In the Gardiner Museum in Boston, there is a painting by Rembrandt entitled “The Storm on the Sea of Galilee.” It is Rembrandt’s interpretation of the story that we find in the gospel of Mark (chapter 4:35-41). The painting shows panic etched on the faces of the disciples as their small boat is being lifted up on a high wave. Two of the disciples are attempting to wake Jesus who is sleeping in the stern of the boat.

It is a beautiful painting. However, if you look closely, you will find that there is something that is not quite right. There are too many people in the picture. There should only be thirteen (twelve disciples and Jesus). But if you count them, there are fourteen. One of the men in the boat is Rembrandt himself. He has painted himself into the picture! He placed himself in the same boat.

Maybe you feel as though you have been in that boat too. Maybe you know what it feels like to have the wind howling and the waves crashing around you…When the pressure of the job is just overwhelming, when the marriage is struggling – or when the bills are piling up, or the worry and stress of taking care of a loved one are crushing.

I think we have all had those moments.

In the story in Mark, Jesus calms the storm. He says to the wind, “Peace. Be still.” And there is dead calm. Then he turns to the disciples and he asks, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

If you feel as though you are in the midst of the storm today, know that you are not alone. There is One who stands with you… There is One who has a claim on your life. There is One who has the power to calm the storms. Trust in him.

Let us pray: O God, in the midst of the storms, calm our fears and help us to keep the faith. May we hear your voice again today, “Peace. Be Still.” Amen.

Over the course of the year, the Stewardship Mission Team at our church has been encouraging us to think about stewardship from a wide variety of perspectives. We’ve been reflecting on how we might be better stewards or caretakers of the various gifts entrusted to us: our health, the earth we live on, our time, our talents, our faith, and now this month, our relationships with others.

This is a really interesting concept to me. How can I be a steward of my relationship with others: friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, sisters, and brothers in Christ?

One thing I know for sure, the dynamics of human relationships can get messy. We step on each other’s toes. We disagree on politics. We make mistakes. We miss-read and miss interpret. And sometimes our pride rears its ugly head and does damage.

Think about it. What does it do to a relationship when it always has to be my way – or no way? What does it do to a relationship when I always have to be right… or I just have to have the last word… or I refuse to be the first to forgive or ever say I’m sorry. What does it do to a relationship when I won’t even listen to another, point of view?

Are there relationships in your life that could be different, if you could let go of the pride?

If 2020 taught us anything, many of us were reminded of the true value of our relationships. When we were locked down for months on end, not able to socialize, we longed to spend time with friends and loved ones. We missed singing songs together in church. We missed shared dinners, quiet conversations, even seeing colleagues face to face in the office. All of this makes me reflect on how our relationships do need tending.

This week, I pray that you would reflect again on the forgiveness, mercy, love that you have received from Christ. May these be gifts you have to share not only with the world around you – but also with those closest to you.

Let us pray: Holy God, we thank you for friends and family, those who have loved us and enriched our lives over the years. Remind us again of their true worth. Grant us open and humble hearts. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen.

Today I am deeply grateful for Eric Wogen and all of our Guest Pastors who give so generously of their time behind the scenes to make Dial Hope a reality.

Paul Harvey once told the story of Joe. This was a guy who was born into a family of Sicilian immigrants, a family who had a 300-year history as fishermen. Joe’s dad was a fisherman. His brothers took up the trade and were fishermen too. But Joe the smell of raw fish and the motion of a rocking boat made Joe feel sick. In a family where the only acceptable way to earn a living was by fishing, Joe was a failure. His dad used to refer to his son as “good for nothing.”

Joe believed his dad, and for years he believed his attempts at other types of work were an admission of failure. However, Joe found that one thing he could do well, and that was to play baseball. When he was able to let go of what he could not do well, Joe DiMaggio moved to another field and became one of the great successes of baseball.

It is interesting to me how God created us. Each one of us with different gifts and talents. Sometimes we want to compare ourselves to others. And, when we do that we often find ourselves feeling inferior or “less than.” Or, maybe we feel slightly superior. Either way, it is not helpful.

I hope you don’t waste much time on comparisons. Instead, may you come to appreciate the unique gifts God has given you. May you find what it is you do well and enjoy it to the fullest.

Let us pray: Gracious God, you have created each one of us in your own image – yet each one unique. We have been blessed with our own set of skills and abilities – our own personalities and character traits. Help us to appreciate and enjoy who you made us to be. And, may we use our gifts and indeed our lives in a way that is pleasing to you. Amen.

No matter how hard she tried, the elderly, wheel-chair-bound nursing home resident could just not get over the slightly elevated threshold at the entrance to the room she wished to enter. Seeing her dilemma, I quickly went to be of assistance. A gentle nudge was all it took for her to get over the hump.

Obstacles, large or small, physical or otherwise, will come to all of us. No one, not one of us, is immune to life’s challenging humps. What may seem inconsequential to one will be all but impossible to another. Be assured, there will be times when all of us need a gentle nudge to help us overcome whatever is blocking our way forward.

That needed nudge may come to us as a helping hand, a word of encouragement, a thoughtful remembrance, an uplifting smile, an appreciated note or call, a necessary challenge, a listening ear, an expression of sympathy.

God calls us to give nudges, to be present to each other, to be there when needed.

The joy of helping another get over the hump confronting them can be as nourishing as the most delicious meal. Open your hearts and hands to someone who needs you this very day. Help them get over the hump. Be the blessing God created you to be.

Let us pray: The needy are all around us, Lord. They are in nursing homes and in church pews. They are on street corners, in shopping malls, and in workplaces. They may live next door to us or in our own homes. Use us as channels of your caring love to make a difference, to be there when needed, to nudge another over the hump. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

I once heard a funny story about a fraternity that wanted to have a pet goat. One of the fraternity brothers approached the Dean to ask permission for the goat to live in the fraternity house. The Dean listened patiently while the young man explained that they would care for the goat, feed the goat, and clean up after the goat. Then the Dean asked, “Well, what about the smell!?” “Oh,” responded the fraternity brother, “He’ll get used to that!”

It’s funny. It has been a while since I have been in a fraternity house – but yes, there can be a bad smell! And, we do indeed get used to things in life. We get used to the way things are – even things that stink.

Pastor Rob Bell once spoke about the passage in John where Lazarus is raised from the dead. He mentioned that in the King James Version it says about Lazarus, “He stinketh!” For a while, Bell had that verse taped above his computer in his study. It would remind him to consider the places in his own life that “stinketh,” places that he needed Jesus to raise from the dead. You see, he wanted something to remind him to reflect on this – so that he wouldn’t get used to the stink.

I once heard that if a frog jumps into hot water, it will immediately jump out. But, if it is placed in cool water and the temperature is slowly turned up, it gets used to the water and will stay there until it is cooked.

Let us pray: Loving God, we do want to make the very most of this life that you have given us. We want to be healthy and whole. Allow us to see those places in our lives: actions, attitudes, or habits that stinketh. Please don’t let us get used to the stink. Grant us courage and strength to change what we can. Work in us and even beyond us. Heal us and set us free. And may your resurrection power raise us again to new life. Amen.