Luke 12:28 (struggling to fly) by Mark/Nancy Hallenbeck

29 Sep Luke 12:28 (struggling to fly) by Mark/Nancy Hallenbeck

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.

“From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” ~ Luke 12:48

Mark/Nancy Reflections: By profession and by vocation we have been teachers for many, many years. Because teachers have the luxury to begin anew each September, we also use this time to reflect on life – where our lives have been and where they are going. Our pastor daughter reminded us of a quote by pastor and writer Frederick Buechner, “Vocation is where your greatest passion meets the world’s greatest need.” We also know that as sixty-three-year-olds we look at those passions and great needs through different eyes from the eyes of our youth. We have been richly blessed by God, and the Gospel reading gives us direction on how we should deal with those blessings. Many thoughts of this reading went through our heads and hearts as we listened to opening worship at the college where Mark teaches. An often quoted saying of the college is “enter to learn, leave to serve.” Since it is not always possible to return favors to those who grant them to us, our service may take the form of “paying it forward” by offering similar favors to someone else. The convocation speaker told the story of a butterfly struggling to free itself from its cocoon so that it could fly. While the storyteller tried to help by snipping the cocoon, that particular butterfly was never able to fly – its swollen body needed the cocoon struggle to move fluids from its body to strengthen its wings! And aren’t each of us just like the butterfly? Our lives have been or will be filled with struggles – but our God through Christ Jesus will always be there to help us fly for life’s journey! Our lives have been richly blessed; much will be demanded of us, but as part of the body of Christ we will always have a community within which to enjoy life’s blessings and meet life’s demands. “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” Matt 28:20.
* Mark/Nancy Hallenbeck have two daughters, a United Methodist pastor in the Dakotas and a seminary student in St. Paul, MN. Mark is a professor in the education department at Augustana College (Sioux Falls/SD), and Nancy is a retired public school teacher.

Faith Challenge: May you each be a blessing to each person you meet!

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, Vatican, Project Rachel

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* Saint Michael the Archangel, Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host – By the Divine Power of God – Cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, Who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Feast Day: Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are called “saints” because they are holy. But they are different from the rest of the saints because they were not human. They are angels.

Faith Quote: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”  ~ Numbers 6:24-26

Through Christ our Lord,
Mark/Nancy
Micah 6:8