Prepare
Joe Albright

Prepare

/in , /by

I remember several years ago, I was leading a Sunday morning class in which we talked about family traditions at Christmas time. Of course, some traditions can feel soul-killing. But no doubt, other traditions add greater meaning and depth to the season.

One of the families talked about having an Advent wreath on their dining room table with four candles on the edges and a Christ candle in the center. Each week on Sunday night before dinner, they would light the appropriate candle or candles. On the first week, after lighting the candle, they would go around the table and ask each person to answer the question: what brings you hope? On the second Sunday, they would light the peace candle and ask: what brings you peace? And so on…. Another single man spoke of the importance of volunteering at least once during Advent to help folks in need in his community. Others spoke of intentionally adding a time of prayer each morning or evening. Someone recently told me that in December, she spends just a few minutes each morning, reflecting on the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke.

This Advent season, I wonder what traditions you might consider in your preparations… 

Let us pray: God of hope, peace, joy, and love, we give you thanks for the coming of Christ. Meet us in these coming weeks as we prepare our hearts once again for him. Amen. 

I Get to Choose Which Color
Joe Albright

I Get to Choose Which Color

/in , /by

The great preacher and writer Harry Emerson Fosdick once told about visiting with a teenage girl who had contracted polio. As Fosdick and this young woman spoke, she shared another conversation she had had earlier with a friend. The friend made the statement, “Affliction does so color life.” The young woman responded, “I agree. But I get to choose which color!” 

That’s pretty powerful. At such a young age this girl had determined not to let this disease define her or take away her dignity. 

I don’t know if I would do so well. I hope so. I pray today that whatever circumstance life brings, you and I would have the ability to choose how we will respond.

Rev. Lee Griess wrote about one of life’s great secrets, “It’s not what happens to you that matters as much as what happens within you.”

Let us pray: God of grace, I pray especially today for those who are struggling mightily. Sometimes it feels as though the weight of the world is on our shoulders; and other times as though we will never survive our current distress. I ask for an extra measure of your courage and strength for those who need it most. Help each of us to trust you. Even in the midst of the pain, may we find and celebrate the good and beauty in the world around us. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

There Is More Going on than Meets the Eye
Joe Albright

There Is More Going on than Meets the Eye

/in , /by

Today, On this “Giving Tuesday,” I invite you to please remember Dial Hope. There is a link on our Daily Email and on our website, www.dialhope.org 

Also, let me say thank you to those of you who regularly support Dial Hope financially. We could not offer this ministry without you! 

Father Barry Foster, a priest in Dublin, Ireland, parked his car on a rather steep slope close to his church. His little cairn terrier was lying on the rear seat and could not be seen by anyone outside the vehicle. Father Foster got out of the car and turned to lock the door with his usual parting command to the dog. “Stay!” he ordered loudly, to an apparently empty car. “Stay!” An elderly man was watching the performance with amused interest. Grinning, he suggested, “Why don’t you just try putting on the emergency brake?”

 This story is funny! It reminds me that in life, we don’t always see the full picture.

This also applies to the life of faith. When we notice the tremendous need in the world around us we may wonder what difference it would make to bring cans of food to the soup kitchen, volunteer for half a day at Habitat, or write a small check to a ministry. On the surface our actions may very well look futile; like someone commanding their car to “Stay Put” on a steep slope! But there is more going on than meets the eye. God is at work. And small actions add up to big changes.

Take for example Habitat for Humanity. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has helped more than 13 million people break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives. Wow! Then, think about the difference that giving has made to all the volunteers along the way. 

The effects of giving are truly exponential. There is indeed more going on than meets the eye. Thanks be to God!

Let us pray: Gracious and Loving God, we know that with you all things are possible. When we get anxious or worried or cynical, remind us that there is more to life than what we can see. Continue to come into our lives in new and surprising ways. Comfort us where we need to be comforted and challenge us where we need to be challenged. Use even our small acts of love and generosity to make this world a better place – always for your glory. Amen.

Deeper Peace
Joe Albright

Deeper Peace

/in , /by

Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. As an aspect of worship, we prepared our sanctuary. We put up added greens. We hung Chrismons. We brought in the manger. And we reflected on the symbolism of each item.

I know some of you may have started to prepare in your own homes as well. Usually, at this time of year, many of us are starting to hang lights, buy gifts, plan for parties, and all the rest of the tasks that typically go with this time of the year.

I do know that this time of year can be difficult for many people. And truly for all of us, if we’re not intentional about it, the season just happens. It becomes a blur. And we miss the greater depth it has to offer. Christmas comes and goes without hardly a second thought to the Christ Child who comes offering deeper peace.

All of this raises the questions: How do we move from the busy and superficial to the sacred and meaningful? How do we navigate the loneliness and isolation many feel?

I think the answers may look different for each of us. But I do think the questions are worthy of some reflection. And I do trust that in the very asking, in the very desire itself, Christ meets us. 

Let us pray: Loving God, we claim the promise today that what you began on Christmas morning more than 2,000 years ago, you will one day bring to completion. As we long for your peace, as we long for depth, meet us in our longing. And then, help us to make decisions and commitments that reflect that longing. Meet us in this holy time, we ask in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Count Our Blessings
Roger Kunkel

Count Our Blessings

/in , /by

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

One of my favorite Peanuts comic strips is one that was printed some years ago, just a few days before Thanksgiving. Lucy is feeling sorry for herself, and she laments, “My life is a drag. I’m completely fed up. I’ve never felt so low in my life.” Her little brother, Linus, tries to console her and says, “Lucy, when you’re in a mood like this, you should try to think of things you have to be thankful for. In other words, count your blessings.” 

To that, Lucy says, “Ha! That’s a good one! I could count my blessings on one finger! I’ve never had anything, and I never will have anything. I don’t get half the breaks that other people get. Nothing ever goes right for me! And you talk about counting blessings! You talk about being thankful! What do I have to be thankful for?” Linus says, “Well, for one thing, you have a little brother who loves you.” With that, Lucy runs and hugs her little brother Linus as she cries tears of joy. And while she is hugging him tightly, Linus says, “Every now and then, I say the right thing.” 

Well, what about us? We have a God who loves us, who loves us unconditionally. And if that doesn’t make us sing the song of thanksgiving, I don’t know what would. God loves you! 

Let us pray: Generous God, who loves us not because of our merits but just because we are; we are overwhelmed by our blessings. Our lives are overflowing with gifts too numerous to mention – the marvels, and beauty of creations, life itself, family, friends, home, church community. Keep us, we pray, from ever taking for granted what we enjoy. In gratitude and humility, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Transforming Work
Joe Albright

God’s Transforming Work

/in , /by

A number of years ago, the youth pastor of a church where I was serving led much of our worship one Sunday. He reminded us that if we keep our eyes open, we can see transformation happening all around us. His first example was taking a student surfing for the first time. He could immediately see the student being transformed from an ordinary kid into a “Surfer.” So cool!

He then took it a step further to say: It is even more beautiful to watch God’s transformation in action. For example, when we give an offering and God turns that money into ministries that help people. Or, when we have a yard sale and the “junk,” that has piled up in our garages gets turned into scholarships; and how we, when we follow Christ, get transformed into people who are forgiving, loving, and giving.  

My prayer is that you too would have eyes to see God’s transforming love at work all around you. And may you trust that God is at work in your own life – even now.

Let us pray: Let us pray: Loving God, we confess that there are times in life when we get discouraged, times when we see only the negative, only the darkness. We pray today for the ability to see your fingerprints all around us. Help us to trust that with you all things are possible! We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

That Your Joy Would Be Complete
Joe Albright

That Your Joy Would Be Complete

/in , /by

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:10-12)

I recently heard about a late professor of theology at Drew University named Dr. Samuel Upham. He died in 1904 at the age of seventy, and in his last hours, he was lying on his bed, surrounded by friends and family. At one point, it seemed that he was gone, but a woman standing by his side touched his feet and said, “No, he’s not dead. Feel his feet. They’re warm. No one ever died with warm feet.” At that, Dr. Upham opened his eyes and said, “Well, Joan of Arc certainly did!

(You may remember that Joan of Arc was burned at the stake!)

Those were his very last words… which tells me that he was a man who had truly embodied God’s spirit of joy. This is the same spirit of joy I imagine the disciples must have felt at the empty tomb. It is the same spirit of joy that has compelled the church through the years. And it is that same spirit of joy that Jesus offers to you even now… 

Let us pray: Loving and Gracious God, open our hearts again to your love. And, as we share that love with others, may we experience anew your deep and abiding joy. Amen.

Coming Alive
Joe Albright

Coming Alive

/in , /by

Some time ago, I heard the Benedictine monk, David Steindl-Rast talking about the word “spirituality,” a word that has become quite popular even outside of traditional religious circles. It is, however, a word that belongs to the Christian tradition. It comes from the Latin word “spiritus” which means, “life,” “breath,” “aliveness.” 

Steindl-Rast said that spirituality and gratitude are deeply linked. True spirituality is aliveness on all levels of awareness. It has to start with our bodily aliveness, that is being alert and aware of all that is around us. He went on to say: “But of course, when we say ‘spirituality,’ we also mean aliveness to others, aliveness to our confrontation with that great divine mystery with which we are confronted as human beings, and which we can look away from, or forget, or be dead to. We come alive to it. And all of this coming alive — that is spirituality. And what science has discovered is that when people are grateful, they come alive.” 

On this Thanksgiving Day, a pray that you would pause even a few moments. Test out the theory of this Benedictine mink. Become aware of all that is around you, the beauty of creation, the abundance of life, and the basic gifts of shelter and sustenance. Call to mind those with whom you share connections, those whom you love, and those who love you. Hold them in your mind’s eye for just a moment. Allow a full 15 seconds for it to fully sink in – (that’s the science). Delight in. Let it soak in, and give thanks. And as you do, may you feel alive to both the gift – and the Giver.

Let us pray: We have set this day aside, O God, to remember your bountiful provision, your goodness, and grace. When our eyes and hearts are open, we can’t fail to notice your hand at work, your loving kindness, your presence, and your love. 

Today, we especially lift up people who are hungry, those who are without homes, and others who are far from loved ones. May they discover your compassion and mercy – even in the midst of difficult times and even through people they may not know well.

Out of gratitude, we return our hearts and our lives to you. Use us in the days and weeks ahead to bless others, and by so doing to bless you. Great is thy faithfulness, O God our Father. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto us! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Even for the Thorns
Roger Kunkel

Even for the Thorns

/in , /by

Today’s message was written by my friend Roger Kunkel.

Friend of Dial Hope, my only regret in writing and recording the messages is that I don’t get to look you in the eye and remind you that God loves you. God has blessed you so you may be a blessing to others.

On this coming Thanksgiving Day, try to focus on this passage from Lamentations 3:22-23:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new / fresh every morning. Great is your faithfulness.

Let us thank God for the gift of each day which is an unrepeatable miracle. How do you use your days? Are you wasting them on self-pity, selfishness, whining, complaining, nit-picking, gossip, fear, negativity, and being a victim? The great Scots preacher George Matheson once wrote, “Lord, I have thanked you for the roses, but I have never thanked you for the thorns… yet, I climbed to you through the thorns of my hardship.” You see George Matheson was blind!

In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned people about “cheap grace,” reminding us that Jesus died on a cross and yet we forget Jesus said to take up our cross and follow him. Sometimes we buy into a kind of decaffeinated Christianity… guaranteed not to keep you awake at night. Today, let us thank God for life with all its aches, pains, and troubles, and especially for Jesus Christ who came not to make life easy – but to make us equal to life.

Let us pray: In humility and gratitude, we thank you, God, for the precious gift of life. Help us with every fiber of our being to make this day a masterpiece, to take the road less traveled… to not only make a difference but be the difference. Watch over those who are traveling… teach us that we never journey beyond your loving care. How Great Thou Art! Through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.  

There Is Always the Choice
Joe Albright

There Is Always the Choice

/in , /by

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul writes: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Very rarely in scripture does Paul, or anyone else for that matter, say this clearly: This is God’s will for you… But here it is. And it’s very simple – very spelled out. But by no means easy.

The spiritual giant Henri Nouwen really brings this home for me. He makes the claim that gratitude is in many ways a discipline… and it involves a conscious choice. He once wrote, “I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of complaint. I can choose to be grateful when I am criticized, even when my heart still responds in bitterness. I can choose to speak about goodness and beauty, even when my inner eye still looks for someone to accuse or something to call ugly. I can choose to listen to the voices that forgive and to look at the faces that smile, even while I still hear words of revenge and see grimaces of hatred.”

There is always the choice between resentment and gratitude…

Nouwen goes on to say, “The choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort. But each time I make it, the next choice is a little easier, a little freer, a little less self-conscious. Because every gift I acknowledge reveals another and another until, finally, even the most normal, obvious, and seemingly mundane event or encounter proves to be filled with grace.”

All of this has the potential to change not only our perspective on life and increase our own well-being. Think about it. If you’re grateful, you’re not fearful… If you’re grateful, you act out of a sense of enough and not out of a sense of scarcity… If you are grateful, you are enjoying the differences between people… If you are grateful, you are aware of how fragile life is, you don’t take it for granted… 

On this Thanksgiving week, I invite you again to pause and take note of the gifts that surround you. Perhaps create your own list. And then give rejoice and give thanks.

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for our faith, for the strength, guidance, and courage we need to face the obstacles of everyday life. We thank you for friends and family and even strangers who do make the journey of life easier and more enjoyable. Today, help us to express our gratitude to them even as we express it to you: Thank you, God. Amen.