Prayer: Praise to you, LORD, with our songs and dancing. Amen
Reading: Psalm 149 (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: Sing to the LORD a new song, ... Praise his name with dancing, ... (from Psalm 149) Today is Halloween! A time to pretend you are someone else for a few hours. Children in costumes will be dancing down the sidewalk for Trick or Treat or down the street in Halloween parades. There is a saying, "Dance as if no one is watching." to which you could add, "or in costume so no one knows it's you." Or sing! One year we had a group of trick or treaters who sang to us before asking for their treats! Sometimes we put out a “basket of books” (children’s picture books instead of candy) that we purchased at our library book sale. That's a new idea. Sing, new, praise and dancing. That is what our Psalm is about today. Things we can do everyday; not just on Halloween. -- Alice Yeakel
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Prayer: Dear God, we praise you that we can be a part of the body of Christ. May we as your church continue to live and serve you in a way that shows you have set a seal of your promised Holy Spirit in our hearts. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23 (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: This passage sits at the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and frequently before Paul gets into the meat of his letters he presents a thanksgiving for whom he is writing to (here that is verses 15-23). This is a great way to encourage the hearers, and assure them that him and the Lord care for them before he starts to give them the important information. Here Paul also encourages hearers by reminding them of their belonging in Christ (verses 11-14). In this portion, Paul uses the metaphor of seal to show our belonging in Christ. In the second half of verse 13 it says, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” During the time that this epistle (letter) was written, it was customary to use wax seals on documents as proof of ownership and authenticity. It is like having a signature sticker that you place on all your letters, and when the recipient takes the letter out of their mailbox, they know that it came from you and that no one else opened it before them because the sticker is intact! How cool is it that God wants you and wants to show everyone that you are his! Paul thought this was an awesome thing for the Ephesians to hear, and that it would encourage them to live as a part of Christ, to show others that the Holy Spirit lives within their hearts. May this encourage you as well! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Dear God, your holy ones shall receive the kingdom. May the assurance of forever and forever get us through what is unsettling day by day. Amen
Reading: Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18 (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: Daniel had a vision of four beasts which troubled and terrified him. Verse 18 of Daniel chapter 7 explains, But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever - forever and forever. In the face of four great beasts, the interpretation is one of receiving the kingdom. Not just forever but forever and forever. Have you had visions (or imaginations) that were unsettling? Day by day we can be troubled. Were you able to talk to someone about them? A listening ear is nice. Words of assurance are nice, too. Assurance forever and forever even better. The book of Daniel continues with more visions and interpretations. And so goes life for us. Keep in mind forever and forever is ours. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear Lord, help us show your love to the world. Amen.
Reading: Luke 6: 20-31 (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: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” These three lines stuck out to me as I read this passage because our world desperately needs to hear them, all people, everywhere. Love people who think and have different opinions than yourself. Do not be discouraged when you are hated, for your reward in heaven is greater than those who rejected you. And lastly, the golden rule, a rule we learned in elementary school that we still haven’t perfected. Read these lines and read them over again. Then put them into action. --Marie Barnard Prayer: Gracious and giving God we thank you and praise you. Thank you for everything you have given us. Help us follow you and do what you ask of us. Sometimes the road is hard and not how the world would have us live, but we know that your way is how we should go. We pray in Jesus name, AMEN
Reading: Luke 14:25-33 (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: This summer at camp we talked about Transforming Community. I feel that this Bible text touches on transformed lives. To be a disciple of Christ your life needs to be changed from what the world expects. You need to put God first in your life and give up other items. You must be willing to leave house and family to go where God calls you. During the summer the staff gives up a lot to teach others about God and Jesus. They have helped transform the lives of campers so the campers can transform the community that they go back to. The cost of discipleship is great, but the reward is even greater. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Lord, help me trust you even in the midst of the earth’s climate crisis.
Reading: Psalm 46 (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: Sometimes I get frustrated, frightened, discouraged and the future seems hopeless. The future of life on this planet is in our hands, and I’m not sure we’re doing a very good job. In fact, sometimes it seems to me that we are doing an absolutely terrible job. We are in an environmental crisis from which we may not recover. The earth may change, the mountains may shake, tremble and rise, the waters may roar, the icebergs may calf, the floods may recur more and more, the storms may intensify…you got my point. We really must understand that this is God’s creation. We are the stewards. We need to do a better job. Not because the planet is in peril and soon may not support human life, but because it is God’s creation. And the psalm reminds me that God is our refuge and strength. That is encouraging and reminds me to not give up. Gotta go, the truck is loaded with paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles … I need to get to the recycle center. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Help us to accept your gift, Lord. Amen
Reading: Romans 3:19-28 (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: This is the center of my faith. Just about everything for me revolves around these few words: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift. Gift. God’s gift. To me. You mean I don’t have to do anything? Yup. A gift is a gift. Often I connect this passage to John 1:16. (Not 3:16—1:16) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Not just grace, but grace heaped on grace. Grace and gift. That’s what life now and life to come is about. God’s grace. God’s gift. How can this be? All humans are justified by God’s grace. Life is a gift. I ask again, how can this be? Because that is the way God wants it. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Your word is written on our hearts, O Lord. May your love change us from the inside out. Amen
Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 (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: "Always know Jesus is in your heart with ya." It was a simple statement made by someone during Bible Study at Camp Mount Luther Family Camp, Summer 2018. Yet, he was saying the same thing an Old Testament prophet told of what God was going to do. "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts." (Jeremiah 31: 33) God changes us from the inside out by putting his Holy Spirit in our hearts. Tony's words are written on my heart, too. -- Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on October 24, 2016.
Prayer: Speak to us Lord, that we may hear your truth and live as people set free. Amen. Reading: John 8: 31-36 (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: Have you ever signed on to support an event or cause only to find that the premise wasn't exactly as it had been explained or that as other members joined, they influenced the committee according to their will or needs such that the outcome changed while you pressed on toward the objective? You might have felt like the rug was pulled out from under you and that you couldn't support the group's revised objectives. Sometimes though, we need to have an open mind to see they may have a better plan. It just takes us a while to come around. Jesus was speaking to Jews who already believe his teachings...that is until his latest words called into question their understanding of the freedom granted to them as descendants of Abraham. Since they were not bound as slaves, they believed their lives had already been secured by their ancestry alone. But Jesus tells them, they are bound...for the sins they surely commit ensure they cannot be free. They have become slaves to their sins. They no longer have a place in the family just slaves must sit apart from the family. Jesus then gives them a path to rejoin the family so that their sin won't keep them separate: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Living as faith-filled people, with open minds, this is the truth that will set us all free. --Andy Gates Prayer: Dear God, from heaven and earth come simple and humble seeds and deeds that bring comfort and help in hard times. Thank you. Amen
Reading: Luke 8: 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: Here is a recipe for a cold autumn evening. It’s called “Himmel und Erde”: Boil equal number of potatoes, apples, and turnips until soft. You can also add butternut squash. Drain and mash, adding lots of butter. Boiled cabbage makes a good side dish. There are more than 30 verses in Bible that refer to seeds, planting, harvesting. The translation of “Himmel und Erde" is Heaven (apples from a tree) and Earth (potatoes and turnips from the ground). Apples, turnips and potatoes; squash and cabbage are all simple and humble foods that have helped many a family through a long, cold winter. In the same way, our humblest deeds can help others through the hardest times. Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: O Lord our protector and guide we praise you and thank you. In our times of trouble and struggle we call to you. Help us through by giving us peace and comfort. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 121 (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: Psalms are some of my favorite scriptures to read when I need comforting. Some of them share my times of lamenting and some of them give praise to God. My all-time favorite Psalm is Psalm 100 because of the praising God and singing which are two of my favorite things to do. Many people use Psalm 23 when they are stressed and struggling. The Psalm for today’s devotion is a great one to reminder us that God is there to help us and protect us. As I look at the world around us, I need to be reminded of God being with us wherever we go at all times. Hopefully the Psalms can also comfort you when you are weary of whatever is around you. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Good and Gracious God we thank you for all you have given us. Help us use what we have learned about you to live a life of faith. Help us teach others the scriptures and to follow you. Give us wisdom to live a life of ministry that is uplifting and encouraging. Amen.
Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14- 4:5 (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: As I read this scripture I thought back to my younger days. My parents were extremely faithful in making sure we got to church and Sunday School. They were an example of faithful living and serving. I now use everything I learned growing up in my ministry. I try to be an example of faithful living for others around me, especially the youngsters at church. I know how busy lives get so I try to teach the scriptures to the younger ones through fun activities at church, so they have the foundation of faith when they get to high school when they have less time for church activities. I firmly believe that we must reach them when they are young because there are so many things in the world competing for their time. If we have a foundation of faith it will help us navigate through the times when we struggle. May your faith help you be an example of love and generosity to others. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Dear God, we sometimes wrestle with you. May we find our blessing even though we may end up with a limp. Amen
Reading: Genesis 32: 22-31 (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: Having recently read Rachel Held Evans's book, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water and Loving the Bible Again, I recalled she wrote about Jacob wrestling by the river, receiving a new name, asking for a blessing and leaving with a limp. I simply want to share that today. So, please read Genesis 32: 22-31 and here is part of what Rachel had to say: "The biblical scholars I love to read don't go to the holy text looking for ammunition with which to win an argument or trite truisms with which to escape the day's sorrows; they go looking for a blessing, a better way of engaging life and the world, and they don't expect to escape that search unscathed. ....If I've learned anything from thirty-five years of doubt and belief, it's that faith is not passive intellectual assent to a set of propositions. It's a rough-and-tumble, no-holds-barred, all-night-long struggle, and sometimes you have to demand your blessing rather than wait around for it. ...If we're lucky, it will leave us with a limp" (from Inspired, by Rachel Held Evans, 2018) Perhaps I share this especially because Evans passed away earlier this year unexpectedly after an illness. Next time I will write the devotion. This time her words live on. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, here I am, again. I’ll be back. Amen.
Reading: Luke 18:1-8 (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: “Be a pain in the butt.” Well, I know that is sort of crass, but that seems to be the point of the parable. Don’t take “no” for an answer. Keep bugging God, then bug God again, and again and again. Keep praying. Keep praying. AND don’t worry about the words. Well, maybe you don’t use words. Just keep praying. God will hear and respond. Sooner or later, maybe, but God will respond. --Jim Bricker Prayer: May we be patient, kind, and show our love to others. Amen.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 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: I think this passage is used extremely often, usually at weddings. Many of us are familiar with is, but I think it pertains more to our daily lives than to just the bonds of marriage. When we are at camp, perhaps it is easier to live by this passage and be patient with each other, not keeping records of people that have wronged us. We try to be honest, open, and transparent with each other and I think this allows us to love each other with patience and kindness. When not at camp, we may be pushed back into the world where not everyone believes or knows these words like us. Loving others as Christians can be difficult when we are not being reciprocated with the same love. We must remember to not be easily angered by others’ actions, and always be giving the kind of love that we would want to receive. --Kristin Jenkins Prayer: Praise the Lord! Great are your works. In awe may we grow in wisdom. Amen
Reading: Psalm 111 (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 fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” --Psalm 111: 10a Fear and wisdom go hand in hand; however, fear does not always mean we are frightened. Another word for fear here could be awe which has more of a connotation of respect. If we are respectful, we have understanding and that is how we obtain wisdom. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. May we remain faithful as you remain faithful to us, and remember the trustworthy saying that your word cannot be chained. Amen.
Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-15 (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 is writing to Timothy from prison. He is literally chained like a criminal as he writes this, yet he maintains his faith and the mission that has been set in his soul. He continues to speak of the gospel, his savior Jesus Christ. Jesus cannot be chained by death, God’s word cannot be chained, and therefore we will be unchained with Christ in our death and resurrection. This is Paul’s encouragement, his “trustworthy saying” to Timothy. I love the way that Paul writes this, phrasing the gospel in a way that is clever and easy to remember. Every once in a while, a leader, a teacher, a pastor, or a friend of mine will share little pieces of advice or sayings that stick with me. When something is short, sweet, and to the point it is easy to carry with you for when you need it. One thing that immediately comes to mind for me is when someone was talking to me about prayer routines and offered this nugget of wisdom: if you have something little you do out of habit, like fiddling with a ring or a watch, change that into something that reminds you to talk to God. I loved that little piece of advice and for me it became my necklace. I often wear little necklaces and when I fiddle with it, it now reminds me to pray! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: No matter our circumstances, Lord, may we always act with compassion. Amen
Reading: 2 Kings 5: 1-3, 7-15c (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: Naaman was a victorious commander in the army of the king of Aram but he had a problem - leprosy. On one raid, a young girl was taken captive and made to serve Naaman's wife. As a young slave in a foreign country, her circumstance could have made her bitter. Instead, she noticed Naaman's problem and compassionately suggested who could cure him. In the end, Naaman was not only healed by her God but also converted. What holds you captive? What is it that you think limits you in what you can do? Place? Time? Resources? Title? The young girl in this story had none of those but she did have compassion. Love reaching out. And that cannot be held captive no matter the circumstance. -- Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on October 3, 2016.
Prayer: Lord, may we always be grateful and close to you. Amen Reading: Luke 17: 11-19 (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 ten lepers in our story today held back from getting close to Jesus and asked for mercy from a distance. Society called them unclean and that is where they had to stand. But after Jesus sent them away to show themselves to the priests, one of the ten returned praising God and threw himself at Jesus's feet in gratitude. Imagine the feeling of being healed. Imagine the feeling of being able to finally go to the temple. That is all well and good, but imagine the one who felt gratitude and felt the closeness of being with Jesus. Where else would he rather be? When do we keep our distance? When we feel unclean or unwelcome? What do we long for in those moments or situations? Let's keep in mind we are always welcome with Jesus and a grateful heart is close to God. Where else would you rather be? --Ruth Gates Prayer: Father, help us to take the time to listen to you. To get rid of the stuff in our lives and focus on something that truly matters: your love. Help us to treat each other with love and understanding. We are grateful for a love that break boundaries and an understanding that brings all peoples and nations together. Thank you for peace. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 55:2 (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: It’s a simple yet powerful question. Why waste your hard-earned money, your precious time and effort on something truly pointless or worthless even? Something that will not matter when it’s all said and done, when the clock stops, and time runs out. Take a good hard look in the mirror and ask yourself this: Is this really a slice of break that I’m eating? --Logan Kuba Prayer: Lord, in stillness we quietly wait for you. May our patience lead us to knowing we can trust you always. Amen
Reading: Psalm 37: 1-9 (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: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him" With patience comes quiet. And when we are quiet, hopefully we are listening. And that’s when we become aware of what God wants us to do and that we can trust Him always. Enough said! Let's quietly think about that. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to live out your gospel of love and grace and be ever loyal to you even through tough time. Amen.
Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 1-14 (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 I read this passage, I am struck by the unwavering loyalty Paul has for God. He mentions twice the suffering he is going through and asks Timothy to “join with me in suffering for the Gospel, by the power of God.” To be honest, living with that loyalty to Christ can be challenging, people lose sight (and loyalty) of God easily when bad things happen in life, when they get really busy (I am guilty of this one), or when they do not feel welcomed by the church. Paul wrote 2 Timothy during his SECOND imprisonment and he was feeling very lonely because many people had deserted him. But somehow, Paul still did not lose sight of Christ, he was not distracted by worldly challenges but was focused on his faith and living out his purpose- to share the gospel of our Lord! In tough times, refocus on your faith & remember Paul! --Marie Barnard Prayer: Dear God, we often ask the same questions. Help us to find the answers as we read your word and walk in your ways. May we always remember we can talk to you and listen. Amen
Reading: Habakkuk 1: 1-4, 2: 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: Our Bible verses today remind me of FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions. You see them a lot nowadays. Google anything - Planning a wedding. Visiting a college. Buying a house. - and you can get a list of FAQs. Seems many people have many of the same questions. Hence, FAQs and answers so we can find out what most of us mostly need to know. In Habakkuk 1, the phophet is asking the questions, "How long?" and "Why?" Habukkuk 2 is God's answers. "How long?" and "Why?" could certainly be considered our FAQs, too. If you find yourself asking these questions, go ahead and read Habakkuk 1. Want to know the answers? Habakkuk 2. And just to know, Habakkuk 3 is the prophet's prayer. Aways a good idea. Talk and listen to God. Amen -- Ruth Gates |
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