"Have This Mind..."  [Reflections On Book  The The Book Of Philippians  (Phil. 2:5-11)

In selling “joy” (or choice of it)
To congregation, make it fit,
Not by extolling virtues there
In land of harmony and care –

But maybe shifting churchly talk
To “What in life creates the blocks
To buying into joy in life,
Amidst your world of noise and strife?”

Like, “Where’s the great impediment
To buying in? What makes a dent
In armed resistance to that choice?”
Ask ’round to each dissenting voice.

Then do whatever work it takes
To rectify each block, which makes
A joyful life their chosen way
To brighter, lighter, world today.

You speak of “Power”, “Control” in life,
And how Paul says it causes strife,
So needs a change in attitude
To gain some joyful altitude.

For power, control, have problem sides –
Relationships get wrecked; besides,
The other people on our block
Take cues from us in Christian walk.

Book Gary Chapman wrote one time,
Addressed some blocks to life sublime –
“Five common models now exist,
Conveying ‘Sorry’; smoothing twists –

“To tangled up relationships;
So ponder each, if you would fix
A mess you’ve made, are making still;
Turn off the tap of toxic swill.”

“For most, I’m sorry’s not enough –
Sorry for what? Regret is tough
To put in words, like prodigal,
(Skip ‘but’ if you’re methodical).

“Accept your action – ‘I was wrong’;
‘Such acts in life do not belong’;
‘I stand corrected’; ‘I accept
Responsibility – regret’.

“Make restitution – ask, at least,
‘What needs be done to fix – release
The blockage to our friendship now,
So life can move again somehow?’

“Express desire to change your ways;
A plan present, or ask today,
‘What now could serve as alternate
To choice I made, though past’s too late?’

“Request forgiveness formally –
Do not assume the other sees
You are sincere without request;
For some, that’s ‘sorry’ at its best.”

Our models come from families;
For some, they’re from community,
So ask, “For me? What need I hear
To sense if other is sincere?”

For others, ask, or watch, at least –
“Do they move on? Are they released?”
Perhaps the key to joy you hold
For them – if you would be so bold.

If toxic group or family,
If bitter is community,
Ask, “What inhibits joy ’round here?”
“What could I do to rubble clear?”

“Refresh”, that’s what “foot-washing” means;
At second birth we were made clean,
But dusty it is on the street –
Refresh each person that you meet”.

So spoke our Lord last supper-time,
And modeled actions – took the time
To say to His disciples – us –
“Pride drop to let joy in through dust”.

Thanks Lord for this.

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