In my morning meeting with The Boss He said, “Approve what is excellent, and whatever is excellent, and whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” And then later in the meeting He said, “Much more bold.” And I got to thinking… I bet these things are connected! I bet approving what is excellent leads to becoming much more bold!

So …what is excellent? Childlikeness & Mercy! (Mark 10:15; Matthew 18:1-4; Matthew 9:13; Romans 11:32; Jonah 4:1-4). And will approving of, and thinking about, childlikeness and mercy (as emphasized by Jesus of Nazareth) lead to much more boldness? Yup.

The Boss also said, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” And then later He said, “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. …help these women!” Hmmmmmm. Who (in the ECPC community) is like Euodia? And who is like Syntyche? Who are the people you’re AFRAID to disagree with (#Fri.13th!)? Who are the people that don’t take kindly to correction? Who are the people who really really think that they are right (and they have excuses, and explanations, and self-justifications, and clinical diagnostic defenses for avoiding the simple, childlike, fact that they are wretched and wicked – and in desperate [and delightedly joyful] need of God’s mercy!’) …How are you supposed to HELP them? Hmmmmmmm…

Then later in the meeting The Boss said, “There are some people who refuse to love the truth and so be saved.” What is THE TRUTH??? It’s Matthew 9:13 and Romans 11:32 (and Jonah 4), and Mark 10:15 and Matthew 18:1-4 and John 4:29. The Boss said, “Stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us.” The truth AND the traditions are Matthew 9:13 and Romans 11:32 (and Jonah 4), and Mark 10:15 and Matthew 18:1-4 and John 4:29. And these TRADS/truths should speed ahead and be honored (2 Thess. 3:1). And there are basically two types of people – [A] the people who epitomize
2 Thessalonians 3:4 [“And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command”], and [B] the people who don’t.

The Boss says, “Keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.If anyone does not obey what we say regarding the TRAD/truths, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”

Today, in my morning meeting with The Boss, The Boss said, “Approve what is excellent! Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” And then later in the meeting He said, “Much more bold.” And I got to thinking… I bet these things are connected! I bet approving what is excellent leads to becoming much more bold!

So …what is excellent? Childlikeness & Mercy! (Mark 10:15; Matthew 18:1-4; Matthew 9:13; Romans 11:32; Jonah 4:1-4). And will approving of, and thinking about, childlikeness and mercy (as emphasized by Jesus of Nazareth) lead to much more boldness? Yup.

The Boss also said, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” And then later He said, “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. …help these women!” Hmmmmmm. Who – in the ECPC community is like Euodia? And who is like Syntyche? Who are the people you’re AFRAID to disagree with (#Fri.13th!)? Who are the people that don’t take kindly to correction? …How are you supposed to HELP them?