While You Are On the Way…
Joe Albright

While You Are On the Way…

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My friend, Dwayne Geib, once pointed out to me that when Jesus sends out his disciples, he says to them, “As you Go…” preach and heal. He doesn’t send them to a specific city – he just says as you go, or on your way – preach and heal. Dwayne’s insight is that we are not always given a specific task to do or a special place to go. But it is as we go – while we are on our way through life that our ministry happens – while we are still growing in faith, while we are at a desk at work, or in class at school, on the golf course or at Starbucks.

Another friend, Vicki Fry, once told me about a Sunday school teacher that she used to have. Her teacher shared a prayer that she prayed every morning when she woke up: “Lord, make me a blessing to someone today.”  At first, that sounds so simple. But think about it for a minute. What if we made that our prayer every morning? What if we looked for ways – every day – to let God work through us to bring someone else a blessing?

While you are on your way, as you go through life – each day… find a way to be a blessing.

Let us pray. Healing God, make me a blessing to someone this day. Amen.

How very Good and Pleasant it Is…
Joe Albright

How very Good and Pleasant it Is…

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Psalm 133 reads: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

Living with five teenage girls, I can attest to just how true that is! And many times over the years when my girls have started to pick at one another or fight between themselves, I’ve quoted the first part of this Psalm – changed just slightly: How very good and pleasant it is when sisters live together in unity!

But this Psalm is getting at something larger than just the immediate family. It is part of a collection called the Psalms of Ascent, which were chanted or sung by groups of people while making an annual pilgrimage up to the temple in Jerusalem. These psalms make use of family imagery to speak about the larger community of faith.

It is a short Psalm, and if you read it in its entirety, it is beautiful. This theme of unity is tied together with two smilies.

First, the Psalmist says, this unity, it is like… precious oil. In biblical days, olive oil was a sign of hospitality and joy. You would anoint a guest with oil when they came to visit. And think about Psalm 23 – Lord… You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows… This same oil was also used to consecrate kings and priests.

Second, the Psalmist says, this unity, it is like the dew descending on the mountains of Zion. Of course, in a very dry, dusty middle eastern culture, dew was life-giving and life-sustaining.

The message is clear: when God’s people live together in unity, it is a precious, joyful, even sacred – holy thing. It is like oil that consecrates. It is life-sustaining like dew. And it is there – in that unity – that the Lord has promised to bless.

As I think about this Psalm today, I can’t imagine a more needed time than now – to hear its message. As a nation, we are more divided, more polarized than ever. And these divides even cut across our churches. In response to God’s desire for us, I wonder what you and I might do to help foster unity, and in doing so, experience God’s blessing more fully.

Let us pray:  We remember, O God, your desire for us to love our neighbor and to live as one. Grant us your grace that we might listen deeply to those who see the world differently. Even as we seek to express our views, help us to show humility, build trust, and thereby witness to your love and grace. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Am with You
Joe Albright

I Am with You

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It’s striking that four times in the first chapter of the book of Joshua, Joshua is told to be strong and courageous. Four times! Of course, God knew that tough times were coming, and God knew what it would take to get through it! Be strong and courageous!

However, God doesn’t leave it all to Joshua’s self-reliance. God also promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you!”

In life, it is one thing to muster our courage, to dig deep and rely on inner resources. That is important, and often we can go far on our own strength. But at some point most of us run up against the limits our humanity. We run up against the limits of our own ability to control or heal or mend a situation. If you have ever lost someone close to you, or faced the injustice of cancer, then you know that we have our limits. It is in the midst of these times we must also hold onto God’s promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Jesus last words in the Gospel of Matthew are, “Remember I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Our prayer today is attributed to St. Benedict who lived in the early 6th century. Let us pray: O gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Roger Kunkel

God’s Management

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“Today’s message was written by my friend, Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.” -Joe

We often see a sign over stores reading “under new management.” Friend of Dial Hope, when God takes over the management of our lives we may still blunder, and we may still present the same old face to the world, but there is hope of a new beat, a new spirit, a new honesty, a new reality. Wherever we are on our spiritual journey, may we put our lives “under new management – God’s management.” And remember, God has blessed us so we may be a blessing to others. Now make this day a masterpiece… With God’s help.

Let us pray: “Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my will and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.” Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Joe Albright

These Words

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In the book of Deuteronomy, after laying out a beautiful way of life, God instructs us, “You shall write these words of mine in your heart and soul and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as emblem on your forehead… Write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates…”

When I lived in Jamaica, I noticed that some people had used bright colors to paint verses of scripture – often one of the Psalms – over the gates to their fences and over the entry ways to their homes.

It is true that this passage can be taken literally. On special occasions, some people do wear little boxes containing scripture strapped to their wrists or foreheads. They are called phylacteries. But, this passage from Deuteronomy may also be interpreted metaphorically.

We bind the Word of God on our foreheads when we read and study scripture. We bind it on our hearts when we meditate on it; on our hands when we act upon it. And, we bind it on our doorposts when we make our homes places where God is worshipped and served. Friend of Dial Hope, this scripture is my prayer for you today.

Let us pray: Loving and gracious God, we want to put you at the heart and center of our lives. We admit that our days are often busy and full, and it is easy to lose sight of what’s important, what is central, what is meaningful and fulfilling. Help us find ways to remember you as we travel through our week. Fill us with your grace and empower us to take hold of the life that is truly life. Amen.

Joe Albright

Have Faith in God

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There is a story about a little boy riding home from church one Sunday. He was so proud of the card he had made which had a picture and a caption that read, “Have faith in God.” Then, to his dismay the card slipped from his hand and fluttered out the window. “Stop the car,” he cried. “I’ve lost my faith in God!”

The dad turned around and stopped the car and the boy got out to retrieve his lost card. The dad smiled and made a comment about the innocence of youth. But the perceptive mom observed, “All of us would be better off if we were that concerned about our faith in God.”

It’s true. Which leads me to ask the question, what nourishes your faith in God? Is it perhaps walking outdoors in God’s creation, spending time with your children or a friend? Is it quiet time in study or prayer or worship? May you be concerned enough about your faith in God, that you do whatever it takes to nourish it – regularly.

Our prayer today is attributed to St. Benedict of Nursia – written sometime around 500 a.d. Let us pray: O gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Joe Albright

Random and Intentional Acts of Kindness

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In 1941, Sofia Banya, a poor Polish farm woman, found that she did not have enough money to purchase food for her family at the village store. The Jewish shopkeeper, Israel Rubinek, told her to take the food and repay him when she could. This unplanned act of kindness was unheard of in war torn Poland, and Sofia Banya never forgot it.

Two years later, the Nazis rounded up Jewish people in Poland and sent them to concentration camps. Fearing for the life of the shopkeeper Israel Rubbing, Sofia Banya risked her life by hiding Rubinek and his wife in her home for two and a half years.

Decades later, the Rubineks reunited with the woman who sheltered them from the Nazis. The granddaughter of the Rubineks said, “That one act of kindness that my grandfather did to Sofia Banya, affected everything. His small act gave birth to immeasurable love in the heart of Mrs. Banya. She was a poor Polish farmer, terrified for her life, yet she took care of my grandparents, whom she barely knew.”

We never know how a small act of kindness can have ripple effects.

You may have seen the bumper sticker, “Practice Random Acts of Kindness…” I once heard a pastor say that we should also practice “intentional acts of kindness.” Both can produce tremendous ripple effects. This week, may you find a way to practice one of each.

Let us pray: God of Hope, you have called us to be instruments of your love and grace. This week, show us at least one way we can make a difference in your name. Keep our eyes and hearts open we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Roger Kunkel

You Are Somebody!

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“Today’s message was written by my friend, Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.” -Joe

To the multitude thronging Jesus, the woman who touched his clothes was a nobody. But, to Jesus she was a person, someone of value. He stopped, looked around, and said, “Somebody has touched me.” Christ individualized the woman’s touch and brought healing to her body.

This is not just a Bible story – something that happened 2,000 years ago. God’s word is in the now. It is as fresh and up to date as the news. Jesus is as real now as he was then. God looks upon you and your needs with the most personal concern, recognizing you as his creation.

God never made anybody to be a nobody. He made everybody to be a somebody. It is humankind who depersonalizes you, who looks upon you as a cog in a machine, a number, a part of the great mass of humanity. Jesus knows what you are going through and he cares. You too can reach out with your faith and receive a great touch of new life into your being. To God, you are a unique and special individual of value. You are somebody! You are a child of God. And remember, God loves you. God loves you.

Let us pray: God of grace and glory, we acknowledge that no one is an island unto themselves. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers… as a human family we are inter-related. Sometimes we forget that Christ died for each of us – and that all his children are of infinite worth. Thank you, Lord, for your wrap-around love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Joe Albright

One Step at a Time

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Modern archeologists uncovered something very peculiar about the ancient Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Apparently, the southern set of stairs – where pilgrims would ascend to the temple were an engineering mess! The rise and stretch of the steps varied tremendously – making the climb somewhat treacherous. Some concluded that the design engineers were incompetent. However, the ancient rabbis, had a different take. They believed that original architects knew exactly what they were doing. They knew that to ascend the mount of the Lord in haste or without thought would be a mistake. Instead, a person should approach the Temple as they would approach God, cautiously and with measured steps.

In his commentary in the Etz Hayim Torah, Harold Kushner writes, “We ascend toward God one step at a time, making one small change in our lives and stabilizing it before we take another step. Sometimes we slip and miss a step, falling back, but we recover and keep climbing. Most people do not leap toward God in one great burst of enthusiasm.”

Wherever you are on your journey of faith, I pray that you would keep drawing closer to God. You do not need to move in hurriedly or with any stress or worry. But instead, thoughtfully, intentionally, keep putting one foot in front of the other. And as you do, may you find the words of scripture true: “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Let us pray: Loving God, we draw near to you even now – trusting that you are good and merciful and loving. Show us your ways and teach us your paths, that we might receive your guidance and experience your healing love. Amen.

Joe Albright

Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

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The Apostle Paul once wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Very rarely in scripture does Paul, or anyone else for that matter, say this clearly: “This is God’s will for you…” But here it is. And it’s very simple – very spelled out. But by no means easy.

To rejoice is to take delight in, find pleasure in, revel in – relish, savor. In fact, Paul wrote this letter in Greek – and the word he used is the word for rejoice – is the word chara. Have joy. Well, chara comes from the root word Charis – which means gift.

If joy comes from charis – gift, then to rejoice is to be aware of gift: gift of life, gift of breath, gift of forgiveness, gift of reconciliation, gift of being able to get up in the morning; gift of the summer sunshine on my back. Gift.

To rejoice is to be aware that all of life is a gift. This moment is a gift. These people are a gift. The ability to communicate is a gift. My family, these friends – all gifts.

Now if we look at this a little closer we see that rejoice, pray, give thanks are integrally linked as rejoicing and giving thanks are prayers in and of themselves. It is really an outlook on life that Paul’s talking about… And it is an outlook that implies the need to stop and notice – to look around…

When I was writing this, I had to pause for just a moment – and take this advice myself. I was outside on my back porch and I noticed the birds singing, the cicada chirping, the morning sunlight streaming through the trees. By stopping and noticing… and delighting in it – I felt an almost immediate upwelling of joy.

I leave you with the same challenge I offered earlier this month. As you go throughout each day this week, I invite you to intentionally pause momentarily from time to time – find something to appreciate. Allow a full 15 seconds for it to fully sink in. Delight in. Let it soak in, and give thanks.

Let us pray: Continue to open our eyes, O God, to the many gifts that surround us on every side. As we notice open too our hearts, that we would find ways to respond. In Christ’s name. Amen.