Israel
BANNED
Hilarity, thankfully, is measured out in gracious doses.
Rolling down the road, which was actually what I was doing in my minivan, no less serves as a useful metaphor to any motion through life in which is included consciousness of the Lord. And my consciousness, limited as it is, is just like yours...no more nor less than what it is.
Here there's no useful metric we can apply between us, "comparing ourselves with ourselves" as to who may be "more conscious". Only God knows. Only God knows depth of touch.
So, (with apologies to Hummer for his dislike of sentences that start "So"...) in the temple I cohabit, I'm "going with the flow of thoughts..." they turn to this, to that...watching what bubbles up as I am conversing with the Lord of the temple.
Then a thing that happened came to mind...a thing that to all appearances to that point (in my consideration) was something I had "borne in the Lord". It was no big deal...but obviously big enough for me to remember it as an insult. And when I say insult I do not mean someone said something I considered "bad" to or about me...but an unrighteous incursion into me (as I adjudged it) by an unrighteous excursion by another beyond their right authority...and that by a claiming believer. But that is not the issue at all. Who of us doesn't have these? It's not like it should be a strange thing at all. Cause it's not. James reminds us:
"For in many things we offend all."
But here's is what I began to smell about "that thing". There was an element that, because I'd believed I'd made nothing of it to the offender ( ha ha!) and "borne it in the Lord"...there was a curious odor in thought of "when can I sort of expect payment", a balancing of books toward me... for having done my duty of (what I considered) "bearing it in the Lord". (Are you ROFL yet?)
Now, it had to be sniffed out before these printed words could frame it so succinctly, it wasn't like I thought "OK, Lord...payment due...anytime I might expect it?...just ballpark me a time if you will..." But sniffing that trail didn't take long to uncover in words what sense was there in spirit.
Oy...talk about a stink so bad two friends could only look at each other and laugh..."you smell that too?" (Need I remind you when there are only two in the elevator...each knows who dealt it?) No, this idea of payment wasn't coming from the Lord.
And not "if" me...but definitely me...how does such an odious thing issue? Almost immediately in laughter I repeated aloud "Now to him who works the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt, but to him who works not but believes on Him who justifies the unGodly, to him his faith is reckoned as righteousness". Now, in light of the stench it was plain where my need lay. What was I truly looking for? What did I truly need? Can you say "laughably but painfully obvious"?
Lord God! I'm a horse trader! I'm trying to horse trade with you! I can't do that (think of the Wily Coyote trying to put the brakes on before he hits the edge of the cliff the Roadrunner has had him race toward) Whoa! Back up...stop! And it was like "Wow Lord, that kinda cloud has been (on my end) around everything...hasn't it?"
Then it became too clear (still laughably) every relationship I have ever had has been solely based upon what another "can" do for me or does to me. Friend/lover (yep...even wife and children) bin...and enemy bin.
This one (relationship) in the Lord will not suffer that. The Lord's having none of it. And it's not merely "there's nothing you could do to pay me back" (which is as true as anything)...but more...that's not the Lord's motive on His side, at all.
He didn't rope me (or you) into a relationship to the end of saying "You can't pay me baaack...you can't pay me baaack..." That's also too laughable in itself. Even though He's got every right to it because it's true. (Hey Lord...do I "score points" by making a big point of how I can't pay you back? Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!) Is there a bonus round? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
These things been on my mind and heart a lot lately (maybe even more than usual) with things being what they are, and sensing a sorta hair trigger response among some (to which I am not immune...only knowing a little about ricochets)...about strength needed in times of trial while in these temples of flesh (count every day thus...not merely 2020 as some are wont to, or beginning to be made aware)
"The joy of the Lord is your strength" Neh 8:10
and
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Jn 15:11
If we believe Jesus joyless, or see Him thus, no doubt we'll say "ho hum" to this, and also by extension...the very things he says he has told us to that end...well...less than any inducement to joy. It'll be the old quid pro quo..."I got this for you...because I want that from you..."
But if we are persuaded Jesus does know what joy is...and in such measure as must be beyond our own understanding, and we are won to it (Him) as truth in Him, well then, obviously those things he has said for that reason (and not only so of having "some" joy...but "fullness" of it) will take on a peculiar shine. All that we may know God in His joy.
Someone...actually only One...is at work continually that we know His joy and love. That's the "all" he wants from us...is to reveal to and in us. There's really no from us to even be...wanted. If, as the Lord Jesus says...we were to understand..."Fear not little flock it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom..." Would it even be dependent upon us offering...our want of it? Do not confuse this with meaning offering no want of it. Yet...even there we might ask Paul about God's expediency in giving not only what was not asked for...but strenuously being resisted!
Hey, bud! It's hard to kick against the goads (ain't it?)
Which leads back to His joy...or the "Joy of the Lord"...that is our strength. You and I (I trust) have known eyes upon us. We have known those eyes waiting for us to slip. They are joyless eyes...beholding. Looking not for the good of another, but the fall. Watching not with this:
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Am I presumptuous? Do you not know those eyes that run against the above? The eyes that accompany "you do that one more time and see what happens!" I know I have.
But...to be granted to believe the eyes of the Lord are always engaged to one's good in joy...well...what else but strength can issue from them to the beholder if he is granted to see such? All encouragement is found in those. Especially to the acknowledging of things that...under any other eyes...would just be too unbearable to consider...let alone laugh hilariously over. Wow...you really extend love to selfish wretches!
So, (sorry Hummer!) it was those eyes that brought me to confess..Yes...Lord! I see it! I am and have been a horse trader with everyone...even you...especially you! I've never even known what you mean by friendship and just assumed my poor excuse for it was the truest as could be. I have taken the heavenly and tried to wedge it into my own understanding per experience in the earth...rather than the other way round. (Is that what Jesus endured...the Heavenly Himself so tortuously treated in attempt to make fit? "No one could say these things without being a blasphemer!") Rather than to know the heavenly is to change the earthy and earthly understanding to it.
God forbid any of this be mistaken as a despising of right tears. There are times made fit for each. And it may well be only that joy can see us through those times when all appears as sorrow.
I cannot deny saints have known these times.
And still do.
Rolling down the road, which was actually what I was doing in my minivan, no less serves as a useful metaphor to any motion through life in which is included consciousness of the Lord. And my consciousness, limited as it is, is just like yours...no more nor less than what it is.
Here there's no useful metric we can apply between us, "comparing ourselves with ourselves" as to who may be "more conscious". Only God knows. Only God knows depth of touch.
So, (with apologies to Hummer for his dislike of sentences that start "So"...) in the temple I cohabit, I'm "going with the flow of thoughts..." they turn to this, to that...watching what bubbles up as I am conversing with the Lord of the temple.
Then a thing that happened came to mind...a thing that to all appearances to that point (in my consideration) was something I had "borne in the Lord". It was no big deal...but obviously big enough for me to remember it as an insult. And when I say insult I do not mean someone said something I considered "bad" to or about me...but an unrighteous incursion into me (as I adjudged it) by an unrighteous excursion by another beyond their right authority...and that by a claiming believer. But that is not the issue at all. Who of us doesn't have these? It's not like it should be a strange thing at all. Cause it's not. James reminds us:
"For in many things we offend all."
But here's is what I began to smell about "that thing". There was an element that, because I'd believed I'd made nothing of it to the offender ( ha ha!) and "borne it in the Lord"...there was a curious odor in thought of "when can I sort of expect payment", a balancing of books toward me... for having done my duty of (what I considered) "bearing it in the Lord". (Are you ROFL yet?)
Now, it had to be sniffed out before these printed words could frame it so succinctly, it wasn't like I thought "OK, Lord...payment due...anytime I might expect it?...just ballpark me a time if you will..." But sniffing that trail didn't take long to uncover in words what sense was there in spirit.
Oy...talk about a stink so bad two friends could only look at each other and laugh..."you smell that too?" (Need I remind you when there are only two in the elevator...each knows who dealt it?) No, this idea of payment wasn't coming from the Lord.
And not "if" me...but definitely me...how does such an odious thing issue? Almost immediately in laughter I repeated aloud "Now to him who works the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt, but to him who works not but believes on Him who justifies the unGodly, to him his faith is reckoned as righteousness". Now, in light of the stench it was plain where my need lay. What was I truly looking for? What did I truly need? Can you say "laughably but painfully obvious"?
Lord God! I'm a horse trader! I'm trying to horse trade with you! I can't do that (think of the Wily Coyote trying to put the brakes on before he hits the edge of the cliff the Roadrunner has had him race toward) Whoa! Back up...stop! And it was like "Wow Lord, that kinda cloud has been (on my end) around everything...hasn't it?"
Then it became too clear (still laughably) every relationship I have ever had has been solely based upon what another "can" do for me or does to me. Friend/lover (yep...even wife and children) bin...and enemy bin.
This one (relationship) in the Lord will not suffer that. The Lord's having none of it. And it's not merely "there's nothing you could do to pay me back" (which is as true as anything)...but more...that's not the Lord's motive on His side, at all.
He didn't rope me (or you) into a relationship to the end of saying "You can't pay me baaack...you can't pay me baaack..." That's also too laughable in itself. Even though He's got every right to it because it's true. (Hey Lord...do I "score points" by making a big point of how I can't pay you back? Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!) Is there a bonus round? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
These things been on my mind and heart a lot lately (maybe even more than usual) with things being what they are, and sensing a sorta hair trigger response among some (to which I am not immune...only knowing a little about ricochets)...about strength needed in times of trial while in these temples of flesh (count every day thus...not merely 2020 as some are wont to, or beginning to be made aware)
"The joy of the Lord is your strength" Neh 8:10
and
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Jn 15:11
If we believe Jesus joyless, or see Him thus, no doubt we'll say "ho hum" to this, and also by extension...the very things he says he has told us to that end...well...less than any inducement to joy. It'll be the old quid pro quo..."I got this for you...because I want that from you..."
But if we are persuaded Jesus does know what joy is...and in such measure as must be beyond our own understanding, and we are won to it (Him) as truth in Him, well then, obviously those things he has said for that reason (and not only so of having "some" joy...but "fullness" of it) will take on a peculiar shine. All that we may know God in His joy.
Someone...actually only One...is at work continually that we know His joy and love. That's the "all" he wants from us...is to reveal to and in us. There's really no from us to even be...wanted. If, as the Lord Jesus says...we were to understand..."Fear not little flock it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom..." Would it even be dependent upon us offering...our want of it? Do not confuse this with meaning offering no want of it. Yet...even there we might ask Paul about God's expediency in giving not only what was not asked for...but strenuously being resisted!
Hey, bud! It's hard to kick against the goads (ain't it?)
Which leads back to His joy...or the "Joy of the Lord"...that is our strength. You and I (I trust) have known eyes upon us. We have known those eyes waiting for us to slip. They are joyless eyes...beholding. Looking not for the good of another, but the fall. Watching not with this:
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Am I presumptuous? Do you not know those eyes that run against the above? The eyes that accompany "you do that one more time and see what happens!" I know I have.
But...to be granted to believe the eyes of the Lord are always engaged to one's good in joy...well...what else but strength can issue from them to the beholder if he is granted to see such? All encouragement is found in those. Especially to the acknowledging of things that...under any other eyes...would just be too unbearable to consider...let alone laugh hilariously over. Wow...you really extend love to selfish wretches!
So, (sorry Hummer!) it was those eyes that brought me to confess..Yes...Lord! I see it! I am and have been a horse trader with everyone...even you...especially you! I've never even known what you mean by friendship and just assumed my poor excuse for it was the truest as could be. I have taken the heavenly and tried to wedge it into my own understanding per experience in the earth...rather than the other way round. (Is that what Jesus endured...the Heavenly Himself so tortuously treated in attempt to make fit? "No one could say these things without being a blasphemer!") Rather than to know the heavenly is to change the earthy and earthly understanding to it.
God forbid any of this be mistaken as a despising of right tears. There are times made fit for each. And it may well be only that joy can see us through those times when all appears as sorrow.
I cannot deny saints have known these times.
And still do.
Last edited: