Joy of Living bible study on the book of Ephesians

2. FPC Women’s Retreat
April 24-26, 2020
Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Tracey Davenport
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Registration begins Feb. 2nd - online at:
fpcsd.org/special-events
$200 per person – limited half-scholarships are
available
For information contact Peggy at:
pegbaker@pacbell.net

6. The physical act of bowing “my knees before
the Father” is an act of reverence. It is also an
act of voluntary defenselessness. While on my
knees I cannot run away. I cannot assert
myself. I place myself in a position of willed
submission, vulnerable to the will of the
person before whom I am bowing. It is an act
of retreating from the action so that I can
perceive what the action is without me in it,
without taking up space, without me speaking
my piece.

7. On my knees I am no longer in a position to
flex my muscles, strut or cower, hide in the
shadows or show off on stage. I become less
so that I can be aware of more – I assume a
posture that lets me see what reality looks
like without the distorting lens of either my
timid avoidance or my aggressive domination,
I set my agenda aside for a time and become
still, present to God.
Practice Resurrection page 154
Eugene Peterson

12. My response is to get down on my knees before the
Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all
heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his
Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner
strength— that Christ will live in you as you open
the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with
both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to
take in with all Christians the extravagant
dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and
experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the
depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the
fullness of God.
Ephesian 3:14-19
The Message