two paintings
Monthly Archives: November 2020
Balcony conversation
Strange minds…
Strange minds don’t think alike
The word churner said:
“Strange but I have to deal with all your minds
Like circulating wheels and wheels within wheels
Cranked up and interchanging
Clockwise with grated edges
Rising and falling in synchronisation
Telling a story
Like the workings of said clock
To give us the time of day
As you turn away or stay – for a moment
Grasping the words from my air
And sending them to wastepaper baskets
Or studiously observing
To see if they be for thee
Not making it – in comprehension
I ‘wonder back’ at what your
departing observation was –
that closed your mind
And shut out my message”
Concentrated bliss
CONCENTRATED BLISS
We walk about and have our day
My city beloved in emotional attachment
I walk the streets – past shop and cafe
With echoing memories passing my way
Glancing here – glancing there and pausing
I remember – with concentrated bliss
….
This means all and nothing
Nothing when compared
To the weightier matters of the law
All and much in my infinitesimal little life
Those streets and avenues
Where I bounced on my heels of youth
Or trudged – sore-footed in my latter years
…
Until memory has to stop and park
In the recesses of the forgotten
Until memory flights to yonder place
No material building can house
A habitation not made with hands
New perception – All else forgotten
No memory of the former
Just the concentrated bliss of the eternal
Tendencies
TENDENCIES
I recently found myself agreeing with a Christian Radio host when he said that some believers in Christ tend towards the emotional and some towards the cerebral.
How true – and usually we look next, for some label to differentiate the two.
* The obvious one that comes to mind are the labels Pentecostal or charismatic and evangelical/theological or liberal.
Much as I like the one label for all (Christian), – in reality we are all influenced by these labels*, in forming a ‘picture’ of what different Christian folks are like and what they believe or major on.
This labelling of course is in flux – as everyone searches for a name to crystallise what they believe in, or stand for. So new ones emerge through time.
Spiritual experiences – as in experiencing the Holy Spirit – is not synonymous with emotionalism.
Deep theological thought is not synonymous with no experience of The Holy Spirit.
Someone has put it this way – (speaking metaphorically) too much emphasis on the power of God and we blow up. Too much emphasis on The Word of God and we dry up – but the Spirit and the Word and we grow up.
Paul the apostle had great intellectual ability, but he was first to admit how limited and insufficient this was when it came to spiritual matters.
Philippians 3:
4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
I Corinthians 2/11
…Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
Galatians 1/
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual discernment is not emotionalism. Nevertheless when God moves in power you can be sure your emotions will give great response.
As we refrain from leaning on our own understanding and ask God for His enabling Holy Spirit – let’s not limit what He can do, by knowledge uninspired by God Himself.
Don’t allow or use theological knowledge to limit or direct God to fit into our understanding about what He must and must not do.
Conversely when God meets with us in a powerful way – don’t drift into trying to reproduce such a wonderful experience by soulish imitation.
The narrow way leads to life.
Lord help us.
Cult message
Cult message
There you were – just travelling on, minding your own business.
And someone came into your life with a message.
Ever happened to you? Was it a good – real – genuinely worthwhile message? Offering good news or bad?
As a child along with others in my street – we heard a message offering all kinds of fun and games – baseball stands out – it wasn’t part of our culture, so had the novelty factor.
Next thing I’m given parental permission to visit this large house to partake in these fun and games.
I can’t remember exactly, but I was around the eight-year-old mark.
Fast forward in cutting the story short. And I’m being indoctrinated with some kind of bible stuff? I’m nodding in agreement, because I’m too young to know better either way.
Then I’m changing into white robes and being ducked below the water. A frightening experience, especially as the water stuck in my ears and I couldn’t hear properly afterwards. Frightening for a child of eight.
I was told it was all “ok” with my mum and dad.
Of course it wasn’t, they hadn’t even been informed.
Recreational games with other kids was all they ‘signed up’ for.
The gentleman who had recruited myself and other kids for this fiasco was sending back head counts to his homeland, of how successful his ministry had been.
Of course I never went back, and I can’t actually remember if my parents took any further action.
Back in the day – things were ‘let go of’ more readily.
Today of course, there would be an outcry, and as they say ‘heads would roll’.
I eventually received ex-communication notice from this group of charlatans. Praise God!
Notice I have not mentioned their name, as in their religious label.
Did this experience do any lasting harm? Naw!
But what a glorious contrast when I had a 100% real, conversion experience, when falling to my knees Jesus the Christ revealed Himself to me, as I wept my way into his spiritual kingdom, at my bedside in the house I was reared in.
Colossians 1/13
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
God Himself did the work. I am so thankful that He came looking for me. And I fell under His revelation and conviction.
That was 50 years ago today.
Most joy…
Most Joy
If I could write something that would make a powerful difference to your life. Something you would be so grateful for, that you couldn’t contain yourself and the thankfulness you would overwhelm me with. I wonder what that ‘something’ would be?
I think of those undercover boss episodes, where the boss eventually ‘reveals’ him/herself – and shares all they will do for their employee with specific needs. You have seen the employee’s emotional response of excitement and joy – when they are helped out – usually in some financial burden-lifting way.
I remember the joy I felt when (second attempt) I passed my driving test – quite a few years ago now. Just a comparatively small thing – yet big to me at the time.
So the word verbalised and written was: “I’m glad to inform you that you have passed your test”.
Then there’s the joy of your partner’s response when she says one simple word – to your marriage proposal: “Yes!” What joy! (I’m still of the opinion that the man should propose). As the comic Dame Edna would say: “Call me old fashioned…”
I finish this very short post with the question: “What would you like me to tell you about leaving this life? What will give you the most joy?”
(John 8/32)
Interested?
INTERESTED?
Here we go – perhaps stating the obvious?
I was thinking of things that interest me.
Having mentioned (in a previous post), the ‘interest’ factor when it comes to what posts people will read.
It must be one of the simplest conclusions one must arrive at, when it comes to examining why your posts and mine receive their quota of ‘likes’, or not as the case may be.
Some posts get a four, and some get a twenty-four for example.
And so the “why?” question.
I still say it is the interest factor. I too will read what catches my attention/interest, and ignore what doesn’t. I quickly glean whether the post is worth pursuing or not.
I think it’s safe to say that, like you (?), the time element also comes into it.
Posts too long, usually get bypassed for that reason.
All because you and I have things to do. We have our own world to engage with. Trying to hit a balance with work, rest, and play. (Let me add pray).
Some excellent writing therefore is bound to be bypassed along the way.
And so good writing is not a deciding factor in what gets read.
Is writing ability over-rated? Well yes and no. Try reading a post by someone who has little writing ability.
Conversely think of the innumerable multitude of decent writers.
Subject matter – is either of interest to you or isn’t. You will read accordingly – or not.
We know that our ‘followers’ total, means little. Please correct me if I’m missing something?
But there are hundreds of my ‘followers’ who have not visited seedsinmotion for a loooong time.
But heh! Neither have I visited them. So who can complain?
Where’s this all leading to?
Actually I suppose this is where promotion comes in.
Those who must have constant attention and traffic etc. – go mad on promotion. All social media outlets taken on board.
Every which way they can – promote, promote, promote.
I feel a spiritual point coming on.
Jesus was the most sought after person on the planet within His sphere of service (Israel).
He had the goods, as we say. He did the opposite to promoting Himself, with sentences such as:
Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”
Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
Notice the more He told them not to ‘promote’ Him – the more He became famous, and His mighty deeds were noised abroad.
Amongst the many attributes we see demonstrated in the Life of The Lord Jesus Christ – humility comes to mind.
He so had every attribute worthwhile to living life – that all came to have a look. Have a look – and get their needs met.
Now before this becomes another Post, suffice to say – for those who are earning a living online – keep on promoting. I am not earning a living online. So I have no tricks, free mugs or T-shirts, but bid you “have a nice day 😎”
PS (To that one person who is helped by anything I write – you make it all worthwhile)
Immature
IMMATURE
I Corinthians 3/
1 However, brothers and sisters, I could not talk to you as to spiritual people, but [only] as to worldly people [dominated by human nature], mere infants [in the new life] in Christ! 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Even now you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly [controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity]. For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not unspiritual, and are you not walking like ordinary men [unchanged by faith]?
To the skeptic, the unbeliever, the discreditor, the anti-Christ who is looking to disqualify and dismiss Christians and their faith. The kind of things that the Corinthian Christians were failing in – gives the necessary ammunition for verbal castigation by accusers.
These words of Paul, under the enablement of the Holy Spirit, do a number of things. Firstly they dispel the myth that when a person becomes a Christian, they are perfect in thought, word and deed from that moment on.
And of course we are, (as is often said): positionally. That is we are accepted in Christ by the triune God.(Ephesian 1/6)(Hebrews 10/14).
However in raising our children, we cannot expect perfection from them. They are immature, born sinful – sinful from birth, and we never have to teach them how to be insubordinate or throw a selfish tantrum.
So Paul aware of the corporate immature dissension and division amongst his spiritual children in Corinth – refers to them as babes/infants – as they failed to demonstrate spiritual maturity, the maturity that comes through time and handling of the Word of God.
Some folks have of course never experienced what it is to be spiritually born again – born from above.
But for those of us who have – we now must adjust to this new life in Christ.
When Lazarus came from the tomb after Christ had called him forth from death, after life came back into his (it was perceived – stagnant body) others needed to remove the ‘wraps’, the grave clothes, he was still bound with.
When we come into new life in Christ we must grow up spiritually. And as in the natural there are stages of growth all the way to adulthood, so it is with new spiritual life.
We need others at times to change our spiritual diapers, just like others were needed to remove Lazarus’s grave clothes, so he could walk in newness of life.
So Paul tells the Corinthians that he cannot speak to them about deeper things, while they still indulge in their childish, spiritually immature ways.
Notice he describes their spiritual immaturity as being ‘dominated by human nature’.
On a different occasion he reminds other Christians elsewhere that when we are new born babes in Christ – old things pass away and all things become new.
New in the very core of our beings. New from the regenerated human spirit out into outward behaviour, in thought word and deed.
Spiritual feeding is the feeding of the human spirit and mind of the believer by ‘masticating’ the Word of God.
And the deep things revealed in this Word of God cannot be grasped by those who are infants, and learning how to be and in the process of being, – all God has made us in Christ.
The immature live half in God and half in themselves. So Paul feeds them with milk. Although the Galatian’s epistle brings us the deep things of God, just like any other epistle, it needs to be grasped in a greater way than they could manage, at that time.
The mature partaking of the divine nature, will be fully matured when they reach heaven. Meantime varying levels of growth, revelation, inner development will exist amongst believers.
I often say that we don’t learn spiritual things off pat, but often the same things over and over again, but at a progressively deeper level.
The accusers of those who profess to follow Christ will pick on the areas of immaturity, but in all accusations, the Christian has the advantage of being able to respond in the words of the epistle to the Romans:
Romans 8:33-35
33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
On Fire
ON FIRE
[This is not a biblical study of the fire of God, of which there is much to say, but rather a reference to a turn of phrase commonly used in Christian circles]
Christians are familiar with the expression: ‘On Fire for God’.
Certainly in my youth I would have seen myself as being ‘On Fire for God’ (and by God’s grace – I was).
This fire was accompanied by perceived necessary zeal that went with it.
There is no doubt we are more idealistic in our younger years.
So – fire + zeal + idealism – makes for a potent positive concoction.
I remember well, how we took to the streets to spread the gospel. Great days!
I pause, because years ago, we were told of the older generation reminiscing in spiritual nostalgia about the ‘good ol’ days’. ‘Things were better then etc.’… Followed by the question: “But what about now?”
Paul’s exhortation to “forget those things which are behind…” usually came in the midst of verbal advice to stop basking in the past and press towards the mark for the future prize.
“Don’t think of being ‘on fire’ in the past tense – make sure you are on fire now!”
Well – am I? Are we?
There is no doubt in my mind that there are seasons in God. And if I compare myself in this present season – with seasons of the past – I can drift into discouragement, as a result of reflecting too much on great former seasons of the manifest presence of God.
However I am reminded:
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Such a season is not necessarily of our own making. And v18 – tells us the response we should make.
As I sit writing this piece, I have the thought that there is nothing to add.
Honesty to the rescue!
I always try to be absolutely honest with The Lord in prayer.
Matthew 6:7-8
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:…
So with a heart that wants to be on fire, and zealous for the Lord, and hopes it still is. Here’s my prayer – [care to join me?]
“Lord I’m not the youthful ‘zealot’ anymore – but my heart still longs to please you. Forgive me for any shortcomings and let me burn with your fire…” Amen
Thoughtful Silence
THOUGHTFUL SILENCE
–
And they cry out ‘fraud!’
And they cry out ‘No!’
And some say ‘stay’
And some say ‘go’
–
I don’t know
–
How can anyone know – yet?
It’s none of my business anyway
I live far far away
Unprecedented times – so they say
–
Character in a man’s life
Well – there’s a rare commodity indeed
And better keeping our mouths shut
Is a truth – to which we must concede
–
We don’t know if we say too much
Or if too little keeps us out of touch
With a world gone wrong anyway
Where the truth is trampled in the dust
We all think we have something to say
To contribute to change either way
–
Surely a balance – is sought for
Not by many I hasten to add
Extreme left and extreme right
Stuck in the middle – is rather tight
–
We have mouths to open
And so we say
Everyone say their piece
Or hold their peace – either way
We an’t get away
From what the scriptures say:
–
When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
Proverbs 10/19
Weakly
WEAKLY
I once saw a man
drenched in a trench coat
I once saw a roof
all covered in snow – though
I couldn’t tell if it was wood or slate
So snow was it
I once tried to tell someone my brief
My faith
I couldn’t make up my mind
If he was genuine or fake
When he said ‘I get it completely’
However weakly (?)
seedsinmotiontruthnart 