He brews a dozen..

---

So since we are surrounded by this crowd

of witnesses who lived as faithful friends,

let's strip off every weight that slows us down,

ditch all the sin that trips us up, and sends

us into spirals down of bitterness,

or cynicism; being so darned small,

we could not understand answers addressed

to questions that we ask - demanding all.

And let us run enduringly the race 

that God has set before us in these lives.

But how on Earth could we do that? - & face

our hardships without just closing our eyes?

Our only way's by keeping our eyes fixed

on Jesus, who's the champion we know,

who pioneers our faith and then perfects

it, mod-el-ling it here on Earth below.

'Coz of the joy (he had and) yet to come,

he went through crucifiction, with its shame. 

And God, his God, let him sit on his bum

in place of highest rank, with highest name.

Think of him: with hostility endured 

from sinful people; if you do, you won’t 

get weary and give up (though still unskewered

in fighting to respond to love), you don't

forget the words God spoke, they're un-ignored!*

So we will keep our courage with them too.

God said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s ..

his .. discipline, and don’t give up when you

corrected are. For he will discipline

all those he loves (and punish ev'ry child).” 

As you endure this discipline divine, 

remember God's not letting you run wild,

but taking you ('n your choices) here for real,

in treating you as truly his own child. 

You ever seen a child who had no feel 

of discipline by parent? ..Know the style!

Does it not show a lack of wise good love?

Since we respected earthly fathers, then

their discipline of us could work above

us, for our greater good. What now, more, when

the stakes are higher - truer good-er life.

Will we now not submit ourselves much more,

and treat God's discipline within our strife

as nothing to be truly grateful for? 

Our earthly fathers did the best they could,

for just a few short years, and we are glad.

God’s discipline is always for our good,

that we might share his holiness, not sad-

ness, though it's not enjoyable — it’s pain-

ful! Afterward there'll be a harvest true

of right living for all who will be trained 

with-in this way (of suffering). We'll do

whatever's needed! We will take a grip 

with tired hands, and strengthen our weak knees. 

And choose a straight path so our feet don't slip

so though we're weak and lame, we will not seize!

But rather be healed, strengthened in this life

lived on God's Earth, and loved from birth, devel-

oped, also healed when things bin stressed from strife.

Receiving open-handedly, and dwell-

ing in this gift most multi-functioned and

a part of his community of life,

an "ecosystem" (that's the way it's planned)

of diff'rent folk, who see the joke, 'n live live!

---

 * And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved son, and you bring me great joy.”

Mark 1:11 NLT, Luke 3:22 NLT, + Matthew 3:17 NLT

---

---

 * And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved son, and you bring me great joy.”

Mark 1:11 NLT, Luke 3:22 NLT, + Matthew 3:17 NLT

---

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, 

let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. 

Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary 

and give up.  After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. 

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? 

He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects

you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Hebrews 12:1‭-‬13 NLT

---

Life less-ons (& more-ons)

---

Some things, you didn't choose to get, just now.

It wasn't in your purposes or mind,

to get when you embarked, but then somehow

they are the most important thing you'll find.

A problem for our two-year old's about

when she just thought she wanted some of that,

to use in ways which seemed to her to shout,

and then push other purposes quite flat,

and still she hasn't looked to me or you,

that's parents, Omi, Narnie, or the like,

to let their wisdom into "What to do?"

"- or not do?" any moment on this "bike",

this moving, balancing thing here, called life,

which takes some help at first to get the trick,

but if you take to heart God's wisdom/wife

you'll learn to do things speedily and quick.

Or other times the drill is clear as day,

about what should be done right here and now,

and other purposes aren't in the way,

at first, until the vacuum sucks them.. Wow!

"I could just not do what I was to do,

and make my own choice here and now, as well.

My parents gave me choices, I'll show you,

how I can make my own, how I can 'tell'."

And none of which above is wrong to say.

It's truer, than that you are here to hear.

But if that story's not destroyed today,

by who is 'telling' on their own, it's clear.  …

---

B .. bouncing off Isaiah..

---

Your leader puts his stamp on ev'rything.

Your kingdom's strength is seen in its City.

Your City's strength displayed by who's your King. 

And this may be a blessing, or a pity!

And furthermore, if you won't trust your King

(or if he's not an icon for the God),

his kingdom can't endure, and it can't bring

endurance, as with feet that are well- shod.

And YaHWeH said to me to make a note-

ice in large letters: "Quick-Loot-Fast-Plunder’. 

Get two trust-worthy men, to bear witness.” 

Then after time my wife became a mother. 

And when our son was born, YaHWeH said more..

to “Name him ‘Quick-Loot-Fast-Plunder’. This boy,

before he's old enough to speak, before

comes ‘Mum’ or ‘Dadda’, yes, before this joy

the wealth of your great cities will be loot-

ed, & they will be plundered by anoth-

er king from further off who will sweep through

and even my folk South will know this flood.

But those who trust that "God is with us!" rise.

His outspread wings protect (& spank) his chicks. 

The nations gather, fear within their eyes! 

You distant parts of Earth, get ready quick,

if you would fight this God, then be afraid! 

Yes, get you ready - and a-frightened be! 

Make all your plans! But they will be waylaid.

And know they certainly will not succeed. 

For Southern Kingdom, God has not decreed

to fall just yet. So you may make your speech.

But all is useless, God's word is our seed

which grows in trusting people to impeach

all who won't trust creative love who's with 

us, & with his great pow'r YaHWeH has warned 

me not to follow on the wide path which 

most folk are going on. And then it dawned..

He said, “Don't join in schemes that people most

are 'fraid of, things that all this mob will fear. 

Remember I, YaHWeH command the hosts

of heaven. I am holy; I am Near!

And if you are to be afraid, fear me.

Because of awesome holiness I am

so like a stone that people stumbling see

but still they stumble over it; and BAM!

For, I am like a trap. Is that a pit-

y? Riddle, puzzle, dark-saying they'll hear.

And people of my kingdoms and my cit-

y, many stumble; they will fall (not cheer!)

and will themselves be crushed. They will be caught 

within a trap that's sprung in sight of bird.

Now you, my own disciples who've been taught

are now to guard what you have seen and heard.

Preserve the messages God's given me. 

YaHWeH is hidden from his people, but 

I trust him, place my hope in him who sees.

And here I am with children the LORD God

has given me. Almighty YaHWeH, King,

whose throne is on Mount Zion, has now sent 

us as his living messages. They sling

off at him, though they're his, they are quite bent.

But folk will tell you "Get a message from 

religious (and your business) pundits who 

will click and tutt, and say, “You're coming on!

As people learn from beasts just what to do!"

You are to answer them, “Hear what your LORD's

been teaching you! Don't listen to those frauds,

their message can't stop what will come aboard,

such trouble, darkness, terror that's been stored.

---

Israel is no stronger than Samaria, its capital city, and Samaria is no stronger than King Pekah. “If your faith is not enduring, you will not endure.” Isaiah 7:9 GNBDC

The LORD said to me, “Take a large piece of writing material and write on it in large letters: ‘Quick Loot, Fast Plunder’. Get two reliable men, the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah, to serve as witnesses.” Some time later my wife became pregnant. When our son was born, the LORD said to me, “Name him ‘Quick-Loot-Fast-Plunder’. Before the boy is old enough to say ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’, all the wealth of Damascus and all the loot of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.” They will sweep through Judah in a flood, rising shoulder high and covering everything.” God is with us! His outspread wings protect the land. Gather together in fear, you nations! Listen, you distant parts of the earth. Get ready to fight, but be afraid! Yes, get ready, but be afraid! Make your plans! But they will never succeed. Talk as much as you like! But it is all useless, because God is with us. With his great power the LORD warned me not to follow the path which the people were following. He said, “Do not join in the schemes of the people and do not be afraid of the things that they fear. Remember that I, the LORD Almighty, am holy; I am the one you must fear. Because of my awesome holiness I am like a stone that people stumble over; I am like a trap that will catch the people of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel and the people of Jerusalem. Many will stumble; they will fall and be crushed. They will be caught in a trap.” You, my disciples are to guard and preserve the messages that God has given me. The LORD has hidden himself from his people, but I trust him and place my hope in him. Here I am with the children the LORD has given me. The LORD Almighty, whose throne is on Mount Zion, has sent us as living messages to the people of Israel. But people will tell you to ask for messages from fortune tellers and mediums, who chirp and mutter. They will say, “After all, people should ask for messages from the spirits and consult the dead on behalf of the living.” You are to answer them, “Listen to what the LORD is teaching you! Don't listen to mediums — what they tell you cannot keep trouble away.” or stare at the ground, but they will see nothing but trouble and darkness, terrifying darkness into which they are being driven. Isaiah 8:1‭-‬4‭, ‬8‭-‬20‭, ‬22 GNBDC

Πάρεστι γάρ· καὶ μάρτυράς μοι ποίησον πιστοὺς ἀνθρώπους, τὸν Οὐρίαν καὶ Ζαχαρίαν υἱὸν Βαραχίου. … Διότι πρινὴ γνῶναι τὸ παιδίον καλεῖν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα, λήψεται δύναμιν Δαμασκοῦ, καὶ τὰ σκῦλα Σαμαρείας ἔναντι βασιλέως Ἀσσυρίων.

ΗΣΑΙΑΣ 8:2‭, ‬4 GRCBRENT

https://bible.com/bible/2503/isa.8.2-4.GRCBRENT 

---

A bouncing off - Isaiah..

---

I said, “There is no hope for me! I'm doomed 

'coz every word that passes through my lips 

is sinful, and I live my life entombed

among a people whose whole language slips

into decay, "corruption" - speech of ghosts.

And yet, with my own eyes, I've seen the King, 

that's YaHWeH Sabaoth, the Lord of hosts

of bodies, feathered, furred, fired, finned, & winged!

 

This Lord, then sent his messenger, who touched 

my lips with burning coal from holy flames

and said, “Your lips, now guard your speech so such

give guilt no gangway, no foothold for shames” 

Then hearing too, began to come to me,

I heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send now? 

Who now will be our messenger? Who'll see

our message gets across to them somehow?” 

I answered, “I'll go! If you'll now send me!” 

So he told me to go and give the pe-

-ople this his message: “No-one just "can see"

or "hear" at will; no matter how you be

much listening, you will not understand. 

No matter how you look, you will not know 

what's happening. These things are in my hands.

They'll get alone; those whom I deem to show.

Then he said to me, as my messenger, 

you are to “Take the minds of these folk, dull, 

whose ears are deaf, whose eyes are blind - can't hear,

or see, or understand. As brutes they wull

be trained to turn and come, & If they did, 

they might return to me and then be healed;

and hear, and see, & know the secrets hid

in plane sight, and in hearing, un-concealed.

I asked, “How long will it be like this, Lord?” 

He answered, “'til the cities ruined are

and empty — 'til the houses they afford-

ed … uninhabited, with doors ajar.

...

— until the land they think their own, is waste. 

I'll send the people far away and make

the whole land to be one that's  desolate. 

If ten percent remains. They too will shake,

and be destroyed; like gum tree cut to stump 

Yet from a stump new startings-up can come.

Begin again, for God's folk are a lump

of dough with living leaven in, among.

---

I said, “There is no hope for me! I am doomed because every word that passes my lips is sinful, and I live among a people whose every word is sinful. And yet, with my own eyes, I have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!” He touched my lips with the burning coal and said, “This has touched your lips, and now your guilt is gone, and your sins are forgiven.” Then I heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?” I answered, “I will go! Send me!” So he told me to go and give the people this message: “No matter how much you listen, you will not understand. No matter how much you look, you will not know what is happening.” Then he said to me, “Make the minds of these people dull, their ears deaf, and their eyes blind, so that they cannot see or hear or understand. If they did, they might turn to me and be healed.” I asked, “How long will it be like this, Lord?” He answered, “Until the cities are ruined and empty — until the houses are uninhabited — until the land itself is a desolate waste. I will send the people far away and make the whole land desolate. Even if one person out of ten remains in the land, he too will be destroyed; he will be like the stump of an oak tree that has been cut down.” (The stump represents a new beginning for God's people.) Isaiah 6:5‭, ‬7‭-‬13 GNBDC

Israel is no stronger than Samaria, its capital city, and Samaria is no stronger than King Pekah. “If your faith is not enduring, you will not endure.” Isaiah 7:9 GNBDC

---

Sorting out "in house" family problems within God's big family..

---

From memory, Jesus didn't say to go

and talk with any brother (have things out 

with him) "if he has sinned." (though James did know,

as did ol' Pete*, from life what love's about,

& said if someone's caught up in a sin, 

and somehow then a brother pulls him out,

it can cut off a legion of unclean,

unhelpful spirits, and hush things that shout.

"If he has sinned against you" - have things out.

I'd quote the passage in Matthew and say 

that this is what our Lord said he's about.

This can't be just machine'ry that we'd pay

for, or a company-policy type thing, 

but it's the style of Jesus' "little child-

ren", so I wouldn't use emails that ding

or texts that can be "evidence" though chilled 

(or maybe more like - "chillingly") - unless 

you had to. Try that old "knock on the door" -

to make a time that suits (not just to  test),

or else for the same reason, a phone-call,

handwritten letter/ card, is more the style 

of brothers/ sisters of our Lord Jesus.

And, once you've done it on your own (he smiled:

"well - just the two of you", and he sees us) 

then if your bro's won back, you've  really won!

- And if he's not won back, don't just repeat.

It seems he's for increasing stakes, for (fun,

and) likelihood of working on the street.

So when you have already gone & done

it, as your father Jesus said to do 

(that's with no back up) - if you have not won

you should "go with a brother", just you two…

Desired outcome or purpose is the same:

to win your brother back. And to my mind

important thing about the outcome/ aim

is don't let less-ers slither in to find

your purpose, or your aim/ desired outcome,

has been shrunk down to lesser hopes, for you

to "win a brother back" is God's hope, some-

thing he'd be glad to see you try to do!

Oh God, may your love fully motivate

all that is said, thought, done, by this-here man.

Enable love like yours to penetrate,

by washing feet, and serving as love can …

We know that only love would want to do

this kind of thing, that honours in offence.

All others see competitors, but you

love all your children person'ly, so hence,

you only want to gain your sons again

so all your pow'r is wielded under love.

Oh God my love's so small, please grow it then,

and now within this trial where we're "shoved".

---

*  My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19‭-‬20 NIVUK

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIVUK

Jesus' "third" story about the celebrations when a lost something is found again: Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” So he divided his property between them. ‘Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no-one gave him anything. ‘When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him. ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” ‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate. ‘Meanwhile, the elder son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.” ‘The elder brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!” ‘ “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” ’ Luke 15:11‭-‬32 NIVUK . The story of the lost son found, starts with these words ‘There was a man who had two sons.. from this start and the story's ending, it turns out that this story, could also be the story of the lost brother found. Although we pick up what the father's wish is…we never find out, in this version of Jesus' story, if that got to happen or not.. will it? We have to look to Luke's second book, Acts, from our chapter 29 and following, to find that out… 

---