A man in my congregation, rather than waving or saying “Hi,” makes the peace sign with his fingers. When we drive by each other in the community, out comes his peace sign. Why? Because we English-speakers sometimes use the word peace as a greeting. It was common in the 1960s when people would say, “Peace,Continue reading “Peace is so much more than a greeting – Advent Peace, Part 4”
Tag Archives: ephesians 2
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”
How an intimate surgical procedure became an idea that can change the world – Advent Peace, Part 2
Can you guess what intimate surgical procedure the title of this post is referring to? Some people consider it barbaric. The National Institutes of Health reports that 80% of eligible people age 14-59 have had this procedure. What do I mean by “eligible people”? I’m being intentionally vague so as not to give away, justContinue reading “How an intimate surgical procedure became an idea that can change the world – Advent Peace, Part 2”
Have you ever been on the outs with someone? – Advent Peace, Part 1
It’s that time of year when Christmas cards come flooding in. Have you been sending and receiving them? Last year when my in-laws’ 2023 Christmas card came, I noticed something very interesting about the accompanying letter. They gave an update about everyone in the family, except me and one of my brothers-in-law. They named everyContinue reading “Have you ever been on the outs with someone? – Advent Peace, Part 1”
How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5
As we conclude this week’s blog series about the Boots of Peace in the Armor of God, consider what Paul writes about peace in Ephesians 2, verses 11-22: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his fleshContinue reading “How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5”
An early church MMA match – Faith and Works: Paul versus James, Round 1
Did you know that the early church had an theology MMA match? James vs. Paul. Paul said Faith doesn’t work. James said Faith does work. Each was an important leader in the early church. Paul its greatest missionary. James the bishop of its biggest church (and brother of Jesus). They really seem to conflict withContinue reading “An early church MMA match – Faith and Works: Paul versus James, Round 1”
The one word that will help you step off the hamster wheel of not feeling good enough
Have you ever felt like you are not good enough? Maybe you’ve wondered if God is disappointed with you? Are you tired of your failures? Do you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, struggling to make progress in life, stop a bad habit, become more whole and healthy, be more consistent, stop aContinue reading “The one word that will help you step off the hamster wheel of not feeling good enough”
Engaging Scripture 