Prayer: Help me to reflect your glory, O Lord.
Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4 (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: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? For me it’s pretty much the same mold, same old. Maybe a little chubbier face and a few more skin blemishes. But the same old beard—maybe greyer. How about you? Do you ever look in the mirror and think that your image is a reflection of God? Sort of a strange thought, huh? But, here’s another idea. When people look at you, what do they see? Jesus? Hmmmmm. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being. Now Jesus has a leg up on us, being divine and human. But, we are created in the image of God. Ought we not also reflect the glory of God? Let’s live today that others may see God in us. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff
0 Comments
Prayer: Help me, God, to respond to trials in a way that is pleasing to you. Amen. Reading: Job 1:1, 2:1-10 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: You’ve probably heard or read this story before. Job is a well-known figure in the Old Testament. You may even have said that someone you know has “the patience of Job.” When I read this story this time, I focused on how Job was the one that the devil went after. Satan went to God and God said, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.”? Now, if I was Job and I knew that part of the story, I’d be upset. Here I am, a man of integrity and trying to follow God’s ways, and God tells the devil to come after me. What a reward for being one of God’s people! But instead, look at Job responded. Despite all the trials that the devil but in front of him, he still had a positive attitude and talked favorably about God. Can we say the same thing about our lives? When we are tempted, do we point the finger at others or try to push the blame off ourselves and not be accountable for our actions? As you re-read the story of Job, look at this response and decide how you will respond to trials in the future! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong; they are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so. Amen.
Reading: Mark 10: 2-16 (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: Oh boy, the text for today goes from Divorce to The Little Children and Jesus. Do you blame me for wanting to stick to the second half of the lesson? This is a time I am glad I am not a pastor who has to write a sermon every week. So, how about that little girl in Washington, DC last week who somehow got beyond the barricade because she had a message to give the Pope? The security personnel tried to shoo her back to the crowd but the Pope gestured and called her toward him. She received a Papal blessing, the crowd cheered, her message was heard and the world took notice. (Jesus said) “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10: 14 What is your message? What is holding you back? Jump that barricade. God loves and welcomes all his children. Pray that prayer. You will be heard. As we all do just that, the world will take notice. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Lord, be close to those dying this day.
Reading: Romans 8:38-39 (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: How often have I used these words from St. Paul in my ministry? They are so comforting. I’ve used them with people in hospital beds and, of course, over and over again at funerals. Indeed, not even death cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. But, this week I sat by the bed of an elderly lady in a nursing home and my heart ached for her. “I just want to go and be with Jesus,” she gasped. Such confidence and faith. Such agony. How could I assure her that Jesus was with her even in her struggle to die? And, I wondered why our loving God does not just open His arms and hug her. She is ready. I wish I had answers for those moments. But, as always, I just held her hand and prayed with her. I prayed for healing that only God can bring in these moments. And I promised her that I would continue to pray that she could go to be with Jesus. This day, let us pray for the dying. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Dear Lord, our help is in you. Praise be to you! You are the Maker of heaven and earth. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 124 (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 the LORD had not been on our side – let Israel say – if the LORD had not been on our side… Psalm 124 1, 2a We read our Bibles. We pray our prayers. We sing songs. We share God’s love. Do we ever just say it, though? Do we ever just come right out and say, “Praise be to you, LORD!” just because? The Psalmist starts out with a reminder, “If the LORD had not been on our side…” and pauses so everyone can nod their heads and think to themselves, “Oh yeah, if He hadn’t been on our side it would have been just terrible!” But the Psalmist doesn’t let the listeners just think it to themselves. The Psalmist pauses and tells them, “let Israel say – if the LORD had not been on our side…” It’s like a “repeat after me” Psalm. And I imagine they all did. Why? Because sometimes you just have to say it out loud - acknowledge our Maker, be humbly grateful for God’s help and praise Him. It is good for ourselves and for everyone around us. Praise be the LORD…Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124: 6a, 8 Let’s say it! --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 9, 2013.
Prayer: I spend these moments in quiet time with you, Lord, and ask that you answer my prayers. Amen. Reading: James 5: 13-16 (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: If you suffering, if you are happy, if you are sick, or if you are a sinner, this verse tells you that you should pray with others to help you get through the hard times. You should praise your joys and confess your sins. Sometimes it is hard to pray with others. You may find it easier to pray to the Lord alone. But praying together has merits. Once, I was discussing a troublesome situation with a friend. After a period of conversing, my friend said, "Let's pray about it." So we did. We stopped what we were doing and turned to God, asking for God's help for both of us to deal with this particular situation. No one had ever done that with me before. But it was a good experience. We also teach our summer staff to "pray on the go." Because counselors are constantly on the go, they may not feel they have the time to stop and spend time in prayer. So, we tell them that they can pray on the go. When they see something lovely—a flower, an animal, a rock, a camper—they should just name it and thank God either silently or out loud. “That is a beautiful wild violet—thanks, God.” “Tami just helped Aaron get that fish off the hook, God is good.” We also remind them that there will be times on the go which are a bit frightening, or confusing. In those cases they should think or voice, “I need help, God.” We should not be afraid to see those around us who are suffering and offer a prayer with them. To recognize a bad situation and want to help a person out by praying, like my friend did, is commendable. The power of prayer is alive and well in the lives of God's faithful! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Help us to celebrate the one holy catholic and apostolic church. Amen
Reading: Esther 9:20-22 (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 reading comes at a time when the Jews were cast far and wide throughout the known world. Few were in Judah. In such a state, one would perhaps feel lonely and surely experience being broken and separated from one another. The small communities of Jews that gathered here and there could celebrate together and only wonder about other Jewish dispersed communities. But, they are called to celebrate all on the same day—the fourteenth day of Adar—the Feast of Purim. In that liturgy, they celebrated their oneness no matter how dispersed they were. World Wide Communion Sunday is coming up. This is the one day when all Christians in every corner of the world are called to celebrate our oneness in Christ. The liturgy, of course, is The Lord’s Supper. Just as Purim is a day for Jews to recall that they have gained relief from their enemies, Christians this Sunday recall together the gift of God’s presence throughout His church in the body and blood of our Lord. Regardless of our differences we are God’s one holy catholic and apostolic church. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Dear God, may we have salt in ourselves and peace with each other. Amen
Reading: Mark 9: 38-50 (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 Christians, we are to be the salt of the earth. Salt adds flavor, preserves what would otherwise spoil, melts places that are frozen and does so much more. Salt makes a difference! Like the man in the beginning of our reading for today who was driving out demons in Jesus's name, we are to make a difference. We are to be doing God's work with our hands and giving God the glory. The disciples weren't so sure about this, however, and asked Jesus if this man should be stopped. Jesus explained, "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me." (Mark 9: 39) Good point. Who, after doing God's work, would then say things against God? More likely, having served by loving God and loving others, there comes a peace within ourselves and with others. Let's be salt and make a difference. Let's give God the glory and be at peace. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Teach me to love all of your critters, O Lord.
Reading: Joshua 24:11-13 (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: So, I’m really curious—what delights you in this text? (I’m actually laughing out loud to myself as I type.) Hornets are nasty critters. And there is a large nest hanging in one of our trees and I don’t know quite what to do about it. It is a young tree and the nest hangs just a little above my head. Surely I’ll get stung the next time I mow. It is sort of close to the road where Amish buggies run all day long. Will the horses bother the hornets and get attacked? What to do. Long range hornet spray seems to be the answer. But wait. There is just as big a nest in our son and daughter-in-law’s tree. Its way up high, but we look down on it from their back porch. The hornets fly in and out. The common opinion is “they’re not hurting anything.” What am I to do with this hornets’ nest in my front yard? That wonderful camp song floats in my head among the laughter. All God’s Critters got a place in the choir, some sing low, some sing higher. Some hang out on the telephone wire. Some build nests in my front yard. I don’t know what to do about the hornets. What do you think? (I’m not laughing out loud any more, just smiling and hoping you are, too.) --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Dear God, holding your word in our hearts, may we grow in your love and share it with others. Amen
Reading: Psalm 1 (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: He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season... Psalm 1: 3 It is pear season at the Gates'! The tree is loaded. Pears are dropping faster than we can pick them. We have five baskets of pears on the kitchen counter and more in the refrigerator. More than we can eat; more than we can make into pie, muffins, crisp and jam. We've called the neighbors to help themselves. We'll bring them to church Sunday. Plenty of pears! That is what it means to yield fruit in season. That is like those whose delight is in the law of the LORD. Imagine if we yielded fruit like that pear tree in my backyard? It begins by rooting ourselves by living water. It continues by growing in God's word. It produces love to be shared. Fruit in season is truly a blessing. Next will be apples. That tree is loaded, too. Thanks be to God! --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to live gently.
Reading: James 3:13-4:8 (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: The Bishop’s Reconciliation Team, which I chair, runs into conflicts and disputes in our congregations and sometimes we just shake our heads. Where does this come from? We laugh a lot in our team meetings. I think to somehow balance the tears in our hearts. I’m grateful for James today who reminds us that conflicts in the church are not new and for a word—“gentleness.” We can learn all sorts of techniques and skills for dealing with conflict. We can teach people those skills and it helps. But what about attitude? That’s difficult to teach. But, maybe if a word can be planted in lives, conflict can be reduced. Life can be more peaceful. Today’s word is “gentleness.” In face of terrible conflict in our world. Seeing conflict in our churches. Experiencing conflict in our lives. Let us today just decide to live gently. To be gentle with ourselves. To speak gently to our children, our grandchildren, our spouses, our coworkers, our pastors, our nemesis, the cashier, the truck driver … --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Help us to spread your love, God, and understand how much you love us!
Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31 (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 could have some fun with this passage today! Just think if I went line-by-line and compared these verses to my own wife. This verse… check! This verse… well, maybe we need to work on that one! Of course, I’m just kidding. What struck me about this passage is there is a long laundry list of what it means to be a good wife. And then at the end, we are told that a woman who fears the Lord is to praised. So, why go through the long list when it seems there is one thing that is most important of all. I’m reading a book about fatherhood. The author, in the beginning of this book, reminds dads that the most important thing that you can do is love. Show unconditional love to your children. His wife reminded him that even though he says he shows unconditional love to his kids, she often sees that his expressions tell a different story. They often show disappointment, disgust, or something else. She says that is not showing unconditional love. What is love? The authors says God is love. And, if we can grasp hold of God’s unconditional love for us, we will hopefully respond to others in loving actions and caring hearts. Which are the types of things that are in our laundry list for wives today. Maybe if we focus on God’s love, everything else will just fall into place and we will feel blessed with the people in our lives. –Chad Hershberger, Executive Director Prayer: Dear Father of us all, as you welcome us as your children, may we always remember to welcome the children in our lives. Amen
Reading: Mark 9: 30-37 (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 photo broke hearts. Three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, a Syrian refugee, was found lifeless on the beach in southwest Turkey and sparked international outrage over Europe’s migrant crisis. The Turkish police officer prayed the little boy was alive as he approached and picked up Aylan. “Words cannot describe what a sad and tragic sight it was.” There are no words. We just cried. I have no words for today’s Camp Mount Luther GROW Time – First Light. Just these from our text today: (Jesus) took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9: 36, 37 --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Due to some computer issues, our normal post for yesterday did not get posted. Here is the final reflection on this week's readings, albeit a day late!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for taking care of the rising and setting of the sun. You make the days happen. Help us make the most of them. We are grateful. Amen. Reading: Psalm 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: (The sun) rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. Psalm 19: 6 It was still dark when I left the house this morning. I saw the sunrise through the rear window of my car. It was dark again when I returned. I saw the sunset behind me as I traveled home. All day long the sun shown down and, for the record, with the verse above in mind, it was a hot day. It was a long day but it was a good day. I got to my destination in time for worship at a church home away from home. Then there was nothing better than a family diner Breakfast Special when really, really hungry. The rest of the afternoon still with someone dear. It was a good, long day. Very grateful for this day. The sun will rise and set again tomorrow. I hear it is going to be another hot one! We have nothing to do with making the days happen but what we do with our days is up to us. Let's have good, long days. For that and for the sun rising and setting, we can be very grateful. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Help me, Lord, to be a good witness. Amen.
Reading: James 3: 1-12 (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: James really gives it to teachers in the opening line of this verse. He says they will be judged with greater strictness. All eyes will be on the teachers. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching part-time in higher education for the past 20 years. I enjoy working with college students and imparting wisdom on them. But I do know that they are watching to make sure that my actions match my words. This week, our appointed verses seem to be about listening. We’ve talked about listening to each other and listening to God. I think in this verse we are also being reminded that we are being watched. We watch the actions of others but they also watch us. What will people see when they watch you? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Help us to listen, God, to you and for us to cry out to you when we need to. Amen.
Reading: Proverbs 1:20-33 (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? Reflection: Wow! When I read this passage I want to curl up and not do anything. It seems to me that this is a long reprimand. Don’t do that. Don’t do this. You must only do this. But then it is all summed up at the end: “But those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.” We’ve been talking about listening in my home lately. Our kindergartner, adjusting to being a full-time school child, seems to get a little bossy when she is at home. And her parents get upset when she doesn’t listen and do what she is told, even after being asked several times. So, we’ve agreed to try to listen better on both sides and learn to live in harmony as a family. The past few days have been better as we’ve listened to one another. God is telling us that we need to listen. Listen to what God wants us to do. But also, cry out to God so that God can listen to us as well. And when that happens, there will be harmony in the kingdom! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to listen even when the news is bad. May we remember always you are the Christ. Amen
Reading: Mark 8: 27-38 (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: Peter had just gotten done saying to Jesus, "You are the Christ." Next thing we know, Jesus is sharing difficult news and Peter is telling him to stop talking. Peter knew Jesus was of God but he did not have in mind the things of God. Instead he had in mind the things of men and he just did not want to hear anymore of what Jesus was saying. I recently sat with friend as she shared difficult news of her husband's health. It's bad and there is no way to make it better. Surely it was hard for her to hear the prognosis from the doctor but she could not ask him to stop. She listened. As much as the words were hard for me to hear, I could not ask her to stop. I listened. Jesus spoke plainly about what was going to happen. My friend spoke plainly of what was going to happen. With the things of men in mind, neither are bearable. With the things of God in mind, we can still say, "You are the Christ." --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Help us, O Lord, to clean all the mud and grime from our hearts. Help us to be kind, loving, and forgiving, just as you love and forgive us. Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2 (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 kids love the Unami Creek, which winds its way through the woods just a few miles from our house in Upper Bucks County. They have a great time splashing in the creek, playing with the rocks, and especially getting covered in mud! It’s all fun and games…until it’s time to get in the car and drive home. I have them wipe off as much mud as they can, sit on their towels in the car, and make them promise when they get home to “Go straight upstairs, don’t touch anything, get those muddy clothes off, and hop straight into the tub!” Even though I’m not much of a housekeeper, I still don’t want that mud and dirty water all over the house. Even if they do make a mess, which they inevitable do, it’s relatively easy to deal with dirt and grime that we can see. We can bathe our bodies and wash our hair, and use stain stick and bleach on our clothes, etc. In his letters to the Ephesians, Paul reminds us to “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.” He also tells us to “Be angry but do not sin.” How do we do this? There are only a few Bible verses that I know by heart. One of them is, of course, Ephesians 4:32, because it’s a camp song! Be ye kind, one unto another: Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, Just as God, for Christ’s sake Has commanded you. Doo, doo, doodle-y doo. Ephesians 4:32! Even when we forget to be kind, we are forgiven. When we’re covered in metaphorical mud, we’re forgiven. When we’re angry and we yell and scream, we are forgiven. When we’re angry and we fume in silence, we are forgiven. God always forgives us. All of us. No matter what. –Christine Conz Moll, Camp Mount Luther Alumni Camper Prayer: Dear God, you surround us like mountains. We put our trust in you and find peace. Amen
Reading: Psalm 125 (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: Next year I will have an opportunity to go to Austria. I simply cannot wait to see the Alps and to be surrounded by mountains! I may even see sights from the movie, The Sound of Music, and just may burst into, "The hills are alive...with the sound of music." I will be there with a youth orchestra so I'm sure I won't be the only one. The Psalmist says the LORD surrounds his people as the mountains surround Jerusalem. Those who trust in the LORD cannot be shaken. How peaceful to be so safe. Problems big and small come and go. Mountains, bigger than anything, endure forever. God's peace is upon us. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Help us, Lord, to be generous when we welcome strangers. Amen.
Reading: James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 (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: Yesterday, I wrote about generosity and how we should be generous particularly with our money. Today, we read in James about being generous, too, but in a different way. We are reminded to be generous when it comes to hospitality. When a stranger approaches, we are not to judge him or her by their appearance, treating them differently. Instead, we should treat everyone with respect and love. How much better our world would be if everyone did that! We spend considerable time during staff training at camp talking about welcoming the stranger. I show our summer staff some tips and tricks to make people feel welcome. By doing that, I tell them, you are welcoming Christ into your midst. How do you welcome the stranger? How are you generous in your dealings with others? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Help me to be generous, God, and feel the blessing of giving to others. Amen.
Reading: Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23 (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 love the book of Proverbs. They don’t normally come up during the lectionary but this month, there is a series of readings from this book of wisdom as an option. So, I signed up to write on them throughout this month. In our assigned reading for today, I really like the reminder “those who are generous are blessed.” When I was first starting out on my own, I was reminded that when I got paid, I should give my “first fruits” to God. Someone told me that if I do that and be generous with my giving to others that God would provide for me. In the last 20-plus years, it has been my experience that is the case. Even in very lean years, if I still kept up with my giving to the church and charities, I’ve been able to balance my finances. Blessings come in many different forms. Being generous in your giving of money, time, and treasure are certainly ways to feel blessed this and every day. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |