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Partnership and Growth

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Day and weeks continue to pass by on my road to recovery. I am finding it interesting how quickly some of the days go by. I finished my Colorado Income Tax return today, so I believe I am all finished with tax business for now.

This afternoon, I had a visit from one of Debbie’s colleagues who focuses on the area of Palliative Care for individuals with more complicated medical cases. We are looking at taking advantage of this care team to try to manage a long list of medications, multiple doctors and hopefully avoid any more hospitalizations. I am finding that the managing of your medical care is a important as access to medical care. The coordination between doctors is a vital aspect of health care that doesn’t happen automatically.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

 “I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.”  (Philemon 6 NIV)

This verse may be one of the more familiar ones in this short epistle of Paul’s. Philemon was a follower of Christ who was known for his faith and his love for God’s people. In the opening verses of this letter verse 6 stands out as an appropriate prayer for Philemon and a reminder to us about the value of our connection to other believers.

1.     Partnership is based on a common faith – “…partnership… in the faith…”

One of my favorite concepts of the body of Christ is found in the word partnership. My congregations probably became weary of me using that term. Perhaps it was from my nontheological background of a business degree and understanding the challenges and opportunities when individuals join in a partnership for business success. Each contributes their own skills and resources and a synergy takes place where the sum of the whole is greater than any of the parts. This dynamic in reality is a Biblical concept that we find in 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul talks about the body of Christ.

But this partnership in Christ is not based on being “friends” or having something in common, or the right person to fill a job; it is based on being part of God’s family of faith.

It has been observed that you can’t choose the members of your natural family members and you can’t choose those in your spiritual family.

2. Partnerships must be effective – “I pray that your partnership with us…may be effective.”

Partnerships can be challenging, they are difficult at times; success is not automatic. But we see in Philemon what it takes for partnerships to be effective: faith in God and love for others. Faith focuses our attention on God and not on ourselves. We realize that it is God who is at work in this enterprise known as the Church. Love focuses our attention away from ourselves to others. God’s love enables us to be accepting and forgiving and to build others up according to their needs. (Eph. 4:32)

3.      Partnership gives us insight into the blessings of Christ – “…deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ.” (Philemon6 GNT)

We can’t, we won’t have an understanding and appreciation of the blessings we have in our life in Christ outside of the relationships we have with others. Sometimes those “blessings” come through hardship or heartache. Sometimes they come with victories and being enriched by others as we invest in others. Connection with others is a sign of spiritual maturity. Paul wrote to the Corinthians…

“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand.” (2 Cor. 10:15)

Growing faith results in a greater commitment to Christ’s work and Christ’s body. There seems to be this cycle where in we find that the greater our commitment is to the body of Christ, the stronger our faith…the stronger our faith the greater our commitment to the body of Christ. We learn, worship, grow, serve in relationship with others. That’s God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Paul’s prayer is an appropriate one for our lives as well as Philemon’s.

Perspective in Disappointment

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 Pastor Steve Harris came by for coffee today. When you visit me you have to bring your own coffee. Thanks Steve, for doing that, along with a cookie! I decided to “take him for a ride” literally. He seemed a little hesitant to jump in the passenger seat of my car but he did. We made through the 1.5 mile drive safely and I even got the car back into the driveway. Of course I needed Steve to help me manage my wheelchair to make the trip possible.

This afternoon I had my cardiologist appointment. It is always good when a doctor says, “I have been reviewing your medical records and am trying to figure out why you are here?” I wanted to say, “That’s what I wanted to hear!” Then I realized the records for my last hospitalization with the septic shock and my heart function tests were not in his file.

So we did get things figured out and he ordered the follow up tests anticipated by the hospital when I was released. I will have a follow up appointment to review those test and any medication that I am currently taking related to my heart function. So you can pray that these tests will reveal everything is a okay with the old ticker. Thanks to Sue Schmidt for giving me a ride to the doctor’s office. (she wouldn’t let me drive.)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. Philemon 15,16

This morning I read Paul’s letter to Philemon. This is the most personal of the Apostle’s writings. Apparently Onesimus a runaway slave of Philemon’s had stolen from him and while on the run came in contact with the Apostle Paul and became a Christian.

Paul is writing this letter to help reunite Onesimus with Philemon. The basis of Paul’s appeal was love for Christ, love for Christian brothers and to see Onesimus in a different light. “No longer as a slave, but as a brother.”

In writing this letter and in verses15,16 and Paul gives a “big picture perspective.” God’s hand was working in this situation.  Even in these events that could have discouraged Philemon as one who was known as faithful to the Lord and as one who had shown love to God’s people.

Paul did not give Philemon a command, although he could have. However, he did remind Philemon of their relationship over the years. Paul said, “If he wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.  I, Paul, promise to pay it back. I’m writing this with my own hand. I won’t even mention that you owe me your life.” (Philemon18,19)

Paul, as the aging apostle, had been through many experiences for the cause of Christ. One of those was many years ago with a young believer named John Mark. Mark had abandon Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. When Paul and Barnabas planned to return to the churches they established Barnabas wanted to take Mark. Paul was emphatic in saying no! So much so, that it resulted in a division between the two. Over the years Mark proved himself to Paul. So much so when Paul wrote to Timothy at a time when others were forsaking him, he said “bring Mark with you for he is profitable to me in the ministry.”                 (2 Tim. 4:11) At the end of his letter to Philemon Paul identifies Mark as one of his coworkers who is with him.

Paul, over the course of time, had seen his perspective of others change and to see how God worked in the life of others even when he experienced disappointment with that person. He was now appealing to Philemon to see how God had worked in this situation to turn it around.

We don’t know how long it was before Paul was reunited with Mark. We don’t how long Onesimus was separated from Philemon. It is hard to tell how many months or years it will take for you to see God’s hand in your disappointment, hardship or challenge. But if you hang in there you will.

I can think back over the years of ministry and identify some John Mark’s. It is important that we don’t write off people or circumstances as lost causes before the Lord has had the final word.

As I move through my recovery process, I continue to look for that “perhaps the reason…” insight into my situation. One thing I know now, is that I would not be writing daily blogs if it were not for my illness and disability. So for now my desire is to be like Philemon and to be faithful to the Lord and to love and comfort God’s people.

 

Mirror or Window

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 It was good this morning to connect with several friends that I have not been in touch with since my illness. There expressions of encouragement and support are greatly appreciated. As much as they were glad to hear my voice sounding normal, I was glad to hear there’s on the other end of the line and feel more normal in my daily conversations.

My occupational therapist came today and checked me out on how I was doing with my arm and shoulder strength. He thought the idea of me driving around the neighborhood was a little scary, but I told him I took it slow and tried to stay on my side of the road. We did go outside and used my regular wheelchair to take a good four block round trip “walk.” The two blocks back were a little slower..

I am planning on participating in the Colfax 5KRun/Walk/ride your wheelchair event on May 17. I am raising money for drug and alcohol recovery through Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains. You can be part of my “Five for Freedom” campaign.

I have enough FaceBook friends and blog followers that a donation of $5 or more from 200 people will help me reach my goal of at least $1,000. You can donated online at www.coloradogives.org/ksummers Your support will empower men, women with preschool children and teen girls to experience a new direction in life. For more information go to www.tcrm.us

BIBLE VERSE OF TODAY…

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.”  1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV

Devotional writer Sarah Young reminds us that, God has called us to lead the life that He has assigned us and that we need to be content with that. We need to beware of comparing our situation with that of someone else – and feeling dissatisfied because of that comparison.

This can be the proverbial “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” syndrome or as I entitled this blog “a mirror or a window.” We can look at our life and make a decision each day how we will live it and what we can do to improve our life and invest in others, or we can be constantly looking at others envying their circumstances or opportunities or success.

I like the concept that God has not called us all to be “successful in the world’s eyes” but we can all be faithful, which is successful living in God’s eyes. In the Parable of the Ten Talents (Matthew 25:14,15) the Landowner gave varying talents to three different individuals with the expectation that they would multiply what had been entrusted to their care. Each one had the potential of receiving the master’s reward.

Faithfulness and contentment go hand in hand. Sarah Young said, “Learning to be content is both a discipline and an art.”  We train our minds to trust in God’s sovereignty and we also search for God to show up in the details of our life including our trouble and confusion.

This poem below communicates the importance of being true to our self. It was written in 1934 (at the height of the Great Depression) by Peter “Dale” Wimborw,Sr.  It’s original title was “The Man in the Glass.” It has been known as “The Man in the Mirror.” My father-in-law had this poem on a piece of paper stained with the passage of time. It seemed like it was his plumb line as he navigated life with all of it challenges and ups and downs. Perhaps it helped him realize that when you look out a window at the others and the world around you catch a glimpse of yourself.

 When you get all you want and you struggle for pelf,*

and the world makes you king for a day,

then go to the mirror and look at yourself

and see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your mother, your father or wife

whose judgment upon you must pass,

but the man, whose verdict counts most in your life

is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please,

never mind all the rest.

For he’s with you right to the end,

and you’ve passed your most difficult test

if the man in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,

And think you’re a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world,

down the highway of years,

and take pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

if you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

 

*pelf  = informal word for money or wealth, etc

What If…If Only –Part 2

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I have learned something recently. The solution to handling uncomfortable weight gain is to..…buy bigger clothes! It is also dangerous to send your wife to Kohls during a sale with additional discount coupons. Remember you have to spend money to save money!

My visiting nurse came today to draw blood and change my PICC line dressing. My protein levels have been in the normal range that past two weeks. I have been feeling stronger and am ready for a good “growth” spurt as far as the rehab progress. Please continue to pray about shoulder muscle strength and range of motion.

Ted Grizzel came by today to help repair the dings in our bathroom door. Ted and Murlene have been such as a great help to us but this is the first time I have posted a picture of either of them. I will now try to use the walker to get from the bathroom door to the toilet and shower and be consistent at thereby accomplishing the first goal my physical therapist set for me in December. What seemed like such a stretch then has become a reality faster than I expected.

Yesterday I began to talk about King Jeroboam and his disobedience and idolatry that removed God’s favor and promise of an enduring kingdom. One of the more significant events takes place when a prophet pronounces judgment against Jeroboam and his idol and altar as Jeroboam is in the midst of offering a sacrifice to the “golden calf.” The prophet identifies King Josiah of Judah by name as the future King who out of zeal for God who would work to destroy idolatry from Judah and Israel. This prophecy in all of its details came to pass almost three hundred years later!

What can we learn from this account in the Bible?

 1 – God desires good things for His people

Just as God spoke His promise to Saul, Solomon and Jeroboam as Kings, He desires those who follow Him to know His peace and provision. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and have it in abundance” (John 10:10)

2 – What God has promised cannot be secured by human reasoning

I am reminded of Paul’s words in Galatians 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”

Securing God’s promises and His blessing requires continual trust in Him and obedience to His Word. Jeroboam’s actions were dictated by human insecurities; he forgot the lesson learned from Solomon’s life, he trusted human advisers and turned his back on the promise of God.

3 – When you know God’s Word, obey God’s Word

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”  Matthew 7:24

Know and do,listen and obey. These are critical concepts for our life that will test our faith when our natural reasoning pulls us in the opposite direction. As a Pastor the saddest comment I would get from someone would be, “I know what the Bible says, but….”  This would happen as they prepared to make a poor choice.

 4 – Our disobedience impacts others

The judgment of God on Jeroboam impacted his reign and his family. It had an impact on an entire nation for generations to come. Even after times of revival and turning back to God, Israel never recovered from their divided hearts to the Lord. The judgment of God on Jeroboam eventually became the judgment of God on a nation.

I will still hear someone deceiving themselves by saying, “what I do, how I live my life, impacts only me.” Explain that one to the fatherless child. Explain that to the spouse or family member of a drug addict or alcoholic. It is even evident on the sports team or on the job when one person is doing “their own thing.” Our lives are intricately connected in more ways than we understand.

It is one thing to look at the life of King Jeroboam or King Solomon or King Saul and think “if only he would have or what if he would have…” It is another to come to a point in our life or the end of our life and be asking the same questions. Why do we see these types of accounts in scripture? My friend Pastor Bill Oudemolen puts it this way, “God shares other’s consequences to impact our choices.” The good news is God’s mercies endure forever; the time to turn to Him and seek Him to live for Him is now.

What If, If Only

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 I think we finally slept in a little later than 5:00 a.m. this morning. I have been online today completing some forms requiring medical information. It is interesting to review doctor visits, hospitalizations, medications, surgeries and tests that have taken place since last July. When I was in the Long Term Acute Care unit of Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital it felt like I was getting daily visits from the x-ray technicians and lab people drawing blood.

The IV antibiotics that I am on will continue until next Sunday. After that the PIC line will be taken out and I will finally be back to having my arms and chest free of tubing. However, as I have mentioned before the adjustment to the twice a day dose has work out well and isn’t an inconvenience.

Reading through Old Testament history there are critical points in an individual’s life that has a significant impact on that individual and even the history of Israel. I have made some observations about King Saul.There were some significant points of disobedience that caused God to reject his leadership and look for a “man after his own heart” to lead Israel.

We see that King Solomon’s heart was drawn away by his foreign wives. As a result he did not follow the Lord whole-heartedly and began to erect altars to these foreign gods and followed is wives in offering sacrifices on those altars. As a result, God’s judgment came against the reign of Solomon and Israel became a divided kingdom.

Jeroboam became King of Israel (the northern kingdom).Ten tribes out of 12 were under his rule. The prophet spoke to Jeroboam and told him how Solomon had sinned by building altars to other gods and not following after the Lord. His promise to Jeroboam was clear:

“I will choose you so that you can rule everything you desire. You will be king of Israel. If you will do all I command you, follow my ways, and do what I consider right by obeying my laws and commands as my servant David did, then I will be with you. I will build a permanent dynasty for you as I did for David. And I will give you Israel.” (1 Kings 12:37,38)

The Lord kept Rehoboam from attacking Israel in an attempt to overthrow Jeroboam and reunite Israel. Jeroboam began securing his reign and kingdom, but as he did he began to become insecure and worried about the stability of his reign, forgetting the promise of God.

“He said to himself, “The kingdom will probably return to David’s dynasty now. King Rehoboam of Judah, the former master of these people, will regain popularity if they go to sacrifice in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem. Then they will kill me and return to King Rehoboam of Judah.” After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said, “You’ve been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt.”  He put one in Bethel and the other in Dan.  Worshiping them became Israel’s sin.    (1 Kings 13:26-30)

So here we go with the golden calves again! Perhaps in a King Saul rationale Jeroboam thought, “I’m not like Solomon building altars to other foreign gods, I’m just making up my own gods.” We don’t know. We do know he “sought advice” and that the people of Israel seemed to be compliant in the new gods and forms of worship Jeroboam established.

King Jeroboam in attempting to secure his kingdom through human wisdom received God’s judgment on his reign and family. However, his actions not only impacted his life but the golden calves in the northern and southern part of the kingdom became the source of continued idolatry for several hundreds of years. “The sin of Jeroboam” became synonymous with idolatry and disobedience, instead of honoring God and a legacy of an enduring reign.

What if Jeroboam would have trust God? How different the future of Israel would have been. If only he would have remembered the Word of the Lord and clung to God’s promises consider the suffering and wars that could have been avoided. Obedience to God helps avoid the greatest regrets of life.

(Tomorrow I will share some concluding thoughts on these events)

A Grampa’s Perspective

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 Why is it on the day of the week you can sleep in, you get up earlier then the rest of the week? That is what happened to us. I think Debbie after a long week was determined to sleep in at least past 5:00 a.m. but it didn’t happen. When she came into the bedroom at six, I said, “you might as well make homemade cinnamon rolls” which she had already started. So I go out of bed earlier than I have the rest of the week.

This was probably good. It gave me time to read my morning Bible assignments before the rustle of little feet coming up from the basement after the grandkids woke up. They were eventually followed by mom and dad.

Another first for me this morning was that I used the walker to get from the bedroom to the kitchen table. Later I moved from the kitchen table (after C hristian helped me stand up to my walker) and m ade it to the recliner in the living room. I than had Caedmon drive my wheelchair from the bedroom to the living room.

It has been fun to see Christian and Bridget’s kids grow and develop their own personalities and show their own birth order uniqueness.

Riley (age 7) is doing well in school. He is reading well and seems fairly secure and content to focus on his own prCaed_Ellieojects. He played with his toys while Caed motored around in my wheelchair without pushing him out for a turn.Riley is learning baseball skills and enjoys playing catch with his dad; he even caught some pretty high hand-thrown fly balls. He also, told grandma, “grampa is doing really good with his throwing!” You know you are still in rehab when a seven year old throws better than you do! We were playing Uno this morning and Riley got out the notepad and wrote all the names down including “grampa” after all that is how it sounds and pretty much how we say it.

Caedmon (Age 5) Caed turns six in July and this morning he was showing us that one of his teeth is already lose.  He did a great job motoring around in my power wheelchair. He kept it on low speed and was careful in a limited area and showed some pretty good skill. Caed is a typical second born jokester.When taking pictures you Caed doesn’t need prompting to do “funny faces”instead you have to get him to be serious. He is also more affectionate than older brother.

Elliana (Age 2) But turns three the end of April. She is miss competition. What else could she be with two older brothers? Debbie says, “She’s a smart little whip. But what do we know, we’re only her grandparents?” Sounds like a playing ballgrandmother. At any rate she is getting use to exerting herself. She just at times forgets that parents are not siblings. But it does look Christian and Bridget have successfully navigated the worst of the “terrible twos” stage. She doesn’t like to be left out of anything her brother’s are doing. We have notice that Ellie is “little miss caregiver”; at least with grandpa. She likes to bring me and if she can feed me my pills.

Birth order traits,personalities, even “spiritually motivated” giftings (Rom 12) can be observed in our children as they begin to develop. Responding to each child according to their needs, helping them overcome weaknesses and developing their strengths is the ongoing challenge of parenting. And I’m sure many parents felt their job was over with the end of potty training!

The challenges can be great, but the rewards are many. That’s what grandchildren are all about!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” —Psalms 103:17 (NIV)

“Children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are a reward from him.”  Psalms 127:3 (GW)

 

Asking for Wisdom

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Today my physical therapist came for a visit. It was a good workout with using the walker to do some laps around the family room. I walked about 30 feet or so before a rest which was the distance I was doing at the rehab hospital before returning home.

Christian and Bridget and the grandkids came up this afternoon. It is great to have them here for a visit. I didn’t realize that hey had not seen me walk with my walker. All of the equipment keeps them amused. Christian gave Ellie a ride on the four-wheel walker. Cade tried his hand at navigating in my power wheelchair and Ellie and Cade used my standing frame as a jungle gym.

We moved my car out of the driveway so the grandkids could use the ramp for their scooters. This provided me the opportunity that I have been waiting for to get into the driver seat of my car. Since I was there I decided to try to take a drive. Christian and Caedmon and Riley were brave enough to get in with me. I did pretty good just driving a couple of miles around our neighborhood. Now I just need to figure out how to get a wheelchair into the trunk or backseat, or have some help on the leaving and arriving end of a trip.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

“I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  1 Kings 3:7-9

These verses are King Solomon’s response to the Lord who appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon’s response showed his humility and the priority of being a wise ruler.  Solomon would later record in Proverbs the observation:

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding..” Prov.3:13

The Lord honored Solomon’s priority for wisdom and in response told him that He would grant him what he did not ask for. As a result Solomon gain wisdom and wealth and status as a ruler during His reign.

However, asking for wisdom and being wise in actions are not the same. Solomon during his reign demonstrated and was commended for his wisdom. The account of the two women claiming the same child and Solomon’s recommendation to “cut the child in half” in order to reveal the true mother is still referenced today when difficult issues are being solved. I remember in the legislature a reference to this story on several occasions, although I’m not sure if everyone really understood the background or the original story.

While Solomon is known for asking for wisdom, he made some foolish decisions. He endeavored to maintain peace with surrounding nations by taking wives from those nations. This practice common in the day shows seeking security through worldly wisdom and not Godly wisdom.Solomon said it well when he said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov. 9:10.

SAM_0742As we keep Christ at the center of our lives, we can know that His wisdom is available to us to help us in our personal lives, our jobs and relationships. I am glad that God still honors the request for wisdom. “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.” James1:5

 

The Upward Look

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Today was the Rocky Mountain Energy Forum webinar that I hosted with Amy Attwood. I appreciate all those who participated. We have another one scheduled for April 24th. If you are interested in some good information and background on the issue of hydraulic fracturing let me know.

I have my personal fundraising page set up for the Colfax 5K. It is Saturday, May 17. I have several who have offered to help me participate by pushing me in my wheelchair. That means I have about six weeks to train to see how much I can motor myself in a regular wheelchair.

You can support my effort with a donation to Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains at www.coloradogives.org/ksummers

If you would like to join our effort and participate in the event and help raise funds for Teen Challenge check out www.teenchallengerockymountains.org

My occupational therapist paid me a visit today. It was a good session as far as some good education on my recovery and further evaluation on the strength of various muscle groups in my shoulders. I believe I have a good workout plan and may be transitioning to outpatient rehab within the next month.

This morning I read through the Book of Colossians. This one of Paul’s letters that he wrote from prison in Rome.  In this Book Paul not only asserts the deity of Christ in response to some first century hearsay, but he challenges believers to their conduct in light of Christ’s supremacy.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Paul clearly communicates the transformation that comes into an individual’s life when they become a follower of Christ. In the verses above he talks about your “mind” and “heart.” Our thoughts and our emotions are the key to the direction of our life and the degree of joy and peace that we experience. This focus is not to make us as those with our “heads in the clouds” but as those with our “heads focused on heaven.” In other words, our preparation for being forever in God’s presence begins now with cultivating His presence in our life and allowing Him to rule our mind and our hearts.

As our life is drawn away from the “things on earth” our thoughts and emotions will be manifested in our life style and the character qualities of our life. Paul put is this way:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

This verses call to mind the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians and perhaps even the armor of God from Ephesians with the imagery of “clothing” yourself in these virtues. These traits are godly character traits that can only be applied consistently and correctly in our lives as we trust in God’s Spirit to empower us and to help us.

The challenge is for us to learn what these mean from God’s view and not a worldly view. Sometimes the worldly view can see these characteristics as weakness or allowing ourselves to be run over by others. Different personalities will react differently when they read these traits. However, the way the world views them may not be the same as they way God views them. Our desire must be to please the Lord and not people. The whole point Paul is making is that Christ’s deity calls us to a higher life, with a heavenly focus.