The God Pause for Monday, 22 May 2017 - The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Acts 1: 1-11

The God Pause for Monday, 22 May 2017 - The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Acts 1: 1-11 Acts 1:1 Dear Theophilos:
In the first book, I wrote about everything Yeshua set out to do and teach, 2 until the day when, after giving instructions through the Ruach HaKodesh to the emissaries whom he had chosen, he was taken up into heaven.
3 After his death he showed himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. During a period of forty days they saw him, and he spoke with them about the Kingdom of God.
4 At one of these gatherings, he instructed them not to leave Yerushalayim but to wait for “what the Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5 For Yochanan used to immerse people in water; but in a few days, you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh!”
6 When they were together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore self-rule to Isra’el?” 7 He answered, “You don’t need to know the dates or the times; the Father has kept these under his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Ruach HaKodesh comes upon you; you will be my witnesses both in Yerushalayim and in all Y’hudah and Shomron, indeed to the ends of the earth!”
9 After saying this, he was taken up before their eyes; and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were staring into the sky after him, suddenly they saw two men dressed in white standing next to them. 11 The men said, “You Galileans! Why are you standing, staring into space? This Yeshua, who has been taken away from you into heaven, will come back to you in just the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” [Compete Jewish Bible}

-------A note about this week's author: Keith is the grandson of a German Lutheran pastor, son of a Lutheran pastor/Air Force chaplain, and a Lutheran pastor/Air Force chaplain himself. He practiced law in Wisconsin for five years before returning home, called by the Holy Spirit into chaplaincy. This week he weaves his devotions with reflections from his 20 years of chaplaincy.
Guantanamo Bay--1994. In the midst of a Cuban/Haitian boatlift, navy families are being sent home; 60,000 refugees are expected. Concertina wire stretches around some 20 Cuban camps--sometimes it's needed (Castro spies, criminals, "escapees" from Communism), sometimes not ("Camp Quebec" held Cubans aged a few months old to 70, doctors, lawyers, professors, artists...a seminary student). Stress. Chaos. Sights. Sounds. Smells. Heat. Humidity. Hurricane? Uncertainty. Nocturnal banana rats--all merge together.
Still I must maintain ministry focus--seeking calm amidst daily storms. Morning mission met after walking only 20 yards, stepping over wire encircling our ramshackle quarters...a few more steps and...halt! The edge of a rock cliff. 30 feet below slaps the most beautiful blue-green water. And for a few minutes chaos, heat and uncertainty evaporate. Must fight urge to stay and look "down"--I think of the disciples in today's reading, looking "up"...wishfully...stuck in the moment...And then I recall in the only pause that truly refreshes, our Lord God restores my soul--and off I go into that new day.
Gracious God, we have been given your Spirit-filled power. Help us to give you the glory, whether it takes your gentle whisper or a two-by-four to move us from our place of refuge into your interactive, interpersonal creation. Amen.
Chaplain, Lt. Col. Keith Muschinske, USAF (retired), '89
Eagle River, Alaska.
Acts 1:1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning
2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." [New Revised Standard Version
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