“God so loved the world that he gave…” begins the most familiar statement in Scripture. Giving is how love expresses itself. Giving is to love what eating is to hunger. The test of love is that it gives even when there is no expectation of a return. Ann Lamott wrote of an eight-year-old boy who […]
Today I want to suggest an exciting idea – I want you to try giving yourself away. I once knew a man who suffered a nervous breakdown, during which he sat for months in gloom and mental darkness. One day I suggested he try to turn off his dark, depressing thoughts by practicing thanksgiving. I […]
Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. One of my favorite baseball stories is about three umpires who were discussing how they did their jobs, especially when they were working behind the plate, calling balls and strikes. The first umpire said, “Some of ’em are balls; some of ’em […]
Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. The famous artist Rembrandt did a fascinating thing in one of his paintings. Instead of painting a halo over the head of Jesus, in one work of art, he painted a halo around his hands. Not over his head, but around […]
Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. It is no secret that I have a passion for encouraging people to base their life on gratitude. Paul put it like this, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18a). Let me point out that Paul didn’t say to give thanks […]
Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. One of the greatest compliments a person can give is to say, “l need you!” The words melt our hearts and impel us to want to help. We all need to feel needed. A crucial part of friendship is to be able […]
Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. Have you ever noticed how every profession creates its own code words? For example, in a hospital when the words “code blue” are announced, all medical personnel are thrown quickly into action. Musicians have code words like “a cappella,” “pianissimo,” or […]
Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. Ingratitude is a serious shortcoming. I agree with Martin Luther that “unthankfulness is theft.” In his Inferno, Dante placed in the center of his hell not those guilty of fleshy sins, but morose, gloomy, ungrateful men and women. Shakespeare wrote in “As You […]
Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. Some years ago, a ten-year-old boy named Johnny was sitting alone on a park bench one afternoon. It was a beautiful spring day and Johnny was watching some other kids play baseball. An older man happened by, saw Johnny sitting there, and […]
Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. The owner of a big, shaggy dog called the local veterinarian on Christmas morning. “It’s my dog, Molly,” he said. “There is a large swelling at the corner of her mouth.” “But it’s Christmas morning,” the veterinarian replied. “Can’t it wait until […]
