Today, we look at a Day 1 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: God, you are the greatest parent of all. You hear our prayers. You answer them in your time, in your way. You share with us, your children, the joy of caring for one another. May we ever treasure that gift of trust. Amen. Reading: Genesis 21:1-7 (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: I suffered from endometriosis throughout my teenage years and was warned that with the scarring and cysts I had, a healthy pregnancy might not be in the cards. So, becoming a stepmother with my marriage was a true blessing. When I became pregnant with my first child, it seemed a miracle. His brother followed four years later, conceived after we had stopped trying for a little brother or sister to add to our brood. And then, against all odds and human planning, God granted us one more treasure: our daughter. All four of these kids are wonders and easily the greatest gift of love in my life. Like Sarah, I have prayed and laughed over them--and, I suspect cried and worried, too. I was blessed with my four children having always wanted to be a mother. I believe their placement into my life was God’s will; I really do. Had I not borne three of them myself, God may have brought them to me or me to them in another way. I think of my aunt and uncle whose prayers were answered with not one adopted baby but two. Of cousins who parented foster sons forever part of our family. Of my uncle who never married but touched countless lives as a teacher. Was any one of these gifts less precious or miraculous? The evidence of God’s love in gifts of relationship abound, if only one looks and accepts them as the miracles they are. --Heather LeBlanc
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Prayer: Give us a humble mind and spirit as we serve you in this world. Amen.
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: The last line of our passage today says that Jesus’ fame spread throughout the land. When I read that, I thought to myself that Jesus did not care about fame. So many people want to be famous and want the notoriety that comes with fame. But for Jesus, he just went about his business and did not seek the fame, but only sought God’s will for the world. Do you seek fame? Or do you try to be humble in your mind and spirit? Let’s try to be more Christ-like when thinking about fame. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, help us to love each other as you have loved us. As much as we think we might know, all that matters is love shared. 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: Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. I Corinthians 8: 1b It is that simple. Love outshines knowledge. Even when knowledge is correct, love surpasses. With knowledge, lives are observed, studied and understood. With love, however, lives are shared and community happens. Knowing may fill a space (puff up) but love is a foundation (built up). Being puffed up does not last. It’s gone by a slow leak or a sudden pop. Feeling deflated? Look to love instead. Build on that. --Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on October 10, 2019.
Prayer: Praise the Lord! Great are your works. In awe may we grow in wisdom. Amen Reading: Psalm 111 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” --Psalm 111: 10a Fear and wisdom go hand in hand; however, fear does not always mean we are frightened. Another word for fear here could be awe which has more of a connotation of respect. If we are respectful, we have understanding and that is how we obtain wisdom. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Reveal yourself to us, Lord, as we shine your light in this world. 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: Epiphany is the season of the revealing of Jesus Christ. In these days we read stories of how Jesus was revealed to the people. Some might say that the New Testament tells the story of Jesus. But isn’t it the whole Bible that points to Christ? If we read the Old Testament through the “Jesus lens” we should be able to see that the whole story points to Jesus in some way. Here, in our reading from Deuteronomy, Moses is pointing to Jesus, a new prophet sent by God. Look for Jesus in your life. Where is he being revealed to you? --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 1 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Provider, Father, Lord: You made the world and provided for all within it. May I trust in your plan and live in your Word. Amen. Reading: Luke 12:22-34 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Do Not Be Anxious. How many times do you hear that? My mother is constantly telling me not to worry, and my kids say I overthink things, creating would-be problems in my mind before they happen. Why is that? It seems the older I get, the more I fret about what might happen instead of the proverbial, Let go. Let God. Jesus reminds us in his admonition to His disciples that fretting about what is beyond our control wastes precious minutes of living life fully, in gratitude for what we have, with assurance that God provides. So, take a moment to count your blessings and assess your needs versus your wants. Enjoy the now and put your efforts in God’s will. He will take care of you, as you care for His kingdom. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: God who calls, be with us as we step out and face new challenges here or wherever there is need. 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: To leave your home and follow Jesus as the disciples did is not an easy choice. Still, we are all called to be messengers or missionaries of Jesus’s teachings in one way or another. Humbly, we cast our nets upon the community and reach out to bring people closer to God’s love and healing. In the past year we have been especially challenged to help friends, neighbors, and strangers, too. This is what God expects of us. We may remain on the “shores’’ of our home extending love and caring concern to and for others. Or we can boldly step beyond and face new challenges. God will be with us all the way. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: When we are not sure what to do, Lord, we can always love God and love others. Even Paul, knowing the world is always changing, knew the way he lived was important. Keep us mindful of what you would want us to do and that’ll do. 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: There are times when I simply don’t know what to do. Sometimes when it all seems so helpless, I feel…helpless. Sometimes when all seems too good to be true, I feel…what more can I add? What I do know is that all things pass along in time. Our text today reminds us the present form of this world is passing away. So, what are we to do? Knowing all things pass in time, each day we still need to do what is best. Paul, back when he wrote this passage, thought Jesus would return in his lifetime. He didn’t. Will Jesus return in our lifetime? We do not know. In the meantime, we simply love God and love others. That’ll do. --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 22, 2015.
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 Prayer: Abba, father; you are patient and kind, loving and forgiving. Thank you for teaching me what I need to be a better child of God. Thank you even more for giving me the time to learn your lessons. Amen.
Reading: Jonah 3:1-5 (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 book of Jonah: a lesson in patience, determination, willpower, abounding love, forgiveness. And humor! In short, I see Jonah as a book on parenting. The kids act up, you warn them. They keep acting up, you punish them. You cannot reach them, try another route; enlist of one of them to help. That sibling cannot be bothered, or doesn’t want to help, or worse, wants to see the other kids “get theirs” – give them a little time and perspective to come around and then, on to the rest! Be willing to change your mind. Leave room for the kids to own up to their mistakes, show remorse, and be forgiven. In short, to grow. And, possibly the most important of all advice: keep your sense of humor! I mean really; thinking over your stubborn refusal to do what dad wants while in the belly of a leviathan? Ultimate grounding! So, next time your kids need a time-out, tell them they are not getting out of that smelly belly of a room until they are ready to behave. Then sit down and share the story of Jonah with them. Let its humor and lessons calm you both. Laugh. Listen. Forgive. Love. --Heather LeBlanc Today, we look at a Day 1 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.” We also welcome Pastor Justin Lingenfelter, pastor at United In Christ Lutheran Church, West Milton, as a writer. Pastor Justin will serve as our Chaplain to the Staff this summer at camp.
Prayer: Joy-filled God, nothing is too wonderful for you. When we can’t help but laugh at the goodness you prepare, remind us of your ever-unfolding story of life and love for your people. May we walk with your joy, sharing your wonderful news with all the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Reading: Genesis 18:1-15 (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: Sarah’s story might just be one of the most compelling stories out of scripture. Her story is one that almost seems out of place in the narrative to this point, yet it speaks volumes about the ways in which we sometimes react when God is on the move. Like those who went before her, Sarah has been given a promise alongside her husband, Abraham, that despite their aging states and their seemingly futile prior attempts, the couple will have a child together and God will make their descendants as innumerable as the stars in the sky. Like the promises made (and delivered) to Noah, here God stakes God’s claim with this aging couple to guarantee an unprecedented series of fortunate events for them. But it’s just too good to be true. The news is so unexpected, so wonderful, in fact, that Sarah can’t help but laugh at the plans God has for her! In fact, the plan as God has enumerated is so outlandish to Sarah that she tries taking matters into her own hand, making for a horrific plan gone awry with her servant Hagar (with repercussions into which God still manages to deliver fresh and lasting promises, mind you). Now, here in this text that welcomes divine strangers into their presence, Sarah and Abraham are met once again with the promise of God being laid out for them. Yet, the possibility that God prescribes for Sarah and Abraham is so impossible in Sarah’s mind that she can’t even look at it with a straight face. Her laughter at once seems overwhelming, obstinate, and yet hope-filled. Now, that’s something I can relate to. When it seems that God is laying out plans that seem downright impossible, that seem too grand, too outlandish, that seem too good to be true, maybe all that we have left is to laugh it out. So, laugh on and see what God can do! --Justin Lingenfelter Prayer: Dear God, when we wonder where your love comes from in the world, help us remember it is in our hearts for us to share and a lot of good can come from that. May all come and see. 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: What good can come out of Nazareth? Now let me tell you. I’ve lived my whole life in Nazareth. I grew up living behind my dad’s store on Main Street. Then I moved about four blocks away where my husband and I raised our three children. The “good’’ about Nazareth is the people. Our neighbors and friends. Hardworking and loyal. The cement industry with its quarries attracted people from many places. The lime rich soil is good farmland. One of our high school graduates is a NASA scientist; another a TV film star; another an Indy racecar driver. Coincidentally, Nazareth is but ten miles north of Bethlehem and perhaps by now you have figured out I am talking about my hometown, Nazareth, PA. Actually, in our lesson today, Nathaniel is asking about is Jesus’s hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. Can anything good come out of (there)? Absolutely! Good can come out of anywhere. What matters is every member of the community working and living together. What matters is love. Jesus, in our hearts, is everywhere now. Come and see! --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, in all that we do may we glorify you. Thank you for your love and for giving us the Holy Spirit to live within us. 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: Look at your hands. Today’s lesson tells us our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit within us. Our hands have the Holy Spirit in them and with our hands we are to share God’s love. When it seems there is more to be done than can possibly be accomplished by our own hands, remember there is more power in our hands than we can possibly imagine. I have a note on my washing machine (of all places) which reads, We can do no great things – only small things with great love. – Mother Teresa What small thing can you do with great love today? Whatever it is, to God be the glory! --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 September 1, 2016.
Prayer: All-knowing God, search my heart and remind me in the end I am still with you. 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: I get a little edgy when I think people are trying to analyze me, especially on a bad day. Perhaps you feel the same. It makes me wonder how any of us put up with each other. This is a good thing to remember: There is bad in the best of us and good in the worst of us. You find what you are looking for. Meanwhile, from before we were born and until eternity, God knows us through and through. The difference is God always sees us through eyes of grace and love. We are searched and known and, in the end, God is still with us. That is a comforting thought. What are you looking for today. The bad or the good? --Ruth Gates Prayer: My God, when like a mother calling out to her child, let me hear your voice and answer quickly and happily. Let me listen. Amen.
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: The other day I was in the toothpaste aisle of Target, when I heard a voice call out: “Marco!” Before I could stop myself, I sang my reply: “Polo!” Chuckles followed amid several apologies; several voices had answered the mother’s call that had been seeking her son by name. When I rounded the endcap to face Marco and mom, we all exchanged sheepish grins, and throughout the store, little Marco received winks and thumbs up from the shoppers who had shared our silly moment. Would that we all could answer so automatically God’s call when it comes! Granted, we’d been confused by who was being called, and it wasn’t even our name. Without a thought, we stopped what we were doing and turned, ready to be found and to respond. But amid all of those replies, I feel certain that mother had singled out her son’s young voice. Surely, he had recognized Mom’s intention, based on the speed with which he’d rejoined her in the moments before I found them. But like with Samuel, God seems to know to call us one-on-one, without distraction, by name. Mary, Moses, Noah, Jonah, Samuel, … and you? Have you listened for God’s voice? Are you ready to call out, without hesitation, joy in your heart, prepared to listen? --Heather LeBlanc Today, we look at a Day 1 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: May our trust in you, God, be as strong as Abraham and Sarah’s. Amen. Reading: Genesis 12:1-9 (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: Genesis 12:1-9 tells the story of Abraham and Sarah trusting God completely. They packed up everything and set off through the desert to a place God promised to show them. No map. No GPS. No Google Maps. Just trust in God. Do you think you could have done what this couple did? Total trust in God to lead the way? Sometimes we do trust walks at camp. One person is blindfolded and another leads. You have to totally rely on the person leading you. This is what Abraham and Sarah did. Often in the news we hear about immigration. Have you ever thought that God could be calling the people who are trying to immigrate to our country just like God did for Abraham and Sarah? Are there not modern-day Abrahams and Sarahs in our midst? I look forward to talking with our campers this summer about trusting God, just like Abraham and Sarah did! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, while Jesus prayed you spoke. Speak to our expectations and questions as we pray. Amen
Reading: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The beginning of Luke chapter 3 is The Proclamation of John the Baptist. Crowds came to see and hear him. He was quite a sight and he certainly had a lot to say. What were their expectations? In the wilderness, of all places, he calls the people a brood of vipers and warns them of being thrown in the fire – probably not what they expected. So the crowds were filled with questions. I noticed it says they were all asking in their hearts if John was the Messiah; seemingly afraid to speak up out loud. But John knew and answered the one coming will be more powerful and John not even worthy to untie his sandals. Which probably led to more questions of who this may be. Expectations and questions. Jump ahead a few verses to the second part of our reading – The Baptism of Jesus. It sounds like Jesus was being baptized along with everyone else - no band, parade, flag waving or fanfare which is probably what the crowds would have expected. Then the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended and a voice spoke – unexpectedly answering all the questions and/or creating more. What are your expectations and what if what happens is not at all what you expected? What are the questions in your heart and what if you end up with more? Notice one more thing. The answers came when Jesus was praying. (Luke 3: 21) What else would you expect? Good question. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, may your word of love get around as we pray for all and with our hands care for others. Amen
Reading: Acts 8: 14-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Word gets around. Those were busy times written about in the book of Acts. In our lesson today of just three verses, the apostles heard that the word of God been accepted in Samaria, Peter and John were sent there, prayers were said that the Holy Spirit would be received, hands were laid, and the gift of the Holy Spirit got around, too. Acts seems to be a book of “movers and shakers” of the early church. The apostles were certainly active in getting the Good News of Jesus and his love around to everyone everywhere they could. God’s Word gets around. How do you get the word around? While we may not be sent to someplace distant, we can still pray right where we are. And while we may not lay hands on people to bestow the Holy Spirit, our hands work in many ways to bestow God’s love. Word gets around. In prayer and in care. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us to hear your voice, Lord. Help us to know your pleasure in each of us. 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: This passage has some powerful imagery for the power of God’s voice. Say it and it is done. What power. But this week, as we get set to hear once again the story of Jesus’ baptism, we are reminded of the voice that comes from heaven that says, “This is my son, my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.” God’s voice is powerful. But, it can also be reassuring. Listen for the ways that you hear God keeping you on the right path. Listen for when you hear, “in you I am well pleased.” --Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is an edited reprint from a devotion originally published on January 8, 2019.
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 invites all to come to camps in 2021. What will the theme be? What will the Bible verse be? I 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 January 1, 2013.
Prayer: God, the Bible is the book for me. Help me to stand on your word every day. Amen. Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Additional Questions:
Reflection: When I was a bachelor, I had to learn how to cook for myself. I remember kidding with my mother that growing up, I always thought she was very talented in the kitchen. But, once I started cooking for myself, I learned that it really wasn't that hard. My mom shared many good recipes with me, most of which I found easy to make. I learned my way around the kitchen and think I turned into a pretty good cook. Eating together is important. I have been blessed with friends and family who invite me to dinner for a meal and fellowship. I'm sure you have experienced the same thing. You, too, probably have people in your life who have no problem setting another place at the table and welcoming you into their home. It does a lot for the soul to know that you are loved by others. It also does a lot for the soul to see how God loves you. And the best way to do that is by reading the Word of God. You can learn so much about God's awesome love by turning to the stories and words of wisdom in the Bible. One of the first songs I remember learning in Sunday School was "The B-I-B-L-E." Yes, that's the book for me! I encourage you to set a place for God at your table each day. I know for many of us, our plates are extremely full with work or school, family obligations, charity activities and the like. But we should make time for God each day, spending some quality time reading God's Word and praying for our concerns and the concerns of others. What better way to show our love for our Creator than by welcoming God into our everyday lives, just as our loved ones welcome you into their homes for nourishment, physically, mentally, and emotionally. We hope you will use this "First Light" devotional blog this year and "set another place at the table for God." May the Lord be with you on this journey! --Chad Hershberger |
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