Prayer: Help me to remember what you do with the seeds I plant, O Lord. Amen.
Reading: Mark 4:35-41 (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: Those of you who follow these devotions may remember that last Monday we considered the Parable of the Growing Seed. Today’s parable follows immediately after that one. I tell you I get confused by this story, because I have no idea how mustard grows! And for some reason I don’t bother trying to find how. It seems to be enough that Jesus says that a teeny tiny seed produces a bush large enough for birds to nest in and be be shaded. What a nifty image. Whatever seed is planted it just grows and grows and grows. The Holy Spirit encouraged a family to respond to something I said in a sermon some time ago. They invited a family with a number of young children to church. They nourished them, loved and encouraged them. Members of the congregation caught on and pitched in. The result is a whole family being baptized. Some of them now serve in that congregation. That’s exciting. Here’s the kicker--I don’t remember what it was that I said! And it doesn’t matter. The seed was planted and is still growing! Plant more seeds today, friends. And pray for the staff and this week’s campers. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff
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