It’s interesting, many years ago, our local news station surveyed New Year’s Resolutions. They found that 71% of men claimed to have kept their resolutions over the previous year – while only 57% of women claimed the same thing. That made me think: either, men have more will power or women are more honest! Most likely the latter!

I thought it was also interesting the number one resolution is to lose a few pounds – but right behind it at number two is to get closer to God.

There is something about the New Year  – anything that marks the passing of time usually causes us to stop and reflect on our lives – where we’ve been and where we’re going. It reminds us that we are ever at a crossroads. Our decisions in the past have shaped where we are now. And the decisions we make now are shaping our lives for the future.

Whether or not you choose to make any resolutions, I hope you will pause to reflect on your life. Think about what’s really important. Imagine again how you want your life to look. Ask God to give you honest insight, strength, and hope.

The prophet Jeremiah once wrote (Jeremiah 6:16):
“Stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Let us pray: Loving God, sometimes we seem to wander aimlessly, and we so easily lose our way. We want you to be at the heart and center of our lives. We are desperate for your guidance and for your peace, and for a life filled with meaning and hope. Show us again where the good way lies, and empower us to walk in it. We ask in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastor James Moore, once wrote a book entitled “You Can Grow Bitter or You Can Grow Better”. He wrote that he got the idea for the title from a young woman who once came to him in a most tragic moment in her life. She had tears in her eyes and her knuckles were white as she twisted a handkerchief. She had just received word that her twenty-six-year-old husband had been killed in a farming accident, leaving her alone with three pre-school age children. One moment he was alive and vibrant, the next moment gone. “I don’t know how I am going to be able to get along without him,” she sobbed. “But I do know one thing. I can either get bitter or I can get better.”

Moore went on to write that one way that we can get better rather than bitter is to cultivate a heart of gratitude. That is easier said than done after facing a life-altering tragedy.  But there are few other options.

My prayer is that you and I would begin even now counting our blessings. May we develop hearts that are full to overflowing with thanksgiving. And, may that gratitude ever protect us from bitterness or hard hearts.

Let us pray: Holy God, your blessings fall like rain around us on every side. Give us eyes to see, hearts to receive, and words to give thanks. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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 tomorrow?” “Please,” said the dog owner anxiously. Please let me bring her now.” “All right,” said the vet. “Bring her right now.” When the dog arrived, the vet made a brief examination, then said to the man, “Do you have any children?” “Good heavens,” the man replied, “is it contagious?” “No,” said the vet laughing. “It’s bubble gum.”

Friend of Dial Hope, the joy of Christmas is contagious, but not primarily because of our gifts of dolls, electronic games, bikes, scooters, pretty dresses, ties, candy, cookies, and bubble gum. The joy of Christmas is contagious because of the spirit, the Christ spirit behind the gifts. The glory of Christmas is that God became one of us to tell us that He loves us … yes loves us unconditionally. And those who believe this make this spirit of giving contagious.

Let us pray: God of love, we thank you that you cared enough to send us your very best, your son Jesus Christ. We give you humble thanks for the difference he makes in our lives. Help us now to make a difference in the lives of others and to make this day a masterpiece. Spread your mantel of grace and love over the men and women serving our country in faraway places. Be with the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. We pray for peace … that peace will come and there will be war no more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Often when people tell me, “Oh I don’t believe in God,” I’ll respond, “Tell me about this god you don’t believe in.” And most often it is a tyrant god; a god who is judgmental; a god who loves some and hates others; a god who is petty about particular behaviors. And most often, my response is, “I don’t believe in that god either.  That’s not the God I know in Jesus.”

The scriptures tell us that Jesus came as a light to the nations.  He was God’s Christmas Gift to us. He comes bringing light, hope, and peace.  He showed us God’s unconditional love. He blesses us – and he sends us out to be a blessing in his name.

My prayer for each of you this Christmas Day is that you would know God’s unconditional love for you in the very center of your being. May the peace of Christ fill you with joy and hope. And, may his light shine through you.

Merry Christmas my friends!

Let us pray: Holy God, on this beautiful Christmas day, we remember that you loved the world so much that you gave your only Son for us. In that, we rejoice! May this love we have received, calm our anxiety over the future, worry over the past, and any distress we feel in the moment. Renew our lives by your presence that we would carry your Christmas love into the world – and serve as instruments of your hope and peace. We pray today in the name of the Prince of Peace; Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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

Letters play a major role in our lives: love letters, letters of encouragement, critical letters, business letters, newsy Christmas letters. Letters give people a lift or a letdown. Letters may also bring a smile, even when written in all seriousness. I read of the wife and daughters of the brand new pastor who sat in the same pew each Sunday with a dignified elderly couple. After several weeks of exchanging nods and smiles but with no introductions, the pastor’s wife received this note from the elderly lady:

“My dear, I’ve enjoyed worshiping with you and your precious children. And, I
want you to know I’ve been praying a special prayer that the father of these
lovely children will agree to come to church with you some Sunday.”

The New Testament letters of Paul, Peter, and John, serve as the inspired means through which we may discover who God is, what he has done for us through his Son, and how the new life in Christ is to be lived. These love letters from God tell us of a love from which nothing can ever separate us. During this Advent/Christmas season, I propose that you write a letter to God. In other words, write God a “thank you” letter. Let your letter be motivated by what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 8:9:

“Do you remember the generosity of Jesus Christ, the Lord of us all? He was rich
beyond our telling, yet he became poor for our sakes so that his poverty might
make you rich.”

Let us pray: Thank you God for our lives, for your love, for our families, for your church, for our friends, and for your Son, our living and risen Lord. We pray in his name. Amen.