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 ponder the quote presented.
Reading: Psalm 63 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: Sometimes you do stupid things. This is what happened to be in the Summer of 1992. I was ending my third summer on camp staff and we just finished our evening activities, which included end of summer awards and a staff dance. One of the staff members owned a very large station wagon and someone thought it would be fun to see how many people we could fit in that car. So, we ran down the field to where the car was parked. We piled a lot of people in the car and decided to go into town. Some folks decided to go in another vehicle. And then, we became stupid. "Let's race," someone said. So, those of us in the station wagon and those in a Chevy Blazer raced out of camp. We narrowly missed a propane tank. As we went down the road which leads into camp (which was wet due to a late day rain shower), I thought to myself, "We should slow down." But our driver did not. As we came to the entrance to camp, he slammed on the breaks. We spun around, seeing trees, trees, mailbox, trees, trees, mailbox, trees. And then we stopped. We got out and the people in the other car ran over to check on us. Everyone was okay and we went into town as planned. It was a near death experience but none of us were scared. No one had screamed or said a word. We knew that God was with us and would protect us. It was a feeling that I will never forget. I felt peace during a time of turmoil. God's love for us should mean more than life itself. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing: I was reminded of this incident recently when our current staff prayed this prayer at our week's end staff worship. It is from the "Book of Uncommon Prayer." Pray this prayer to close your devotional time today. Keep us safe, God. We’ve spent a week caring for children and each other. Now we are free. Prevent us from getting stupid. And keep us safe if we do get stupid, Lord. We thank you for the emotional and physical break. This job can seem like a deep well, God. The waters are always rising. We learn to stay ahead, just for a few days, but soon the waters threaten to rise up and drown us. Thank you for this break, God. Thank you for allowing us to relax and enjoy the cool of the water without struggling against it. Thank you for the time to breathe, to laugh, and to rejuvenate our lives. Amen.
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