Reading:  Psalm 127: 1

Reflection:
There was once a home being built in the neighborhood I lived in by volunteers from Habitat for Humanity.  I watched the progress of the construction and was impressed with their work.  I was also impressed with their commitment to helping people.  

They had a sign on the site that said, "Building Homes with God's People in Need."  We should all follow their slogan and help our fellow Christians who are in need.  --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director

Reading:  James 5: 11

Reflection:  
Growing up as a child, I always liked to ride my bicycle.  I rode my bike to the library, to the store, and just around the neighborhood.  I equipped my bike with a water bottle, a radio, and some tools in a pouch on the back.  

When my parents moved when I was in college, they sold the bike I rode in my teenage days.  So, when I got out on my own, I was ready to purchase a new bike. 

I saved up for months and finally purchased a mountain bike.  I rode it on trails in the woods and through towns.  I also bought a trainer for it so I could ride bike in the house in the winter. 

My mountain bike has been on some long trips.  I took a twenty mile trip one Fourth of July.  It took my buddy and I a few hours and we had a nice trip. Later that summer, the same friend and I took a 50 mile bike trip for our town to an encampment fair.  It took us the better part of a day, but we made it.  It was a long trip and we had to persevere, but when we got there, we felt a great sense of accomplishment.  

In life, just as my bike rides, we need to persevere and be "in it for the long haul."  Despite obstacles put in our way, we need to keep chugging along.  Never give up!  The race may be long but the finish is great!  --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director

Reading:  II Corinthians 9: 8

Reflection:
God provides us with everything we have.  And, if we look at our blessings, we can see that we are given blessings in abundance.  By always having enough of everything, we can share our wealth.  We should be willing to share our blessings with others and let God's love shine in other's lives. 

Sometimes it's hard to share.  But we should remember that is what God wants us to do.  Share your blessings with others and your blessings will continue to be abundant.  --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director

For today's devotional, again we will use the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which will also be a big part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers this summer.  First, read the passage and then discuss the four questions below.  Conclude by reading the reflection and closing presented.  

Reading:  Psalm 103

QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?  (or for younger kids, which part of the story doesn’t make sense to me?)

QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text? (or for younger kids, what is my favorite part of the story?)

QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? (or for younger kids, what does this story remind me of?)

QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? (or for younger kids, what is God or Jesus doing in this story?)

Reflection:
God is exalted above the heavens and God's glory is on the earth.  God shows compassion for those that fear God and knows how we are made.  We have eternal life through our belief in Jesus Christ, the son. 

As for those who do not believe, their days are like grass.  They wither away and will be no more.  God's kingdom, however, is forever.  We will live on. 

David wrote many songs praising God.  You may not be a song writer, but you can praise our Lord in your own way each day.  And we should, for we have been truly blessed.  --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director 


Closing:
Discuss with others or meditate on this quote by Ed Cole, "The torment of the temptation of sin is nothing compared to the torment of the consequences of sin."  

Reading:  II Timothy 2: 15

Reflection:  
Someone said to me that being judged by God at the gates of heaven is like having a picture frame on your wall and the picture in the frame depicts everything you have ever done in your life.  It is all on display in plain sight.  What would your picture look like?

There may be some things in your life that you are not proud of and would rather not see in your picture frame.  Timothy gives us good advice in this verse.  All that we do we should be willing to present to God and not be ashamed of our action.  Anytime we are unsure about what to do in a situation, we should think about God and how it would look to our Creator.  It's never too late to start cleaning up our picture!   --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director