My neighbor is a shark tooth collecting enthusiast. He loves combing the beach scouting out these small treasures, and he’s found some big ones, really nice. We were comparing notes the other day and I shared with him that I only ever find small to medium shark teeth, nothing really significant. He said, “That’s strange. I only ever find the bigger ones, never the small or medium.” We walk the same stretch of beach. Then he added, “I guess we only see what we are expecting to see.” Hmmm. 

I wonder if that applies to other aspects of life. Do our eyes get attuned to our expectations? Do we only see what we are expecting to see?

When we expect others to let us down, when we expect the world to be hard and the cards stacked against us, is that what we inevitably find? On the other hand, when our eyes get attuned to noticing God’s hand at work in our lives, when we grow accustomed to seeing other’s small acts of kindness, when we expect to find blessing upon blessing, is that in turn what we discover? I don’t know. But this does raise the question: what are you looking for?

The Apostle Paul once wrote, “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

And then he adds these words, “And the God of peace will be with you.”

Let us pray: Loving God, give us eyes to see your hand at work, and hearts to sense the goodness and beauty around us. May we greet this day with new expectations. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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

Psalm 121 is one of my favorites. “l will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” In THE MESSAGE, Eugene Peterson translates Psalm 121 this way: “l look up to the mountains. Does my strength come from the mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven and earth, and mountains.” 

The young boy sat in the waiting lounge of the airport. When the flight was called the boy was ushered on first. When I boarded the plane I was pleased to discover that he had the seat next to mine. He was polite in his greeting and then went on coloring one of those coloring books airlines provide for child passengers. Humming happily, he didn’t seem to have a care in the world. During the flight, we ran into some turbulence that bounced the jetliner around like a kite in the wind. A woman seated across the aisle from the young man became very frightened. When she spoke to the boy, her voice was agitated. “Little boy, aren’t you scared?” “No, Ma’am,” he replied, briefly looking up from his coloring book. “My dad’s the pilot.” I leaned back in my seat and thought about this little boy who trusted his dad. Did I trust God that way to get me through the storms of life? Yes, and I silently thanked him. He’ll get you through today and onto his plan for you. Trust him. Trust his plan for your life. E. Stanley Jones reminds us, “l don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Friend of Dial Hope, that is the good news for today. TA-DA! 

Let us pray: God of love, help us to say with the Psalmist, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” In times of need, you are always there. Thank you. We love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Today’s message was written by Guest Pastor, Rev. Amy Camp.

At a women’s retreat a few weeks ago, a friend described an old army duffle bag that belonged to her father. The bag had been around the world several times, had seen many battles, been in many closets and attics through the years, and thus was well worn…It was stained, patched, and carried the unmistakable smell of mildew.

My friend said that she couldn’t remember when she started carrying this bag around with her; she just knew that she had been carrying it for a very long time. Occasionally, she set it down, only to notice that after a while she had picked it up again. Even though it was smelly and gross, it was familiar. She had grown up with it. Some days it was so heavy that she could barely wake up much less move around with it. Other days it felt pretty light, and she only recognized its presence by its smell.

The longer she spoke of the duffle bag, the more I began to see it and smell it too. 

Jesus offers us opportunities to give him our smelly duffle bags…“Come to me all who are carrying heavy baggage and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

Please pray with me: God of New Beginnings, we confess that we don’t know why we keep lugging around our baggage from the past. Perhaps because it’s so familiar, or because it’s too scary to think of life without it or maybe it’s because we need to blame someone or something for the problems we are having today. Help us to be free of everything that weighs us down. Help us to rest and find peace in you. Amen.

Today’s message was written by Guest Pastor, Rev. Amy Camp.

A few years ago, I went through a difficult time. I had what is called Compassion Fatigue due to ministering to folks during back-to-back hurricanes, and our church sent me to a Clergy Care Center in North Carolina. That week, I had individual therapy, group therapy, individual spiritual direction and group spiritual direction, horse therapy, time with a nutritionist, and personal training at the local YMCA.

Leaving the YMCA, instead of getting into my rental car, I felt God beckoning me into the woods. The afternoon light was golden and warm. I found a trail and the earth was soft beneath my feet. I found a lovely place to sit and then my tears began to fall and drip into the earth. It wasn’t long before a cute little bird became curious about me, and then two more little birds also came closer. The birds were singing so sweetly to me that I felt supported, held, and cared for. I was not alone.

The words of Jesus echoed through my heart: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own…Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

I felt calmer than I had in weeks. I’m going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay. The earth is still spinning. I am right where I am supposed to be.

Let us pray: Gracious God, we thank you for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, and especially we thank you for Jesus who reminds us again and again not to be anxious or afraid. Help us to remember that you are the Great Physician and the Balm of Gilead, the only One who can make us whole. Heal our brokenness for your glory and purposes. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Today’s message was written by Guest Pastor, Rev. Amy Camp.

Today, during our worship service, we baptized a little boy about 14 months old.

He delighted in all the attention, clapping his hands, pointing to the Christ candles, the bread, and juice on the Lord’s Table. He was still clapping after his baptism as if he knew that he had been claimed and sealed by Christ’s LOVE for all eternity! His excitement was contagious. I looked around and saw other excited church members delighting in the joy being expressed by this Little One!

I felt the Sprit’s presence. God was opening my eyes, awakening within me a greater capacity to marvel at the gifts of our God.

God is the delicious BREAD of LIFE and Cup of Salvation, Forgiveness, and Hope. Every day that we awaken to breathe and life is a good day, a day to offer thanks and praise.

Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!

God is LOVE. All who abide in God, abide in love, and LOVE abides in them. (1John 4:16)

In Baptism, we are marked as Christ’s own forever, and nothing, not even death, can celebrate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ!

Let’s pray, God we thank you for little children and the blessings they bring. They are reminding us of your steadfast love, light, and grace. Refresh us and renew us for our discipleship in order that we may marvel and delight in you all our days. To God be the glory! Amen.