Shine On Philippians 2:14-17

Philippians 2:14-17
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[c] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Well, here I am sitting in the airport in Calgary Alberta heading off to Winnipeg Manitoba...pretty cool to be able to do blevo's with my community from pretty much anywhere. I am blessed.

Well, here goes Paul again with his superlatives...Do everything without complaining or arguing??? Can you imagine what we would look like as a community in our world, our crooked and depraved world, if we functioned like this? Seriously, no complaining or arguing? There are few things that bother me more in my relationship with my son than whining...however, when I reflect on myself, in those brief moments of self-awareness, I wonder how much I bother my heavenly Father??? And how significant it would be if we were to pursue such a lifestyle...it would both purify us and be a sign of purification. Can you imagine if we were in a situation like Paul (in prison for no good reason) and we would choose not to complain or argue, what other people might think of that? Truly we could shine in our world. How is this possible? May I suggest again, only if Christ is more valuable to us than anything. Again, this must be the case for Paul because he is telling the Philippians to not feel sorry for him, but rather rejoice with him if he should be sacrificed...Why? Because according to Paul in the first chapter, to live is Christ but to die is gain. Yesterday I was reviewing the Bible verses my son had memorized in Wee College. One of them dealt with the reality that Christ has gone to prepare a place for us and will bring us to him. We talked of heaven, and I told him that should I die, I would be waiting in heaven for him, and should he die, he would be waiting for me...I'm sure that as a 5 year old, he can't quite grasp the significance of the conversation, but he was stoked about the idea of heaven. Lord, make my attitude so...I love You Lord.