Prayer: We look to you, Jesus, to be reminded of how to spend our time, even when we might have other plans. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 14:13-21 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: In our story today, Jesus wants to get away and be alone. He probably is planning to spend some time in prayer with his Father. But the crowds follow him. And, being the compassionate person he is, he lets them “invade his space” and spend time with them. The disciples even try to persuade him to tell them to leave. But he says, “No” and tells the disciples to get them some food. I know there are times in my life when I really don’t want to do something or I want some alone time and I just can’t seem to find it. I have to go to this meeting, or see that person, or someone stops to visit and I can’t get the work done I had planned. But often, in those moments, something magical happens that I didn’t expect. And then I’m glad that I didn’t dismiss the opportunity to spend time with someone or do something that I really didn’t want to do. Be open for those moments that you have with others that you didn’t expect. Sometimes, you’ll find a God moment in the midst of something you didn’t plan for! --Chad Hershberger
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Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 24, 2014.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to look to you and your strength. May we seek your face always. Thank you for the wonders you have done. We praise you! Amen. Reading: Reading - Psalm 105: 1-11, 45b (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (verse 4) I just joined Gold's Gym a couple months ago. Needless to say there is a lot of intense cardio and weight training equipment there for heavy duty serious work outs. Almost intimidating! I am simply trying to get back in shape. I’m coming up on a milestone birthday next month and want to feel strong going into that next decade. So far, so good. Strength for the body! The Psalmist reminds us where to look for a different kind of strength: the Lord's strength. We are to look to the Lord; seek his face. Strength for the soul! Soul strength helps us to love God and our neighbor. Soul strength leads us to be thankful and to call on the Lord's name. Soul strength helps us through danger, disease and despair. Soul strength reminds us to praise and worship as we humbly remember and tell of the wonders God has done. Praise the Lord! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Jesus, we thank you for being on our team. Amen.
Reading: Romans 8:26-39 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: If you have never heard of the band Rend Collective, in addition to today’s scripture reading, I would like to share with you one of their songs called “More Than Conquerors.” When reading this scripture, this song immediately popped into my head and this band has a very unique folk/worship style that I found appeals to many. Please enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p8_4NbrcKA Since spending many summers as a camper at Mount Luther and now on staff as a counselor, I have come to learn that music is one way that I enjoy feeding my faith and connecting with Christ. We sing ALL the time at camp! This song has been one that I have been fond of and have found especially uplifting on the days that have me dragging my feet. In the song there is a line that says “(Christ) You are the power in our veins,” and that is incredibly powerful imagery. In today’s scripture Paul tells us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness- that’s the Spirit flowing through our veins! So as we are called to be children of God, we do not have to worry about whether or not we have the strength to follow through with all that He has planned for us. Reread the last paragraph of the scripture and imagine it like a brick wall- the present, the future, angels, demons, height, depth, and anything else in all creation- it can all feel like it is building up, creating a scary-looking wall. But never fear! None of these things will be able to separate us from the love of God, God is on OUR team. We are conquerors through Christ who will always have the strength to knock down that brick wall in front of us! Hallelujah! --Anne Harshbarger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 22, 2014.
Prayer: Help us to love you more, God. Amen. Reading: Genesis 29:15-28 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Jacob apparently fell in love the moment he saw Rachel. But, it wasn’t as simple as that. Jacob worked two 7-year stints for Laban, Rachel’s father so he would give Jacob permission to marry Rachel. After the first 7-year stint he got tricked into marrying Leah, Rachel’s older sister. The older sister had to be married before the younger one. See what I mean about it wasn’t a simple matter? Any how. Jacob really loved Rachel and worked 14 years for the privilege of marrying her. That’s doing a lot for love. What do we do for love? For God’s love? Keep the commandments? Work at being perfect? Go to church regularly? Give lots of money to charity? Work hard to have enough faith to believe? Maybe even pray “the believers prayer” so God knows we are serious? And after all that and maybe much more there is this: (A)ll have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3) If Laban had followed this rule, he would have graciously given Rachel to Jacob the moment he asked. That’s the way it is with God’s love. It is a gift that we don’t and can’t earn. God just loves us. That part is pretty simple. So, let’s revise the thought for today. Now that you know that God loves you, what will you do? That part isn’t too simple. But, we can start with the reassurance that God does, indeed, love us. --Jim Bricker Today we welcome Anne Harshbarger, one of our summer counselors, as new Digital First Light writer!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant us the strength and courage to strive for your Kingdom as we do your work here on earth. Reading: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Today’s scripture reading is a collection of parables. Jesus illustrated some of the most important truths of the Kingdom of heaven through parables. The definition of a parable is: “a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.” Jesus told these earthly stories with heavenly purpose in order to reach people who would not understand these truths told in a more scholarly context. As a result, the analogies remain popular in teachings, familiar in families and easy to keep in the back of the mind. These five parables describe the Kingdom of heaven as a mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, a fine pearl, and a net; each revealing a different characteristic of the Kingdom. The characteristic that connects all five parables is accessibility. Our hands are within reach of the Kingdom- that is why we say that we partake in God’s work with our hands. Partaking in that work is one of my favorite aspects about working as a counselor at camp. I get to partake in furthering the Kingdom at this place which has been set apart by God’s hands. And I get a front row seat to witness campers doing the same! From these glimpses, I know when the Kingdom comes in its fullness it was be breathtakingly beautiful! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: God of love and care, thank you for connecting us in our memories, in each moment and in our names. Amen
Reading: Malachi 3:16 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Family Camp closing worship had just ended and one of the younger campers came up to me all excited because the ELW she had been using had been placed at Camp Mount Luther by Andy and Ruth Gates in honor of the 1984 Camp Staff (of which Andy was a member). The girl recognized our names and just had to show me. A connection. Below is something I wrote soon after my father passed on and it too involves a name plate and connection. (written March 12, 2017) Very early last Sunday morning, the pastor of my hometown church came and sat with us in our sorrow. Hours later, I went to worship and was hugged by my childhood Sunday School teachers (...and I thought they were old back then?). I sang from a hymnal placed by my mom's friend in memory of her own husband while that very same friend was at that very moment at the house comforting my mom. After church, I talked with someone from my Youth Fellowship days who drove me crazy because he dressed and acted like the Fonz...all...the...time. Now we have both lost parents. This Sunday I will go to church again...for all these reasons and many, many more. Read that bold sentence again carefully. At the end of worship before putting the hymnal back in rack, I happened to glance at the name plate inside the front cover and that is what I saw. What I held in my hand was a connection of memories of the past and care in the moment. Next time you are in church (or at Camp!), look at the name plate in the hymnal and remember we are all connected. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Thank you for searching and knowing us, LORD. There is no escaping your watch and your love. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Escape Rooms have become very popular. What are they, you ask? An Escape Room is a real-life team-based puzzle game, where you are locked in a room and have to solve puzzles together to get out. I know a family who is very good at escaping. This is also the family in our circle of friends whose house we knew we would all have to go to if the Y2K disaster actually happened. We knew they would know how to survive. Now we also know they know how to escape. Psalm 139 is titled, The Inescapable God. There is no getting away from His watch and love. God searches and knows us through and through. We cannot flee; cannot hide; cannot escape his hand which leads us and holds us fast. Escape Rooms are for a winning adventure but when it comes to God we are winners in not being able to escape. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, help us to trust in you for victory even as we struggle. Amen
Reading: Romans 8: 12-25 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Paul definitely suffered. There is no doubt about that. Beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks and illness. But he insists with absolute conviction that future rewards will outweigh all present sufferings. I recently read a headline about Olympic Gold Medalist, Simone Biles, defending taking a year off after winning at the Summer 2016 Olympics. She told the critics to talk to her after they train for 14 years and win 5 medals. The Christian's life on earth may involve many difficulties but the end result will make them seem worthwhile. The Spirit teaches us the benefits of being a child of God while we trust in Christ for victory over sin. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, as we journey through life, may we see where you are and name the special places in our hearts. Amen
Reading: Genesis 28: 10-19a (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: As Jacob journeyed, he stayed in a certain place. Must not have been much of a place. He had to use a rock for his pillow. But as he slept, he dreamt of a ladder and angels and in the dream the Lord spoke to him. He awoke realizing the Lord is in this place! (A place where all he had for a pillow was a rock.) With gratitude, Jacob named the place Bethel. There is a town called Bethel in Pennsylvania. There are probably many towns and churches named Bethel. I wonder if the reason those places were named Bethel was because the founders saw the Lord there. God is everywhere, of course, but some places are especially my "Happy Place". Home tops the list. Camp Mount Luther is another. There are others. I see God in those places and name them in my heart. (Sometimes I bring my own pillow.) --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, help us rest in knowing in the midst of trouble we remain rooted in you and will be gathered in your arms. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Ah-hah! That's why I am having trouble sleeping at night. I am thinking about the enemy sowing weeds among the wheat while everyone is sleeping. Here we are sowing good seed in our fields but when it all starts to grow, there will be weeds anyway. Not only that, but we can't pull out the weeds without hurting the good that is growing. It all must wait until the harvest when the weeds will be pulled and the wheat will be gathered. We all need rest. If the weeds are going to grow with the wheat anyway, may we at least stay rooted in God's love and care until we are gathered in his arms. --Ruth Gates Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions. This one reflects on the camper’s Bible story for today, Psalm 23. It was first published on April 14, 2016.
Prayer: Shepherding Lord, goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Absolutely! Amen Reading: Psalm 23 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I have written before how when I was young, I could not figure out why Psalm 23 started out sounding like I did not want the Lord. Then eventually I learned it was really saying that with the Lord as my Shepherd I will not be in want. Now, that made more sense. I have everything I need! I will now confess I was also confused with the ending of Psalm 23. Because I learned verse 6 by singing, not reading it, I thought surely, goodness and mercy were three separate things. I understood goodness and mercy but I had no idea what surely was. Then eventually I learned surely was an adverb and not a noun like goodness and mercy. Surely describes how goodness and mercy will follow me and meant most certainly; without a doubt. Now that made more sense. Absolutely! Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, may we hear your voice of love in the midst of your law. Amen
Reading: Psalm 119: 105-112 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Psalm 119 is a long, love poem about God's law. A love poem about law? How can that be? Most people admit rules are necessary but sometimes follow them begrudgingly. However, the Psalmist says, "Your decrees...are the joy of my heart" (verse 111). From a study Bible, I read this: "God's laws channel God's love into the poet's life. They protect him from doing wrong and give him wisdom to understand his situation. They make new life flow into him. No wonder he writes with such thankfulness. In God's word he finds more than direction. He finds God himself." What may seem to be a dusty, rulebook is really a voice of love. --Ruth Gates Prayer: May we do your will, God, each and every day. Amen.
Reading: Romans 8:1-11 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: With the Fourth of July this past week, I’ve heard many people talk about freedom and the opportunities we enjoy in this country because of our freedoms. This passage also reminds us of freedom, the freedom that comes living a life for Christ. This winter, I led mid-week Lenten services at my church. We looked at the Small Catechism, in recognition of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. While I was preparing, I read a quote by Martin Luther who was also talking about our freedom that we have when we believe in Christ. But, he said that with that freedom, we should be compelled to go forth and do good in God’s name. What are you doing today to “celebrate” your freedom in Christ? What should you be doing? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, may we always remember the old stories of the Bible even when it seems everything must be new to be interesting. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 25: 19-34 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: With the constant bombardment of new information and stories coming at us all the time, it's no wonder we might neglect to go back to read old stories. When did you first hear the story of Jacob and Esau? I remember it being in Sunday School; maybe 1st or 2nd grade. Since it is also in the lectionary, I probably heard it during worship that young, too. Sbiling rivaly and complicated parenting? Lots of books written about that and there are plenty of books about personal struggles, prayers and answers from God, too. Newspapers, magazines, novels and self-help books galore. Or, you could just read Genesis 25: 19-34 again and get it all there. Old stories good as new. --Ruth Gates Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 7, 2014.
Prayer: Help us, God, to share your Word with others wherever we are located. Amen. Reading: Matthew 13: 1-23 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: You've probably heard this parable before. And, you've probably heard a preacher give an explanation as to what Jesus was talking about when he told this story. I'm not going to do that today. Today, I want you to focus on the first two verses. Jesus was sitting by the sea. So many people came and gathered around him, that we went out into the sea and preached to them from a boat. He had to improvise! We do that a lot at camp. Sometimes things don't go quite as planned and we have to adjust what we were going to do to fit the current reality. When I read these two verses, I was reminded that as we tell the story of Jesus to others, we, too, might need to improvise. We may not have a Bible handy to read the scriptures, so maybe we'll need to tell them by heart. It may not be the most convenient time to talk about our faith, but we have to take the time to share Jesus with others. Just like Jesus, we have to get in a boat and go out into the sea so others can see and hear the good news! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, may we come into your presence every day with joy and gladness as much as we celebrate certain special days in our lives. Amen
Reading: Psalm 45: 10-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: My daughter is working this summer as a server for special events at a country club: banquets, luncheons, graduation parties, reunions, retirement dinners, showers. The biggest, most extravagant of all are the wedding receptions. She tells me all about the decorations, the dresses, the cake, the food, the dancing, the bridal party and the guests even down to the youngest enjoying such a fancy day. Always a celebration with joy and gladness to be remembered for ever and ever and through the generations. Psalm 45 is a wedding song. There is talk of wealth, gold and embroidered garments; daughters and sons; a glorious princess, princes and the palace of the king. There is joy and gladness and God being praised for ever and ever. His name will be remembered for generations. Let's celebrate coming into God's presence everyday with joy and gladness as much as we celebrate special days in our lives. Then we will remember and praise him for ever and ever and so will generations to come. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us to do your will, O Lord, and put things off. Amen.
Reading: Romans 7:13-25 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: When I read these verses, I thought immediately of myself. There are so many things that I think to myself, “Oh, I’ll get that started tomorrow.” Or maybe my inner voice says, “I’ll eat healthier tomorrow.” Often, I know that I should do something now or make a change in my life for the better. But, I wait. My spirit may be willing, but my flesh is weak. I don’t want that donut to go to waste! This verse reminded me that I should rely on God to help me to put away my ways of the flesh. Think more with a spiritual mind. Know my body is God’s temple. Don’t put it off! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: We thank you, God, for all that you give us. Help us to appreciate all our blessings.
Reading: Genesis 24:34-67 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The staff looked at this passage for our GROW Time with our staff chaplain last week. We used it as part of an exercise in spiritual journaling. I thought this passage was interesting, because it reminded me of the story of the woman at the well, which we are studying with our campers this summer. I also like this story because it mentions camels! This story is full of blessings that are bestowed on various characters. This makes me think of all the blessings God provides for me on a daily basis. This summer, as we are reminded at the various blessings God provides to us through water, I also am reminded of all the blessings God provides. Look around you today and see what blessings you see and say thank you to our creator for the wonders of this life. –Chad Hershberger As the camp staff enjoy a long weekend until this afternoon when we welcome family campers, here is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 4, 2013.
Prayer: Help us to love and see you in all we do. Be with our leaders, O God, as they lead our country. Amen. Reading: Psalm 33 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Additional Questions: What are your thoughts on church and state? What do you think were the religious views of our forefathers? Do you think that our nation would be different today if there were different people who were involved in the founding of the United States? Reflection: When our forefathers were creating this nation in the 18th Century, I think they really had God in mind. From historical accounts that I have read, it seems to me that they looked to God for guidance and strength in their endeavors. Our ancestors had come to America partly for religious freedom. Religion was a priority when framing our new way of life. Our nation's motto is "In God We Trust." When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we say that we are "one nation under God." The founders of the U.S.A. knew that we could not have independence without the help of our Father and Creator. As we celebrate America's birthday today, let us not forget to thank God for our independence and the ideals our country upholds. We are the great nation on this world, giving opportunities to so many people. Let us be thankful for what men like Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin did to set up the freedoms we enjoy today. God Bless America! --Chad Hershberger Closing: Meditate on or discuss with others this quote from Martin Luther, "The more a person loves, the closer her approaches the image of God." Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on June 29, 2013.
Prayer: God, we praise you in many ways and often make a joyful noise until you. Thank you for listening to us and giving us the opportunity to worship you in many different ways. Amen. Reading: Matthew 11: 16-19 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Dancing is not something I am very good at or enjoy very much. I guess I don't have too much rhythm. But, I have been known to dance occasionally if the mood strikes me. More often than not I would rather sit and watch others do "the groove thing." Some people say they cannot sing. I don't believe that. Once, I heard a choir director say that everyone can sing, some just sing better than others, which is true. I think that can also be said for dancing. Everyone can dance, some just do it better than others. If we are singing or dancing for God, it doesn't matter if we do it well. God does not care how good we are. God instead is just glad that we praise and worship God through dance and song. --Chad Hershberger |
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