⁶ Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy^a]">[a] as enduring as the grave.^b]">[b]
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
⁷ Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned.

-Songs of Songs 8:6-7

The Jewish church came up from the wilderness, supported by Divine power and favour. The Christian church was raised from a low, desolate condition, by the grace of Christ relied on. Believers, by the power of grace, are brought up from the wilderness. A sinful state is a wilderness in which there is no true comfort; it is a wandering, wanting state: There is no coming out of this wilderness, but leaning on Christ as our Beloved, by faith; not leaning to our own understanding, nor trusting in any righteousness of our own; but in the strength of him, who is the Lord our Righteousness. The words of the church to Christ which follow, entreat an abiding place in his love, and protection by his power. Set me as a seal upon thine heart; let me always have a place in thine heart; let me have an impression of love upon thine heart. Of this the soul would be assured, and without a sense thereof no rest is to be found. Those who truly love Christ, are jealous of every thing that would draw them from him; especially of themselves, lest they should do any thing to provoke him to withdraw from them. If we love Christ, the fear of coming short of his love, or the temptations to forsake him, will be most painful to us. No waters can quench Christ's love to us, nor any floods drown it. Let nothing abate our love to him. Nor will life, and all its comforts, entice a believer from loving Christ. Love of Christ, will enable us to repel and triumph over temptations from the smiles of the world, as well as from its frowns.

There are different types of leaders.
Jesus is an interesting fella'. He know what was "the way" -the vision, He knew the time scale, and He had people who didnt know the vision or the time scale. The people were just drawn to Him, His personality and perhaps, they liked how they felt when they were around Him. There was something about His personality that drew men unto Him. They just wanted to be around Him.
And then He inspires them to do what they dont understand, perhaps dont want to do. E.g. Jesus at the well talking to the Samaritan woman, the disciples were not pleased so Jesus had to talk to her when they werent around. Jesus basically inspires the people around Him to do what they dont want to do. How does He do that?? I believe because of His leadership style. It was a relational one and He made them feel a certain way about themselves which caused them to be inspired to greatness. He served them, He showed them that He regarded them, told them secrets that He wouldnt tell everyone. In summary, His love towards them inspired them to be great leaders, even after Jesus died and ascended. Because of the relationship they had with Jesus, the were inspired to work out the vision to such an extent they they were ready to die for it and indeed, did die because of it. Is it love, affirmation, belief in them, taking the time to demonstrate the He didnt matter that much by, firtsly kneeling before them and secondly, washing their feet. He believed in them more then they believed in themselves. My sister said the same thing about her driving instructor and know she has the confidence or is secure in herself in this regard.

I guess the way of the word and probably all humans lead in a forceful, I tell you what to do, it's about the destination not the journey, the means to an end, either your in or you out kinda way. it's not very relational. I guess if someone pays you then you essentially agree to just doing what they tell you. This is not leadership, it's just doing a job. A leader inspires and that takes a relationship of care.. To be a leader is to engage the hearts and minds of people.

I had a dream.

Like dreams it was rather weird. Hard to explain.

It’s 14:00 in the afternoon know and I’ve probably lost a lot of the details. Anyway,

the starting point that I can remember, was that my sister or a friend or someone female that was close to me, was in trouble or jail – can’t remember. Then I went t to see and help etc. Eventually it was all sorted and the person was released. The environment then turned into one huge room. The kind that has no boundaries like infinity. It was like a house. The house where I lived. And there were loads of people who came in from random places, to come and eat. The house or room was light and free? There wasn’t a heavy atmosphere regardless of where people came from. And everyone was the same... just human beings. And we all shared a meal and I was in the business of cooking. Although there wasn’t a point where I cooked. The food was just ready. It was like a big feast, or a big meal together and this was a regular thing... something we did all the time.

I woke up and it felt so significant to me and I thought about it and told myself to write it and then, like dreams, I forgot until the mention of people at large came up.

the elders and the old

why do some cultures have elders and others have old people?

people earn the right to relay knowledge through experience and love. life experience has wisdom, and guidance for the younger generation.

not all old people are Elders and not all Elders are old people

I do wish that we had more interaction between the generations. Sitting around the fire or something, passing on the wisdom that this world cant teach you. This is a sacred place

Father you are awesome.
mighty to save.
The God of love.
my redeemer.
lover of my soul.
my identity,
my truth.
my beauty,
my peace.
my safety.
my strong tower.
my refuge and my strength.
my hiding place.
the lifter of my head,
my glory.
my reason.
my crown.
my reward.
you are my freedom,
my reason
my need.
my answer, the answer to every question.

You satisfy me with Your word,
Your presence,
Your blood,
Your heart,
Your mind and Your love.
You satisfy me with who You are,
how You work,
how You see things,
how You are greater than the box that we put You in,
and i love that.
i love that You are all mighty,
all knowing,
all encompassing,
all present.
that You are all.

keep me, Lord keep me. close to Your heart beat, close to Your heart.hold me.hold my hand. surprise me, fill me with your joy, laughter, peace. i believe in you lord