tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post3621347541004846887..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Use ProtectionTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-86702632381815050842012-08-26T14:50:51.723-05:002012-08-26T14:50:51.723-05:00Sherry, the Revised Lectionary wisely chose to eli...Sherry, the Revised Lectionary wisely chose to elide that passage from its Ephesians walk-through. (And even if it hadn't, those verses would have never seen the light of day here! We would have been in John's Gospel, contemplating the Bread of Life, or in the OT, looking anew at Solomon's Temple...)<br /><br />This morning our pastor made a brilliant observation about how the writer transforms the armor metaphor from one of self-sufficiency to that of complete reliance on God's power. When we take on the full armor of God we are indeed humbled, as it reminds us we can do nothing on our own. We are merely messengers, sent and protected by our Creator to proclaim the gospel of peace to a restless, profoundly troubled world. And how right you are, acceptance of this task compels us to translate God's message to us faithfully.<br /><br />I in turn thank you for adding a thoughtful aspect to this timely--and essential--passage. As ever, it is a delight to have you contribute (so faithfully) to these pages!<br /><br />Many blessings always,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-51751643714575895202012-08-26T10:34:23.669-05:002012-08-26T10:34:23.669-05:00Lucky you! Our 2nd reading from Eph. was about wom...Lucky you! Our 2nd reading from Eph. was about women submitting to their husbands! Not my favorite by a long shot. This one is so much more helpful. We often don't think about asking the Lord for the tools we need to speak truth and wisdom. We assume we have that in our human arrogance and sometimes we do, but most of the time we lack some very special ingredients that you allude to here. We are always in danger of giving lip service to truth while serving our own more less than humble ends. <br /><br />The task of speaking in a Godly way requires due attention to preparation on our part and that takes time and a serious desire to accept in humbleness that we are merely the messenger and our message comes from above. We must insure that we "translate" that message faithfully. <br /><br />You have certainly aided in our understanding of that Tim and for that I thank you deeply.<br /><br />Blessings in God,<br />SherrySherry Peytonhttp://witshadows.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com