Pop Ya Collar, Son

The Creator God's thoughts, ways and moves are startlingly different from man's—
yet it seems the creature's perspective's got the collar on most people's thinking.
The following flow re-presents matters from the Divine perspective and presents
a radically different approach to living that'll pop ya collar if applied in ya life.

Get 'n Stay Focused on the Right Goal

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally,
experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering,
and go all the way with Him to death itself.
If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.
 But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this,
but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.
I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.
If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment,
God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet!
 Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Stick with me, friends. 
Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.
There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, 
and trying to get you to go along with them.

I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again.
All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross.
But easy street is a dead-end street.
Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise;
all they can think of is their appetites.

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! 
We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, 
who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like His own.

He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill 
by which He is putting everything as it should be, under and around Him.

 Philippians 3:10-21 from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson

And you who are younger must follow your leaders.
But all of you, leaders and followers alike,
are to be down to earth with each other, for—

"God has had it with the proud,
But takes delight in just plain people."

So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs.
God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time.
Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.

Keep a cool head. Stay alert.
The Devil is poised to pounce,
and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.

Keep your guard up.
You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times.
It's the same with Christians all over the world.
So keep a firm grip on the faith.
The suffering won't last forever.

It won't be long before this generous God
who has great plans for us in Christ
—eternal and glorious plans they are!—
will have you put together and on your feet for good.

He gets the last word; yes, He does.

 1 Peter 5:5-11 from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson

Then He told them what they could expect for themselves:
"Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead.