. P.M.

---

Well, thank you Paul. And please God, make that true 
for Paul & Rachel and all their family too. 
And we are sure of your plans, that aren't new,
but older than the hills; yet fresh as dew.

---

God's grace in place! (A prayer)

God please give us your grace, within this space.

And do your work of healing for my Dad.

And too that couple, friends, with-in the place

where they are, with this drought and a great sad-

ness, from the hopes and dreams that haven’t come

about as they were hoping that they would;

and too for my Dad’s arm, also his thumb

that’s lost its power, and is not so good.

And since we know that you invar-iably 

give your attention to our tiny prayers,

whatever they’re about, we know we’ll see

one day how you’ve shown us your love and care,

so that we are quite sure that you’ll answer.

And yet we think we know some of your thoughts

and dreams, and hopes for this world; not cancer

or death, or horror, rules, or lists of oughts.

Your life that gives to humans (your own kids)

a life that is much bigger than this world(!)

until they can not stay with shut eye-lids,

but take your kiss of blessing that’s been hurled

or blown about to us, upon your breath

that was what made humanity at first,

and gave us life, with option for our death

but no coercion, just a heart that burst

and eyes that wept, at grief that truly came

to source of love & creativity,

and life that lavished, yet took on our shame,

to you we gladly look intently, see!

---

And since we know that he invariably gives his attention to our prayers, whatever they are about, we can be quite sure that our prayers will be answered. 1 John 5:15

---

a couple are using Christmas to be an excuse to bring blessing for the coming year...

Oh God, please give this couple peace this year,
may Jesus' wisdom/ creativity
be multiplied to them, that through them near
folk be infected. The nativity

be once again lived here on planet Earth;
within the lives of them, both woman/ man,
a couple, who are fam’ly (not by birth)
but joined because of purpose, now began;

a one-ness that’s of purpose, focusing
upon the family, before they themselves,
and trusting goodness, and that love will sing
it’s power can not ever lose its health!

---

'round the first Christmas..

The one you are betrothed to (who's with child)

will give birth to a Son, whom you're to call

the same name as Yeshua un-beguiled

who saved his people from their sinful stall,

and took them into their own land as well,

and taught them to displace those cultures grim.

And Joe, and Mary prob-ab-ly could tell

the book within their Bible named for him.

And in their Bible (translated to Greek,

"Septuagint" it's called), in the fifth book,

it's all about a "Jesus", who could speak

with Captain of God's armies, who just looked

like any human being with a sword.

And told the children of Is-rael, from God,

what they should do to win, under their Lord.

That "Jesus" (in the Greek), said where they trod

would then become their own, and they'd be saved

from landless wandering about the world

or else just doing what they're told.. "enslaved".

To learn to "hear" and live by God's own word!

To learn to live above the fallen state

(that missing of the dream God had for them).

To give their all to help bring on God's fait,

that Jesus led the lot of them, back then!

And this one would bring on God's dream again,

bring glory to this God, upon the Earth.

He'd bring God's peace and hope to sons of men.

The Angel's sang that song there at his birth!

---

"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to call him JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins" Mathew 1:21 (PM Version)

"Glory to God in highest heaven! For there is peace and good hope given to the sons of men" Luke 2:14 (PM Version)

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Christmas 2019 AD ...

This Christmas, twenty nineteen years (or so) -

that’s since the birth of God’s anointed one,

the one whom he has christened, so we’ll know

that he has picked him out, and named him “Son”.

For he’s the son of God, like Adam was

(or else it’s more that Adam was like him?).

Our timing’s not like God’s and that’s because

he’s first-er, and he’s last-er, we’re a dim

reflection of his nature, in his stead!

And like ol’ John the Baptist said “One comes

who’s after me, and yet he is ahead!”

That’s coz sometimes a paradox seems dumb.

Sometimes reality’s a “funny thing”,

when we compare it to our tiny minds.

It’s like a bird that we see “on the wing”

Yet understand not how it ever finds

the air so thick, to hold it well enough.

And how on Earth did God get into Christ

to bring the whole world back to him, and stuff?

To give us all a way ahead, suffice

to say he is the leader of us all,

if only we could see the job he did.

And though he may have looked so very small

compared to him Augustus was a kid!

So here we are, with timing somewhat off.

And here he was. It’s hard to take it in.

He ate our food, and wee’d, at times he’d cough.

Just like a human being, without sin!

In fact he was the truest man of all,

that’s even truer than the first Adarm.

The second is the best, though he did fall

“asleep”, quite deep, but then he wasn’t harmed!

God’s operation – (make for him a bride)

is not quite finished yet, it seems at least.

And all who’ve come from (and back to) his side

will make together quite a Christmas feast!

And we are here together, each of us.

Each household that is trying to display

the kind of life that’s like our Lord Jesus,

that’s learning to live life, from him, his way!

And here in Sieben Drive in Orange town,

and with that Todd Place, just around the bend.

We’ve had our ups, and too we’ve had our downs

we’re learning what it’s like to be a friend,

or maybe more, to be a family!

To let each other in - to life with us.

To listen better to each one we see

and not complain as much about the fuss,

and frailties that we see in each one here.

And sometimes it’s the Christ who leads the way

to living as we would, without that fear

of what the rest will do, or think, or say!

I think we’ve got a fair way yet to go.

Somehow that’s not a problem, if we’ve got

a teacher like this Jesus Christ who knows

what we are like, but also who knows God!

Oh God, I’m glad for Gil and Han so far

(with Polly and that baby Mai of theirs).

With teaching, drawing on the way things are,

and games that grow, and also act as stairs.

And Lib & Jenny, Fred, and May (and car)

& Jeeves, who weaves for nourishment, their wares,

and play and sing and learn and teach and hard-

ly ever miss on bringing good to share!

See Mary doing internship along

the way, and sharing with those other folks,

and Monty helping people who aren’t strong

or have some sickness, meeting up with blokes.

And ‘Trina who is teaching there with Jeeves,

a Culture Hub-y too, though she’s my wife.

I think that we’ve begun to learn to weave

along with God, his good, amid the strife!

(some names changed, because I haven't got permission to publish them yet)

---

Fire burned, love has turned...

Fire has burned another family's house down. House destroyed. All household saved.

---

Wow. God please give your people grace just now, 

please help them to be salt and light, somehow.

And thank you that their lives have all been saved,

we know that better still they are engraved

upon your heart, and your plans go beyond

some Earthly planet, as it now responds

to things around, but also to our care

(or lack thereof), please help us to beware.

Or else I might just be, we must be where..

be where we'll stop decay and help folk care,

for what is truly good, and right, and true,

by modelling it all, as he would do.

If we can help at all, please help us see

with realism clear, please help us be

a glove that you can put your hand inside,

to do your work, you are the one who's tried

to let us learn to rule under your eye.

to teach us how a god might really cry,

with love for your own children who are "dead"

though they still walk around, from Dawn till Bed.

And thinking of that ol' Sun's fusion pow'r,

that helps all life on Earth continue now

in ecosystems balanced very fine,

I think that you might know how to combine

a careful planning, and the bottom line,

with fun and passion, patience all the time.

And also with that Christmas spirit of

a Father who might say his son is "Tov!"*

---

*  "Tov!" Is the Hebrew exclamation "Good!"

---

Oh God! We see..

Thank you Lord for loving, so lavishly.
Our home! Our dwelling place. Our family.
Our father who made all of time and space,
to share with us, and made us to be free!

You've brought this all upon yourself you know.
And we look on and see the things you do.
We'd like to be like you when we up grow!
We're glad that you came down, and like us too!

Love lives!

God please help me to learn throughout this day

to live within your view, look up - to pray.

So even if there's nothing I can say,

communication's happening that way.

I love it when good friends are sharing life.

There are times when it happens with my wife.

For though commodifying may be rife,

a deeper friendship chops it off, as knife

chops cheese, and throws it down the hatch.

Commodities are meant to be dispatched,

Not taken in as virus to be patched

to DNA, a model that is matched,

to ours so closely, that we cannot see

distinguish-ing appearances, so we

can target it, or not let it be free

to commandeer, but maybe, just may-be

each cell (that's not a blood cell) in our bod

still has the DNA of us, the lot;

and could be used to re-get it by God. 

He's not constrained by come backs that we've got.

Our little hoard of pictures we can draw,

of sty-l-ized imaginings to more

or less (seems often 'less', but I'm not sure)

keep up communicating, but "What for?"

if sure and certain, love is lost somehow.

They say it's like the Tazzy tiger now.

But I saw it, one day, and will not bow

to all that is not it. I'll feed it! ..Wow!

---

Unseen, in secret, private, and alone...

See when you give to those who are in need,

that this may se-cret-ly be done for them;

your Father loves his secrets - he made seed

which hides within itself a crop or when

it's given time, a tree of any size.

So secrets activate his focussed care,

attention, and his glee at good surprise.

He sees each one, as though he is right there,

behind each person's eyes, and in their mind.

He loves to follow threads, through many links,

to any whiff of purpose he can find.

It's like he loves to play at games me-thinks,

and will reward each good thing that we wind

up, so as to produce a further good.

He loves surprises, processes we've lined

up, so as to bring growth of love as should

a being which can learn to plan, & love.

He made you so, in secret wove the whole

of you, and is still giving from above

the wisdom to become more than a soul,

part of a bigger secret life. Surprise!

And when you 'waste' your time relating to

a 'secret God' invisible to eyes

of flesh, or even choosing NOT to do

what's normally a method to gain life,

in order to make stronger within you

that higher kind of friendship which is rife

with God. He sees and loves those secrets too!

---

Mat 6:4,6,18

..4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[a]... ...

..6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[a] ...

..18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[a]. 

Mat 6:4,6,18

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