Small question... 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. What does this mean, knowing the fear of the Lord. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. Thats really interesting verse. People are watching Christians very carefully and looking for every opportunity to discredit our faith. Many people take the view that it doesn't matter what the world thinks, but this verse to me says that even things that we know are superficial, non-eternal, etc, are important to God if they are important to non-believers. I could be off base, but that's how I read it. The whole last chapter has a very mystical feel. New bodies and achieving the righteousness of God. Kinda cool. Also interesting to see Paul say straight forward that God has "handed off" the ministry of reconciliation. While we don't all have to become missionaries as determined previously, we still have a job to do and that's let people know they are forgiven. I don't think most people realize that's really the whole point of the Bible. All people see if left on their own is the media portrayal of Christianity which is dreadful.

I'll come right out and say Greg that I'm not a huge fan of Christian movies. In the words of C.S. Lewis, "What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects — with their Christianity latent." Kudos to Brent Weeks right in our church for his huge success in this. Although maybe I'm judging a movie by its cover. I actually don't know anything about it and should maybe check it out.