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

A group of sociologists once conducted a survey among 50 elderly people in a retirement community. Each was asked to complete an open-ended sentence. “If I had to do it over again, I would ___________.” Three main answers emerged. One, I would reflect more. Two, I would risk more. Three, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.  That’s something to think about. How reflective are you? Do you move through life at such a hectic pace that you never stop to ask what does all this mean? Is God trying to say something to me in these circumstances? Am I open to being surprised by God’s grace in unexpected places?

What about risk-taking? Are you willing to risk your faith? And the clincher question: What are you doing that will be remembered after you are dead? Will the memories bring joy or sadness? Appreciation or concern? How many folks will be able to say, “I’m so glad my path crossed hers or his”?

Friend of Dial Hope, wherever you are on your spiritual journey know this… God loves you. You are a treasure to God and to others. Never ever forget that you are blessed, blessed to be a blessing to others.

Let us pray: Loving, living God, who has called us to be your servants in the service of others and who has given us talents enabling us to serve; forgive us for those times when we have buried our gifts and thus failed to be there for others and to do what we could have done to make ours a better world in which to live. As we seek to make this day a masterpiece, inspire us to say, “Here am I, God,’ and then go forth to live in the manner of Christ, whose name we profess. Amen.

I invite you to close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Now, try and call to mind the most beautiful thing you saw last week? Now, imagine the most important person – or people in your life. Take just a minute and say thank you to God.

Consider for just a minute what gratitude does to the heart.

In the letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul wrote, “Do not worry about anything, but everything by prayer and supplication -with thanksgiving – make your requests known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Paul seems to be making a connection between prayer that includes thanksgiving – and God’s peace. He’s making a connection between gratitude and contentment.

What if we made a habit of listing 5 things we are thankful for every morning? Can you imagine a better way to start the day?

Let us pray: God of Grace, thank you so much for children, laughter, smiles, hugs, flowers, and butterflies, for family and friends, for life and health, for sunny days, and rain. Thank you for our families of faith, for grandmas and grandchildren, for Love, for goldfish, and for the ability to think and imagine.

And God we could go on and on. Help us never take these gifts for granted. You have given us so much. We receive and we receive and we receive.  Help us to appreciate, but not to stop there. Help us to allow our gratitude to be reflected in the way we live. As we have received, may we, in turn, give; for we pray in the name of the One who gave even his very life. Amen.

Today I would like to say a special word of thanks to those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. Your gifts make this ministry possible! If you also would like to donate to Dial Hope, please visit our website at www.dialhope.org.

It’s been said that in the 1400s a sculptor ruined a huge piece of beautiful Carrara marble. It was left in the courtyard of the cathedral in Florence, Italy, for almost a hundred years. Artisans thought it was beyond repair. But in 1505, a young sculptor by the name of Michelangelo was asked if he thought anything could be done with “The Giant.” He measured the block and carefully noted the imperfections caused by the bungling workman of an earlier day. To his mind came the image of the young shepherd boy David. So for 3 years he worked steadily, his chisel skillfully shaping the marble. You and I know the results. Beautiful!

When I was in seminary, an older retired pastor came to speak to our class about the ups and downs of ministry. At the end of his lecture, he said, “If you remember nothing else, never forget the power of Jesus Christ to change lives – even yours.” I’ve never forgotten it. And, in the twenty years that have followed, I have seen it time and time again. Therefore, no matter how bad the situation; no matter how awful the person seems to be; no matter what, I always hold out for hope. Things can and do change. If Michelangelo can bring beauty out of ruin, how much more so can our loving Creator!

Let us pray: Loving God, we remember today that you are the One who calls into existence things that were not, and who even brings life out of death. We trust you with our confusing, messed up situations. We trust you with our burdens and anxiety. We ask you to infuse us with your grace and hope and show us a better way. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yesterday I shared a story told to me by Peggy Donaldson. She also told me a story from a sermon she once heard. The pastor told about being on vacation with his wife and son. They were walking along a shopping district, looking in windows and enjoying the day. Their son, who was about 9, would run ahead for a bit, and then come back and walk with them. He would grab their hand for a minute, and then run ahead again.

The pastor made the point that this is what we do when we come to worship. We come back to touch, then we go off into the world on our own.

It is a good analogy. When we worship, we come back to give thanks and praise. But we also come back to remember whose we are, and who we are. We re-set our inner compass and are strengthened to go back into the world to love and to serve.

Whether it is a church, a temple, a synagogue, or a prayer group, and whether that is online or in person, I hope you have a place where you regularly come back to touch.

Let us pray:  God of hope, in this maze of life, it is easy to lose our way. It is easy to get off track and find ourselves far from home. We thank you for the blessing of faith and for people with whom we can share the journey. Help us to make the time and space in our lives to come back into your welcoming presence, to give thanks, and to receive your guidance, grace, and strength. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen.

Sometime back as a part of my morning devotional time, I was reading Eugene Peterson’s Message version of the Bible. One morning I was struck by the following: In his introduction to the book of Joshua, he wrote, “God’s great love and purposes for us are worked out in the messes, storms and sins, blue skies, daily work, and dreams of our common lives, working with us as we are, and not as we should be.”

Then, later I was in 1 Corinthians 7. Peterson translates the verse this way: “And, don’t be wishing you were someplace else…Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.”

I thought about the context of my life right now, and I reflected on where I spend the vast majority of my time. Ever since that morning, sometimes when I pray the Lord’s prayer I add a few words, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done – in my life, in my relationship with my family, in my daily work, in the church, on Earth… as it is in heaven.

Let us pray: God of grace, thank you for working with us as we are – not as we should be. Thank you for your presence in our families, in our jobs, in our recreation, and in our relationships. Give us eyes to notice and hearts to respond. Wherever we find ourselves this day, may we be instruments of your grace. Amen.