Prayer: Lord, help me to live well and influence others positively.
Reading: Luke 6:20-31 (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: On the eve of All Saint’s Day we read again the great upside down depiction of the world in Christ Jesus. They are really disturbing words for most of us. Blessed are the poor, that’s not me. Hungry—nope, not me. Weep—well sometimes, but laughter almost always comes soon after. No, the “woes” apply more to me than the “blesseds.” I’m struck by the last “woe.” “Woe to you when all speak well of you.” Most, not all, people speak positively about me. At least that is what I hear. It is gratifying to think that the way you live brings positive remarks from others. Why is it a woe when people speak well of you? “For that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” Is my life false? Have I misled folks? Are my words true? Do my deeds lead people in the right way? Probably not always. But mostly—is my life good? Do people speak well of me because my life leads them to life in Jesus? What do you think about your life and how people speak of you? Hopefully we are spoken of well because most of the time we live in Jesus. --Jim Bricker
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Prayer: Lord, help me to trust those who live close to me.
Reading: Proverbs 3:27-29 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: A few years back, my Amish neighbor and I got into a serious struggle. A few of my English neighbors joined me, and although I never heard of an Amish coalition, I imagine most of my other Amish neighbors knew who I was. It was really quite a struggle. In the midst of that struggle my Amish neighbor said to me, “I hope we can be neighbors again.” Being neighbors is sometimes difficult. Perhaps that is why we often quote, “Good fences make good neighbors.” I Googled that just to remember who said it. Robert Frost ends his poem “Mending Wall” with those words. But I also discovered that there are German, Norwegian, Russian, Japanese and Hindi versions of the quote. The idea is more universal than I thought. Being a neighbor sometimes means that I mind my own business. It also means that sometimes I ignore what my neighbor is doing. Sometimes being a good neighbor means staying in your own yard. Butting out. But I like better what we read in Proverbs today. Give your neighbor good. Don’t plan to harm your neighbor. And then there is this startling description of your neighbor, “who lives trustingly beside you.” We live together, in neighborhoods, in trust. That’s pretty good wisdom. For sure, there will be differences among neighbors and maybe even disputes. But isn’t it great when in the end you and your neighbor can gather over the bar-b-que and live in trust? --Jim Bricker Prayer: Thank you for being with us, Lord. You are our refuge. Amen
Reading: Psalm 46 (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 Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46: 7, 11) Yes, the verse is repeated twice in Psalm 46. I didn't notice it at first but then I did. So, it got me to thinking how important it is to know the Lord is with us and is our refuge. Perhaps doubly important. Which then got me thinking how the Psalm tells us our refuge is with us always. When you think of a refuge or stronghold being somewhere to flee with only hopes of getting there just in time, to know that God is with us always is encouraging. When trouble comes, God's strength is with us already. Yes, that is doubly good to know. --Ruth Gates Prayer: God of grace and mercy we thank you for saving us. Your righteousness is more then we can understand. We are sinners who do not deserve your forgiveness. Thank you for sending your son, Christ Jesus, to redeem us. May our lives be faith filled. Amen.
Reading: Romans 3:19-28 (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: Amazing Grace is one of my favorite hymns. God saves every one of us with his amazing grace. We are truly saved by having faith in Jesus. We cannot do anything to save ourselves. It is a gift from God. We all are sinners who go through life with many struggles and troubles. Temptations are all around us and we do not always do the right thing. Pairing the hymn with these verses give me hope and a peace that all will be alright with God. God forgives us and we can go on living each day believing in his Amazing Grace. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Gracious, giving God. We thank you for the promises you have made to and for us. Help us keep our promises to you and to each other. May you touch our hearts so we live a life of faith. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (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 makes many covenants with his people throughout the Bible. This new covenant happens during the exile of his people. I teach confirmation and we talk about God’s promises a lot because confirmation students are about to make some promises of their own. I like the part of these verses when it talks about writing the laws on our hearts. God touching our hearts helps us have a strong faith that effects all parts of our lives. Through confirmation I try to give the students many experiences where they can see and feel God working through them and others. Whether you be in a time of exile, a confirmation student, or wherever you are in your faith life, God is with you and you are God’s. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Speak to us Lord, that we may hear your truth and live as people set free. Amen.
Reading: John 8: 31-36 (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 signed on to support an event or cause only to find that the premise wasn't exactly as it had been explained or that as other members joined, they influenced the committee according to their will or needs such that the outcome changed while you pressed on toward the objective? You might have felt like the rug was pulled out from under you and that you couldn't support the group's revised objectives. Sometimes though, we need to have an open mind to see they may have a better plan. It just takes us a while to come around. Jesus was speaking to Jews who already believe his teachings...that is until his latest words called into question their understanding of the freedom granted to them as descendants of Abraham. Since they were not bound as slaves, they believed their lives had already been secured by their ancestry alone. But Jesus tells them, they are bound...for the sins they surely commit ensure they cannot be free. They have become slaves to their sins. They no longer have a place in the family just slaves must sit apart from the family. Jesus then gives them a path to rejoin the family so that their sin won't keep them separate: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Living as faith-filled people, with open minds, this is the truth that will set us all free. --Andy Gates Prayer: Make me wise, O Lord.
Reading: James 3:13-18 (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: I’d like to make two columns, but not sure how I would do that in the format we use for these devotions. So, just 2 lists-- Gentleness, pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, mercy, good fruits. Bitter envy, selfish ambition, boastful, disorder, wickedness. The first list is the one I like. I imagine myself in that camp which James calls “wisdom from above.” If we could just all subscribe to that wisdom. (Imagine how that might affect the political discourse in our nation!) But, I have to admit that I sometimes find myself in the second list— “wisdom which is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.” Selfish is one of the biggies for me. Sometimes I get turned inward and those outside me are harmed. When I think back I often conclude, “That was dumb.” God will always forgive us when we get into the bad stuff. But I’m sure the4 Lord would rather we just be smart in the first place. In the end we’ll be better off. Not only will our behavior be good for those around us, it will also be a blessing to us. --Jim Bricker Prayer: We come to you, Lord, who answers prayer. Amen
Reading: Psalm 65 (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: "Google it!" is the standard way to find answers today. Anything from complicated recipes to convenient restaurants, from urgent medical advice to useless trivial information. Google the question and get the answer. It may seem Google has the answer to everything for everyone, but "Oh you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come." (Psalm 65: 2) We are so accustomed to answers at our fingertips it is good to remind ourselves answers can come just putting our hands together and being still. Read Psalm 65 again to realize everything is at God's fingertips, too. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, as I live each day, help me to trust you and do the things you want me to do.
Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (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: Howard McCarney was the president (now called bishop) of the old Central Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. In one staff meeting, we asked him, “How do you assess your ministry?” His immediate response was, “I have been faithful.” That was many years ago, but I have thought about that response over and over again. Even more so in my 74th year! Near the end of his life, St. Paul summarized his life this way: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Sounds pretty good to me. Worthy of a tomb stone. Each day, how do we assess our living? Doing good? Sticking with it? Being faithful? We don’t need to be in the last years to think about these things. Each 24 hour period—how do we do? We’re not perfect. We just try to do things that make life better. We don’t give up. And we trust God. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Lord, help us to trust you in good times and bad.
Reading: Joel 2:23-32 (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: Not too long ago we were praying for rain here is Central Pennsylvania. Folks in Florida and North Carolina are glad the rain has stopped after hurricane Matthew. We go through cycles, it seems, of wet and dry. Not enough rain, too much rain, just right. The ancient prophet Joel experienced that, too. We give God thanks for providing the conditions we need to provide for all the things necessary for life. In fact, we have been blessed way beyond just the things necessary for life. Joel reminds to give God thanks. But even more, Joel references those adverse times. When there is not enough rain. When drought seems to be getting ready to do us in. Just as we turn to God in the good times, we are encouraged to trust God in the bad times, too. Remember to give thanks and trusting God in the rough times. --Jim Bricker Prayer: God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen
Reading: Luke 18: 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: It is much easier for me to imagine a praying murderer, a praying prostitute, than a vain person praying. Nothing is so at odds with prayer as vanity. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1928 Bonhoeffer wrote these words after attending high mass at Sacre Coeur in the Montmartre district of Paris. Surrounded by those of a different and difficult walk of life, he reflected, "...once again one could see how quite clearly how close, through their fate and guilt, these most heavily burdened people are to the heart of the Gospel." Bonhoeffer's observations go along with the point Jesus was making in the Parable of the Rich Man and the Tax Collector. He told this parable to those who looked down on everybody and prayed in a proud way. But it was the tax collector who prayed a humble prayer who went home justified by God. It reminds me of a song we sing a song at camp, "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord...and He shall lift you up, higher and higher." --Ruth Gates Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 22, 2013.
Prayer: God, help me avoid and overcome temptations. Amen. Reading: Luke 4: 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? Additional Questions:
Reflection: I admit, I've played devil's advocate more than a few times in my life. More often than not, my role has been to ask questions that will make people think or consider a scenario they may not have thought about before. But one time when I was in high school, I was the devil's advocate because I took a position of tempting someone else. The choral ensemble I was a part of in my teen days appeared each year on a Christmas television show featuring local high school choral groups. We would travel about an hour and a half to tape our segment at the station. On our return trip, we would stop at a restaurant along the way for lunch. On this particular trip, one of my fellow choir members (who was a good friend of mine) couldn't eat. He was also a wrestler and had to make weight for the match that evening. I teased and tempted him the whole meal, showing him the food I could eat and letting him smell my good meal. Instead of being a supportive friend, helping him with his situation, I made it worse by being the devil's advocate. Jesus showed us that we can resist the temptation of the devil. Each time the devil tempted our Lord, he resisted and showed the evil one that he did not need to bow down to the devil's tests. We too should show that same resolve when we are tempted in our lives. My friend was two pounds overweight when we got back to the school. I felt bad that I treated him the way I did. The situation did turn out well-- he lost his two pounds before the match and ended up getting a forfeit anyway! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Loving God, when you look down on us may you find our feet in good places. Amen
Reading: Psalm 119: 97-104 (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 hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. Psalm 119: 101 There is a children's Sunday School song that goes, Oh, be careful little ears what you hear. Oh, be careful little ears what you hear. For the Father up above, Is looking down with love. Oh, be careful little ears what you hear. Other verses include be careful little eyes what you see, little mouth what you say, hands what you do, and so on. I can't remember if there is a song verse about feet but Psalm 119 verse 104 could be. Oh, be careful little feet where you go. We should hold back our feet from every evil way. God is looking down on us with love. May he find us keeping his word. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us be your reflection, God, this day and every day. Amen.
Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5 (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: Part of my morning routine when I arrive at camp is to take a walk through our villages. I use this time for a little exercise, to think about the items I need to accomplish that day, and to have a little “retreat” time. I usually stop in Pine Village and take a few moments to use my “Three Minute Retreats” app that was developed by the Jesuits. As I did my three minute retreat the other day, it reminded me that often we look at our children and say, “Oh, she takes after her father.” Or, “Oh, he takes after his mother.” We look at children and see characteristics in them that reflect their parents. I know my children have done things that I’ve said to myself, “Wow! They get that from me.” The retreat then reminded me that people should also see our Heavenly Father reflected in us. It asked the question, “How will people see God in you today?” What a good question to ask ourselves each and every day. How will we reflect the one who created, redeemed, and sustains us? Who will say to us today, “Oh, they take after their Heavenly Father?” --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 October 21, 2014.
Prayer: Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart Lord Jesus. Come in today; come in to stay. Come into my heart Lord Jesus. Amen. Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 (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 (the LORD) will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people." (v. 33) Reflection: The Old Testament is a lot of covenant and laws. In that book, we hear the story of the covenant with Abraham and Israel; and laws from "Do not eat of the fruit of the tree" to the big Ten Commandments to smaller laws beyond count. Still, there were problems. The written law, though useful, did not have the power to transform inner attitudes. But the Good News of the Gospels and the New Testament does. Through the Holy Spirit, we are changed from the inside out! The law is in our minds and written on our hearts. That way we all know Him, from the least to the greatest. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Providing God, hear us as we persistently pray. Amen
Reading: Luke 18: 1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I may be thinking of a different parable here, but the theme of being persistent in prayer is the same. The drama was about a husband whose wife was hosting Bunco Night (table games with friends) and he had forgotten to buy the snacks at the grocery store that day. Obviously the Biblical parable was being told with contemporary roles and yet before 24 hour grocery stores. Well, the ladies needed their snacks and the wife was rather demanding about it so the husband went next door and knocked until his buddy answered. He asked if his buddy had any food. It was late, his buddy was annoyed and the answer was no. The husband went back home...and got sent back out again. Again, the buddy next door said no. The husband went back home but realized he had to try again. Maybe the guys had been playing poker the night before and the husband knew there were leftover snacks. I don't know. But the husband did not give up. This time the buddy gave in and handed over bologna and cheese. Persistence pays off. Strangely, when I think of being persistent in prayer I sometimes think of Bob knocking on Glen's door over and over again until Glen handed over bologna and cheese. We can be just as persistent in prayer. It will always get us an answer of some sort. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us be obedient, Lord. Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 6: 1-4; Proverbs 22: 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: My sister and I haven’t always gotten along as well as we do as adults. I remember the tantrums, the picking, the getting each other in trouble. I wouldn’t let her play with my Legos. She would start a fight and I would get the blame. But, as we got older, I think each of us appreciated each other more. As we grew, I think we also appreciated our parents more. My sister was typically more rebellious than I was and often did not want to heed the advice of our parents. Later, when she went against them, she discovered that they were right. Now, she listens to what they say and heeds their advice more readily. God tells us to obey and honor our mother and father. I think my sister and I have done that by becoming adults that my parents can be proud of. I hope my kids do the same for me! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Listening God, we make a joyful noise unto you! Amen
Reading: Psalm 66: 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: Not sure why but I have been watching more football this season than in the past. Just one college game on a Saturday afternoon and maybe a professional game on a Sunday. The college game is not a big 10 team so the ESPN coverage is not a big deal production. The only microphones are in the broadcasting booth. You can't hear the crowd so much except for when the cheering really gets loud. Sometimes you can hear the band. Compare that to an NFL game. You hear the announcers, the referees explaining the penalties and even the quarterback calling the plays. You can even hear the players smashing into each other. And the crowd noise is deafening. A constant roar that only gets louder at big moments in the game. Just hours of constant yelling. I wonder if everyone goes home hoarse and slightly deaf? Our Psalm today, like many, calls us to make a joyful noise to the Lord. While I like to think my singing is not noise, this verse does cover those who simply sing loud and bad. God asked for joyful noise so it's all good. Joyful noise may also be lively conversation during coffee hour. Joyful noise may be the clattering of pots and pans in the soup kitchen. Joyful noise may be the banging of hammers on a Habitat for Humanity House. Joyful noise may be the shouts of campers playing in the field or swimming in the pool. Whatever the noise, let it be joyful and may we all go home hoarse and slightly deaf! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Let me see. Let me see. Amen.
Reading: 2 Timothy 2:3-15 (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: I’d like you to reread the first five verses of our passage for today. Soldiers, athletes, and farmers are all mentioned. They are people we know. They are people we can relate to. This passage reminds me that our perspective is a human one. God’s perspective is divine. God see things and understands things that we cannot. And so, in this scripture and many others, God attempts to explain something to us so we can understand. God is trying to use language that we can understand. Sometimes, I have an “a-ha” moment when things just click for me. I see the wisdom in a situation that I didn’t see before. And then I look back and often think to myself, “Okay, God. I see what was going on there. Thanks!” May you continue to look for the divine wisdom with your human understanding. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: We give thanks for our families this day and every day. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 29:1; 4-7 (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: My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary last week. We decided to dust off our wedding video for the first time since we originally watched it. It was fun to re-live that important day in our life. The next morning I was talking to my daughter and told her that someday I hope to walk her down the aisle as she begins a marriage. It was fun to think about that. I told her I’d probably cry because I would remember when she could fit into the palms of my hands and now she was starting her own family. In this passage, I was reminded about how important families are in our lives. When all else fails, hopefully you can turn to your family for support and love. Wealth and social standing are one thing, but the joy of human love from a family can give more pleasure than all the material things in our lives. I give thanks for that this day and every day! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, may we always be grateful and close to you. Amen
Reading: Luke 17: 11-19 (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: The ten lepers in our story today held back from getting close to Jesus and asked for mercy from a distance. Society called them unclean and that is where they had to stand. But after Jesus sent them away to show themselves to the priests, one of the ten returned praising God and threw himself at Jesus's feet in gratitude. Imagine the feeling of being healed. Imagine the feeling of being able to finally go to the temple. That is all well and good, but imagine the one who felt gratitude and felt the closeness of being with Jesus. Where else would he rather be? When do we keep our distance? When we feel unclean or unwelcome? What do we long for in those moments or situations? Let's keep in mind we are always welcome with Jesus and a grateful heart is close to God. Where else would you rather be? --Ruth Gates |
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