Prayer: May your face shine upon us and be gracious. Amen
Reading: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 (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: Psalm 80 confuses me. The people are asking God, "How long will you be angry with us?" My question is WHY is He angry with them and with us? Only we can answer that by searching our hearts and lives perhaps for our flaws. And then three times in verses 3, 7 and 19 the people ask God to "cause His face to shine upone us". Now isn't that a significant theme of the Advent Season? We look to the Star of Bethlehem and rejoice in its message of hope and love and peace. Perhaps the light of that heavenly star will reveal to us not only our flaws but also our strengths. May His face shine upon us and be gracious! --Alice Yeakel
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Prayer: As we look for good in this world, God, be our eyes to see you and your love in others. Amen.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9 (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: “I give thanks to my God always for you…” is how our passage today starts out. Paul is saying to the Corinthians that he is always thankful for these people. He is showing his gratitude. We just had a holiday which caused us to pause and reflect on what we were thankful for and to count our blessings. Hopefully you used this Thanksgiving season to do just that. I’m sure you saw how many positive things were in your life. Recently, I was reading some evaluations from an event we held at camp. Many of the forms were so positive about the speaker, the event, the facilities, the food, and the staff. But a few had negative comments. I thought some of them were very nit-picky. I remarked that I wish people would look for the positives in things and not focus on the negatives. Sure, I want us to improve upon what we do but I think all too often we look for the negative in things and not the positive. “I give thanks to my God always…” Let’s also give thanks and gratitude and positive thoughts to all those we meet along life’s road. –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 November 25, 2014
Prayer: As you shape us, help us to be the person you want us to be. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 64: 1-9 (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: Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand. (v. 8) My cousin was a potter in Maine. It was fascinating to watch him work at the wheel: one piece at a time, each piece unique, all made by him alone and those I have are treasures to me. So too, are we made and treasured. The idea of God as a potter goes back to creation when God formed man from the dust of the ground (perhaps clay) and breathed life into him. Still today, God molds us and makes us as we pray, "Thy will be done." Let us pray as we sing… Have Thine Own Way, Lord Have Thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still. (old hymn, from memory) --Ruth Gates Prayer: Be the light in our darkness, Jesus. Amen.
Reading: Mark 13: 24-37 (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: Late this summer, a good portion of the United States experienced the solar eclipse. As I watched coverage on TV, I was amazed at how dark it got where “totality” was experienced and the fact that even the crickets started to chirp because it was dark! This passage reminded me of the eclipse because it says that when Jesus comes, it will be dark and then Jesus will bring us light. Mark also says that we need to be watchful for Jesus’ coming. In this season of Advent, be ready. Get ready. Jesus is coming! And it may get a little dark, just as the coming winter shortens our days of light. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: We sing for joy in the LORD! Amen
Reading: Psalm 95 (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: We sing for joy in the LORD! He is all around us: waves break on the shore, wind blowing through the trees sand between our toes icy cold of a mountain stream birds and crickets and katydids in the forest the dramatic colors of autumn the bright whiteness of the snow. All this is part of His pasture and we are His flock. He cares for us. --Alice Yeakel 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 28, 2013.
Prayer: Thank you for giving us life and love, God. Amen. Reading: Psalm 67 (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 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 Prayer: Ever listening God, may our faithfulness be sounded frequently and loudly to your good pleasure. Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 1: 15-23 (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: What stands out to me in this text is the level of God’s power, “incomparable greatness.” God exercises this immense power towards us! This power raised Christ Jesus from the consequence of decomposition to perfection of eternal “heading.” That same power draws us to Christ’s head and makes us form into His body. What a strange and wonderful image. We may be amazed by modern marvels as the work of our own hands, but all good things pale in comparison to this massive power over death and gathering us all together into his triumphant life. Even more than that, the good works of our hands are a result of that same great power. Take a step back and marvel at all the good that God can do. There is nothing that our God cannot do.—Andrew Fitch Prayer: Caring God, may we see your love in unexpected places today. Amen
Reading: Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24 (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: Did you do a double-take? Reading today's title and seeing where the scripture text is from - a devotion about the Good Shepherd coming from Ezekiel? Not Jesus, in the Gospel of John, calling himself the Good Shepherd. Not the most expected shepherd reference from Psalms (23). Read Ezekiel 34: 11-16 at least. The reference to the Good Shepherd is there. It is said Ezekiel developed the image of God as a shepherd with more detail than any other author in the Bible. Others may have known that but I was surprised. Ezekiel's imagery had particular impact for people who herded sheep for a living. For us, it reminds us again of our God who cares. Where will you see God's shepherding love today? --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us treat others with respect and love. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 25: 31-46 (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 living waters Jesus offers are abundant. He is the source of abundant life, and that good news is to be shared with others! When we do that, our lives are blessed. The following is a litany that I wrote for our campers to use this past summer. It is based on this scripture passage. I share it with you to reflect on these important words of Jesus. –Chad Hershberger Leader: When I was hungry, you gave me food. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. Campers: What you do to other people, you do to me. Leader: When I was weary, you helped me find rest. When I was anxious, you calmed my fears. Campers: What you do to other people, you do to me. Leader: When I was little, you taught to me to read. When I was lonely, you spent time with me. Campers: What you do to other people, you do to me. Leader: When I was in prison, you came to my cell. When I was on a sick bed, you cared for me. Campers: What you do to other people, you do to me. Leader: When I was laughed at, you stood by my side. When I was happy, you shared in my joy. Campers: What you do to other people, you do to me. Leader: When I was hungry, you gave me food. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. Campers: What you do to other people, you do to me. Leader: Jesus, we thank you for being the living water we need for life. Help us share your gift with everyone. All: Amen. Prayer: Now I lay me down to sleep, watch over me and keep me safe. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 3 (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 first passage of the Psalm today says this is a psalm from when David fled his son, Absalom. Not really knowing much about that story, I looked it up and Absalom declared himself king and David, who was king, fled. It was a coup d’état of David’s own son! What I found interesting in this Psalm is that is also reminds us that God protects us, even when we sleep. David may have been “shaking in his shoes” as he fled from a bad situation. But he knew that God was with him, and protecting him. Even when we slept. When we have bad days and are dealing with yucky situations, may we cling to the fact that God is with us and looks over us—even when we sleep. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: God, we are frail yet you are eternal. As Moses was a man of God; make us yours. Amen
Reading: Psalm 90: 1-8 (9-11) (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 of the first eleven verses of Psalm 90 are doom and gloom. Verse twelve offers some hope of a wise heart but we stop short of that here. So, what to do with 1-8, and perhaps 9-11? Well, one of my Bibles gives titles to chapters and sometimes by-lines, too. Psalm 90 - God's Eternity and Human Frailty - A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. That is what we need to know. We may be frail but God is eternal. Moses was not sure of himself and all God was asking him to do but Moses was a man of God. When feeling frail, remember God is eternal and we are His. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Almighty God, you are the source of days and seasons. To you we give all glory, praise and honor. Help us to be patient and to faithfully live with respect to your perfect timing. Amen.
Reading: I Thessalonians 5: 1-11 (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 was in a nice little coffee shop the other day and one of the members of our party got a hot tea. The beverage was prepared classically with loose leaf tea in a mesh strainer inside the cup. A small hourglass timer was given with the warm mug. Written on the top flat panel were words like please return to the counter. Being a goofy person, I contemplated all the comical meanings I could think of from the short instructions: returning the tea to countertop and asking if I could take it back to my table and drink it now; taking the timer back to the counter over and over and asking if it was done yet, etc. I kept these thoughts to myself. As the conversation quieted with arriving food, I thought of deeper meanings like what it means when your time runs out. I had been at a committal for a family member, so emotions were a little raw about that topic. I moved on in my mind, what about time as belonging to THE Counter—in the end, everything returns to God. This is a lot more comforting for me. Particularly when I am already wearing the breastplate and helmet of faith, love, and hope of salvation. We don’t grieve as those without hope. We don’t see time like those who are without faith. We don’t live our lives counting the minutes, trying to squeeze everything out of life until it is done, because our time is in the hands of the deliverer.--Andrew Fitch Prayer: Lord God, we pray for those who don’t believe in you and don’t live in respect of your goodness and fairness. May they hear warnings to repent and return to you. Amen.
Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 (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 one bank card was updated to the chip standard and I noticed a big difference. When I was checking out, you had to insert the card and follow the screen’s prompts. I looked away while it was processing and was startled by the loud buzz with a prompt, “You can remove your card now.” The clerk smiled a little and said that the sound surprises a lot of people. I told her it sounded like I did something wrong. She apologized and said they can’t change the sound. Not nearly the same volume as the church’s industrial smoke alarm, but a similar voice. Get out, get out it seems to warn. Zephaniah picks up a similar tone warning those who mock God’s ability to rule, lead and correct. The verses serve as quite an extreme listing of reasons to remove oneself from the trench of sin. Turn back, turn back! Repent, Repent! God is quite capable of punishing and rewarding! You don’t know when he is going to drop the hammer and the sound will usher a time of final judgement. God is a loving God, but God is not a fool. God is fair and just and not a liar. Sometimes soft warnings work well, but other times a sinner needs to be startled out of a complacent slide into destruction. I much prefer words of grace and soft bells of warning, but if that doesn’t work—turn up the volume!--Andrew Fitch Prayer: Giving God thank you for all you have given us. Help us to use our talents to honor you. Let us not waste what you have given us. May all our gifts not be hidden or taken for granted. May what we do bring you joy. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 25:14-30 (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 is a part of scripture that I have used with children and youth many times. I talk to them about using their gifts that God has given them, and not to waste them. We have been given much, and we should use what we have been given to honor God. There have been times when a child or youth has a hard time coming up with a talent they possess. I love to see the other youth help them realize where their gifts lie. We should all encourage one another to use our talents and not hide them. May God say to each of us; “Well done, good and faithful servant.” --Charlene Rineer Prayer: God of the hills and valleys, you are with us in high times and low times. You are always with us. Help us to see your glory and majesty in the dark days and humble us to see the needs of others when we are feeling awesome. Amen.
Reading: Jonah 4 (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 text makes me laugh and keeps me humble. I can laugh at Jonah because he is so ridiculously fickle and cynical. I am humbled by thinking of so many times when I didn’t realize how arrogant and uncaring I was. Today is Martin Luther’s birthday. Today is someone else’s birthday. Everyday there are celebrity birthdays, birthdays of someone we know, and birthdays of a stranger. There is always a reason to celebrate. I am also mindful of people that don’t know their birthday or have never been sung to. What if we treated each other like today could be a special day for them (instead of always only counting down to our own special days)?--Andrew Fitch Prayer: We call for help and you come quickly. We rejoice and thank you. Amen
Reading: Psalm 70 (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: There are many ways of feeling poor and needy. Beyond things and stuff, we feel emotionally needy: frustrated and alone. There are forces out there seeking to ruin our life and the lives of others. But if we seek God's help and know God will deliver us and keep us safe, we can rejoice and be glad. Psalm 70 is a call for help. O Lord, do not delay! --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Give us hope as we look to the future. Amen.
Reading: I Thessalonians 4: 13-18 (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 end of this verse was very interesting when I read it. “Therefore encourage one another with these words,” it said. What hit me when I read that was the words before it talked about death. How can death be encouraging? But when you look at the words a little more, you see that it can be encouraging when we talk about the hope of the resurrection. Paul is telling us here that when Jesus comes back, he will meet first with those who are in Christ. And, those who are alive with also join the heavenly chorus of God’s people. So, yeah, when you visualize how great that will be, even though we talk about death and those who have died, it is encouraging. The trumpet will sound, the dead will be raise, the living will join them and it will truly be a fun time with Jesus, don’t you think? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: God Almighty, your way is justice and truth. Stir us from placidness and stagnancy. May our hearts burn with zeal for the correcting work of your Kingdom. In the name of Christ Jesus, Amen.
Reading: Amos 5: 18-24 (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 am sure that most of us have had that moment when we are driving along in the car with our family and/or friends and they ask us, “What’s your problem?! Why are you so grumpy today?” There could be various reasons, but many times it is something that is eating away at us, something is not right in our world and we just can’t let it go. Maybe we just heard a news story and it is just plain disturbing—why would someone do that? Amos steers us away from mild grumpiness to full throttle irritation at the 100% prophetic level (don’t try this at home without safety gear and supervision). Amos draws our attention to the big picture. Amos is not just having a bad day. Amos is not just a little irked about a bad deal with the camel trader. The minor prophet is making a major point—you can’t act like you love God without hating injustice. You can’t hate injustice without doing something about it. You can’t sit back and just say, oh it will all be settled in the end. You can’t just hope for the end of days when God makes everything right. Amos does not allow us to just punch our worship card and go home.--Andrew Fitch Prayer: Gracious and giving God thank you for all you have given us. Help us be prepared for what is to come. Let us stay awake, be wise, and be vigilant as we await your coming. May we constantly help others and teach them about you. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 25:1-13 (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: As I read this text I hope I am one of the wise bridesmaids and not a foolish one. I hope you are one of the wise too. I always try to be prepared and ready. I know I over pack when I go anywhere. Sometimes I have too much prepared for events and classes. I hope we all will be ready for the kingdom of heaven. Before that time comes though I believe we all need to help others so our loved ones and neighbors will not be the foolish bridesmaids in the story. That might even be a part of being prepared. It helps us stay awake since we do not know the hour or day when the kingdom of heaven will be at hand. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Dear God thank you for creating all of us. Thank you for the critters in the sky, in the sea, and on the land. Help us remember that what you have created is Good. Amen
Reading: Genesis 1:20-31 (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: God finished off creation by creating sea creatures, birds, land animals, and then finally humans. All the many different critters are awesome and amazing. Everything God created was Good!! That is something to remember. You were created good! There may be times when you do not like something about yourself – ie, hair, weight, height…, but God created you, and everything God creates is good. You are also supposed to take care of God’s creation, so you are supposed to take care of yourself. Another part of that is not tearing yourself down, or others down. We are to build each other up, and that includes yourself. Remember, you are loved by God who created you just the way you are, and God does not make junk. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Lord, our mouths are filled with praise as we bless you at all times. Amen!
Reading: Psalm 34: 1-10, 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: You can tell when a little one has something in their mouth they shouldn't. They just have that look. The parent right away asks, "What is in your mouth?" and the child has to open up and show it. It could be a marble (Danger!), a fuzzy from the floor (Yuck!) or a cookie snuck from the cookie jar (Yum but not before dinner.). It matters what is in there. What is in your mouth right now? Breakfast or an afternoon snack depending on when you read this? Nothing because this is your bedtime devotion and you just brushed your teeth? Your favorite beverage because all day we seem to have a latte, soda pop or water bottle in hand? (Stay hydrated! That matters, too.) Psalm 34 tells us bless the LORD at all times, his praise is continually in (our) mouths. (v. 1) What if praise were always in our mouths? Open up and show it. It matters what is in there. --Ruth Gates Prayer: God, help us to understand now what we can as we draw nearer to you step by step. Thank you for giving us glimpses along the way. Amen
Reading: I John 3: 1-3 (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: From the song, The Now and The Not Yet, by Amy Grant No longer what we were before, But not all that we will be. Tomorrow, when we lock the door, On all our disbelieving, And He appears (Holy, Holy) He'll draw us near and we'll be changed by His glory Wrapped up in his glory.... We will be like Him, for we shall see Him, As he is. But I'm caught in between The now and the not yet; Sometimes it feels like forever and ever, That I've been reaching to be all that I am, But I'm only a few steps nearer, Yet I'm nearer... I John 3: 1-3 is a bit confusing at first read through but this song came to my mind. This is how I make sense of these verses. There are things I don't know now but will someday; not yet what I want to be but getting nearer. It clarifies The Now and The Not Yet of I John 3: 1-3. I’m grateful for that glimpse. --Ruth Gates |
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