God Pause for Wednesday

I didn't intend this whole devotional from Luther Seminary to be forwarded, but I was caught by the "Is there any semblance of a rising star in your heart today?" To which I refer you, good readers; today the Stillwater Symposia is my rising star and God's shining light and majesty brought to earth in his little ones (we could spend some time on your names, too, you know, such as "God saves little one" which one of your names means... Love Mom

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Luther Seminary <communic@luthersem.edu>

God Pause for Wednesday, 3/2/2011

Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Once again, God's people are captivated by the majesty of God. We live in a day and age when things are often explained and are understood; when science and technology allow us to peer into the world with massive amounts of information and insight, and to do so in a blink. I wonder if our capacity to appreciate majesty, awe and wonder has been reduced? I suspect we must work more ardently at acquiring a sense of majesty these days.

Can we see God's light shining in the dark places of our lives? Is there any semblance of a rising star in your heart today? I hope we each can experience the Holy Spirit carrying us along life's way so that we move with confidence and hope into the marvelous future which God lays before us. Oh if only our lives and worship would also be fully engulfed in God's majesty.

To you, O God of wonders and majesty, we offer ourselves-wholly and completely. Help us to be captured by your gracious love that has empowered and encouraged the faithful throughout the generations. Rise once again in our hearts, and shine brightly in our dark places. Amen.

Rick Nelson
Board Chair, Lutheran World Relief and Sr. Pastor, Central Lutheran, Minneapolis, Minn.
Master of Divinity, 1980
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2 Peter 1:16-21 (NRSV)

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.