Foreign.

Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lesson selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the Message version Relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.

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Here's today's reading.

So today's reading is from from Philippians 2, verses 25 through 30.

We're reading from the Message version of the Bible, but for right now I'm dispatching Epaphroditus, my good friend and companion in my work.

You sent him to help me out.

Now I'm sending him to help you out.

He has been wanting in the worst way to get back with you.

Especially since recovering from the illness you heard about.

He's been wanting to get back and reassure you that he is just fine.

He nearly died, as you know, but God had mercy on him.

And now not only on him, but he had mercy on me too, because his death would have been one huge grief piled on top of all the others.

So you can see why I'm so delighted to send him onto you when you see him again, strong and strapping now, how you'll rejoice and how relieved I'll be.

Give him a grand welcome, a joyful embrace.

People like him deserve the best you can give him.

Remember the ministry to me that you started but weren't able to complete?

Well, in the process of finishing up that work, he put his life on the line and nearly died doing it.

What a great passage of scripture.

Let's talk about it.

This is really about radical friendship and the sacred community.

Well, my good friends, My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'm here to be helpful to you as we explore a deeply personal letter from Paul about his friend.

And you know, reading this reminds me of the profound connections I've made through the cancer support groups that I'm a part of.

And I have a podcast that does that too, talks about cancer healing through hope and humor.

There's something sacred about walking alongside others through their struggles.

Let's talk about some points to ponder about this passage for you.

The first is about redefining sacred service.

Paul talks about his friend putting his life on the line for ministry, which makes me think about what true service looks like when I'm taking a hike and maybe a state park.

Sometimes the most meaningful path isn't the obvious one.

Progressive Christianity invites us to see sacred service not just in church activities, but in any act that brings more love and justice to the world.

Paul's friend wasn't doing just traditional religious work.

He was simply showing up for his community.

Here's another point to ponder.

The power of vulnerable community.

I've been married for 33 years now, and I've learned that real relationships require vulnerability.

This passage shows Paul being remarkably open about his emotions and his needs.

You know, one of the things I do is I like to share dad jokes with my granddaughters, and they're groaners to be sure.

But that's part about breaking down barriers and creating spaces where we can be authentically ourselves, even through laughter.

And the early church wasn't built on hierarchy, but authentic, vulnerable connections.

A third point, it's about collective care as resistance.

This passage challenges the individualistic spirituality so common today.

Just as like a pacer player or one on the fever, they have to work together for their team to succeed.

Paul shows us that faith is inherently communal.

When his friend was sick, it affected the whole community.

This reminds us that our liberation and healing are bound together.

Let's talk about an action step for you this week.

Practice what we might call sacred friendship.

Reach out to someone who has supported you through a difficult time and express your gratitude specifically to them.

Then identify someone in your community who might be struggling and find a practical way to show up for them.

Remember, this is the areas where we can learn from what people have taught us, that sometimes the smallest gestures can have the greatest impact.

We're going to come back with a closing prayer here in just a minute.

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Let's pray.

Oh, loving God, thank you for the good friends in our life, like the friends of Paul, like the friend that Paul had.

Those friends who show up when things get tough help us to build communities of care as genuine as a child's laughter and as sturdy as well worn hiking boots and when we're tempted to go at it alone, remind us of our interconnectedness, give us courage to be vulnerable, wisdom to care for each other and and hearts open to unexpected friendships.

Like the joy of watching granddaughters grow up, let us delight in watching our communities flourish through mutual care and support.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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Thanks much.

My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.