Easter Ways…

---

The Easter you go the closer you get

to sunrise you know, but there's something yet

more complex than that, for speeds that you go

affect where light's at, respecting the flow

of things that we catch, because of  Earth's spin.

If your speed would match the Earth's as it's in

it's atmosphere twisting (hurtling through space).

Would time then desist, if measured in days?

For traveling against the Earth's spin (same speed),

in car, train or plane, stops the day. No more need 

for curtains at sunrise, for it dain't come,

or if your plane flies on the edge, where there's some

light hitting Earth here, it could always be dawn.

New vistas appear, but quickly flit on.

You pass them quite fast, not many of men's

(or women's) lives passed in this way. We spend

some of it in mornings, then some in days

the sunset is born in the eve'ning - lass rays(!)

I think I now see. I like what we've got.

And if you ask me, I'd keep the whole lot.

For Easter o-pened a can of worms here,

denying the worms - new body appeared,

which moved over time, and space where it would,

explaining the rime, replacing the world.

And moving with Easter ways as we can,

brings purpose and ease ta what Easter planned.

The death of the old, before new breaks through,

can seem stark & cold, but eggs do it too.

---

Our human condition...

---

Wow-wee, I see some people variously,

are kind of like regaled by doubts and fears.

Whatever happens to them, they will see 

it as a chance that others, through the years

are taking, to walk over them, and climb

up higher. All these others must just use.

They don't see they're interpreting, each time

that others try to say they feel abused.

Oh God, this race I'm in, is truly sick.

I see now, how you keep on your good work,

of serving ev'ry person, slow and quick-

ly, list'ning to your lovely heart, not shirk-

king, you're the motive-force alternative.

Creative-love you are, and share it more,

all others born, or made (derivative),

will have some love, and have it at their core,

but have no source, to let it spring from, fresh.

If ever it's used up, it must just seep

in through the substrate, soil of life, enmeshed

around them, there's no springs and pools that keep

renewing love, acceptance, care and joy.

For this would take some time from busy life,

reflection, reaching out, response; employ-

-ing in themself, the same dire cuts of knife

they do to other people.. that's the thing..

They can't afford to be that ruthless here.

Consistency leads not to joyful sing-

-ing, but to cut themselves*, it would appear.

---

*  Baal's priests cf. Elijah. If not the way of the little child (humble, glad gratitude, and quickness to be curious and to change -  mind, actions, & other responses) we are stuck trying to be grown-ups while being very immature humans, and then the inconsistency shows, and the more we leave it, it grows.

---

children of ..

 Thanks for the list of boys and girls and their ages.  

---

Oh God, these kids you know much more than us,

& even than their parents do. They're yours!

You made them, love them, are the one who'll fuss

about, as no-one else would. Just "because"..

that is what love does. Knowing all our needs,

and too all our desires, you'll do the best

for us, but not mechanic'ly, for seeds

will grow in garden beds  after they rest

from being seeds - that shape and form, and store

of food (for tougher times that might come on),

and when they do, a kind of life that's more

will burst on out, the seed will be quite gone!

And yet we think, it always had that life,

because the source of life contrived things so.

The "second death" would cut that like a knife,

and burn it up. But farmers aren't so slow

as to do that to ev'ry plant they've got,

they treasure those they work quite hard to grow;

so much they may well leave some weeds that shot 

up after plants grew up. "Best times" they'll know.

And all these seeds, each child, offspring of God,

as poets of the Greeks had even seen,

we pray will grow as that, look for your nod,

and open up themselves  at inbetween

times (unimportant to some lookers on

but precious to a parent who knows love)

with us, with you, our father, with your son,

'n'our oldest brother's spirit "from above".

Amen.

---

A body broken, blood poured out,

a cost to one, this is love's "shout"!

New life comes here, this way for us,

a chance to let love grow, and fuss.

---

Oh Daddy, how come life can be this good?

With one adventure on the last, then more;

but respite in between, so that we could 

be readied for the next. And still be sure

of love like yours that hangs around to bless,

but lets us still make choices (not just doomed),

as baby gods (your offspring), eggs in nest,

or maybe more like mammals, still en-womb-ed.

But either way, we find that, down the track,

we are in no position, normally,

to see your face, but we can see your back

(when light appears to show what can be seen).

In this way you're our Mum, as well as Dad.

Sustainer, with your body nourishing.

And Jesus' word to us is just a tad

more precious (born from body torn). We sing

as goos and gahs of babe are heard by Mum,

and understood to be some way to say

what can't yet be conceived, but could still come

to be the words "I love you too." You say,

Lord Jesus, that for us to grow up so

to be like you, we'll need our food and drink,

and that the source of both is (now we know)

your body that will nourish. Milk, we think,

gets all its nourishment and growing pow'rs

from blood of Mum, and draws us close to her.

We will acknowledge gladly that the hours

we spend with you, are precious - though they blurr.

---

washing away 'n' - starting again!

---

Then Jesus came from out of Galilee

to John "the Baptiser" * (where the Jordan ran),

to be baptised* himself, washed clean and free;

but John then tried to stop him. He began: 

‘I need for you to clean me up. Yes you

are who should baptise me, we know that much.

And do you come to me?’ Jesus said to

him, ‘Let it be so. For cleansing as such

does not besmirch who's cleaned up, or who cleans.’ 

Then John said "Ok, once again you're right." 

He did the ritu'l washing. Next was seen:

some thing, as he prayed (came from Hea'n to sight

of some on Earth who saw what angels try

to see): the one who brooded at the start

of ev'rything, came down as dove from sky

to us through curtains ripped, to bare God's heart..

And God, who's often quiet, could not keep

so, with that tearing, tearing up, he spoke

up once again, this time he did not weep,

except in joy maybe, 'n'says of this  bloke:

"Well loved! My son! Well pleased, I am. My choice!"

And like ol' Noah^ who received a dove

of peace to offer heaven's help (with voice);

a new start with a new son of God's love

was witnessed by some one, or must be two.

So now he could both wash and recreate,

as flood, and ark - with disembark, renewed.

John got excited. Now he'd speak, and wait!

---

*  the Greek word (βαπτίζω) transliterated into English letters as baptidzo, means "to wash" and it is so translated by most English versions in Mark 7; but where it refers to a ritual maintained in various forms by the Christian Church over the millennia since Christ [the Common Era (C.E.)], most translators have maintained a traditional practice of leaving the Greek word, transliterated (simply spelling out the sounds of the Greek word with English letters), to minimize sectarian rivalry as to whether it meant bath-ing, or showering. It turns out that it would haveen been better to keep the core of the meaning, to wash clean. And since the story of the flood lived in the Jewish mindset as both a washing of the world, but also then, and maybe more importantly, a new start at culturing human-ness… In this way Noah may be the model for Yeshua, and Yeshua spoke afterwards of his crucifixion as a further "baptism" he was yet to undergo (Mark 10:38‭-‬40)

^ The story of Noah, was a washing away of sin, by washing away the people who held it within them, and then a second chance at culturing humanity (with an Adam-like covenant). And it was well known, even memorized, by nearly all Jewish children in the First Century C.E. (Gen 6:5-9:17)

---

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ Matthew 3:13‭-‬17 NIVUK [Matthew 3:17 (Greek, then 4 other English translations)]

And this was his message: ‘After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ Mark 1:07-‬11 NIVUK 

When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ Luke 3:21‭-‬22 NIVUK

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’ Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.’ John 1:29‭-‬34 NIVUK

---

@...

---

Jane's sixty years of life out on this Earth, 

we met at Straddie (or Minjerribah) 

& shared our stories of her - f'what they're worth - 

& had some food & drink. And here we are!

What drew us all together at this time. 

was Janey & her life & thoughtful grace, 

her brave'ry & adventure gives the rhyme 

that keeps repeating, & helps us to trace

affects from her life on us, as we go, 

but also humble knowledge that she learned

by asking, list'ning, watching what folk show 

& caref'ly keeping, passing on what's "schön" *

to others who'll appreciate that stuff; 

& keep the living knowledge there alive. 

What's kept alive in humans is enough

to culture what is worth helping survive.

And Jane, I think, seems to appreciate

this, since her way of celebrating mends: 

involving walks, & swims, watching & wait- 

ing, cultural tours, & introducing friends,

and games together, thinking of each one 

who's there & what they love to do, or like, 

& helping each to add to all the fun, 

& minimize what "sends one on a hike".

She'll celebrate connections to the land

& country that we "own" to care for now. 

Our lives, as garden plots (we understand)

accept the seeds she plants in us (somehow)!

---

* schön (German for beautiful, lovely)

---

Diff-i-cult-ies...!

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)

---