The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians (5:19-20): Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a Swedish proverb: Those who wish to sing always find a song.

My friend Kenny White was one of those people who always had a song on his lips. He’s had a great voice and was schooled in old gospel music. Gabe Goodman, the senior pastor of a church I served in Jacksonville, also used to sign in the choir, and his beautiful bass voice could often be heard around the church office. Other people I know have a harder time carrying a tune but love music and will gladly add their voices to make a joyful noise whenever appropriate.

Those who wish to sing…

We could also say about people like the Apostle Paul, those who wish to give thanks, always find a way. Paul often wrote from prison – yet gratitude seeps out of every letter he ever wrote. And even today, most of us know people who face adversity in life with amazing resilience. Almost without exception, they are people who give and serve others even in the midst of their suffering. Their lives seem to sing praise to God in spite of the circumstances.

I pray today that whether you like to sing out loud, or just sing in your heart, may you find a way to make music to the Lord, always, always giving thanks.

Let us pray: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. We praise you, loving God, for your eternal song of love whichever surrounds us. Give us ears to hear its melody, and open hearts to join in the chorus.

We give thanks today for all those who sing, and for all who make music. And, we give thanks for all those who have lives that sing. Through them, O God, we receive so much joy. In spite of any hardships we face, help us live lives that make silent and yet joyful music – ever giving you the thanks and praise. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Some time ago, I heard about the first day of kindergarten for a young student in California, back in the early seventies. There were so many unusual names floating around the Santa Cruz area in those days that the teachers didn’t even blink when they first met a child whose name tag read, “Fruit Stand.” The teachers thought the boy’s name was odd, but they tried to make the best of it.

“Would you like to play with the blocks, Fruit Stand?” they offered. And later, “Fruit Stand, how about a snack?” He accepted hesitantly. By the end of the day, his name didn’t seem much crazier than Moonbeam’s or Sun Ray’s.

At dismissal time, the teachers led the children out to the buses. “Fruit Stand, do you know which one is your bus?” He didn’t answer. But that wasn’t strange as he hadn’t answered them all day. Plenty of children are shy on the first day of school. The teachers had instructed the parents to write the names of their children’s bus stops on the reverse side of their name tags. The teacher simply turned over the tag. There, on the back neatly printed, was the word “Anthony.”

I actually appreciate unusual names, especially names that convey meaning or hope. But poor Anthony!

There is something important, even beautiful about being called by our real name. As a child in school when our teacher learned our name; or, at church when we were around long enough to the point that everyone knew our name, we began to feel accepted, we feel we belonged, we mattered.

In the book of Isaiah (chapter 43), God says, “I have called you by name. You are mine.”

God calls you by name. God knows you and he loves you deeply.

Let us pray: O Lord, you have searched us and known us. You discern our thoughts from far away and are acquainted with all our ways. And you love us still. Thank you for your forgiveness, your mercy, and your care, and for claiming us as your own. Give us the grace to respond with love. Amen.

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

I thank God for my Scottish grandmother who urged me to preach my first sermon on the story of the ten lepers found in Luke 17:11-19. Ten lepers were healed but only one returned to say, “Thank you.”

Thanks may be the most valuable word in any language. It is said when Mark Twain was at the peak of his career, his writing was valued at $5 per word. Some prankster wrote Twain a letter saying, “Dear Mr. Twain: enclosed is $5. Please send me your best word.” Shortly a reply came. It simply said, “Thanks!”

Thanks is an important word of affirmation and appreciation. Thank you, are healing and kind words. Most of us know how good it feels to receive gratitude. This week take a few moments and write two or three short notes of gratitude to a few unthanked contributors to your spiritual pilgrimage… to those who have left footprints on your heart.

Let us pray. O God of all precious things, who hears our pain even when tears block our words, create in us a heart of laughter and hope and gratitude. Help us to face each day with joy, O God, for each day comes as a fresh page. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

There is an interesting story in the gospel of Matthew in which Jesus, Peter, James, and John climb a mountain to get away from the crowds. Matthew tells us that Jesus was “transfigured” before them. His clothing turned all white. Moses and Elijah appear next to him, and God’s voice booms down from heaven, “This is my beloved Son…”

So the disciples are having an epiphany – a religious experience. And all of a sudden they have this moment of clarity.

I wonder if you’ve ever had that kind of experience. Not necessarily a vision, not necessarily hearing God’s voice booming down from a cloud, but have you ever had one of those transcendent moments? A moment when you’ve just felt so convicted, so humbled, so aware that there is far more to this life than what you can see or touch or know – a moment when you could just sense the presence of Christ in you and around you?

It’s interesting. Our scripture says that in the middle of that transcendent moment, Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” In other words, let’s set up camp and stay a while! It’s nice up here.

The temptation is that we want to stay up on the mountain. The temptation is that we want to compartmentalize our faith – to make it just about Sunday morning, or just about piety, or just about these mountain top epiphany experiences.

Of course, we have to come back down, don’t we? Because the real work and ministry for all of us is not on top of the mountain, but down in the valley, where the people are hurting, where they are struggling and suffering. The place where our faith is lived out is in our schools, where there are drugs and violence and teachers who are at their wit’s end. It is in our neighborhoods and homes where our screens have replaced conversation, and where the ability to listen and to show compassion are lost arts. The place where our faith is lived out is among the poor and the hurting and the hungry. That’s where what we believe comes to bear. That’s where we can make a difference.

At the same time, we do need those mountain top experiences. They strengthen our faith and fill our cups.

Perhaps our prayer is this: Lead us up on to the mountain, Lord, that we might see your glory. Humble us. Convict us. Assure us. Give us a vision. But then Lord, bring us down the mountain and empower us to live it out.

Let us pray: Grant us, O God, moments of transcendence. Help us to know you and to experience your power and grace. May we draw strength and wisdom and hope for life in valleys. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

In the Broadway musical, “STOP THE WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF,” actor Anthony Newley sang a powerful song: “Once in a Lifetime.” It contains these poignant words: “This is my moment… I’m gonna do great things.”

Sadly, we must confess that we know the empty feeling of “missing our moment,” letting the moment pass. All of us, because of fear or timidity, or insecurity, have let special opportunities, special moments slip by us. Psychologists tell us that if we do not act every time we have this kind of feeling, we are less likely to act later when other such moments present themselves. Each time we fail to act, we become more hardened, more desensitized, more emotionally paralyzed. We trick ourselves by substituting emotion for action, by thinking that just because we felt it, it has been cared for.

How many letters never have been written?
How many phone calls have never been made?
How many compliments have been left unsaid?
How many “I’m sorrys” remain unspoken?
How many “Thank yous” have never been said?
How many “I love yous” are still unexpressed?
How many commitments are still not made?
because we missed our moment!

If there is an emptiness, a void, a vacuum, a hunger in your life, remember: Jesus offers you life. Don’t miss this moment! If there’s any kindness or love you can show, show it now. Seize the moment! Live today fully and make it a masterpiece!

Let us pray: God of love, we know you are always with us and you love us. How patiently you tutor us! Straighten the backbone of our beliefs, strengthen our resolve, move us to action, so that the roots of faith will reach the center of our hearts. Grant us peace that comes from your love…that whether we walk through fields of flowers or stumble along streets of sadness, we will walk beside you. Be close today to those who are experiencing grief or loneliness. Surround the men and women serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan with your wraparound love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.