Great Study on Ephesians

This is a book review on The Full Armor of God by Larry Richards.

This book is enjoyable, however it is serious. I found myself taking a lot of time to read it, because it reads like an interesting text book. I wanted to know and study the information slowly, as to remember it.  I think arming yourself against the enemy’s schemes is important for all of us.  This book covers the book of Ephesians, breaking it down and explaining the different aspects (armor) so we can be prepared for spiritual battle. It examines how the enemy attacks us through modern media, lies and circumstance to drive a wedge between us and God’s love and grace.   I love books like this, that cover books/sections of the Bible.  I can see myself reading this again for reference and sharing it with others.

This is a review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I chose this book from a list as an item of interest.  I was not compensated and opinions are my own.

Jesus Calms the Storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” 
~Luke 8:22-25 New International Version (NIV)

The above verse is what I studied for Sunday Preschool prep yesterday.   I did a web search, thinking I would find a video of the story, and I fell across a page talking about making a storm.  I did not bookmark the page and don’t remember who posted it to what blog. I just excitedly shut down the computer and started looking for things to make the sounds of a storm. I went to church that morning planning to have fun with a story; hoping that playing out the story would help them want to hear and remember it.  I’m not a trained teacher, so it’s hard to get a group of 3-4 year olds to sit still and pay attention.

We played ‘storm’.  We made noise, flashed lights and rocked a boat. Then we took turns saying “Be still., Stop. Quiet” and made the noise stop abruptly, as a cease was called.  After all this racket, we talked of Jesus and his power to calm a storm.  We read about Jesus and his friends in a boat during a storm .  The scene was played out by Lego men in a boat borrowed from my son’s room, with permission, of course. We also had plastic to crumble, pans to beat on and rice shakers.

It seemed a simple Bible story.  Yet, I am awestruck consistently by the Bible, when you take just one little story and apply it to life. I’m sure a storm will come again in my life. I may even have a pity party and make it worse for myself, for a bit.  Will I remember which book(s) in Bible this story played out or the exact verse? Probably not! However, I will remember the meaning and remember my God can quiet a storm if I have faith.