God Pause for Thursday, 10/16/2014
/Luther Seminary God Pause
Thursday, 10/16/2014 Reading: Matthew 22:15-22
"Tell us then what you think." Really? Do they really want to know? Of course not! They came with deceit and malice in their hearts as they strove to incriminate Jesus so they could stop him from sharing his thoughts on faith and life. Do we actually want to hear the answer when we ask someone, "How are you today?" Are we ready to respond if they answer with something other than "fine" and go on with their day?
Jesus calls you and me to be engaged with those around us--to truly interact and become involved in the lives of those we know and meet, so that we may become part of their lives as a new community in Christ. But this means possible risk. Is it going to take time that we do not think we have? Will it open us to be vulnerable in our relationships? Will God be present in our lives? Yes, and much more good news than we ever expected.
God of Trinity, God of relationship, we ask you to be present with us in our daily lives as we struggle with being engaged and involved in the lives around us. Free us from superficiality and strengthen us to become vulnerable as we strive to love. Amen.>
Scott Peterson Pastor, Prince of Faith Lutheran Church, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Master of Divinity, 1996
Matthew 22:15-22 (NRSV)
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" 21 They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Please forward this e-mail to a friend! http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/ftaf/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/bvnngwqkiwwhuaossafdmchzzsunbmm?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G3qk.AuEB1A..BBfNOQ.b..l.Ayzt.n.VD-TpA.VD-TpA.ZhyEQQ
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/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/manpref/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/bvnngwqkiwwhuaossafdmchzzsunbmm?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G3qk.AuEB1A..BBfNOQ.b..l.Ayzt.n.VD-TpA.VD-TpA.ZhyEQQ
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/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/manpref/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/bvnngwqkiwwhuaossafdmchzzsunbmm?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G3qk.AuEB1A..BBfNOQ.b..l.Ayzt.n.VD-TpA.VD-TpA.ZhyEQQ
Unsubscribe from all messages, not just God Pause: http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/unsub/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/bvnngwqkiwwhuaossafdmchzzsunbmm?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G3qk.AuEB1A..BBfNOQ.b..l.Ayzt.n.VD-TpA.VD-TpA.ZhyEQQ
This email was sent to pbm+saint-marks+3icvrj@squarespace.com by Luther Seminary 2481 Como Ave. | St. Paul | MN | 55108