Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 25, 2013. Prayer: Help us, God, to make time for you each and every day. Amen. Reading: Ephesians 2: 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? Other Questions: What are things in your life that slow you down? What do you do with times like those? Reflection: For several years, I lived in a town that was split in half by train tracks. When a train came through the city, the one end of the town was cut off from the other. Everything came to a standstill on the roads leading through the town. Everyone had to wait for the train. One night I was coming home and a train was passing through town. I had to sit for ten minutes or more waiting for the train to pass. I had a particularly bad day. I had been going at a busy pace all day and was stressed out. The train made me stop, collect my thoughts, and slow down for a few minutes. It was welcomed relief. We all need trains in our lives—those things that make us slow down and appreciate life, especially during hectic days. Those hectic days often are days when tempers flare, hours grow long, and confrontation mounts. During those hectic days (or string of hectic days) we need trains that make us stop and find a few moments of peace. The passage above also reminds us of that which is divided is already made whole through Christ. Appreciate the trains in your life. And feel refreshed as the caboose passes by! --Chad Hershberger
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Prayer: God of all the ages, help us to remember all you have done and tell the stories of your love to others, too. Amen
Reading: Psalm 78: 1-4, 12-16 (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: From the opening moments of the first movie of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, you just know there is going to be trouble. How? Because you get the background of what happened before the story that is to come. Ominous music, somber scenes and these haunting words, "All that once was is lost, for there are none now who remember." Yes, that is how the trouble started. No one remembered the stories from the past. Psalm 78 reminds us..."things we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us...We will not hide them from our children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." (v. 3-4) The Lord of the Rings movies go on for over 12 hours (the books for hundreds of pages) but why it all happened can be summed up in that opening line. I am certainly grateful for those who taught me the stories of God's love and to love others. Always remember and tell others. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see the needs of others and open our minds so that we will not hesitate to spend the self-giving love that you gave to us. Amen
Reading: Philippians 2: 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: In today’s scripture reading, Paul writes about how Christ humbled himself on the cross for the sake of our sins, and how we should imitate that humility in our relationships with others. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, and it can become overwhelming and easy to dismiss this call to humility as impossible. But if you look closely, Paul is simply saying that we just need to change our mindset in our relationships with one another. Currently in one of my classes at school, I am reading a book called “Engaging God’s World- A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living” by Cornelius Plantinga Jr., and I just recently happened to read a section reflecting on this same scripture passage. Plantinga described the self-giving love that Jesus displayed for us on the cross as the “currency of the Trinitarian life of God.” Looking at how we spend our life; the days, hours, and minutes become dollar bills and coins which makes us think how we should be spending those. We budget our money and plan to use it for certain expenses and luxuries. Unlike actual money, which can be saved for a later moment, time is fleeting and if we wait for a moment to pass we may lose the opportunity to spend our self-giving love on others when they need it most. Plantinga says that “the way to fulfill yourself is to spend yourself” serving others. So don’t wait a second longer to start spending! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Creator of rushing waters, grant us patience to trust that you will provide for our needs. Amen.
Reading: Exodus 17:1-7 (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? Reflection: Turning on the tap for a drink of water is something we usually do without a thought; an act that we take for granted in our daily lives. It’s a different story out in the wilderness where it’s not always know with certainty where the next drink is going to be. Once while hiking the better part of a week on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, construction diverted my friend and I off the blazed trail where the guidebook directed our every turn and onto a temporary trail, causing us to miss our water stop. My backpack dug into my shoulders on that warm May afternoon as I rationed my water, taking less frequent sips than I was used to. We thought we could return to the blazed trail by evening where we planned to camp next to a stream but we doubted our water supply would last that long. And indeed it did not. The canteens emptied before the day’s hike ended. My thoughts grew increasingly fuzzy, tricking me and my now blurry vision as to what was on the trail ahead. Turning back wasn’t a realistic option so we hiked on but questioned if we had the correct heading and if water was going to be where the guidebook promised. It was truly a dangerous situation that had us doubting ourselves and our preparation. From that experience, I can relate to the Israelites grumbling against Moses and preparing a rebellion. Being worried for their children and livestock put them in a position to doubt Moses and test their God who had taken them this far and would ensure their safety. With God’s command and Moses’ staff, water flows from the rock to satisfy their need. And yes, during our Appalachian Trail hike we did come upon that glorious cold running stream, quenching our thirst after anxiously boiling the water and mixing the still hot water with strawberry Jello for some quick energy before setting up camp for a good night’s sleep. God does provides. --Andy Gates Prayer: All-knowing God, thank you for hearing our questions. Help us to hear your answers. even if they are questions in return. It may just mean we know the answer already. Amen
Reading: Matthew 21: 23-32 (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 can be most annoying when someone answers a question with another question. It throws the thinking back on the questioner. In the case of the chief priests and elders questioning Jesus about his authority, it left them in a no-win situation for themselves regarding the crowds. However, their own answer would have have set them on a course of either belief or unbelief. Their answer of, "We do not know." was met with, "Then I am not going to tell you." (paraphrased). Perhaps they knew that Jesus knew that they knew the answer to their question already. And Jesus probably knew that they knew that Jesus knew... It's good to know the course of belief or unbelief may be an answer to a wondering in our minds whose answer is already in our hearts. --Ruth Gates Prayer: As we go about our day, may we see the great creations you have made, God, and may we see how you continue to create through us. Amen.
Reading: Proverbs 8.17-27 (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: At the end of this summer, as has been tradition, the staff gathered for our annual awards. Each staff member picks a name of another staff member and creates an award for that person. This year, Counselor Zack drew my name and gave me the “Tick Magnet Award,” complete with bug spray, a tick key, limes, and a lime candle because, well, I got Lyme’s Disease this summer. It always a fun time with humor and remembering the summer that was. These awards got started back when I was a first-year counselor. One of our fellow counselors decided it would be fun to give out awards. She did all the award-making and presenting. It was called the Pink Paper Awards, because the awards were all on pink page, which we had large rolls of in the craft lodge. The awards one year were the Blue Paper Awards, because our supply of big paper changed colors. When my predecessor was here, we called them the “Bammbys” and since I’ve been here, they are dubbed, the “Hershees.” My second staff award was the Jim Henson Award. It was given to me because the presenter felt I was one of the most creative people on staff. She felt that Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was also very creative and thus the name of the award. I was honored to be bestowed this award, especially since Henson death on May 16, 1990, was relatively recent. As I think about “creativity,” I’m drawn to the root of the word, create. As I look out my office window and see our beautiful camp grounds, I am reminded of the beauty that God has created. And, when I see creativity in others, I now think that God has inspired that creativity, too, and it is another one of God’s great creations. Look around you today and see where you see creation. And, look for God’s “create-ivity” in those around you, too. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, when we tell people what you have done for us, may they then tell others what you have doen for them. And so on. Then all will know and give thanks to you. Amen
Reading: Psalm 105: 1-6, 37-45 (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 once was a commercial for shampoo that encouraged you to tell two friends about this great product. Then they'll tell two friends and they'll tell two friends and so on. By the end of the commercial, the tv screen was filling fast with more and more faces saying and so and so on and so on. You definitely got the impression that eventually everyone would be using that shampoo! Psalm 105 begins by telling us to make known among the nations what (the LORD) has done. (v. 1a). I have been listening to on-line shows of a particular Christian woman speaker whose broadcasts and books have reached around the world. I may not have that sort of platform to tell a story of what God has done in my life but today I could tell two friends. Maybe they will then tell two friends their stories. And so on and so on and so on. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, I praise you for this day and the possibility it brings for continuing joy in the faith. I pray that my life will be worthy of the Gospel and firmly rooted in your Spirit.
Reading: Philippians 1: 21-30 (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 today’s scripture Paul is in prison and he is writing to the Philippians to reassure them of his strength and will to serve. Paul is very transparent here as well; prison is far from a walk in the park for him, he says that he would rather die, but he has chosen to remain faithful and joyful! I have learned a lot about joy in the past year, and what I found was the most important attribute of joy is that it is not situational. Joy is simply a choice. I personally found it more difficult to choose joy after I tore my LCL and ACL last September. Suddenly I found myself on crutches and unable to participate in the sports and activities that I thought brought me joy. Later I found that they made me happy, and my joy stems from elsewhere (God!). Christ gave us countless reasons to choose joy every day when he suffered for us on the cross. Being a Christian does not mean that we will have sunshine in all of our days. We will experience storms and suffering. In verses 29 and 30, Paul tells the Philippians that believing in and suffering for Christ is a privilege. Storms may arise while we live in this world but with Christ as our vessel we can laugh at the storm! --Anne Harshbarger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 31, 2013.
Prayer: Pray the Lord's Prayer and pay particular attention to the phrase "Give us today our daily bread." Reflect on the meaning of that line of the prayer. Reading: Exodus 16: 2-15 (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: When have you felt that you've had too much of something? When have you felt that you've had too little of something? When have you felt that you've had just enough of something? Those are questions on my mind as I read our story for today. It also reminds me of the summer of government surplus peanut butter. During my first summer on Mount Luther Staff, we had large quantities of peanut butter from the federal government. And our cook that summer found every possible way to use it. We, of course, had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and we also had peanut butter Rice Crispy Treats, peanut butter pie, and other desserts that used peanut butter. The weirdest was peanut butter strawberry jello. I didn't have the nerve to try it but I heard it was awful! Despite the fact that most of the staff got sick of peanut butter that summer, God provided for us. Just as the Israelites were provided with manna, we were provided with peanut butter. God will provide enough for all his children. We just have to accept what God gives us! -Chad Hershberger Prayer: We give you thanks, Lord, that you are generous. Teach us to be more generous with what you have given us. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 (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: When my children have a race up the stairs for bath time, one usually gets upset that they are last. And so a long time ago, I taught them the teaching from this Bible story- “the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.” I did that to help them to realize that they don’t always have to be first. That being last is okay, too. Usually, I think they buy that it is from the Bible and so it’s okay! Think about it, though. What is Jesus telling us here? God’s logic is not always what we think it should be. Jesus is saying here that whether you are one of God’s children for years upon years or you are a new convert, you are loved and seen precious in God’s sight. God is very generous with God’s love. What a blessing that is to us! How generous are we with the love and all that God has given us? Ponder that today. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: This day, I pray for those who are different than me. I pray that can be open to accepting those who have different views and opinions. Open my heart, Lord. Amen. Reading: Galatians 3: 26-29 (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? MORE QUESTIONS:
Reflection: Reunions. Author Robert Fulghum says they are a ritual of life. He also says they take us back to a long time gone, affirming our relationships. I’ve had many reunions in my lifetime, but one stands out, which happened over 20 years ago. It was a reunion of my own “Breakfast Club.” In the movie of the same name, high school seniors, who are very different from one another, spend a Saturday in all-day detention. They form a bond that is surprising to each of them, due to the fact that they have differing backgrounds and experiences. I got to experience something like that one summer. Six people, of different personalities and backgrounds, became very close to one another through being together and complaining together. When I think of that summer, I think of those people working, laughing, and talking together. We spent a lot of time together, mainly because we were unhappy with some of the things we saw going on around us. We would get together on a daily basis to talk about the problems we saw with our co-workers. By being tolerant and supportive of one another, we grew as people. The members of my "Breakfast Club" were truly a blessing in my life that summer and each of them embodied all that a Christian should. A few years after we spent the summer together, we gathered at a local restaurant to reconnect. We were missing one of our members, but we had added to the club a fiancé, a husband, and a child. As with many of my close friendships, we picked up where we had left off. We talked about current events, our ever-changing lives, and even a future wedding that was being planned. It was good to get together. We said, “We should do this more often,” but I don’t think we’ve all been in the same place since. As we went our separate ways, though, I was reminded that we need to break down barriers that separate us. We need to look for commonalities in one another and be open to listening to other’s viewpoints. This group of friends proved to me that in God's sight, we are all equal. It doesn't matter what race, personality, or nationality we are. We are all precious in God's eyes. --Chad Hershberger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 12, 2014.
Prayer: Your name is holiest above all names, Lord, however we call you by name. Amen. Reading: Psalm 114 (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 read this passage, I was struck by the fact that there are a lot of names in it. Which made me think, "What does my name mean?" I have seen various interpretations over the years so I went to the place where I get a lot of information: the internet. I found a great site called "Behind the Name." You can find it at www.behindthename.com. There, I learned this about my name: From the Old English name Ceadda which is of unknown meaning, possibly based on Welsh cad "battle". This was the name of a 7th-century English saint. Borne primarily by Catholics, it was a rare name until the 1960s when it started to become more common amongst the general population. This is also the name of a country in Africa, though it originates from a different source. I had heard that my name meant "defender" so this explanation made sense to me. It's interesting to learn about the meanings of our names. As I hear the Psalm read this Sunday, I'll be thinking about all the names that we give to God. What names come to your mind? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: God, give us the eyes to see all believers as you do because when we are weak then you make us strong. Amen
Reading: Romans 14: 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: In today’s scripture, Paul addresses the issue of believers judging other believers based on nonessential issues such as what they eat or an equivalent now-a-days could be what they watch on television. There are some matters that are just not worth arguing about; we are to agree to disagree that everyone lives differently. That is why there is no rhyme or reason to labeling other believers as weak. We are all strong in the Lord because through our weaknesses He makes us strong! And don’t just take my word for it, check out 2 Corinthians 12:9-11! As fellow believers, we are following the same God, and what is essential is loving our neighbors for who they are. We are the children- we are to fellowship, serve and love. God is the Father- leave the judging to Him. Stemming from the idea from verse three that God has accepted all, I am reminded of a vision that a friend of mine shared with me: Envision our sinful nature as a large city. From the ground we see the different sins (skyscrapers) as different heights, and from that angle we start to judge others based on the size of their sins. But from heaven God sees our sins as two-dimensional shapes, and no one sin is taller than another. This is why we to leave the judging to the Father, because only He gets the birds-eye view. --Anne Harshbarger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 9, 2014.
Prayer: Be with us, God, when we go into unchartered waters and help us to feel your presence. Amen. Reading: Exodus 14: 10- 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: I recently read Jay Paterno’s book Paterno Legacy. Being a Penn State alum, I followed the events surrounding the Sandusky scandal with great interest. Reading the story from Jay’s perspective gave me new appreciation for what his family went through a few Novembers ago. Whether or not you agree with the university’s actions in how they handled the legendary coach, the one thing that no one can argue about is that in the wake of JoePa’s firing, the university changed drastically. Coach Paterno worked for 60 years at Penn State, most as head football coach. The morning after his dismissal, the Penn State world looked and felt very different. Jay writes about that in his book. At the time he was an assistant coach. Although his dad was fired, he still remained employed with the university for the remainder of that football season. He talks in the book about how it felt when we arrived for work the day after his father was let go. He describes feeling that life as he always knew was gone and he was swimming in unchartered waters. I was reminded of his story as I read our Bible passage for today. The Israelites are pondering their future. They wonder if it would have been better to be under the Egyptians’ rule, a position they were used to. They were cursing Moses because he was taking them into unchartered waters. But God was there. God was guiding Moses and the Israelites and got them through their troubled times. When you have troubled times and long for the constant of the past, look for God. As with the Israelites, God will be there to guide you and lead you into those unchartered waters into promised lands. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin again us. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 (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: Forgiveness is tough, isn’t it. Today’s prayer is a line from the Lord’s Prayer. Read it again. When you recite it, do you ever think about what you are saying? “God—forgive us as we forgive others.” Are you getting your full forgiveness from God? Today is a day of great horror historically in our country. September 11, 2001, is a date that people remember where they were then they heard the terrible news of the terrorist attacks on our country. For those who had first-hand involvement in that day (meaning they lost loved ones), do you think they have forgiven those who caused the tragedy? As I’m writing this, I think of the Amish in Lancaster County, PA, who several years ago suffered loss when someone shot into their school. Many died that day but they publicly said they forgave the ones who did that to their children. Just think of the forgiveness God bestowed on them, too. May you think about forgiveness this day! --Chad Hershberger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 1, 2013.
We are going to do something a little different today for our devotion. You get to pick your own Bible verse. I would make two suggestions for this assignment. Reread your favorite Old Testament verse, or just open your Bible and see where it leads you. Sometimes we need to be open to learn new things or see things in a different way. Today's reflection reminds us of that. Reflection: I took a class in college titled, "Religion and Sport." My professor had done vast research on the subject, showing how for some people, sport is a religion. He took the characteristics of religion and showed how sport fit into those ideals. Some may think that his hypothesis is not even worth discussing. How could sport be a religion? But I think he had sufficient evidence to prove his argument. For some people, their sports rituals, observances, and practices do mirror what many religions do across the world. Whether you agree or not, I think we could argue that it is good to be open about other's beliefs. So often we assume what we believe is "the right thing" and do not look openly at how others may view something. Keeping an open mind when listening to the position of others give us the opportunity to learn more about something we know little about. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: As we praise you, Lord, our hearts dance and sometimes our bodies do, too. Thank you for your love and forgiveness. Amen
Reading: Psalm 149 (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: One of the many things I like about going to camp is the singing after every meal, especially the songs that get us up and moving. Those are the best and really a lot of fun if you throw yourself into the spirit of it. Psalm 149 encourages us to praise the Lord with dancing. Even though the secod half speaks of swords, chains and evil forces in the world, we can dance because we already know who wins: Jesus, our King of kings. Praise the Lord! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, we pray that we will lead other to love as you have taught us. In Your name- Amen.
Reading: Romans 13: 8-14 (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: Love fulfills the law- can it get much easier than that? Unfortunately in today’s world showing love to others is not as commonplace as we would like to see. In the second half of today’s scripture reading we are told that we are to put on the armor of light. The light that emits from that armor is the love we show when we follow the example of Christ. When we show love to our neighbors as we would to ourselves, it is part of the package that we also will not hurt them (with words or actions), steal from them, or be jealous of them. We should show love by respecting and valuing everyone because we are all unique and purposefully created children of God. That’s a good deal to rave about! --Anne Harshbarger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 2, 2014.
Prayer: Help us to be able to say to you, God, “Okay. We’ll do it!” Amen. Reading: Exodus 12: 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: These past few weeks, it's been fun to re-read the story of Moses. Here, we read about how God gave Moses and Aaron instructions on how to "observe" the first Passover. I wonder how Moses and Aaron felt after receiving these instructions. Do you think they said, "Okay, God. We'll do it." Or, do you think they wondered what was going on. This seemed strange. Maybe they thought, "Okay, God. We'll do it, but reluctantly. What are you really up to here?" I wonder how often we answer God's call in that way. Are we willing participants in what God is asking us to do? Or, do we go kicking and screaming, with God dragging us all the way. As we know, the Passover story turned out well for Moses and Aaron when they obeyed God and did what they were told. How much better do you think our lives would be if we did the same thing? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we gather as your church with you in our midst, we pray that we will be honest and open, and share grace with each other. Amen
Reading: Matthew 18: 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: As children of God, we were created to live in community, especially as a church family. Every summer a new community is formed among the staff at camp, but before it all feels fine and dandy- like a family- there is a bit of conflict to be expected. This conflict is popularly known as storming, and commonly occurs in any and all intentional Christian communities. Here in this passage from Matthew it says that when problems arise within these communities we are to address them as they arise- there is never room for a grudge in a close knit community! We are to be honest, open and transparent with each other (something known at camp as HOT communication)! What I personally recommend and as many of the other staff at camp know, when I am resolving conflicts, There is nothing that clears my head more than a big ‘ol hug sharing grace and forgiveness. --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: As we journey toward our destination, help us to see you along the way, O Lord. Amen.
Reading: Exodus 12: 33-42 (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: Last week, I told the story about how we reenacted the Exodus when I was a senior high camper at Mount Luther. A few years later, I had a similar experience, but this time when I was in college. My roommate and I decided that we would walk from our dorm room to the local Hoss’ Steak House. We both were in the mood for a good steak and since we weren’t allowed to have cars on campus as freshmen, we thought we’d walk to the restaurant. Neither of us thought it was very far. We started walking out College Avenue in State College and went over the first hill. The restaurant was not yet in sight. We continued to walk over the second hill. Still no Hoss’. Needless to say the walk was a lot longer than either of us thought. But there was no turning back—we continued to walk until we go there. And then, of course, we had to talk back to our dorm! We had the prize in sight—our steaks! The Israelites had the promised land in sight but they weren’t sure (like us) how far they had to go. We at least knew that it was on the street we were walking. The Israelites were going blind. We don’t know where life will lead us. But along the journey, look around you for signs of God. God is with you and will help you as you strive for the prize! --Chad Hershberger |
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