The concept of tough issues - and to learn
how to approach them in the future too,
to gain more understanding, not to spearn
the Wisdom from above that would come through. *
Just realized that all my life on Earth
with diff-i-cult-ies streaming into view,
can be approached itself, for what it's worth,
with Wisdom's help, and to grow Wisdom's few
attendants which are Understanding and
the kind of Knowlege that God has of us,
the Insight bound to Love, that's from that hand.
That old myth of our genesis holds thus
such help as we do need, in Wisdom's Way.
As Proverbs are that seed, planted in pots
to grow - to feed & to identify,
for ou-r growth, for we are loved a lot -
So life must challenge me, then I can grow…
At least I'll have the chance to grow, it seems,
in two dimensions of it, as we go.
Those are in Wisdom's way - the kind that streams
not from ourselves on-Earthed as we are now,
but "from above" (anothen)*+ is the Greek
word that denotes a partnership somehow
alive and present, growing, so to speak
which is developed as we live these lives
on-Earthed as he was, thus all who're in Christ
may find, by deepest magic which contrives
to make connections to before the heist
back to the plan of glory glorying
in all that's good and true, to celebrate
what's lost, now found again (in Father/ King),
who can be sought in times of need. I'll wait!
* A birth that's not "just second shot", again,
a repeat of the one ahead, that's gone,
as sheep will follow in their line, and when
one jumps right over fresh air, then the one
who follows, is as likely to as not,
jump over that fresh air themselves, and all
right down the line might give the jump a shot.
The concept of again, is not just small,
it's there and true, but more ancillary,
the "from above" interpretation to
anothen is the part I think is key.
It's not just speaking of its source, of "who"
it comes from (to get here on Earth to us),
it's speaking in the present tense, right now,
of streaming wisdom, sourced within our fuss
from God above all gods and lords (somehow)
whose Wisdom is displayed within these lives
(which are a partnership themselves, to show,
as mitochondria in cells can thrive
so cells may then have energy and grow
and then produce the kind of stuff they "should"
(not 'coz there are a set of rules that state
that "these things should be done…" it's more they would
if things were more in line with what's innate).
And when I see folk who would truly have
consistency within, and too without
hypocrisy. If they would learn to nav-
igate - that is what life is all about!
Jesus is recorded as speaking with a person who is (at the pinnacle of the religious pile), a Jewish man, a Leader of the Jewish people, and a Teacher of the Law of Moses (and of God), Nicodemus. John (chapter3) is recording (in Greek) the conversation, that may (or may not) have occured in Greek, but a late First Century person reading this in Greek, knows that the Greek word anothen (ἄνωθεν) can mean either again, or from above, And Nicodemus clearly miss-understands both Jesus's identity & his meaning, though a person at the bottom of the religious pile, in the next chapter, catches on, & gets him, and his message clearly. Back to chapter 3 which records Nicodemus' missunderstanding, followed by John the Baptist re-interpretting and giving a clear meaning for the reader, of Jesus's (& John's) meaning. "...Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born anothen.” The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’ ‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘You are Israel’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ….
Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptised. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan – the one you testified about – look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’ To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.” The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.’ The one who comes anothen is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no-one accepts his testimony. John 3:5-12, 23-32 (see the footnote in most English versions at verse 3, the first time we encounter this Greek word anothen in this chapter)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,.... …16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is anothen, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. … Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come anothen but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom that comes anothen is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 1:2-8, 16-18; 3:13-18
Proverbs ch 1-9, and ch 26:4-9 (to read, turn screen to landscape &/or delete Hebrew or English versions that won't fit on your screen)
