Reading: Matthew 14: 22-32; Acts 12: 1-11
Reflection: Not only does God see our potential and looks at us when we are in need of instruction, but God also sees us when storms arise. The disciples were scared when they were in the boat and a storm came up. Jesus walked on water toward the boat and Peter told Him that if he were indeed the Lord, he wanted to walk toward Him. Peter started walking on the water but when he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. Jesus said, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” Just as Peter did, as soon as we take our eyes off the Lord, we sink. God sees us when storms arise and calls us to Him for help. God also sees us in places of no hope. In prison, Peter was probably not hopeful that he would get out. But God sent an angel and gave him hope. He was rescued from prison by that angel. This passage tells us that despite what we may think, there is always hope. God is always with us, watching over us, helping us through storms, and giving us hope. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director
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For today's devotional, again we will use the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which is part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. First, read the passage and then discuss the four questions below. Conclude by reading the reflection and closing presented.
Reading: John 1: 39-42; Luke 5: 1-11 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 sees all that we do. There is nothing in our lives that God does not know about. God knows every hair on our head. But not only does God see us in a visual sense, but also in other ways as well. God sees our potential. In John, God saw Peter’s potential. He also sees what we are capable of. We may not feel that we have what it takes to get something done or to do something in our life. But God sees our potential. God also looks at us when we are in needs of instruction. Life does not come with a manual that gives us all the directions (except for maybe the Bible!). When we are in need of help and instruction, God is there for us to show us the way. In Luke, the fishermen thought they were not going to catch anything. But they are told to throw their nets back in and not give up. Sure enough, they got bites and caught fish. Jesus gave them the instructions that would get them to accomplish their task. God is always with us, watching over us, seeing our potential, and giving us instruction. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Discuss with others or meditate on this quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Oh, the worst of all tragedies is not to die young, but to live until I am 75 and yet not every truly to have lived.” Reading: Psalm 67:8 Reflection: It was President Abraham Lincoln who declared Thanksgiving to be a national holiday. Of course, the first thanksgiving was celebrated in this country when the pilgrims made it safely to Plymouth, Massachusetts in the 17th century. Each year, families gather together to share a meal and to reflect on what they are thankful for. Growing up, Thanksgiving was a family affair. My grandparents would usually come from Maryland for the noontime meal. We would usually be watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade when they arrived. That evening, a game of cards for the adults was the norm and the next day, my grandmother and mother would go check out the bargains during Black Friday sales while turkey corn soup cooked in the kitchen. Look at your thanksgiving table this year and reflect on the number of people it took to make that meal possible. Think of the farmers who harvested food, the truck drivers who transported it to the store, the young men and women who stocked the shelves, the cashier who rang up the meal, and the hands that prepared the dishes in your kitchen. And then think of and thank God. For through God all this was done, so we could spend some time with our families, giving thanks for God’s mighty works. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Developed by Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director, this can be used at the beginning of Thanksgiving Dinner In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England. The passengers, most of them Puritans who had been persecuted for their religious beliefs, spent 66 days in the hold of the ship. After sailing for more than two months, the Mayflower finally reached land on Cape Cod. They arrived in the new world on November 21. One month later, all 102 passengers set foot on land and began to establish the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, as these people came to be called, had borrowed money from a group of English merchants to cross the Atlantic Ocean and planned to start a settlement in the Virginia Colony in America. During the long voyage, storms blew their crowded little vessel off course. Most of the Pilgrims had suffered terribly from the long voyage. They immediately began to build shelters, but soon they were overcome by a general sickness. Through the course of the winter 46 died, nearly half their original number. Some who became ill on the voyage and who were too sick to be moved stayed on the Mayflower, which was anchored in Plymouth Harbor for the winter. The following spring, friendly Indians helped the settlers to plant corn, and in the autumn, the first crop was harvested. Governor William Bradford proclaimed three days of prayer and thanksgiving. The Pilgrims gave a huge feast and invited the Indian Chief, Massosoit, and 90 of his people. The custom of observing a special harvest thanksgiving day spread throughout the other colonies in the following years. After the American Revolution, the various states continued the custom, each one naming it's own day for giving thanks. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday in November. The present date, the fourth Thursday of November, was established by Congress in 1941, and signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt. Thanksgiving has become a day when turkey is eaten (and one is pardoned by the president beforehand), and football games are played. Parades display big balloons and Santa Claus officially comes into New York City, marking the start of the Christmas season. It is a day when Americans overindulge, spending important time with family and friends. But most of all, in the midst of our busy lives and a hectic world, we pause, to give thanks to our creator, for the blessings bestowed on us each and every day. Let us pray: We give thanks, our Father in heaven, For the pleasure of gathering together for this occasion. We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. We give thanks for life, the freedom to enjoy it all, and all other blessings. As we celebrate being with friends and family, let us remember those who are lonely. As we share out of our abundance, let us remember those who are without. As we gather in our homes, let us remember the homeless. As we take time off from work, let us remember the jobless. We are thankful for our health, let us remember those who are ill. As we celebrate peace, let us remember those who are at war. We are thankful for those present around us, let us remember those who are absent. As we partake of this food, let us remember those who have none. On this day and always, we pray for health and strength to carry on and try to live as You would have us. This we ask in the name of Christ, Our Heavenly Father. Amen (Prayer adapted from material by Harry Jewell and Phil Bramley) In 2006, I wrote the following litany that we used at my family's Thanksgiving dinner. Many years, we argue who will give the blessing before the meal and so I thought it would be good to have us all participate in our "grace." So, I wrote the following, which we have used several times since at our annual family holiday gathering. Feel free to use it at your Thanksgiving gathering this year, or use it this day to meditate on those gifts from God that you are most thankful for. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Leader: Creator God, we raise our voices and say People: Thank you for the blessings you give us each day Leader: Thank you for the bounties of this land People: Which come directly from your hand Leader: Thank you for the food on our Thanksgiving table People: Prepared by hands that were more than able Leader: Thank you for family with bonds like no other People: For brother and sister and father and mother Leader: Thank you for friends, beside us they walk People: And lend us their ears when we need to talk Leader: We thank you the most for your only Son People: On earth, the victory over death He won Leader: O Lord, you are good, your mercy will last People: You are the same- future, present and past Leader: So with all generations, our voices we raise People: With psalms of thanksgiving we give you our praise All: Amen Reading: Proverbs 22: 4
Reflection: In talking with several people, they gave some suggestions on how we can humble ourselves. First, we need to consider others before we consider ourselves. What are their needs? Put them before yourself. Next, we should take the "I" out of our vocabulary. Don't take all the credit, especially if it was a group effort. Also, depend on the Holy Spirit. Ask God to fill you with the Spirit and humble you. and remember, if you live for Christ and not for yourself, you will not need praise. You will be doing what God wants you do to and what you should do and therefore you will be humble! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Phillipians 2: 3-8; Matthew 11: 29
Reflection: Just as Jesus Christ did for so many characteristics we should have, He set the example for us to be humble. Jesus took the form of a servant and became obedient to God and died on the cross. Because Christ humbled himself, He was exalted, being raised from the dead and having God bestow on Him the name that is above all names. As we try to live Christ-like lives, we should work on our humility. Look to the scriptures to see how Jesus was humble. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Readings: 2 Chronicles 7: 14; Isaiah 57: 15
Reflection: The word humble comes from the root "humus," which means dirt. It primarily signifies "low-lying." Why, if humility is so low, would it be a prominent Christian grace? Because, the more we empty ourselves in love and service, following Jesus' example, the more we are filled with peace, love, and hope. By humbling ourselves and letting go of our pride, we will be filled. The more ready we are to admit that we are lost and struggling, the more likely we are to find purpose and direction in the Spirit of God. The less reliant we are, the stronger we are in God. I know of a Christian who went through a tough personal situation. This person told me he left so low about what happened that when we prayed to God, he got on the floor and put his head down in the ground. He was humbling himself before God. In the end, the situation worked itself out. He did as it says in Chronicles- he humbled himself, prayed, turned away from evil ways, and God forgave him. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and God will lift you up! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director For the next two days, we will look at humility. And, as a bonus, we'll give you two devotional writings for each day! Please indulge me this day as I take some personal privilege to honor an important person in my life as part of this devotional writing. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director
Reading: John 19: 25-27 Reflection: She is a great woman. Small, petite, usually with a smile on her face. She is humble. She does not boast about her works. She cares for her family, not expecting praise for her actions. She does not yell when she is angry. She finds other outlets for her anger, only occasionally raising her voice when it is really needed. She is willing to help her fellow humans, volunteering her time for worthwhile causes, lending a hand to others. A teacher is she. Once by trade, now by instinct. Still showing her children how to do life's chores and to be a better man and woman. What role model is she. What standards she has set. What love and knowledge she has passed down a generation. And, because she is a quiet woman, a happy woman, a caring woman, and a teacher, her legacy will live for generations. She is my mother and I love her, not just today on her birthday, but everyday. Reading: Proverbs 16: 9
Reflection: It was the day after Thanksgiving when a co-worker friend of mine and I met early in the morning to paint "RESERVED" on several spaces in our parking lot. We had just moved into a new government office building and the first row of spaces was reserved for elected officials. With blue paint and stencils in hand, we went out into the cold November morning. Once we got a system, we were painting with great ease. Because we did not have multiple letters, we had to use several stencils twice. We taped stencils together to help us but had to reuse some of the letters. We got comfortable in our task. Too comfortable. We weren't paying attention and accidentally painted a wrong letter. We had not properly planned ahead. Another co-worker arrived and pointed out our mistake. We felt really silly and quickly wiped our mistake away. I've always liked the saying, "Plan Ahead: It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Being a boy scout in my younger days, it was drilled into my head that being prepared was something that was expected. Life was a lot better when you were ready for anything that could come your way. If we had paid attention and planned ahead a little better we would not have made our painting error. Planning ahead and preparing for the future is important. At the same time, we shouldn't get so hyped up in our preparations that we don't stop and enjoy the present. I've also always liked the saying, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift from God-- that's why it is called the present." Be ready for tomorrow but don't forget to stop and smell today's flowers! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Psalm 149
Reflection: At camp, we always sing a grace before a meals followed by a spoken prayer. A lot of the graces we sing are set to modern tunes or popular folk songs. While I like each grace in its own special way, there is one grace I really enjoy singing each time we do it. We usually reserve this grace for when we eat away from the dining hall. Since most people know it by heart, we don't need words in front of us. Hearing campers and adults sing this grace, giving praise and thanksgiving to God, always is very special to me. Since most know it, it is usually the grace that is sung the loudest of any other. You probably know this grace, too. It's been sung for years, often as the offering is collected at the front of the church during a worship service. It has particular meaning this time of year. Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Ephesians 1: 3
Reflection: It is during this time of year when we turn our attention toward giving thanks and showing gratitude to God for all the blessings that God has placed in our lives. But shouldn't that be done every day? Don't we have things to be thankful for each and every day that we are on this earth? We should list our blessings daily and thank the Lord for all that God has done for us. Take some time today and list all the things that you are thankful for. Then, make a Thanksgiving resolution this year that you will thank God each day for all your blessings. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: John 21: 25
Reflection: You probably know many of the stories of Jesus and the great works He did while He was on earth. But John tells us that what is told is only a bit of what Jesus did. There are many other things that Jesus did which were not recorded in the scriptures. Just think of all the things Jesus did that we don't know about. Our Lord is so marvelous and continues to do great work, don't you think? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Can you name Jesus’ twelve apostles? If that trivia question were given to you, would you be able to answer it? Jot down your answer and then turn to Matthew 10: 2-4.
Once, for several weeks, a fellow Christian and colleague of mine played a little trivia game. He got a Bible quiz game for a gift and one day, he would take a question and then the next day I would take a question. We would see if could answer it and if we didn’t know it off the top of our head, we could look it up in scripture that night. The next morning, we would see if the other had gotten the question. I enjoyed the trivia game we played mainly because I learned more about God’s word. A trivia game was a great way for me to open up my Bible and be educated. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Philemon
Reflection: In this letter, Paul is writing a letter to Philemon. From the words of the letter, we can tell that Paul and Philemon are close friends. It is the most personal of all of Paul's letters. So often, we do not take the time to tell those close to us how much they mean to us. Today, take time out to tell those you love how much you love them. Call them on the phone, write a letter, or tell them in person. Life is too short not to! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: John 8: 6-9
Reflection: Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal communications. In this story, Jesus does not speak but rather shows the Pharisees by writing in the sand. Sometimes silence can be even more powerful than words spoken. One week while a counselor at camp, I used silence to my benefit. My cabin of boys could be very loud at night. So, I told them that if I was called to come back to the village because they were loud, I would not be happy. They did not listen and I was called in to quiet the troops. Instead of barging in the cabin and yelling at my campers, I tried this approach. I opened the cabin door, slammed it, and then sat on the picnic table inside. I never said a word. I waited about ten minutes and no one said anything. I then went outside the cabin and listened by the window. Still, no words were spoken. For the rest of the week, my cabin of boys did not talk after lights out. I never mentioned the incident. Not saying anything that night worked to my advantage. Sometimes silence gets better results than speaking! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director For today's devotional, please read a passage that give you encouragement. Then read the reflection below:
The second summer I worked at camp as a counselor, our new director used the phase quite often, "You Can Do It!" We had a sign posted on the wall in the dining hall with those words and just about the time we would get discouraged about something, our boss would chime out, "You Can Do It!" The positive encouragement we got made us try hard to reach our goals or deal with bad circumstances. Knowing that someone was behind us, cheering us on, was encouraging and lifted our spirits. God also has a "You Can Do It" attitude. We can do all things through God. God strengthens us and gives us encouragement through the Word when we are down and out. When you need a lift, hear God saying, "You Can Do It." And then, finish your tasking knowing God is behind you one hundred percent. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
Reflection: I've had the opportunity to go whitewater rafting down the Youghigheny River in Western Pennsylvania. At one point in our trip, we came upon a very large rock near a rapid. Our guides told us that despite our instincts, we should learn into the rock when approached it. If we leaned away, we would tip our boat and be caught in the dangerous under-toe of the river. Sometimes we may face circumstances where we want to run away from the obstacle. But we need to go full force and lean into them. God uses weakness to perfect us. Just as we had to do on the river, you need to keep paddling, even when you feel down. Lean on the rock of Christ and you will not be carried under the water! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Hebrews 13: 1-19
Reflection: It's always tough to deal with circumstances in life that are trying. They consume our lives and are often the only thing we can think of. When bad things happen in our life, we want to try and make it better quickly. But that is not often how it happens. May times, we have to wait awhile until the problem is solved. Sometimes we may feel that we are alone in a situation. We may feel like we are fighting alone and have no one on "our team." But as this passage tells us, God is with us and will not desert us. We are never alone. And, especially in some very difficult situations, we must remember that we may have to accept what has happened and move on, knowing that God will punish those who do not adhere to God's Word. Isn't it comforting to also know that God never changes? God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We are the ones that change. We should look to God in tough times for strength. I know there are times when I have turned to friends and relatives to help me get through tough situations. It is good to have people here on earth that we can turn to and share our problems with. But, I also know that I have turned to God to help me through things, too. God is always there for us. When you face adversity or a crisis in your life, turn to God and know that God is concerned for you. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Luke 18: 1-8
Reflection: This parable tells us that we should pray as much as we can and as often as we can. Jesus says that God will protect God's chosen people who pray day and night. When we call upon the Lord, we are close to God. As Christians, prayer should be a very important part of our life. How important is it in your life? --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: Isaiah 2: 1-5 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: So many have fought for this country since the days of the Revolutionary War. Men and women have died to preserve the rights we enjoy in the United States. But those rights did not come without a price. Isaiah speaks of a time when there will be peace throughout the world and goodwill toward all. We still have a long way to go to have total peace and tranquility. On this day we honor veterans, let us thank those who have served our country. Say a little prayer for peace this day, and remember, we are all soldiers in God's army and need to continue fighting for God's causes! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: Meditate on or discuss with others this quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Reading: Romans 8: 31-34
Reflection: If God is for us, who can be against us? Isn't that refreshing and comforting to know especially when there are so many people out there who feel they need to impress others and have an almost perfect image or reputation. I always say that if people are talking about me, even if it is something bad or perhaps untrue, it is better that they talk about me than someone else. This way, someone who is not secure with themselves or God will not have to endure the hurt. If God is for me, who can be against me, even if they go out of their way to harm me. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: I Corinthians 15: 53-54 Reading: I Timothy 6: 4
Reflection: The meal was pretty much a disaster in the making. From the start, things just didn’t go right. We began the meal with a prayer, which was interrupted by one in the group chastising those who were not listing by saying, “Yo! We’re praying.” We sat down to eat our ham, string beans, and potatoes but didn’t have a ladle to scoop out the eats. And then there were the plates. They were not the normal sized heavy duty ones that usually graced the table for our evening meal. They were small, dessert-type plates that were about one-fourth the size. The cook emerged from the kitchen and told everyone that she didn’t know why the small plates were on the table instead of the big ones. She told us, using a choice word, that we could bring our little dinner plates up for bigger ones. She surprised us with her speech. I think she also surprised herself. She felt very bad after using a word she shouldn’t have to express her discontent with the plates. We all need to choose what we say carefully. One word can hurt the feelings of another or cause a wrong impression. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director |
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