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Memorize Scripture: Philippians 3:2-4a

Paul abruptly shifts his tone in this third chapter of Philippians. The reason why isn’t clear, but his message is very much so.

You can see this passage in Philippians 3:2-4a:

Philippians 3:2-4a

Paul’s change in tone is very abrupt here, but not completely unusual for Paul. However, this is more abrupt than any other occurrence. The reason for his change in tone is unclear. Perhaps he was made aware of this as a new problem as he was dictating this letter.

Up until this point in his letter to the Philippians, Paul has dealt with internal problems the church in Philippi was facing. This one seems to be a threat from the outside. It is clear that this threat is Jewish in its origination, and Paul deals with it with certainty.

In this brief passage, Paul uses three very descriptive negative terms about those who are threatening the church, and then four positive descriptors of the believers.

Praise The Lord!

Earlier this week, I underwent the Mohs Procedure, in an effort to remove the skin cancer on my ear.

I am excited to share that the cancer was removed completely, and I am on the road to healing! The cancer had rooted itself deeper than initially thought, and a piece of the cartilage in my ear had to be removed. As a result, a bit of restructuring had to take place, to keep my ear looking as normal as possible.

I return to the doctor next week to have the stitches removed, and will be given the all clear until my next dermatologist appointment, which is in four months.

Thanks for the prayers and encouragement! God is good!

Prayer Request And Announcement

Last month, I asked for your prayers concerning a skin cancer issue that has developed.

Many of you have gladly prayed, and are continuing to do so. And for that I am deeply thankful.

I ask for you to continue that, especially today. This morning I am having surgery to have a portion of the skin on my ear removed, until the doctor is certain that he has removed all of the cancerous cells.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers for my healing, and for the doctor’s guidance as he works.

Thanks! I greatly appreciate your willingness to remember me before the Lord!

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Coffee Break – 10.19.2015

Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration

On this day in history: In 1781, British General Charles Lord Cornwallis surrendered to U.S. General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. It was to be the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. In 1914, U.S. government owned vehicles were first used to pick up mail in Washington, DC. And in 1985, the first Blockbuster video-rental store opens in Dallas, Texas.

Coffee Break

Early Americans Worked Hard To Get Their Caffeine Fix – It seems as if people have been craving coffee for a very long time…

Sand Grain Gallery – These images if sand, very close up, are stunning in their beautiful complexity. We often don’t think of the individual grains of sand as something to admire when we are at the beach, but these images show just how unique they can be.

Archaeologists Unearth Civil War Refuge For Escaped Slaves – You have read about the Underground Railroad, but most people have never seen any definitive proof of it. A recent find in Hampton, VA, however, shows that there were many, in both the north and the south, that cared about the plight of the slaves.

How To Recover From An All-Nighter – What do you do when you miss out on a good night’s sleep? How can you recover enough to function through the day, until you can get a good rest?

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Memorize Scripture: Philippians 3:1

Chapter three of Philippians begins with an abrupt shift in tone. New topics are addressed with no warning, but Paul begins with an instruction concerning joy.

Take a look at it for yourself in Philippians 3:1:

Philippians 3:1

Paul shifts gears so abruptly with the transition to chapter three that many have wondered if a separate piece of Paul’s writings has been inserted. Moving from the first verse of this chapter to 4:4 is very smooth, and the intervening passages could almost be left out, and it would flow very smoothly.

But many of Paul’s writing have similar abrupt shifts. One such example is found in Ephesians 3, where Paul changes direction in mid-sentence. We must keep in mind that Paul is writing a personal letter here, to people he is close to. He is not writing a theological discourse, such as Romans, where his thoughts must be more precise.

And, the content of this next section still fits the overall structure and subject matter of the rest of the letter, even if it takes an unexpected turn. So that leads to no positive conclusion that this wasn’t a part of the original letter. We are left to presume that it was there all along.

As Paul begins this section, he draws a solid conclusion to all that has come before. What the NIV translates as “Finally,” could probably more likely be translated as “And so…”