I went to visit my longtime friend Fran Meza the other day, and she had just happened upon a quote by her late husband, Herb. Herb fought in the South Pacific in WWII as a Marine and then spent the rest of his life working for peace. He was my pastor when I was called into the ministry. Near the end of his life, he wrote this, and I share it with you today:

“I have committed as much of myself as I could to as much of God as I have discovered along the way. But the thing that has sustained me has been a lesson I learned from the Spanish mystic Miguel Unamuno. ‘Most men,’ he wrote once, ‘are Don Juans about ideas. What we should do is find a large idea, marry her, and set up housekeeping with her.’ That is what happened to me. And I have come to the conclusion that, for those of us who love humanity, we must not be satisfied to serve the power of any one race or nation. We must insist on a larger idea, particularly in this nuclear age. For those of us who have seen that idea in Jesus Christ, we must remember that in the complexity of this modern world, only a tough-minded and resolute determination to think all things through in the light of the revelation of God’s purposes, and in the style and love of Jesus Christ, will see us through. For the world is too small for anything but love and too dangerous for anything but truth.”
— Rev. Dr. Herbert Meza

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for Jesus, who shows us your love and bids us to follow him. Meet us today along our journey as we seek to draw closer to you. Amen.

There is a story about three friends who went deep-sea fishing. Suddenly, a storm arose out of nowhere and threatened to sink the boat before the friends could return to shore. Two of the men began to pray for deliverance, but the other man just sat there, watching the growing waves. His companions begged him to pray, but he hesitated. He said that it had been years since he had prayed or been to church. They insisted, so he finally said this short prayer: “O Lord, I have not asked for anything for fifteen years. If you will deliver us safely from this storm, I promise you that I will not bother you again for another fifteen years!”

The man in that story obviously has a distorted idea about God! God is not like Santa Claus or some great cosmic gift giver. No, the scriptures tell us that God is more like a loving parent who wants to hear from us and who is not bothered by our prayers. And while it is true that God doesn’t always give us what we want, a life lived in communion and conversation with Him is a life that is grounded in deep peace.

May you know in the very deepest part of your being that God is reaching out to you with love. And may you live your life in such a way that you have time to listen and respond.

Let us pray:  Today, loving God, we ask you to speak deep into our lives. Help us to know beyond any doubt that you are with us, that you know us, that you care. We long to have your guidance and peace at the very center of our lives. Again this day, we turn over to you anything that may be separating us from you… We pray now also for those we know who might need an extra measure of your grace. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Many years ago, Jim Wallis wrote about a time when the South African government canceled a political rally against apartheid. Desmond Tutu led a worship service in St. George’s Cathedral, and soldiers and riot police came in carrying guns and bayonets, ready to close it down. Bishop Tutu began to speak of the evils of the apartheid system and about how the rulers and authorities that propped it up were doomed to fall. He pointed a finger at the authorities who were there to record his words: “You may be powerful, very powerful, but you are not God. God cannot be mocked. You have already lost.”

Then, in a moment of tremendous tension, the bishop seemed to soften. Coming out from behind the pulpit, he flashed his radiant smile and began to bounce up and down with glee. “Therefore, since you have already lost, we are inviting you to join the winning side.” The crowd roared, and the people began to dance.

Dancing in the face of guns and bayonets!

So often, the world around us seems to be falling apart. We see poverty and violence all around us. There are gangs and drugs in our streets. Prejudice and greed seem to prevail. But God is not mocked. Those who have faith know that Love ultimately wins.

I pray that you and I would continue to be instruments of that Love. And in doing so, may we always be found on the winning side.

Our prayer today is the much-beloved prayer of St. Francis. Let us pray:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Yesterday, we reflected on 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul reminds us that each of us is spiritually gifted. Today, we continue that theme.

When I hear the word spiritual, I think about some of my friends who don’t go to church. They often say, “I’m spiritual, but not religious.”

But what does that really mean?

If you listen closely to the word spirituality, you can hear the word Spirit. In the church, we talk about the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of God.

I think what many of my friends are acknowledging is that there is a power at work in the world beyond us—a Mystery that can’t be fully explained. And deep down, there is something within them that longs to connect with that deeper reality.

In Christianity, we don’t just speak of a power beyond us—we speak of a power within us. Paul tells us that this power—God’s Spirit—is at work, uniquely gifting each of us for a purpose: to be used for the good of others.

Once again, I invite you to reflect: In what way are you gifted? And, more importantly, How are you using the gifts God has given you?

Let us pray:  We thank You, O God, for Your Spirit at work within us. I pray for those who need You near today. We ask for healing, for peace, and for Your grace. And even as we are being healed, empower us to be instruments of Your love. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today’s message was written by my friend Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

Years ago, on one of the Monday night football telecasts, the sportscasters were discussing the great running backs of professional football history. When they came to the late Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, they pointed out that he was the all-time leading ground gainer in the National Football League. Then Frank Gifford said, “What a runner! Do you realize that all together, Walter Payton gained more than nine miles rushing in his career? Just imagine that, more than nine miles!” To which to other sportscaster, Dan Dierdorff responded, “And to think that every 4.6 yards of the way, someone was knocking him down!” 

Well, it happens not just in football. It’s true also in life. We do get knocked down a lot. The truth is that every now and then life will break our hearts! And the question is, how do we respond to that? How do we handle the defeats, the problems, the knock-downs, the pain, and endangering ourselves too much? We should follow the model of these men, who carried their friend to the feet of Jesus without accepting any alternatives. 

God can do amazing things. We know this, and we trust in it. And until there is no hope left, we should continue to commend those whom we love into God’s care. We should continue to await a miracle. God loves you, and God loves those whom you love. 

Prayer: Holy God, today I pray for my friends. I am worried about them, and I ask that you be with them. I ask that you bring healing to the damaging situation in their lives. I pray for you to help them, and I ask that you help me to stay with them, and care for them. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.