The great author, Robert Louis Stevenson once told the story of a ship tossed in a storm. The sea was rough, and the rocky coast extremely dangerous. In a moment of panic, one distraught sailor who was working below deck rushed to the control room to see for himself what was going on. He stood frozen in fright as he watched the captain use every ounce of his skill and courage to try to navigate the ship through the threatening rocks back out into the open seas.

The Captain turned just enough to look at the frightened sailor, and he smiled. The young man returned to his work and assured the crew all danger was over. When they asked how he knew, he answered, “I have seen the face of the Captain.”

When we are trying to navigate the stormy waters of life, we can be sure that in Jesus Christ, we too have seen the face of the Captain. We are assured of his grace, and we know his love and concern for us. It is a love that would step into this world, a love that would walk alongside us, and even suffer and die. And it is a love and a power that even death could not conquer.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 29-31, Jesus says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

Do not fear… Do not fear… You have seen the face of the Captain.

Let us pray, God of Hope, sometimes it feels as though we are caught in a great storm. The burdens we carry and the situations we face are often heavy and beyond our control. Help us to let go of our fear and to trust you. We ask today for your guidance and your protection, for ourselves, and for those we love. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In 1 Kings chapter 19:7-8, we read, “Suddenly an angel touched (Elijah) and said to him, “Get up and eat.” (Elijah) looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again.”

An angel touched him…. Hmm… I don’t know what you think about when you think about angels. Sometimes we might think about renaissance paintings, little fat cherubs with wings. But the Hebrew word for angel is simply the word messenger. There is no description of this angel. In fact in the New Testament book of Hebrews, we are told, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers… (strangers!) for by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

In other words, these angels might not be what you expect.

I remember one time locking my keys in the car in a terrible part of town in downtown Kingston Jamaica. I had my surfboard on the roof and you know, I don’t exactly blend in with the locals! I was starting to get really anxious, and this guy came up out of nowhere and asked me if I needed help. He was actually into my car in about 5 seconds. He had the lock popped and handed me the keys that were sitting on the seat. Then he walked away.

I don’t know whether that was an angel, but I do believe that God often brings people into our lives just when we need them most. I know that many of you have had the experience of having someone come alongside you at a low point, and speak just the right words, or perhaps bring you a meal, or pay a bill, or offer to pray for you… Sometimes it’s in the little coincidences – or what seems like luck – meeting just the right person at just the right time, that feels like something or someone greater is behind it.

Today, let’s take this a step further. Today, I invite you to be open to God working through you. Maybe you could be a messenger, an angel to someone else in need.

Let us pray: We thank you for your grace, O God, and for your providence. We thank you for the people you have brought into our lives over the years who have impacted us in large and small ways. Keep us ever open to your Spirit’s leading. As we have been blessed, may we be a blessing. In Christs’ name. Amen.

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

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.

Sometime back I read about a 9th-grade math teacher named Helen Mrosla who one Friday afternoon broke away from her lesson plans. Apparently, that day her students were not getting the lesson. They were edgy and frustrated. About at her wit’s end, the teacher instructed the class to put away the books, and pull out a piece of paper. They were asked to list each person’s name in the class on a sheet of paper and then write something nice about each one. When the students read what other classmates had written about them, the atmosphere in the class changed instantly. The students were smiling again and able to continue with their math lessons.

I recently returned from a trip to Montreat North Carolina with our youth group. One of our student’s favorite parts of the youth conference was a very similar activity. Every year their small group leaders invite the students to make a paper booklet. Students are then instructed to write in each other’s booklets words of affirmation and encouragement. I heard from more than one student that they hold on to these booklets, year after year – even keeping them in prominent places in their rooms at home.

Mother Teresa once said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.”

The apostle Paul put it this way, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

The truth is we have opportunities all the time to bless with our words. If you think about the people God has placed around you right now, are there words that they might need to hear from you today?

Let us pray: Dear God, remind us today to share a word of encouragement with each and every person we meet. Amen.

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

When I was a student at Princeton Theological Seminary, I had the privilege of attending a concert by the great singer Marian Anderson. The evening’s program was brought to a close with three songs sung by Leontyne Price. Before singing them, Ms. Price paid a personal tribute to Mrs. Anderson. “My dear beloved Marian Anderson,” she said.“Because you were, I am.” In other words, the fact that Marian Anderson has succeeded in breaking the racial barrier many years earlier made it easier for Leontyne Price to be accepted as a black artist. In the same way, black athletes today can say of the pioneer baseball player Jackie Robinson, “Because you were, I am.”

Think of all the people to whom we are indebted for being what we are today. Of course, we can say to our parents, “Because you were, I am.” But think of the teachers to whom we can say, “Because you were, I am a better-educated person,” or the doctors and nurses to whom we can say, “Because you were, I am well.” Think of the many people who open doors for us, to whom we can say, “Because of you, I was able to move ahead.” Most of all, we can say to Jesus, “Because you were, and are, I am able to turn to God with new confidence in his forgiveness and acceptance. Because of you, I can face life with a new purpose, and I can face death with a new hope.”

Let us pray. God of gentle dreams and awesome space, cultivate in our own hearts a faith that is tall and sure. Create in us a spirit that overcomes hopelessness, and set us free. Amen.