Prayer: We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. May we be good salt and light for you, O Lord. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 5: 14-16 (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: This is one of my favorite Bible verses. Especially verse 16 that reminds us that we are to let our light shine before others so that they know about Jesus. At camp, we have outside lights on our porches. Our counselors turn them on at night so that the campers can see when they need to go to the bathroom. It also helps them to find their cabin when they return to the village after the sun has set. The porch light provides light in the darkness. But, we ask the counselors to make sure that their porch lights are turned off during the day. Since the sun is our light then, we don’t need the artificial light. It’s a conservation measure to help us save some electricity. One year, one of our counselors forgot to turn off his porch light. Since I had been preaching about the importance of conversing electricity, I was not happy when I saw this. He and his campers happened to be down at Blacksnake, one of our campsites. So, I walked down there and asked him and his campers to come back to the village with me. When we got back, I told them they needed to turn off their porch light and then they could go back to their planned activities. Having them walk all the way back to camp from their campsite made an impression and the light was off during the day the rest of the week! When I think back on this now, I know I had good intentions as I wanted to teach them the value of saving electricity. But, in light of this verse (pun intended), maybe they were just letting their light shine for all to see. After all, God wants us to do that both during the day and in the darkness of the night. –Chad Hershberger
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Prayer: All knowing God, so many things in life perplex us. Help us figure out how to solve those riddles. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 49: 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: I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp. Psalm 49: 4b When I just can't seem to figure out a problem or understand a situation, I have a tendency to ruminate and stew about it longer than I really should. I spend way too much time and energy that could have gone to something or somewhere else. I know I do it and I try to stop. But of all the strategies I have tried, I never thought to solve the riddles of life to the music of the harp. How does that work? Did the Psalmist means listening to the harp or actually playing the harp will help solve riddles? Either way, I am willing to give it a try. Mind you, I only have one cd of harp music to listen to and I do not own a harp nor do I know how to play one. Hoping any music or instrument will work? Which leads me to wonder if that is why folks have taken to guitars around campfires, harmonicas on the trail, and pianos in solitary, quiet rooms. Maybe somehow music helps us solve riddles by giving our hands something else to do and our ears something else to hear. It could just work! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Let me be the peacemaker, O Lord.
Reading: Colossians 3:1-11 (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: If only it could happen—that the whole world put away these earthly things: anger, wrath, malice, abuse, and abusive language. The world is full of it. We can’t avoid it. The news is quite depressing—day after day after day after day. Killings in ever more creative ways. Name calling, disrespect. Yet another political convention began yesterday. Put these things away, says Paul. Be renewed in the image of the world’s creator. If only…if only… Paul concludes that in that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free. But Christ is all and in all. Where can this effort for peace begin? With you and me, sister and brother. With you and me. We cannot control the behavior of others, but we can control ours. We can put away our prejudice and fears. We can see the other as another human being loved by God. Always!!! Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being there my whole life through.
Reading: Hosea 11:1-11 (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: It’s become one of my favorite hymns: I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (ELW 732). It’s a poem about God’s presence in our lives no matter what. The end of verse 1 goes like this: I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well; In a blaze of light you wandered off to find where demons dwell. That is what Hosea reflects in today’s reading. How God nurtures and heals. I particularly like the image of verse 4, “I bent down to them and fed them.” We are taught at Camp, to stoop to the child’s level so they can see us eye-to-eye and put ourselves on their level. I works! Back to our story--Yet we want to wander away. There is a time in the Amish community, between adulthood and commitment to the Order when young Amish are somewhat free of parental control. They call it Rumspringa which translate “running around.” Or maybe wandering off. And getting into trouble, testing the faith. I don’t know about you but I’ve had my Rumspringas. And still do. Moments of wondering and wandering. Testing the faith. Checking out where the demons dwell. Perhaps trying some things out. God through Hosea agonizes over Israel and you and me. Yet, God’s compassion grows warm and tender, even in God’s anguish. And so our hymn ends, after all our wanderings, running arounds, When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes, I’ll be there as I have always been, with just one more surprise. --Jim Bricker Prayer: God, our provider, may we keep in mind one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Amen
Reading: Luke 12: 13-21 (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: When I moved to college I brought along everything including the kitchen sink. Well, maybe not quite that much but it was way more than I needed. Ironically, I lived in the "International Dorm" with students from around the world. There I realized how ridiculously overboard I had packed. They arrived in America and on campus with what fit in two suitcases and a backpack at the most. I obviously had way more stuff than I really needed. Jesus tells us one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. (Luke 12: 15) I have learned less is more. The less a carry around, the more I enjoy the experiences of the moment. The less I want, the more thankful I am for what I have. The less I have to take care of, the more I appreciate the simple things of life. Instead of an abundance of possessions, abound in thanksgiving. Less really is more. --Ruth Gates Prayer: For all the memorable experiences you give us in this life, O Lord, we give you thanks. Amen. Reading: Read your favorite Bible story today. 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 1991, when I was a counselor at Mount Luther, Meghan Weaver (nee Grindle) and I had the honor of having second grade campers for two weeks in a row. Because of this unprecedented honor (or at least we thought it was), we created our own college! I wrote about it for an article in my church newsletter and share it below as a story from Mount Luther's history! I am one of only two people who I know who are graduates of Crayola College. I majored in SWAT Van washing and my friend majored in Sayings Your Mother Said That You Never Thought Would Come Out of Your Mouth. We had a great time at Crayola College. It lasted two weeks and we even got an official Crayola College button and T-shirt. I was even awarded with a Crayola College crown. Our diplomas are simple-- they're blue with a seal and some writing. They even came with a protective plastic covering and are signed by the president of the college. Many of my friends are envious that I am a Crayola College graduate. They can't believe that I actually survived the two weeks of intense game playing, coloring, running, storytelling, following, leading, and hokey-pokey playing. It was a grueling task; but, somebody had to do it. My Crayola College experience is one that I will never forget. And sixteen second graders will never forget it when they hear a whistle blow twice ("Run to the pool shed, please!") Crayola College was more than an experience-- it was an adventure! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Hallelujah, thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen. Hallelujah, thine the glory! Revive us again.
Reading: Psalm 85 (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 an old, old hymn with a refrain of the words of the prayer above. It's a moldy oldie or an oldie but goodie depending on how you feel about it. That is, if you even know it. Either way, our Psalm today has the words revive us again. We think of a critically ill or injured person being revived back to life. We hope to feel revived after getting through a difficult time or challenge. Being revived is linked with the idea of survival. But with that mindset, we may look back and groan about what we had just endured or we may look ahead and dread what could be next. Are we revived just to survive? Why does the Psalmist ask for us to be revived? So that we can REJOICE! We have God's steadfast love and salvation. So we respond, Hallelujah, thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen. Hallelujah, thine the glory! Revive us again. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Giving God, may we always remember to thankful as we live our lives in you. Amen
Reading: Colossians 2: 6-15 (16-19) (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: Remember to say "Thank you!" we tell our children over and over. Or sometimes we prompt them with, "What do you say?" after they receive a treat or a kindness. "Thank you!" is the fill-in-the-blank answer to that one. Right along with asking, "What is the magic word?" (fill-in-the-blank answer - "Please"), it seems we put a lot of value and effort into teaching courtesy and gratitude because it is important. It makes a difference in our communications and relationships. As we live our lives as Christians in God's love and sharing that love with others, courtesy and gratitude is just as important as those repeated lessons from childhood. If it is so important for a parent to teach a child to say, "Thank you.", imagine how much more important it is for us to live in gratitude not only with those around us but with God. Everyone breathes a sigh, is touched in the heart and feels closer in spirit when the young child sweetly says, "Thank you." Most likely, the child also feels more of a connection in the relationship, too. Surely it is the same with our heavenly Father. Let's be abounding in thanksgiving! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Meet us where we are, Jesus, and show us your love. Amen.
Reading: Hosea 1:2-10 (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 had a hard time reading this passage and believing that God said to Hosea in the opening line of this passage. But, I also know that the Old Testament is full of stories where God is a vengeful God and so maybe that is what is also happening here. I can’t imagine God saying today that we should go do what God told Hosea in this passage. I’m reading a book that supposes Jesus came to modern day earth instead of coming over 2000 years ago. The book puts a modern twist on the stories of Jesus walking the earth (like being born in a Motel 6) but the premise is the same. Jesus came to save. In looking at this passage from Hosea, I think of that book and how God comes to us wherever we are. Sometimes, God has to get us to understand God’s ways by using our current circumstances. Maybe that’s what is happening here. You’ve read in these devotions about how our camper are learning about Jesus meeting us in everyday life. Here’s hoping that you see Jesus come to you today, in your circumstances, and He reminds you that He is with you always and loves you a great deal. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Father, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial. (Luke 11: 2-4)
Reading: Luke 11: 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: Within our text today is the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. We call it the Lord's Prayer; phrasing it a bit differently, varying according to the traditional or contemporary version and using the word trespasses, debts, or sins. We know it by heart. We pray it often. It covers everything. So as we continue reading the text for today, the message is to persevere in prayer. The parable is of a neighbor who gets what he asks for because of his persistence. Then Jesus goes on to encourage us all to ask, seek and knock. Whether our prayers are our own words, the prayer that Jesus taught us or the Spirit interceding when we don't know how to pray, what seems to matter most is to persevere in prayer. --Ruth Gates Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on November 14, 2013.
Prayer: Keep us in your kindly care, Lord, and help us to have a “can-do” attitude, knowing you are with us every step of the way. Reading: Philippians 4:13 (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: The second summer I worked as a camp counselor, our new director used the phase quite often, "You Can Do It!" We had a sign posted on the wall in the dining hall with those words and just about the time we would get discouraged about something, our boss would chime out, "You Can Do It!" The positive encouragement we got made us try hard to reach our goals or deal with bad circumstances. We were encouraged knowing that someone was behind us, cheering us on. It lifted our spirits. God also has a "You Can Do It" attitude. We can do all things through God. God strengthens us and gives us encouragement through the Word when we are down and out. When you need a lift, hear God saying, "You Can Do It." And then, finish your tasking knowing God is behind you one hundred percent. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, use us and our words to build up and encourage those around us, both in our homes and our communities. Amen
Reading: Psalm 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: Words are powerful. According to Psalm 52, they can either devour or proclaim. Those who use words to destroy or deceive will be uprooted. Those who speak words of thanks and proclaim God's name grow like a tree. I seem to be checking Facebook and other news feeds more often lately. After days of being "unplugged" at Family Camp, I was so disheartened and discouraged to get caught up on tragedies that had occurred that week. But why do I keep checking so frequently now? I may just be hoping to come across some good news in the midst of so much bad. There is good news but, as the media presents things, more headlines are going to be bad. More words will devour than proclaim God's love. So, I am going to start a new habit of the heart. Before clicking on that USA Today app, I am going to pick up the prayer list from my church. Every time I think I need to look at what is going on out there in the world, I am going to first search my soul for words to proclaim God's love to those in need. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, may we stay securely established and steadfast in faith. Thank you for the hope promised from the Gospel we have heard. Amen
Reading: Colossians 1:15-28 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: What holds us together? What keeps us going? How do we stand in front of our awesome God? By staying securely established and steadfast in faith with the hope promised from the Gospel we have heard. That is what Paul explains to the Colossians. It takes reminding myself of this just about every morning. When everything seems to be sinking sand...news reports, illnesses of loved ones, uncertainties ahead...the words securely established and steadfast in faith are like a rock to stand upon or at least cling to. So, let's remind ourselves of the good news of the Gospel we have heard and live in the promise of hope. That is what holds us together and keeps us going. It must have helped the the Colossians as the church continued. Surely it will help us today. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help me, Lord, to care for my neighbors.
Reading: Amos 8:1-12 (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: God is just a tad angry, don’t you think? Sun down at noon. Mourning at feasts. Every head bald. Famine. These are all God’s doing because He is not happy with the folks of Israel. What could possibly warrant His anger? The needy and poor are trampled. The Sabbath is defiled. Greedy cheating is rampant. People are exploited. We don’t like hearing the law. Sometimes it means that we have to change, repent, act differently. So, let’s at least take today’s lesson as a reminder. We need to live in our world as changed people. Amos would tell us to send resources to the local food pantry and be honest in all of our dealings. And he would remind us to be advocates for those who have difficulty speaking for themselves. Reminders are better than laws, sometimes! --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to choose you in the midst of our world of worries and distractions. You are the better part and what will last. Amen
Reading: Luke 10:38-42 (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: I have a book titled, "Having a Mary Spirit in a Martha World." There was a reason why I bought this book and it was for that very same reason I never got around to reading it. Mine was a Martha world. I would like to think I am now living with more of a Mary Spirit, but I must admit, it depends on the day. The book is still there on the shelf and sometimes just glancing at the title is enough to make me pause for a moment, rethink what I need and choose the better part. Maybe I will bring it to Camp Mount Luther to read during Family Camp this summer. Not many worries there though plenty of distractions. All good, of course - friends, counselors, songs, games, hikes, fishing, beautiful outdoors, porch sitting, naps in the cabin, campfire, skits, Bible Study, Frisbee Golf, raspberries.... By the time this is published, Family Camp will be over. I don't know if I will have finally finished the book but I do know just being at camp is choosing the better part. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the strength that comes from your glorious power. Help us to endure everything with patience. With joy we share in the light of the saints. Amen
Reading: Colossians 1: 1-18 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1: 11-12 June was a long month and I cannot tell you how glad I am to be here at Camp Mount Luther this first week of July for Family Camp. Sitting on the front porch of Maple 6 writing this devotion is a testament to being made strong with the strength that comes from God's power. Things happened in June which had to be endured but we did so with patience. We are joyfully giving thanks as we share with the saints this week who happen to be Camp friends old and new. I cannot think of a better prayer to pray than all that Paul puts forth in this first 18 verses of his letter to the people of Colossae. I encourage you to read it again. I know I will at the end of this day when this devotion comes to me by email. In the meantime, I think I will joyfully share in the light of the campers at the pool. But first a walk to the Evergreen Center where I will find a cool, refreshing glass of iced tea (and WiFi will enable me to upload this for you all). --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, help us remember you alone are God. Amen
Reading: Psalm 82 (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: Human beings like to think of themselves as godlike - able to do whatever they like. From ordinary people to "powers that be", we set ourselves up as little gods. We often see this arrogance in others. We ought to look closer and see it in ourselves. Either way, among the gods, all will die like mortals, and fall like any prince. (v. 7) So the Psalmist calls, "Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!" (v. 8) We need to get out of God's way in the divine council. We need to get out of our own way walking around in darkness. With the true God, there is justice to the weak and the orphan; rescue for the weak and needy. (from v. 3 & 4) Instead of living as among the gods, let's live as among God's people. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, help me to be perfect. Amen
Reading: Amos 7:7-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Imagine a piece of string with a weight attached to the end hanging from your ceiling. If it ever stops swinging, you will have a way to make sure that everything in your house is straight. Another way to think about this is the job of hanging wall paper. If the first piece is not absolutely straight (that is “plumb”) you will have a mess in short order. Each piece of paper you hang will get more and more slanted. (Trust me—I know of what I speak!). God hangs a plumb line in front of Amos as way of getting the attention of the people. There is straight, and then there is almost straight. Almost straight won’t work. Sometimes we hedge in our efforts to do the things God requires of us. But, in the end that means we are “almost” right. It is, of course, impossible to measure up to God’s standards. But, we can try. God hangs this plumb line to remind us that we need to be aware of what God wants from us and to make an honest effort to live by His standards. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear God, despite first impressions and what meets the eye, help us to see everyone as our neighbor. Amen
Reading: Luke 10: 25-37 (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: A stranger turned up in church one Sunday morning. He was a little odd behaviorally and physically. And for some reason, he had it is in his mind a "Ruth" was supposed to give him a ride back to the bus stop after worship. Being alone with two young children, I felt uncomfortable. So an older church member stepped up and he took him. Driving home, I asked the kids what they learned in Sunday School to which Rachel answered with total dismay, "There was this man who got beat up and robbed and left by the side of the road and no one would help him! No one! Everybody just walked on by until..." I was convicted. He was my neighbor. Chris turned up at church over the years, mostly for Wednesday evening worship during Lent when we had a soup supper beforehand. We got used to his presence, his written communications (honestly, the man did not have ears) and occasional need for a ride. He was our neighbor. Then one day he got on the bus I was riding home from work. It was full and he looked around for a place to sit. All eyes on him would first thing think he was a bit odd and shy away. I patted the seat next me for him to sit down. We "communicated" the whole ride with written notes back and forth. He was on his way to a birthday party for a friend. We enjoyed the sunshine streaming into the bus window. We shared a bit about God's goodness. He got up to let me out at my stop. When I looked back he was standing on the seats, straddling the aisle and holding onto the handrail on either side. I motioned for him to sit back down with concern others might not understand his ways. Others might not see him as a neighbor. Chris passed away a couple months ago. I did not know the other challenges he had in life and health. He will be missed by any who helped him along the way; by any who treated him like their neighbor. --Ruth Gates Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 6, 2013.
Prayer: Help us, Lord, to be more patient. Help us to work on our patience in the coming week. Amen. Reading: I Corinthians 13: 1-7 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Additional Questions:
Reflection: Love is patient. But are human beings patient? Patience is a hard thing to learn; but, it is a good virtue to have. I learned patience from a boy named Brian. Brian was one of my first campers when I was a counselor at Mount Luther. I could tell from the first day that Brian would be a challenge. After dreaming for years of being a camp counselor, the first night that I had Brian and wondered, “Is this what I really want to do?” He turned out to be one of the worst behaved campers to ever come to our camp. He antagonized other campers, used foul language, and was very trying to his first- year counselor. At times I felt at wit's end. I just didn't know what to do. By the end of the week, we had Brian calmed down. He was civil and was listening to instructions and abiding by the rules. On the last day of camp, he acted up again. When his mother came to get him, he told her, "See, I made it." Evidently, his mother said he wouldn't last the week at camp. Although we had talked about sending Brian home early, I'm glad we didn't. You could tell on Saturday that he felt a sense of accomplishment for staying all week. I think the camp experience was good for him. And despite pulling out my hair, it was a good experience for me. I learned patience that week. I learned that you have to take things as they come and just wait to see what happens. At times I wanted to react and punish Brian. But at times, it was better to wait until a more appropriate time. My fellow staff helped me get through the week and helped provide comic relief as well as I dealt with the difficult circumstances. By learning patience, we can be better people. And, we can also learn to get rid of stress in the process. --Chad Hershberger |
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