Ephesians 1:14-23, Part 5 In the summer of 2010, I was sitting in a bank in Chicago, squirming in my seat, very uncomfortable. A group of us from Faith Church were there on a mission trip, working with our sister church Kimball Avenue. We were listening to a presentation about the use of power toContinue reading “The shocking power God wants to give us”
Tag Archives: ephesians
When mail arrived, they threw a party
Ephesians intro, part 4 We are so used to snail mail being a mundane affair. Mostly we get junk mail anymore. If it even hints of being junk, I usually just toss it straight into the garbage. Our meaningful communication in 2026 is now pretty much all online, accessible through our devices. The reality ofContinue reading “When mail arrived, they threw a party”
The healing energy of grace
Ephesians intro, Part 3 Paul’s greeting in his letter titled “Ephesians” uses two words that he starts 13 of 13 letters with. These are two exceedingly important concepts for Christians. We read the two words of this greeting in Ephesians 1, verse 2. “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the LordContinue reading “The healing energy of grace”
Is “Ephesians” possibly an incorrect title for the New Testament epistle traditionally titled “Ephesians”?
Ephesians intro, Part 2 Paul says he is writing to Christians “in Ephesus.” Ephesus was the second largest city in the Roman Empire, behind Rome. Ephesus was in a part of the Roman Empire known as Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. Want to take a tour of the city of Ephesus? You can do soContinue reading “Is “Ephesians” possibly an incorrect title for the New Testament epistle traditionally titled “Ephesians”?”
The church is a model
Ephesians intro, Part 1 In my previous post, I talked about the joy of Legos. The imagination, the seeking, the finding, the designing, the building. Using persistent creativity to make models. I’m starting a blog series through the New Testament epistle titled “Ephesians,” which scholar N. T. Wright says is about the church as aContinue reading “The church is a model”
Models that actually work
Ephesians Intro, Preview That picture above is from the lobby at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where my granddaughter was treated for her heart condition. It is a Lego model of the hospital. Perfect idea for a children’s hospital, right? Yet, how many adults build Lego models? Many! I enjoyed building with Legos as aContinue reading “Models that actually work”
Jesus’ grand welcome – Advent Peace, Part 3
My granddaughter Lily is eleven months old, crawling all over the place and climbing stairs. She especially loves to do everything her older three-year old brother is doing. The other day her brother Luke and I were playing with wooden trains, building a track layout on the floor. Lily crawled right into the middle ofContinue reading “Jesus’ grand welcome – Advent Peace, Part 3”
Why I’m not upgrading my cell phone, though I really want to – Shield of Faith, Preview
I recently received an email from my cell phone provider with an offer to upgrade my phone. My current phone is three years old, and it is a base model. The more advanced models have larger screens, better cameras and other features such as facial recognition. The email tugged at my desires. I desire aContinue reading “Why I’m not upgrading my cell phone, though I really want to – Shield of Faith, Preview”
Our culture’s messy relationship with the truth – The Belt of Truth, Part 1
We live in a society and culture that has increasingly struggled with truth. We ourselves can sometimes struggle with the truth. Do you remember the last time you lied? Hid a truth? What about the last time you were lied to or felt deceived? I remember one of the first times I told a lie. Continue reading “Our culture’s messy relationship with the truth – The Belt of Truth, Part 1”
Evil spirits are not to be trifled with – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 3
In our previous posts this week, here and here, we read in Ephesians 6:10-13 where Paul writes that our battle is not against flesh and blood, not against what we can see and touch, but against a spiritual enemy. That spiritual is the devil and his demonic forces. That immediately sounds ominous and scary. ShouldContinue reading “Evil spirits are not to be trifled with – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 