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One of the alternative texts for Day 1 of this summer's "Living in God's Time" curriculum is the following. Day 1 is the day campers will learn and reflect on the season of Advent, as we study the seasons of the church year.
Reading: Revelation 21:1-7 Reflection: What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9) And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) What do you make of this? Put those two texts together and there could be a bit of confusion and challenge. I have used the Revelation image so often in my career—especially in funeral sermons. The images from John’s revelation comfort so many grieving folks as they deal with the loss of a loved one. The loved one is now in the presence of God and all things are new. The ho-humness of life and perhaps even the pain of dying has passed and God makes a brand new life for the one we love and miss. Isn’t that comforting? But I find that God is making things new in this life, too. The writer of Ecclesiastes is right in a sense, a pessimistic sense that things just go on, again and again. Life is as it is. “Que sera, sera.” And we could live that way. Sometimes we do. But then, a new relationship: thanks be to God. Then, a new being: thanks be to God. Then, a new beginning: thanks be to God. A new song: thanks be to God. A new way to understand something: thanks be to God. A new year: thanks be to God. A new place: thanks be to God. New health: thanks be to God. A new ________________________ (you fill in the blank.) Thanks be to God. Pray that you can see God making things new in the midst of your life today. --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff
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Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 15, 2013. Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Reflection: It is a challenge to come to believe that God uses foolishness and weakness to convince the world of the good news. But if you think about it, there is no science or rationality in the world that can conclude that the death of a man on a cross 2000 years ago is good news. No reasonable person can accept that the dead man, truly dead man, is raised and lives. No, no, no!!!! None of that makes sense. But, that is what we proclaim. That world did its damnedest, but God said “NO.” The world continues to work against God, but God says “Nice try.” In the resurrection God says, “I win. And since I win---so do you.” But, that is foolishness. To believe and proclaim that this nonsense makes sense. But, by the grace of God, that is what we believe and what we proclaim. It is not our wisdom or our power that makes this true. It is the power of God. So we proclaim and we boast—not in ourselves, but in God. Go ahead be proud today: “boast in the Lord.” --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff 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 3, 2013.  Discussion:
Reading: Micah 6:8 Reflection: We are all on a spiritual journey with God. We are all at a different point on our walk. Some may be very young in their faith, while others might be more experienced. It is just important that we are indeed walking with the Lord. As we walk, we need to remember to do several things. The Lord requires us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. God has called us and made us his chosen people. We are to take up the Cross of Christ each day. We must obey Him, making sure that we do justice and love kindness. And we need to do all that humbly. It may not be an easy task. Often, people may not want to hear about the gospel of Christ. There may be stumbling blocks along our way, but we will be rewarded if we show kindness and justice and humbleness in our life. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Watch this video, which is a depiction of this Bible verse in song. Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Reflection: Blessed are those who have special knowledge, or skill, or power or position for they will have lots of money. That sounds crass, but isn’t that really more in keeping with the attitude of the world we live in? I am struck by the amount of money thrown at head football coaches. I get frustrated sometimes when people complain about the salaries of our public school teachers. Our sense in this world of who are the blessed ones is really a matter of values. Jesus sees the world differently. He sees that those who aspire to live by God’s standards, no matter how much of the world’s rewards are theirs, are really the blessed ones. And sometimes trying to live by God’s standards means that we have less of the world’s rewards. And it sometimes means that we use the rewards the world gives us in ways that the world doesn’t generally understand. And we may be looked upon as “odd.” And I think that we experience blessings in both worlds. We may not command the salary of a head football coach, but we are still among the richest people on the planet. But we also are those who are blessed by valuing things other than our wealth. We are blessed as we try to place the blessings of this world in God’s hands that others may truly be blessed. Rejoice and be glad. --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff One of the alternative texts for Day 1 of this summer's "Living in God's Time" curriculum is the following. Day 1 is the day campers will learn and reflect on the season of Advent, as we study the seasons of the church year.
Reading: John 1:19-28 Reflection: Who are you? How many different ways can you answer that question? Son of Paul and Florence. June’s husband. Chaplain to the Staff of Camp Mount Luther. Retired. Devotion writer. Fisherman. ……… When asked “Who are you?” John the Baptist cuts to the quick. “I am the one who points to Jesus.” He could have said a lot more, but he didn’t. When push comes to shove—John is the one who introduces us to Jesus. Who are you? In a previous devotion we thought a bit about the fact that God chooses us and makes us his children. Who are you? I am a child of God. That is a great answer. Probably not the first thing that comes into our minds when we begin to identify ourselves. Still, a great answer. And, if we identify ourselves as a child of God, would we not also be pointing others to Jesus? Who do you know who needs to be pointed to Jesus? How might you do that? Thanks, God, for John who points me to Jesus. Help me to point others to Jesus. Amen. --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff We have a little different exercise for our devotions today. As we’ve been talking this week about darkness and brokenness being turned into new light and life, pray this Sunday’s Psalm (27) and reflect on these themes: Reading: I Corinthians 1: 10-18
Reflection: We don’t like to think about it, but there was a lot of conflict in the New Testament church. Paul addresses the church at Corinth, which is apparently consumed by quarreling factions: Chloe’s people, people committed to Paul’s teaching, Apollos’ teaching, and Cepha’s teachings. Sad, very sad. Unfortunately, things have not improved. The Church of Jesus Christ is broken and just seems to continue to be fragmented. If folks don’t like what is going on in a congregation, they just pull up roots and start another church. It goes on and on. The conflicts among members of individual congregations generally turn out to be painful, destructive and divisive. In today’s reading, God is calling us to a high, high standard—“that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” In this instance, Paul focuses us on the cross—the power of God. Let’s keep our focus and work together to proclaim the gospel. --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff Closing: Pray today for Upper Susquehanna Synod Bishop Robert L. Driesen’s Reconciliation Team, which works for congregations in distress and conflict. For today's devotional, again we will use the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which is part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. First, read the passage and then discuss/ponder the four questions below. Conclude by reading the reflection and closing presented.
Reading: Isaiah 9- 1-4 QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? (or for younger kids, which part of the story doesn’t make sense to me?) QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text? (or for younger kids, what is my favorite part of the story?) QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? (or for younger kids, what does this story remind me of?) QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? (or for younger kids, what is God or Jesus doing in this story?) Reflection: In our lessons for this Sunday, I keep seeing this idea of darkness and brokenness turning into new light. Verse 2 of this reading reminds me that once again: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.” Too often, I think I’ve heard this scripture and related it to some Biblical story of the past. Yeah, the people in Isaiah’s time did face a lot of hardships. Look at Moses and the people of the Exodus! Even when we hear the Christmas story and are reminded about Jesus coming to earth and being the light of the world, it still often feels distant to me. But we today walk in darkness to. We deal with conflict, broken relationships, hard times, medical uncertainties. This verse reminds us that we are to look for the light and remember that God is in our midst. The light still shines in the darkness and turns brokenness into new life. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Pray for a situation that you are aware that needs new life and light. Reading: Matthew 4: 12-23
Reflection: Imagine how Jesus was feeling. He just heard the news. John the Baptist had just been arrested. In these situations, one might feel that they are powerless. They have not control. They are living in darkness. So, what does Jesus do? He went to Capernaum and started anew. He started calling disciples to be his ministers. He started to teach and preach and spread the Good News. For me, this passage is another example of darkness and brokenness being turned into new light. Instead of focusing on the arrest of John and the “bad times,” Jesus instead, “went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.” (verse 23) Perhaps when times are tough for us, we need to change our focus and see new light. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director One of the alternative texts for Day 1 of this summer's "Living in God's Time" curriculum is the following. Day 1 is the day campers will learn and reflect on the season of Advent, as we study the seasons of the church year.
Reading: John 1:1-18 Reflection: Each of the Gospel writers introduces Jesus differently. Which do you like best? Without any debate, John is my favorite. Each time I hear it, something new delights and intrigues me. When I last heard it, “grace upon grace” rang clearly and invited me to wonder what God is up to now. So, can you recall a time when you received that perfect gift and thought “nothing can top this?” Just to have it topped later. Sort of like horseshoes-a ringer on top of a ringer. That’s what I think about receiving grace upon grace. How can there be anything more than God’s grace? John says, well out of Jesus’ fullness there’s more--if you think that is something, well you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. And it’s true. Every day it’s true. Sometimes we don’t know it because we don’t pay attention. But when we think about it—it’s true. God’s grace just keeps coming and coming. Your grace keeps coming, Lord. Thanks. Amen. --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff Discussion:
Reading: Psalm 40:1-11 Reflection: Patience is a virtue. Find it if you can. Seldom found in women. Never found in man. At least that’s the way I remember it. Then there is this: I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. I’m not too sure about the waiting patiently part, but I am sure about God hearing my cry. Or whimper or complaint or mumbling or grousing or moaning or whatever other foul mood I may be in. And here’s how I know that God hears me: because somehow or another, sooner or later my foul mood brightens. And then there is this: He put a new song in my mouth. It’s hard to be miserable when you’re singing. And what wonderful new songs there are to sing. (Every hymn was once new!!) One of the things that I am happy about is the way that recent Lutheran hymnals have expanded our repertoire. We used to sing mostly the hymns that came to us from Europe. Now we have hymns from Africa, South America, Israel, United States, etc. Some of them are so easy to sing, others aren’t. But they’re great fun to learn. Even if we stumble through them and maybe unconsciously change the tune a bit. If you have an Evangelical Lutheran Worship handy, check out “Wade in the Water” # 459. This is an African-American spiritual that I recently discovered. Not easy to sing, but a great new song. What new song is God putting in your mouth? Closing: Watch this YouTube video of the aforementioned song. It is actually a sound check from a group called “Sweet Honey in the Rock.” Reading: I Corinthians 1:1-9 Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
Reflection: When I was a kid I spent a lot of time at the playground and many days found myself involved in a pick-up baseball game. We didn’t need 18 people to play baseball. We adjusted the rules to suit the number of players we had. I also remember how we chose the teams. Toss a bat to somebody who caught it in one hand. The other “captain” would grasp the bat just above the first hand and back and forth they would go until somebody was at the very top of the bat and there was no room for another hand. That captain got to choose first. It was o.k. if you didn’t get chosen first, but getting chosen last—that could be a problem. God chooses us. That should feel pretty good. God chose us before we were born. Wow! What is God up to? What does God want with me? “I will give you as a light to the nations.” Really? You’ve got to be kidding. Nope. God chooses us so that we might bring the light of Jesus into the lives of other people. --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff Closing: Let’s sing: This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! Reading: John 1:29-34
Reflection: Mine is January 25. When is yours? Yesterday we celebrated the Baptism of Our Lord, reading Matthew’s account of Jesus’ and John’s encounter at the Jordan River. Chad commented on that a week ago. Our reading for today is John’s account. Oh, I forgot to tell you that the date I’m looking for is the anniversary of your baptism. I think it is important to celebrate our baptisms. To remember that, indeed, each of us is a child of God. Chosen by God “before the foundation of the world,” Paul says in Ephesians. To rejoice that God holds us in relationship with him and consequently with each other. In that relationship we receive “grace upon grace.” Oooooooooooooops. That’s Friday’s devotion. Here’s a challenge for you—if you don’t already know, look up the date of your baptism and put it in your calendar. And if you use a digital calendar, put it in to repeat annually. And then celebrate each year the day you became a child of God and began being held in God's hand, receiving "grace upon grace." --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Summer Chaplain to the Staff Closing Prayer: At his baptism, O God, you proclaimed Jesus your beloved and sent the Holy Spirit upon him. Help all of us, your sons and daughters through baptism, to be faithful to our calling. Amen. Discussion:
Reading: Mark 1: 1-8 Reflection: This summer at camp, we will be exploring Biblical themes through the curriculum, “Living in God’s Time.” It will take a look at the seasons of the church year and how the stories we look at during those periods are relevant to our lives today. On Mondays this summer, we will study Advent and our scripture text is the one you read today. Interestingly, as we commemorate the Baptism of Jesus this Sunday in our churches, it is a good reminder to hear of John. Remember, John the Baptist was something of a celebrity during his time and some people actually thought he was the Messiah. But in this lesson, John makes it clear that he is not. He is preparing the way for someone greater: Jesus. In today’s society, with a mentality of always getting ahead, it is it refreshing to hear John’s words and be reminded that they are people who are humble and who are willing to point to someone or something greater than themselves? As our campers study about Advent this summer, it is my hope that they, too, can learn to help point others toward Jesus not only doing the Advent season but all year long. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Close in prayer, thanking God for those who prepare the way. Reading: Acts 10: 34-43
Reflection: This week, as we prepare to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus on Sunday, we have reflected on how God’s voice comes into our lives, calling us to take action. As we do God’s work with our hands, God is with us every step of the way. Our second reading for Sunday is a snapshot of that happening for the early disciples. Peter speaks to the early Church and reminds us of what happened after Jesus was baptized. He recounts Jesus’ ministry among us and how Jesus overcame death with his own death and resurrection. And, Jesus gave us the great commission that we, too, should go out and make disciples, baptizing them and testifying to what God has done. It strikes me in this passage that Peter’s account of history is infused with God doing a lot of action. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit, God raised Jesus from the dead, God chose witnesses of these things and God ordained all this to be so. It reminds me that I should spend a little more time looking for God in what I’m doing. God plays a huge role in our lives. But perhaps I don’t always see God’s presence among me as I do what I’ve been called to do here on earth. Take a little time today to reflect on where you see God! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Re-read this passage. But this time, replace Peter’s name with your name. Does it give you a new mission in the coming days? For today's devotional, again we will use the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which is part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. First, read the passage and then discuss/ponder the four questions below. Conclude by reading the reflection and closing presented.
Reading: Psalm 29 QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? (or for younger kids, which part of the story doesn’t make sense to me?) QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text? (or for younger kids, what is my favorite part of the story?) QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? (or for younger kids, what does this story remind me of?) QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? (or for younger kids, what is God or Jesus doing in this story?) Reflection: I am particularly struck by verse 3 of this passage: "The voice of the Lord is over the waters." It reminds me of baptism. When a child or adult is baptized, isn't it something to think that God is there, in our midst. And, God was even there when Jesus' was baptized and that same voice came down from heaven and sounded over the waters. As we hear God's voice, listen to what we are being called to do, and then taking action, we should remember always that God is with us. God isn't merely directing us to do something; but, is by our side every set of the way. That is indeed good news! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Pray this benediction, which is often used at the end of worship services. God go before you to guide you. God go behind you to protect you. God go beneath you to support you. God go beside you to befriend you. Be not afraid. And let the blessing of Almighty God, The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Descend upon you, settle in around you, and make its home in you. Be not afraid. Go in peace. Amen. For today's devotional, again we will use the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which is part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. First, read the passage and then discuss/ponder the four questions below. Conclude by reading the reflection and closing presented.
Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-9 QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? (or for younger kids, which part of the story doesn’t make sense to me?) QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text? (or for younger kids, what is my favorite part of the story?) QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? (or for younger kids, what does this story remind me of?) QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? (or for younger kids, what is God or Jesus doing in this story?) Reflection: The word "chosen" comes to mind when I read all four texts for this Sunday's lessons. In the Old Testament verse, we are reminded of these words: "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations." As chosen children of God, we are reminded in Isaiah that he have responsibilities, too. I think we are to spread God's love to others. And, as this verse tells us, we are to bring justice as well. We are reminded, too, in this passage that God is with us as we do that work. "I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness." What will you do today to spread God's love and light to others? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Pray for those who need to see the light. Discussion:
Thank you for being a reader of our "First Light" devotions. We've enjoyed sharing these with you during this first year of this project. Reading: Matthew 25: 31-46
Reflection: I've always liked this story. Jesus reminding us that we are to treat others as if they were him. He reminds us that when we visited the sick or imprisoned, we visited him. When we gave food to the hungry or clothes to the naked, we did it to him. What a great lesson for us to remember! This story also reminds me of a song we sang when I was a camper at Mount Luther. We sing it occasionally now, but I remember singing it often when I was young. I share the words with you today to reflect on and determine ways you can treat others better than you do now. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Whatsoever You Do Written by Unknown; Copyright Unknown Chorus: What-so-ever you do to the least of my people, so you do unto me. When I was hungry, you gave me to eat; When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink. Now enter into the home of my Father. (Chorus) When I was weary, you helped find rest; When I was anxious, you calmed all my fears. Now enter into the home of my Father. (Chorus) When I was little, you taught me to read; When I was lonely, you gave me your love. Now enter into the home of my Father. (Chorus) When in a prison, you came to my cell; When on a sick bed, you cared for my needs. Now enter into the home of my Father. (Chorus) When I was laughed at, you stood by my side. When I was happy, you shared in my joy. Now enter into the home of my Father. (Chorus) Reading: Psalm 8
Reflection: We’ve looked at this psalm three other times in the past year during these “First Light” devotions. In each of those times, the reflection was on creation as this is a psalm of David praising our creator. This time, let’s focus on verse 2, which starts “Out of the mouths of babes and infants…” Kids do say the darnedest things, don’t they? It is often refreshing to hear the honesty of children’s speech. They tell it like it is. They share what they know, and don’t worry what others might think. At camp, we teach our staff to practice HOT Communication with one another. HOT stands for honest, open, and transparent communication. Part of living together in community with others means we must communicate well and resolve conflict effectively. We must speak the truth in love, share ourselves, and be frank and candid. Kids can be our model for that. And so can God. If we ponder what God is up to in the midst of conflict, then we are thinking about conflict theologically. How we treat one another in conflict should reflect Christ and our Christian beliefs and practices. When we do our part to manage conflicts, God does far more than we can ask or think. As we work the steps of a Christian ethic of conflict management, we are graced by a Christ we had not thought to be present and by a hope we had not expected to realize. This psalm is telling us that praise, even babbling from children’s mouths, is satisfying to God. I think working out conflicts in a positive way is also pleasing to our Creator. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13
Reflection: As we begin a new year, we often make resolutions to try to have a better life. We look to the new year with great hope and positive anticipation. On New Year’s Day, the world seems to be our oyster! Several years ago, our summer staff used the theme “Our Endless Numbered Days” for staff training. We based it on a song from the musical group Iron and Wine. We focused on the fact that even though we think we have endless days to do whatever we want, we don’t. Our life is only a certain number of days. We must learn to live in the present time, not worrying about the past or the future. We should enjoy what we have and get the most out of each and every day. When our life comes to an end, we shouldn’t have any regrets; rather, we should feel we lived each day to the fullest, having been bold and adventurous along the way. As the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” This year, there will be times of hellos and goodbyes. There will be mountains and valleys, good times and bad. There will be births and deaths, sun and rain, dancing and sitting. Life is good. Enjoy every minute of it! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director |
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