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Wanda tricks a trickster: she makes the enemy, Agatha Harkness, think she has won, when in reality Wanda holds the winning card. Sound familiar? Ellen, David and Daniel think so, too. They draw parallels from Wanda and Agatha to the greatest storyline ever in which the tables were turned on the enemy. They also discuss how Wanda withdraws to understand her power and how the end credit scene reveals her spirit—both of which have parallels to our everyday lives. Ephesians 1:17-20, I Thessalonians 5:23, Psalm 42:5, Ephesians 6:18. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.
All of us have experienced pain in our past to one degree or another. The Marvel character, Wanda, has had tremendous trauma: from childhood loss and abuse to the death of her one true love. In the TV show WandaVision, we see her pass on this enormous pain to the people around her in an effort to cope with the trauma. Ellen, Daniel, and David unpack what they think God would say to Wanda…and to all of us who have past pain that is still affecting us and our current relationships. Join the conversation to find tremendous hope and practical strategies for your own journey. Isaiah 53:6, John 14:6, Hebrews 10:19-23, Isaiah 61, Romans 8:15-17, John 14:25-6 Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa TerKeurst, Parenting by Paul David Tripp
Do you see chaos, confusion, fear, division, accusation, manipulation, and deception around you? Those are signs of an enemy behind the scenes. Agatha Harkness crept unnoticed into the town that Wanda had created. She pretended to be a friend and bided her time, waiting for the best opportunity to try to destroy Wanda and capture her power for herself. How is Agatha just like our enemy? Daniel joins David and Ellen in this discussion about who Wanda is and how her enemy tries to get her. You will be encouraged and empowered to see that you can have power over your enemy too. I Peter 5:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:14, Revelation 12:10, I John 4:4, Ephesians 6, John 8:44, John 10:10, The Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him by Warren Wiersbe, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
All his life, Loki has been a backstabbing, manipulating liar. He has always longed to rule other people. He tried stealing the throne of the planet Asgard and teamed up with Thanos to conquer Earth to set up his throne. After looking back over his life and seeing how he has gained nothing but being utterly alone and unsatisfied, he starts to thaw and take interest in other people. His new friend, Mobius, helps him to see that he can change and not always be the villain. In the last episode of the “Loki” TV show, he was offered the biggest throne of all. David and Ellen discuss how this idea intersects with our everyday lives, and how we as humans tend to seek after things that ultimately do not satisfy. Jeremiah 2:13, John 7:37-39
Simply survive, or live with purpose? That is the crossroads for a Marvel character towards the end of the “Loki” TV show. An old version of Loki, the God of Mischief, has been quite successful at surviving, both during his life and now in the “Void.” Will he realize he can change his ways and that giving his life away would be more fulfilling? Ellen and David reflect on how we can apply this question to our own lives in a world where we are encouraged to live a life of self-protection. They discuss how this applies in a variety of ways, including motherhood. Romans 12:1, Matthew 6:33
Would we even have Captain America without the encouragement of Peggy Carter? Where would Steve Rogers be without her? Ellen shares with David how Peggy’s example motivates her as a wife and as a mother of boys. She unpacks three specific things Peggy does that fuel Steve to be the Captain America we know and love. They share some of their own stories and give resources that have helped Ellen to better understand men and boys. Ephesians 5:33, Proverbs 2:18-19, Proverbs 6:20-29, Love and Respect by Emmerson https://amzn.to/3DhBwJJ, Mother and Son: The Respect Effect by Emmerson Eggerichs https://amzn.to/3ljNMTG, Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas https://amzn.to/3oMsel3, Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge https://amzn.to/3DkB2CG, The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd https://amzn.to/3DosdaG
Bucky Barnes was kidnapped, brainwashed, and make into a killing machine called the Winter Soldier. Even after his friends in Wakanda healed and freed his mind, he was burdened by the wake of death and destruction he had left behind. When we find him in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” he is still carrying the weight of all that guilt and struggling to get rid of it. Ellen and David explore what God would say to Bucky and what they found is hopeful and encouraging, even for the worst of us. Psalm 38:4, Psalm 103, Psalm 51, I Timothy 1:15-16, The Family Pilgrim’s Progress https://amzn.to/3F0GbRZ
What happens to Marvel characters when they take the super soldier serum? If we were to imagine a serum in God’s story, what would it be, and would you take it? What would it do to you? David and Ellen have a thought-provoking discussion about the origins of the serum in “Captain America: First Avenger” and the re-appearance of it in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” TV series. They use their imagination to consider what God’s serum would contain, how it would change us, what tools it would have in it for us and how to get it. Ephesians 1:3,13-19, Ephesians 2:1-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 3:20, 2 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 4:22-24, Psalm 34:4-5, 2 Corinthians 3:18
When faced with the choice to save himself or save millions of people in “Captain America: First Avenger,” Steve Rogers decides to go down with the plane. On the phone with Peggy, he knew what he was giving up. David tells a story of someone else who did something similar, and he and Ellen discuss why they would or would not do the same thing given a similar choice and how thoughts of the afterlife play into that decision. John 10:3-4,14-15, I John 4:13, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Frank Turek and Norm Geisler https://amzn.to/3nD0i2g, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas https://amzn.to/3ly9guT, Assurance by J. C. Ryle https://amzn.to/3Aj9z2T, Basic Christianity by John Stott https://amzn.to/3loni28
In “Captain America: Civil War,” Tony Stark comes after Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes in a fight to the death. When the dust settles, Steve’s forgiveness is nothing short of stunning. Ellen and David discuss how this level of grace is made available to us as we deal with people that have hurt us. Matthew 18:21-35
The friendship between Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers (Captain America) is legendary. When Bucky, as the Winter Soldier, no longer recognizes Steve and is trying to kill him, will the bond of love be broken? Ellen and David talk about how this love is seen in our human story as well as how it reflects the truth of the deep love that God has for us. John 15:13, Joshua 1:9, Hebrews 13:5, Zephaniah 3:17, John 14:27
Come on a journey with Ellen and her son, David, as they explore places in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that reflect the heart of God. Each episode has fresh insights and connections that will challenge, encourage, and inspire you to see God’s heart in your own life. They'll delve into questions like: What do we do when our loved one isn’t able to love us back? How do we deal with our own hurt and pain? How do we bring out the best in our boys and men? How do we overcome the enemy? (And much more!) We hope these fun, thought-provoking connections will captivate your mind and highlight the ways God is the ultimate source of joy, hope and strength in our lives.
Ellen and her friends, Susannah Goodman and Jane Burke, discuss the new family’s escape to Egypt and return to Nazareth found in Matthew 2:13-23. They explore connections between their journey and the journey of the Israelites in Genesis and Exodus. They talk about Joseph’s example of trust and action and how we today can hear and discern what the Lord is saying to us. They touch on aspects of discernment and decision-making even in the context of marriage. Resources mentioned in the podcast: AD Chronicles series by Bodie Thoene: https://www.thoenebooks.com/shop-1?Series+Title=A.D.+Chronicles, That the World May Know by Ray Vander Laan: https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/volumes, The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/, Living Insights Matthew by Chuck Swindoll: https://amzn.to/3580j4d
Ellen and her friends, Laura and Jarod Jones, discuss how the magi desired to worship the baby extravagantly in response to the overwhelming joy they had found. They display “all-in,” lavish devotion regardless of what others might think of them even at risk to their own lives. They consider how the magi’s example can move us to prioritize what is important over what is immediate in our own lives. Scriptures and resources mentioned on the podcast: Mark 14:1-9, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 6:45, Philippians 2:5-11, Exodus 30:22-38, John 3:1-15, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis: https://amzn.to/3n52sUq, Precept Austin commentary: www.preceptaustin.org
Ellen and her friends, Laura and Jarod Jones, unpack the meaning of the story of the magi following the star in Matthew 2:1-8. They discuss the differing responses of those involved as well as the practical hope that God’s faithfulness gives in the details of everyday life and even in parenting. God’s care in every minute detail of the star indicates that he remembers each of us and that we can rest in his omniscience. Scriptures mentioned on the podcast: Daniel 5:11, John 14:27, Colossians 1:17, Luke 2:35, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 6:19
Ellen and her friends, Jennifer Galloway and Robin Hearn, take a peek into the behind-the-scenes drama that quietly takes place between the new little Christmas family and some true God-followers found in Luke 2:21-38. They discuss what challenges and encourages them about how Simeon and Anna position themselves to hear from God, and they unpack some ancient details about God, his attention to detail, and how he loves to guide in a practical and personal way. Resource mentioned during the podcast: Experiencing God Bible Study by Henry Blackaby: https://amzn.to/2KlHELf
Ellen and her family, Otis, Daniel, John and David, discuss the details of the angels coming to announce the birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. They discuss how the angel army comes not to the influencers but to the lowest shepherds in the fields. They highlight how the angels bring the great news that is for all people. He who would be called the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God was just nearby, available and approachable…for the shepherds then, and for us now. Scriptures mentioned in the podcast: Luke 5:31, Matthew 20:16, John 1:29, John 10:11-18, John 1: 9-13.
Ellen and her family, Otis, Daniel, John and David, read the birth of Christ in Bethlehem as recorded in Luke 2:1-7. They discuss the simple yet amazing details of the story, beginning with Caesar’s decree and ending with the baby being placed in a feeding trough. They look at prophecies, symbolism, and what the details can mean for our own lives. Scriptures mentioned in the podcast: Galatians 4:4, Micah 5:2-5, John 6:35, Isaiah 55:1-2
Ellen and her friends, Slate Fluker and Chris Montovino, discuss how Joseph responds to the astounding news that his fiancée Mary is expecting a baby—a baby that is not his. (Matthew 1:18-25). See also Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5.
Ellen and mother-daughter team, Katie Buckles and Rylie Newman, discuss the birth of baby John in Luke 1:57-80. They unpack clues that reveal truths of God and the coming Messiah and consider how those truths can strengthen us today. They also encourage each other to be alert to how God is moving in our time.
In this episode, Ellen and her friends, Courtney Turner and Christina Conner, discuss Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth in Judea in Luke 1:39-56. They reflect on the meaning of Elizabeth’s greeting, the encouragement of their relationship, and Mary’s attitude toward the challenge that God has given her in carrying and raising the Messiah. (See also Numbers 13 and Psalm 34.)
In this episode, Ellen and her friend, Niki Dishman, discuss the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary in Luke 1:26-38. They discuss Mary’s response as well as Gabriel’s encouragement to her, and Niki shares personal challenges and how she has seen God in what seems like impossible situations.
In this episode, Ellen and her husband, Otis, discuss Zechariah’s response to the Angel Gabriel’s announcement of the birth of John in Luke 1:5-25. They talk about the options we have of looking to see where God is at work and adjusting to him or hoping God will adjust to our own plans.
In this episode, Ellen and her son, John, discuss the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1:5-25. Ellen shares part of her story of secondary infertility and how God uses hardship in our lives. Ellen and John also unpack a few wrong ideas some people live under and the freedom the truth can give us.
In this episode, Ellen and her son, Daniel, discuss what the biblical manuscripts claimed about the baby born in Bethlehem hundreds of years before his birth, focusing on what the prophet Isaiah foretold in Isaiah 9:6.
This first episode in the Christmas Series, “Who is this kid born at Christmas?” offers fresh insights into the real story of Christmas. Listen in on authentic and relatable conversations around the table.
