In Philippians the word “Knowing” takes on a new meaning. Paul uses the word to distinguish the collection of facts from intimate understanding. What Paul calls “knowing Christ” isn’t merely theology to be recited; it’s participation: sharing in his life, teachings, sufferings, and resurrection. When we put the gleam of résumé-building accomplishments beside the surpassing worth of this present, personal relationship with Jesus, the choice becomes clear: let go of what inflates pride so we can be shaped by his life.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

00:00 — What does Paul mean by “knowing Christ”?
00:25 — Why Paul calls his old resume garbage
01:12 — What surpassing worth really means
02:09 — Two ways of knowing explained: description vs. acquaintance
03:19 — Popcorn, bacon, and knowledge by experience
04:31 — What it means to know a person deeply
05:8 — Why knowing God is more than facts
06:04 — Dallas Willard on knowing Christ today
07:29 — Jesus is present in our world now
08:50 — What Jesus meant by eternal life in John 17:3
09:42 — How to invite Jesus into your daily life
10:08 — A honeymoon story and the meaning of “to know”
11:00 — Why knowing Christ is interactive engagement
11:48 — How serving others becomes knowing Christ
12:05 — The daily invitation: “God, let me know You”

Today’s reflection comes out of a rich conversation with friends (John, Jim, Alyssa, and Kevin) where they interact honestly with Paul’s words in Philippians 3. Paul once carried a “resume” filled with achievements, education, and status. But after meeting Jesus, he called all those accomplishments *scubala (*garbage) compared to knowing Christ. That shift was not about denying his abilities but recognizing they could never define his worth or bring him fulfillment.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

We all carry an invisible resume, trying to prove our worth through titles, accomplishments, or image. Paul names his old resume — circumcision, tribe of Benjamin, Pharisee, zeal — then calls it all loss compared to Christ. John shares his own “impressive-itis” and failures, then draws from Henri Nouwen and John Wesley’s line “I submitted to be more vile” to show the new resume: weakness, humility, and love. To shine is to let go of self-promotion and live from God’s love.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Shining for Jesus is like burning, it gives off light but not without pain. Paul tells the Philippians that Epaphroditus (his brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier) nearly lost his life serving the cause of Christ. This was not a story of calm detachment or stoic control. Instead, Paul openly describes homesickness, distress, grief, and anxiety. Real love is messy, and real relationships are risky. Yet, it is in that risk, not in protecting ourselves, that we understand more about God.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Life is deep, complex, and beautiful. In many ways life has a way of giving us more depth, complexity and beauty if we let it. But it’s important to remember that becoming deep is not about pretending to be better or wiser than we are. Paul wrote about this to the Philippians, where he reminded them that Jesus showed the way—humbling himself, becoming a servant, and pouring himself out for others. To follow Jesus means turning from shallow living, where vanity and ego dominate, toward a life that reflects self-giving love.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Safe places and safe people are a good thing… but there’s something even better. John brings today’s teaching from Ireland, and fittingly so, our learnings are inspired by Saint Patrick. As a teenager, Patrick was kidnapped, enslaved, and suffered greatly. In the middle of his suffering, though, he discovered God’s presence. Patrick wrote that he would pray constantly during the daylight hours. He described that sometimes in a day, he would say as many as a hundred prayers, and at night nearly as many again. His faith continually grew.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Today, we grieve. We pause. We remember. We mourn. And we cling to the hope of Jesus that transcends all.

Join John and Become New in this short video for some thoughts on Charlie Kirk’s assassination, remembering September 11th, and reckoning with darkness. As a community, we are praying for our nation and for God to bring comfort, peace, and healing.

One of the most famously quoted verses in the Bible comes from Paul: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It’s not only often quoted, it’s arguably even more commonly misunderstood. Today, Laura Ortberg Turner joins us with John to unpack what Paul truly meant with these words.

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Paul calls the Philippians to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” for God is already at work within them. The life that shines is not grumbling or self-promoting but open to God’s Spirit. John contrasts grumbling vs. groaning, shows how Moses’ radiant face came from being with God, and ends with the blessing: “The Lord make His face shine upon you.” To shine is to live from God’s shining face turned toward us.

00:00 — What does it mean to shine with inner light?
00:32 — Why some people radiate joy and gratitude
01:45 — How Philippians 2 explains shining
02:17 — What does “work out your salvation” mean?
03:00 — Is spiritual life a motorboat, raft, or sailboat?
04:03 — What does “fear and trembling” really mean?
05:13 — Do everything without grumbling
06:14 — What’s the difference between grumbling and groaning?
07:25 — Why groaning invites God but grumbling shuts Him out
08:18 — Shine like stars in a dark world
09:12 — How Moses’ face shone after meeting God
11:15 — What it means that God’s face shines on you
13:02 — Today is your day to shine

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Philippians 2 is called the “hinge of history.” Jesus, though in very nature God, humbled Himself to death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him, giving Him the name above every name. John calls this the greatest strategy for life: double down on the cross. True greatness and true life flow from self-giving love, and the simple but ultimate confession: Jesus Christ is Lord.

00:00 — What is the greatest strategy for life?
00:22 — What is the most important phrase Christians can say?
01:16 — Philippians 2: the oldest words about Jesus
01:57 — Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross
02:31 — Why “as a consequence, therefore” matters
03:17 — The hinge of history explained
04:03 — Why humility always leads to exaltation
05:06 — What does it mean to double down on the cross?
06:33 — What name is above every name?
07:19 — Why “Jesus Christ is Lord” seemed ludicrous then
08:19 — Why Jesus, not Caesar, defines history
09:25 — How calendars themselves point to Christ
10:23 — Why love, not power, defines reality
11:05 — What it means to double down in daily life
11:55 — How to shine by serving others

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Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF