The Very Knowledge of God Offered by Doug Blair, Kitchener ON, 2021
We learn of spiritual understanding through love and obedience. No other way. It is not like acquiring any other discipline. Logic. Memory work. Rationalizing. Analogy. I am reminded of the oyster in the great Ocean. Constantly it dwells in and soaks in the brine. It becomes Ocean. We become Jesus ones as we turn with thankful hearts to his presence and input. Reading those four Gospels becomes constant nourishment and direction. The Mind of Christ.
In Those Right Ways It isn’t that I come to you With studies of the greatest men With studies of your words and ways
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In hope that I might mimic them. The man here grown has his own code Which nature/nurture brought to pass With spurts of fine obedience But birthed in flesh it cannot last. Instead you promise Spirit Life A Friend who captures will and ways As Jesus prayed we link as One A Triune partnership always. We gain the very knowledge of God. No more the tiresome codes and creeds. We turn within when challenge comes And His life power Brings best of days.
Eavesdropping on God
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I can do this all day. As the world turns around. Night-time dreams elevate The Dark Continent. Busy housewife senses my touch As she wipes a teary cheek In Wisconsin.
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(Baby won’t stop crying from colic.) Store owner prays in Manchester. Small fire and water damage To most of his next-season stock. A robin falls from A wind-swept nest In the bush outside Timmins. Young Jason with the game leg Hides in a driveway From those bullies Who hound him after school. Marjorie talks to Fred in his photograph On the dresser at the old home. I bring her warm memories
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Of their first summer together And the good news of baby number one. Sarah…she grew up to be an optometrist. Traveling to refugee camps In that Dark Continent. I love this. It is running as it should. Daily I am discovered By more honest seekers. Jesus, Son, we are doing it Wait ’til we get ’em all together. Seems just around the corner.
When the Spirit Comes
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In the 16th chapter of John, perhaps more than anywhere else in the Gospels, Jesus explains to His friends what influence the Holy Spirit will soon have in their lives. They can expect much greater intimacy with Jesus and His agenda because of the Spirit's influence. They can expect an increase in the convicting power in their words, actions and demeanour, because of the sway of the Spirit. And they can expect a much greater degree of ostracism and persecution, just as their Lord had seen it. Jesus is honest. He knows what is in the heart of man. He will not spare his friends the news that things are going to get tough. Idols will be shaken. Pass-times and associations will be held up to the light. Hypocrisies will become transparent. Man-made rules will be exposed in all of their futility. Not only the wicked but the self-righteous are going to balk at this, even to the point of violence and murder, whether it be of the person or of the reputation. And when you stumble, which you will, the hounds will be quick to say, "See he blew it. He isn't perfect. This thing doesn't work.
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Forget about Jesus. Go on with business as usual." That is the spirit of anti-christ. It needs to be prayed down, loved down, served down by the extraordinary Person who dwells within us. (Acts 10:38) And we have been assured that 'greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world'. Some who deal with us start out peeved or fuming, but end up drawn by our indomitable asset..."joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). That too is the working of the Spirit. The fumers may become family. We are not to respond blow for blow, but rather blessing for blow. This takes supernatural love, and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, etc. (Galatians 5:22,23) at April 18, 2011 Labels: Bruised Corn is Bread, Love Draws, Spiritual Warfare
Breaking Down the Awkward
Up again, and it’s late Desiring to meet you in prayer I love you Father I’ll start there. But fuzzy headed and wandering You deserve better. So much has been given And I know you source it all Overlooking my falls and stumbling. Like other Fathers But so much grander. Pledged to me by immutable promise. Should I plead, question, intercede
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Or what?
“Speak Son, lots of time. And I am fully yours For hopes or hurts or chores. Enter again into Me here Into wisdom Spiritual Sometimes by-passing the head Direct from my Heart instead.”
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