Prayer: In you, Lord, we take refuge. Our praise is of you always. Amen
Reading: Psalm 71: 1-6 (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 write this devotion today in the comfort of my home while watching a snowfall that has already accumulated over a foot with more to come. Then a bitter cold will set in. Except for going out to shovel, I am sheltered and warm. I may ski a bit around the neighborhood or skate on the canal but I know there will always be hot chocolate and cinnamon sugar toast when I come back inside. I have refuge on a wintry day and it always brings a smile. Psalm 71 is a prayer for lifelong protection and help. Like the shelter of a home in a winter storm and hot cocoa comfort when we've had to brave it, in much bigger ways (think fortress...Psalm 71: 3), God is our refuge for life. Praise always! -- Ruth Gates
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Prayer: Jesus, reduce me to love which is the greatest. Amen
Reading: I Corinthians 13: 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: I found it! The song I learned in youth group many, many years ago but now only remember the chorus: If I have not charity, If love does not flow from me, I am nothing. Jesus reduce me to love. Here is the link and I hope it works for you to click and play: https://youtu.be/D2GWuZ8KjXE What really gets me in the song and has stuck with me all these years is the very last line - Jesus reduce me to love. Of all the things I try to be and try to do, what only matters is love. It must be love. So I pray Jesus reduce me to love. And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (I Cor. 13: 13) I believe my youth group leader taught us that song (and He is Alive!, for that matter) from love. Yes, she was the coolest in our eyes because she played the guitar but her songs would have meant nothing to us if she did not seem to have a love for Jesus and for a bunch of squirrely kids. That was the greatest. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, I am only ______ (fill in the blank) but you are with me. Send me. I know I will not be alone. Amen
Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-10 (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: Jeremiah, the would be prophet's excuse was "I am only a boy" but God would have none of it. God's response was "I am with you." (v. 7, 8) Excuses are easy to come up with. "I am only one person" may be the most common. But it takes only one person to wash dishes at the triple sink of the soup kitchen. It takes only one person to tutor a young student struggling to learn how to read. It takes only one person to hold the hammer nailing wall in place after a hurricane. Another only one person may pour the juice to drink. Another only one person may be able to explain Calculus. Another only one person may be able to climb on the roof to lay shingles. You see, there are many only ones. And even only ones aren't alone because God is with each and every one. When you find yourself saying "I am only...", hear God responding with the promise "I will be with you" and know you aren't the only one. You are not alone. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: God, our protector, guide us through what may seem to be mobs of people or problems set to bring us down. May we go on our way loving you and loving others. Amen
Reading: Luke 4: 21-30 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: There is a scene in the movie, It's a Wonderful Life, where Clarence, George's guardian angel, disappears out from under the hands and hold of a police officer. The officer was after George for upsetting the people and disturbing the peace of the town. Clarence gives him a chance to escape and then a moment later vanishes into thin air himself. The officer is baffled. "Which way did he go?" It's like our Bible story today. When the people in the synagogue heard all Jesus was saying, they were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them ( ...in a sense disappeared or escaped...) and went on his way. (v. 28-30) I can imagine the mob at the edge wondering, "Which way did he go?" Have you even felt swept along by the tide of forces against you meaning to do you harm? In the midst of people or problems, God is with us. We will pass through. We are to go on our way loving God and loving others. "Which way did you go?" -- Ruth Gates For the next few Fridays, we look at Day 1 texts from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for keeping me in your love. I pray that you help me to keep your embrace mindful today, that I may know your care all around everything that I experience this day. May I in turn look, act, and talk like I am your friend to those who might become my friend. I pray that they would know you through me, my friendliness, and my friendship in your new covenant of love. Amen. Reading: John 15:10-15 (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: The Word speaks Did you know syllables go through bars? And chains? Captives let go It doesn’t matter if they go out the front door Hey you-- Fill out your time card and get paid Walkers with Jesus—get over here and walk right through Long lines have ended Walk right up Join hands and enter the circle --Andrew Fitch Prayer: God above, may our presence be a message of your love without words. Amen
Reading: Psalm 19 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The sun, the moon, the stars, the planets are always "up there." They make not a sound. They send a silent message of God’s marvelous works. Can we learn a lesson from this? Can we share God’s message without saying a word? A new neighbor of ours gave birth to a baby with serious health issues. Our pastor went to visit with her and asked, "What can I say?” and proceeded to sit with her in that unfriendly hospital room. He simply held her hand. She later told me that meant more than a thousand words -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, we are one body with many parts; different gifts but one purpose - to be your church in this world. Direct our energy to serve. Amen
Reading: I Corinthians 12: 12-31a (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 beginning verses of I Corinthians 12 talk of everyone having different gifts from the Spirit all given for the common good. Verse 12 to the end of the chapter is the familiar One Body with Many Members lesson using the human body to describe the church. You can get along without eyes but would have to make adjustments, however, eyes without a body are useless. My church could get along without a webmaster but the week I recycle the newsletter and forget if it is my turn to bake Communion bread, I am glad I can easily check on-line. And perhaps the webmaster is glad to have an outlet for all that techie energy. My church could get along without my bread as there is always a stash of wafers but fresh baked is nice for all. And I am glad to have an outlet for all my kneading energy. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, your joy is our strength. Amen
Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10 (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: If you knew how many fiery darts the devil was shooting at you, you'd run to the Sacrament of the Altar every chance you got. ~ Martin Luther How else can I say it? I find joy and strength in worship. Whatever has been going on all week, going to church Sunday morning brightens my spirit and recharges my battery. I like how Martin Luther puts it. That would be me. Running. The people to listened as Ezra read book of the law of Moses and they understood as it was explained. Nehemiah called the day holy and encouraged them not to mourn or weep for the joy of the Lord is (their) strength! Perhaps they ran to worship, 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 February 19, 2016.
Prayer: Lord, speak to me as I gather for worship with my neighbor. Reading: Luke 4:16-21 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Some Sundays it is necessary to stay home from church. But I really miss it when that happens. Some Sundays I go to church looking for a particular person that I want to share something with or ask a question. I appreciate the opportunity to just listen to the Word rather than being responsible to proclaim it. God meets me in that Word and in hymns, liturgy, prayers, and sacrament. And, God meets me in the social time that follows worship when we have a snack (My wife, June, says, “Eat up, that’s lunch.”) and engage with my neighbors. Jesus, too, worshipped in the community. He came to the synagogue, read and proclaimed the good news in the midst of the neighbor. Though it is possible to hear the word in the privacy of your TV room from a televangelist, it just isn’t the same as worshiping with your neighbors. In fact, I think that is the way Jesus meets us, in the midst of our neighbors. The Word is proclaimed and the sacrament is served in the midst of the neighbor. --Jim Bricker For the next few Fridays, we look at Day 1 texts from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Guide us in our generosity, God. Amen. Reading: Acts 2: 41-47 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: How can we be generous today? Do you ever wake up and ask that question to yourself? I don’t think I ever have done that. But our theme this summer at camp reminds me that we should do that. We will be learning about the early Christian community, which gathered in their homes to share meals and praise God. Maybe I should invite some friends or neighbors for a meal. That would be generous. God also calls us to be generous caretakers of the world. As I’m talking my daily walk, maybe I’ll look for ways that I can pick up litter, or do something for my community. Maybe I’ll do a random act of kindness. That always makes me feel good. Wow! There are so many ways that I can be generous. How can we be generous today? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: O Lord, protect and heal with your steadfast love. Amen
Reading: Psalm 36: 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: God’s love is steadfast and His faithfulness reaches out to all of us. I have a young friend who faced major surgery and decision-making. She lives in NYC; her family in Seattle, WA. Her bright, happy spirit amazed me. She remains steadfast with a faith that she will come through this surgery with renewed good health. This all took place just a week before Christmas. I feel like a bystander cheering her on from the bleachers. May God’s steadfast love protect and heal her. We read this in Psalms and many other Bible passages. I do believe in His infinite caring! -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Spirit of God, guide us to know and use our gifts and may we all find a way to fit in. Amen.
Reading: I Corinthians 12: 1-11 (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: Recently in the weekly church newsletter there was a call out for someone to take over keeping up the church website once the present volunteer "retires." Don't look at me. Sign me up to bake bread for Communion or lead Sunday School songs. Sure, I could learn how to be a webmaster but I don't think my heart would be in it. Besides, the person who is a whiz with technology might be the last one to sign up to sing. There are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit. There are varieties of service but the same Lord. There are varieties of activities but the same God who activates them in everyone. Someone will step up to be the webmaster. I will keep singing. We all find a way to fit in. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, on the darkest days when I feel inadequate, unloved and unworthy, I remember whose child I am and I straighten my crown. Amen
Reading: Isaiah 62: 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: The prayer above is something I came across and just loved the image and feeling it brought to me. Some days are rough and we just don't feel all that great about ourselves. It is good then to know as Isaiah told, "You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD..." (Isaiah 62: 3) Next time you are feeling down about yourself, remember whose child you are and straighten your crown. It's there. -- 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 June 24, 2013.
Personal Reflection: Reflect on this quote from Rusty Berkus: "There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential." Reading: John 2: 1-12 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: June is a big month for weddings. I know many people who tied the knot this month. I don't know how the tradition of having weddings in June started but I would suspect it has something to do with warmer, summer weather. Weddings mark the start of a new life together for two people. They are joined and become one. Jesus also began a new life at a wedding. The wedding at Cana was where Jesus performed his first miracle. It was there that He revealed His glory and the disciples believed in Him. The next time you attend a wedding remember what Jesus did in Cana. He provided what the wedding guests needed. He provides what we need today. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, your sacrifice was once and brought forgiveness for all. Thank you for the best gift. Amen
Reading: Hebrews 10: 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: Last Christmas I came up with the idea of giving everyone in my family - my mom, brothers, their spouses and the kids - the same gift. You see, we never got around to coordinating a gift exchange and picking out individual gifts for everyone became overwhelming. So, last year everyone got slippers. I shopped once for all. We read in our text today, It is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10: 10) Instead of many sacrifices, Christ made only one, himself, giving free and complete forgiveness for all. Once for all. The best gift ever. -- 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 January 8, 2014.
Prayer: 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. 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: 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 Prayer: Lord, you are with us as we pass through the waters of life. Gather us at Camp, at church and in our communities and quench our thirst to know you better through your word. Amen
Reading: Isaiah 43: 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: Reading this passage from Isaiah took me right back to Camp Mount Luther - Summer 2017. The theme that year: The Water of Life; the Bible verse for the week: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. (Isaiah 43: 2) So good to read these verses again today and remember Family Camp there and Vacation Bible Camp at my church. Camp Mount Luther just held a Summer Brochure Launch event inviting all to come and hear about camps coming up in 2019. What will the theme be? What will the Bible verse be? I was not able to be at the launch party so I do not know. But I do know this: Those who go to camp this summer will remember for years! -- 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 December 17, 2013.
Prayer: We give you thanks, Lord, for loving us. Just as we are. Amen. Reading: Luke 3: 7-18 (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: When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized, John told Him that he should be getting baptized by Christ, not the other way around. But Jesus insisted and John baptized Him. Many times, we may feel unworthy of the love that God has given us. We may feel that we do not deserve the blessings He has bestowed on us. We may feel like worthless sinners who should not be honored by God. Look to the manger. God sent Jesus Christ to live as a human. Look at how humble He was and how He was just like us. He was born of a woman and endured life on earth. We may feel unworthy, but as it says in scripture, we all fall short of the Glory of God. Despite that, He loves us as His children. For this, we should be thankful. -–Chad Hershberger Prayer: May I have the faith and perseverance of the wise men, O God. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: As we wrap up our look at the characters of Christmas, let’s focus today on the main characters of the Epiphany story. We know that wise men from the East came to Bethlehem to pay homage to the Christ Child, at the request of King Herod. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We don’t know how many wise men there actually were. We know they brought three types of gifts but there could have been quite a crowd in the manger! I imagine they looked pretty regal next to the cattle trough, hay, and animals. They didn’t return to Herod. They were warned in a dream to go another way. So they did. If I were a wise men, I’d probably say, “That isn’t the plan. We have to complete our task. We need to go back.” But they didn’t. What faith the wise men had to make the journey and not return. As we celebrate Epiphany this weekend, let us raise up that faith and try to be faithful like wise men! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: May we gaze at you, Good Shepherd, this day and every day.
Reading: Psalm 72 (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’ve been looking at the characters of Christmas these past few days, sheep have been on my mind. They definitely play a role in the Christmas story. From what I know about sheep, there mental capacity isn’t too great. They really look up to the shepherd to give them guidance. When I read the closing verses of this Psalm, I thought of sheep. Imagine a sheep, looking up at the shepherd, saying, “You deliver me when I call. I am poor and you are my helper. You take pity on me and save me from danger. I can be used for many things, even when my blood is shed.” Do you gaze up at the Good Shepherd in that way. What’s stopping you? May we all be a little more like sheep today. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: May we see those moments when you are revealed to us, God. Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 3: 1-12 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: As we’ve been talking about the Characters of Christmas, one of the characters that intrigues me is the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem. In our passage today from St. Paul, he talks about mysteries being revealed. I thought of the donkey when I read that. Imagine being summoned to carry the expectant mother over hill and dale. I have a children’s book that tells the Christmas story from the perspective of the donkey. It’s fascinating to think if that animal was aware of what was happening. In the book, Donkey Daniel, as he is called, is amazed to see the great light when the Christ child was born. He is glad to have witnessed this event. The mystery of his travels was revealed. May we, too, be amazed when God reveals something to us. Be on the lookout for those “Aha” moments when you know God is speaking to you. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: We praise you, God, and bring you the gift of ourselves. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6 (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: On this New Year’s Day, we look at another “character” of Christmas: the camel. In almost every Nativity Scene I’ve ever seen, there are camels. Most likely they are with the wise men who traveled to see Jesus over the desert. Why do we think the wise men rode on camels? Well, maybe it’s because of this passage. The prophet Isaiah says a multitude of camels shall cover year and they shall bring god and frankincense. Sound familiar? I’m familiar with camels, as I work at Mount Luther. The camel is our mascot and we believe camels run through our woods. I like the last line of this passage. “…shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.” I like to think of the camels running to Bethlehem, running through camp, praising God. May you also look like these camels! --Chad Hershberger |
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