Staff Devotionals
BlueTreeResources provides a series of staff devotionals devoted to the unique spiritual needs of those who spend their summer days with children and youth.
Provide your summer staff members with the resources they need to strengthen their faith and deepen their own spiritual growth.
The Devotional includes a scripture reading, reflection and prayer for each day of eight weeks of camp. You buy the CD or download and make as many copies as you need for your staff. The staff devotional is formatted in both landscape and portrait so you can choose whatever best suits your needs.
BlueTreeResources Staff Devotional is copyrighted material and the purchasing camp is given permission to make as many copies as needed within one camp for use by a camp staff. Your respect for this policy is expected and appreciated.
Reflections on Creation
Formerly 2008 Staff Devotional
We are told in Genesis that God created out of nothing and called it good. Each week of this staff devotional begins with a passage from the Genesis One creation account and then reflects through the week on different elements of the creation: Creatures, Trees,
Wind, Water, Mountains, Growing Things, Sky and Humanity. Photographs of the Holy Land decorate weekly devotions. The devotions encourage staff to slow down and notice the wonders of God's creation around them as they reflect on passages from scripture.
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Day One
Read: Genesis 1:1-5
Since the creation is now filled with so much beauty and
amazing stuff, it is hard to imagine what nothing would be like. Close
your eyes and try to imagine void and empty. What would that be
like? While it is impossible to imagine nothingness, it is not hard to
imagine the sound of the wind. Its sound is known to us as both light
breeze and fierce hurricane. Stop for a moment, and listen for the
sound of the wind around you. The wind of God came sweeping
across the void emptiness and suddenly there was something — light
and dark and water. Out of nothing, God created.
Today your campers will arrive. They will sweep like a great wind
into the quiet of the camp and fill it with life and energy, joy and
tears, laughter and great emotion. And in the midst of these
campers will be God.
As you prepare for their coming, stop and feel the movement of
God around you. Watch for it in the movement of the trees; listen for
it on the playing fields; find it in the community of camp staff. Know
that just as God moved over the void and darkness to bring the
created order, the power of God will uphold you today and during
the week ahead like a mighty wind.
Prayer: Gracious One, uphold me and blow into me your great spirit.
Help me to lean into you for my strength. Amen.
Day Two
Read: Genesis 2:4b-7
In the first Genesis account of creation, the breath of God was like a
great wind that blew over all of creation. In the second Genesis account
of creation, the breath of God was a small puff to fill the human with a
spirit and with life. In English, breath and wind and spirit are all different
words. However, for the ancient Hebrews breath, wind and spirit were
the same word. For them the breath, the wind, the spirit of God was a
single life force blown over the creation and blown into each of us.
Stop for a moment and pay attention to your breath as it flows in and
out of your body. Imagine pulling the spirit of God into you with each
breath. Breathe out your fear and anxieties and worry. They are
leftovers you don't need.
Look around you at the natural beauty of your camp. Look at the
faces of your campers. Breathe deep. Remember, it is the same Creator
that gave life to the creation and to the campers and to you. Remember
that the power of God's spirit is always just a breath away. Relax and
breathe as you go through today.
Prayer: Creator God, remind me to just stop and breathe today when I
need your love and grace within me. Amen.
Growing in Your Faith
Formerly 2007 Staff Devotional
The faith of staff is deepened as they are invited to ponder and participate in devotional practices. The weekly devotions focus on familiar themes: Be Still, Community, Faith, Creation, God's Care, God's Gifts, Good News and Leadership. The devotions encourage staff to be aware of these themes and the insights they offer as they move through the week with campers from welcome to goodbye. Your staff will grow in their faith through the summer as they engage in these daily devotions.
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Day One
Read: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
The first sign of the storm was black clouds at the far end of the lake. By the time Bob had signaled to all the boats and pointed us toward the shore, the storm was upon us. The rain fell in buckets, lightening cut across the sky, and the thunder's loud booms took our breath away. The shore seemed miles away. Waves rocked the canoes, threatening to over turn them. Frigid water filled the boats and engulfed our feet. Finally, our hard work was rewarded and we pulled the slim boats up on land, rushing to shelter under deep bushes.
When the rain stopped, we looked around. None of canoes capsized; no food was lost and most amazing, the sleeping bags were still dry. Soon there was a fire going and water bubbling on the grate for cocoa. When we sang the Doxology that night the words had new meaning for me- "Praise God above the heavenly hosts".
What storms have threatened you? Perhaps they also took place in a canoe on a summer afternoon. Maybe they were caused by the death of a friend, the move to a new city and school, the divorce of parents, or the betrayal of someone you trusted. Whatever the storms that threaten you, you can be assured that God is - "above the heavenly host" stilling the storm and bringing peace.
God of grace, thank you for all the times of storm when your great hand of mercy and might have kept me safe. Amen.
Day Two
Read: Mark 4:35-41
It was a terrible day. There was too much work to do, too many interruptions, too many demands, too many needs, too many emergencies. The chaos swirled all around me. My brain felt like mush and my body yelled out for relief. I was afraid I would drown, that the whole world would come crashing down on me. Help! Would the day ever be over?
"Be still!"
I cried out to God. "There is too much to do to be still. How can I ever be still in the midst of this storm? What will happen if I don't turn in that report or return that email or plan for that meeting?" And in the midst of the storm, "Be still" came again. I stopped, closed my door, put my feet up on my desk, and breathed - in and out - slowly. The wind stopped blowing and the waves calmed.
The command, "Be still" is not just for the wind and waves, it is also for us in those times we believe we will be overcome by the demands of today's madness. Be still, breathe, and know that God is God, and that you will not drown.
God of grace, open my frantic heart of the words of your power and authority. Remind me that I will not drown. Amen.
BlueTreeResources Staff Devotional is copyrighted material and the purchasing camp is given permission to make as many copies as needed within one camp for use by a camp staff during the summer of purchase. Your respect for this policy is expected and appreciated.