Oven Fresh

Oven Fresh

Offered by Doug Blair, Kitchener ON, 2021

There can come a time of casual and overly familiar hearing of the messages of Jesus. Or the psalms or the prophets. ‘Oh yes, isn’t that true. We have heard it reiterated in so many ways in our experience. Pretty well established good stuff.’

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Watch it. Hunger is fading. Ugly self-assurance shows its face on the horizon. Get quiet for a while and expect the Lord’s tangible arrival. Repent of any known stumbling or cozy tradition. Fret not. Wait. Commit. Fear not.

Cease from anger. Delight. (All phrases from beloved Psalm 37).

Controversy with David’s Psalm (37) MAY 30, 2016 / ISSUUDOTCOMSLASHDEWANE /

Whadya mean “fret not”?

Can’t ya see all

The wickedness 2

Manipulation

Outright oppression

Slippery talk

Unjust gain

Pain and grief

Ignored

By rogues who

Could easily help?

Even the King

Sold over

To darkness.

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And you say…fret not.

Ha!

But you say more

Don’t you.

“Trust”

That’s a good one

Trust others?

Trust family, myself?

That’s pretty shaky.

Oh, trust you Lord.

But I hardly know you

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And can you be known?

You say “delight”

Easy perhaps for the shepherd

With the psalms

And fresh air and liberty.

…Oh but that shepherd

Became the hunted animal

Despised and tracked

And nearly trapped

But got through somehow.

And that was you right?

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Well I’ve had some

Narrow misses too.

Should I be thanking you

Looking higher for provision

And protection?

HHHMMM…

Obviously that shepherd

“Delighted” in you

Got to see really

That there was

No other Source.

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“Committed” his ways

And hopes unto you.

Found that he could

“Rest” in a mighty confidence

Found only in Another.

Made the conscious quality

Decision to “cease from anger

And forsake wrath”.

Started to realize

That nothing, absolutely nothing

Could better the newfound process

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Of “waiting” upon your majesty

Your timing, agenda and pathway.

But all that is really

Just for your special anointed

No?

“The steps of a good man are ordered…”

Could that ever be me?

“You forsake not your saints

They are preserved forever.”

Could that ever be me?

“The meek shall inherit the earth.”

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Could that ever be me?

This process of delightful dependence?

Surely such a God

Is all Giver and not Taker.

And I think

I am beginning to see

And I praise you

For your justice and mercy

And sing out my thanks.

Starting now.

(painting by Peter Etril Snyder of Waterloo)

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The Lord has told us to open the mouth wide that He might fill it…with good things, with the fruits of Redemption, with Resurrection power, with the energies and compassion of Jesus.

Today’s News from God

Make it a new thing

Though drawing from old

You’re ever current

I’m getting cold.

Bring here the warmth

The fervour and Truth

Stories of Jesus

I heard in my youth.

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Just like kaleidoscope

Toy of the past

Colours in glass pieces

Values that last.

But turning eyepiece

The patterns will change

Each one is thrilling

By Love re-arranged.

Black for the sin

Red for the Blood

Green for new freshness

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Sky Blue o’erhead

Orange for flesh frailty

And purple’s the King

Gold for the riches

Of New Life He’ll bring.

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Faith Under a Big Tent: 1972

It’s tonight folks

And you have been well primed.

The praise of the saints

Fills this tent.

The man of God has been

Deep in prayer all afternoon

With some of your pastors.

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The needs out there

Are imposing,

The expectation…electric.

And Jesus knows,

He knows your deepest need,

And as many as touch Him

Get their answer.

Have you touched Him?

Have you felt

The pull of His Spirit

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In the songs?

Have you smiled

At gleeful looks

Of excitement

On faces of your neighbours?

Have you waited long

In faith’s craning pause?

Well get ready:

Some are gonna walk

Outa here on new legs.

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Some are gonna see

That loved one for the first time.

Some are gonna sense

Tumours shift and dissolve.

Some are gonna kick

The needle or the flask.

Or the back-alley’s business.

But don’t look unto

This speaker, Heavens NO.

Look unto the Master.

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Touch Him.

See what a prayer of faith can do.

And your life has been

Such a prayer…for years.

Now’s the time.

And if you have committed

Any sins,

They may be forgiven you. (James 5:15)

In the name of the

Crucified One.

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Who is alive now.

And for evermore.

Come Lord Jesus.

Work your work

For these dear people.

It is all of your mercy.

We come like the leper

Wanting to be made clean

And whole.

And all the people said:

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AMEN.

Note: 1972. Why not now?

(Picture of T. L. Osborn)

https://issuu.com/home/published/the_onlookers_2

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