Trip ... up, and down.. so bendy here we go!

 

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Oh God, we're here together in this car..

on Fam'ly biz'nus, so we see we're sent

by you who made up what, and who, we are;

and know the good that ev'ry fam'ly's meant

to show off at its core; the stuff YOU ARE,

the stuff the scriptures say describes your core:

You're holy, you are just, you see so far

ahead, behind, what's possible - and more…

you're kind, & show your mercy ev'ry day,

you're as a father, mother, to us all,

you're trainer of your children, and they say

your loving-kindness (hesed) never falls

or ends, or fails, or gives up, or will stop.

You're loving, so the scriptures say of you,

you're jealous that our love for you's on top,

& first, because we're made for love that's true.

So we, made to reflect in kinda acts,

and smiles, and questions - listened to with care,

know that we've seen, and know from all the facts

that you, our father, are, not only … there!

You're here, with us; not just a Loving God,

(with adjectives, and verbs, and nouns they speak

about you God, their ways sometimes seem odd,

and unexpected, yet they give a peek

of spirit, or of core, of character,

your habits, and the texture of your self,

we think.. No, more, we know that YES-YOU-ARE

/IS GOD WITH US, our LOVE, and too our wealth!

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O u r power...; you're more!

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So up till now we've seen your power at work,

but in the slow & steady things of life:

the common place, the growth of seeds, not shirk-

ing our responsibilities in strife.

We-ve seen your reign within us ev'ry day,

in making choices to reflect your love;

but something still seems missing, we would say,

at least we don't feel that we're "from above".

It feels sometimes like we are in a cave,

in darkness, stuck with not much insight here;

It seems like we are called to now be brave,

and not to panic, or close down in fear.

I'm trusting that you're right here, now, with me

in darkness and constrained by all these walls,

yet knowing that you know more than I see,

& that you'll catch me if I really fall

so low as "to be hurt"; no, "to be harmed".

I'd have to first admit I'm not the god

who made all of the world; I am not charmed

above all other gods. Help me see what

I need to know. I now recall your word

through Jesus who's your message to us all,

that to believe and listen (he inferred)

would be God's work for us! - & for this Paul.

So now I'm back to just a "baby god";

who needs a father/mother heaps, & must

get food & drink from you, yourself. You're what

I need more than your gifts. I'll learn to trust!

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life appalls♧♤, now calls◇♡...

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I'm so small, my purview is not large;

each time that I forget you... Oh my god...

I feel so threatened when folk 'round me barge

& try to force the way that we'll have trod.

It's mostly if they claim the higher ground..

each time they state their stuff in such a way

as to manipulate "what has been found..."

I smell their lack, & then I want to say

things with a push-back - "I'm as good as you!"

& do their trick to them, right to their face!

I know that's not a lovely thing to do,

and certainly does not smell of the  grace

that makes all human life more than deranged

(& moves by higher ways than "tooth & nail").

My modus operandi needs to change,

I must see further… not just chase my tail…

[Chorus 1…]

I'm so small, my purview is not large;

each time that I forget you... oh my god...

I feel so threatened when folk 'round me barge

and try to force what happens here a lot.

I cannot answer my dilemna by

more belly-button gazing at myself,

I must see through me, to your bigger life -

and trust you as my glorious true wealth.

[Chorus 2…]

Since nothing separates me from above -

your care and your acceptance! Oh my god!

Some small change doesn't justify your love,

it's part of consequences, which are lots.

So I do now relinquish "rights" of mine

to be the top dog*, since I'm not at all.

I set myself to learn from you to shine.

Your "foolish" ways are wisdom for this Paul.

[Chorus 2…]

Since nothing separates me "from above" -

your care and your acceptance! Oh my god!

Some small change doesn't justify your love,

it's part of consequences, which are lots.

I'll seek, and ask, for wisdom "from above" 

my own small situation, and expect

the parents of this foetus to show love;

and yes you are° my way! I now accept.

[Chorus 2…]

Since nothing separates me "from above" -

your care and your acceptance! Oh my god!

Some small change doesn't justify your love,

it's part of consequences, which are lots.

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*  thinking of that story I heard first from John Smith of Melbourne early this millenium (I think), about the agnostic, dyslexic, insomniac, who used to lie awake at night, and wonder if there really was a dog. 

°  thinking of that epitome of the best of that spirit found in Einstein, Freud, Jung, Solomon, Jeremiah, Moses, Abraham, embodied in that occupied part of the Roman empire from the First Century CE, who claimed to have found (and offered up gladly to all who accepted his invitation and who came to him) the way to being human in this world, and more. His name in Hebrew sounds a bit like this.

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Audio of draft version : https://tinyurl.com/4z8d5szy 

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What have you done - with God's Christ?

considering God's "open" secret: through Paul's message in his letter commonly called "Romans"+ etc*

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Oh God, you will reward each one accord-

ing to what we have done, not our intents.

Our actions more than thoughts affect what's stored.

The folk who keep on doing good, will hence-

forth find a gift from God, spread from God's store:

the very life of God shared with them each.

If seeking glory, honour, and immor-

tal life, persist they in what God would teach,

and keep on doing good*, then God will give 

eternal life to them, so who will take

it from them? There is nothing, no one lives

who has the pow'r to separate or make

us not to be empowered by this gift

of Christ's immortal resurrection life,

whose way is pow'red by love, that holds and lifts

this Universe together, come what strife

might come our way. But there are other songs,

for sadly other people selfishly

reject what's right, to follow what is wrong; 

so on them God pours anger and fury.

There's suffering and pain for all who do 

what's evil, for the Jews first, then the rest.

But God gives glory, honor, and peace to 

all who do what is good - by him they're blest.

For it is not the hearing of God's Law 

that puts folk right with God; if they recite

his law, with chapter/verses - what's that for?

But doing - God's good word make(s) all things right!

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*   Here the apostle Paul uses the same logic and starting point as John uses in his clear and candid comments to his "little children": "Be sure, then, to keep in your hearts the message you heard from the beginning. If you keep that message, then you will always live in union with the Son and the Father. And this is what Christ himself promised to give us—eternal life. I am writing this to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But as for you, Christ has poured out his Spirit on you. As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For his Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true, not false. Obey the Spirit's teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ. Yes, my children, remain in union with him, so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes. You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God's child."  1 John 2:24‭-‬29 GNTD

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+ For God will reward each of us according to what we have done. Some people keep on doing good, and seek glory, honor, and immortal life; to them God will give eternal life. Other people are selfish and reject what is right, in order to follow what is wrong; on them God will pour out his anger and fury. There will be suffering and pain for all those who do what is evil, for the Jews first and also for the Gentiles. But God will give glory, honor, and peace to all who do what is good, to the Jews first and also to the Gentiles. For God judges everyone by the same standard. …

For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands. Romans 2:6‭-‬11‭, ‬13 GNTD

(And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them. In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son—will he not also freely give us all things? Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? As the scripture says, “For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:30‭-‬39 GNTD)

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P R A Y / S I N G ?

Since pray & sing together gives us pring,

if sing & pray might ever be called say,

it could be said, whatever way we'd bring

ourselves into his presence, like in prayer,

if Jesus is "the way", then we'd be there.           

     

…   …   …          In pairs, read and follow, the following:

It is possible for our concept (& practice) of prayer to get "stuck in a rut", in many ways. It is even possible to get stuck in something as broad (or as narrow) as conceiving prayer to be  "saying words to God". 

Yes, one way to think about "prayer", is simply "conversation with God", another, is simply "communication with God", yet another is "life shared with God". 

These get broader from the first (conversation with God) to third (life shared with God). The third one, "life shared with God" will include much more, but will also include "communication" with God; the second one "communication with God" will include much more, but will also include "conversations" with God.

They can work with every part of life, every kind of communication, and every method of conversing or "chatting", and, every level of intimacy. The models in our mind, of relationship intimacy with God, can be at the level of "fellow beings in the Universe", "acquaintances", friends/enemies, family members (including categories like "parent-child", & "lovers"). 

When you understand love, our relationship with God (as the scriptures lead us to discover for ourselves), and that "God IS love", you understand that God has a desired direction for growth for you.

With this in mind, go for a quiet walk to a secluded spot, on your own or with a friend, and read three or four of these scriptures out loud, while trying to respond to God's heart for you as you grow in him, to be more like the Lord Jesus.

Have a conversation about what you read. Look for real communication and hearing and understanding of each other, and share God's gift of life together in his world, in whatever parts/ways/aspects/ & varieties or expressions of life that God leads you into. 

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Consider both the different genres, provinence (who wrote it?, to whom?, from where?, to where?, on what occasion?, for what purpose?) and settings (history, culture, language etc), all held together in these scriptures, as well as their words of  encouragement: 

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.  1 Chron. 16:9 NIVUK

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:6 NIVUK

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.’ They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, ‘Surely you don’t mean me?’ ‘It is one of the Twelve,’ he replied, ‘one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them. ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:17‭-‬26 NIVUK

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."     Colossians 3:12‭-‬17 NIVUK, (https://bible.com/bible/113/col.3.12-17.NIVUK)

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:13‭-‬20 NIVUK

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7 NIVUK

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1 NIVUK

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Then come back together, to continue living our lives "in Christ", growing up to the full stature of Christ, as we practice  "truthing" in love, & loving in truth, in the rest of our time together.

what's a bloke to do - well?

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Well, what's a bloke to do when he's well worn?

He's damaged, shabby, tired of what's gone down.

He feels a bit used up since he's been born,

and likes not what he's seen, this end of town.

His personality and place within

his fam'ly life, and loves, have given him

the insight to see through, and to begin;

but still feels like a gold fish that don't swim.

The pane of glass (that walls him from the world),

the other side of which is calling him

(because since he has grown, it's now been "girled"),

can complicate and make all life seem dim.

Well, what's a bloke to do? I ask again.

I wonder if it starts with "Thank you" 's for

the little goods that come his way just when

they're needed; then, I think there might be more…

Well, something bit like "stick with other folk",

and "learn to hear the truth from them - in love",

and "do the same for them", as well as "joke

about a bit - in flavours from above".

I know I'm glad, my God, to be worn out

by doing good for sake of those around,

that's with creative energy and clout,

to trust your kind'a rule where it is found. 

"your kind'a rule" means that your rule is kind-

-er than the other rules around at times.

And "worn out" spreading this, sets a remind-

er: that I'll spend this life. See that it rhymes.

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His strange & scary work

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Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.  Psalms 74:12 RSV

But God has been my king from ancient times, performing acts of deliverance on the earth.

Psalms 74:12 NET

AND

From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still when God rose up to establish judgment, to save all the oppressed of the earth. Selah  Ps 76:8-9 NRSV-CI

From heaven you announced what their punishment would be. The earth was afraid and silent when God arose to execute judgment, and to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. (Selah)

Psalms 76:8‭-‬9 NET

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Yet God, the God of me who is my King,

is from of old, and since his story's ours,

for I am of his people which would bring

me into his own presence, by his pow'rs

of life and health, allowing life to live,

and keeping what is here (- from what was not).

So in this way of speaking I would give

my King his children - he conceived the lot.

So, God has been my king from ancient times

(I'm taking metaphorical jumps here,

since I'm within the bigger, meaning rhymes -

the bigger - his folk, and Messiah Dear).

This God performs Salvation acts on Earth!

Delivering his goods, and right on time!

Delivering his children, his by birth.

If he were king! - working Salvation Mine.

From the heavens you uttered judgment; 

the earth (and those who live thereon) were still

as is it's part (for God said so, himself*)

& feared what might eventuate, it will

so often do this, in sickness & health.

The earth was dark, anticipating what

might come, as with that stormy "night" at sea

(in THE Beginning, and when two J's^ got

what's coming to them… stories let us see!)

when God our Father rose to bring about

his Justice, that un-Roman way of his,

establishing his judgment (with his clout!)

to save all Earth's oppressed. That's his core-biz!

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* "Be still, and know that I am God!" (Psalm ?:?)

^ ("Y" or "J" - Jonah and Jesus, both asleep within a boat in overcast storm, with wind and waves lashing the boat, when those around were fearful of their lives. (And strangely mimicked by two "Y" or "J" fathers, with their daughters of 12 years, who were "saved" from the sleep of death, or a fate worse than death - end of Mk 5)

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