Prayer: Powerful God, may we sing of your great power with Psalms and tell of your awesome deeds in songs. Amen
Reading: Psalm 66: 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: It's all because of Camp. Anytime I read, "turned the sea into dry land" (v. 6), I automatically start singing (usually in my head but sometimes out loud...and with motions): Pharaoh, Pharaoh! Oh baby, let my people go. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I said now, Pharaoh, Pharaoh! Oh baby, let my people go. Yeah, yeah, yeah! Well, me and God's people comin' to the Red Sea And Pharaoh's army comin' after me. I raised my rod, stuck it in the sand and all of God's people walked across dry land. Okay, it's better if you hear it (It's on the Camp Mount Luther - Lift Up Your Voices CD). It's even better with the motions. But, you'd have to come to camp to learn them. Either way, Psalms are songs and this one had me singing. The story of the parting of the Red Sea is a great one to proclaim God's awesome deeds and, trust me, singing it is very empowering (especially with the right attitude and gutsy motions). We all need to remember and tap into God's great power. If you ever hear me singing this one, you know I am looking to God for help. If I am doing the motions, you know I am really going for it. Sing and move along with me... Well Pharaoh's army is a-comin' too. So what do you think that I should do? I raised my rod and I cleared my throat (ahem!) And all of Pharaoh's army did the dead man's float. I said now, Pharaoh, Pharaoh! Oh baby..... --Ruth Gates
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Prayer: Lord, help me to meet people the way you meet them. Amen
Reading: Galatians 6: (1-6) 7-16 (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 is the last time you experienced something entirely new? Not something with a new twist. Not something refreshed. But, something brand spanking new? St. Paul speaks of something new. It is a new community made up of all sorts of people. In this case a community consisting of both Jews and non-Jews. It’s an unthinkable possibility for biblical Jews. Paul calls it “the family of faith.” It is not a family made up of Jews or a family of non-Jews. It is just a family united by the cross. On Wednesdays this summer at Camp Mount Luther the theme is “Jesus Meets Us on the Cross.” One of the focus points is there is no border that God cannot “cross over.” Surely, St. Paul agrees. I am discouraged by the current sense of wanting to exclude Muslims from our nation. The seemingly general sense of self-preservation and “me-ism” invading our culture scares me. The idea that there are people that are summarily dismissed from our society depresses me. Just for today, maybe, let us include all people in our lives. Let us look on the whole world as people whom God meets on the cross. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear God, may we be content to follow your directions and trust they will work. Amen.
Reading: 2 Kings 5: 1-14 (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: Naaman needs healing. I am not sure if he looked for directions on how to get better but it was his wife who came up with the plan that worked. Yet, even in that, at first Naaman balked at the directions he was given. Why is it so hard to admit we need directions? Why is it so hard to follow them once we get them? This is a story from the Bible yet today, if someone is struggling with putting something together or getting it to work, the first comment an observer would have would be, "Have you tried reading the directions?" It is meant to be a critical dig and an encouraging nudge at the same time. Amazing how the advice works and the directions do, too. When it comes to putting your life together or getting things to work, let's admit we need directions from God and then be willing to follow them. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, you are my strength. You allow me to overcome any challenge, and in your company I will not feel weak. Thank you for your strength and protection. Amen.
Reading: Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20 (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: Luke 10: 19 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” I was fortunate enough to grow up with an older brother, and although he is a mere thirteen months older than me, he has always been a lot stronger. In elementary school, he started wrestling. I always knew when he learned a new move at practice because I was the first person he tried it out on. Then in high school, he joined the football team which resulted in hours upon hours of gym work-outs. I was always at risk of the casual nudge—with one flat palm he’d push against my shoulder, and I had no choice but to fall backwards. Needless to say, I was the weak one. I was the scrawny one. I didn’t have huge muscles to show off, and I definitely wasn’t going to bench press two-hundred pounds anytime soon. I didn’t enjoy being pushed around by someone bigger than me, and I didn’t think it was possible to be the stronger person. Feeling weak wasn’t, and still isn’t, any fun at all. In this passage, the Lord reminds his followers that they are not weak. They are told that they have “authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy.” I don’t exactly enjoy the thought of stepping anywhere near scorpions or snakes, nor do I wish to confront the enemies in my life—those that are much larger than an older brother. I can do so, though, if I remind myself of the Lord’s message in this passage. No harm will come to me because, even though I may not have strength in my muscles, I have strength in God’s authority. This is what makes all of the difference. Each one of us is capable of accomplishing great feats, even those that once felt far beyond our capabilities, because we are followers of God. When we choose to listen to the Lord, we are strengthened by his word, his protection, and his love. This strength is far more powerful than what you’ll get in your typical weight room. --Courtney Dunn Prayer: Lord God, send us your Spirit and help us to see you in out lives. Amen
Reading: Ephesians 5:13-25 (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: They tell me that in Pennsylvania you are never more than an hour from a winery. Many of the wineries in our area have decks or lawns where on Friday nights, usually, something is going on—live music or some sort of fund-raiser. My wife, June, and I recently went to Buck’s Valley Winery for a benefit because we had heard that a friend would be there whom we had not seen for maybe 20 years. It was a great visit. If we are never more than an hour from a winery, we are never more than a second from the Spirit. St. Paul reminds us today about the difference between spirits (wine in this case) and the Spirit. Being filled with one or the other makes a big difference! In some ways, we had the best of both worlds at our outing. Good wine and renewal of an old friendship. Did I mention that we sat at a table with two folks we didn’t know? Guess what—new friends, too. Don’t you think the Spirit makes those kinds of things happen? I do. And I suppose the spirits help, too! But, in the end God meets us in the Spirit. Renews friendships and makes new ones and who knows what’s next? Where is God meeting you today? --Jim Bricker We welcome Courtney Dunn, one of alumni summer staffers, as a regular First Light writer!
Prayer: Dear God, you have provided me with help and comfort in my times of need. When my suffering was great, and I became impatient or angry with you, you reminded me of your greatness. I thank you for your blessings and the many blessings to come. Amen. Reading: Psalm 77: 1-2,11-20 (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 first time that I wrote a love letter in junior high was the first time I learned that prayers require patience. With eyes closed tight and palms practically glued together, I prayed night after night for the boy in my class to like me as much as I liked him. After about a week of this, I became frustrated. Then I became angry. How could God let my prayers go unanswered for so long? I did not have the patience to wait—this was the boy of my dreams we were talking about! My dream boy finally did circle “Yes” and became my first boyfriend. He also became my first ex-boyfriend, and with more patience, God gave me the courage to get through my first break-up (and allow this boy and myself to remain close friends, even to this day). The big lesson for me was that prayers require patience. The Lord’s work takes time! Since then, I’ve looked to God for help many times in my life for many different reasons—some small like childhood love letters and some big like the passing of loved ones. It’s easy to become impatient for the suffering to end and frustrated when God’s answer seems delayed, but by remembering the good things that God has already given us, we can be patient in our prayers. Psalm 77 is a great reminder that patience leads to praise. If we remember what the Lord has already done for us in the past, and the promises that he has for the future, we can be patient knowing that he will provide for us in our times of need. As the psalmist wrote, “Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?” When we begin to feel impatient in our prayers, we must remember that our God is great. Our God is holy. Instead of being impatient we must praise him because what the Lord has already done assures us of what he can do, and this is the greatest comfort of all. --Courtney Dunn Prayer: Help me to live a life that transforms, O Lord. Amen
Reading: Galatians 5: 13-25 (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 are encouraged to live differently. Be conscious of how we might behave that is pleasing to God and loving of our neighbor. A camper came to us on a Sunday, literally shaking in fear of being here. By Thursday the camper was asking if there was a way to come back for a second week this summer. (There is. Just call the office and it will be arranged! 570 922-1587). Let me tell you how that transformation happened. We have a staff who lives by the yummy fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The camper experienced that life from our counselors and wants more! Might someone be transformed today by the way you live? --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember to not always ask for the obvious but rather, accepting whatever will be will be, look at the bigger picture and ask for what really matters most. Amen
Reading: 2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14 (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: Despite Elijah telling Elisha to stay behind and not follow him everywhere, Elisha was determined to not leave Elijah's side. Finally Elijah asks what he can do for Elisha before he is taken away. Oh, what to ask for! The obvious would be a request of "Don't go away!" but it seems Elijah was bound to leave; by whirlwind for that matter. The next obvious would be a request to go along. A whirlwind would be quite an adventure! Oh, what to ask for? Elijah seems to know the best he can ask for is to inherit a double share of Elijah's spirit and that is what he gets. Elisha stayed by Elijah's side until he was taken away, in a whirlwind with a fiery chariot and horsemen, no less. Then taking up Elijah's mantle, Elisha right away performed a miracle. That double share of the spirit came fast. Seems like Elisha asked for the right thing. Sometimes, asking for the obvious is not what we really need. Look at the bigger picture and what really matters. Ask for that. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to remember our home is with you. Thank you for the gift of this life and your love to guide us through. Help us remember to make room for you and for others in our hearts. Amen
Reading: Luke 9: 51-62 (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 sing "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed; the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head." yet our text today tells us "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (v. 58b). I guess when you really think about it, a manger is no place for a baby to sleep. There was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn so Jesus was born in a stable. The baby Jesus had nowhere to lay his head except where the cattle fed. At his death, he was laid in a tomb that belonged to someone else. Sure, in between he grew up in a home and during his ministry he stayed with friends, but Jesus really did not belong to this world. Neither do we. Our home is with God. We live this life as a gift from God to love others as he loved us. As we make room for God in our hearts, we also make room for others. In loving and being loved, all of us have a place to lay our heads. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Jesus, we know you show up in unexpected places in our daily lives. Help us to see you. We especially pray that you are among your people today and tomorrow at the Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly as they elect a new bishop. Holy Spirit come! Amen.
Reading: John 21: 1-19 (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: In the last chapter of the John’s gospel, the risen Jesus appears to Peter and some of the disciples at daybreak after they have spent a long, unproductive night fishing. At first, they don’t recognize the man who calls to them from the beach and suggests throwing out the net one more time . . . on the opposite side of the boat. When they try again, draw it up, and see that the net this time is filled to overflowing, they realize “It is the Lord!” They bring the amazing catch to shore, and receive a simple meal of bread and grilled fish from Jesus. He and Peter talk of love and feeding Jesus’ sheep, and Jesus again says, “Follow me.” Among other things, this story reminds me that Jesus shows up in the day-to-day places where we work and where we play. Jesus comes where we may have fled to forget our troubles, or where we are busy with the responsibilities of our lives. On that beach, Jesus brought Peter and the disciples fishing advice, a morning meal, reconciliation after Peter’s denials, a reminder of the tasks of following, and another call to follow. We may not need or find exactly the same things, but into our lives, Jesus brings wisdom, encouragement, nurture, nourishment, reconciliation, forgiveness, love, and our own call to follow. Stories where Jesus and his followers are in the midst of the activities of life always remind me that God is in the midst of our world. Not far away in heaven, or across town in the church building. God is there in study groups and lecture halls, in the dining commons and apartment buildings, in the bars and on the streets. Sometimes it takes us a while to realize God is there. Sometimes miraculous things happen. Sometimes we find the nourishment we need. Sometimes a broken relationship is healed. Sometimes we are reminded just what it means to follow Jesus. --Alicia Anderson Prayer: We long for you, O Lord, and ask you to help us see you more clearly. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 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: The other day, I took a walk down toward the labyrinth here at camp and to my surprise, I saw a deer coming toward me. She stopped. Looked at me, and then looked into the woods. Then, coming from behind her was her fawn. I stood there for a moment, tried to take a picture, but the deer ran off into the woods. I continued to the labyrinth, but didn’t see them again. “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” I bet those deer eventually got thirsty. Did they go to the pond to get a drink? Did they stop by the stream at Blacksnake? I will never know. But I’m sure they longed for a drink after a while. I think of those deer and wonder if I long for God like those deer long for a drink. And, I’m sure the deer are thirsty each day. Do I long for God every day or just when I need help? As we are teaching our campers this summer, God meets us every day in many ways. May we long to see God in those moments! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, help me to remember my baptism. Amen
Reading: Galatians 3:23-29 (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: “We are children of God through faith.” God promises us that and much more in our baptism. In the really rough times in life, we tend to reach down into our own strength, tough it out, so to speak. Sometimes in those difficult moments, we feel alone, abandoned. We too often forget that we are baptized, children of God. We are not alone. Not too long ago I received an envelope from a very good friend. That’s not unusual, I get stuff from him from time to time. But when I opened this envelope a door knob hanger fell out. On the picture of a sea shell are the words “Live Wet.” And above that Martin Luther’s words: “When you wash your face in the morning and evening remember your Baptism in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” That hangs on the door knob right by our shower. In the good times and the bad: We are baptized. Live Wet. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear God, thank you for feeding us for our journey. May we feel comfort in your care and strength for what we are to do next. Amen
Reading: I Kings 19: 1-4, (5-7), 8-15a (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 all know what comfort food is. Macaroni and cheese casserole, chicken pot pie, meatloaf, and chocolate top many lists. (Though I do happen to know one person who does not like meatloaf.) What is your comfort food? When do you need it most? Could you go for some right now? Are you feeling better already? Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. He went into the wilderness, sat down under a tree and told God he may as well die as he was going to be a goner anyway. He fell asleep exhausted. What happened next? Comfort food at the hand of an angel who woke him. Cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and fell back to sleep. The angel woke him again and encouraged him to eat more. Leftover comfort food is even better the second time. That food gave Elijah strength for what was ahead: more journeying through the wilderness until finally the Lord spoke to him, appeared to him and told him what to do next. --Ruth Gates Prayer: When we have fear, calm us. When we see you, may we always share that good news. Amen.
Reading: Luke 8:26-39 (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 my daughter was younger, she loved pigs. She thought they were cute and I think she liked them because they were pink, her favorite color. I knew a family who were raising a pig so I took my daughter to go see it. I don’t think she cared too much to see the live pig, preferring the cartoon version of pigs to the real thing. In this story, we see pigs who were just minding their business and suddenly demons possessed them. They went into the water and drowned. When people saw this, they went and told others what they had seen. And they were fearful. Jesus had a talk with the man with the demons. He told him to go tell others what God had done for him. I’m guessing he did that. And we should, too. –Chad Hershberger A little something different today. As we wrap up staff training and prepare for our campers on Sunday, a reflection on how camp gets hold of you and becomes part of the fabric of your life.
In 1981, there was a Sunday School teacher at my church who was really promoting church camp. She was trying to get as many as she could to go and experience Camp Mount Luther. With my parent's approval, I decided to go. I had a great week with a neat counselor and a cool group of cabinmates. It was really fun and I couldn't wait to go back the next summer. For nine years I would travel to Mount Luther to spend some time in the summer sun. I always knew that when I saw the cows painted on the local farmer's barn, I was almost there. Every year, I couldn't wait to go back. It wasn't until I started working at Mount Luther in 1990 that I began to learn the wisdom of life in those mountains of Central Pennsylvania. Patience, tolerance, humor, love, caring, and the values of friendship are things I learned as I hiked, swam, read, played, and laughed. Everything for a good life is there at the foot of Jones Mountain. Camp Mount Luther is indeed a special place to learn about life, to learn about yourself, and to learn about God. I continue to gain those same life lessons since I became the camp director in 2001. I continue to make unforgettable memories, relationships that help me through the good and bad, and feel sense of God's presence in my life. I hope you too have a special place or activity that does the same thing for you. And know when you leave it, you never really leave a place you love. You always take part of that place with you, leaving part of you behind. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: O Lord, thank you for hearing my voice. When I plead to you in the morning, I know I can watch for you the whole day through. Amen
Reading: Psalm 5: 1-8 (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 know what camp I want to sign up for this summer! Morning Glories - "for those who like to get up early in the morning! Get up before breakfast and do activities like watch the sunrise, take morning hikes, polar bear swims, or a 7:00 a.m. Gaga Ball game." The only problem is Morning Glories is for Juniors (Grade 3-5) and I am not a Junior. My camp is Family Camp and the best I can do is get up very quietly and tiptoe out of the cabin without waking up the rest of my family. Why do I like mornings? Well, for many reasons but Psalm 5 gives a very good one: O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch. (v. 3) Once I get up and have my prayer time with the Lord, I can then watch the whole day through for where God is going to be, what God is going to do, what His will is for me and what I am to do. Morning glories last the whole day through. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, increase my faith. Amen
Reading: Galatians 2:15-21 (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 reading is pretty close to Lutheran’s. Paul proclaims that everyone is saved not by the works that they do, but by “faith in Jesus Christ.” We must be careful, however, to not make faith a work. Surely you have experience the thought that a prayer was not answered because of the lack of faith of the one praying. That makes faith a work. There is a footnote in my translation that I think helps a lot. It makes verse 16 read like this: “Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ.” I really like that translation. It’s not about my faith. It is about Jesus’ faith. More and more in this “me” oriented world, we need to be reminded that life isn’t about me, it is about God. --Jim Bricker Prayer: All-knowing God, help us to avoid grumbling, especially when we have an audience. Amen
Reading: I Kings 21: 1-10, (11-14), 15-21a (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: So, Ahab wanted something someone else had and that someone had every right to not give it up. That should have been the end of the story but it wasn't. Ahab went home and pouted; worse, he grumbled about the situation to someone else. Now there were two people aggravated about something they had no right to be. Well, as the story goes, the person with a listening ear arranges for the someone with the something to be killed; stoned to death, to put it bluntly. God then sends Elijah, the prophet, to talk to Ahab. Elijah exposes Ahab's part in the death and pretty much tells Ahab that he and others will get the same and worse. Would this have happened if Ahab had simply taken "No." for an answer? Would this have happened if he had just kept his grumbling to himself? I am not sure why we think our grumbling or complaining is going to make anything better. Sometimes, it only makes things worse; especially when we have an audience. Let's keep that in mind. I imagine Ahab wished he had. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Show us, Jesus, how to reach others. Amen.
Reading: Luke 7:36 - 8:3 (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: There is a lot in this story of Jesus’ time in a Pharisee house. I like when Jesus says to Simon, “I have something to say.” Simon says, “Speak” and Jesus starts telling him a story. I can just hear that exchange between these two happening and it makes me smile! Jesus is so good at telling stories to get his point across. It was a big part of his ministry. Stories are something that stick in people’s minds. I was preaching recently and I could tell that when I started to tell a story as part of my sermon, the people suddenly paid more attention. They sat up in their seats a little bit. Engaging the audience is something that Jesus did quite well. As we are now into our second week of staff training, you can rest assured that we’ve been talking about how to engage the campers who will begin arriving next week. We’ve been talking about how to make our GROW Times interactively and tell stories with meaning. And as we do, we remember our Lord and Savior who set a good example for us that this is a way the reaches the people! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: As we ponder and wonder, help us to see your ways, Lord. Amen.
Reading: Luke 2: 52 (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 is a piece I wrote for a church youth group who was looking into spirituality. I was asked to reflect on that topic and give my opinion. I share it here with you! --Chad Hershberger When I was a senior high camper at a Lutheran church camp, there were two different cabin groups of kids my age. Each went on an overnight camping trip the same night at two campsites that were not too far in distance. As my group was finishing up our campfire meal, we heard some shouting coming towards the campsite where the other group was staying. The shouting was more of a chant and it went something like this: “We’ve got spirit, yes we do. We’ve got spirit, how about you?” If you know this chant from a sporting event, you probably know how we responded. “We’ve got spirit, yes we do. We’ve got spirit, how about you?” As I remember, that went on for a while, and was a fun way to connect our two groups that night. When I think about spirituality, I think about how we are connected to God. It’s like God chanting at us, asking us if we are on God’s team. And our reply is not a chant, but is in how we act towards others. I hear that many young adults today remark that they are spiritual, but not religious. That bothers me because I think the two are intertwined. To me, religion is our outward practice of our faith. For Christians, it is how we tell the world about Jesus and what he did on the cross for us. Sometimes it’s with words but more often it’s with actions. Being religious means that we worship, pray, sing, read the Bible, and serve. What we really are doing is being faithful. We faithfully worship, we faithfully pray, we faithfully sing, we faithfully read scripture, and we faithfully serve. I think what is meant when folks say they are spiritual but not religious is that they don’t appreciate an organized means of showing their faith. They don’t appreciate the structure of a denominational or independent church. They’d rather believe in God but binge watch Netflix or play soccer on a Sunday morning. They have belief but choose to keep that to themselves or manifest it in other ways. But I’m not sure that you can be spiritual without being in community with others. Sure, you can still have faith and believe in God but isn’t part of it being part of the bigger Body of Christ? We need to gather in community as fellow believers to support one another. We need to have Bible study together so that we can share insights and grow in our faith. We need to pray together and bring our concerns to others so that they can share in our joys and sorrows. We need to sing together and be uplifted by the cloud of witnesses who share in our song and praise of God. In Luke 2:52, we are told of a young Jesus who increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. Jesus grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. If we look at the definition give to us in this passage, spirituality would mean increasing in favor with God. When I became a child a God, I was marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit forever. God loves me unconditionally. So, how can I increase favor with God? I’m not sure I can but I think God probably really enjoys spending time with me. When I worship, pray, sing, read the Bible, and serve others, God is smiling because that is our time together. And as we spend more time together, I bet God looks upon me more favorably. As a parent, my love grows for my children the more I spend time with them. So, what is spirituality? For me, it’s believing in a higher, divine being. It’s being in community with other believers who help me grow in my faith. And, it’s spending time with God through my worship, study, and service. If I am spiritual, I’m engaged in all of these things. I am faithful (or religious) in being these things. And I am blessed to be able to say, “I’ve got spirit, yes I do. I’ve got spirit, how about you?” Prayer: We worship and we praise you, Lord. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 146 (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: Our Psalm today is all about praising God. This week during staff training, we’ve been talking to our counselors about how to put together a worship service and the typical elements of Lutheran worship. Worship is all about praising God. We’ve talked about how you might do that: song, dance, litanies, even silence. Showing God that you love and adore God is what worship is all about. What are some experiences that you have had where you know you were worshiping God? There are many times when we sing hymns in church that I get a little teary-eyed because of the words and their meaning. That’s when I know I’m in a very worshipful mode. It is my hope that our campers experience meaningful worship this summer in this place and sing praises to their God all their lives long! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, keep me open to the changes you have in store for me. Amen
Reading: Galatians 1:11-24 (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: How are you being changed? Probably not as dramatically as Saul/Paul. In our text today, Paul reflects how God changed him from a prosecutor of Christians to one “proclaiming the faith.” The longer I live, the more open I am about changes in my faith. There are some things that are pretty stuck, but I find lots of things that I learned growing up need to be adjusted. I truly believe that God is changing me that I may continue to proclaim the good news in this day and age to those God sends me. How about you? What changes is God making in you? Do you find it difficult to change? Are you stuck in some faith issues that need adjustment? God is working in our lives. Let us be open to the changes the Lord is making in our faith. --Jim Bricker |
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