Prayer: Lord God, give us eyes to see and ears to hear your call for us. Amen
Reading: Luke 3:1-6 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: For years I have been intrigued by one line in this text. Of all of the wonderful messages and tidbits in this reading, I always get stuck on “prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Now I understand the idea of a straight path being easier to walk or drive, believe me I understand straight roads I spent two years in the northern Midwest, but I kind of feel vindictive sometimes. Why would I want to make the Lord’s path straight when my walk of faith certainly hasn’t been straight or easy? But then I really think about my faith journey. Looking back I can see myself growing up in a loving congregation and going on Boy Scout trips and still nurturing my faith. Then I went to college and fell away from church for a time where I didn’t feel purpose or guidance, but then returned to the church when I did not make the requirements to be a teacher. Then I went to seminary and became a pastor, then this Pennsylvania boy was sent to North Dakota for two years. Now I have returned to PA to do ministry in the hills that I knew growing up. So you can see just from these broad strokes of events in my life that my path has not been straight. But then I realized that that was the path that needed to happen to get me to where I am now and who I am now. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything because that would be wishing for something other than what God has made me. Now my hope is to make the path just a little bit straighter for others so that I am making straight the paths of God. --Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member
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Reading: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Stop and GROW: After reading the prayer, 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 prayer? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this prayer or is my favorite part? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this prayer stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this prayer? Reflection: Each of the prayers of the day in Advent begin: Stir up. This Sunday and the fourth Sunday of Advent we pray Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. Those are both frightening and hopeful words. “Let sleeping dogs lie,” they say. But here we pray that the power of God will be stirred up. That could be very scary. Yet, there are powers operating in this world that frighten us greatly, too. The hopefulness of this prayer is that God’s power comes and stirs in this world to heal it, make it whole. Let us pray throughout Advent that God’s stirring in this world brings us peace. Let it begin with each of us. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Thanks for remembering me lovingly, Lord.
Reading: Psalm 25:1-10 (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 memory is a little faulty at times. My wife is sure of that! Sometimes my memory is pretty good. But sometimes my sister remembers old family stories differently than I do. Hmmmmmm. There is so much to take from today’s psalm. Verse 7 sort of scares me--the idea that God might remember the sins of my youth. Oh, my. You gotta hope God’s memory isn’t too good. But the same verse goes on: according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord! God’s memory isn’t faulty, I’m sure. If some memories from my teenage years cause me to shutter, surely God isn’t too happy either. But, isn’t this a wonder verse? That God’s memory is overlaid and infused with Love. God remembers us lovingly. And, just another idea for today—that thought says something about any grudges we might hold, doesn’t it? --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Lord, help us to look to you that we may love and strengthen others.
Reading: I Thessalonians 3:9-13 (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: When you pray for folks, what do you usually pray for? When other folks are in my prayers, they are usually sick or distressed. I pray for God’s healing. Have you ever prayed that folks will love each other more? Maybe. Have you ever prayed that God will make others holy and blameless? I can’t say that I’ve ever uttered that prayer. We just read those prayers directed to the church at Thessalonica. For me the power of the prayer is St. Paul’s confidence in the source of our love and holiness—God makes us increase in love and strengthens us. And that is the love and strength we reflect to others. We try so hard to love one another. We really do want to be “good” folks. In the end, of course, we fail. There is always something more that we could have done. We could have loved more. But here is our model. God is perfect love. God is perfect. May we always be aware that it is God who comes to us, love us, strengthens us and helps us to reflect that love and strength to those around us. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Lord, help me to trust your promises.
Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (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: Unkept promises hurt. Broken engagements really mess things up. Missing a game you promised you would attend to see your child play…well, just be ready for a face full of disappointment when you get home. The Old Testament reading for this Sunday reminds us that God is faithful. God keeps promises. Specifically God will send a descendent of David to bring salvation and righteousness to Israel and Judah. We are rapidly coming to Advent when we rejoice that God keeps promises in the flesh and blood of His Son. Did you notice that “righteous(ness)” is mentioned 3 times in today’s text? That must be important. In this word, Jeremiah underscores our need to be in a right relationship with God, something that we don’t seem to be able to accomplish. Always messing up. Drat. Jeremiah reminds us that God takes care of that for us. God’s agent does justice and righteousness. And in the end “the Lord is our righteousness.” We are not our righteousness. It’s difficult to understand. Our righteousness is God’s doing. This Advent, let us look to the Lord who keeps promises and makes us right with God. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: May we not be distracted, Lord, and miss you in our lives.
Reading: Luke 21:25-36 (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: The merchants have been building our expectations for several weeks already. They expect that we will buy lots of their stuff as we prepare for Christmas. We expect……what? All the great things that happen at Christmas! But, Advent is really about expecting “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” It is about the second coming as we confess in the creeds. So, the gospel text for this coming Sunday is one of those strange apocalyptic ones that talk about last things. Very few people give that much thought any more. Over the years, I’ve come to use Advent to celebrate the presence of God in our everyday lives—now and in the future when Jesus comes again. So, as I read this text here’s what jumped off the page. Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life. We have a lot to worry about in this world of ours. Worries perhaps have been focused by recent events of terror. Worries and maybe even despair can prevent us from realizing and experiencing God in the midst of life—and all of our worries. Happy New (liturgical) Year! May your year be full of expectations of God who lives among us, even in our deepest worries. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Lord God, this week give us a spirit of thanksgiving, that we may be thankful for all that you have given us. Amen
Reading: Come, ye thankful people, come; raise the song of harvest home. All be safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin. God, our maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied. Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home. (ELW #693 – Come, Ye Thankful People, Come) 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 grew up in a small family congregation. The church building was originally built outside of town but the town expanded around it. It was made up of five or six big farm families, so many of our fellowship events were at some of the farmsteads and included hayrides, bonfires, and summer socials. My family was one of the few families that weren’t related to the core families of the church, but we were still accepted in. They didn’t need one extra family in that church to do the mission of the church but we were still gathered into their social and ministry events. One thing that I remember vividly was harvest home Sunday. There was always a table set up the sanctuary which was piled with canned goods and other items for the food back but also fresh produce from the local farms to be sent as well. This small congregation would have that table filled to the point where there was as much stuff on the floor as there was on the table itself. Then of course would come the singing, and the song, of course, was Come Ye Thankful People, Come. And it was sung with gusto as nearly no other song was sang. We sang our thanks to God for the bountiful harvest, regardless of whether it was enough or not enough. We sang our thanks to God for God’s temple where we were gathered, the church. We sang our thanks as people who are saved by God’s amazing grace. As you celebrate thanksgiving this next week, may you remember God’s work in everything you do and in everything that you are. And may you give thanks. --Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member and Summer Week Chaplain Prayer: Lord God, help us to make our homes like the heavenly home you have prepared for us. Amen
Reading: Psalm 132 (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: “Home is where the heart is.” I have seen this phrase in many different forms, on plaques on the walls of houses, in picture frames in college dorm rooms, in letters sent to family members who are away from where they grew up, in conversations about being away from family. Home is where the heart is. Home is supposed to be where we feel comfortable, safe, restful, and loved. Home is a feeling of being accepted and welcomed by the people, objects, and feelings that we surround ourselves with. Home is, well, home. So our psalm today talks about finding God a resting place, a home. It takes a while for God to get a resting place and it requires sacrifice especially on David’s part. David had promised not to go home himself or to sleep until he found a home for God. And God rewards him with a long line of sons to sit on his throne which also hints at Jesus’ coming as king over all. In this we find hope and a home. That with Jesus we have a home in God’s family and a place prepared for us in heaven. May our homes be comfortable, safe, and welcoming. And if they are not, know there is a place, a home for you in God’s family. --Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member and Summer Week Chaplain Prayer: Lord God, guide us through the seasons of our lives in our endings and in our beginnings. Amen
Reading: Revelation 1:4b-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: This coming Sunday is the last Sunday of the lectionary year. For a whole year the church has been hearing the gospel of Mark. Starting the first Sunday of Advent, we hear from the gospel of Luke. As we make this move from one gospel story to another, I am reminded of how endings in our lives can bring new beginnings. The summer has come to a close in fall and soon fall with be ending into winter. Even creation feels the ending of one season and transition into another as it prepares for hibernation and preparation for spring and growth again. That was the thought that came to my mind as I read the greeting in the revelation reading for today. “To [Jesus] who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.” This is who Jesus is to us. He is the one who saved us from our sins and formed us into his kingdom with all other believers. And to go even further saying that “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” The Greek letters alpha and omega being the beginning and the end of the Greek alphabet, respectively, show us that God is there in our beginnings and our endings. Yet this is not only about where God is but also about us. In our worldwide Christian community, our beginning and our ending and everything in between is about the God who is revealed in Jesus Christ. Who we are, what we do, what we think, how we act is all focused on Jesus and his love. --Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member and Summer Week Chaplain Prayer: As we think about our words and actions, please help us to do all in your glory, Lord, and leave a legacy for generations to come. We also pray this day for our First Light Devotion writers, who will be gathering tomorrow in retreat to write devotions for the coming months. Be with them and guide them in their task. Amen.
Reading: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 (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: Our scripture text today tells us that these are the last words of David. He lived a long, productive life. And, he died. It’s something all of us face. You know the old saying, “There are only three assurances in life: birth, death, and taxes.” Last month, my wife’s family gathered in southwestern Ohio to celebrate her grandmother’s 100th birthday. It was a great party, celebrating the life of a woman who was all about family, faith, and serving others. It was a milestone that most people don’t ever see and I was so blessed to be part of this occasion. Twelve days later, after she hit the centennial mark, died. She suffered a fall that week and failed quickly. This past weekend, her family gathered to celebrate her life again, this time at a memorial service. Again, people talked about her strong family ties, her faith, and how she was important in the lives of others. David and Grandma Schneider left legacies for the generations that followed them. They lived their lives in glory to God and were respected by their families. What will your legacy be, when someone writes your last words? --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Heavenly Father, show us love and belonging and acceptance in your family of believers and in your son, Jesus. Amen
Reading: John 18:33-37 (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: To belong is one of the base wants for our existence. We crave being a part of something. Be it part of a social group or club, or part of an online community, or even just accepted is what we spend our lives looking for. This happens in the lunch room of every middle school in the country, in the work places and cliques of the communities we live in, and even as young as toddlers in preschool finding friends. We want to belong, we want to be accepted, and we want to be a part of something. So Jesus stands before Pilate the morning of his death. “Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Pilate asks him. Jesus replies that his kingdom is not of this world and that his purpose is to testify to the truth, for “everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Jesus’ nation and the chief priests have not accepted this truth that Jesus is teaching and testifying, clearly they have not listened to Jesus’ voice. Yet we who belong to Jesus, who are members of his family, who are accepted into the great cloud of witnesses hear Jesus voice and find that belonging that we crave. But sometimes that belonging is hard to feel in our churches and in our lives. It is then our duty and responsibility as believers in Jesus to extend that belonging to everyone we meet. Yes, people sometimes do not make that easy for us, yet Jesus preaches truth and belonging in his final hours. So we are to preach truth and belonging to all at all times. --Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member and Summer Week Chaplain November 13, 2015: As You Grow Up
We have a little something different today for our devotional reading. Several years ago, our Chaplain to the Staff shared the following with our summer staff as one of his chaplain’s notes. We share it with you to reflect on this day. As You Grow Up As you grow up, you will have your heart broken more than one and it’s harder every time. You’ll break hearts, too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You’ll fight with your best friend. You’ll cry because time is passing too fast, and eventually you’ll lose someone you love. So, take too many pictures, laugh too much and love like you’ve never been hurt. Because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you’ll never get back. I found this statement on a board in one of those see-if-we-can-separate-you-from-your-money shops in Cape May, NJ. Instead of buying it, I just jotted down the first few words and looked it up on the internet. I have no idea who wrote it. I like it because I find myself agreeing with so much of it. Just thought I would share it with you. –Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff. Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 24, 2014.
Prayer: You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Reading: Psalm 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: Today for our devotional, I'd like you think about your response to this question: "We've seen the resurrection of our Lord, so how will we respond?" Then, spend some time in quiet prayer with God. To do that, I'd like you to slowly and deliberately recite the last verse of today's Psalm (it’s the prayer above) and meditate on how it might guide your life. When you are finished, pray to God for guidance as you determine your response to what God has done for you in the resurrection. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Provoke love and good deeds in us, Lord.
Reading: Hebrews 10:11-25 (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 found it very interesting in this passage that St. Paul said, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” When you think of love and good deeds, the word, “provoke” does not come to mind. I always connote provoking someone as being a bad thing. But in this case, Paul uses it to remind us to do something good. What other good things can we provoke in others? Loving and good deeds are a good start. But maybe we could come up with some more. Can we provoke smiles and laughter? I think I do that when I tickle my children. Let’s work to provoke good things this day and every day! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: We pray for those who face infertility issues this day, Lord. Be with them and help them know you are there. Amen.
Reading: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 (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: For me, this story was kind of like Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story.” You may remember that radio feature. I used to listen to it on my way into work. I wasn’t quite ready for the end of this story when it was revealed this was about Samuel’s mother! As I was reading this story, I thought of the many couples who deal with infertility issues. I have known several. It is heartbreaking. The ones I know would make great parents and would raise good and godly children. I could easily say, “Well, it must be part of God’s plan,” to try to help the hurt. But, I’m sure that hurt runs even deeper than any words that I could speak to try to help. I hadn’t remembered this story about Samuel’s mother. But, if I were in the shoes of those struggling with these issues, this story may give me hope. It may have taken awhile, but Hannah bore Samuel. And, look at what Samuel did! This story, like so many can offer hope from God to those who feel hopeless. We love and serve a hopeful and hope-filled God! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Help us keep our minds in the present, God, and know you will take care of the future. Amen.
Reading: Mark 13:1-8 (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: It’s November and Advent is approaching. But before we get to the annual season of preparation for Christ’s birth, our lectionary readings take us to the end times. This is the time of year that we read in the Bible after what will happen when the world ends. Jesus gives us some insight into that in this passage. The disciples want to know more. “Can you be more specific?” they might have asked. They were curious. And so am I. But, I think it is better to focus on the positive and the present. Where do you see God today? How can you make the world a better place now? If we get so wrapped up in what will happen in the end, we may miss the beauty of this day. Know that God will take care of us. And enjoy today what God has given us. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on November 6, 2013.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to show and feel love. Help me to feel your love in all that I do and say. Amen. Reading: John 13: 34-35 (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: Jesus told us to love one another just as He loved us. How much did he love us? He stretched out His hands and died for our sins. I think there are different kinds of love we can show one another. Loving a spouse is a different kind of love than loving a parent. Loving your children is a different kind of love than loving a sibling. Having love for our fellow Christians is different from loving an enemy. But no matter what type of love you feel for your fellow humans, it is important that we love one another. We should show each other respect and care for one another's needs. We should, most importantly, love God because when God's love is in our hearts, love will not fail. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear God, thank you for building our lives for everlasting. Amen
Reading: Psalm 127 (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: Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Psalm 126: 1 We bought an old house. Previous owners had done some fixing up but there was still plenty more to do. Some of the remodeling which had been done we actually called remuddling. So we fixed up some of the fix ups and continued on our own. We did some of the work ourselves but learned some things are better left up to someone with more skills. It is Home Sweet Home. It's that way with life. What is our foundation and who built it? Will it stand the test of time or will it crumble under pressure? How often have we tried to remodel ourselves and ended up remuddled? Some things are better left up to one wiser than we are. Let's remember, unless the LORD builds our lives, we labor in vain. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, may we find sanctuary here on earth and someday with you in heaven. Amen.
Reading: Hebrews 9: 38-44 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I love churches. From the simplest country church to the grandest cathedral. No matter which I am in, the sense of worship and praise within those walls is so real to me I can feel it in my heart. I think of the people who built it and those who sing and pray together there. I can't help but join in. The sanctuary of God's creation also brings me a worshipful sense of awe and wonder. Gazing at the horizon where the ocean meets the sky as unending waves rush to shore. The lofty canopy of trees in a still forest. Christ entered a sanctuary not made by human hands and even better by far than God's own creation here on earth. Can you imagine? Better than the biggest potluck dinner in a tiny church basement. Better than the most ornate stained glass window casting colors across a cathedral floor. Christ entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. We will enter heaven someday, too. As someone I know recently said after one of those potluck dinners in a church basement, "I am never leaving this place!" Amen. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Dear God, help us to know our character, not our circumstances, matter the most. Amen
Reading: Ruth 3: 1-5; 4: 13-17 (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: Ruth arrived in Israel poor, a foreigner and a widow with her mother-in-law. Dire circumstances for sure. But Ruth never complained. She was loyal to those she loved. She was grateful for any kindness shown. Despite her foreign background, Ruth chose to follow the true God and she was accepted among God's people. She caught the eye of a good man. They married, began a life together and had a son. Ruth the refugee (circumstance) became an ancestor of Israel's greatest King (character). She proved that character counts more than circumstance. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Dear God, what I have I will give thee. Amen
Reading: Mark 12: 38-44 (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: Today's text begins with Jesus putting down the Scribes as pompous with their fancy clothes worn in public display and ends with him lifting up a poor woman with her two copper coins given in faithfulness. I have heard both parts before but reading them together really makes a point. Think about it. Scribes lived off the gifts of supporters such as poor widows. Jesus even says they devour widows' houses. Yet, she gave what she could and more, faithful and trusting. The poor are an easy target. Those who take advantage of that receive condemnation. Beware of them. Yes, beware. And know your gifts given are seen by God and are much more than it might seem. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper |
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