Message #3540

[ecuworrier]

arrive later than intended...  was i confess even thinking of not coming -cos well i did email to say i would be and then got no confirmation of that person in question had got my email ... it's been a bit of a pattern with them which is disappointing- it occurs on the way that maybe they aren't getting my emails but it turns out they did but have cancelled proceedings sadly! only i answered and i am late but we have a rare time of fellowship together... person has been reading the bible while waiting and then become absorbed in stuff... the verse they want to share is:

John 12 v47:  47If anyone hears My teachings and fails to observe them [does not keep them, but disregards them], it is not I who judges him. For I have not come to judge and to condemn and to pass sentence and to inflict penalty on the world, but to save the world.

i am moved by their justification that Jesus just wants to save the world regardless of what folks is up to in their minds hearts bodies and activities... it is particularly relevant for the street stuff we would have been doing.. to me it underpins what for me it's all about! but how often have i stood with folks who stand and have a half love... i am pleased this person has taken this on... actually i read on the next verse is the one that folks pin their judgement on and me am about to argumentatively follow suit but there is a cloud of darkness hanging over
48Anyone who rejects Me and persistently sets Me at naught, refusing to accept My teachings, has his judge [however]; for the [very] message that I have spoken will itself judge and convict him at the last day.

or to put it more relevantly i can see the illumination of verse 47 but not verse 48 but on verse 49... we talk about how we carry judgement and also how we don't forgive ourselves and all that religious stuff we are about GOD and that is tough in cultural environments that are about a sub-plot ie the church ... it's actually lovely to talk! it is a learning lesson for me... how irritated i feel with being told what i already believe as if i am being told for the very first time when it's the others... it's always the others!...  i feel very aware that if i were to be argumentative then somehow it would be as i see it now me going out on a limb representing what i hear all too often that pisses me off... like that we can own what GOD's judgement is goijng to be in the confidence of what the Bible says? like we have pulled out the Bible and draw ourselves to a verse to tell folks exactly what their problem is and where on the Day of Judgement so often it sounds like man judging man .. and i have every expectation that GOD can indeed use stuff in context productively while everyone else just puts objects in the way.. and am happy to leave whatever happens in the whenever to GOD as a preoccupation and concentrate what i confess to person is a tough call in modern church which is to follow Jesus in the real in real life in living not according to a set of rules which is what the pharisees did and opened themselves to endless criticism like is there a point to the role of teacher of the law? ok then why does Jesus say Matthew 23 they will not be called teachers but they will teach.... they will be under me? isn't it so much easier to send folks on a course to learn the rules thoroughly and share their learning... if that was the beall and endall then surely everyone should go on that course of dos and don'ts and that suffice .... so why does Jesus want to be our teacher if the dos and don't suffice? what is it that GOD can teach that human culture doesn't accomplish? is there something more than this?

well verse 48 got me all knickers in a twist verse 49 flooded out in truth and sanity

49This is because I have never spoken on My own authority or of My own accord or as self-appointed, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders [concerning] what to say and what to tell.

we examine this together and its nice to agree on something that we have presumptiousness opinionations and that it is no substitute for the real thing and GOD is real and the whole thing that has got itself mysteriously relegated to option x of the fruit of the spirit game in Paul's writings and been taken to heart....  THE GIFT... the Gift of Discernment.... the hearing of GOD and seeing other stuff..... surely if you are going to play the numbers game then there is only one option to play for the Gift of Hearing from GOD establishing developping prizing your personal one to one with GOD and all that flows from it surely that has to be better than listening to the guy or gal who graduated the rules book course for advice? i mean is it not a precondition for verifying what you is listening to? i mean if you seriously cannot Discern GOD you surely can hardly be able to ascertain what is what from the charismatic person in front of everyone who graduated? is there anything wrong with that? i mean if folks wants to sit on sundays and listen to a powerful speaker then that's got to be like let them get on with it? we too me and person touch on these sorts of themes....  ABOUT NOT JUDGING! the strangle entanglement of church.. my companion by the way is a church person of respect and office...  it's the first time for a long time that we have sat down in a relaxed fashion together i sure has lots to learn!.. and actually feel humbled and amazed..we more recently have not been getting on.

Discernment is the crux! in a church built on traditions and argumentative breakups.. how can we claim to follow jesus and not follow v49 to it's fullest....  person and me discuss our roles who gets the credit? person is surprisingly (well i was surprised!) encouraging of that people should feel drawn to me by the light of the Holy Spirit  for  - it does sound like people coming to me for my expertise- so i confess my dislike of the culture of celebrity ... but now why did i forget to say all i can do is point to GOD the Father? hmmm i do feel uncomfortable with being placed on a pedestal the truth is we should all be living lives ... we could all be living lives of unlimited potential... the truth is GOD draws people to me it happens when we are doing street stuff people who i have known for years have been struck by the peace i have that GOD has done something significant and special in my life  ...see me on a bad day?  i want them to have that ... am i really so scared of losing that? i don't know what to do ... and in truth it's not about me but all it's ALL ABOUT GOD!

i share with person about the line in the song .... the Bible words of knowledge checking in the bible i ask if person has ever had verse that goes against the grain of perceived teaching... person is not sure about that ...  whereas i have and find GOD can use every which way to get message across and does!   cos it's about what does GOD want to get out of stuff ....

i had an interesting happening yesterday... as i wandered on the streets in the evening i was very aware of a chaotic drunken out of control kind of atmosphere which was uncomfortable to walk in.. later i went to catch some live music ... the atmosphere was sure a bit weird so i kindov prayed a bit... listened to music and went outside for a fag there was a nearby venue also doing music and i wandered out there they appeared to have an outside area for smoking which is where i wanted to sit but found my way barred by a bunch of apparently young folk who said the area was closed i went back onto the street and stood trying to listen .. when i noticed a small coin on the  ground .. i went over to pick it up no sooner was i bent over when i find myself kicked up the backside i stand up turn around and find myself looking at a young dykey looking woman who was laughing i looked at her really with a questioning look like why!? and she suddenly turned and ran back past her friends inside...   i had a chat with GOD about her her friends who really melted into the background during the incident.... one wonders why? ... i certainly wasn't hurt though i guess my dignity was assaulted..... i had been polite to them... i felt injured inside on the one hand ... but like well GOD is in control... so what was all that about... like i needed a kick up the backside? but how when where? now what would Jesus have done... me i calmly finished my fag and returned to the venue i'd come from ... i was preoccupied with what was all that about... suddenly i needed to go home oh no where was ... i was searching my pockets and not finding.... a lull in the interest of the music... you know i return home find the missing object  and am bemused....  was i on the right track wrong preoccupation? that well what i could have told her what Jesus would have done... i was so concerned with the why i forgot to include GOD like ok GOD what now?
she was very young looked about 14 early 20s ? there was something of despair there such outrageous though apparently playfully mischievous behaviour.. like x marks the spot.. attention seeking ... it's true i had not actually spoken to her not before not after... attention from GOD? well you got it sunshine! 

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,