God Pause for Sunday, 7/2/2017 Inbox x Promotions x Luther Seminary Unsubscribe 10:46 PM (8 hours ago) to me GOD PAUSE - Luther Seminary Web View Other Faith Resources Forward to a Friend Sunday, 7/2/2017 "When Peace Like a River" (ELW 785) When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain It is well (it is well) with my soul, (with my soul,) it is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; my sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend; even so it is well with my soul. Refrain On a number of occasions the hymn "When Peace Like a River" has spoken to me and to the congregation I served. This time it was on the first Sunday after my first wife died at the young age of forty-one, after five years of "battling" cancer. I decided to get back in the saddle, knowing that the first time back preaching would be difficult. I remember preaching on the words of this hymn because it described so powerfully, so precisely, just how I felt when asked over and over how things were going. I remember sharing how emotionally and physically broken I felt. Yet, inwardly, "It was well with my soul." Outwardly, I was worn-out from managing an ailing wife and navigating two teenage daughters through turbulent waters; inwardly, in my soul, I was OK. Was that to play games with my emotions and repress real feelings? I think not, for one's soul is that part of us, deeper than feelings and emotions, where God's presence also meets us and heals us. Lord of life and prince of peace, in spite of our brokenness, and below our pain in mind and body, it can be well with our soul, when we embrace your presence and accept your healing balm. Amen. John Matthews, '75 Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minn. Please forward this e-mail to a friend! This God Pause daily devotion is brought to you by the alumni 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 Admissions Information Our Admissions Web site lets you explore our community, research degrees and programs, request information or apply online. More information. For best viewing of future e-mails, please add communic@luthersem.edu to your Safe Senders List or Address Book. You are currently subscribed to these God Pause daily devotions as garyleeparker60@gmail.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please click below to Manage Email Preferences and uncheck the God Pause list. Forward to a friend | Manage Email Preferences | Unsubscribe from all Luther Seminary lists This email was sent to garyleeparker60@gmail.com by Luther Seminary 2481 Como Ave. | St. Paul | MN | 55108

The God Pause Daily Devotion - The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Sunday, 2 July 2017 "When Peace Like a River" (ELW 785)

"When Peace Like a River" (ELW 785)

1. When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll,
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well)
with my soul, (with my soul,)
it is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.

Refrain:
It is well (it is well)
with my soul, (with my soul,)
it is well, it is well with my soul.
3. He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain:
It is well (it is well)
with my soul, (with my soul,)
it is well, it is well with my soul.
4. Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
the trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend;
even so it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well (it is well)
with my soul, (with my soul,)
it is well, it is well with my soul.
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On a number of occasions the hymn "When Peace Like a River" has spoken to me and to the congregation I served. This time it was on the first Sunday after my first wife died at the young age of forty-one, after five years of "battling" cancer. I decided to get back in the saddle, knowing that the first time back preaching would be difficult. I remember preaching on the words of this hymn because it described so powerfully, so precisely, just how I felt when asked over and over how things were going. I remember sharing how emotionally and physically broken I felt. Yet, inwardly, "It was well with my soul." Outwardly, I was worn-out from managing an ailing wife and navigating two teenage daughters through turbulent waters; inwardly, in my soul, I was OK. Was that to play games with my emotions and repress real feelings? I think not, for one's soul is that part of us, deeper than feelings and emotions, where God's presence also meets us and heals us.
Lord of life and prince of peace, in spite of our brokenness, and below our pain in mind and body, it can be well with our soul, when we embrace your presence and accept your healing balm. Amen.
John Matthews, '75
Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minn.The Luther Seminary

2481 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United States
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