Prayer: Dear God, just like David became more powerful because God was with him, help us to remember our power comes from you. Amen
Reading: 2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10 (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: We have heard the story of Samuel anointing David to become King after Saul. The rest of David brothers were not chosen and finally David was called in from the fields, away from his sheep, and Samuel said he's the one. We have heard how David, the shepherd, was the only one willing to fight the giant Goliath and he won. Finally, in today's text, David becomes King over Israel. He was 30 years old and he reigned for 40 years. Needless to say, there is a lot more to David's story. A LOT more! But, these are the only verses for today. Perhaps they are the most important, the last one especially. And (David) became more and more powerful because the LORD Good Almighty was with him. 2 Samuel 5: 10. We are sometimes the unlikely ones chosen for tasks. We sometimes have to face giant challenges. There is a lot more to our stories. A LOT more! Perhaps the most important part of our stories is that the LORD God Almighty is with us. Why? Because that is where our power is from. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper
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Prayer: Dear God, help us to know what is essential. Thank you for how you provide. Sure enough, it works! Amen
Reading: Mark 6: 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 once packed for a last minute three day trip by grabbing only the clothes that had just come through the laundry. Barely folded and not at all organized. It had been three days since I last did laundry so I figured there would be enough essentials and an adequate assortment of the rest. Sure enough, it worked! When Jesus sent out the Twelve, he gave them a very specific packing list. Actually, he told them to pretty much pack nothing at all except a staff. Oh, and wear sandals - the Biblical equivalent of "good, comfortable shoes for walking". How many times have we read that in travel guides? Jesus kept in mind the Buddy System as he sent them out two by two and he also gave them authority over unclean spirits. Well, that ought to do it then. The Twelve went out, preached, anointed and healed. Sure enough, it worked! --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: I believe, Lord, help my unbelief. Amen.
Reading: I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord. But the Holy Spirit makes me holy and keeps me in the truth faith. (A slight variation of Luther’s explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed—see Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 1162) 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 struggle with our growth in faith, I sometimes come to the same conclusion that Professor Mark Vitalis Hoffman shared at the assembly of Upper Susquehanna Synod last week-end. Often the scriptures aren’t clear about faith and we end up with “I donno.” He reminded us about Luther’s explanation of the Third Article. We just cannot figure out this faith thing. Sometimes I’ve got it (for maybe just a moment), but most of the time I don’t. What am I to do? Luther understood, I think. No matter what I do, whatever I think or experience, in the end I can’t do this faith thing on my own. It’s reassuring that Luther understood. It’s more comforting that God understands, too. And sends us the Holy Spirit who keeps us in the faith. At camp we sing the song “I Believe I Do Believe Truly I Believe It.” On Sundays we use one of the creeds. It is good for us to declare what we believe. But, it is also good to add, but God help me—to believe and to grow. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Dear God, we celebrate milestone moments with gifts. Thank you for your gifts of hope, love and redemption daily. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 130 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: My daughter graduates from high school tonight! We will be remembering all the years of school, hard work and accomplishments! We will look back even further to when she was a new baby and marvel how she is now ready to go to college. Birthdays, vacations, softball, Family Camp...so many memories! Parents provide so much through a child's life and give gifts at the milestones. What has been essential in life and what graduation gifts does she really need? Hope, love and redemption. Israel, put your hope in the Lord , for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7 Put your hope in the Lord. Putting hope in the things and the ways of the world will disappoint but hope in the Lord will not let you down. Hope is a gift to get you through all of life. With the Lord is unfailing love. Yes, the love of family is always with you no matter where you go. There is also the love of true friends by your side. Remember, God's love is a gift that never fails and is with you always. With God is full redemption. While all this sounds perfect - looking back, graduating and going forward all with hope and love - nobody is perfect. However, God's gift of redemption continually restores us as loved children who live with hope. From day one to this day of graduation and through all the days ahead, hope, love and redemption have been and always will be God's gift to you. Happy Graduation! May your first thank you note be a prayer. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts, minds, and beings to hear your Word and to see our richness because of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (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: Growing up, my family was not rich. By that I mean we did not have a lot of money to go around. My brothers and I had our needs covered but sometimes at the end of the month there wasn’t any extra money to put into the family savings. When I came of age to know the family matters, my parents always ended every conversation with a saying. They said, “We are rich in so many other ways.” We are being called into that way of thinking in our reading for today. “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” I came to learn what my parents meant. We were rich in love. We were rich in health. We were rich in having a family where each family member actually cared for each other and wanted to be around each other. In what ways are you rich in your family or in your work? How might you share that richness with others? –Peter Horn, Board Member & Summer Camp Week Chaplain Prayer: Dear God, from David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan to Jesus’s words, “Peace I leave with you.” may we share the love we have for each other and find joy in your love for us. Amen.
Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (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: In the first chapter of 2 Samuel, David hears of the death of King Saul and also of his best friend, Jonathan. Verses 19-27 are David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan. He ordered that the song be taught to the people of Judah. It was called The Song of the Bow and was written in the Book of Jashar. Of course, it is here in 2 Samuel to remind us today of honoring friendship and feeling the sorrow of loss. Just over a year ago, Hannah, a Fairport High School student passed away from cancer. That evening, Jon, a friend and fellow student wrote this song, Peace I Leave With You, dedicated in loving memory of an amazing person no one will ever forget. Like David’s song, Jon’s was taught to the school choir. It was recorded and the file on SoundCloud has reached its maximum number of downloads. You may listen with the link below. May it bring peace to you today. https://soundcloud.com/jonmadden/peace-i-leave-with-you-choral-composition (Jon Madden, composer of Peace I Leave With You, is also a member of Incarnate Word Lutheran Church, Rochester, NY.) --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Lord God, today helps us to hear your will for us, comfort us, and speak your name to all whom we encounter. Amen.
Reading: Mark 5:21-43 (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: For those of us who will soon be going to the Youth Gathering in Detroit, we have been studying the whole of the gospel of Mark. One of the main themes in Mark is the Messianic Secret, which is that Jesus is always keeping it quiet that he is the Messiah, the Son of God. For us this is no secret! We know Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ. Yet our reading for today ends with, “[Jesus] strictly ordered them that no one should know [who Jesus is and what he can do].” So we see these wonderful acts of faith by Jairus and the women healed that cause Jesus to grant their requests. Yet they are told not to tell anyone. If we look at the end of the gospel of Mark, we see that Jesus is finally revealed as the Christ in his death on the cross. That is our point, that Jesus is revealed to us and the world as the savior of all who believe, just as the woman and Jairus believed. Jesus has been revealed as the Christ in the events of Good Friday. We know the truth, now we tell others of this truth of life changing love. –Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member and Summer Week Chaplain Prayer: Help us to see you, dear Lord, in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Amen.
Reading: Exodus 19 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 enjoy the stories in the Bible that deal with mountains. Having a job where we try to give participants “mountaintop experiences,” it’s fun for me to see the correlations between what we do today and mountain experiences that characters in the Bible had so long ago. I was recalling a mountaintop story the other day to one of our staff members. A group of friends and I hiked up to Buffalo Gap on a cold March Saturday. We decided to save some time by driving part way there. However, because of some ice on a mountain road, we couldn’t get the vehicle all the way to the top. So, we had to part it and hike up further than we planned. We hiked on some rocks that day and enjoyed each other’s company. Coming down, one of our group slipped on a rock that was covered in ice, but averted an accident thankfully. We were lucky! We had a great time that morning. On Monday, two of us went to retrieve the vehicle that we left there over the weekend. It was then that we noticed there was a sign on that road that prohibited motor vehicles. Nine of us missed that sign two days prior. It was a gentle reminder that we need to look around us and take in all that we can see on our journeys. This chapter in Exodus reminds me that we need to also keep watch for God. God is with us on our journey. God will help make the ordinary a mountaintop experience. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Oh Lord, you are our stronghold. We put our trust in you. Amen
Reading: Psalm 9:9-20 (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: The footnote at the bottom of the page in my Bible says, “Psalm 9 and 10 may have been originally a single acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.” Perhaps this was a memory device to help the people remember God’s power and justice. Verse 9 states, (The Lord is) a stronghold in times of trouble. Since most of us don’t know Hebrew, let’s work with the word stronghold: Seek the Lord. Trust in Him. Rejoice in the salvation of God. O Lord, I will praise you with all my heart. Nations have fallen into the pit they have dug. God reigns forever. He has established his throne for judgement. O Most High, I will sing praise to your name. Let the nations be judged in your presence. Declare your praises! --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Lord God, open wide our ears, eyes, hearts, and minds to be your people in the world. Amen.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (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: “Open wide!” How often have we heard parents or perhaps said this ourselves to a baby or toddler when trying to feed them? Sometimes we get the big, wide open expectant mouth when the good food like pizza, French fries, carrots, or bananas. Sometimes we get the mouth clamped shut, refusing to open for the unpleasant green beans, spinach, brussel sprouts, or anything with onions in it. That seems to be the same thing we see in our reading. Paul lists lots of things we like to do (purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God). And also he lists many things that are very unpleasant (through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger). Then he urges us and the Corinthians to “open wide!” In the faith there is no choosing the good stuff over the bad stuff. Paul knew this, those Christians who have gone before us knew this, and we know it too. May we “open wide” for all God’s ministry in the world, realizing that it is not all roses but may be some thorns as well. --Peter Horn, Board Member & Summer Camp Week Chaplain Prayer: Dear God, help us to see how what we do each day prepares us for the next. With your support, we are strengthened and saved. Amen
Reading: I Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 (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 many times have we heard the story of David and Goliath? So many times but probably so long ago, too. The Sunday School leaflet version was certainly shortened and simplified but if you read all the verses from I Samuel 17 listed above, you get much more of the story. Here is something I had forgotten: David convinced Saul to let him fight Goliath by citing his experience protecting sheep. David had killed both lions and bears to save sheep; so he was sure he could take down Goliath. “The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” Gee, Davey, I hadn’t thought of that! Go ahead and fight the Philistine. What do we do daily in our ordinary lives that make us capable to handle the extraordinary challenges that come up in life? Knowing that God has been with us all along and will be with us always, surely we can handle whatever today brings. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Help me to remember what you do with the seeds I plant, O Lord. Amen.
Reading: Mark 4:35-41 (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: Those of you who follow these devotions may remember that last Monday we considered the Parable of the Growing Seed. Today’s parable follows immediately after that one. I tell you I get confused by this story, because I have no idea how mustard grows! And for some reason I don’t bother trying to find how. It seems to be enough that Jesus says that a teeny tiny seed produces a bush large enough for birds to nest in and be be shaded. What a nifty image. Whatever seed is planted it just grows and grows and grows. The Holy Spirit encouraged a family to respond to something I said in a sermon some time ago. They invited a family with a number of young children to church. They nourished them, loved and encouraged them. Members of the congregation caught on and pitched in. The result is a whole family being baptized. Some of them now serve in that congregation. That’s exciting. Here’s the kicker--I don’t remember what it was that I said! And it doesn’t matter. The seed was planted and is still growing! Plant more seeds today, friends. And pray for the staff and this week’s campers. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Bless the staff and campers, O Lord. Amen.
Reading: Romans 1:7b-10 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’s plain and simple—we get campers on Sunday!! Pioneers, Juniors, Intermediates and maybe a few adults. Grab Bag Bizarro Day Camp. Pond Pals. Nomads. Apple/Corps. Sound like fun? So, Paul mentions to the Romans that he prays for them a lot. We ask for your prayers this week. Paul says that he yearns to come see the Romans. Come up and see us, if and when you can. Just call the office ahead of time (570 922-1587) so we know you are coming. If you are at camp over meal time, we’ll set a place at the table for you. Oh, one other thing. I will keep you in my prayers, too. And encourage the staff to also remember you. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Dear God, may our pride be in the name of the LORD! Amen
Reading: Psalm 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: Who doesn’t pray for victory in times of trouble or protection in times of attack? Psalm 20 is all about sending help, giving support, granting heart’s desires, fulfilling plans, rising and standing upright. The Lord will help his anointed but there is that one verse that might just make you think it might not look exactly as expected. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. (20:7) It’s like when Sam, in movie version of The Lord of the Rings, receives a gift of real Elvish rope and asks, “Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?” For the dangerous journey and nearly impossible task ahead of them, he is thinking weapons would be more helpful. In the book, the rope is much appreciated and valued. “Never travel far without a rope. (It) may be a help in many needs.” Surely a rope is something to hold onto! The Lord will answer in the day of trouble and our pride is in the name of the Lord. Others may have chariots and horses but the name of the Lord is something to hold onto! --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Help me to be confident in you, Lord. Amen.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (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: I am struck by the idea of confidence. We are always confident. What makes me confident? I have pretty good health. I have some savings. I have a great marriage. I do things that make a difference. The world, with all its struggles, is still a good place. What would you add? All that will one day disappear—just go away and be no more. Then what? We are still confident because there is the Lord. He will not be taken away. We walk be faith. Not by the things we see now. Walk faithfully today, my friends. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Dear God, you look on the heart and see our hidden qualities. May we also look beyond outward appearances and see each other with your eyes of love and purpose. Amen.
Reading: I Samuel 15:34–16:13 (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 recently heard a story of a very short yet very talented and accomplished trombone player. By very short, as I understand, this person was well under 5’ tall. Now, working the slide of a trombone takes certain arm length so adjustments had to be made to extend the player’s reach. Also, this person played bass trombone which requires even more lung capacity and air flow to play. Now, one would think when suggesting and assigning instruments to the eager incoming band students, the director would not have naturally suggested bass trombone to this particular person. But somehow for some reason somebody made the decision and trombone it was. Reminds me of the story of Samuel, sent by God to Jesse to find a king among his sons. Jesse, of course, starts by calling his oldest but God tells Samuel, “No, not him.” Jesse calls the next oldest who is also rejected. This goes on through seven of Jesse’s sons until the only one left is David, the youngest who was still out in the field tending the sheep. Obviously, Jesse had not even considered David in the running for being chosen to be king. But God did and David it was. By only looking at outward appearances, how much do we miss of who people really are and able to do? Even when we look at ourselves, do we really see deep down to our hearts and what God knows of our potential and purpose? Imagine what would be! --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Help me to scatter good seed today. Amen.
Reading: Mark 4:26-34 (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: What an interesting image, especially this time of the year. Gardens and farms are growing. Crops are springing up. Several harvests of grass have already been cut and put away for the cattle’s winter meals. Much more to come. Jesus says, that’s sort of what God’s kingdom is like. Seeds are scattered, sprout and grow. He doesn’t say what seeds are sown. The emphasis I think is on the idea that first one must scatter the seed. Nothing grows without the scattering. So, this day think of yourself as a scatterer. Scatter good seed and watch it grow into what God wants it to be. (This is the second week of staff training. Please keep praying for the summer staff.) --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Lord, may your presence be felt this summer as campers come to Mount Luther and experience you in new and exciting ways. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 2: 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: Today is the day that the 2015 Summer Ministry Team wraps up their first week of staff training. It’s been an intense week, as we’ve gotten to know one another, reunited with old friends, built a new community, and learned more about what it means to serve God in outdoor ministry. I really like the third verse in Isaiah 2 which reads, “Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” It reminds me of all the people who will be coming to our place this summer to have a mountaintop experience. Camp is a place where you can meet God and see Jesus in new and exciting ways. It’s also a place that they will learn more about being a disciple and how they can spread God’s love to everyone. If you are not signed up to visit camp this summer, consider doing so. Or, encourage a child, grandchild, or young friend to come and see all that we have to offer. It can be a life-changing experience when you meet God on the mountain! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart! Amen.
Reading: Psalm 138 (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 think today I shall simply focus on Question 2. What delights me in this text? Psalm 138 is good for that. From start to finish it is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. It begins with what I will do: praise God with all my heart. It ends with what God will do: fulfill his purpose for me. I really don’t have much else to write or say about all this. God’s love endures forever and that is enough to know. One thing I do find curious. The second part of the first verse: before the gods I will sing your praise. What gods could David be talking about and what are the “little g” gods in our lives? Job security, financial stability, strong health, popularity, fancy house, shoe-shopping, dark chocolate… I know I have gone from serious to silly here but before these gods, we are to sing praises to God alone. To God be the glory! Amen. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Lord, renew our inner nature even as our outer nature is wasting away. Amen.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1 (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: Today would have been the birthday of my childhood babysitter, Beulah. Beulah was like a grandmother to my sister and me. Since we lived hours away from our maternal and paternal grandparents, she filled that role in our lives. Beulah died of cancer when I was about 13-years-old. The last time I saw her was in a hospital bed. She was thinner than I had ever seen her. She came to mind when I read the verse in our appointed text today that reads, “Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” I’m not sure how I feel about that verse. I’ve seen people suffering as they waste way. And I’m not sure deep down that they would feel that their inner nature is being renewed. But I do now that Beulah had great faith. And maybe that is what it means to be renewed daily in your inner nature. Knowing that you can handle whatever life brings you because of your faith in God may be what you need to feel renewed inside. I have to remind myself constantly that I cannot physically do the things that I could do 20 years ago. My outer nature is, too, wasting away. But I can say that my inner nature, my spirit, is stronger today than 20 years ago. I’ve seen God walk beside me through thick and thin and my faith is stronger. May your inner nature be renewed this day and every day of your life! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear God, may we be wise in what we ask for by following your will and not the whims of our own thinking. Amen
Reading: I Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11: 14-15) (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: After a time at camp with a mouse in the cabin, I prayed there would be no mice the next year. The next year there were no mice but I saw a rattlesnake. That explained the missing mice but also taught me to be more careful what I pray for. Considering the disorganized state of the Israelite nation, their request for a new form of government – a monarchy – seems understandable. A king would centralize power, making the nation more efficient in defending itself. However, both Samuel and God opposed the idea, particularly because of the Israelites’ motive: The wanted a “king to govern us, like other nations” (8:5). Israel was supposed to be different from the other nations. Whatever form of their government, they were to trust God as their leader. Jump ahead to I Samuel 11: 14-15 to see the Israelites got their request with King Saul yet still under God’s terms. In short order Saul was rejected because he disobeyed God. And the story goes on and on and on. Have you ever seen God take a bad request with bad motives and use it for his own purposes? --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper (with inspiration from The New Student Study Bible NRSV) Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on February 20, 2013. Prayer: Lord, help us to feel closer to our siblings and to feel the love of other brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen. Reading: Mark 3:20-35 (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? ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
Reflection: I will have to recall this story from what I've been told. I was a little too young to remember it. When I was almost three-years-old, my mother went to the hospital to deliver my parent's second child. I don't remember if I was excited or not. I'm sure my parents explained what it would mean to be a big brother, but I can't remember what I was feeling. My mom told me that I did say to her that if she had the baby and it was a girl, she didn't have to bring it home! I wanted a brother! She only was to bring the baby home if it was a boy. Well, my parents didn't listen to me because it was a girl and I had a baby sister. It was to be the last of my parent's children, so I never got my wish to have a brother. Don't get me wrong-- I love my sister and despite our fighting growing up, we had good times and have grown closer over the years, especially in our adult lives. But there is still an inkling in my mind that I missed out on something because I didn't have a male sibling. I don't know why I always wanted a brother. I guess it could be because I believe there is a special bond between brothers. Or, maybe I just wanted someone who I could harass grouping up and "teach him the ropes." I think I got to do those things with my sister, but I don't think it was the same as doing them with a brother. I have been fortunate though. I have a couple of friends that have been like brothers to me, like it says in Romans 12:10. In my Revised Standard translation it reads, “Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Those words stood out to me as I read this passage. One of my friends one said that I was like the older brother he never had; I felt like he was the younger brother I never had. Another friend once told me the same thing, and I felt special because he had brothers of his own. So maybe I did get my brother! Jesus says in the passage from Mark that whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother. I think you can go a step further and say that anyone who shares the belief of Jesus Christ is a brother or sister. So, I guess we all have many brothers, and many more sisters for that matter. It is in that same spirit that Paul tells us also to let our love be genuine, be guided by the Spirit and serve God. What great words to live by! If we all treated each other with respect and honor as we should our own biological families, I believe the world would be a better (and more fun) place! (There are still days, though, that I feel it would have been nice if mom came home from the hospital with a baby brother!) --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director |
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