God Pause for Monday, 12/8/2014

Luther Seminary God Pause

Monday, 12/8/2014 Reading: Isaiah 40:1-2

My colleague has a delightful three-year-old son. He's cute as a button. Twice a week he comes to work with his dad before going to preschool. When I hear those little feet scampering down the hall, my heart perks up. There's no better way to start the day than by holding out my arms and having him run into them to give me a hug. No matter how long my to-do list or how stressful my morning, spending a few minutes with my little buddy always sends me back to my desk with a smile on my face.

Do you have times of anticipation that lift your spirits? Daily devotions can be those moments. They center our hearts in the word and attune us to God's voice. We need to encounter God in Scripture because we can forget God's life-giving power. The Bible's words can breathe peace and hope: "Comfort, comfort." "Do not be afraid." "Lo, I will be with you always." They can give our days much-needed perspective.

Thank you, Lord, for lifting our spirits with your reassuring word. Draw us close and refresh us today. Amen.>

Shelley Cunningham Pastor, Zumbro Lutheran Church Rochester, Minn. Master of Divinity, 1998

Isaiah 40:1-2 (NRSV)

1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

Please forward this e-mail to a friend! http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/renderform/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/ftaf/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/aiekjybjujhygebxuatonaztdpjzbpk?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G7V3.AyQrw..BG747Q.b..l.Ayzt.n.VIWPPw.VIWPPw.OiH_dQ

This God Pause daily devotion is brought to you by alumni/ae of Luther Seminary.

Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities across the country and around the world. It is the largest of the eight seminaries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

We invite you to join us online for our daily chapel service.

Luther Seminary Faith Resource Spotlight

You are currently subscribed to these God Pause daily devotions as pbm+saint-marks+3icvrj@squarespace.com

Manage your email preferences: http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/renderform/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/manpref/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/aiekjybjujhygebxuatonaztdpjzbpk?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G7V3.AyQrw..BG747Q.b..l.Ayzt.n.VIWPPw.VIWPPw.OiH_dQ

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

For best viewing of future e-mails, please add communic@luthersem.edu to your Safe Senders List or Address Book.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please click below to Manage Email Preferences and uncheck the God Pause list. http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/renderform/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/manpref/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/aiekjybjujhygebxuatonaztdpjzbpk?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G7V3.AyQrw..BG747Q.b..l.Ayzt.n.VIWPPw.VIWPPw.OiH_dQ

Unsubscribe from all messages, not just God Pause: http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/renderform/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/unsub/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/aiekjybjujhygebxuatonaztdpjzbpk?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G7V3.AyQrw..BG747Q.b..l.Ayzt.n.VIWPPw.VIWPPw.OiH_dQ

This email was sent to pbm+saint-marks+3icvrj@squarespace.com by Luther Seminary 2481 Como Ave. | St. Paul | MN | 55108