In an old Cathy comic strip, Cathy is talking to her friend Charlene. Charlene says, “Irving’s been trying so hard, Cathy. You’re not even giving him a chance?” “Too late, Charlene. This… day, I’m re-committing to ME! taking Care of ME! Pursuing the needs and interests of ME! I’m finally liberating Me to be Me!” Charlene asks, “What’s wrong with him?” And Cathy replies, “Him? He’s too self-absorbed!”

I love the irony. How easy is it to lose sight of our own self-absorption? It’s not that we don’t need to take care of ourselves – physically, spiritually, and emotionally. We do. But it also helps to remember that it is not all about us, all the time.

The Apostle Paul once wrote to the church in Philippi, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Today I pray for you a balance. May you take care of yourself in such a way that you are healthy enough to reach out and care for others. May you set good boundaries, and in doing so, find that you have the energy, resources and state of mind to look out for the interest of those around you.

Our prayer today was written by William Temple. Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and to the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

Friend of Dial, if you want to test your faith, one good way to do it is to raise this question: “Does my faith make me more loving?” Also, does it inspire me to reach out in compassion and in service to others? Many cults teach their followers the opposite – that everybody outside their group is the enemy… that the church you are now in just isn’t quite as spiritual as they are. But look what Jesus said about this. For him, love was the real measuring stick for healthy faith. In the Bible, love is underscored over and over as the most genuine and reliable sign of mature discipleship.

Remember how Jesus put it: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have love you… By this all know that you are my disciples… (John 13:34-35). And remember how the songwriter expressed it later: “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love.” A healthy faith means it matters intensely how we love.

Let us Pray: Awesome God, thank you for the Gospel. For its message is that we can grow and change; there is hope in the midst of our despair; there is joy in spite of sadness. Fill us with the radiance of your Spirit, so that your love may stream in and through us, bringing light and life to a world that often walks in shadows and death and terror. Bless our men and women who are serving our country overseas. May they feel our love and prayers. In Jesus name. Amen.

I was reminded recently that when Jesus taught the Lord’s prayer, he was teaching not only a prayer in itself, but also a pattern of prayer. Using Jesus pattern, I offer this prayer for you today:

Our Father, who art in heaven, and who art on war torn battlefields, in joyful celebrations, in homes that are broken and homes that are full, and who art even right here in this room with us.

Hallowed, holy, sacred, beautiful be thy name, and thy heart.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in our lives, in our communities, and in our world – even as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. Give us eyes to notice your providence for our basic needs. Help us not to take too much, to share when we can, and to receive everything with deep gratitude.

Forgive us now our debts, our sins, they are many. Grant us time and courage to amend our ways, and to make amends as needed. And then, Lord, as you have forgiven us, help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. They too are many. We turn them over to you now. As we let go, may we feel free.

Lead us not into temptation. But, grant us the ability to recognize it and the strength not yield to it.

Deliver us from evil. Watch over us, guide us and protect us. We add here our prayers for others who we know who are in danger: the men and women serving this country in the military, police officers and fire fighters and all who risk their lives for the lives of others.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. With you all things are possible. Amen.

A story is told about a cowboy who was driving down a dirt road out west. His dog was riding in back of the pickup truck and his faithful horse was in the trailer behind. Failing to negotiate a sharp curve, the truck slid off the road and flipped over.

A highway patrol officer came on the scene shortly thereafter. An animal lover, he saw the horse first and realizing the serious nature of its injuries, he drew his service revolver and put the animal out of his misery. He walked around the accident and found the dog, also hurt critically. He couldn’t bear to hear it whine in pain, so he ended the dog’s suffering as well. Finally he located the cowboy, who suffered multiple fractures. “Hey, are you okay?” the trooper asked. The cowboy took one look at the smoking revolver in the man’s hand and quickly replied, “Never felt better Sir!”

This story makes me smile. It just reminds me that sometimes, when things are put into perspective, our whole outlook on life changes.

Several years ago, a friend had a tumor removed from his shoulder. Not long after, suffered a terrible sports injury and then went through a bout of depression. Emerging from all that, his whole attitude on life changed. He says he feels much more grateful just to be alive, and much more grateful for each moment with family and friends. Minor crisis and temporary setbacks don’t seem to faze him like they once did.

Today, let us each give thanks to God for the gift of life itself. We are here to enjoy another moment with a friend, to hear the birds sing, and to delight in being alive.

Let us pray: Loving God, there are moments when life feels dark, and we carry heavy burdens.  I pray that you would meet each of us at the deepest point of our need. Fill us with your Spirit. Heal us and mend us and renew in us a spark of life. Enable us to see this day for what it is – a sheer gift. In Jesus name. Amen.

S. I. McMillen once told a story of a young woman who was applying to colleges. While working on the application, her heart sank when she read the question, “Are you a leader?” Being both honest and conscientious, she answered, “No, I am not.” She returned the application, expecting the worst. However, much to her surprise, she received this response from the college: “Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower.”

On reflection, the truth is we are all following someone. We all have people we admired and emulate – some living and some no longer with us. Whether we realize it or not, our beliefs and actions are deeply shaped by other people. The real question is, who are we following?

I hope you have people in your life worthy of emulation. I also hope you don’t blindly follow just anyone.  As Christian we try our best to follow Jesus – to live in the most loving, generous, forgiving way possible. Of course that is not always easy – but when we succeed, it is rich!

Our prayer today was written by my friend, the late Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel. Let us pray: God of love, give us open minds and hearts and complete trust in your plan for our lives. Show us who we are and who you would have us become. Lead us in the way you would have us go, and as we walk a path we cannot see, give us light and the warmth of each other’s hands as together we seek your will. In Jesus name. Amen.