Teachable moments or "This is an occasion. Be at peace"

[Israel]

Listen, I know I am not the only one who sees this, others surely do, and may well see it better than I do.

Let's file it under the all purpose scripture "everything that can be shaken will be shaken till only what is unshakable remains"

All purpose in that anything that is less than perfect can be inserted there. "Playing with the scripture(s)" is asking for trouble, surely, but there remains that they are given us for instruction. "Everything that can be deceived will be deceived till only what cannot be deceived remains"..."Everything that can suffer corruption will suffer corruption till only the incorruptible remains"

And this especially applicable in this seeming present situation:

Everything that can look to trust in everything else will trust in everything else, till only what is not "everything else" remains. Till the One...who is One...is all, and only.

I say "seeming present" situation because for now, and in this now...there is something struggling furiously to make itself "the present thing"...that thing that would consume all of the present with its presence. Demanding attention. In a manner of speaking it is saying "I am the most present thing". Pay attention. Worship...me. I am...here. I am to be what you have in your eye. In your mind. In your full attention.

We might ask ourselves, if we care to, how does such a thing lay claim to that place, especially among the people of God...if so be that the people of God can be moved by it? How can something demand our attention...that is not...God? How can a "thing"...hold such sway? Surely it cannot...apart from God's will and purpose.

That is understood, is it not? Unless one cares to see God as one with many plates in the air, struggling to keep them all in balance, running to and fro to keep all from crashing down in disarray, frantic. The god who knows "uh oh!". In simpler words...a god...who is not God. The god...ignorant of a sparrow's fall. Unknowing of the hairs on your head. The god who is the "reacting god"...not the only acting God. The God of all purpose.

And God...who alone has every right (and good purpose) to our rendering attentions to Him as the God, is the God above all other gods. And so we might again, if so presently provoked, ask..."who, or what is always...most present?" If I am shaky in the present (and who could hide this from God?), how so? By what mechanism has this been allowed?

(And some of you, already way ahead, rightly ask this question "Why is this man writing about things...is he not himself displaying himself as in reaction to "things"...therefore...what God does he claim to have, if he himself is no less moved by "things"?" Yes!...precisely...that's the sort of question to ask!)

Yes!

What if God has purposed to make Himself known through...things? Not that the thing is anything of itself...but that in the "thing" might be revealed either "a" or the purpose of God? Are you not a thing through which God has chosen to make His name known? Am I? Not that we are anything but just that...a "thing"...but that the Spirit might show His exceeding power...that even through the weakest of things...He (the Spirit)...is able to reveal the mind of, the purpose of...our God? Do not the "heavens declare?" Creation itself...declare? Not that the creation is God...but they testify of the Creator...by the Spirit's power to reveal.

So, "this seeming present" thing. Can God be seen...even through that? Do you not find it interesting...if not funny, how this thing would seek to appear? Or better...how that it is indeed funny how it seems to be appearing? A friend posted this yesterday. Can you "see" God in it? Can you "see" through to a perfection, or at least a precision of some sort?

It is frustrating...
????‍
Here are the official Coronavirus guidelines:
1. Basically, you can't leave the house for any reason, but if you have to, then you can.
2. Masks are useless, but maybe you have to wear one, it can save you, it is useless, but maybe it is mandatory as well.
3. Stores are closed, except those that are open.
4. You should not go to hospitals unless you have to go there. Same applies to doctors, you should only go there in case of emergency, provided you are not too sick.
5. This virus is deadly but still not too scary, except that sometimes it actually leads to a global disaster.
6. Gloves won't help, but they can still help.
7. Everyone needs to stay HOME, but it's important to GO OUT.
8. There is no shortage of groceries in the supermarket, but there are many things missing when you go there in the evening, but not in the morning. Sometimes.
9. The virus has no effect on children except those it affects.
10. Animals are not affected, but there is still a cat that tested positive in Belgium in February when no one had been tested, plus a few tigers here and there…
11. You will have many symptoms when you are sick, but you can also get sick without symptoms, have symptoms without being sick, or be contagious without having symptoms. Oh, my..
12. In order not to get sick, you have to eat well and exercise, but eat whatever you have on hand and it's better not to go out, well, but no…
13. It's better to get some fresh air, but you get looked at very wrong when you get some fresh air, and most importantly, you don't go to parks or walk. But don’t sit down, except that you can do that now if you are old, but not for too long or if you are pregnant (but not too old).
14. You can't go to retirement homes, but you have to take care of the elderly and bring food and medication.
15. If you are sick, you can't go out, but you can go to the pharmacy.
16. You can get restaurant food delivered to the house, which may have been prepared by people who didn't wear masks or gloves. But you have to have your groceries decontaminated outside for 3 hours. Pizza too?
17. Every disturbing article or disturbing interview starts with " I don't want to trigger panic, but…"
18. You can't see your older mother or grandmother, but you can take a taxi and meet an older taxi driver.
19. You can walk around with a friend but not with your family if they don't live under the same roof.
20. You are safe if you maintain the appropriate social distance, but you can’t go out with friends or strangers at the safe social distance.
21. The virus remains active on different surfaces for two hours, no, four, no, six, no, we didn't say hours, maybe days? But it takes a damp environment. Oh no, not necessarily.
22. The virus stays in the air - well no, or yes, maybe, especially in a closed room, in one hour a sick person can infect ten, so if it falls, all our children were already infected at school before it was closed. But remember, if you stay at the recommended social distance, however in certain circumstances you should maintain a greater distance, which, studies show, the virus can travel further, maybe.
23. We count the number of deaths but we don't know how many people are infected as we have only tested so far those who were "almost dead" to find out if that's what they will die of…
24. We have no treatment, except that there may be one that apparently is not dangerous unless you take too much (which is the case with all medications).
25. We should stay locked up until the virus disappears, but it will only disappear if we achieve collective immunity, so when it circulates… but we must no longer be locked up for that?

Of course this is facetious...but to the extreme of making the point that what can "be in the grips of the unknown"...this thing fits that bill in spades. At least as men now presently know and understand. And if one present themselves as able to be in its grip.

This "thing" is almost too perfect. (That's always a good clue..."almost") Do I help by being huddled up with my family...or if unknowingly infected...might my "huddling up" be all that is danger to them? I don't know. What did I touch? Who touched what I touched? Who touched them before they touched what I touched? Who packed this? Where did it come from? Did I just walk through a previous cough by someone now in another aisle? Am I over 60? Does my wife being 59 allow me to go "whew!...dodging that bullet!"? Did I clean...enough? Did I forget anything? How would I know? Is my neighbor...threat? Am I threat to my neighbor...and on and on and on. That is...if we get on that merry go round. It's almost "too" perfect a threat!

God? In any of that? A threat? Suppose a perfect threat is not a threat at all...? Suppose...like that guy in the movie who puffs out his chest against the hero who is telling him to back off from hovering over his child or it will end bad for him...the "bad guy" says "are you threatening me?"...and the laconic hero says..."No, just making a promise".

We have promises...and we have instructions. We like "good promises"...but we might admit...being instructed is not as readily sought. We don't jump at opportunity for instruction (unless we first see benefit)...as we do for claiming promises...do we? And it takes whatever it takes in God's patience to teach us..."the promise is in receiving the instruction". For the promise of instruction...is in the Instructor...unless we somehow yet believe He can be made separate from His word. God forbid!

Is it not a good thing that knowing this (if we even know it of ourselves) one is purposed (not by our making Him so, but by God's ordination) to be our teacher...regardless of our disposition toward instruction?

So, to the all purpose verse: "Everything that can be threatened will be threatened until only what is not subject to threat...remains."

Do you feel threat? Of what? Against what? It's obvious...almost too plainly obvious that in this "thing", trust in man, his knowledge, his understanding, his knowing of how this "thing" works and is working...is totally unreliable, confusing, contradictory, and to this present painfully hopeless. If we "look there"...we are only met with the "no comfort" of things. Kinda like fulfillment of a promise..."Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who makes flesh his arm". Wow...maybe it's never been so plain to some of us...while yet others may still be looking...hoping...trusting..."they'll find something, they'll make something...they'll (we'll) do something..." Really? What tells you this? History? Is that the same history that also tells you the most plainly irrefutable thing about man? All men die. Now, do you like trusting...in history?

Take advantage of this "teachable moment". It is not for the world...but for us as beloved children...a moment thrust as instruction...of seeming presence...so that the All Present One is seen. If you had trust in yesterday to "all will continue as it always has", and has not been shown plainly as vanity...we can take that lesson. Hand to plow without looking back...says the instructor full of all promise.

If tomorrow feels under threat because we have gotten so use to "borrowing" pleasure from a future of our imaginations...we can take a lesson. "Take no thought for tomorrow" says the instructor in Whom is all promise. We have never had anything but today, regardless of their seeming number...apportioned to us. And if we have failed to hold...even what may appear to us in joyous anticipation, in the firmest of "Lord willing", may we take instruction.

Food? Instructions and promise.

Dearly loved and now so plainly vulnerable "little ones" in whom our hearts are now curiously extended as present, and vulnerable "in them"...did we once trust in our own watchful care for them as sufficient? Does our heart feel threatened? Rubber and road surely meet here. Does the One who sees the sparrow...see me, and all my vulnerability? All my vulnerability in those with whom my heart is un-untangleably knit as beloved?

And the rubberest of road meeting of all...that must be settled, and if this moment is in all ONLY pointing to that, may it be to us settled..."Does He care?" Or is He "off tending another plate?" Or worse...disinterested or barely amused...observer?
If we do not see how very much, how very far, how to the most extreme of doing and being He humbled Himself in Christ to us...to be for us...may today be the signal day of all for us.

I do not write this as one immune to anything, God knows. And I do not write as one made full in obedience. But I do not believe these questions as such, and as such...are only found by me "floating in the air". Being whispered from the secret places of spirit...to Spirit. Things are to be settled. "Today if we hear His voice..." Today.

For this verse of truth remains:

"Everything that can be shaken will be shaken till only what is unshakable remains."

and

Let us therefore go boldly to the throne of grace...to receive grace to help in time of need.

And let us not forget, God forbid we forget...in this day when the world says one thing we are to look past without reviling, "Draw your circle small". But knowing no lie is of the truth.

"When one suffers we all suffer"

There is great promise...indeed all of promises in our instructor who tells us we are members of one another. To believe Him in all things is the extension of grace toward us that remains unfathomable, how a patient Spirit will work in the work of God in things of clay (O! so very vulnerable!) to fulfill:

"This is the work of God that you believe upon Him whom He has sent"

Yes. We are to "clear the air" of any and all doubt...of fear...of threat..in the unity of the Spirit that prays through us and for us all, as one body.

The world is saying "don't touch...be careful what you touch"

The Lord, our Lord...is easily touched. may we also be so, of one another. And see the air cleared to an open Heaven above us all.

 

[gordon 2]

 

[StriperAddict]

Awesome, thank you.

 

[Israel]

I don't want to underestimate the significance of what I may have started in a silly cleverness, but even then became all too clear was as much the heart of the matter, if not the very heart, that I may have treated with less than such deserved. For I believe it is the Lord impressing upon me to not miss the signal lesson of Shrodingers cat.

If you can join me in my foolishness, as you have all already been gracious to me in my (years long and) previous "working things out" amongst you all, even to remaining with me in heart (as God has placed you in mine) I do beg a hearing. And your judgment.

And yes, I will say without shame before you all a thing some have either suspected or known and concluded to themselves as either true or not...even as truth is truth. The truth "about me" is the truth of me, and I know such can be all of lie...even as the Lord has warned "be careful lest that light in you be darkness..."

A man might speak the truth about himself...showing he is all bound in lies and darkness. A man who says "Oh! How I love porn" (or, how I do love slitting people's throats)...may be telling the truth of himself as deeply as he knows it, and yet will give away his estate. And please understand that even such plain declaration is not regarded as disqualification to any grace, but it will call for some drawing upon it...for a believer to not discard such a man completely to hopeless and irredeemable shame if such is made known by another to him.

This of course, will be in accord with his own apprehension of grace.

But how we each handle one another in "our truth" will be plain. "Such and such is brother, such and such is not"...or God forbid, such and such is beyond hope or help (at least from me) not ever to mistaken for "from God".

We are, of all men (unless I am shamefully deceived and misled) always speaking to what we do not see. (And also being spoken to...unless a man imagines he is sitting in control always of the depths from which his thoughts emerge.)

To God, firstly, and to and with one another, no less. Our appeal is to spirit, deeper than we see or perceive of one another, beyond the stasis of how appearance...appears.

For we are learning (are we not learning?) that all things of being...are not in stasis as they may often appear but all being subject to change. Is this "present" set of moments not proving it so...? Both to the world, and we with (hopefully) open eye?

So, my truth, which some of you may have suspected, some even sensed to a knowing, I would not hide. For some it must surely appear far more ghastly than "Oh! How I love porn!"

You brothers, yes...you...and you...and you, you also...and you, are the congregation into which I am haply settled. Before God I find you the congregation to which, by which, and in which I am also to be judged. I hold no other expectation. Please understand that for me is no claim of superiority; or that as such I am saying "this works better, or best, for me". God forbid. And God forbid I be saying that to my mind this somehow exceeds what others might call "the Church"...or "their church".

God knows if I have given anything at all but foolishness, (a place where a fool is allowed may become to a fool, far more precious in his sight than he had ever imagined, even to a revelation of God's grace!), but I will unashamedly declare with any and all the same faith I believe I have in Christ, I have received here. I have been "sorted out", I have been shown such kindness beyond measure, I have seen all and more of anything that I might hope to see in my (limits of?) revelation of "the Church".

I have heard the prophets speak, (sometimes to my precious and necessary rebuke) been told to sit down as needed, make way, learn to hear, been shown my own flesh, received appeal from the Spirit to a better nature, and yes!...seen hearts of such grace and expansiveness that I know not only carry me, and do, but also bear me before the throne of grace in prayer...for I have felt this. I know this. I have known communion...here.

I have touched, been touched, by a loaf broken for me. And again, I do not say this is best, better, more true...than anything other that might be presented. I, too, have "in person" brothers and sisters...and I too have "in person" dealings. But again, without shame (for God knows whether or how much I carry you in my heart) I am chiefly in debt here, and so much that such dealings "in person" are never without considerations of "here", and what my brothers have given me...here. And I do not say, and am not saying any owing is to other than the Spirit's faithfulness to a wondrously revealed and beneficial reliance.

I will not say much more before getting to what I had hoped, but these few things. And, I am expecting a judging of these things.

But I would also ask, if I am greatest fool of all, has my own judgment been so remiss that my oft receptions of things said, of matters explored, of hearts shared...that for some others this is no less a place where, to some extent, topics are discussed, seemingly deepest thoughts presented...that if not singly and exclusively...this is a place, at least, not to be discounted as "just an anonymous, faceless, depthless, and useless forum of unaccountable strings of consonants and vowels."
Two questions:

If so, why be here?

If not, is there a place where we imagine we present ourselves as more true?

And yet then hold this a place where we cherish anonymity as an indulgence? Are we "more real" elsewhere? Would we seek to have others believe this is so?

Make no mistake, I would not hide from you my unkind words to my wife that convict me of how unrighteously I may behave, my "temper", my selfishness, nor my casual ignorance of the suffering of some that I might "here" present myself as exceedingly and only concerned with the Lord's suffering in His body. God forbid. And yet...true piety calls. And right is the man who can admonish me to "set first your own house in order before imagining there is anything of offering".

You see, I too wait for the Lord's display of His glorious Church without spot, blemish or wrinkle (or any such thing)...in accord with His promise of fullness.

I too, am part of that creation (if it can be believed "of me") that is groaning in travail for a manifestation of the Sons of God.

And also, at the same time, quite happy to be amongst what God has allowed me.

Dare I say...more?

 

[StriperAddict]

Thank you Israel. I do wish for more time to express my own groaning in our community here brother, in both writing time and deeper expressions of the bits of Providential blessings God has openly and freely shared.
I still believe myself not the best communicator, I strain at those revealed wonders of His grace, to share them with clarity. I find better and clearer notes from other New Covenant authors - more often than my own musings, by men I hold in esteem. I hope many here do also. I've seen where speaking of the God of all comfort - can be reasoned in not the most comforting ways, and my deep desire is to encourage all in His comfort and grace, freely. Resting in faith a greater reward and outcome than wrestling, which wrestler I have seen in me.

Certainly we may challenge one another for the open revelation we "see" in His provision to us, and our changed Life by the grace of the One ... certainly is on display, yes, this done in contentment that we are led of His truth, sans the deceitfulness of our flesh. Our real contentment and joy is in this human and Divine Savior, of Him I delight to share, both original thoughts and from other cherished and encouraging folks. Should I or another author be misunderstood, I am grateful for the chance to look more deeper, and perhaps know Christ more intimately in the dialogue we share together.

Brother, your thoughts above are with my thanks for the grace they are. I appreciate the encouragement in our Lord. I hope to do likewise, yet if imperfect, we might still see a kind revelation toward us all - even in our weaknesses still prevailing. Grace upon grace!

 

[gordon 2]

Well I was never satisfied with just "old dogs, and children and watermelon wine." I was never that kind. When I'm here I'm studying a people within a people and I bounce it over to God against myself, against my whole soul, and against mine-- a people within a people.

I have learned a few things about people and how they are made and possibly why Jonah hated to go to Niveveh and to a people the world now most likely loves.

I have learned that for all those there who eagerly are said saved, or say of their selves saved, equalis said are here the unsaved and church and commission can be on a bass boat or on anything else any given day.

The place is getting crowded like the many boats on the lake and no frontiers in sight. The hints of wars competes-ignites for souls with the bobbing ministries on Lake Laniers.

 

[Israel]

Thank you Israel. I do wish for more time to express my own groaning in our community here brother, in both writing time and deeper expressions of the bits of Providential blessings God has openly and freely shared.
I still believe myself not the best communicator, I strain at those revealed wonders of His grace, to share them with clarity. I find better and clearer notes from other New Covenant authors - more often than my own musings, by men I hold in esteem. I hope many here do also. I've seen where speaking of the God of all comfort - can be reasoned in not the most comforting ways, and my deep desire is to encourage all in His comfort and grace, freely. Resting in faith a greater reward and outcome than wrestling, which wrestler I have seen in me.

Certainly we may challenge one another for the open revelation we "see" in His provision to us, and our changed Life by the grace of the One ... certainly is on display, yes, this done in contentment that we are led of His truth, sans the deceitfulness of our flesh. Our real contentment and joy is in this human and Divine Savior, of Him I delight to share, both original thoughts and from other cherished and encouraging folks. Should I or another author be misunderstood, I am grateful for the chance to look more deeper, and perhaps know Christ more intimately in the dialogue we share together.

Brother, your thoughts above are with my thanks for the grace they are. I appreciate the encouragement in our Lord. I hope to do likewise, yet if imperfect, we might still see a kind revelation toward us all - even in our weaknesses still prevailing. Grace upon grace!

Oh, make no mistake brother, I find the grinding wheel of your apprehension of grace very able, and skillfully used on my harsh and often jagged edges.

I get a "buffing" here, and as necessary a rebuff, for the thing that always seems most hidden to my own sight is pride. The soul, like the flesh can sometimes be quite excitable and lead to a wasteful spill of seed, "trying" to plant in convenience rather than waiting upon proper season...and without knowing whether such knowing will truly bear a harvest worthy of planting.

In that sense we (or I at least) must learn to be a better food sampler, making sure I am not just serving bitter weeds that I have not yet let come to fruition in my own garden.

" A fool tells all he knows..." kinda thing.

Yet, I do not find need for its escape. Or impetus, to. I don't know that a fool is granted any liberty more precious than to admit his estate. It's simply too easily shown me how in seeking to not appear a fool I have, like a child brushing away a parents hand saying "my do it" have left my shoes tied so tightly to my feet and so knotted as I must then plead for help. Far too many corners painted into to deny.

But the signal thing in all is not how foolish I am, but how the God who never wearies of being called upon by such, graciously delivers. And that is what I come to realize only accentuates my folly, thinking there is any way I can convince. In the knowing that in the relating of the one circumstance there may seem a call to be a lousy painter, a call to abandon any seeming care...yet I know before God how very often (if not always) His deliverance is plead for even (and perhaps especially) in those circumstances in which I do believe I am exercising great care.

It's too funny to me. (But rarely as it is occurring) That, thinking I have learned the lesson of measure twice, cut once...I can still be found misreading the tape at least those two times. My seeming exercise of what appears the greater caution appears to only leave me in the more regretful state of a deeper anger...even there "my wisdom" is proven folly. Yet...even there, God remains faithful, yes...even in those times when I am ready to "ball my fist" at the heavens.

How can a man...explain such grace that it might be apprehended? Is he recommending we all become "fist ballers" to prove God? We all be so careless...to prove God's care? And why does that man have such a problem just reading a simple tape measure? What's up with that? ha ha ha ha...

Yes, I am the man "too ready" to undertake what is beyond himself. The man at whom all may, and probably should have a good laugh..."hold my beer and watch this...!" All I can say is, despite his clown clothes, there is a grace to be found that so far exceeds any embarrassment about his estate that is worth all the knowing. I am in a body of humiliation. A mind always meeting its own limits...revealed by a mind with none. And without imputation of shame...just "this is who you are...this is whom I am..." and "I find it very acceptable man, do you?" And, it's made fit for His purpose. Fear at that border is stilled...shown subject to vaporizing. And anger...oh yes...anger, too. I am working far less to make my laughter sound sincere. And my gratitude.

And that's why, or perhaps why I am so engaged here. It's a funny thing GEM noted elsewhere about the internet and heresy hunting. Anonymity and distance can lend a boldness we might be inclined to indulge that is rarely, or would be forbidden to us in face to face.

The question then becomes...which is the more true demonstration of substance...the man who demurs in the "face to face" congregation but has no problem here (on the internets) to call his brother a vile heretic? Is he being kind in the one venue...or just scared? Is he righteously bold in another venue...or just a rude beast? The timid and fearful man in the "face to face" may comfort himself telling himself he is kind. The rude man, comforted by some distance and anonymity may say "Oh but I am so bold for the truth of the gospel!"

You know...Paul suffered in such circumstance. "His letters are weighty" but "his presence is weak" Oh! But he had something to say...for his boldness was a true boldness...his weakness among them was not of fear...but of true kindness. When necessary, he would be as terrible in person as his letters were terrible in weight.

And maybe all the point being...we rarely recognize the measures of grace being shown us, easily mistaking grace for the lesser assumptions about persons and their character.

Would I be too bold to say this as though making of myself something of signal import? If any have doubts about the effects of distance and an assumed anonymity (as I have had in regards of my distance from God, and not being truly known...)
I don't think now the question is too presumptuous of me to present. Any man, I am assured, could ask the Lord if there be any need, desire, interest, even passing note:

"Has Israel ever thought of you Lord, and your grace, as a sort of peculiar character defect...of yours?" Has Israel ever, in his heart, thought grace...a character defect? And mistaken it so?

Keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.

But for many I have no such caution, they have been won by grace to a place of no fear, and are equal, I believe, in trueness...both here, and face to face. I have seen single faces. And they, in all gratitude work to deliver me from any of my own two facedness. Thanks be to God for you brothers! Yes, You! and you, and you, and also you...and you...and on and on.

 

[gordon 2]

Grace that is found and picked up off the shores of contention is grace? Hum? Where did you learn about grace? How did it come about? Why is it the new "It's not about you?" or "Do you know Jesus personally?" I would ask these questions in any forum on the subject.

When was a spiritual forum devoted in the banner to discussion and study not at home to discussion and study--from grace to heresy? A forum in the open air would it be different-- say on the lawns of church property six feet apart for safety? the rule being only bring and take from the topic points of faith !

"Love God with all your heart and others as yourself". From this, I personally can't hide.

Now do I tell face to face what I tell on the net... well yes, if you come to my door or in the field on such subjects I will entertain your views and post the same reply.

 

[Israel]

Grace allows contending...even contentions, and even makes allowance for the contentious. Even till such allowance is recognized (LOL, I appreciate you posted about Jonah!) by being addressed. Grace even has provision in itself for its denial...for a purposed time. And to a purposed end.

Does Jonah get angry? And why? "Because I knew you would forgive!"
You got me where I wouldn't go. Not only didn't want to go, but attempted to run from. Speak to those that I only wanted your judgment visited upon, such words that were to their repentance and your show of mercy.

And after all that you discomfit me by sending a worm to take my only bit of shade in the whole situation. Why won't it stop? Your knowing how to reach me...and do anything you care to with me?

What else would we, could we expect from the One who shows mercy to what doesn't know its right hand from its left? Leave us to ourselves? God forbid.

Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.

The man who is made to prefer peace will find himself thrust into the knowing of all manner of contentions. To end the argument in himself firstly, and then if so haply called...to bleed out.

 

[StriperAddict]

Thanks again. I wish to God a face to face would come, I enjoy BOTH, the near and here with you brothers.
I can agree my flesh-ly folly often comes from those past seasonings of self protection and silly self preservation, almost at the expense of grace, yet only to find that the admission of the folly leads us all back to the trenches tighter, "fighting" that unseen enemy of the power of sin and its host, the flesh. Paul reminds us to boast in our weaknesses, not in the worship of our humility God forbid, but that we will see together the riches of that providential grace, coming again to woo us to Abba ... and one another.

My brother Israel, never shy from your laughter, be the fully you who is DELIGHTED and at REST in His grace, and be assured Abba and you are a good match. This I say for all, and myself too. Each of us in our differing expressions are not an obstacle to the overwhelming Life contained within! I will shout that to the rooftops for every Child of the Father! What we see as obstacles are never a holy derailment, but chance at growth, and that from Christ, living and laughing His divine Life thru us. I would for us to cherish this gift, and not put an ounce of self effort to engage it.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Would you help strengthen my feeble knees? Lead me/us in trust of this unquenchable Life within?

But of course. Y'alls heart surgery in Christ is apparent, and of that there is no self-boast, just faith and dependence that He might lead us to the table He sets before us.

Even this day, even this hour.

Thank you brothers. HE has made you a delight and joy of His matchless grace. Go and enjoy. Maybe we'll one day see this on each other's face before we are home.

Peace

 

[Israel]

"Love God with all your heart and others as yourself". From this, I personally can't hide.

Amen. And more than my meager amen can attest.

God has knit that together so tightly as it will drub us, find us out (can't hide), wound us, humiliate us, break us...until...broken we return.

I can't lie in the face of that truth. I have wanted it to be "something else"...where I could consider my service to God as one thing, and my esteem of my neighbor as something else. I could hide from my enmity in such thinking as a Pharisee, "I will love God so much so I don't have to throw a crumb to the bums".

Oh...but that "hook" I am never let off of...bringing what I think is "my gift" to God and finding He does indeed love me so much as to not fail in His truth to me. Liar! Hypocrite. Foolish man. How I love you!

Like a pea under a 100 mattress...the finer I thought my sensibilities, the more it irked, discomfited, till it became like sharp boulder with merely a sheet over it.

"Search it out...search it out" said the Spirit. Yours is not the spirit of fear...don't be afraid to see what troubles you."

Oh, but I fear to lift the sheet. This thing is too close...too much a thing I call and know as my own.

Oh...woe is me! But it is so precious...it is so much "like me" I can't see a difference, I can't see a living without "it" as not living without...me. I am lost to myself if without it, can a man live "without himself"?

But the Spirit is relentless..."Live in yourself"...or "live in me" and find out what consequence is...if you think time is yours.

Is time...yours?"

Then, now or never.

That gauzey sheet, seems now so thin and diaphanous, it folds and falls into each crevice, into each fold and feature molding all too well to what I can no longer deny I recognize, myself. That thing under that flimsy shroud is dead, hard as stone, cold to all creation as winter's bluster. It does not even perceive its own of death.

"It troubled me also" says the Spirit, "that enmity I bore in such forbearing till patience had her perfect work and the One sent to safely capture from it finished His work."

Can you agree it is all of dead? Will you?

Are you glad?

or

Do you need time to mourn?

Is time...yours?

What God has joined together let no man put asunder.

What God has put asunder let no man join together.

No man may see the man of sin while he lives in himself.

No man without himself will mistake him for his neighbor.

What first appears even the better man must go his way for seeing the best man's winning.

There is no mourning for Him.

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

One thing is told to feel sorry for itself because it can, and must...until...

The One who doesn't...is seen the only one of whom is life.

 

[gordon 2]

Others yes... those ( the sons and daughters) of soul competency gone amok I am: Holding one poll to one corner of the tent and declaring it full Worship, all Grace, all Fellowship, all Commissions and all Freedoms before God--a people under Grace, one God, one Politic what!

But also I am at odds as to works without exception as to giving competency-- by living the golden rule in faith it was, it is, a cross to carry my burdens and on to resurrections: I am nothing without you!

In the bounce of reverberating cymbals I see love and no love, hearing noises and sounds of the devoted. For me it was for works that the face of Christ became visible and God becomes the mediator on life.


Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:


Therefore I continue in my works such is my cross:

Philippians 2:12


Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

And for fearing no works, I returned.

 

[Israel]

Others yes... those ( the sons and daughters) of soul competency gone amok I am: Holding one poll to one corner of the tent and declaring it full Worship, all Grace, all Fellowship, all Commissions and all Freedoms before God--a people under Grace, one God, one Politic what!

But also I am to works without exception as to giving competency-- by living the golden rule in faith it was, it is, a cross to carry my burdens and on to resurrections: I am nothing without you!

In the bounce of reverberating cymbals I see love and no love, hearing noises and sounds of the devoted. For me it was for works that the face of Christ became visible and God becomes the mediator on life.


Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:


Therefore I continue in my works such is my cross:

Philippians 2:12


Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Hold brothers...hold!

For in the very mix of it all, I too am reliant upon your holding. It is of great benefit to me.

 

[gordon 2]

Hold brothers...hold!

For in the very mix of it all, I too am reliant upon your holding. It is of great benefit to me.

"How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?"

 

[Israel]

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.