The Light Shines in the Darkness…
Joe Albright

The Light Shines in the Darkness…

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I recently read about a missionary named Jeffery Ginn and his family who were serving in Cali, Colombia. One morning Jeffrey entered his office to find that a map of the world that he had taped to the wall had fallen during the night. A corner of the map had remained taped to the wall as the rest fell. Jeffrey took the torn piece from the wall and knelt to repair the map. At that moment his three-year-old daughter came in. She sat down on the floor and watched her father intently. Jeffrey’s wife, noticing that their daughter had grown quiet, called, “Anna, what are you doing?” Their daughter replied, matter-of-factly, “We’re fixin’ the world, Mama! We’re fixin’ the world!”

That’s why Jesus came into the world. To fix it; to save it; to put it back together; and to call out followers who would join him in that mission.

So often when we look at the world around us there is great pain and suffering, greed and selfishness. But at the same time, if we look closely, we will notice there is also great beauty, healing and hope. If we look closely, we will notice people giving very generously; retired grandfathers tutoring inner city kids; moms banging nails for Habitat; neighbors watching children for single mothers; young folks advocating for peace and justice. Our list could go on and on.

The Gospel of John reassures us, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.”

May God give us eyes to see, and hearts to respond.

Let us pray: Give us eyes to see your light, O God, that we would abound in hope. And grant us hearts to feel your love, that that gift would be ours to share. Amen.

Three Wishes
Roger Kunkel

Three Wishes

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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 sat down beside him. They entered into conversation. They talked about the gorgeous weather, sports, their families. Finally, the older man said, “Johnny, I want to ask you a question. If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?” Johnny thought for a moment and then said, “First, I would wish for peace and happiness in the world. Second, I would wish everybody would join a church. And third, I would wish that my best friend Billy, who is blind, would be able to see. That’s what I would wish for.”

The older man seemed amazed by little Johnny’s answer, and with a look of perplexity he said goodbye and walked away. Johnny didn’t understand why the man was confused by the answer. He sat there for a moment, and then picked up his crutches and hobbled home! Now you know where Johnny got that gracious, loving spirit, don’t you? He got it from Jesus. He got it from the one who went to the cross for you and me. On the cross, God showed us how much he loved us and how much he wants us to love one another. Faith, hope, love – that’s what the cross is about. Whether you are receiving chemotherapy, radiation, facing the loss of a loved one, whether you are calling from Baghdad, whether you are depressed and lonely, whether you are a teenager or a child, remember – God loves you! And you are blessed to be a blessing to others.

Let us pray: Loving God, who has given us a mentor and example of living in Jesus, we pray that you will give us the courage and will to see more clearly, love more dearly, and follow more nearly the Christ, day by day. Today, may we reflect the image and spirit Jesus who was called “The one for others” because he sought to serve rather than be served. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Job of Building Bridges
Joe Albright

The Job of Building Bridges

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There is a story about two unmarried sisters who had such a bitter fight that they stopped speaking to each other. Unable or unwilling to leave their small home, they continued to use the same rooms and sleep in the same bedroom. A chalk line divided the sleeping area into two halves. In fact, the chalk line divided rooms so that both sisters could come and go and get her own meals without trespassing on their sister’s space. In the black of night, each could hear the breathing and snoring of the other. For years they coexisted in silence. Neither was willing to take the first step to reconciliation.

Then one night one sister got up to go to the bathroom and fell, breaking her hip. The other sister heard the fall and scream and woke up. She jumped out of bed crossed the chalk line and came to her sister’s side. After a few typical sister jabs at why she would do such a foolish thing as trip on her own feet, the sister held her foe until the paramedics came and carried her to the hospital. In those moments of darkness, the truth and power of love revealed itself.

The late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once told this story with these words. “The legal system can force open doors, and sometimes even knock down walls, but it cannot build bridges. That job belongs to you and me.”

Let us pray: Gracious God, we thank you for your unconditional love and forgiveness of us. Help us to share those same gifts with the people around us – friends, family, neighbors. May we be the first to build bridges – the first offer forgiveness, and the first to seek reconciliation – for we remember that life is short, and we don’t have forever. We ask all of this in the name of Christ. Amen.

Life Is a Gift
Joe Albright

Life Is a Gift

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As a pastor I have the privilege of being with people at the end of their lives. This is always a reminder to me that life is short and that our time here is just a breath. Sometimes near the end of life, people will want to talk about what’s been most important in their lives. It’s interesting, I’ve never heard anyone say, “I wish I had spent more time at the office,” or, “I wish I had earned more money,” or, “I wish we could have had that bigger house.”” In the end, those things count for very little.

What I do hear are things like: “I wish I’d spent more time at home.” “I wish I had told her I loved her.” “I’m so thankful I had those last six months with him – what a gift!” “I’m so thankful I finally worked things out with my son.”

I have to believe that’s why the Psalmist prayed, “Lord, teach me to number my days…” Because when I remember that I have a limited time on this earth and that I – like everything else – will one day be here no more, it definitely raises some deep questions: If my life ended tomorrow, would my wife know how much I love her? Would my children? What would people say about what kind of person I am, today? Am I building the kind of life that makes a difference?

Today may we pray with the Psalmist, “Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Let us pray: Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. We remember today that we are here only for a brief moment. Empower us, Loving God, to make the most of each moment of every day, to be present, to love deeply and to live closely with you. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Finding Peace
Joe Albright

Finding Peace

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I was talking to some of my friends not long ago about how busy we are these days and we got onto the subject of multi-tasking. The conversation turned to some of the things they see their kids do: things like scrolling through Instagram while they’re watching tv and messaging a group of friends all at the same time. Then we got to talking about some of things we see adults doing – like driving down the road while shaving. One of my friends said he actually saw someone driving down the road, eating a bowl of cereal on his way to work – cereal bowl balanced on the steering wheel!

How productive do we actually need to be?

C.S. Lewis wrote, “The future is something which every one of us reaches at the same rate of 60 minutes an hour.” It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you do. We have a choice. We can continue to try and balance more and more – and find ourselves racing through life, or we can work on our ability to say “no.”

Many people today feel distant from God – spiritually dry. But, when our hands are so full and our minds so preoccupied, is it any wonder?

May you pause today and consider: What truly gives your life meaning and joy? What might you let go of, to get more meaning and joy?

Let us pray: God here we are – your children – your family. We know that you have given us a path that leads to peace and wholeness. Sometimes it feels like we are stumbling in the dark looking for that path. Sometimes we’re too distracted to care. Lord, we love you. We need your grace in our lives… So, we ask you to help us set priorities that reflect our deepest need. Give us new energy, new passion, new faithfulness – that our lives would be whole and open to you. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Remember
Joe Albright

Remember

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In the gospel of Luke, when the women come to the empty tomb, an angel meets them and tells them, “He is not here. He has risen! Remember what he told you….” Remember.

Here they were at early dawn, these faithful women. All of their hopes and dreams seemed to have been dashed with the death of Jesus. Everything they knew to be true and right with the world had been crushed, and the angel says, “Remember…”

It’s amazing how often this command appears in scripture. Often when God’s people are at a point of crisis, they are told to remember: remember the covenant, remember God’s love, remember who you are, remember where you’ve been, remember how God has acted to save you in the past.

I think that’s because if we stop remembering, we may forget that there is hope.

Today, on this new year’s day, I invite you to remember… Remember where you have seen God’s hand at work in the past. Remember when you experienced grace and love. Remember those times God carried you or rescued you. Remember…

Let us pray: Loving God, you have carried us through the storm before, you made a way through the wilderness, you have been there when we have needed you most. As we sit on the edge of this new year, remind us of those times, that we might trust you more fully, even now; through Jesus Christ. Amen.