The first stage could be considered precognition or the unknown, which poses the challenges of how one might recognize something that they are not even aware of. In the past, what was something you learned that surprised you because you weren’t even aware of it? How did you eventually come to know what you didn’t know?

How about that for some advice. This verse really is a challenge not for those who can hear it, but for those who think they are wise enough not to hear it.

Discretion – Ability or power to decide responsibly. The power of free decision within clear legal bounds.
Understanding – Superior power of discernment; enlightened intelligence.

Interesting… I’ll have to look at the Hebrew later and see what is behind the English translations.

Proverbs 1:1-7-
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:20-
Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square
Proverbs 1:32-33-
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

June 25, 2009, 1:03 pm
Farrah Fawcett Dies
By The New York Times

Michael Nagle for The New York Times

Farrah Fawcett, an actress, television star and pop-culture phenomenon whose good looks and signature leonine hairstyle influenced a generation of women and, beginning with a celebrated pinup poster, bewitched a generation of men, died on Thursday in Santa Monica, California, according to Paul Bloch, her spokesman. She was 62 and had been battling cancer since late 2006.

To an extraordinary degree, that fight was played out in public, generating enormous interest worldwide. Her face, often showing the ravages of her illness, became a tabloid fixture, and updates on her health became staples of television entertainment news.

In May, her cancer battle was chronicled in an NBC primetime documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” some of it shot on home video. An estimated 9 million people viewed it. Ms. Fawcett had initiated the project with a friend and producer, Alana Stewart, after she first learned of her cancer.

BTW, Kate may God bless you as you train for your first tri.

My daughter and son were talking on their way to school when my son said that one of his friends doesn’t like him anymore.  My daughter responded with some great advice for him.  She said that she is having a similar problem with one of her friends and that you just need to keep trying to be their friend.  It struck me that this little 8 year old was able to give my son advice like this.

As I thought about her words I thought about numerous times when Jesus was challenged by situations and stayed true to Truth.  Love your enemies, go a second mile, give your shirt as well, and even by his example of going to the cross for those who are persecuting him.  He continued to work for reconciliation (even for the world) through love.

There have been times in my life when I have given up on relationships because of one reason or another.  I think we all do, but but what would it mean to be like Christ?  What would it be like if we just keep trying to be their friend?

Jesus challenges us to love one another, and often as adult we try to rationalize that by doing loving acts without loving.  Relationally, what would be the impact if instead of sending money to the soup kitchen to feed the homeless we invited them to our homes?  Instead of sending money to help we sent ourselves?  I know it sound impractical, but so was the idea of resurrection and eternal life.