Today I would like to say a special word of thanks to those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. Your gifts make this ministry possible!

One of my friends, Dan Brooks owns Sunrise surf shop in Jacksonville Beach, and for several years he organized a surf camp for children who have autism.

I’ve had the privilege of helping out with this ministry, and what a blessing it was!  

While the young boy I worked with never actually stood up on the surfboard, it was quite a thrill when he’d catch a wave and laugh hysterically. His mom was a single mom, and she shared with me how beautiful it was for her to see her son engaged in an activity that brought so much joy. She also related how rare it was for her to be able to come to the beach – or really get out anywhere – and just relax for a few hours knowing her son didn’t need her immediate supervision.

I think about how all this started. My friend Dan saw people who are in need. It’s almost as if he heard God asking him, Dan what can you do? What do you have to offer? So Dan begins with what’s in his hand at the time. He knows surfing, has some boards and some kayaks, connections with the lifeguards. Dan offers what he has, and God blesses it and multiplies it.

Not only does this ministry open a new world for some of these children, it gives hope to the parents – and some respite. It also touches the volunteers in a very deep and significant way. And, it raises awareness in the community and beyond. 

So often God works like that. God touches our hearts in some way. As God said to Moses, “I’ve heard the cry of my people… I’m coming to save them… Go now, I’m sending you.” 

Let us pray: Open our hearts, O God, to the need and the cry of your people all around us. Convict us and then consecrate us. Show us how our deepest joys and gifts might be used to serve others. For we remember that in giving we receive. We have indeed been blessed so that we might be a blessing to this world that you so love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Over the past couple of days, we reflected on a passage of scripture from the book of Isaiah (55:1-3): Ho, everyone who thirsts; come to the waters… 

Some scholars have pointed out that these verses sound a little like a vendor in a market, hawking her wares, trying to the attention of those passing by: Ho… Hey you… Are you thirsty? It almost sounds like a marketing pitch that builds in intensity: water, bread, wine, and milk are all available, an abundance of provisions!

What are you looking for? 

Now I have to imagine, the people who first heard these words, were not too unlike us. I have to imagine that many of them, were indeed longing for something more… And sometimes that “more” would be hard to pin down. I imagine that like us, some of them may have thought… well, if I just had x, then I would be satisfied. Or, I’ll be happy, or I’ll feel at peace when… when I graduate from high school… When I get that promotion at work… when I get that new house… When I retire… 

And there is no doubt, this is part of how we are created. We are created with an innate longing, drive, a desire. And in many ways, it has served us well. But, taken to the extreme, it can lead to profound emptiness. 

And at first glance this scripture from Isaiah, it almost sounds like another marketer vying for our attention: “Hey you!… Are you thirsty? I have what you need!” But then, very quickly, there is a shift in the text and a pointed question is raised. This is God speaking to us: Why do you spend your money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy?

We might reframe the question: What do you think it is that will truly satisfy you? 

I think deep down if we were to really reflect on what we want, what we value, it would not be money. It would not be things. It would not be the next promotion at work. I imagine for most of us it would be a sense of peace, meaning, a sense of knowing that as flawed as we are, we are loved and accepted. It would be opportunities to show love, to make a difference for others. 

“Listen carefully to me,” God says. “Incline your ear and come to me…” All that you’ve been looking for, all that you’ve been longing for, it’s already here. It is right before you. All you have to do is notice and receive.

Let us pray: We turn to you even now, O God. Fill us with your healing grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In the book of Isaiah (55:1-3), we read these words: Ho, everyone who thirsts; come to the waters… 

I think about how often water is used as a metaphor in our scriptures. In the dry, dusty middle eastern setting in which they were written, water was often scarce. It is no wonder that Jesus and many of the prophets and poets turned to water and thirst into spiritual teachings. It had to be right at the forefront of people’s minds. They also seemed to be very much aware that just as a person can become desperate for water, so too we can become desperate for other types of nourishment. 

Come to the waters!… everyone who thirsts….

Jesuit Priest Guy Consolmagno once put it this way: Deep within us all, there is an underlying hunger, a hunger for understanding, for connection, for wholeness, which is to say an underlying hunger for God himself.

In that same passage in Isaiah, God continues to speak: “Listen carefully to me. Eat what is good and delight yourself in rich food. Incline your ear and come to me…” In other words, all that you’ve been looking for, all that you’ve been longing for, it’s here. All you have to do is turn to me and receive.

Let us pray: So often in life, O God, we find ourselves hungry and thirsty, longing for understanding, longing for connection, longing for something more. We turn to you again today. May your living water fill us, refresh us, and then spill out of our lives to the point of overflowing. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Apostle Peter once said, “Now I truly know that God shows no partiality!” (Acts 10) Jesus had spoken to him in a dream, and he made it crystal clear that even the gentiles, people so utterly different than Peter, were welcome and loved by God.”

In his book, “Learning to Lead,” Fred Smith writes, “Immature individuals can’t enjoy people who are different. They prefer people just like themselves. Maturity is being comfortable with diversity.”

Pastor and author Joshua Kang builds on this. In his book Deep-Rooted in Christ, he writes, “Sometimes when people think differently from us, we’re quick to say they are wrong. But being different isn’t necessarily wrong… Those who refuse to embrace others are thinking only about themselves… As we expand our hearts to embrace others, we begin to accept, understand and love their differences.”

At this time in our nation’s history, when we are so polarized on any number of issues, I pray that those of us who follow Jesus might set a better example. May we live as he lived – loving, serving, and embracing even those who think, look, and act differently from ourselves.

Let us pray: Loving God, sometimes we feel like we know best and that others are simply ignorant. Save us from our pride. Remind us again that you created and love all people. We remember today that in your kingdom there are people young and old, rich and poor, democrats and republicans, people speaking every language, from every nation and race. One day, O Lord, we hope to sit with them and with you at the heavenly ban quit table. We pray in the name of the One who gave his life for us and for all. Amen.

Over the last few days, I’ve been reflecting on this passage of scripture from the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-33, where Jesus comes to the disciples on the Sea of Galilee in the midst of a storm. 

There is another part of this scripture. You may remember that in the heart of the storm, Peter feels called to take a leap of faith. And instead of waiting for Jesus to come to him, he asked Jesus, “Command me to come to you.” And for a brief moment, Peter himself walks on water.

I’m not sure what to do with this, except to think that maybe there have been times in your life when even amidst the storm you have felt called to step out in faith. Perhaps even now. Maybe it is as simple as asking for help, seeking counseling, or attending a recovery group for the first time. Or perhaps you have felt led to give when you felt you had nothing to give. Or maybe it is standing up for someone in need, or caring for someone in pain, even when you feel like you are hanging on by a thread yourself.

One of the things I love about this story is that it shows us Peter’s humanity. One minute he has this bold faith. He’s all in, his eyes are fixed on Jesus. And the next minute he’s distracted by the wind, by the obstacles, by the potential for failure, by being in over his head. He takes his eyes off of Jesus, he becomes afraid, and he starts to sink. This mix of belief and unbelief, this faith and doubt, trusting and untrusting captures his humanity. 

Yet even then, Jesus is right there to lift him up. And he says, “O You of little faith, why did you doubt?” You could do it. And I have to think: at least Peter got out of the boat, which is more than the other eleven could say!

It’s not easy to trust that we’ll make it through the storm, much less take a leap of faith in the heart of it. However, I do trust that Jesus meets us wherever we are. And I do pray that you will hear Jesus say to you: You can do it. Take courage… It is I… Do not be afraid.

Let us pray: Meet us, Lord Jesus, amid the storms of life. Ground us in your peace, and fill us anew with your healing grace. Amen.