During the season of Advent, even as we anticipate the birth of Christ we also await his return. We long for the promises of the prophets and of Christ himself that there will be final redemption – a day when people will live at peace with one another; and a day when: God will wipe […]
There is an old Hi and Luis comic that shows the little girl Trixie looking out her window. She is waving to an elderly gentleman and thinks to herself, “There’s old Mr. Wavering. He always waves and smiles!” Then, in the next frame, she thinks, “I guess by the time you get to be that […]
There is a great story in the book of 2 Kings (chapter 5) in which Naaman, a commander of an enemy army gets leprosy. He hears that there is a prophet named Elisha in Israel who may be able to heal him. In all humility, Naaman seeks out the prophet and asks for help. I […]
Today, I am deeply grateful for those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. Hope reaches others because of you. Thank you! Not too long ago, someone shared with me prayers children had written to God. Some of them made me laugh out loud. Others carry an insightful edge. […]
Today I am deeply grateful for the Dial Hope Board of Directors and for all who give so generously of their time behind the scenes to make Dial Hope a reality. John Wesley was a powerful preacher who had a huge influence on the churches of England and America. However, in his day, there was […]
The Prophet Isaiah once prayed (64:1-8), “You are the Potter, and we are the clay…” There is a book that I have found to be deeply moving, called, The Holy Longing, written by a priest named Ronald Rolheiser. The premise of the book is that there is within each of us an unquenchable fire. There […]
This passage from Isaiah is often read near the beginning of Advent. It brings us back to the time before Christ when the community of faith first began to look for signs of a coming messiah… In chapter 64, verse 1, the prophet begins with this cry: “O that you would tear open the heavens […]
A word of thanks is extended to all who so graciously support the Dial Hope ministry. Hope happens because of you. I wonder what comes to mind when you hear the word church. For many people, the church is a building, for others, a pastor. For others still, church may have negative connotations, they think […]
In an article in Sojourners Magazine entitled, “Rising from the Ashes,” a priest in San Salvador tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Juanito whom he met in an orphanage not long after civil war wracked that country. A few years earlier, the boy had been rescued after his entire family was killed in […]
Yesterday I reflected on the power of giving. I continue that theme today as I think about a missionary we support, Bob Gamble, who is pouring out his life for street children in the Ukraine. Even with the war, even with his life in danger, something compels him… I think about my friend, Pastor Lavern […]
