First & Last Ardarm’s Fruit-tree

background...

After forming the Ardarm from the soil of the Ardarmah (ground) and his own breath, then after planting a garden (East, in Eden) with all kinds of beautiful trees to produce good fruit, and putting the Ardarm in it, and after naming two trees   in the middle of his garden, God says that the way forward for the Ardarm in Eden, was “You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” God went on to say, “You must NOT EAT the fruit from that tree-  for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”[1].

Later, Snakey says “That is a lie! You won’t surely die!” In fact, (though he doesn’t command it straightforwardly, he sows doubt into Eve’s mind about the character and motives of the previous commander, with the view to tempting her to eat it, to get the knowledge of Good & Evil that it will supposedly give to them - when Eve & Adam EAT the fruit. Then, to compound things,  it looked like when they do eat the fruit, that they DON’T DIE - in that day! [it seems to me that God wasn’t  talking about the death of their biological life (bios) which came along years later]

But the whole sad story - after Genesis 3 shows something dead, lost, purposeless, stinking , rotten about humanity. We are “The living Dead”, zombies who are born, & move, grow old, have kids, do work to maintain the system (or work against it, to make another system basically the same) then die & perpetuate the cycle.. (of “life(bios)”). And, Jesus later says, “I tell you the truth (not like snakey), the time is coming, - the time has now come- when the dead will hear the voice of the son of God, & come to Life(zoe).”

Another thing from the bible... Israel is a tree planted by God in his garden. It is a “vine/olive-tree/fig-tree”, the planting of the Lord, meant to bear fruit for it’s gardener to eat. (Am I pushing it too far when I wonder whether it Is meant to be a tree to bring the knowledge of good & evil somehow to the onlookers or even non-partakers, & also wonder whether, in this new garden of God, it is  meant to be a tree of life to the nations?)

One more thing from life... two nights ago we had some mind-games/riddles on the way home from the Teen Camp. Jayden Sweeting told us one that was simple enough, but  we all gave up before we got it (We might have got it if we had acted it out concretely?). But solving it hinged on information gained not only from what happens, but also from what doesn’t happen in the scenario:

   

That, & the stories above that I had spoken of with others, alerted me to another level of story the next day, when I was reading or thinking about Jesus - on his way one morning to clean out the rotting “thieves’ den” of a temple[2] & tthen also the next morning going back to the same place[3].

And, since then, I've also been reminded of a  story from Israel's history; as they learned to be ordered as the people of God to serve the Nations and be a blessing to them... there was a time when the leaders quibbled over the power/authority and the spiritual leadership of God's people and (maybe a bit like snakey) didn't want to have God's choice of leaders (Moses or Aaron) "over them". Aaron and his descendants were given the priesthood via a sign from God: his dry stick of a staff/rod being miraculously given buds (and flowers, and fruit) overnight.

---

Ardarm’s Fruit-tree

“..in the day you eat of it, you will surely die.”

came the words to the first pair from the One On High.

Leader, he - named  that tree, then[4], to let children know,

and told them   how to spend life   with this tree[5], to grow.

And o-nly  one more tree was   named by Father God,

and we’ll see   what’ll be the upshot of his nod,

his ok,  to today go   and find you’ve eaten[6]

fruit from The  LIVING Tree that   grows in God’s Eden.

Later on,  when second Ar-darm came to get fruit

from fruit-tree,  lovingly plan-ted in his “youth”;

poet he,  used that tree then   to let children know:

Ardarm came,  to it’s “shame” the    fruit-tree’s fruit dain’t grow!

And the Fa-ther must ’a said   something “like” back then

“..in the day   you don’t eat of   it, that tree ‘has been’!”

'cause sure e-nough when Pe-ter next day saw that tree

that there stood,  “Aaron’s Rod”, had    no buds to be seen.

Later on  a tree of Life  was planted on Earth quick(!)

by the Ro- man Empire,  but planted as a stick,

on that same day, at that tree, someone surely died

of their "Bios" life, but "Zoe" life was multiplied!

---

[1] Gen 2:16-17

[2] Mark 11:12-14

[3] Mark 11:20-25

[4] Gen 2:9

[5] Gen 2:16,17

[6] Gen 3:22-24

---

Though crook, don't sook.

God, you are good, and thanks too for your love

and care you share so fully from above.

With Brad, we'd say we're glad that you don't shove!

But if you did, we'd gladly bid you cov-

-er all you thought to do, both big and small,

for you would only do what would install

a greater good, that we would feign forestall.

In this we trust your miss-shun, overall.

---

Tough times... What to do?

(Names may be changed, to protect the innocent)

I hope you get a job, ol' Henny mate,

or some way for this world to "Henny fit"

that all your skills and attitudes to date,

and knowledge would be of most benefit!

I'm looking at the sky, just now and then,

as sun is setting, dark blue's washing light,

but clouds are rolling in here, such that when

they do it will seem early on-set night.

And this reminds me of what Jesus did

(I don't know why, oh yes I do), that time

when towns-folk brought a bloke (or just a kid?)

to him, who couldn't hear or (prob'ly) rhyme,

He took him off away from all the crowd,

& did a pantomime for him alone,

so he could understand what's going down,

then looked up to the sky and gave a groan.

No words were spoken then, a sigh is traced.

I didn't understand what happened there,

until a Chinese visitor named "Grace"

said that this was a case of him at prayer.

"He's praying in the language of that man,

- who hardly can say anything at all"

(And now I'm glad Grace helped me understand)

That Jesus, like a priest, prayed (for us all).

Then like a prophet he could speak God's word

to that there chap and it sure did the trick.

It just led me to think (might be absurd),

that you (& I) could "look up, and groan", quick!

Love will wait upon his will

Can ever anything, us separate

from love of Christ, who was born from above.

If we've encountered some troubles of late,

it doesn't mean that we have lost his love;

for hardship, destitution, hunger, &,

calamity & troubles threatened him

with danger & with death. He understands

more than most any leader that has been.

When Paul thought more about it ('n'I agree),

he said he was convinced that nothing could,

well, separate us from love such as he

displayed in practice. I think God, who's good

has raised him up so nothing can at all

diminish him nor stop his love that pours

on desert landscape like a waterfall.

There is no chance to smash him anymore!

So in this world that's broken as it stands,

with leaders left upon it who care not

for more than their "own good", we are his hands,

if we will let him live though us, the lot!

Expressing and addressing now the good

of others, as God brings them into view,

while trusting as (he led us to) we should,

that God would back us up, when all's made new!

Just now, until the King enthroned returns,

we'll have these skirmishes, which he'll then cease.

Our bodies even now are growing, learn-

ing to be what they will be when released!

---

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (NLT) -Romans 8:35, 

& Will's addition ( maybe with help from Zac Poonam): The answer to these questions is an emphatic NO! Nothing can separate Christ from us once we ask Him into our hearts. But also realize that troubles are NOT an indication that God is withholding His love for us. Calamity, persecution, hunger, destitution, danger, and death are all a result of living in a broken world.

---

design means.. behind scenes..

We are convinced that every detail of

our lives, is being [as we make each choice

in line with dreams of God, not as bailiff,

but as our Father (of his girls and boys)]

all woven right together; our will, His.

They'll fit into a well design-ed post,

or wall, or pillar, drape, that is no fizz,

but temple of the wondrous Holy Ghost!

We'll more appreciate, and be, the "good",

that God could see, as he's creating Earth,

and letting each bit do that which it would

if it knew what it longed to do at birth.

And God's good dream, of multiplying good-

ness, ev'ry which-way that it could be done,

and letting other bodies try, as should

be let, if they were made by him. What fun!

And testing, trials, learning wisdom too!

He plans for us to grow up, just like him!

Responding to his love, that's me and you!

And list'ning for his whispers, in the din.

---

So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into Gods perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for those that love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (PM Version)

---

Delight I greatly

Delight I greatly in the Lord! My soul 

rejoices in my God—for He has clothed 

me with his garments of salvation whole,

arrayed me in His righteousness! I’m robed
 

not in my fig-leaf skirt, that’s my attempt 

to cloth myself, to cover up my shame.

He bathed me, washed me well, combed hair (unkempt),

and dressed me up, to play his court-room game
 

where he asks me a question, and I try

my very best to answer as is true,

and he shows off his children. I won’t cry,

For all the time, I’m growing more like YOU!
 

You GOD, you Daddy of all children true!

A father to all father-less who mourn.

You are the only one. We’re lucky to

be your own children, it's from you we are born!
 

So, like you, we just love to play at games,

And be delighted when we see new things,

and try to learn the faces and the names

of all your “friends”, and “family”, and things.
 

I see you made up what we call “language”,

vibrations in the air from in our throats,

and ears to hear, so we would not langish

and think we were alone, make our own coats!
 

And have to make life work, all on our own!

Oh, God, I love you, and I like you too.

You are the one who sits upon the throne! -

yet any time, your child can come to you!

---

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God—for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness!

Isaiah 61:10 (CR Version)

---

if, in the process, any of you dain't..

Well God. You heard your boy, what he just said
to me (well SMS’d - would that count too?).
It sounds like he is stuck, scratching his head.
Ah, ha ! Reminds me what James* said to do,

if ever we lacked wisdom, in your world,
instead of finding just that vitamin,
or else technology, that will unfold
the wisdom of the ages, bring it in;

to just look up, into the sky itself
(a symbol of your overarching care
and love for all you children, and your wealth
of royal colour you splash ev’rywhere),

and ask you (as the one who’s “only wise”)
what we could do, and trust you to imbue
us not just with some answers, or replies,
but with your wisdom, living, straight from you!

I see you’re not the stingy judge that he,
that long & skinny chap painted you as.
You’re not keeping the Wisdom Club from me,
or my mate, we don’t need to “chuck a spaz”,

although, I now confess, I often do.
And scared of making wrong choices , I fret.
Please save my brother from this problem too,
- that’s only if it’s come to meet him yet.

Please help him learn, but me too here, as well,
to know the taste of “wisdom from above”,
not settle for the dregs of snakey’s hell.
And thank you for your knowledge, and your love!

---

 *  ^"When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realise that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. And if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem he has only to ask God—who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty—and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him. But he must ask in sincere faith without secret doubts as to whether he really wants God’s help or not. The man who trusts God, but with inward reservations, is like a wave of the sea, carried forward by the wind one moment and driven back the next. That sort of man cannot hope to receive anything from God, and the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn." (James 1:2-8 J.B. Phillips' NTIME)

---

 

the god of what ??

Yes. I can see now.

The God of all grace! 

What sort of a god's this?

Who calls us to share

the glory that's his?

Who'll personally bow,

himself be displaced,

and pow'f'lly restore 

us and say a prayer

to strengthen and more

to make us somehow

the stronger, and place

us where we'll be set

to be built up where

we'll firmly stay. Yet

if he's really (wow!)

like that… we could trace

the best hope we've got - 

a father who'll care

for his child(ren)... GOD!

This is worth a dance!

For we've got a chance! 

---

And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. 1 Peter 5:10. (PM Version)

---

"ground of being"...

And even though the figtree does not bud 

and grapes are not appearing on the vines,

the olive crop's not there to fall and thud,

and fields lie empty, barren all the time,

and even though the flocks die in the field, 

yet I'll rejoice in not his gifts, but he

himself, the Lord. I will be joyful, yield

that crop, for God's salvation-strength's in me!

---

Even though the figtree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren, even though the flocks die in the field, Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. God the Lord is my strength!!  Habakkuk 3:17-19a. (PM Version)

---

"having kids".. (version 2)

Some know it as the next challenge in life:

to learn to love, to give themselves away.

In soil that's poor, still certain weeds grow rife.

Al-ter-na-tive-ly, some plants win the day -

like legumes, who in partnership themselves,

can make the so-il richer as they grow.

Their very presence, brings more good, and well,

their death can even bring a boon, you know.

These plants enrich the dirt "themselves"; I say,

but euphemistic'ly, I see it now,

for they themselves are symbiotes, they play 

at sharing life with other criters. Wow!

Some couples have seen rightly that their love

is not so rich and verdant as the need.

If no help can ap-pē-ar from above

they're stuffed, and better stop - because of greed.

Their logic is impeccable and true,

they understand the need for kids - is love.

They self assess quite right (I'm like them too).

They make just one mistake: That peaceful dove

is utterly to be relied upon!

It's true, it "shows up" im-ma-tur-i-ty, 

but in itself that is no big problem.

For we are in a womb-world, you and me -

our chance to be supported and to grow!

I'm sure that this is true, as I now write,

a foetus here myself, I'm sure it's so!

I'll either learn to trust, or else to bite!

And both impulses I see here in me,

I'm not mature and integrated yet.

I'll either feel embarrassed, so to be,

or else like a small child, I'll just forget

about myself, and look to where I'm from.

The strangest choice of all: to choose my Dad,

a paradox, that been around and on

this Earth from our beginnings. That is "Rad."!

Ol' Enoch° (number seven there himself,

where first offspring from God is Adam and

too, Eve); his walk with God took on new health

when he became a "father" in that land.

---

*  Slang short-form for "radical", which etymologically speaking means to go back to the roots of a thing.

°  "When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."  (Genesis 5:21‭-‬24 NIVUK)

---

1Sept2019 - Bevan Walker

My  Dad, it' s good to stop and rest a while,

and think of who's been Father here to me,

while copying our Father, who would smile^,

as he thinks of what he'll help us to be.

And though we all have stories of our own,

with weaknesses, as well as given strengths,

we need each other's grace to help atone,

to cover over, as Christ did at length,

so that in God's good timing, we could too,

forgive each other's "falling short" and join,

with Jesus as he prays for me and you,

and sees us, loves to pay our tax time coin.

You've modelled for me, caring, speaking truth,

and living with  contingencies down here,

and seeking God's good wisdom° from a youth,

and I am certain that more will appear.

Please keep on praying, that I'll listen up°,

and look up as that Psalm One Two Three* says,

to wait upon the Lord; slow, and abrupt-

ly, see that all my body language prays.

And that's my prayer for you as well, my Dad,

as we speak to our Father, heavenly.

I think that he would multiply and add,

such people as he'd call, and "true" would be.

Oh Father there in Heaven, we say thanks

for daily bread provided for us till

we leave this life, and too, all of its Banks,

and set ourselves to listen to• your will.

---

^ Let everyone thank God, for He is good, and He is easy to please!! His tender love for us continues on forever!! Psalm 136:1 (PM Version)

° James 1: (https://bible.com/bible/69/jas.1.1-27.GNTD) 

*  Psalm 123: (https://bible.com/bible/69/psa.123.1-4.GNTD)

•Listen(Hebrew= SHEMA) (https://youtu.be/6KQLOuIKaRA)

---