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

In the novel about life in a mental hospital, entitled One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, these words were uttered by Randall Patrick McMurphy: “That’s the first thing that got me thinking about this place, there wasn’t anybody laughing. I haven’t heard a real laugh since I came through that door……When you lose your laugh, you lose your footing. ” 

Because of the level of depression and pain in such institutions, a heavy dose of laughter is sorely needed. Through laughter, inner torments work themselves out. It is the medicine needed to revive a wracked heart or withering spirit. We need sure footing along life’s rugged paths. A steady supply of laughter gives us footing. For when I complain, scowl, or retaliate, I am caught in the clutches of cursedness. I am miles from blessing anything. When I laugh, life giggles and shakes in delight. 

We are reminded that the Gospel is not boring, it is not ho-hum, it is good news. Ta-Da! In Proverbs, we read, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) 

Let us pray: God of all precious things, who hears our pain even when tears block our words, create in us a heart of laughter and hope. May your Spirit still the anxiety of those who live with enormous pressure and stress. So bring us comfort where we need comfort, but where we need justice, let there be love. Lord, you have become an undeniable presence, a reliable friend, the one who walks in when the rest of the world walks away. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

The 23rd Psalm begins: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

I love the imagery of still water. There is something peaceful about being near the water – whether river or lake or ocean or mountain stream. An elderly couple in our congregation used to talk about their home on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee – and how on calm, still days, the waters often took on the color of the sky.  

What is it about still water that is healing to the soul?

Of course, sheep need still water in order to drink. And so do we… literally and figuratively. 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said to a thirsty woman by the well, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10) Of course, Jesus is speaking about water for the thirsty soul. 

In this fast-paced, ever changing world we live in, in these times of great political turmoil, I wonder where it is that you fill your cup when you find your soul dry… 

May you continue to turn to the Good Shepherd. Spend time in his presence. Ask him for the “Living Water.” And allow him to lead you to it. 

Let us pray: God of Grace, I pray today for those who are carrying heavy burdens, and whose souls feel parched. Meet each of us this day at the deepest point of our need. Fill us again with your living water. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

One evening on the beach I noticed beautiful sea shells scattered everywhere. These shells were not just the usual mix we find in northeast Florida. No. These were truly unique, and I picked up all kinds of sea treasures.

For the next several weeks, every time I went for a walk on the beach I found myself with my head down, gazing across the sand, searching for more perfect shells. And, I did in fact find more. But one morning as I strolled along the beach searching for shells, I looked up and noticed the ocean was a clear blue-green and the sky a brilliant blue. There was a light breeze, and the day was gorgeous. All of a sudden I realized I had been so captivated by my search for sea shells that I almost missed the bigger picture.

Our life of faith can be just like this. There are times when our heads must be down – bowed in prayer. We all need renewal and strength for the journey. And there are rich treasures to be found in times of prayer and meditation. But if we keep our heads down too long, we might miss the bigger picture. We might fail to notice the beauty and good of God’s creation all around us. And, we might miss opportunities to serve others and to grow.

The next time I go to the beach, I plan to walk part of the way with my head bowed in focused attention. And I will walk the rest of the way with my eyes looking out and my heart wide open.

Let us pray: Loving God, help us to find a balance in life. Help us to carve out time for prayer, time to renew and replenish the soul. But please Lord, don’t let us get stuck there. Give us eyes to see the world around us – the tremendous beauty and the need. As we have received so may we give. Amen.

In the book of Acts, there is a story about Peter meeting with Cornelius, a Gentile outsider. Which in and of itself is strange enough. Peter, even though he was a follower of Jesus, culturally, he had been taught all his life that some parts of God’s creation were not good enough for him. He had been taught all his life that Gentiles – folks who were not of his ethnicity – that were not of his nationality – were unclean. They were seen as outsiders – outside the bounds even of God’s grace. On top of that Cornelius was a military commander in the army that was occupying and oppressing Israel.

And yet, here in this story, we find Peter in his living room!

You see Peter had just had a vision. And in that vision, God changed his heart. God said to Peter, don’t you dare call anything I’ve made, ‘unclean.’ What’s so interesting is that until that moment, Peter thought that the message of Christ was only for Israel. Until that moment, Peter thought he knew exactly who was to be in and who was to be out; who was to be welcome and who was not. All his life he had been taught to have nothing to do with these kinds of people. Until that moment, one of the key leaders of the early church thought the gospel was only for his kind of people.

“Now,” Peter says, “Now, I truly understand that God shows no partiality…” (Acts 10:34)

Even more interesting, when Peter speaks about it, he can’t help but reference Easter: In explaining, he says: God raised this Jesus on the third day… As if to say: Only something that powerful could change my heart and mind. Only something that powerful could break down the walls that divide us… Only something that powerful…

Sometimes we might get caught up in the intellectual question of Easter: How did God raise this Jesus from the dead? But perhaps this scripture from Acts invites us to reframe the questions. Perhaps we could ask:

Is it possible that something so extraordinary happened on that first Easter morning that there is hope for new beginnings and new life? Is it possible that old prejudices can be broken? Is it possible that old wounds can be healed? That scales can fall from eyes? that hearts can open, that minds can change? Is there hope for our greatly divided nation? Is there hope for me?

I don’t know where you are in your journey of faith. But perhaps the question for all of us is not so much an intellectual question: How do I get my mind around the empty tomb and the body coming back to life, but it is more of a faith question – How am I going to live my life in response?

Let us pray: We are grateful O God, that the Risen Christ is at work even now, to heal, to mend, to make whole, and even to bring life out of death. Raise again the dead places in our lives, in our hearts, and in our world. We trust in you, who have promised to make all things new. Amen.

Many years ago, Rev. Jack Meadows told a wonderful story of an incident that occurred during the Special Olympics. Here’s what happened. Nine children lined up for the 100-yard dash. When the gun sounded, the children were off to the races. Only a few yards into it, one of the children fell and began to cry. Immediately, all of the other eight children stopped running, turned around, and came to the aid of their fallen friend. A young girl with Down’s Syndrome leaned down, kissed him, and brushed him off. The other children then lifted him off the ground. They joined arms, as they ran over the finish line together. The audience rose to their feet in applause. There was not one, but nine winners that day!

Meadows wrote, “For a fleeting moment these children showed us what the Kingdom of God is like. They challenged the world’s concept that first place is everything. The world says defeating, even destroying, one’s competitor is the way to go.” Instead, these young folks demonstrated love, unity, and grace. Their actions brought beauty into the world. And, they witness to a better way of living.

Let us pray: We thank you, Holy God, for the desire to achieve and succeed that you have built within us. But we admit that sometimes this drive causes us to lose sight of the bigger picture. We thank you today for the witness of your children during a Special Olympics. May we follow their example with our charity, grace, and compassion. Amen.