Prayer: God, you called David because you knew that he could lead Israel through difficult times and remain faithful to you. You called and anointed him, but you also gave him the gifts he needed at the right time. Help us to understand all the gifts you have given us and to be open to using them when you call us to.
In your Holy name we pray, Amen. Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 126. Questions To Answer:
Reflection: In the story we heard about how God chose David to be the new king of Israel, because he saw the gifts that no one else expected to see in David. His abilities were overlooked because he was the youngest son and worked as a shepherd. God acts in ways that can be hard for us to understand, and it can be scary or difficult for us to blindly follow his path for us. David put his trust in God’s grace and his promises for future generations and became one of the most renowned Kings in the Bible. This story teaches us that God keeps the promises that he makes to us, and that his grace extends to everyone. --Alex Beaver and Noah Roux Activity: Two Lies and a Truth In a small group with your family, think of a talent that someone else in your family has and draw their talent as a piece of paper. Then share your drawing with your family and have them guess the talent that you drew and the person who has that talent. What talents were shared that surprised you the most?
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Prayer: O God, that you for being here, to save us from our worries about our looks, taking tests, the way we communicate our thoughts, and any other things that might make us worry. Thank you for letting us be how we are and not worry what we want or need. In your name we pray, Amen.
Reading: Matthew 6: 25-26 (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: We all worry about our looks, what we wear today, or whether we should go to the mall to buy new clothes. We all worry about what we will be eating for lunch or dinner. We all worry about what people are thinking when we’re speaking or writing. I worry all the time, like when playing the organ for church services and taking tests at school. My biggest worry is what I’m going to be “when I grow up.” T should not worry, but when I do worry I read these verses. It is easier said that done. But stop to pray, read the Bible, or talk to someone about your worries. Remember that Jesus is always with you. --Arthur Erickson Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for all that you do for us and for constantly watching over us. Please allow us to put more faith and trust into you so that we may be able to forgive as easily as Joseph did. Please help us be patient with family and friends so that we may work our way through the bad things to get to the good things. In your name we pray, Amen.
As a reminder, the theme for our week is “From Generation to Generation” Activity: Before you read the story for Day 2, draw a picture using paper and markers of what it looks like to forgive someone. This can be a time where you forgave a friend, a family member, maybe even a pet. Reading: Genesis 45:1-15; 50:19-20 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 60 Activity Follow-Up: As you look back at your picture, share it with your family members. Describe to a family member what you believe forgiveness means and what it means to you. Forgiveness can play a huge part in relationships. Whether it means strengthening relationships or even mending them. Sometimes forgiveness means pushing yourself to forget something maybe harmful or hurtful someone has done to you in order to move forward in life or to be happy. Questions:
Reflection: Sometimes we need to forgive like God intends us to do to move on and find the good in situations to be happy or even to succeed. Joseph forgave his brothers for exiling him into Egypt during the famine. He put his trust in God and forgave his brothers, leading him to become Pharaoh of Egypt and then becoming a leading figure. Joseph forgave his brothers because he knew it was what God wanted him to do and that God had a plan for him. What seemed bad at the time to Joseph, turned into something that was good. Joseph was patient and again, he put his faith into God. --Cassidy Stumpf and Joey Martin Prayer: Abundant God, you provide for our needs. Help us to share your love and ours knowing there is always more to spare. 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: The night before a holiday meal I worry will I have enough food for everyone and always there are plenty of leftovers. After our daughter’s wedding reception there was still so much food we took it to the homeless shelter. Our church has had an ongoing free lunch program for children since the corona outbreak. How would we keep an adequate supply of food? One week a local supermarket donated 100 loaves of bread! There always seems to be enough provided by one source or another. This lead me to a thought. Perhaps among the 5,000 there were some that had their own ”lunch” which they shared and so there was enough food for all! Not explaining away a miracle. Just a thought that what we might think is not enough, really is or becomes more than we knew. God in His marvelous ways supplies our needs. Thus we offer kindness and our good deeds seem to multiply. We share and there is more to spare. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, thank you for showing Abraham and Sarah the way to go. Thank you for sending loving people to show us the way to go. Thank you for traveling with us, wherever we go. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 12: 1-9 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible p. 26 Questions to Answer:
Reflection: Today’s story about Abraham and Sarah (also known as Abram and Sarai) shows God’s goodness in uncertain times. God is good all the time! In those times were Abraham and Sarah were afraid, they trusted God completely. Who do you trust and why do you trust them? Abraham and Sarah also had a huge family, their family showed the world who God is by stepping out of their comfort zone. Who in your family or church family has taught you about God? We can continue to show the world who God is by following his call. Abraham and Sarah are an example of that. And God calls us in big and small ways. Just as God called Abraham and Sarah, God calls us to do the right thing even when it is tough. When have you heard God calling you? Throughout all generations God is good. --Anne Harshbarger and Marie Barnard Activity: Trustworthy Footprints Need: Sidewalk Chalk or any drawing materials (paper and crayons or markers) Have each person trace their feet on paper or on the sidewalk. Inside each foot draw or write about a time you had to step out in faith. This means you knew it was the right thing to trust in God or another person even when it was tough. Share your feet with someone else, and when you see them, be reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout all steps and generations of our lives. Example: Prayer: Speak to us in the truth, God, so that we may speak that truth to others. Amen.
Reading: Romans 9: 1-5 (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: Many of our readers know that I am an Eagle Scout. It’s an accomplishment that happened nearly 30 years ago but still is a big part of who I am. And, it is coming in handy now that I’m a Cub Scout leader for my son’s pack. The first “article” of the Scout Law is “A Scout is Trustworthy.” In our times of late, there has been a lot of talk about lying, not accepting the truth, even “fake news.” But Paul reminds us in Romans that he is speaking the truth in Christ. I never gave it a thought until I read this passage that God does not lie. Never. Everything God says is true. God is truth. As we strive to be more like God, may we speak the truth and do it in love. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: We thank you, God, for being with us always and for being faithful to us from generation to generation. Amen. Reading: “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” --Psalm 100:5 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: During staff training this year, we did the Nigerian chant that goes like this: “God is good,” and you respond, “All the time.” Then the leader says, “All the time” and you say “God is good.” We see God’s goodness all around us. Everything God touches is good, and God’s love has been shown to many people throughout time, particularly in the Bible. This year, we’ve had to adapt. Today, we are kicking off Virtual CML. Since July 15, our summer staff have been together, being trained in leadership, engaging in service work, and developing a virtual camp experience. So, for the next week or so, enjoy being part of our first-ever Virtual CML at www.campmountluther.org/coronavirus. Our theme this year “From Generation to Generation.” We will explore several Biblical characters and see how God worked in their lives. From Abraham and Sarah; to Joseph; then David; Jesus’ mother, Mary; and Paul, Timothy, and Lydia, we are reminded of God’s promises, love, and hope even when we might have doubts. God is with us all the time and it has been that way for a long time. I can’t wait for you to be part of this fantastic program our staff developed. God has been with us as we’ve gotten ready for you. And we’ve been reminded that God’s goodness has been around for a long time and will continue to be with us from generation to generation. --Chad Hershberger Since we could not have in-person, on-site summer camp this year, we have developed a virtual alternative for kids. It debuts today. We write this here because you will see devotions for kids in the next week that tie into our Virtual CML program. This is in addition to our normal devotional offerings. If you want to view what all we are doing, you can visit www.campmountluther.org/coronavirus.
Prayer: Gracious and giving God we thank you for all you have given us. We thank you for your unfailing love. We thank you for taking care of us in times of trouble. Let us remain faithful and praise your name forever. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 145: 8-9, 14-21 (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: This Psalm of praise brings comfort to me and speaks of forgiveness. As we have traversed this year when tempers have sometimes been short, and patience was in short supply I am thankful to be reminded of God’s grace and mercy. It is a joy to hear of God’s goodness for those who call in his name. It is calming to hear that God watches over us and hears our cries. God’s steadfast love is something we can hold on to when we are struggling. We should not be afraid to cry out to God as we feel the need. We should feel free to lament all we have lost this year. God is big enough to handle all our grief and anger. At the same time, we can also give God praises for the small things that bring as joy, hope, and peace. --Charlene Rineer We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 10, 2017.
Prayer: Great God above all, you fed us and give us water. We thank you for refreshing us and renewing us. In your great Name we pray, Amen. Reading: Isaiah 55: 1-5 (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 the Anytown General Store) “Oh I wonder how much this is.” “Doesn’t it have a price?” “I don’t see one.” “It must be free.” “Yeah, right!” Everything has a price, doesn’t it? There are many sayings that sound like, “Nothing good is free.” Can you remember the last time that you got something really valuable that you didn’t have to pay for? That’s called a gift or a winning. Someone had to buy it. The prophet Isaiah is calling out the ad, inviting followers to buy into the program with God. There are lots of free gifts, sustaining food and thirst quenching drinks. God wants us to be free and live, and God has spent more than we could pay. God wants us to be in a living relationship of life and enjoyment. Sound good to you? The prophet says, “Then don’t waste your time on anything less than life with God!” --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Dear God, plant in us a seed of faith and may we spread your love upward and outward as it grows. Amen.
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: It’s hard to believe a tree can grow from a tiny mustard seed. But that is the parable we just read and Google confirms it. I’ve never seen a mustard tree. To be honest, I would have pictured mustard as more of a bush. Have you seen a mustard tree? We have seen the giant redwoods in Sequoia National Forest, California. In our backyard we have a huge tulip poplar that is so tall and straight. Its trunk and branches stretch upward toward Heaven. There is also a tulip poplar across the street. How? How did they get their start? From a tiny seed. And our faith starts small as a seed, too. How do we as Christians, through our simple, humble deeds, spread God’s love upward and outward? --Alice Yeakel This morning, our summer staff are doing a silent retreat morning. They will spend the morning in silence, mentally preparing, physically resting, and planning in their minds for the summer ahead. They will also reflect on this devotional. We hope you will join us today.
Prayer: God of silence, we give thanks for those places that call us to be quiet and listen for you. Thank you for worshiping communities that come together to praise your name, uplift each other and empower us to go out with good courage. Help me to slow down, breathe and know that you are God. Amen Reading: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. " --Psalm 46:10 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: Jesus meets people in the oddest places--sometimes in a person, in the beauty of the mountains or in the loud singing of campers. It should not seem odd that Jesus meets me in worship, but in a way, it is. In a small, diverse, urban church in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago, Jesus meets me in the silence. Week after week, the chimes of the prayer bowl call me to stop and listen. As I prepare my heart for worship and prayer, the bowl continues to ring deeply in my soul. The silence calms my mind, opens my heart and tunes my ears to hear. The silence stirs deep within me. And even with the whir and honk and zoom of the city, I can hear the still small voice that reminds me that I am a child of God. As I glance around the congregation, I can see faithful members who have been the foundation of our congregation for years. I see the young couples who are searching, wondering and wandering. And I watch and listen to the little ones as they fidget with books and papers as their parents struggle to keep the silence. And I'm reminded that Jesus is here, meeting each of us, wherever we are on our faith journey. He meets me in the bread and wine, the word spoken and sung, the waters I dip my hand into as I enter the sanctuary and in this community that I love and am so grateful for. But he also meets me in the silence. Jesus' commandment to love another, to care for those who cannot care for themselves and to share the myriad blessings I have, are all deafening in the silence. And I am transformed once again. --Jon Skogen We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 23, 2014.
Prayer: Hear us, O Lord, when know not what to pray. 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: There is so much good material in this passage that I could probably write for a week. But, since this is just a simple first light devotion, I think I’ll comment on just the first 2 verses. What a lovely, comforting thought: For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Sighs to deep for words. Imagine that. I know, it is so intuitive it is hard to comprehend. But then, maybe we don’t really need to understand, just experience it. We don’t have to have the perfect words, we just need to have the sense of need or praise or thanksgiving. The Spirit takes it from there. I’ve done a lot of work in my time as Chaplain to the Staff helping the staff offer prayers at meals, worship and GROW times. It is important that when we pray in public that we make some sort of sense. But, in the end, properly constructed sentences with rolling phrases just aren’t that important. The Spirit gathers up our stammering and intercedes for us and God knows. Sighs too deep for words, indeed. --Jim Bricker Prayer: God our protector, we lean on your wonderful word. Thank you for friends we can lean on, too, even if not in person these days. Help us be kind and loving in whatever way we can be. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 119: 129-136 (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: We see so much unhappiness and bitterness in today’s world. Why? Why do we lack compassion and tolerance? God asks us…no, God tells us to be kind and loving. Is it really that hard? Kindness and love grows as we live with praise in our hearts. Praise God for his kindness and love and it will be there for you to share, too. Through the isolation of the Coronavirus I have truly come to appreciate the importance of having contact with my friends; with anyone for that matter. We share happy thoughts and, yes, sometimes frustration. We try to console each other and then make each other laugh. And we sometimes cry because we feel overwhelmed. God, however, assures us He is always with us. He is our protector. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Listen to us, Lord, as we call upon you. Hear our cries, our pleas, and our thanksgiving. Amen.
Reading: I Kings 3: 5-12 (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 the past few months, my son has become comfortable praying out loud. Each night as we lay down for bed, he says his prayers. He even is willing to say grace at big family gatherings. Often, his prayers are just a rundown of his day. “Thank you, God, for letting me ride my bike. I pray that I can go ride bike tomorrow. And help me remember to do my language app on my iPad.” He has a conversation with one that he feels can help him. Sometimes his prayers are deeper. “I pray that this virus will stop, and you will help those with it get better. Help it stop not just here but all around the world.” There is a genuine innocence to his talking to God. Sometimes, I marvel at his words. God knows what we need. Do not worry about how you say it. Just turn to God and pray! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: God, it’s amazing to think that you know each of us personally and that you have a plan that is unique for each of us. Continue to watch over us each day. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 29: 11-13 (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: This is one of my favorite Bible passages. It’s a pretty powerful concept to think that God has a plan for our lives, that he’s so personal. It’s amazing to think that out of all seven billion people in the world, God has a plan for each of our lives. When life gets crazy, I find peace in this passage just by meditating over it and reminding myself that although I might think failing a major exam would seem like the end of the world, it’s far from it. All of a sudden, my major “catastrophe” is simply a slight road bump in the scheme of life. When life gets overwhelming turn to this passage and remember that God has a plan for each of us. God knows about you and nothing else matters! --Maria Kuba We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 14, 2014.
Prayer: Help us to understand you, Jesus, in a way that makes sense to us. Amen. Reading: Matthew 13: 24- 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: In my years of teaching young adults, often they have questions and don't understand a concept. If I sense that they "just don't get it," I often try to think of an analogy that relates to something that they will understand. I think this is what Jesus was doing in today's reading. He told three different parables and it seems like he told them to the same crowd of people. I bet he was sensing that they didn't understand what he said initially, so he decided to tell them the same lesson in another way. What are some ways that you have done this in your work? How do you think God has sent you different messages over the years so that you'd understand them? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we place our hope in you uphold our spirits to see the glory you so graciously hold for us. We praise you for this life, and may we use it to serve our neighbors and further your kingdom on earth. 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: “For in this hope we were saved.” (Verse 24) In this passage Paul reminds those hearing these words that we are not promised a life without suffering. Then he goes on to say that our suffering in the flesh cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us as children of God. Not just apples and oranges, both of those are fruits, but as incomparable as a tree and a muffin. If you are uncomfortable in your suffering (who isn’t?), know that it is a sign of your longing for redemption. All God’s children have this hope in their heart for God’s glory to be revealed. In that hope we must keep moving forward through the suffering and pain… 2020 has been overwhelming for many, and I want to encourage you to look to the cross and continue moving forward. There is a song that was recently shared with me that resonates well with this passage. It helped me turn towards the hope I have in our Savior Jesus Christ as I try to navigate life when it feels so unkind. The song is called Moving Forward by Colony House (you can find the link below), and these are the lyrics that stick out to me the most: “I found life and I found laughter. In forgiveness, I found rest. On the shoulders of redemption, I found hope when hope was dead.” https://youtu.be/DCEq85o2IIE --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer. Listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my trouble, I call on you, for your will answer me. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 86 (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 find that sometimes when a situation gets me down, I need to talk about it to help me process and reflect. Sometimes, when no one is around, I find myself praying to help me do just that. In today's Psalm, we read, "Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me." It's comforting to know that God listens when we cry out, especially in times when we may not see or feel God's presence. The Psalms are full of these same cries. The next time you feel like you have nowhere to turn, turn to God or perhaps spend some time reading the Psalms. I bet if you look hard enough, you will see or feel God, even in the worst of situations. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, you are our rock. From the first to the last. There is no other. Help us to know that always. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 44; 6-8 (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: There is a popular book by Marie Kondo about how to tidy up your house and, accordingly, your life, too. Basically, if something doesn’t “spark joy”, get rid of it. Millions of copies of this book have been sold and a sequel as well. However, I was helping my mom sort through an entire spare room of “stuff” and came across a small wooden sign with this quote, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris I looked up William Morris and this quote (wikiquote.org) and learned Morris was born in 1834; died 1896! Obviously neither Morris nor Kondo were the first or will be the last with this idea. In Isaiah chapter 44 verse 6, the LORD proclaims, “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” Then at the end of verse 9, the LORD asks, “Is there any god besides me?” and then proclaims, “There is no other rock; I know not one.” Think about it. Do we have other rocks besides God? The kind that we think are solid but really are wobbly. The kind that get in the way and cause us to stumble. How do things and possessions become like idols? In what ways do such things compete with our devotion to God alone? Let’s listen to who truly is the first and the last for there is no other rock. --Ruth Gates Prayer: You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my god turns my darkness into light. With your help, I can advance against a troop. With my God, I can scale a wall. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 18 (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: There are many things in this short passage that remind me of camp. The song, “Give Me Oil” is the first thing that comes to mind (I’m sorry if it’s stuck in your head all day now). I love the song because it is one of those songs that combines a good scripture message, the silliness of camp (truckin’ for the Lord) and it creates community. Who doesn’t love skipping around the dining hall loudly proclaiming, “Sing Hosanna”? The next line in this Psalm, “My God turns my darkness into light” reminds me of another song, “This Little Light of Mine.” I had a strange obsession with this song when I was younger; I guess maybe it was the only song by Sunday School teacher taught us. Darkness, real darkness or emotional darkness, can be a scary thing. Knowing God is there with you even if it’s only in a tiny little light, it will help you “advance against a troop” and/or “scale a wall.” My immediate thoughts go to the old climbing wall at Mount Luther. As a younger camper, it looked absolutely impossible for me, but yet something inside me could not wait to try it. I can still remember the way it felt to accomplish the wall for the first time my first year on staff. We felt bonded as a team, accomplished and overjoyed. We encounter “walls” in life and it is up to us to get over them. Sometimes you may be standing at the bottom looking up thinking it is an impossible task. In those moments, remember God is there with you. I can’t tell you how many times growing up I heard, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” I believe that God challenges sometimes and pushes us. The important thing is to remember that God is there for you. Talk to God about the challenges you face and ask for help when you need it. Don’t forget that when you make it over the wall to rejoice and praise God! --Courtney Raker Prayer: Dear God, help us plant the seeds of your love all around us even where we are not sure it will grow. Surprise us with your power. Grow our faith as we treasure it in our hearts. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23 (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: Everyone said, “You’ll never grow grass under that huge maple tree. Too much shade; root system sucks up all the water.” Well, this year we’ve been successful by randomly spreading the seed by hand and occasionally watering. We’ve also had an abundance of dandelion, clover, ivy, and vinca that came up voluntarily. Still, grass grew. The seeds we sow may seem small and insignificant. They may land on rocky situations. How joyful we are when they grow and spread. We gave a friend a small dahlia plant and this year it bloomed for its third season. It is a symbol of our enduring friendship and our faith in God’s plan for us. --Alice Yeakel We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 5, 2016.
Prayer: We give you thanks, God, for setting us free from the law of sin and death. Reading: Romans 8:1-4 (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: We do try. At least we try. We try to live in the Spirit, to think and do the things that God wants. But over and over again, the law—the things God asks of us—condemns us. We just don’t quite measure up. And no matter how much we may try to make excuses or absolve ourselves, the bottom line is still the bottom line—we don’t measure up. What to do? The only thing left for us to do is to rely on Jesus. God, says Paul, has us covered. In Jesus He has done what the law could not do. In the end it is not about us trying. It is about God doing! - -Jim Bricker Prayer: We praise you, God, for the earth’s bounty and for Camp Mount Luther. Hear us as we shout and sing together for joy. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 65: 1-13 (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 65 is titled, Thanksgiving for Earth’s Bounty. This summer of missing being at Camp Mount Luther (Though one can spend time there by day or even stay for a few. Contact the camp office for more info.), I decided to write a Psalm of CML Thanksgiving for Camp’s Bounty. Praise to you, O God, in all the world and especially at Camp Mount Luther. To you songs will be sung and prayers spoken, and you will answer! To you campers will come – in person or in spirit. When we are overwhelmed, you are with us and love us. Happy are we when we gather and live in your creation. We are content in the goodness of your home, your holy mountain. Bring us to high places in our hearts. Your awesome deeds deliver us and save us. You are our hope wherever we are; near or far. Your strength is seen in the steadfast mountains around us, silencing the storm with a rainbow, quieting your people with awe. Mornings begin and evenings end with shouts for joy – birdsong, croaking bullfrogs, katydids and crickets calling, wind through the trees. Come and enrich this place and your people; water the land; feed us. All we need comes from you. Bless all that grows at Camp Mount Luther, and all that grows in us because we have been there and carry it everywhere. Bring us back to see your bounty and richness, the wilderness and the fields girded with joy, the leaping deer and fawns, the turtle slow and steady, the eagle soaring above. We shout together and sing for joy! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Gracious God we praise your holy name. Thank you for all you have given us. Let us spread your word throughout the land. Help us sow seeds of faith with goodness and love. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13 (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: At the beginning of this chapter in Isaiah the Bible I was using entitled it An Invitation to Abundant Life. I like the visual of the rain and snow coming to the earth, and the world being refreshed and nourished. There is then abundant goodness to sustain and nourish us. As I am writing I am enjoying the greenness of the foliage outside my window and thank God for his wonderful creation. Next in this text it mentions that God’s word goes out and does not come back empty. We at camp are sowers of God’s word and we throw it out believing that good will come from it. We trust in God and God’s promises. We are joyful and love to sing God’s praises, just like there is joy and peace in verse 12 with nature singing. I appreciate that at the end it says we will never be cut off from the Lord. That brings me even more joy and peace. As I was reading these verses a song from camp came into my head. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. You shall go out with Joy - https://youtu.be/pmmiFJtyuiU --Charlene Rineer |
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