12/22/09

Who knows?



From body builder to bit parts, then on to the Terminator and beyond, Arnold has shown great versatility! Now he is governor of California; what next, President? If Ronald Regan (former actor) could, I guess anyone can! The point is that the future is full of surprises. Paul's life was no exception. Here is an interesting passage from Philippians.

Philippians 1:2-25 WEB (R)
(2) Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3) I thank my God whenever I remember you,
(4) always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,
(5) for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
(6) being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
(7) It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
(8) For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
(9) This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
(10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
(11) being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(12) Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
(13) so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
(14) and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
(15) Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
(16) The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
(17) but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
(18) What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
(19) For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
(20) according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
(21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
(22) But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't make known what I will choose.
(23) But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
(24) Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
(25) Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,


All his life Saul of Tarsus tried to follow God; it wasn't until his conversion that he was on the right road. Then, he became a man obsessed and preached like no one else! He lived, thought, dreamed, and suffered on behalf of the risen Christ and his discipleship was unparalleled. Even He didn't know the future when he dictated this letter, so I guess anything can happen to anybody! Paul and Arnold had a lot in common in terms of their devotion to something, but somehow I just can't picture Paul looking like Arnold. But who knows, perhaps in his old age Arnold will waste away and look like the aged wisp of a man that Paul was.