Prayer: O Glorious God who came down to earth to die: watch with us as we wait for the resurrection. Keep vigil with us as we remember the story that our faith is based upon. Be with us, Lord, as we wait. Be with us, Lord, as we watch. Be with us, Lord, in our joy tomorrow morning. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 28: 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: Here’s the story. The one we’ve been waiting for since Ash Wednesday. Tomorrow is the day. It will be Easter. But today, there is waiting. There is watching. We know what will happen in the morning. The disciples did not. Their life had changed drastically yesterday. They lost hope. They were in despair. They didn’t listen to what Jesus had told them. He gave them hope. He gives us hope. Be patient. Tomorrow, Easter, is coming. –Chad Hershberger
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Prayer: Great God Almighty, you are the One who spoke this world into being and life, may we continue to hear the depth and truth of your words. Let the reality of your divinity take root in our hearts and minds. Pair it with the reality of your humanity in our hopes and fears. Amen.
Reading: John 18: 1- 19:42 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: It is no surprise that three-hour worship services and countless volumes of Bible studies mark the complexities and depth of meaning found in the Passion story of our beloved Jesus. So for this space, I am focusing just on the verses 18:4-9. You probably already know this but, it “wigs me out,” so I am going to highlight it: Jesus says, “I AM.” His accusers step back and prostrate themselves. What is going on here? They hear the pronouncement of the divine personal Name of the Creator. Not only that, they hear it in a tone that does not offend as though someone had just broken Torah by using God’s holy Name inappropriately or illegitimately. No, they hear the two words spoken with the tones of the real meaning. More than just hearing your name spoken by someone who knows you and loves you. More than just the truth of announcing who he actually is. They heard the words with the power of words that speak light into being, dry land into vegetation, and dust into a beating human heart. For those of us who long to worship God and be near God’s presence, this was a mountaintop moment. Well, it could have been. Jesus knew, though, that their minds were not in agreement with their hearts. They might recognize on a creaturely level that this person was far beyond them and over them. Their minds, however, were hell bent on destruction. This dogged determination led Jesus to place himself in between their fangs and his beloved disciples. This is why he tells them a second time in tones of human reality who he is to their hunger for vengeance and pain. This is why he tells them “take me and let them go.” --Andrew Fitch Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 16, 2014.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the example of your love through Jesus. May all know we are your followers by the love we have for one another. Help us to be your hands and face in the world today. Amen. Reading: John 13: 1-17, 31b-35 (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: All creation is a witness to God's majesty (think mountains), God’s power (think the mysterious way God's will seems to be done) and God’s love (just think Grace). But think about this: The only hands and feet God has on earth right here, right now are ours. If God needs something to get done, we are the ones to do it. On top of that, the only face of God someone may see is His face in our faces. Our text begins with the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet - Jesus washing with his hands and his friends looking into his face. Jesus – the hands and face of God. Then, knowing in a few short days he would be gone and they would not be able to follow him as usual in person, Jesus told them, ”A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples.” John 13: 34. A new command for them then and for us now. --Ruth Gates We welcome a new writer today. Marie Barnard is a member of our summer staff.
Prayer: Dear Lord, this is the day you have made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Amen. Reading: Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24 (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’m sure all of us have made mistakes in our lives or have been rejected and in our world, we are scrutinized and look down upon. But through Christ, that is not the case. Verses 22 and 23 say, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” What once was thrown to the side because it was not good enough is now a beautiful achievement that is adored. This reminds us that though we may be rejected on Earth, Jesus turns our sins and faults into lessons that help us to grow in our faith and make us better followers. This Easter Sunday as we remember that Christ was raised from the dead to give us new life, let us rejoice and praise him for the wonderful way he raises US up when we are down! --Marie Barnard Prayer: Thank you for reminders of the good news of your love. Amen
Reading: I Corinthians 15: 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: For years a calendar in the kitchen had been where we kept track of meetings, appointments, lessons, vacations, games, piano tuner coming,... EVERYTHING all written down on by hand and that was where we checked to see who was doing what where when. Then I discovered Google Calendar on my electronic device and now I find myself writing less and less on the paper calendar in the kitchen. I can check it, add events and put in reminders anytime and anywhere. I can also share the calendar with others. I am particularly finding the reminders to be very helpful. Paul wrote a reminder to the people of Corinth. Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which you also stand. I Cor. 15: 1. Perhaps I could add that verse as a daily reminder in my calendar. Obviously the Corinthians needed to be reminded of the good news. It’s probably a good idea to remind ourselves often, too, and share with others. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord God, help us to remember all creation includes everything and everyone and that your love extends everywhere to all. Amen.
Reading: Acts 10: 34-43 (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: One of the first things I was taught in Sunday School was “God created Heaven and Earth”. Then at church camp we sang “This is My Father’s World’’. In verses 36 and 37 of Acts 10, Peter tells us that “God through Jesus is the Lord of all creation”. God’s love is endless; placing no boundaries. Everyone can come to Him as we are all His children. Recently a nor'easter hit our area and parts of our town were without power. Our church was open as a warming shelter. God's creation unleashed some mighty weather. God's people welcomed all His children who needed warmth and light. -- Alice Yeakel On Fridays in March, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 3 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.”
Prayer: Good and gracious God, you watch over us all. You never fail to love us. Help us to follow you with total devotion and boldness of faith. Amen. Reading: Daniel 3 (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 story is like a favorite song that once you hear it start on the radio, you turn up the volume and lean into the beat. For me there are a number of verses that ring like a chorus of superb harmony. Like any classic, I can remember it being read by a favorite preacher of mine, “But if not, let it be known to you, O King, that we don’t serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected.” I love that part, partly because I know what happens later. “Wasn’t it three men that we tied up and threw into the furnace?” God does not always act the way we think God should. The three men, Shad, Mesh, and Ben don’t act the way we think they should. At the end, even the king does not act the way he used to. His heart is turned by fire towards the most high God. He unexpectedly starts singing the great song of love that has gone viral in his head. Of course the best part of a great song is sharing it with others! --Andrew Fitch Prayer: I praise you, O Lord. Your steadfast love endures forever!
Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (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 first two verses are enough for today. O give thanks to the Lord, for he i s good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say,“His steadfast love endures forever.” We could, as the psalmist does later in the poem, fill in how we experience God’s goodness and love. How do I love thee, let me count the ways. Wait, let’s do it this way today. How does God love me, let me count the ways. Go ahead and count………………………………………….. And then just stop and sing: O give thanks to the Lord, for he i s good;his steadfast love endures forever! --Jim Bricker Prayer: Help me to stand with the weary, Lord.
Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 (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: Nap time! Generally, that’s right after lunch these days. Most days it is just a short snooze. I awaken refreshed and ready to continue the day. Other times, I also just plain get tuckered out. Those moments when I can’t think through the fog and drowsiness in my brain. When both my body and mind have had it. But even those moments aren’t what I imagine real weariness is. I imagine weariness to be a state when one just doesn’t know what’s next. Those moments of chronic fatigue and worry. Not having any idea how to survive. Moments when one doubts that God even exists anymore. Perhaps, that is the weary Isaiah speaks about. The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. How might I “sustain the weary?” With just a word? What word? Or perhaps, by just standing with the one who is so very weary. Just be quiet and stand with a weary one. The Lord will show us what it is we are to do. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Let the same mind be in (us) that was in Christ Jesus. Amen (v. 5)
Reading: Philippians 2: 5-11 (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: Just today I was explaining to a co-worker an idea I had for someone else. As far as I was concerned it was a good plan that made perfect sense to me but I just knew the person I was going to propose it to was not going to go for it. In exasperation I exclaimed, "If only (so and so) thought like me!" My co-worker laughed. That helped me accept it just wasn't going to happen. We may as well give up wishing everyone would think just the way we do. Simply not going to happen. Instead, Paul encourages us to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Then Paul goes on to explain what that looks like which is helpful indeed. How does having the same mind that was in Christ happen? Humble obedience the same as Christ had to God the Father. Back to so and so? We'll figure it out. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, may we deliver your love always whatever way we can. Amen
Reading: John 12: 12-16 (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, still in Mary’s womb, arrived in Bethlehem he was on the back of a donkey. When he arrived in Jerusalem as an adult, he was on the back of a donkey. Not a fine horse, or a camel, or a chariot…but rather a humble donkey. There’s a message here. A donkey helped deliver Jesus before his birth in this world. A donkey helped deliver him before his death on the cross. How do we deliver God's love? A word spoken does not have to be flowery; just heartfelt. A meal prepared does not have to be gourmet; just wholesome. A song sung does not have to be perfect; just encouraging. Or, to connect literally with the scripture today, a ride for a shut-in does not have to be a luxury car; just four wheels delivering love. --Alice Yeakel On Fridays in March, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 3 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you ask us to do things that might seem totally and utterly impossible. Teach us to trust in your way of grace and live it with all those that we know and may meet. In your name we pray. Amen. Reading: Matthew 5:43-48 (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 remember distinctly lying back in that awkward posture with the bright light shining into my mouth and hearing the dentist ask me if the repair job felt smooth. I said that it felt pretty good. He asked if there were any spots that might bother me. I said I didn’t think so. I added that fillings don’t ever seem to be quite as smooth as the original. He memorably paused and looked at me saying, “tooth enamel is the smoothest stuff on earth. God didn’t make anything smoother. There aren’t very many things harder, either!” He described the hardness scale and the use of diamond tipped implements and other dental technology while I could just say “Uh huh,” because my mouth was full of tools. He concluded the talk with a turn towards the challenging laws of God as being harder than many things. We decided together, though, that loving our enemies was far harder than many if not all of the other commands. How do you do it? Isn’t an enemy by definition unloveable? Perhaps Jesus is asking us to search our hearts and determine why our enemies are labels as such. Is it because they are different from us? Is it because we are afraid of them? Have we harbored a past hurt from them? Did I hurt them first and can’t ask for forgiveness? Jesus calls us past our excuses and fears into a new tomorrow of love and forgiveness for all. --Andrew Fitch
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Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 19, 2015.
Prayer: Restore to me, God, the joy of your salvation as I remember how I am washed and cleansed by you. Amen. Reading: Psalm 51: 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: Wash and cleanse. Those two words, in the opening verses of today’s passage, stood out to me as I read this text. My kids love bath time. My two-year-old son loves to splash in the water. My daughter loves the bath paints we have that she can be creative on the sides of our tub. When the kids are in the bath, they like to lie down in the water and enjoy the cleansing it provides. They are even pretty cooperative when we have to dump water over their heads to wash out the shampoo. I’m sure the youngest kiddo doesn’t understand the significance of the water his baptism. I know my daughter does. When she had her birthday party at camp in December, some of her friends were at the water foundation in the lobby of the Evergreen Center. They were playing with the water and she made the sign of the cross on her forehead with the water. She told her schoolmates, “That’s what we do at church!” Today, look for ways that you are washed and cleansed by God. How does God create in you a clean heard and put a new and right spirit within you? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, help me remember today that you are my God.
Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10 (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 order of Melchizedek? Me, too. That confuses me. I think I used to know what that was all about, but not anymore. Here is what jumped off the page for me this time around. So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” Jesus’ continuously acknowledges who God is. Jesus’ continuously trusts in God. Jesus’ constantly turns to God in prayer. In other words, Jesus has a total understanding of I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery Today, let’s not think too highly of ourselves and remember who is God. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear God, when we feel alone, help us to remember we belong to you. Amen
Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I will be their God, and they shall be my people. --Jeremiah 33: 33c Overheard on the bus one day: "I got kicked out of school." "We don't know where we are going to live after we lose the house." "My (adult) brother is taking me to the doctor because my mom won't." The speaker longed for belonging. My heart ached and I did not know what to say. I was also eavesdropping and glad the person who was actually in the conversation was being a good listener and caring support. Still I wanted to share this message: "You belong to God!" Sure, I may need to come up with more practical encouragement like make a fresh start in the new alternative school and suggest to the brother to seek out agencies to help with bills and budgeting. And that even if people let you down, God's love is written on your hearts. I hope I see this young girl again. I will say hello and kindly ask how she is doing because there is belonging even among bus riders. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: May our seeds of love grow in hope and bloom in faith. Amen
Reading: John 12: 20-33 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: An article in our morning paper gave lengthy, detailed advice how to plant seeds for an abundant crop. Our neighbor threw the remains of a butternut squash on his compost heap. The following summer he had a bumper crop of butternut squash and a plentiful harvest to share with his neighbors. How does this relate to our scripture passage for today? Jesus’ enemies tried to rid the world of His presence but Jesus tells us in verses 23 & 24 “my death will provide many new kernels of wheat”. God’s kingdom flourishes even though his Word sometimes gets “thrown on the compost heap”. We must nurture and care for the seeds of His kingdom and spread their harvest throughout our neighborhood and to all the world. -- Alice Yeakel On Fridays in March, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 3 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.”
Prayer: Sweet Lord Jesus, you build me up when I am weak, you give me hope when I doubt and you love me when the world says I am nothing. Use me and let your goodness flow through me. May your love be stored up in my gifts and poured out to those who need them. Amen. Reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 7-12 (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: Imagine what it would be like if the cable guys came to fix the signal strength on your new TV (or any other technical skilled repair type scenario). Let’s suppose that they came into your house and put the little clean booties on their feet. Next they made their way over to the broken item, reiterating the symptoms you had called in about in a “What seems to be the problem” type conversation. They smile and nod and say things like “I see,” and “Mmmmhuh.” Then when they have looked around your TV (or whatever it is) they say, “Well, we can see right here what your problem is.” Then they dig into their repair bags and dig out a hammer. “What we need to do is hit it real hard in the middle of the screen. It will work a lot better if it is truly broken!” The power of God, Paul reminds the First Church of Corinth, is not found in the perfect but in that which appears to be fully broken and almost utterly destroyed. More than that, God tells us through Paul that we imperfect people can be vessels for the work of the Holy. When we feel as though things can’t get any worse (or even just when we need to know that we can do better), God wants us to not believe in our own abilities but to trust in God’s. --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Thank you for saving us from our distress by your love. Amen
Reading: Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22 (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: There was a time when it was thought illness was a judgement for sin. Jesus rejects this interpretation, but still, verses 17-22 of Psalm 107 reflect that ancient belief. Now, even though we no longer connect illness with personal sin, we can still learn from this Psalm that in times of trouble we can cry out to the LORD. How encouraging that is! I recently visited a church where during Communion they were having a "Healing Service". Curious what this may look like, I watched closely. About a half dozen members stood along the side aisles to pray with those who stopped on their way back to their seats. Hands were held, eyes closed, words whispered, hugs shared. Over and over it happened and while I did not see any healing miracles on the outside, inside there was Love saving another from distress and it was very encouraging. Turn to God and He will touch us with His healing and deliver us from our afflictions. Then we can rejoice and tell of His grace to others who may be ready to listen. How encouraging that would be! -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Thank you, God, that we are saved by grace through faith...not by our own doing but as a gift from you. Amen
Reading: Ephesians 2: 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: Saved by grace. I really don't know what else to write today. Those three words pretty much sum up God's love for us. This is not even our doing. It is the gift from God. I woke up this morning with a long to-do list with the first being to get this devotion written and sent to Camp Mount Luther for uploading to email and post. After that, the list goes on and on. It is going to be another busy day. But every day, every morning before I even roll out of bed, I am already saved by grace. Not by anything I did the day before or anything I will do on this day or even all the days to come. Simply saved by grace. If it had to be by my own doing, I would get nothing else done. Look! I already finished this devotion. It’s time for breakfast on another busy day. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: May we remember to look up to you rather than down at our problems. Amen
Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9 (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: Why did it take the Israelites forty years to make an eleven day journey? Why does it sometimes take us forever to get a simple thing done? One reason may be something we have in common with the Israelites: Grumbling. Grumbling which then leads to a bigger problem and then that is all we can see unless we look away from it. The Israelites were grumbling again and in their impatience spoke against God and against Moses. No food, no water and we detest this miserable (manna). Next thing they knew, they had bigger problems - poisonous serpents. Then, finally then, they realize their complaining and speaking against God and Moses, had gotten them nowhere and worse. The solution? Look up! Under God's direction, Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. He told the people, if bitten, look at it and live. It worked. Perhaps we could find solutions to problems we are grumbling about by looking up to God. Look up and live. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, you love the whole world. Let us spread that love being a light reaching out to all. Amen
Reading: John 3: 14-21 (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: This passage contains probably one of the best known verses in the whole Bible… For God so loved the world.... We sing these words many times as a choir anthem. It is such an all-encompassing statement. God does not single out one group or another. God loves us all. Now if only we could but love one another and show respect and understanding. But we can’t achieve this if we don’t first recognize and respect our own purpose. In order to care about others we must allow ourselves to grow in God’s grace and share that blessing. There is a tradition of keeping one lit candle in a window beckoning travelers toward a safe haven where they can find refuge. We must strive to be that light by reaching out to all. -- Alice Yeakel On Fridays in March, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 3 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.”
Prayer: When we are faced with trials, help us to know that you are with us, Lord. Keep us safe from the fiery furnaces. Amen. Reading: Daniel 3:13-29; 6:16-23 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Three men with strange names were sentenced to be burned for refusing to bow down to the king's golden statue. But their faith withstood the heat. They faced the flames with God's name on their lips. And God, in awesome love, kept them safe. Another man, with a common name, was thrown to the lions for praying to God in defiance of the king. His faith didn't flinch. His prayers continued. And God, in awesome love, sent angels to protect him. God calls you by name, too. And God calls you to faith. Faith isn't always easy, but God, in awesome love, is with you and is faithful to the promise of life -no matter what your name! --ELCA Curriculum Prayer: LORD, you are our rock and redeemer. May all we say and all our thoughts be acceptable to you. 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: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19: 14 I've heard pastors pray these words before beginning to preach and it is good to know his or her hope is the message will be acceptable to God. Our pastor now switches the possessive pronoun in the middle by saying, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our heart(s) be acceptable..." Oh right, I have a part in this, too. What am I thinking in my heart while listening to the sermon? Is my heart open to God's Word being shared or are the meditations of my heart not what they should be at that moment? These are words to live by. Not just for the pastor beginning a sermon and for us listening, but all of us all the time. Before saying a word, before thinking a thought, before holding something in heart...is it acceptable to God? Granted, a tall order but remember, God is our rock and our redeemer. That gives us strength to pray these words with hope. -- Ruth Gates |
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