Prayer: Lord, I love you. Send me to love my neighbor. Amen
Reading: Mark 12:28-31 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 are a daily reader of these devotions, you may recall that the devotion two weeks ago dealt with loving God and last Friday we considered loving neighbor. Another text from this summer’s camp curriculum records Jesus combining the two commands into one. You shall love God and you shall love your neighbor. I remember learning in confirmation classes (that was a long time ago!) that the first three of the Ten Commandments have to do with our relationship to God. Commandments 4 through 10 have to do with our relationships with people—neighbors. And I think that Jesus makes it rather clear in today’s reading that our love is not an either-or situation. We love God in worship, devotions, prayer, meditation. I think, however, by putting these two commands together, Jesus says that isn’t all there is to it. You must also get involved in life today. We must love our neighbor, too. I would go as far as to say that loving God and loving neighbor are one in the same. When we love our neighbor, we love our God. We cannot love our God without also loving our neighbor. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff
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Prayer: Dear God, help us to build each other up with love. Amen
Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: When I read, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brothers to fall into sin…” (v. 13), I remember a time I went to visit a friend at her mountaintop cabin. Now, I have known her forever and have visited her many, many times but this trip was different. Something was missing. It took a while to figure it out but after a few meals, I realized all the food was healthy and fresh. No cookies, no candy, no processed sugar, no crunchy, salty snacks. There was no junk food to be found and believe me, after two days, I had started looking. So, I asked and she explained she was trying to eat better. She also saw that look in my eye of, “I could really go for a chocolate chip cookie right now.” What to do? She had not thought to “warn” me of her resolution (which, mind you, was not anytime near New Year’s) and the nearest town was miles away along a winding, narrow road. Not an easy dash to the convenience store on the corner. Besides, I did not want to be the one to tempt her with chips in the house. I might have been limping along lacking high fructose corn syrup but I was not going to cause my friend to stumble! Whether or not this story has anything to do with Paul’s writing about food sacrificed to idols, I do think it is good to remember to be a support to all around us in their certain situations of trying to be strong. Most importantly, remember, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (v. 1b) Let us build each other up with love. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Dear God, with the information overload of our world today, help us to remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of 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: My dad always said, “We grow too soon old and too late smart.” Actually, he said it in Pennsylvania Dutch but I don’t remember exactly how to say it, let alone how to spell it, so this is the REV (Ruth’s English Version) translation. Psalm 111 reminds us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Now, being the scaredy-cat that I am, to think I am to be in fear of the Lord is unsettling to say the least. However, over the years, I have come to learn perhaps awestruck and humbled fit together to be the state of fear the Psalmist is talking about. So today, what aside from God has me awestruck and humbled? Oh, I would have to say technology and the information age. There is so much to know and, even if you don’t know it, there is no excuse because of Google. Unfathomable amounts of knowledge is right at your fingertips, however, how you use knowledge is where wisdom makes the difference. Therefore, awestruck and humbled before the Lord and with everything I have learned, I know this is what I am to do: Love God; love others. That is wisdom. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: In all circumstances, God, help us to seek you. Amen.
Reading: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20 (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 admit it—I don’t get this passage. When I looked at the passage for today and knew that none of our writers volunteered for this one, I knew I had to write something about it. I could probably go pull out some commentaries and see what other theologians have to say about this, but I will admit this, too: I just don’t have the time. When I get stuck like this, I often think to myself, “What is God up to?” And so I asked myself that question before I re-read the passage. And all I came up with is this: God is reminding those in Moses’ time, and those in our time, that God should be our number one. It God ordains something, we should pay attention. There will be false prophets, but they will die. What God creates and put life we need to pay attention to. Last night, I was involved in an emergency medical situation. I was in a gathered crowd where one among us passed out. We needed to attend to her and get professional help. My camp training came in very handy! As I learned more about the condition that this individual deals with on a regular basis, I was reminded that when we meet people, we don’t always know what they are going through and their back stories. And so, I challenge you to continually, in all circumstances, ask what God is up to and where we can see God in any situation. I know you’ll find God there, just as I found God’s help in the writing of this devotional! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Lord, help me to see Jesus in new ways through the heroes of my faith.
Reading: Mark 1: 21-28 (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: Our story today is about a teacher. The teacher goes to the synagogue and teaches. While there, he also heals someone, by demanding an unclean spirit come out of the man. Wow! A teacher and a healer! Amazing! Our passage tells us that when Jesus did this, his fame spread throughout the land. Think back on teachers that you have had. After they taught, did their fame spread throughout the land? As we continue o our Epiphany journey and Jesus is revealed more and more to us, I wonder how many people in our lives helped to reveal Jesus to us. Was it a teacher? Was it a healer? Who are the heroes of your faith who allowed you to see Jesus in new and exciting ways? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Lord, teach me how to be a good neighbor. Amen Reading: Leviticus 19:18 (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: Last Friday, Ruth Gates reflected with us on the command in Deuteronomy 6, You shall love the Lord your God. Today we pick up another text from this summer’s camp curriculum, You shall love your neighbor. The list of people we are commanded to love in Leviticus 19 is varied: mother, father, poor, alien, laborer, deaf, blind, kin, neighbor. And today’s appeals from agencies, causes and people in need are just as varied and myriad. Sometimes, we don’t know who to help. O.K. I want to love my neighbor, but who …? Recall the parable Jesus told in response to someone trying to figure this out years later. And who is my neighbor? Then Jesus tells a story (Luke 10: 25-37). He never defines who our neighbor is. Rather he describes what being neighborly looks like. And in this story, neighborliness is showing mercy. Robert Frost’s poem Mending Wall quotes the phrase “Good fences make good neighbors.” The poem doesn’t actually support that idea, but many use the quote as a positive statement for building fences and avoiding arguments. Jesus’ parable posits something else that makes good neighbors—an attitude of extending mercy to whomever needs it. May God this day help us to be good, merciful neighbors. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff. Prayer: Dear God, you are our rock and our refuge. Hear us as we pour out our hearts before you. Help us to wait in you for hope that will not be shaken. Amen
Reading: Psalm 62:5-12 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: When I was young, I played on a pile of rocks with my cousins. How can I describe it? It was a big pile of big rocks. My uncle had intentions of building a rock wall around a patio so he literally had a big pile of big rocks in the side yard. I am not sure how my aunt felt about that pile of rocks but the cousins absolutely loved it. Some kids had treehouses. We had a rock pile. It was big enough to imagine doorways, hallways and even separate rooms. One rock was big enough to be a table; another was the size of a sofa. We had endless hours of living in our rock house. I secretly hoped my uncle would never get around to finishing that patio wall. What an indestructible fortress; what a great place to play! We could have weathered any storm and I am sure there were times when we hid from my aunt as she called us in for dinner. Psalm 62 is a song of trust in God alone. David, in the years when he was an outlaw from King Saul, had hideouts in rocks in the desert and strongholds for defense. He was an experienced fighter and knew the value of such defenses. David recognized, however, that he owed his safety to God, his true rock and fortress. The same is for us. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Psalm 62: 5-7 --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Dear God, help us as we live in this world to try our best to not be of this world. Amen
Reading: I Corinthians 7: 29-31 (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: Have you ever felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole? It doesn’t work. I remember when the dig, “You are so square” was the mean way to say a person just did not fit in. Or maybe you aren’t even trying to fit in but there is still that problem of being something that just doesn’t jive with the way things are. I have definitely felt that at times. How about you? Well, Paul, in his writing to the Corinthians, certainly discusses many thorny issues some of which are part of our reading and I am simply not sure how to explain. But verse 31 simply states: …(Let) those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. I think he is saying live in this world but not of this world. He does not quite get us to the coolness of the popular song a while back, “It’s Hip to be Square,” but at least we know it is what we are called to be. His encouragement is in the second half of the verse, For the present form of this world is passing away. Square pegs and round holes or round pegs in square holes…all will fit in God’s Kingdom. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Thanks God, for your unconditional love. Amen Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (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 prophet Jonah is one of the persons included in this summer’s camp curriculum. At first glance, he is a bit of an odd choice. How often do we read Jonah? And besides being swallowed up by a “large fish,” (1:17) what more do we remember about Jonah? More importantly, what does the little book of Jonah tell us about God? After asking those questions, maybe the choice of Jonah is a good one. The passage we read today certainly reflects the theme of the summer curriculum, A Love that Never Ends. After hearing God’s judgment delivered by Jonah, the people of Nineveh “believed God,” and repented of their evil ways (3:6). God changed his mind and did not punish the city. God loved the people. Enough to point out their sinfulness and enough to be gracious and merciful (4:2). Indeed, A Love that Never Ends. I am reminded of one of Martin Luther’s uses of the law—it drives us to the grace and love of God. Sometimes, however, we need to be reminded that we fall short. That there are thoughts and actions that are not pleasing to God. And try as we might, we always find ways to mess up. What to do? What to do? Trust in the love of God. A love that never ends. --Jim Bricker, Camp Mount Luther Chaplain to the Summer Staff Prayer: Here I am Lord, send me. Amen. Reading: Mark 1:14-20 (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 texts the last few weeks have been call stories. We’ve read about people and how God called them to do extraordinary things. Today, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was called by God to do extraordinary things. He walked among us and asked people to help him in his cause of civil rights. In a way, I guess we could say that he fished for people, too. Jesus tells his disciples in our passage today that they should drop their nets, follow Him, and he’ll help them fish for people. What is Jesus telling you to drop? How can you follow Him better in the next day, week, month, year, or decade? How will you tell others about what God is doing in your life and promote a life of discipleship? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear God, we love you with all our heart, soul and strength. Help us to keep this commandment and teach it when home or away, when up or down. Whatever will help us remember, may we do it, for you are the Lord our God. Amen
Reading: Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 (Click to read text). This is one of the alternative texts for Day 1 of this year’s curriculum, “A Love that Never Ends.” Day 1 is about the Covenant with Abraham. Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I have come to the conclusion in my getting older age I remember best what I have heard in a song, especially if it is a verse from scripture. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are told to remember God’s commandments by tying them as symbols on their hands, binding them to their foreheads and writing them on their door frames. For me, put the verse in a song and I will be singing it forever. And that is exactly how this commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength.” (v. 5) truly became ingrained in my mind and on my heart. It happened one of our first years of Family Camp at Camp Mount Luther. The scripture text becomes a 3 part round of 3 different variations on the same theme best taught and sung with 3 counselors running around the worship site with 3 large poster boards of the words to lead the round with the campers who have been divided into 3 groups. Sounds much more complicated than it really is and once you know it…well, you know it forever. Thank you Camp Mount Luther! Better than binding it to my forehead and certainly a way I can share it with others. I just need two other song leaders, 3 pieces of poster board and campers. Come to Camp Mount Luther and you can learn it, too! --Ruth Gates, Family Camper Prayer: Dear God, it is amazing how you know us inside and out; our coming and going; from before we were born to this moment to forever. Thank you for being with us always. Help us to trust you wholly, everywhere and always. Amen
Reading: Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 (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: The guys in my family watch a show called, Person of Interest. I usually don’t watch but from what I understand, it is about a super computer (Finch’s machine) that knows everywhere everybody goes and everything everybody does. Through the collection and processing of what must be a bazillion bits of data, lives are tracked, dangerous plots discovered and heroes are sent to save the day. Nothing escapes the machine. Our God is inescapable, too, though certainly not in the sense of a suspenseful tv drama. Psalm 139 assures us of God’s loving involvement in our lives. Nothing can escape God’s concern – no person, no thought, no place, no time. Technology tends to let me down (admittedly most often because of user error) but I know I can trust God’s concern for me (despite my errors). I come to the end – I am still with God. (v. 18) --Ruth Gates, Family Camper Prayer: Lord, help us to be a living sacrifice for you. Amen.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20 (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: Well, we are almost half way through the month of January. Many folks make a New Year’s resolution at the beginning of this month to try to improve their life for the year. I heard on the radio just the other day that by two weeks in, most people have abandoned their resolutions. How are you doing? If your resolution was about treating your body better or getting healthier, maybe this passage will help you. St. Paul is reminding us that our bodies are given to us by God and we should take care of them. I also recently read about how amazing our bodies really are. They do things that no human invention can do better. So, take care of your bodies. And, if you’ve fallen off the wagon for one of your resolutions, today is a great day to get back on! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Pray that you will be open to the unexpected.
Reading: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: When I was growing up, my childhood pastor often said to me, "Chad, if God taps you on the shoulder, make sure you don't say 'no.'" He encouraged me to think about ordained ministry. Again, he said, “Chad- if God taps you on the shoulder, make sure you don’t say ‘no’.” He added, however, that if I felt more called, being involved in the church as a layperson, that was good, too. The church needed folks like that. He told me my parents were good role models in that department. I never forgot his words. After I became Mount Luther director, I got in touch with my old pastor's widow. She was delighted to hear from me and agreed that Pastor would be very proud of where I ended up and what I was doing to advance God's work. I think God can tap us in different ways. We, like Samuel, should be willing to do whatever God asks us to. We need to be aware of what God is saying to us in our lives and act on it. When God taps us, no matter what God asks, we shouldn't say, "no." When have you felt God tap you on the shoulder? What did God ask you to do? How did you respond? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Lord, help me to see my potential. Amen.
Reading: John 1: 43-51 (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: God sees all that we do. There is nothing in our lives that God does not know about. God knows every hair on our head. But not only does God see us in a visual sense, but also in other ways as well. God sees our potential. Jesus saw the potential in the disciples he called. He also sees what we are capable of. We may not feel that we have what it takes to get something done or to do something in our life. But God sees our potential. God also looks at us when we are in needs of instruction. Life does not come with a manual that gives us all the directions (except for maybe the Bible!). When we are in need of help and instruction, God is there for us to show us the way. God is always with us, watching over us, seeing our potential, and giving us instruction. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: As we get ready to celebrate his life next week, discuss with others or meditate on this quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Oh, the worst of all tragedies is not to die young, but to live until I am 75 and yet not every truly to have lived.” Prayer: Help us, God, to love ourselves, others, and you.
Reading: Genesis 17: 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: This summer, our curriculum is “A Love That Never Ends.” We’ll be looking at several Old Testament heroes and how God showed love to them and how we need to show love to others. Day 1’s story is the covenant with Abraham. So, who are we to love? A companion text for Monday is Mark 12: 28-31, which shows how the people of God are expected to follow the command to love God and to love others. Sometimes it is hard to love other people, isn’t it? What gets in our way of loving God? When is it difficult to love ourselves? Why do you think that Jesus said that this was the greatest commandment? Over the next few days, I challenge you to the time to tell or write something that you love about your family or friends. Share that with them. And share with someone how much you love God. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear God, help us to listen for your voice. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 29 (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 we read this week about Jesus’ baptism, one thing that I am always in awe about is the voice of God telling us that “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” To hear that voice of God coming from the heavens that day must have been impressive. Our Psalm for this Sunday also reminds us of the power of God’s voice. Here, we are reminded of the power of God’s voice. But I am also reminded that God’s voice can also be heard in the quiet. We aren’t always going to hear a loud booming voice to tell us what to do. We need to seek God’s voice in the quiet, too, and in the voices of others that we trust. Where do you hear God’s voice? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Help us to remember our baptism, Lord, and the baptisms of others. Amen.
Reading: Acts 19:1-7 (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: Both my children were baptized at camp at the exact same spot. They were baptized by our congregation’s pastor and were surrounded by family and friends. When our pastor asked us to raise each of them in the faith, I can remember feeling the weight of that responsibility. But, I knew that they also would be guided by the Spirit, because the Spirit came down and became part of them that day. In this passage, we are told about some folks who were baptized by John. But then, they heard about the baptism in Jesus’ name. They received that baptism and the Spirit also dwelt within them. What a day it must have been for them. As we celebrate Jesus’ baptism this Sunday, may you remember times when you were involved in a baptism. It may have been your own, or a family member’s, or a member of your congregation. Remember those days and celebrate the Spirit becoming part of lives! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Lord, let me a light to others and let my light be good. Amen. Reading: Genesis 1: 1-5 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Sometime, on this day of Epiphany, go over to a light switch in a dark room, say, “Let there be light” and turn it on. Imagine what it was like for God when God said those words and it was so. Imagine what it was like to call light “day” and dark “night.” As we turn to a new season of the church year today, we will focus on themes of revealing and light. Jesus, the light of the world, is revealed to us in this season. We see His light shining in the darkness. We also are to be light for the world. We are to reflect Christ in our actions. And so, sometime soon, think of something that you might do for another person. Say to yourself, “Let there be light” and go do it. Imagine what it is like for Christ to see you letting your light shine before others. And imagine God saying, “It is good.” --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Thank you, God, for those who prepare the way. Amen. Reading: Mark 1: 4-11 (Click to read text) Discussion:
Reflection: Last summer at Camp Mount Luther, we explored Biblical themes through the curriculum, “Living in God’s Time.” We took a look at the seasons of the church year and how the stories during those periods are relevant to our lives today. On Mondays we read the scripture text that 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? How do you help point others toward Jesus? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: As we look forward to Epiphany tomorrow, watch this video of the song, "They Rejoiced with Exceeding Great Joy." Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (Click to read text)
Reflection: The ladies reading this devotion may find it easier to be in touch with Mary than the guys do. But, regardless—what an announcement! What a shock! What a litany of reasons that God has this whole thing wrong! Mary had a lot of things to overcome before she finally placed herself in God’s service. But, there is no stopping the Holy Spirit when God wants someone to do something. Even if that something is bearing the Christ into the world, into people’s lives. In many respects God chooses you and me to bear the Christ into the world today. God uses us to bring grace, love and comfort to our neighbors. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless …….. And how perplexing we find that call. How quickly we recite the litany of reasons that God picks the wrong person. “I’m not important.” “Nobody is going to listen to me.” “I don’t know what to say or do.” “How do I begin?” “Find somebody better trained.” “I don’t have the resources.” “Me? You want me to bear Christ into my neighbors’ life?” Hush! It’s not about you. It is about the Holy Spirit. It is about the power of the Most High. It is about God doing the impossible. And doing it through you and me. –Jim Bricker, Chaplain to the Camp Mount Luther Summer Staff Closing: Pray this prayer: “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Prayer: Lord, help us to lift up the downtrodden this year and all the years of our lives. Amen. Reading: Psalm 147 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We have come to the beginning of another new year. Each year, as January 1 rolls around, many look ahead and make resolutions and goals for the coming year. It's a great time to take stock in what you want you do in the next 365 days. In our passage from Psalms today, we are reminded that "the Lord lifts up the downtrodden." As I read that, I thought that this new year would be a great time to commit oneself to helping others. That help may come through volunteer work with a charity, supporting a homeless shelter, or committing to praying for those who are less fortunate. What will you do this year to help lift up the downtrodden? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Watch this video of the familiar New Year’s song, “Auld Lang Syne.” |
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