We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on June 2, 2016.
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
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We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on February 16, 2013.
Prayer: Lord of our going out and our coming in, watch over us today. Help us to continue to find your path for us and follow you faithfully until that great day when we are with you forever. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 35 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: There is a comical Norman Rockwell painting “Going and Coming” (1947)* which depicts a family going and coming back home on a vacation trip. If you have ever had a fast paced or schedule packed vacation trip, you get the joke. We do have two sets of expressions headed to where we want to go and headed back and away from where we were. Everything on the return trip looks a bit deflated. Yes, vacations are a great bit of fun, but they do also take a lot of energy out of you. Or, sometimes it is just the overall feeling that the fun is over and it is time to head back to real life. Isaiah has something very different in mind. When the ransomed return home, the trip will be joyful, glorious, fun and full of healing and brokenness made whole. The “holy highway” leads only to God and only the holy can travel on it. So whatever kind of day you are having or whatever vacation you are planning, know that even better days are ahead of us when we all return home. --Andrew Fitch *Copyright of linked image: Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Going and Coming, 1947. Oil on canvas, 16" x 31 1/2". Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, August 30, 1947. Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust, 1973.15. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN Photograph from Norman Rockwell Museum Digital Collections. ©Norman Rockwell Family Agency. All rights reserved. Prayer: Heavenly Father, you provide us with all we need. Help us throughout this summer to remember humility and the importance of staying humble and faithful as we work with the staff and our campers. Thank you for being with us through the highs and lows. Amen.
Reading: 1 Peter 5: 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: Humility is a very important aspect to the Christian faith, but I believe it gets sometimes forgotten in the midst of the other parts of the Christian beliefs. When I hear the word humility, I automatically think of this passage in 1st Peter! The overall message of this passage is the importance of humility and how being humble affects someone’s outlook on life and living a faithful and meaningful life. Verses 6 and 7 stood out to me the most in the beginning because in the world we live in today, it can be hard to be humble and there becomes distractions and struggles on the journey. However, these verses remind us that through the anxiety, worries, and hardships God is there through it all, all we need to do is stay humble and faithful. As we begin this summer ministry, it is important to remember how blessed we are to have this opportunity to serve God at this beautiful place, and as the passage says, “clothe yourselves with humility” and stay “steadfast in your faith” through the highs and the lows. How will you “clothe yourselves with humility? How can we stay humble through the highs and lows? --Maddie Hunt We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 27, 2018.
Prayer: Help us to wash our heart, Lord, that it may be more pleasing to you. Amen. Reading: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I remember in school when I was younger that we lined up to wash our hands before eating. Surely, that is a good practice and I probably should do it more today than I do. But this passage struck me that we are so often concerned about being clean on the outside and maybe we need to worry more about being clean on the inside. So instead of washing our hands, we need to remember to wash our hearts. As Jesus said, what comes out of us is what defiles. So, make sure you find ways to “wash your heart!” --Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 26, 2015.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to see our faith as one of learning and action. Amen. Reading: James 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: Sometimes our study of scripture leads us down some very hard discussions. In this case it comes from James, because it shows us that our faith is more than merely listening and bettering our own lives. When I was in seminary, my fellow students seemed to have an aversion to James because James called us to action. You see, James tells us that we are to "be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves." Many of my classmates didn't like this since they thought it was saying that we needed to do something to earn our right to be Christians. I have come to learn that when we have faith that is truly alive, we want to act out that faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, so what now? We act out our faith. This happens in loving, caring, Christian conversations in our work and home lives. This happens in helping the needy at the food bank. This happens in so many other ways that cause us to think about others before ourselves. How are you putting your faith into action? How does what you believe show to others? --Peter Horn We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 26, 2017.
Prayer: May we always speak truth from our hearts. Amen Reading: Psalm 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: As I ponder how things just don't seem to be going right these days, it seems to boil down to a matter of truth. What is the truth? Who is telling the truth? Who can be trusted to be truthful? It is all too complicated if you ask me. Best I can do is try my best to be truthful myself and that is what Psalm encourages and if there is any question as to how to do that, there is some advice there, too. Here is what not to do: slander with the tongue or do evil to friends. Here is what to do: honor those who fear the Lord and stand by your oath even if it hurts. A popular saying lately has been, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Since I am struggling with what is true and who is being truthful, the best I can do is start with me. Glad the Psalms have advice for that. Truth comes from the heart. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Help me, Lord, to be your instrument of peace and good will. Amen
Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9 (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: Have you ever listened to Brad Paisley’s song, “Those Crazy Christians” (Wheelhouse, Arista Nashville, 2013)? In it, the speaker complains about the Sunday worshipers he doesn’t understand, the ceaseless prayers they give, the ways they risk their lives, the casseroles they bake, and of course, the grace at the core of their faith. Yet, the more he judges them on their actions, the more their belief affects him. What I find special about this song is the lines, “Much as I’m baffled by it all, if I ever really needed help, you know who I’d call.” God asks us to live by His Word. Keep the commandments as best as you are able. Be an example to others. Teach our children and endure as a community of faith inviting to onlookers. No pushing, no shoving, no forcing, no wrangling. Just be one of those sincere, crazy Christians ready to answer the call of the stranger and make him a friend. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: God, give me the eyes to see how I can serve others on a daily basis, no matter how small the act may appear. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 5: 1-16 (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: After reading the beatitudes, we can each probably relate to one of these situations ourselves or know someone who went through one of these situations. Jesus reminds us that we will get through these hardships. And how we get through them is through love and support from those around us. In verses 15-16 it says, “no one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Creator in heaven.” We as Christians are called to share our light with others, to spread love and kindness to all and be there for our friends during hard times so they may see God being glorified through us. That last verse is read often at baptisms and represents that as children of God we serve others during our whole lifetime. How do the beatitudes make you feel after reading them? How do you serve others in big ways and small gestures? --Marie Barnard We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 13, 2018.
Prayer: May remembering you, Jesus, as the bread of life bring us back to a feeling of joy to return again and again. Amen Reading: John 6: 51-58 (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 returned from a 9 day trip to Portugal and Spain and right away had to go to the grocery store to restock persishables in my cupboards and refrigerator. Having grown fond of the foods in the places I visited, I was so surprised and excited to come across Portuguese Rolls in the bakery section my grocery store. I could hardly believe it! Surely the Portuguese Rolls had been there all along but I had not noticed as they did not mean that much to me. I took photos to post on Facebook so my fellow travelers could also see and rush to Wegmans to get their own. I have been buying them weekly ever since as they take me right back to that time and place of my travels. The sacrament of Holy Communion is a time when we celebrate Jesus as the bread of life. Was there a time when you suddenly noticed that? He had been all along but an experience made it mean more? When you had to share the Good News so others could celebrate, too? Have you been going back regularly to remember? How do you understand Jesus as the bread of life? What does the sacrament of Holy Communion mean to you? -- Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 22, 2018.
Prayer: In the whole armor of God, we pray in the Spirit to declare boldly the good news of your love. Amen Reading: Ephesians 6: 10-20 (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: In this chapter we are told we need a specific wardrobe...a list of armor to ward off and resist our enemy Satan. We need:
Put on the armor of God and stand firm. Thanks be to God! -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Father, forgive me my sins. Turn not your face from me; enfold me in your arms. Heal my broken heart, that I may re-enter the world ready to serve you, righteous and strong. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 34: 15-22 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I recently watched a Disney nature show, Growing Up Wild (2016), with my niece and nephew. From it, I learned that Colobine monkeys have a rigid social system. Their hierarchy can result in a baby monkey being utterly ostracized. In a way, he is viewed as evil, undeserving, unrighteous. He cannot look on the face of his lord, the group leader; he is cut off from remembrance and left to scavenge on his own… …until the leader (in this documentary, anyway) takes pity on him. The zoologists observed the chief monkey redeemed our little wayward Colobine, coming to him in his need and wrapping him in his arms for a very emotional hug. I was a bit overwhelmed watching it, to be honest. At first the words in these verses seem cold and harsh. They are taken out of context (go ahead and read the rest of the psalm!), but remember, too, the context of the entire Bible. So often, God speaks through His prophets of the justice deserved for our sins, and yet, more often we hear of His forgiveness when the sinner repents, turns back to the Lord, and cries out. The promise of belonging and rescue is there, for the asking. No one need remain an offender in the eyes of God. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Dear Abba, you have created us all children of God. As our loving parent, you give us your Word for instruction, your Son as our teacher, and your Spirit as a guiding force. May we choose the way you lay for us and answer your call. Amen.
Reading: Joshua 24:1-2, 14-18 (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: Have you ever been the boss of anything? When I was 25, I was hired by a national junior college program serving the military. I went from assistant to leader in a matter of months. In my new role as coordinator, I got to speak to groups of seamen fresh off a submarine, meet with military commanders, conference with students on career transitioning, and more. I loved my job, mostly because I believed fervently in education and the opportunities our program offered. But I never relished the role of leadership when it meant making difficult financial decisions, firing people, or dealing with student misconduct or accreditation deficiencies. I can’t imagine having to lead thousands of friends and family who questioned God, disobeyed His rules, worshiped other gods, and at every turn seemed to forget why they were out in the desert in the first place! But God picks leaders who can be respected, whose hearts are focused on Him. He equips His prophets with the wisdom and words to deliver to His people. And often, as with Joshua, He places them with a mentor to guide them along. For decades, Joshua assisted Moses. Joshua was with Moses on Mount Sinai when he spoke with God; he was present when the Ten Commandments were given to the people. He witnessed firsthand their sacrilege with the golden calf and Moses’s anger. How can we recognize leaders in our congregations? How do we develop leaders for ministry in the church? How do we treat our leaders; do we listen to them and to God? And how might you be called to lead others to the profound grace of God? The choice is yours. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Dear ever-loving God, thank you for sending your son Jesus, your only begotten Son, to save us all from sin and be a model of how we should live our life faithfully and in service to you and others. Help us to be servant leaders as we embark on this summer journey as a summer ministry team. Guide us to learn more about you and teach us to serve you and our community with humility and compassion. Amen.
Reading: John 13:1–20 (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: Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is a well-known story, especially in the Paschal Triduum during Easter. This is a pivotal story in the New Testament and the life of Jesus because it shows His humility and His servanthood. Service can look different to others and be unique in every situation. Service can be considered small or large, demanding, or easy, routine or untraditional. The important thing to remember when serving is to whole-heartedly give yourself in the service which in return will help the people you are serving and along with helping you grow and learn. We can use this passage of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet as a guide and a story to teach us how to serve as we go out into our own communities. --Maddie Hunt Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the bread of life, the wine of salvation, and your presence and support in every act of communion, in and out of church. Amen.
Reading: John 6:51-58 (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 sacrament of Communion is rooted in Jesus’s commission to love our Lord, first, and one another, next, just as He loves us. His sacrifice of body and blood for our sins, literally and figuratively supports humankind by restoring our connection to our Creator. As a church in relationship with God, each other, and believers all over the world, we observe the Lord’s Supper together, as a community. We are in communion – connected – by this sacrament. Outside of worship, our congregations often gather and support one another around other meals. Food seems to be a popular choice for bringing people together in communion. Free meals and food pantries are common outreach missions to which we are called as a collective church body. We invite our neighbors into fellowship halls or under the pavilion with our community suppers. We catch up with members during coffee hour, at church picnics, and annual festivals give us more chances to fundraise or support one another. Just as Martin Luther suggested we remember our baptism with each morning’s face-washing, I think every hot dog roast or soup sale can remind us of the message behind Communion: community in Christ. Now bring on the Jell-O! --Heather LeBlanc We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 29, 2013.
Prayer: Give us eyes to see the beauty around us and appreciate the moment and what we have, Lord. Amen. Reading: Ephesians 5: 15-20 (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: Finding a job after college can be a trying experience. I was fortunate to have a summer job lined up following my graduation but it wasn’t until five months after I got my diploma that I had my first full-time job. I did have several interviews, but none of those jobs panned out. One of those interviews was in Fulton, Ohio. I, along with two other people I knew, applied for jobs at a camp there. Over the Fourth of July weekend, we drove from Central Pennsylvania to Central Ohio to see the camp and be interviewed for program positions. It was a long trip to make in two days. I took about nine hours to drive one way. We made the trip more interesting by singing along the way and making up stories about motorists we saw. When we got there we were very tired. We had our interviews, they took us to eat, and then we went to sleep. The next day, we got up early and drove the nine hours home. I was never so glad to get off the road and back to familiar surroundings. One thing my trip to Fulton, Ohio, taught me was that I was pretty thankful for what I was used to. The camp in Ohio was okay, but not what I was used to. It also taught me that sometimes it takes going somewhere else to show you that what you have is pretty good. We need to be always thankful for what we have! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: In our fear, let us seek peace, and seek you, O Lord. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 34: 9-14 (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: In my Public Speaking class, we talk about anxiety or stage fright when being in front of an audience. Some might call it fear. We talk about ways to combat it, but I also remind them that a little bit of fear or nervousness helps us to perform at our best. Our Psalm today talks about fearing God. Should we be totally in fear of God? Probably not. But might fear be a healthy in our relationship to God. Probably. I also like the end of this passage as it reminds us to seek peace. Respect and look to God with a little fear. Pursue peace. Pretty sound advice, I’d say. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Give us wisdom, Lord, to build our lives and walk in the way of insight. Amen
Reading: Proverbs 9: 1-6 (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 now deceased British composer visited the United States in the 1950’s and was fascinated with architecture. While he also visited Niagara Falls, he was most impressed by the tall buildings in New York City. He marveled at what man was capable of building. He died in 1958. What if he could come back today? Imagine his fascination? God gives people wisdom, vision, and the ability to build. Yet, let us always marvel at the wonders of God’s creation. Look around you. What do you see that is fascinating? --Alice Yeakel Prayer: God, help me to pursue the work that You have set aside for me and to excel in exalting You and not myself. Amen.
Reading: 1 Peter 4: 7-11 (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: I love this text as it reminds us that God has given us each a unique gift to serve others with and the strength to serve others (verses 10-11). We were made to serve in different ways through our different talents and God knew that the world needed one of us, how cool! Perhaps your gift is baking, and you use it to provide homemade breads and cookies to those who are hungry. Whatever your gift, use it to serve God and help others. What is a gift or talent you have? How could you use that gift or talent in serve others? --Marie Barnard Prayer: Dear God, feed us with the bread of life that we may live in love and forgiveness. Amen
Reading: John 6: 35, 41-51 (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: Lately I have been watching The Great British Baking Show. Twelve amateur bakers compete to win the title of Greatest British Baker. Each round sees an aspiring baker eliminated and another crowned Star Baker, until finally the winner gets selected from the remaining contestants. Their skills on all the baking essentials like cakes, breads, pastries and desserts are tested in each round, and the difficulty increases as the competition unfolds. The judges are set to taste all the goods created carefully by the contestants, and the audience is able to follow all the twists and tribulations with a wholesome twist. Perhaps that last bit of the description of the show (which I admittedly took from the internet) is what has captured me. I get to follow all the trials and tribulations (of these earnest bakers) with a wholesome twist. They are truly compassionate and humble competitors. There are cheers and tears for everyone at the end of each episode. The show is all about food. What we need for life. Maybe fancier than common, everyday fare but it does bring to mind how we are fed physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually with food. Bread. I can bake bread. A very simple Honey Whole Wheat Bread. It turns out perfect just about every time. I once won a Blue Ribbon at a Country Fair for my Honey Whole Wheat Bread. But I would never make it on the Great British Baking Show. Bread. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Love and forgiveness. What we need for life. It’s as simple as that. Would God be Star Baker? That is the wholesome twist to our faith. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, you remind us of your presence day and night. We praise you always. Amen
Reading: Ephesians 4: 25 – 5: 2 (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 just wrote a GROW Time devotion about the Psalmist praising the Lord all day long and how birdsong reminds me of that. But what about at the end of the day when the world becomes quiet. The birds stop their singing. It is dark. Sometimes thoughts of the day come back around in the stillness and sometimes those thoughts are not always of praise. Our text from Ephesians reminds us, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4: 26b) It was late in the evening as I finished that writing about birds and praise. I went to bed still thinking how to keep praise in my heart and how to keep unsettled thoughts out of my mind. Then, in the quiet of the night what did I hear? An owl. A comforting sound somewhere in the distance and right in my soul I knew peace. Praise day and night. Blessings to remind us God is near. --Ruth Gates Prayer: I will bless you, Lord, at all times. Your praise is continually in my mouth. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 34: 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: Because my house does not have air conditioning, I get to hear a lot of birdsong. Summer nights sleeping with the windows open means waking to the sound of the birds beginning to chirp early in the morning. Sometimes really early. One bird just starts up. Then more join in. I may go back to sleep or that may be the start of my day. I go downstairs and open all the windows to let the fresh morning air into the house and with that I hear birdsong all day long. The Psalmist says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 While I find it hard to keep praise in my mouth all day long, I know I can count on the birds in my backyard to keep their song going. So, I stop once in a while and just listen. In that moment of blessing, praise comes back to my mouth. I count my blessings. I praise God for all creation. Sometimes I even thank the birds for their continual song. What helps you remember to bless and praise throughout the day? --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, thank you for always being with us and for feeding us for the journey. Amen
Reading: I Kings 19: 4-8 (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: Elijah, to get away from Jezebel, fled a day’s journey into the wilderness and sat down under a tree. He cried out to God because, even though he was on his own, he knew he was not really alone. Then he fell asleep. An angel came and fed him for the journey ahead. How far do we try to distance ourselves from our worries and fears? Often much further or longer away than a day. Sometimes we cope by checking out with more that just sleep. Do we cry out to God? Do we remember we are not alone? I recently saw a cartoon parody of the Footprints in the Sand story. In it God points and explains, “My child, I never left you. Those places with one set of footprints? It was then that I carried you. That long groove over there is when I dragged you for awhile. One time I hid you in that little sand hole while I got a hotdog.” If God were talking to Elijah in that cartoon, the hotdog was for him. And the hotdog is for you. --Ruth Gates |
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