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kbc in sc September 25, 2005	Okay, I'll start! I like the way this ends: the prize is the call. It's not that we're being called to a prize. Somehow that makes a difference.
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S'n'S September 26, 2005	Paul has warned the Philippians about Christian leaders who may have impressive credentials but do not witness to the gospel of Christ. Now he offers his own list of credentials, only to reject them all in favor of what he considers truly significant.
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Dogwood Dave September 26, 2005	Once again we find the relationship with Jesus Christ is the bottom line. Not the rules, not traditions, not the history, not the money, not the power, etc This text ties so nicely with the Psalm 19, which frees rather than traps the person of faith.
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Sally in GA September 26, 2005	3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.\ In light of the Gospel reading, where the tenants have the kingdom of God taken away because they don't produce fruit, this might be a good time to explore what "call" is.
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Terry from Oklahoma September 26, 2005	I'm trying to tie the lectionary passages to World Communion Sunday. I'm thinking perhaps of defining the prize. Yes the bottom line is a relationship with Christ. But on a global scale, what are the implications of that relationship? What are we to be about as Christians relating to all of our sisters and brothers around the world. Perhaps to move toward peace for all of God's children... would be a most excellent prize.. or a bonus from our relationship with Christ. Okay, I'm just starting to think here... sorry if I'm rambling. Anyone got ideas on linking this to World Communion Sunday?
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Terry from Oklahoma September 26, 2005	I'm trying to tie the lectionary passages to World Communion Sunday. I'm thinking perhaps of defining the prize. Yes the bottom line is a relationship with Christ. But on a global scale, what are the implications of that relationship? What are we to be about as Christians relating to all of our sisters and brothers around the world. Perhaps to move toward peace for all of God's children... would be a most excellent prize.. or a bonus from our relationship with Christ. Okay, I'm just starting to think here... sorry if I'm rambling. Anyone got ideas on linking this to World Communion Sunday?
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Terry from Oklahoma September 26, 2005	I'm trying to tie the lectionary passages to World Communion Sunday. I'm thinking perhaps of defining the prize. Yes the bottom line is a relationship with Christ. But on a global scale, what are the implications of that relationship? What are we to be about as Christians relating to all of our sisters and brothers around the world. Perhaps to move toward peace for all of God's children... would be a most excellent prize.. or a bonus from our relationship with Christ. Okay, I'm just starting to think here... sorry if I'm rambling. Anyone got ideas on linking this to World Communion Sunday?
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Terry from Oklahoma September 26, 2005	I'm sorry!
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Radar Ralph September 27, 2005	I too am trying to tie this to World Wide Communion Sunday. I am thinking of naming others who through the ages understood that the call is the prize, that relationship with Jesus. Not a big stretch to share journeys of faith where the relationship was/is the bottom line. Ralph in Canada
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joy in atl September 27, 2005	Linking it to communion, not necessarily world communion, and to Psalm 19, I'm thinking about the verse about how the Law is more desirable than Gold, sweeter than honey. That the prize is more desirable thatn gold, or honey, but it is to be in relationship with God. Even though Psalm 19 is the psalmist relishing the Law, and Paul is speaking negatively of the Law, that keeping the Law was not his goal, still there is a picture of relishing that relationship. The psalmist doesn't seem to be gloating over keeping the law, but simply basking in the right relationship with God, just as Paul is striving only for that.
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JG in WI September 28, 2005	In the New American Standard Bible, v. 14 is translated, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Dr. Joel Gregory tells us that this has Olympic significance. There was a group known as the "agonothetes," who were overseers of the games (and possibly of the city as well). These people sat in an upper area of the arena in something we, today, might call a "sky box." When a runner or other athlete won the race or the contest, that athlete would be awarded a laurel wreath on the dusty floor of the arena. However, if an athlete gave an unusually great performance, the "agonothetes," would give that athlete the "upward call." The athlete would thread his way through the crowds, cheering his name, and the athlete would receive his prize in the "sky box" with the agonothetes. So in Christ, while our calling from God is by His grace, Paul strives for an "upward call" to receive his prize. This only happens when, as Paul, we "forget what lies behind (both the good and the bad) and straining forward to what lies ahead.
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RevMom September 28, 2005	I find it interesting that the prize, for Paul, is the call, and not heaven. Talk about upside down priorities! Our goal, then, is how we live out our lives and not so much some far-off reward at the end of the game (of life). As it pertains to World Communion Sunday, what an opportunity to portray the good news of the gospel! This is good news for ALL people, regardless of status, income, skin color, etc. God's love is for all people, not a select few!
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RevMom September 28, 2005	I find it interesting that the prize, for Paul, is the call, and not heaven. Talk about upside down priorities! Our goal, then, is how we live out our lives and not so much some far-off reward at the end of the game (of life). As it pertains to World Communion Sunday, what an opportunity to portray the good news of the gospel! This is good news for ALL people, regardless of status, income, skin color, etc. God's love is for all people, not a select few!
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Teek September 28, 2005	It seems to me I heard a Fred Craddock sermon in which he was fascinated by the reduction to "this one thing I do," to the exclusion of all else. So it has me thinking, what motivates us? And are we aware of it? What do we need to be shedding?
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Jeff in Upstate NY September 29, 2005	Paul talks about what is really valuable. It isn't his pedigree, or his religiosity, or his credentials – not even his reputation or his life. What is truly valuable is Christ. For the sake of Christ every thing else in his life is rubbish and Paul is thankful for that. Very few other people would think that Paul fortunate either in “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord,” or in his quest for the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. In fact, most would think him a fool – he had it all, education, promise, respect beyond his years, and Roman citizenship too. The possibilities for him would be the subject of envy by his contemporaries. And he threw it all away to follow Christ?!! But in Christ Paul found the treasure hidden in the field and he sold all that he had to purchase that field. Where shall we find our treasure? In water; in bread and wine; in the words of a poor preacher? Seemingly worthless things yet in them we the treasure that is worth letting go of all else that would keep us from knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection.
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Jeff in Upstate NY September 29, 2005	Paul talks about what is really valuable. It isn't his pedigree, or his religiosity, or his credentials – not even his reputation or his life. What is truly valuable is Christ. For the sake of Christ every thing else in his life is rubbish and Paul is thankful for that. Very few other people would think that Paul fortunate either in “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord,” or in his quest for the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. In fact, most would think him a fool – he had it all, education, promise, respect beyond his years, and Roman citizenship too. The possibilities for him would be the subject of envy by his contemporaries. And he threw it all away to follow Christ?!! But in Christ Paul found the treasure hidden in the field and he sold all that he had to purchase that field. Where shall we find our treasure? In water; in bread and wine; in the words of a poor preacher? Seemingly worthless things yet in them we the treasure that is worth letting go of all else that would keep us from knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection.
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mm in oh September 29, 2005	I was thinking for a children’s moment to show all my diplomas I've received; my B.S., my M.Div., my Ordination Papers, and throwing them all in a trash can for my baptismal certificate, which is the only one I have framed in my office. Showing that the only thing that is required is a relationship with Christ, something all baptized Christians have already.
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Michelle September 29, 2005	mm in OH, Just one word of caution. I'm guessing you won't leave those certificates in the trash. What will it say to the children the next time they're in your office and see these things back on the wall? Or, when they see you take them out of the trash?
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Sally in GA September 29, 2005	S'n'S says "Paul has warned the Philippians about Christian leaders who may have impressive credentials but do not witness to the gospel of Christ" .... hmmmmmm ..... there've been a few folks in my churches who've accused ME of having impressive credentials but not witnessing to the Gospel of Christ. So, what does that tell us? It certainly doesn't tell us who really is right and who really is wrong! It tells us that our opinions are worth only their popularity, not their truth. Seems Jesus had to face that with the Pharisees in today's reading, too. Or was it that the Pharisees had to face that with Jesus' parable?
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Tammy in Texas September 29, 2005	When someone you love dies, you reevaluate what is important in life. When you are told to evacuate because Katrina, or Rita are about to hit, you have to reevaluate what is important enough to load up. We had to evacuate for Rita, we were spared..though many were not. I took my clothes..as many as I could cause I HATE to shop. I took pictures and I took a few of mmy daughters things as they are irreplaceable... and, I took my Bible. I did also bring a few smutty novels to pass the time. The point, our things..our credentials don't matter when push comes to shove. How we live, and for whom we live matters. Just my thoughts...

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Heather in Sharon September 29, 2005	Interesting that we hear the law in the OT reading and then hear Paul dismiss any righteousness that comes from the law here. I think I'm going to try to link them; the law was a gift, not so we could brag about how good we are at keeping it (or point fingers at those we think are doing a poor job), but so we could build up a real relationship with God. Christ came for the same reason; to make us his own. But instead we try so often to be our own person, doing it all on our own steam... not sure where I'll end up, yet.
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mm in oh September 29, 2005	Michelle, Fact is, my credentials are all in a box in the basement, I’ll have to dig for them to begin with. The only credential I have on my wall IS my baptismal certificate. When we put the expensive ‘worldly’ credentials up, who are we trying to impress? Our congregations? Ourselves? God? I think Paul is saying, the only credential that means anything is our relationship with Christ. Any pastor who tells you otherwise is not proclaiming the gospel of Christ but another.
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JBF in BB September 30, 2005	I am looking at the passage from Philippians 3. I believe the text helps us to see that God wants to move us to another level. Paul saw the prize as the 'other level' that God would have wanted him to be. However, for him to get to that place, there were certain things that he had to realize. His credentials didn't matter so he placed them behind him 'forgetting those things that are behind'. He also realized that in order to get to that other level, he had to be determined, therefore he 'pressed forward.' It is interesting to note, that 'pressing toward the mark' suggests that there might be a struggle. One might actually fall, but because of the desire for the greater things of God,we keep moving despite of the circumstances. This suggests to us that we must press forward for this prize despite our circumstances. To get to this other level, we must also claim. Paul not only laid eyes on the prize but he claimed. It was the level that he wanted to be with God. We must also claim the level that God would have us to go. Just my ramblings.......
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JBF in BB September 30, 2005	I am looking at the passage from Philippians 3. I believe the text helps us to see that God wants to move us to another level. Paul saw the prize as the 'other level' that God would have wanted him to be. However, for him to get to that place, there were certain things that he had to realize. His credentials didn't matter so he placed them behind him 'forgetting those things that are behind'. He also realized that in order to get to that other level, he had to be determined, therefore he 'pressed forward.' It is interesting to note, that 'pressing toward the mark' suggests that there might be a struggle. One might actually fall, but because of the desire for the greater things of God,we keep moving despite of the circumstances. This suggests to us that we must press forward for this prize despite our circumstances. To get to this other level, we must also claim. Paul not only laid eyes on the prize but he claimed. It was the level that he wanted to be with God. We must also claim the level that God would have us to go. Just my ramblings.......
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Sally September 30, 2005	The earlier post about credentials has really got me to thinking... A family member of one of my congregants died once, and I went to the funeral home and visited my member in her home. It happened to be that the deceased's pastor was there at the same time, and the woman introduced us. He looked at me with deep suspicion and was formulating the question I was most prepared for (in the South, in Southern Baptist country), "So what do you do with the Scripture that says 'women don't speak in church.'" .... I have a standard response or two at the ready because I hear it a lot. Well imagine my surprise when the question that came out with hostility was, "Are you educated?" This preacher didn't believe in educated clergy.
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Sally September 30, 2005	Oh, and for the record ... I'm lucky to remember where my papers are, much less have them framed in my office. I went to school for 20 years (23, counting nursery school) - and I hated every minute of it. I only did it because it would get me to where I felt God to be calling me. Well,maybe not EVERY minute of it; I really enjoyed term papers and choir.
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Sally September 30, 2005	... oh, and in college, I loved frat parties, too.
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pb in ny October 1, 2005	mm in oh and Sally: God called and I went to seminary late in life. My man required "credentials" are framed and on my wall. I worked hard for and earned them. My credentials which will bring me greater reward are still in the making - I am pressing on!
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pb in ny October 1, 2005	3:13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. As an addendum to my previous post, I do not take any credit for what has been accomplished. I do not consider that I made it on my own, but only through the grace of God. It has been my joy to run the race and I continue to persevere - seeking the goal. As I look at the "prize of the heavenly call" I wonder if that is a thought from Paul at leaving this life and moving on to perfection - when God calls him home? So, we all press on to the goal, but it is up to God, and God alone, as to whether or not we ascend to that lofty height!
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Sally October 1, 2005	A part of me that I don't share very often ... and that makes me feel uncharacteristically shy is ... That I went through a phase in seminary where I asked all profs and colloquy leaders to refrain from putting grades on tests, term papers, weekly papers (colloquy papers), whenever they could. I had to struggle at such a deep level with being judged and deemed "worthy" by externals that I did this as a way to try to learn self-affirmation. It was only partially successful. While it removed the outside judgment from people, it was a very hollow feeling. Try as I might, I could not affirm myself enough to develop a self-esteem when it came to academics. Years later, I realize that the esteem I so craved was God's. And that existentially, being judged for work that I did not determine and the judgment of which seemed to be geared towards spitting back teacher's words, I chose to pass through that phase to explore it. Of course, the profs and leaders thought I was a real wack-o! To this day, I can not completely articulate what bugs me so much about school - except that I happen to be very smart and not allowed to be so in school! School is so passive - and rather soul-less. Until I got to research and write a term paper. Long story, part of my testimony (which I'm learning to do better), that actually relates quite well to this pericope! Thank you ALL for the discussion on this - and to whoever it was who first borught up the idea of "credentials." You've brought yet another part of how God is working in my life - into the light. Thank you!
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charles of Virginia October 2, 2005	World wide communion Sunday and the gospel and epistle texts all come together for me when I consider that the "call" is the prize and that call is to be a good and faithful gatherer. Paul keep people from God, the wicked tenants keep from the master, the vineyard in Isaiah was taken over by wild grapes. The call and the prize is gathering all at the table of grace, not setting up walls to keep "the wrong people" (Christians to the Jewish leader Saul) from God's bounty. The good tenants gather for the master, the reconstructed Paul gathered a world, by counting power and influence rubbish. Come to the table, that is the call we have and the call we render because we are in Christ.
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charles of Virginia October 2, 2005	World wide communion Sunday and the gospel and epistle texts all come together for me when I consider that the "call" is the prize and that call is to be a good and faithful gatherer. Paul keep people from God, the wicked tenants keep from the master, the vineyard in Isaiah was taken over by wild grapes. The call and the prize is gathering all at the table of grace, not setting up walls to keep "the wrong people" (Christians to the Jewish leader Saul) from God's bounty. The good tenants gather for the master, the reconstructed Paul gathered a world, by counting power and influence rubbish. Come to the table, that is the call we have and the call we render because we are in Christ.
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2rev October 2, 2005	Paul moved from ultimate to pen-ultimate and felt he was better off. He counted being second to God better than being second to none. God getting the last word is something we often have problems with. We let others define us, we want to define ourselves, and we want to define others. We want to define God our way so we can be at the top. We run to the top only to discover we are on the wrong mountain. The table is the great equalizer. It is were we become the penultimate to God's ultimate.