Discussion:
Reading: Mark 8: 34 Reflection: You’ve probably heard this passage before. Jesus is telling the people that they should drop everything and follow Him. They should put behind their former ways and lead a life that is worth to their calling as a disciple of Christ. He is telling them that by following Him, they may lead a life of rejection and suffering. Imagine how Jesus Christ felt when He was on this earth. Going from town to town, place to place, preaching and teaching and yet some people did not believe the things he was saying. It must have been frustrating for our Lord. These people could actually see Him and see the things He was doing and yet many did not believe. When we get frustrated, we should remember the frustrations Jesus probably felt. He overcame them, and so should we. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Pray for those who do not yet bel
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Discussion:
Reading: Genesis 1 Reflection: I was 15 years old, sitting in the woods, reflecting on what I was seeing when I wrote this poem about creation: Beyond the trees so lovely, The little birdie sings As he watches the daybreak Fluttering his wings. God has painted a picture For all of us to buy Not with money or words But only if we try. I also recently found this poem that I wrote. I’m not sure when or why, but it also speaks of God’s creation: At the start there was nothing Except for God, who was the king God said let there be no more void So, suddenly light was employed The heavens next were in the sky But we don’t really know why Then next came plants, the moon, and stars But it would be centuries before we’d have cars Leviathan swam in the big blue sea On the earth roamed the animals and the bumble bee With all this stuff God had a plan God decided to create man But man was lonely, he needed a mate Woman came to procreate God created and now we say Let’s take care of it every day! Creation is meant to be enjoyed. In this first chapter of Genesis, we see God creating and saying, “It is good.” We are to enjoy our surroundings today and everyday. God’s Word is also like creation. We should enjoy it each and every day. Sometimes, like gnats and flies and other pieces of God’s creation, we may not totally understand scripture. But, we should look to God in everything. What a comforting thought to help us as we celebrate not only creation but God’s living Word. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Pray the following prayer. Lord, may your Spirit be my guide as I celebrate and take care of your creation. Thank you for all you have made for me. You are good all the time! Amen. For our devotional today, we have something a little different. A few years ago, I ran across a recipe in a congregational newsletter. It is for "Holiday Scripture Cake." I thought it looked like fun, because you have to look up the ingredients in the Bible first. To help you out, the ingredients are in the baking instructions but I encourage you to look up these passages today and figure out what they are. And, you could even bake this cake sometime soon! Enjoy. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director
3/4 cups of Psalm 55:21 1 1/2 cups of Jeremiah 6:20 5 Isaiah 10:14 3 cups of I Kings 4:22 3 tsp. of I Corinthians 5:6 3/4 tsp. of Leviticus 2:13 1 tsp. each of 2 Chronicles 9:9 1 tsp. of Exodus 30:23 1/2 cup of Judges 4:19 3/4 cup of Numbers 17:8 3/4 cup of Nahum 3:12 3/4 cup of I Samuel 30:12 Cream butter with sugar. Beat in egg yolks one at a time. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon. Blend into creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into batter. Folk in chopped almonds, figs, raisins. Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 70 minutes for until knife comes out clean. Discussion: For today's devotional, again we will use the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which will also be a big part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers this summer. First, read the passage and then discuss the four questions below. Conclude by reading the reflection and ponder the quote presented. Reading: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-9 QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? (or for younger kids, which part of the story doesn’t make sense to me?) QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text? (or for younger kids, what is my favorite part of the story?) QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? (or for younger kids, what does this story remind me of?) QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? (or for younger kids, what is God or Jesus doing in this story?) Reflection: There is a time for everything: 10:58 p.m.- the time I was born Spring- the time to plant; Fall- the time to harvest Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II- times to kill, time for war After tragedies- times to heal Demolition- a time to break down; Construction- a time to build up A sad movie- a time to weep; After hearing a joke- a time to laugh Death- a time to mourn; Wedding receptions- a time to dance At a lake, skipping them- a time to cast away stones A child in an unpaved driveway- a time to gather stones together When seeing an old friend- a time to embrace In homeroom- a time to refrain from embracing Finding a family heirloom long lost- a time to seek A baseball game- a time to lose Your child’s first report card- a time to keep A grudge- a time to cast away A bad paper- a time to rend Your favorite jeans have a hole- a time to sew In a library- a time to keep silent Standing up for your yourself- a time to speak And always- a time to love our fellow humans and strive for peace. There is a time for everything. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Watch this video of The Byrds' song, "Turn, Turn, Turn." This is a musical representation of this scripture passage. We used to sing it at camp as one of the many folk songs shared after meals. However, it was hard to sing, so we haven't done it in quite awhile! Discussion:
Reading: I Corinthians 4: 10 Reflection: I'm sure you have pulled some April Fool's jokes in your day. April Fool's Day is a day when we try to trick people and perform practical jokes. Some of the best jokes of this day that I heard about have been done by radio stations. One time, the radio station in my hometown convinced local residents that there were dolphins coming up our river. Hundreds flocked to the riverside to see them. Of course, it was all made up. Paul tells us that those who do not know Christ are fools. Those who know Him are wise. Those who are believers know the difference between right and wrong. Those who do not are more likely to be swayed by evil, just as the dolphin seekers were drawn to the river. May you always know right from wrong and act accordingly. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Pray for those who do know Christ. |
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