Two Joyful Pastors – One Great Work of Christ

A Joyful Journey with Paul, Timothy, and the Philippian Church.

A 26-session blog series through the Book of Philippians.

Joy. The dictionary defines it as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Sounds inviting, right? Yet sadly, if joy is only a feeling, it will come and go as our life experiences fluctuate. Have a great day and joy can be easily found. But don’t ask me about being joyful or happy when things are down-n-dirty.

I believe it was Eugene Peterson who said that Philippians is Paul’s happiest letter. In his introduction to the book, Peterson says, “But the happiness (found here) is not a word we can understand by looking it up in the dictionary. In fact, none of the qualities of the Christian life can be learned out of a book. Something more like apprenticeship is required, being around someone who out of years of devoted discipline shows us, by his or her entire behavior, what it is. Moments of verbal instruction will certainly occur, but mostly an apprentice acquires skill by daily and intimate association with a ‘master,’ picking up subtle but absolutely essential things, such as timing and rhythm and ‘touch.’ When we read Philippians, we find ourselves in the company of such a master.”

So, join us, my dear friends, as we explore a bit deeper this joyful work of Christ as it manifest itself amongst Paul and Timothy, and the early church of Christ-followers in Philippi. Just maybe, you and I might learn a few secrets to finding true joy in the midst of our work as servants of Christ Jesus in this generation.

How to best use this 26-session blog series:

Take note that each blog session begins with a short scripture reading. My suggestion is that you don’t hurry through, or skip the text, but treat it as a Lectio Divina reading where you slow down and sit a bit with God’s Word, allowing it to penetrate and influence you as you read.

(sorry…no podcasts available on this series)