Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Tasha Blackburn.

So many of us would like to be happier that happiness itself has become an industry. Lots of people would be thrilled to make money in their effort to make you happier. Before we give out our credit card number, let’s consider what scripture has to say about happiness. The book of Psalms is 150 songs of faith and the opening number is all about how to be happy. 

The first lines are not a surprise. They are three things not to do: don’t follow the advice of wicked people, don’t head down a path of sinning, and don’t sit around and scoff at everybody. Just by not doing those three things, you will be happier. Then we are given one positive thing that will make us happier too, one thing to do. Happy people meditate on God’s word day and night. They “meditate” on it. 

It is interesting to find out that the word “meditate” here means more like “worry” it or “chew” on it. In fact, it is the same word that is used when a dog chews on a bone. The dog pulls at it, gnaws on it, won’t stop working it over until he’s gotten it all.

That is how we are supposed to consume God’s word. We are supposed to be like a dog with a bone. Pulling and pushing on it, having it pull and push on us until we’ve got all it has to offer. This kind of effort, of course, will take way more than day and night. It will take a lifetime. And in that lifetime, we will be happier. You will be happier.

Meditate on God’s Word. Do things like you are doing right now: listen to devotionals, worship in a congregation, read your Bible, pray throughout the day. Be like a dog with a bone! Don’t give up, just keep gnawing away. It is a sure path to happiness.

Let’s pray: Gracious God, you long for us to know joy and purpose in our lives. We pray that you can renew in us this day a desire for you, a desire for your Word. Give us hearts open to receive the scriptures and an appetite that will not stop until we know you better. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Eric Wogen.

We’ve all heard those words flow ever so smoothly from the enthusiastic, silver-tongued TV front-man seeking to sell his viewers some miracle product. Whether it be a leak-stopping compound in a handy spray can, a sure-fire cleaning product that quickly removes every stain known to humankind, or a car cleaner that makes our ten-year-old jalopy look like new again, the item being promoted is a must buy. And, to make the deal even sweeter, after announcing the bargain price, the rapid-talking pitchman makes the deal all but irresistible by saying, ” BUT WAIT! Order right now, and we will send you two of whatever for just $9.95, plus shipping and handling.

” BUT WAIT! ” Isn’t that precisely the message God announced to all through the gift of his saving love in Christ? 

To a creation eager to hear some good news, to a people yearning for a word of encouragement and hope, he declared, ” BUT WAIT! Have I got a deal for you.” His offer involves no gimmicks, no tricks, no fast-talking salesmen. It simply proclaims what we all so desperately need to hear – ” I love you. You are mine. I will be with you always.”

Now that’s a deal, friends of Dial Hope. That’s a deal we can’t pass up.

Let us pray: Loving God, you sent your son so we might know that your love is the real deal. Energize us to make that love come alive for those around us through what we do and say each and every day. In the name of God’s best deal ever, his son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Eric Wogen.

For many years, my mother had a poster on her refrigerator door that never failed to catch my eye. Its message was simple and never grew old. That message retained its relevance regardless of changing circumstances. It caused you to stop and reflect upon how you related to and treated others. On that provocative poster were the following words :

                                Write all complaints in the box below.

The “ complaint “ box, located at the bottom border of the poster was, at best, no more than half an inch square. 

Get the picture. The space for writing your complaints was extremely limited. In fact, it was nearly non-existent. Complaining and griping may come far too easily for many of us. We can be quick to spot what’s wrong with others but slow to see our own issues. Jesus talked about the dangers of judging others. He advised that we should be more concerned about the log in our eye than the speck in someone else’s. Excellent counsel.

How different this world would be if our complaints were replaced with expressions of affirmation and support. Building up rather than tearing down is what God would have us be about. 

You may recall the old Army ad that suggested “Be all you can be .” To each of us, I offer this amended version of that admonition: “ Be all God created you to be – his ambassadors of love, care, and concern.”

Let us pray: Loving God, with thankful hearts we face each new day knowing we are yours. What a privilege it is to be claimed by you, called to serve you and those around us. Remind us always that we have been blessed to be a blessing. Help us to be all we can be as we reach out to your world with expressions of support and kindness that lighten the load others carry and enable them to be all they can be. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Eric Wogen.

Life is packed full of challenges. They come in many sizes and shapes. Some relate to our personal life. Some involve family and friends. Some connect to the workplace. Some may even stem from our faith. You know yours. I know mine.

There are times when we may feel swamped by the knotty challenges that come our way, all but immobilized to deal with them. When such unwelcome moments come my way, I am reminded of something I observed years ago but have never forgotten, a life lesson that has stuck with me.

It happened while I was working in our vegetable garden back in Pennsylvania. I noticed a small bit of debris moving ever so slowly but steadily across the newly turned earth as if it was motorized somehow. I wondered what energy source was responsible for enabling that movement. A closer inspection brought a smile to my confused face. I quickly discovered that a tiny ant was bearing the burden of transporting a rather heavy load totally disproportionate to its size. Determination, perseverance and divinely given strength made the apparently impossible a reality.

God has packed the potential into each one of us, into you, and into me, to do amazing things, things we may feel are impossible. He equips us and empowers us not only to cope with the myriad of challenges we experience but to overcome them. If that ant could accomplish its amazing feat, just imagine what God can enable us to accomplish. 

Our Creator calls us to see what can be, to move beyond what is, to be freed from what seeks to stymie us. New beginnings flow from current challenges. Use his gifts to make a meaningful, difference. Surprise someone. Surprise yourself. Do it today, and tomorrow, as well.

Let us pray. Giving God, you have gifted us in countless ways. You have gifted us with what we need most to serve you and others. You have blessed us so we might be a blessing. Use us to move a few mountains, or perhaps a few molehills, so others may know the wonder, awe, and power of your amazing grace. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen. 

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

A few years ago, the Special Olympics were held in Seattle, and a beautiful thing happened. Nine contestants, all with physical or mental disabilities, stood at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. As the gun sounded, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. But as they ran, one boy slipped and fell. He tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight runners heard the boy crying. They all stopped, turned around, and went back, every one of them. One girl with Down’s syndrome bent down and kissed him on top of his head, and said, “This will make it all better.” The other runners helped the fallen boy up, and all nine of them linked arms and walked together, side by side, to the finish line. They all won! They all came in first! Everyone in the stadium stood, cheering went on for ten minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. People who weren’t even there, say they were. 

You see, as a Christian, you don’t have to win. Maybe you need to slow yourself down and change your course to help someone, to partner with someone, to reconcile with someone, to encourage someone. When you do that you will have peace within and peace with God. 

Let us pray: God of love, we thank you for this day. Forgive us when we lash out at others and at you. Forgive us and make us whole, with the capacity to sense your presence, your strength, your grace, and your love. By sensing your unconditional love, make us able to uphold others in their grief and pain and loneliness. We ask these things in the name of your son, our redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.