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Prayer: Dear God, stories of your love and care are to be shared and celebrated. May we remember to write them down and send so others may celebrate, too. Amen
Reading: Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10, 9: 20-22 (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: Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters. Esther 9:20 We have been reading the story of Esther the past few weeks. Here at the end, if you jump from chapter 7 to those two additional verses in chapter 9, you see that Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters so the story of what happened would be known and celebrated. Think of a time in your life when you clearly saw God's love and care. Did you record what happened? Did you send letters? Instagram? Blog? Let others know and celebrate! -- Ruth Gates
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We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 21, 2015.
Prayer: Dear God, may we have salt in ourselves and peace with each other. Amen Reading: Mark 9: 38-50 (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: As Christians, we are to be the salt of the earth. Salt adds flavor, preserves what would otherwise spoil, melts places that are frozen and does so much more. Salt makes a difference! Like the man in the beginning of our reading for today who was driving out demons in Jesus's name, we are to make a difference. We are to be doing God's work with our hands and giving God the glory. The disciples weren't so sure about this, however, and asked Jesus if this man should be stopped. Jesus explained, "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me." (Mark 9: 39) Good point. Who, after doing God's work, would then say things against God? More likely, having served by loving God and loving others, there comes a peace within ourselves and with others. Let's be salt and make a difference. Let's give God the glory and be at peace. --Ruth Gates Prayer: God of all blessings, help me to accept compromise and find joy in sharing your gifts with all of your children. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 27 (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 Issac blesses his son, he sums up every parent’s desire for his or her child, as well as what we all wish for ourselves: that we will have the best of everything and more than enough; that we will be powerful, worthy of adoration, even amongst our families, and that our allies will be rewarded while our enemies are punished. The problem with this universal desire is encountered later in the chapter, when Esau asks his father to bless him also. There just isn’t enough good fortune to go around. When we get what we want, that also means that someone else doesn’t. Every time we win any sort of competition, someone else loses. Here's a camp example for you: when campers do a polar bear swim, the counselors need to give up a little sleep. When I was a counselor, I remember trying to talk my campers out of a polar bear swim. That last hour of sleep is important to me! Life, however, has got to be about compromise. Sometimes it works out for you, and sometimes it doesn’t. However, God is always in the outcome. Someone is blessed today. It may be hard to accept your loss, but try to celebrate with the winner, so that next time, he or she will celebrate with you. --Erin Hayes Prayer: Dear God, seems songs of praise and the story of the Good News is often what we need most. Thank you for your Word that is always there for us. Amen
Reading: Psalm 1 (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 I was young in the '70's, I recall having a Bible of just the Psalms and the Gospels. It was as if those books of the Bible were the essentials to have if space to pack, weight to carry or time to read were an issue. My older brothers also had The Way Bible which I thought was cool because of the groovy photos. Sometime around then the Good News Bible also came out with its stick figure drawings. Of course I had my 3rd grade Sunday School RSV Bible with dictionary, concordance and maps, but that was a bit daunting to me. Where to even start? So I remember reading that small, pocket size Bible of just Psalms and Gospels. Thing was, I never got much further than Psalm 1. Maybe because I always had to start at the beginning or maybe because I liked trees (v. 3). Either way, Psalm 1 was and still is special to me and it is always there. Happy are those...what a great way to start and what a great reading to keep coming back to. How happy I am I had a compact and convenient copy of the Psalms and the Good News. When digging into the rest of the Bible seems a bit daunting, look for what you need most. It's there. Prayer: God, help us to recognize the gifts you have graciously given us so that we may share them with others. Draw us nearer to you so that we may know only heavenly wisdom. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
Reading: James 3: 13- 14:3, 7-8A (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: Most likely you have been asked the question: “if you could have any superpower, what would it be?” But have you ever thought about what you would do with that power? If you would use the power to fulfill some sort of desire that you have for yourself, then that is not the kind of wisdom that James is writing about in this passage. James writes of a wisdom that cannot be gained from studying a textbook. It is a practical wisdom. It is a wisdom that spurs you to do good, simply for the well-being of others. The words used to describe this wisdom in this passage (considerate, full of mercy, peace-loving, impartial, sincere, etc.) are very similar to the words Paul uses to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (patient, kind, not self-seeking, and does not boast, etc.). This heavenly wisdom that James is writing about is rooted in LOVE. And love is a superpower given to us by God. That was our theme for the staff this summer at camp. As we went through staff training, we learned about superpowers counselors use every day, and we learned about love last (because you always save the best for last). So be wise, do everything in love. Be a selfless superhero. God gave you the gifts to be so. --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Dear God, we pray to have wisdom and speak kindly. Amen
Reading: Proverbs 31: 10-31 (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: Speaking as a wife and mother: listen up, men! This passage lets you know how much a good wife and mother is needed. At the same time it is telling us women that we are necessary and we need to do our best for our families. Now, I’ve used the words “need’’ and “necessary’’ several times. The conclusion: We need each other and we need to do our very best for our marriages and families. If we are successful in our homes and live the teachings of our Lord, we will have a positive influence on our communities and our country. The bottom line for me is wisdom and Kindness. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (v. 26) -- Alice Yeakel We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 14, 2015.
Prayer: Dear Father of us all, as you welcome us as your children, may we always remember to welcome the children in our lives. Amen Reading: Mark 9: 30-37 (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: The photo broke hearts. Three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, a Syrian refugee, was found lifeless on the beach in southwest Turkey and sparked international outrage over Europe’s migrant crisis. The Turkish police officer prayed the little boy was alive as he approached and picked up Aylan. “Words cannot describe what a sad and tragic sight it was.” There are no words. We just cried. I have no words for today’s Camp Mount Luther GROW Time – First Light. Just these from our text today: (Jesus) took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9: 36, 37 --Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on October 24, 2013.
Prayer: Make our faith strong, God. Help us to walk in your ways. Amen. Reading: Genesis 22 (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, take a few moments to think how strong your faith in God is. Would you be able to do what Abraham did? Would you trust in God to do whatever He asked you to do? Author and Preacher Charles Stanley once spoke about lessons he learned from his grandfather. The first and most important lesson he learned was to obey God. His grandfather told him that if God says to run your head into a brick wall, you should do it because God will most likely make a hole for you before your head hits. In Biblical times, there were many men who did just as God asked: Noah, Moses, and Abraham come to mind. Whatever God required of them to do, they did. Their faith was strong. Again, how strong is your faith? Will you do whatever God asks you to do? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Creation praises you, God. May we see the wonders of your handiwork and tell of your glory, too. Amen
Reading: Psalm 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: It is late August as I am writing this and the past few weeks have been a bit busy. I have not had time to wander around the backyard. Finally this evening I checked on the fruit trees and gardens. I was amazed at how many pears there were and how big they have grown. The tomato plants which seem to get off to such a slow start here in upstate New York are filling out and I saw one big red and a few cherry tomatoes almost ripe enough to pick. The mystery vines have taken over as usual. One had the small decorative pumpkins on it. Somewhere there is another with butternut squash. All this was happening while I wasn't even watching. Creation does its growing like it is praising God. Once in awhile it is good for us to notice and tell of His glory. When have you sensed that creation was praising God? -- Ruth Gates Prayer: May our words and actions be pleasing to you this day, O Lord.
Reading: James 3:1-12 (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: I’m not sure how I should take the opening verse of our passage today. James writes, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” Being an adjunct instructor at the collegiate level and teaching our camp staff each during training, maybe my words are judged with greater strictness. Who knows? I also heard the phrase, “Those who do, do. Those who can’t… teach.” That’s disheartening to me, too. I think that we should revere our teachers. Yes, we may judge them a little more because they are imparting their wisdom. Yes, we may put them on a pedestal and expect more. After all, Jesus was a big teacher. Do we look at his teaching with greater strictness? Do we think he couldn’t do everything so he taught? Of course not. James is just reminding us that we all make mistakes. We are all human. Let’s try to treat one another with dignity, civility, and love. I think our world could use more of that. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: May we be like the wise old owl - speaking less; listening more. Your word brings wisdom. Amen
Reading: Proverbs 1: 20-33 (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: Wisdom cries out: “Why do you ignore me?" The first poem I learned, in first grade, was: A wise old owl sat in an oak. The more he heard, the less he spoke. The less he spoke, the more he heard. Why can’t we be like that old bird? Wisdom-knowledge-awareness-is all around us. Every person we meet and every experience we have - all offer opportunity to gain wisdom. Let us open our ears and our hearts to the wisdom God offers! -- Alice Yeakel We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 7, 2015.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to listen even when the news is bad. May we remember always you are the Christ. Amen Reading: Mark 8: 27-38 (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: Peter had just gotten done saying to Jesus, "You are the Christ." Next thing we know, Jesus is sharing difficult news and Peter is telling him to stop talking. Peter knew Jesus was of God but he did not have in mind the things of God. Instead he had in mind the things of men and he just did not want to hear anymore of what Jesus was saying. I recently sat with friend as she shared difficult news of her husband's health. It's bad and there is no way to make it better. Surely it was hard for her to hear the prognosis from the doctor but she could not ask him to stop. She listened. As much as the words were hard for me to hear, I could not ask her to stop. I listened. Jesus spoke plainly about what was going to happen. My friend spoke plainly of what was going to happen. With the things of men in mind, neither are bearable. With the things of God in mind, we can still say, "You are the Christ." --Ruth Gates I recently wrote this piece that was published on the ELCA Worship Blog. You can view that entry here: http://blogs.elca.org/worship/1119/. I share it here today as something different for our devotional time and as a testimony to the power of worship at camp.
–Chad Hershberger Sitting along a lakeshore, with a quiet breeze of summer, kids intently listen to a pastor talking about the reach of the love of God through Jesus Christ. The pastor tells them that sharing God’s love will reach far; just like ripples when a stone is thrown in a body of water. Those words are not just spoken. After being told that, the kids throw a stone into the lake and watch as their ripples extend to the edges of the shore. The message of God’s Word comes alive as they commune with their creator in a place set apart. Camp worship has been happening all over the country this summer in 126 Lutheran Outdoor Ministry sites. I am blessed to serve one of them and got to throw my own stone into our lake recently as part of this all-camp worship service. I’ve been around my camp since I was nine-years-old and for me, camp worship is where God really comes alive and God’s presence is truly felt as I’m surrounded by the beauty of creation. When we gather together at camp as the people of God and invoke God’s presence, we are an extension of congregational worship. We show campers the connections between camp and their home church’s worship. Liturgy and ritual are central to worship at both places. Our staff, who plan worship, are taught the basic outline of Lutheran liturgy. What I think is a little different at camp is that campers are able to be actively engaged. We don’t treat worship as a spectator sport! It is participatory and God’s message comes alive, through our singing, our moving around doing motions, and when throwing rocks into a lake. You may think from my description that worship at camp is always loud. That is not the case! One of my favorite worship services is field worship. Campers and staff sit in our field, usually in the dark, looking up at the sky and listening to music and scripture as they spend some time reflecting on God and engaging in silent prayer. My favorite field worship is when Psalm 23 is recited as we lay in the field and listen to soft piano music. Hearing the words of David, relating “lying down in green pastures” while actually lying down in a green pasture is powerful. Field worship gives campers and staff time to enjoy creation and experience worship in a different way. Even in the silence, God hears our cries of thanksgiving and praise. It’s been my experience that a camp worship service can be very powerful. But as I write this, describing a few of them, it occurs to me the words of one of my predecessors here at Mount Luther. Early in my tenure as director, I sat in the kitchen of Don and Betty Mincemoyer, who served here in the 1960s. They would relate the camp mission to their staff in this way: “Every thought a prayer; every action a worship experience.” Having the chance to give expression to what the whole creation yearns to do-- praising God from whom all blessings flow-- is what we continually do every day as we swim, make crafts, eat meals, hike, and play games. Camp is a place that we continually make our thoughts a prayer and our actions a worship experience. And because of that worship, both on our lakeshores and in other spots of God’s creation, lives are changed as Jesus Christ is encountered in new and exciting ways. Prayer: As we trust in you, LORD, may we be like a mountain that cannot be moved. Amen
Reading: Psalm 125 (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 who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. Psalm 125: 1 I recently came across a greeting card which read (on the front): Advice from a MOUNTAIN Reach for new heights Rise above it all There is beauty as far as the eye can see Be uplifting Build on a solid foundation Get to the point Enjoy the view! (and inside): You Rock! As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 125, if you trust in the LORD you are like a mountain. You rock! -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, Help us to break out of our comfort zones and approach those who are different than us. In your name we pray, Amen
Reading: James 2: 1-10 (11-13) 14-17 (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: This passage tells us not to show favoritism towards others. This challenges us to go outside of our comfort zones. Personally, I show favoritism towards people who are like me. It sometimes seems easier to relate to those who we have things in common with. Today as part of my Castellano (Argentina’s version of Spanish) lesson, we had to go out into the street and ask strangers for directions (in Castellano!) Before we started I said, “I wouldn’t even do this in English in the United States!” It was far outside my comfort zone, as I had to ask people who I did not know and were not like me. I asked three different people questions. Later, I pointed out to my teacher one of the people I asked a question. He couldn’t believe that’s who I asked-it was a famous philosopher who is a good friend of the president of Argentina! Without being forced out of my comfort zone, I would have never met this person. It seems easier to do nothing, or only interact with those who look the same as us, talk the same as us, and believe the same as us. So next time you want to play favorites and stay in your comfort zone, remember, you never know who you will meet. --Tara Barnard We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 1, 2015.
Prayer: Help me to be generous, God, and feel the blessing of giving to others. Amen. Reading: Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23 (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 the book of Proverbs. They don’t normally come up during the lectionary but this month, there is a series of readings from this book of wisdom as an option. So, I signed up to write on them throughout this month. In our assigned reading for today, I really like the reminder “those who are generous are blessed.” When I was first starting out on my own, I was reminded that when I got paid, I should give my “first fruits” to God. Someone told me that if I do that and be generous with my giving to others that God would provide for me. In the last 20-plus years, it has been my experience that is the case. Even in very lean years, if I still kept up with my giving to the church and charities, I’ve been able to balance my finances. Blessings come in many different forms. Being generous in your giving of money, time, and treasure are certainly ways to feel blessed this and every day. –Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 31, 2015.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we are glad your presence is not a secret to us. We can find you if we only look. Thank you. Amen Reading: Mark 7: 24-27 (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 had just gotten done dealing with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He had just gotten done explaining about what is clean and unclean. Jesus the man just wanted to be alone so he left town. He went to a house in Tyre and did not want anyone to know it. Yet, he could not keep his presence a secret. Word got out to one woman who must have been waiting, watching and listening for him. As soon as she heard, she was there to find Jesus. It took being on the lookout, persistent and faithful, but she got what she wanted. Today, Jesus the Savior does not keep his presence a secret from us. But, if he did, would we be on the lookout, persistent and faithful? Keep looking. Jesus is here for us. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Our Father who art in heaven, holy be your name. May your kingdom come to each of us and especially when are days are not all “peaches and cream.” Please watch over our families, friends, and neighbors and the rest of the world. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 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: This not a newsworthy event but part of our family’s lives were enriched by the arrival of a puppy. Twinkle, a border collie, tried hard to be good but this day her curiosity overwhelmed her. Hearing the command to stop and hearing a harsh voice did not stop her; under the fence and very close to a main highway became very scary to both of us. She finally was catchable and like Hagar with a firm word returned to her house. Twinkle realized she had done wrong and it was difficult for her to face a caring and friendly voice again. Can you relate to this? Are you able to express love and seek forgiveness when you’ve been wrong? What kind of strength do you think Sarai displayed in giving Abram a second wife? What about the jealousy that flared? Do you ever have jealous feelings? How do you control such feelings? It is that same God; the God who spoke to Hagar, the God who made us, who sees our every doing, understands our every thought. Days are not always “peaches and cream.” Like Hagar, we want to run away but our God is there to protect us. Let’s hear that voice. Let’s give it a chance! --Betty Jane Mincemoyer Prayer: Even when we are feeling despair, hurt, or stress, help us to show love, Lord. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 45: 1-2, 6-9 (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: In the Bible I used to look up our verses for today, the title for Psalm 45 said, “Ode to a Royal Wedding.” I can remember getting up early in the 1980s to catch glimpses of Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding. And, more recently, I watched the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with my family. At their nuptials, Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry wowed the crowd with his homily about love. He spoke poignant words for our time. Well, actually any time. He talked about how love should rule all. When I read this Psalm I was reminded of that. Live love. Share love. Be love. Let your life be like an ode to a royal wedding. --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 August 4, 2013.
Opening: Discuss with another or meditate on this quote by Goethe, "If you treat an individual as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be." Reading: James 1: 17-27 (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: Every one of us probably has gotten advice from someone at one time or another. Most times, advice is free. It is given to us by friends and family, who may or may not have expertise in the particular area we are seeking advice in. I know I have given people advice based on my opinions or my experience in a particular area. I think this verse is pretty good advice that we should heed. We should be swift to hear. We should be willing to listen to others and hear what they have to say. We may just glean something from their accounts. We should be slow to speak. We don't always have to outdo what someone says or try to tell a story greater than theirs. We should think before we speak. And, we should be slow to wrath. We should not get angry instantly. We should take things in stride and not let our emotions get the best of us. Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. It's God's advice for our lives. --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 August 25, 2015.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach us to view your world with the same love that you view it! Amen. Reading: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (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: God's creation is a wondrous thing! Go on your favorite hike, come to camp, see the creation outside your window, but too often we don't see past our blinders. We go about our days with our vision fixed on our own schedule and on our own families. We have our check lists to finish before we can do anything else or enjoy anything else. Yet here is Solomon's song calling us back to love. Love like we might have known as a teenager so impassioned by love and desire that we can think of no other. Love like a parent for their child when they are born. Love like a child for their parent at the moment of their parent's death. That is how God views us, in love, in desire, and in all. As springtime is described in Song of Solomon, we can see God's love for creation and God's love for us. We are called to that same love for all. --Peter Horn Prayer: Help us to wash our heart, Lord, that it may be more pleasing to you. Amen.
Reading: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (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 remember in school when I was younger that we lined up to wash our hands before eating. Surely, that is a good practice and I probably should do it more today than I do. But this passage struck me that we are so often concerned about being clean on the outside and maybe we need to worry more about being clean on the inside. So instead of washing our hands, we need to remember to wash our hearts. As Jesus said, what comes out of us is what defiles. So, make sure you find ways to “wash your heart!” --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 March 8, 2013.
Prayer: Spending some time in silent prayer with God this day, perhaps while looking up at the stars in the night sky. Reading: Genesis 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? Additional Questions:
Reflection: A beautiful summer night with no clouds in the sky reveals millions of stars in the sky. As I laid on the grass looking upward, I pondered the mysteries of the universe, who I am, and the wonders of God 's creation. Looking upward I saw the stars and the variety of light that they illuminated. Some were bright, others were dull, some you could barely see. But they all were part of the universe, part of the master creation plan, working together to form constellations no matter what their brightness. Oh the peace that surrounds a quiet summer evening, laying out in a field, looking up at the stars. Gets you in quite a meditative mood. Made me realize something about my own life. Looking up at the stars I thought about all the people who I have met in my life. In some way, everyone I meet touches me. But each does so to a different degree. The brightest stars in the sky are like the people who mean the most to me in my life. They are the ones who have influenced who I am today. They are family members and close friends. Other stars, which are not so bright, are those people who I may consider just friends and acquaintances. And the really dull stars are just people I have met but who have only been part of my life, shall we say, in passing. Everyone has meant something in my life, but some have been brighter than others and have meant more to me. Another night I was walking down a road in the darkness. I looked up into the sky and saw a hazy moon. It was almost full and had a bright ring around it. I thought to myself, "you know- God is like the moon. Sometimes we can see the moon and sometimes it is covered by clouds. But it is always there. Sometimes we purposely go out to see the moon in the sky, but most times we take it for granted. God is that way. Sometimes it is very obvious to us that He is with us. But sometimes He is covered by clouds and harder to see. Sometimes we go to Him and ask for help and guidance, but sometimes we take Him for granted. But no matter what, He is always there. He is our shepherd, the big leader, and if we look to Him for guidance, we will always receive it." The stars in your life may need some help and you may be the person who can give them ideas or teach them something they didn't already know. Just as the brighter stars in your life have helped make a difference to you, so you can make a difference for them. I challenge you to go out and not be sheep of God, but instead be sheep dogs. Help the Lord lead those sheep in your life who may go astray. Give people a little nudge to do something they should be doing. Stand beside Jesus Christ and help Him by being a minister to others and letting your light so shine. Perhaps through your actions, you can spark some life and light into others to do the same thing. And remember, God will guide us. He is the good shepherd. By following Him, we have great hope for the future. He can help us through the good times, and the bad, and can help us with all our hard tasks. Sometimes, though, it takes something as simple as a moonlit sky to remind us of His power- and to remind us that some things should never be taken for granted. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: We gather to worship you with joy. Amen
Reading: Psalm 84 (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 have a strange work schedule. I work 22 hours a week spread across 5 days with Wednesday and Sunday being my days off. Still trying to figure out how to shift hours and days around with the other people in my office so I can work more hours in fewer days and/or at the very least get two days off in a row. Meanwhile, along with being the Sabbath, Sunday is my weekend day off from work. Psalm 84 is a hymn of praise most likely sung by travelers on their way to celebrate in the temple. When I was a teen, there was a singer by the name of Evie. She had a song that went something like this: Walking to church on a Sunday morning, Walking and hearing the church bells ring, Seeing the folks who mean everything to us, Praising the Lord as we lovingly sing. .... Oh, it's so good to be here praising the Lord again. When I think how Jesus loves me, I take heart to live for him. While I don't have Psalm 84 memorized to recite on the way to worship, I do sometimes find myself singing this song. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: In the whole armor of God, we pray in the Spirit to declare boldly the good news of your love. Amen
Reading: Ephesians 6: 10-20 (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: In this chapter we are told we need a specific wardrobe...a list of armor to ward off and resist our enemy Satan. We need:
-- Alice Yeakel |
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