to sing/pray while ascending … on the journey into the Lord’s presence more fully

Oh Lord, I’ve checked my heart, my mind I’ll stop, 

my eyes aren’t overlooking folk near me. 

I’ve put aside desires to be on top, 

to understand so I can rule and be 

in charge before I’ve learned in your good time. 

I’m not the big boss. You are that I know. 

And you’re the wise one, who can make things rhyme. 

I’ll not usurp to be the one who’ll show 

 you how it’s done, from my great knowledge store. 

I’ve calmed and shushed myself like a weaned child. 

Just like a little child on own is poor, 

but with Mum's rich in all that’s good and wild! 

Oh all who are God’s people, put your hope 

not in technologies and other things.

But in the Lord, who smiles, & who can cope 

both now and with what any future brings.

 

---

After Psalm 131 ; Paul Walker 24/06/2020, Orange NSW, Australia.

God picked us!

My fam'ly, think of what you were when you 
were called. Not many wise by standards here; 
not many influential; jobs we do
are lower echalon, kinds that appear

to be quite or-din-ar-y, not "of note".
...not many were of noble birth, or wealth.
But God chose foolish things to float his boat,
to shame the wise ones. God chose not just health,

but sick and weak ones of this world he picked
to shame the strong and capable, and proud.
God chose the lowly things considered sick,
despised and overlooked by our old crowd.

The things that are not yet, they're just a thought,
– to nullify the things that seem so strong,
so that no-one may boast before him. Caught,
he'll bring them down to Earth before too long.

It is because of this God, who's like this,
who picks the weak and useless ones like us
that we are now the "chosen ones" of his,
this Leader of Humanity - Jesus,

who has become for us our wisdom from
Creator God – he is, our righteousness,
our holiness, redemption, our shalom.
The first in this new order we confess.

Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the ones
who boast, boast in the Lord’ (that's Yahweh God),
for we're  not independent, we are sons
& daughters, still to grow up quite a lot!

(combined effort of Mark and Paul)

---

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’  1 Corinthians 1:26‭-‬31 NIVUK

---

mind your imaginations

So in your thoughts continually reflect

on what's authentic, real, and hon'rable. 

What's admirable, & beautiful, respect-

ful, pure and holy, kind and merciful. 

And make a "fast" to stop within yourself

that unkind grumpy, fearful worried jerk.

And all your thoughts then fasten on God’s wealth -

abundant stores & every glor'ious work.

And as we grow like God, may it be said

that "We saw it was good!" (- the stuff that is)

and after wasting time in life declared

the wonders of this God, what glory's his!

The Lord said that "My grace is all you need. 

My pow'r works best in weakness, it's displayed

more fully when your trust is like a seed

that isn't static, dead, or just plain “stayed"!

So now I'll celebrate, my weaknesses, 

for when I'm weak I sense more deeply this

this mighty life of Christ, which as he says

is welling up, and flowing out. I'm his!

So I'll not throw away my confidence,

rewarded richy it will surely be.  

I need to persevere so that when hence

I've done the will of God, I will receive 

what God has promised, since God cannot lie!

I can rejoice (that's even when I run

into those problems/ trials, till I die),

for I know that they help develop fun -

a sense of that God-humour, that endures.

And that endurance is an exercise

that grows/develops strength of love & lures

the character that never will despise

but strengthens all true confidence & hope.

Salvation steady then will surely come 

that will not lead to disappointment's cope-

ing strategies ... For we know surely some

of that dear love of God who dearly loves,

(and we would keep ourselves within it too!)

because he's given us here, from above

his spirit, such a holy thing to woo,

and fill our hearts with motivation that's

the hesed, faithful loyal love that keeps

on, as a never-ending wine, in vats

or water-jars of stone, or skins. Not cheap!

So we will not conform to this old world,

nor be corrupted by its way of "life",

its pattern that it seeks to see unfurled,

its way of moving forward in the strife,

but we will let God's boy transform our mind

renewing it from inside out by his

anointing, & we'll gladly then combine

these gifts to test and see what God’s will is..

God's will that's good, and pleasing and perfect,

though it may well involve great suffering,

yet what comes out of that will then effect

much greater good than other ways could bring.

Because we trust, we wear it like a glove,

just as Yeshua did, though all seemed lost,

by praying in the holy spirit's love,

we're built up, as is faith of greatest cost.

---

So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God,praising him always!! Philippians 4:8 (PM Version)

The Lord said "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness"!! So I will celebrate, my weakness, for when I am weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (PM Version)

So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richy rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  Hebrews 10:35-36 (PM Version)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Roman 5:3-5 (PM Version)

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

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (PM Version)

---

The Samuel 2020 vision

And "Samuel" the name, can mean two things:

"the name of God" [in which case it reminds

us of the one himself who hears and sings,

perceives, believes, the one who looks and finds,

whose name should not be bandied all about,

but held as sacred, just because it points 

to whom it does, (that's not to say "Don't shout

it!" - Like a Bono, David he anoints

to be the ruler, king, of that good land.

As singer he would sing his name aloud,

both person'lly while shepherding, or stand-

ing leading Israel, as a thronging crowd

into the presence of this One himself,

towards the Eden of God's company

in Eve'ning walks, to talk of life and health, 

as does a family, showing that hurt knee…)]

As "Samuel" 's said it also can mean that

"God heard" - as the creator of a world

(by speaking out a word) - both round and flat,

but as a Dad or Mum hears their child curled 

on lounge or bassinet, because of love.

Deciphers every cry, to understand.

Just so, recall now He, who from above

has heard and suffered well in his own land.

And then that Samu'el of fame amongst 

the rulers and the judges of God's flock,

who learned to listen to the God of hosts,

petition him, who knew him as his rock!

---

Samuel (sometimes spelled Samual) is a male given name and a surname of Hebrew origin meaning either "name of God" or "God heard" (שם האלוהים Shem HaElohim) (שמע אלוהים Sh'ma Elohim). Samuel was the last of the ruling judges in the Old Testament. He anointed Saul to be the first King of Israel and later anointed David. WIKIPEDIA

---

"She'll be right" tourers..

Well thank you for your friendship over years,
for looking for the best.. amongst the rest
of me. I spent a day, some time arrears,
with someone very like me. As a test,

I now see, showing up, my immature-
ity, and also formative of life
& love, now that I feel what will endure
(along with what will not) amidst the strife

and feelings not of trust, but of great frust
- rations of my bacon that are half baked.
and takin's of my takin's that now must
be re-distributed to those I taked

from. Like that dirty tax-collector bloke.
I never felt much like him. But I am.
A dealer in those things that pull and poke
to make a mechanism cov'ring sham.

Not burying, as dead but keeping still
the once remembered properties of love,
the movement at a whim to good that will
keep propagating more of what's above,

beyond; but here below - on this here Earth.
Oh, God, i can't yet see you face to face,
for i am still a blastophere, no birth
has yet occured on earth amongst our race.

Or so it seems to me, from whom i met,
and eyeballed with these eyes I thought could see.
(Now I see they're a metaphor to whet
my knowledge that is true of love. Of "we".

…….

A mamalian mother, models part of preternatural parenthood...

God, thanks for her, and her good milk for Babe,
it's pretty special that this can be so.
Please give your patient grace to help her save
herself from this contaminated flow

of what should be life-giving helpful stuff
from this here culture that we're living in,
but is instead infected, with "unlove"
we need your antibodies now to win.

And thank you for that body of your own,
the anti-Anti-Christ of God, your son,
who covers over, and who will atone,
for all that is unlove, and who has won

the fight of health and cleanliness, and life
that's over and against the death and hate
that steals and will destroy and kill, and stife-
le. We are glad he's not the Christ "of late";

and that you are the present tense "full on",
without the tenseness of anxiety
or fear (that is the hole when hope has gone).
Your tension's from some new directioning.

And though we do not see the picture whole,
and still see some quite little bits up close,
we trust your creativity to solve
our greatest problems, with your holy ghost

who first was hov'ring over chaos deep
and wide (as far as Earthly things then went)
so bringing life and love, to make them leap
on up, and out, of random dead events!

Psalm one 'n' a hundred hits the mark...

God, I will sing of justice & of love

and I will sing to you, a song of praise.

And I will be responsive to your dove

of shalom, and your motivating ways.

I'll let your peaceful prosper-ous-ness throw

me out into deserted wastelands to

test me to see which way I'll really go,

and whether I will choose to hear from you

or justify myself, in what I choose,

& what is chosen 'round about me too.

Oh God in growing wisdom I'd not lose

my innocence. I need your help to do

this, will you come to me? - for I'm in need.

For what I know as right and true and good

is not the only thing I'd like to feed

on. Please help me to do just what I should.

Affairs within my household, I'll conduct

with blameless heart, that won't just be beguiled.

I hate what faith-less-ness does when it's mucked

about. I won't approve of what is vile.

I'll have no part in what's perverse of heart,

I'll keep that kind of talk far off from me;

I will not have to do with snakey's part

that plays at breaking covenants to “free”

folk’s choices up, to let us do “our will” -

what our desi-re at that time might be.

I’ll take no part with slanderers who kill

in secret, nor help haughty eyes to see.

My eyes will be on faithfulness and true 

men/ women who will trust in God’s supply,

for partners, (who will dwell with me, not sue),

for food and drink, and shelter & for light!

So God help me, to not deceive myself

as I am wont to do, when left alone.

Without you, I am not in such good health,

and you look after all who are your own!

Oh that I might have lie-detector pow’rs.

But I don’t think that I’m here as the judge.

I need to be more ready to spend hours

in list’ning to the truth, not to a “fudge”

that’s really self-fulfilling prophecy,

or maybe just the thought that we can make

a person who is good, and just, and free,

the same as when a baker bakes a cake.

I hear the call to follow Last Adarm’s

Appearance on this earth - from up above:

more willey than the serpent, but less harm,

from list’ning to, and being like, the dove.

---

I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord , I will sing praise.  I will be careful to lead a blameless life – when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.  I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.  Whoever slanders their neighbour in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose way of life is blameless will minister to me.  No-one who practises deceit will dwell in my house; no-one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord. Psalms 101:1‭-‬8 NIVUK

What some people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:15

---

plans ...

"I know the plans I have for you" says he
the Father of all fatherhood, the Lord,
Creator, maker of all good that we
esteem as such so we do not get bored!

"For they are plans for good and not disas-
-ter, to give you a hope and future bright!!"
You see that every child of God outlasts
a world, and nations, everything in sight!

They are victor-i-ous, they overcome
the whole world and its system that is fraught
with power shortages as though it’s sum
of pow-er is what it itself has brought

in by conniving practices that need
continu-al devouring to preserve.
It’s like a mushroom that grows like a weed,
but grows by decomposing, gets its verve

not from the light itself, but what eludes
that has already stored some energy.
In that way it does not make its own foods
but must rely on other things that breed.

Each child of God, is like a god themselves,
but they choose not to see themselves alone.
Their nature is as different as are elves.
They overcome this world through faith(, that bone)!

Continuing, persistent fulcrum which,
with sinue-s, and some muscles also mean
that actions come about, and things are stitched
together into more than just a dream!

So now we thank you Lord that you are our
provider of all things we need each day.
You give us light and leave us your own pow’r -
- atomic is much less than love’s, I say!

So now whatever’s lovely, what is true,
whatever’s noble, right, pure, adm’rable,
praiseworthy, excellent, those things we’ll do,
and think of to make them imag’nable.

For those who will the Lord strongly pursue
will not lack any good thing, though the strong
and wealthy of this world will get the flue,
grow weak, and hungry, after very long.

But you and I, created in his “chance”,
are masterpieces of this God in Christ.
Before our birth, God planned out in advance
our destiny and good works that he likes!

If we will openly declare that he
that’s Jesus, is the Lord, the boss, in charge;
and trust in ou-r hearts that God was pleased
to raise him from the dead, to be “at large”;

We will be saved from this ol’ dyin’ world.
For trust in God is serious good stuff!
Can right all wrong, because he is who hurled
each thing that matters. His word is enough.

So we will thank the Lord, for he is good.
Yes- he is always loving and too kind,
his faithful love will never end, nor could.
For he will never end, his love’s not blind!

---

"For I know the plans I have for you" says The Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future!!" Jeremiah 29:11 (PM Version)

You see, every child of God is victorious and overcomes the world through our continuing, persistent faith in Jesus the Son of God. 1 John 5:4 (PM Version)

Thank you Lord that you are our provider of all we need each day. Mathew 6:11 (PM Version)

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think of such things. Philippians 4:8 (PM Version)

Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue The Lord will never lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10 (PM Version)

You are God's masterpiece- created in Christ. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!! Ephesians 2:10 (PM Version)

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:9‭-‬10 (PM Version)

Give thanks to The Lord, for he is good. Yes- he's always loving and kind, and his faithful love never ends. Psalm 107:1 (PM Version)

---

Things go badly for the start of our group twice now

Oh God, I know you're up there, and down here.
We know that your good ways aren't all we see.
So we will trust you somehow to make clear
whatever else we need to do, or be!

mooring goodness...

Oh God you've scattered goodness 'round about

and now you've shared the best bits with your kids,

we get to share with you, the pain, and shout

with joy as you tra-va-il. So we did,

and now we get to see things t'other way

around, about, from your side of life here,

where knowledge is not stuff that we just say,

but loving service, so life will appear,

and grow from weak, and ignorant, with needs

that's just absorbing all the love it can,

to strong and pow-er-ful and like those steeds

that take, and make more powerful a man

or woman who will ride on them to do

whatever must be done in God's good world.

But also with a magic that will move,

enab'ling Good and Love to more be hurled

out into this wide universe, as does

this God who never stops his work that's good,

except it be to multiply and such,

and spend time with his children as he would.

And now that ou-r children are with child
another generation's coming on.
Oh God, none who would trust you get less wild,
but get more life, & wisdom, and get strong!

I think that I can only see that you
are who's to blame for things as good as this!
And in the chaos that floats by here too,
I'm anchoring on you. You're not remiss!

throughout this day

Respond to God's own LOVE throughout this day,
which might mean that above all, I would PRAY
for ev'ryone who comes into my head,
from sight, or thought, or from what folk have said,

that brings to mind, to me within the fray,
new linkings made of them to God, the reign
of one who is their father though dismayed,
yet still so joyful in all that’s arrayed

of goodness, lovliness, for children who
would do their tasks as though they’re given to
d’splay the multi-coloured coats of blue
and green, & yellow, orange, red, and too

the purple, indigo that has been said
to be invisible like infra-red
to human eyes, though heat is sensed by head,
just not the eyes espesh’ly. Rays are fed

to life to keep it going at its peak.
This is the Ray of Love, of which I speak.
The ray which makes a way itself, not bleak
-ly ended by a vacu’m. Not so weak.

And so in tasks and jobs there is a chance
that’s given then to matter so to dance
with God, not as “the one who wears the pants”
but one who wears his pants out, knees and hands

a-crawling so that sprawling where he lands
to serve, his focussed nerve - like steely bands,
will not be scared & swerve, and duck, but stands
where all tall poppies get what evil plans.

---

Peace! - His wisdom's faithful, it won't cease!

---

For you oh God, will keep in perfect peace

those people who are steadfast in their minds

to trust in you. Your wonders never cease!

So we will now cling tightly to our find -

since we recall that you are it yourself,

not so that we treat you as just "a thing"

- to help us in achieving our own wealth

apart from you, for you are our own king!

We hold this hope that lives within us now

that you have noticed and come down to here.

We sense that in our Jesus, you somehow

are keeping all your promises so dear.

So we will keep on trusting in the Lord

and do what's right, not in our eyes, but his.

We'll fix our hearts on promises assured

by God himself. For he is not a fiz.

He's faithful, so we know we'll be secure.

He's wise beyond our mortal wisdom's ken.

So when we need some wisdom, or endure-

ance we'll look to this generous God. That's when,

not if, for just this world itself is big-

ger than we ever could ourselves, take in.

We'd have to trust in others so to "dig",

or "get", it all - and that's his hope to win

us over, and then give it all away,

and make it, at the same time just a chance

to share some fun, with kids of his - at play;

to share with us his skill - at song and dance!

---

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 (PM Version)

So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives with in us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!! Hebrews 10:23 (PM Version)

Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, for he is faithful!! Psalm 37:3 (PM Version)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking!! James 1:5 (PM Version)

---

Yearning with learning to know & to grow..

I'm seeing now that as I live with you,

oh Wise One who made all things that exist,

from what did not exist, but comes as dew

comes in the morning when there isn't mist,

yet water drops appear on leaves & such,

where none still runs in rivulets & streams.

Just so, material that matters much,

congeals around your will, & love that means

that we now have a world in which to live,

to walk around & live our lives upon.

Your gracious Providence is such a give-

away, when seen and understood, so long

as one may yet have wonder and some awe,

and still allow a gratefulness and song

to grow within their garden, as a lore

of life with manners, that are good and strong.

So like the dew, or a tomato plant,

that comes or grows when some conditions near

are then fulfilled, I'll see, I surely can't

stop seeing, any more than just "not hear".

But surely I don't have to tell a soul.

There's no compulsion just to make them know.

Except if they would somehow be less whole,

and they have asked me to help them to grow.

Then I could cheat off him who taught like none

before or after ever have on Earth.

His questions asked; his stories were begun

to pique their int'rest in what things are worth.

---

Who're A's? (hip, hip..)

And happy birthday on this day; this date,

some years ago a baby boy was born.

Some hopes and dreams were formed, we celebrate

the goodness that has come. We're not forlorn.

And even then some things have happened that 

are hard to recognise or sort quite right,

- to work out all our choices, good or bad;

since we are not the God of pow'r and might.

And since the god and father of Yeshu

has been uncovered now, because his son

has come and done the work he had to do,

the work of knowing God, has now begun!

And knowing him, is not just knowing facts

about him (as though he is data "just").

His attitudes are shown much more by acts

than just by words, or times that he is fussed.

And that's a bit the same with Christ-i-yarn!

He's not so fussed with just the "words" & "claims".

But stories can be linked, & save from harm,

the context can bring healing, or bring shame.

So then, the years can help to clarify,

as stories are entwined to make a chain,

they carry meaning, don't demistify,

but give us hope to have a go, again!

And may this coming year bring more to you

of faithfulness of friendship, and of hope,

the care for others that would never do

what harms or undermines, though it can joke!

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