Life is a battle.“To live is to do battle under many different flags.” —Frederick Buechner

MOMwe had

Two Battles Two Armors

EPHESIANS 6:10-18

EPHESIANS 610 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the

strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and

flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this

present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Two battlesThe Firstfor our place in the sun

To get aheadTo win

To gain or regain power

To survive

FLESH AGAINSTFLESH

BELTWorldly Wisdom

BREAST PLATESelf-confidence

SHOESGospel of Success

SHIELDTangible Security

HELMETAttractiveness

SWORDSavvy & Wit

Two battlesThe Secondto become more fully human

EPHESIANS 613 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so

that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.

15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of

the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

DARKNESS WITHINOURSELVES

To become whole and at peace

To choose to forgive and to fight for the good of others

To free ourselves from the darkness that lurks in us all

BELTTruth of Christ & Cross

BREAST PLATERighteous Love in Action

SHOESActivist-Peacemaker

SHIELDFaithful Obedience

HELMETCertain Salvation

SWORDGod’s Eternal Word

Her mother never equipped her to fight either battle, so Mom grew up struggling to

find her place in the sun and fighting to find her true

humanity.

Mother’s Day 2010

It’s hard to gain a good chunk of the world without losing your soul

in the process.

EPHESIANS 618 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every

prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in

supplication for all the saints.

“In the great war of liberation, it is

imperative to keep in touch always with the

only one who can liberate. We must

speak to Him however hard it may be in the

thick of the fight, however irrelevant it

may sometimes seem, however dried up and without faith we feel.”

—Frederick Buechner The Magnificent Defeat (42)

S U R R E N D E RMATTHEW 1128 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will

give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”