A friend reminded me recently that even more important than “going to church,” is “being the church.” After all, Jesus said we are to be the “salt and light” of the world.

Theologian George McCleod once wrote: “I am for recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves, on the town garbage heap, at a place so cosmopolitan, they had to write his title in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek; at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, soldiers gamble and thieves curse; because that is where Christ died, and that is what Christ died about, and that is where church people ought to be, and what church people should be about.”

Salt and light not just in the church, but in the world.

As I read that, I thought about a group from our Presbytery that for a while started a theology discussion class that met in a bar. They called it “Theology on Tap.”

I also thought about my friend Robert McCary. Robert is the full-time youth director at Community Presbyterian Church out in Atlantic Beach. He spends at least a portion of his time each week out surfing at the break behind the church. He claims it is in his job description. When I used to work there, I learned pretty quickly that he knows every lifeguard. He knows most of the surfers in the water – young and old – many of whom do not go to his church or any church. And I have seen that often he’ll have people want to talk to him, to share their problems with him, even ask him for advice – not only because he is a leader in their community – but also because Robert has a reputation for being a good father; a good husband; and a man of deep faith. It is clear that he truly loves and cares for people.

I also thought about some in my congregation who have mentoring high school students who are homeless. And others who go out in the elementary schools to pack backpacks full of food; others still who visit the elderly, or who sing or play bells in nursing homes at Christmas. I could go on.

Today, I pray that you would reflect for just a few moments on the ways in which you, are the salt and light – not just in the church but out in the world.

Let us pray: Draw us closer to you, O God, that we would commit our very lives to walk in your ways; that our actions and our very lives would make a difference – that they would indeed bring light and hope; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

It is no secret that I have a passion for encouraging people to base their life on gratitude. Paul put it like this, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18a).

Let me point out that Paul didn’t say to give thanks “for” all circumstances. Obviously, we don’t give thanks for cancer or heart attacks, arthritis or blindness, Alzheimer’s, or terrorist attacks. But we can give thanks “in” all circumstances because God is with us, come what may. And when we realize that and embrace that and reach out to God in faith, he will give us strength and see us through. We can count on that. And that is cause for great thanksgiving.

There is an old legend that tells about a man who came one day to the barn where Satan stores the seeds that he scatters across the earth. The man noticed that the two most abundant seeds in the barn were the seeds of bitterness and discouragement. He asked Satan about those seeds. “Oh, yes,” came the reply, “bitterness and discouragement; they are, without question, my most effective seeds. Why, these seeds will grow almost anywhere.”

Then, with a solemn look on his face, Satan said, “However, there is one place where the seeds of bitterness and discouragement will not grow.” “Oh?” said the man, “and where is that?” Satan answered, “They will not grow in a heart of gratitude.”

Let us pray: God of love, we come to you with hearts full of love, souls full of trust, and minds full of thanksgiving. Your lovingkindness is as far-reaching as the stars, your care for us as deep as the sea. Help us to turn with childlike trust. Open our eyes to the wonders of Your Word and send us on our way with hope and courage. Watch over those traveling. Teach us that we never journey beyond your loving care. Through the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Years ago, I was in a Sunday school class discussing the topic of fear. My friend Adam, who is a Naval Helicopter Pilot, shared about a recent deployment. He told the class that night missions, particularly those when there is no moon to see by, can be scary. They take off and land from the deck of an aircraft carrier that is rolling beneath open ocean waves. In fact, Adam doesn’t like to fly with other pilots who don’t have some measure of fear. All senses are required for this type of operation, and any measure of arrogance can cost you your life.

I remember that deployment was particularly tough as his wife was home pregnant with their first child. Adam shared with us in the hours leading up to a night flight, he found that he needed to turn to God. He had to trust. He found himself praying, again and again, his favorite Psalm, 139.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up… Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night, ‘ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you…”

There are moments in each of our lives when there is nowhere else to turn. In such a time as that, I pray that you would have the faith to trust that you rest in God’s hands. And, may God grant you the strength and courage needed to face any hour.

Let us pray: We thank you, Loving God that you have promised to be with us – even through the valley of the shadow of death. We thank you for women and men, like Adam, who risk their lives for the protection of others. We entrust them to your care and ask you to watch over them, and their families. We long with them for the day when wars will cease and your peace will reign. Reign now in hearts, that amid our fears and struggles your peace would settle in us – and work through us. Amen.

I was out surfing alone sometime back and another surfer paddled out next to me. It was a beautiful day, but this surfer was full of complaints. He was angry that someone told him the waves were perfect and they were not. His language was rough and his demeanor ugly. I found myself thinking: Look, you are not at work. You are not in the hospital. The water is warm and clear and beautiful. The waves are not perfect – but not bad for Florida. The sun is out and the pelicans are soaring. I didn’t want anything to do with this guy, so I turned and paddled down the beach to get away from him.

But later, I reflected on the situation, and it dawned on me that I had no idea what this other surfer might have been going through in his own life. Maybe he had just argued with his wife, or son. Maybe he was worried about money. Maybe he didn’t even have a job to go to. And as I reflected, my heart softened, and I prayed for him.

How often do we judge other people without really knowing what they may be dealing with?

I hope I am never as ungrateful and negative as this fellow surfer was on that morning. But I also hope, no one judges me based on one chance meeting. We all have our moments, don’t we?

Jesus said, “Do not judge unless you want to be judged. The measure you give is the measure you get.”

May God give us eyes to see beyond the surface – to see his image in each and every person we meet.

Let us pray: You have called us to be salt and light; to set an example of your love and grace. As we go through life, O God, we sometimes meet people who rub us the wrong way. Sometimes we see things in people that we don’t like in ourselves. Whenever possible, Lord, help us to be kind and gracious.

Merciful God, we can’t pretend to know what others are going through. We pray today for people who are carrying heavy, heavy burdens at this time. We lift up you those who are so stressed and worried that gratitude is almost out of reach. We pray that your Spirit would rest on them, and give them your peace. May your Spirit rest on us too – that we might be instruments of your peace. Amen.

In 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, Paul writes, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… So we do not lose heart.” And then he makes this amazing statement, “Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day…”

For Paul, his faith made a difference in how he lived, and in how he faced the challenges of life. I know you’ve seen this in people. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself.

I remember when I was a young pastor, just getting my feet wet. Our Children’s Ministry Director came to me and shared that a relatively young member of our congregation, (in his early 50’s) had been recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She said, “You really need to go see him.”

I went, but I was nervous. I wasn’t sure what to say. However, when I arrived, much to my surprise, he was in good spirits. He laughed easily. His wife even joked, “I don’t know what’s gotten into him these last few months.” He replied, “Well when you know your time is short, you realize how precious it is…” I didn’t say this, but I’ve known plenty of people who wouldn’t take it so well. I’ve certainly known plenty of people who have instead grown bitter and cynical…

When we held hands to pray before I left, I could feel his inner strength. He was confident that death would not have the last word… And he knew that in the time he had left, he still had something to offer.

His faith was a witness to me. The visit was a sermon I needed to hear. And so that sermon and that witness today becomes my prayer.

Will you pray with me? Gracious God, I pray today for all of those who are listening or reading this message. I pray that whatever challenges they might be facing in life right now, that they would not lose heart. Strengthen and renew our inner spirits day by day. Grant us your courage, presence, and peace. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen.