“So How Would That Translate?” (Ezek.3:1-15; Lev.25:10; Lk.4:14-38; Jer.15:19ff.;18; James 4:12) [Reflections on Rabbi Daniel Lapin's Book Thou Shalt Prosper 2nd ed. – pp. 14-17]

His “active voice” comes loud and clear through text –
“Become a different person”; be your best;
With focus on the “I”; “The only way”;
My actions build up habits every day.

“I…set the customs…patterns that would shape
… The future [of the synagogue]” and take
Things to a new and better life for all –
Like earn my way in business, walking tall.

I got to choose who’d study Torah, taught
Each week by me – with whom I liked to walk
(Those bigger, stronger, smarter than I was);
Which stimulated me to grow because –

I needed to grow strong – instinctive moves
A part of who I was, for it behooves
Me to fill up another human’s needs
And in return his thanks my family feeds.

The interactive’s there, but much subdued;
My way of life’s reverse, correctly viewed –
It’s interactive for the greater part,
And that provides foundation for my art.

Creation of whatever words I write,
Or photos take, if they’re to come to light,
Arise from interaction with You, Lord,
Then interact in ways they can be heard.

My role in life is not to educate,
But set folks free from shackled lives of hate;
My friend has dubbed it “Jesus’ Jubilee”
A process done now interactively.

So how would I say what he says my way,
As I live out his insights for our day?
“Be interactive with the author’s text,
Like hermeneutic process you do best.

“That is, attend to what he has to say,
In context, lived a million miles away;
I’ll speak to you as you engage My text,
but close your mind to all except the best.

“That is, Stu, he’s My child, but listen in;
You’re not so hot yourself, so don’t begin
To sit in judgment of another child
Of Mine – just walk his culture for a while.

“I said you could go over walls to learn,
But from your Creenglish home preferred you’d earn
Your daily bread – it’s better that folks see
The role of culture’s walls designed by Me.

Okay Lord, thanks for this.

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