I love the way each of you used this blog to share your thoughts about Phil 3:12-21. Isn't it great how we can each read a verse(s) and the Lord shows us each something unique that we can apply to our own personal lives. Thank you all for sharing your thinking and providing all of us a deeper understanding of this verse.
Elisabeth

Ying-Philippians 3:12-21

After reading Philippians 3:12-21, I fell that Paul encourages us to press on in the race of life and not let past hurts who we are. While we can't forget the past, we don't have to allow the past to define our future. Too many people have remained victims of their past and claimed their past as their identity. We should leave the past behind and start each day like a new child of God. That's our hope!

I want to pray that the hurts of my own past are healed and ask God to bring people into my life that can help me through my hurt.

Kristina - Pressing On, Reaching Out

These verses tell me, that my faith allows me to know that I will have the prize of heaven. 1John 1:8-10 says: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.There is no way to be sinless while we are in these bodies. Also, Romans 14:23 ...whatever is not from faith is sin.
Paul knew he wasn't there yet. He knew he was far from perfect. But he kept pressing on, kept persevering in the Christian walk.He uses the descriptive language of someone striving forward, pressing on, reaching out. You can picture a hiker trying to make it to the peak of a mountain. A runner trying to make it to the end of a marathon. Whatever illustration you keep in your mind, the words hold true: forget what lies behind. There is no bigger defeat than to dwell on what you've already past, how many miles you've already gone, how many steps you've already taken. Paul says that he was forgetting what lay behind and kept reaching forward.
The past doesn't matter - it's already the past. Are you growing in Christ now? Are you ministering now? Are you praying now? What matters is where you're at in the Lord today.

Just for Fun: #3 - Things to Do

Respond to the following:
In your lifetime, list 5-7 things you want to experience, accomplish, and/or achieve. Your list may include personal as well as professional. Doesn't hurt to dream sometimes. =)

Just for Fun: #2 - Places to Visit

Respond to the following:
In your lifetime, list 5-7 places you want to visit and/or see.

Just for Fun: #1 - "I'm DONE!"

Finish the sentence ("Disneyland" cannot be an answer"):
"I'm done with my online Master in Educational Technology!!! I'm going to............"

List or describe your response. Optional: insert picture. =)

Just for Fun - Intro

Dear Cadre 10 --
In addition to posting to Professor's Reflections, we also wanted to have people respond to several topics ---- just for the fun of it. This is optional, but certainly it'll give us a chance to share a little bit of ourselves. Just check out periodically for questions labeled: Just for Fun.

Kate, Margaret, and Venetia =)

Venetia - Where is my Citizenship? (Phil. 3:12-21)

After reading Philippians 3: 12 -21, I would rename the passage to "Where is My Citizenship?"...... this passage served as a reminder and warning to the church in Philippi as to where is their ultimate "citizenship" - in heaven or on earth (v. 18-19) ? He reminds them to stay focus on their heavenly citizenship while acknowledging that he himself is still in the process.

In the Amplified Bible, the translation inserted "and make it my own" in regards to following the Lord. What spoke to me was to focus on making and following the Lord's teaching in making it really "my own". Paul also encouraged the Philippians to trust Him in making the "uncleared" cleared (v. 15).

This passage was a good reminder that our citizenship is with God in heaven and to have that position in front of us until the return of Jesus Christ.

Melanie's Reflection Philippians 3:12-21: "Press On"

"Press On"
I read this passage to my son and husband. My husband and I were discussing it and bouncing off ideas. He relates things to music and there is a song entitled, "Press On" by Robert Randolph and the Family Band. My son (who is three) said, "Cowboy," when I asked him what he thought. :)

To answer the questions posed to me on page 724 of Faith in Action. The text is one where Paul is asking Philippians to follow in his path to the future of being in Heaven. Obviously, he distinguishes between those who are Earthly-based (bad) and Heaven-bound (good). He wants people to not focus on the materialistic and daily activities of the Earth, but instead to "press on" toward the future of Heaven where we are true citizens. I should evaluate those things that lead to a path of righteousness with Jesus Christ in Heaven and forget about the worldly goods of daily life.

Philippines 3:12-21. PPenrose

Philippines 3:12-21 says to me that even though we learn the word of God we should continue to look at ourselves and what we have learned and see if we can develop more from each lessons that God gives us. We can grasp the word and believe we have complete understanding but we need to continue to follow and re-evaluate what we are taught by God. I feel that we need to live up to what we have learned from God before we can move on to understand more. We need to take hold of each lesson live it and understand it to be given more.

Teresa's response to Philippians 3: 12-21

This scripture reminds me of the ultimate goal in striving to live my life in accordance to the will of the Lord. That it may not be easy, but I need to hold fast to the principals in my life. I must also keep those around me who desire the same things I do.

Kate's Reaction to Philippians 3:12-21

This text reminds me that my goal and my prize is in Heaven. I should move forward - fixing my heart on the Lord. It gives a clear vision of what I should not do (fix my mind on earthly things, have my stomach as my god and to find glory where there should be shame) while at the same time reinforcing that I should be eagerly awaiting my Savior. I am called to be a woman "after God's own heart" and live my life in a way that shows that I am a "citizen" of Heaven.

Dave's Reflection on Philippians 3:12-21

Using the questions on page 724 as a guide I believe Paul is helping us distinguish good from bad and truth from error. He states that all of us who are mature should forget what is behind and strive toward what is ahead. The goal being eternity in Heaven.

The goal the text is asking me to pursue is to stand firm in the Lord and not let our minds dwell on earthly things. Our citizenship is in heaven.

Based on the reading, I think God is telling us that living our lives for Him is the only way to eternal life with Him. The only other altenative is to live in and for this world which will only lead to destruction and shame.

I think what God would want me to do is spend time reading and praying over His Word. This would help me to mature and ultimately lead me to focus more on Him and His goals for my life.

Tammy T's reflection on Philippians 3:12-21

I really enjoyed reading this portion of scripture this morning. Of course, it was just what I needed. There is always so much to do in life and when something doesn't turn out quite the way I had hoped, I can become easily discouraged. This portion of scripture addresses this issue by encouraging me (us) that I will keep pursuing the goal of living. When I say living I mean the opposite of being consumed by worldly concerns and being sucked into the downward pull. To live is like being in the Holy of Holies. There is a thick curtain that separates us from the negative aspects of life and allows us to taste of His goodness. That is what I want to do everyday... so everyday has to start with letting go of the past and pressing on toward the goal.

Melanie's Reflection So Far

Hi cadremates,

I too am enjoying our class so far. The most frustrating part of my process of finding our district technology plan is that no one can seem to locate one for my indiviudal high school. When I have asked (MANY) people that are "in charge" of technology at our high school and district, they have all claimed that our school's is embedded in the district plan. I am excited to help our school develop an individual technology plan. I know that my school has a couple of grants right now that really allow us to purchase any type of technology (with no real "plan" or futuristic planning). I feel bad for us in that sense because we might not be utilizing our fullest potential. However, I have a question for you guys/gals: If you were allowed any type of technology, what would you ask for in your classroom? I have requested and received three classroom computers, a laptop, LCD projector, a SmartBoard and some supplemental teaching material. I was thinking about a document camera...anything else?

Hello

Hey Cadre 10!
I'll start us off. I'm enjoying our classes so far and am actually looking forward to reviewing my district technology plan (which was given to me today - yeah!). We are almost there!!
-Kate