Yesterday, I told a story about Mother Teresa. Today I share with you a story of a saint closer to home.

One freezing cold January morning, I was helping out in a homeless shelter with a young student named Chris. Chris was taking coffee outside to fill the cups of those who were waiting. An hour or so into it, he came back inside without his shoes on. Everybody was asking him, “So where are your shoes, Chris?” Chris answered, “There is an elderly man outside on this freezing cold January morning who didn’t have any shoes. He asked whether the shelter had any in size 11, but they don’t. Well, I wear size 11, and I got to thinking about all the pairs I have at home in my closet. So, I just took off my shoes and gave them to him.”

At first, we all thought Chris was nuts! He would have to go home in the cold, barefoot. However, on reflection, his act was inspiring. His personal faith compelled him to care, to give, and not to judge.

We can’t all be Mother Teresa, and we can’t all give the shoes off our feet. But, if we stop and think about it, each and every one of us can show compassion and grace to those in need. Each and every one of us does have something to offer.

Let us pray: Help us to see the need around us, O God. And, give us the courage and creativity to meet that need – if not in the moment, at least in reflection. Compassionate God, it is truly amazing when we consider how generosity changes the world around us, and how it changes the world within us. It is inspiring to see! Help us today to move from self-centered thoughts to self-giving actions. As we do, may we discover deeper joy and meaning, and hope; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Years ago, my Grandfather preached what I think was an Easter sermon, which he wrote as though a letter to his family on the event of his death. He was very pointed. He wanted his memorial service in the church not in a funeral home. He also said he wanted a simple casket, the cheapest one possible, and no gravestone or maker. No flowers. “Don’t waste your money on it!”, he said. My family adhered to some of that – but he does have a marker out in our church’s memorial garden.

What I appreciated about his message, is the willingness to think through it, to plan. Too many times I’ve had families after the death of a loved one, trying to figure out what their father or mother wanted – memorial service or otherwise. He also lifted up the hope we have in Christ of life eternal – life beyond death.

We don’t like to think about death. There is no doubt that we live in a culture that glorifies youth and that encourages us to deny it or defy it, to do whatever it takes to look younger than we are. We spend 100 billion dollars a year spent on anti-aging products. We also live in a time when our healthcare system is hyper-focused on prolonging life at all costs, forgoing almost any conversation considering quality of life. This is why Hospice has been such a gift.

I know we don’t like to think about death. But Jesus spoke often of his own death and ours, and the gospels certainly don’t shy away from it, as if to push us to come to grips with it.

Now having said all of that, I’ve known way too many people who get old before their time. And I never fail to be inspired by someone in their later years who has a youthful heart. Jesus himself – in his teachings and ministry focused extensively on life here and now – which raises the question: Is there something about awareness of the end that adds depth and vitality to life now?

As I mentioned yesterday, I know for me, when I remember that one day I will be here no longer, that reflection makes me love more fiercely, appreciate more deeply the people around me, and feel more fully the beauty of life here and now.

Let us pray: Life is such a precious gift, O God. Help us to appreciate not only the beauty of creation but also the beauty of relationships. Help us to cherish each moment with a friend, each hug from a family member, and each conversation with a loved one. And, above us, remind us again and again that in life and in death we belong to you; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

One of my favorite movies is “Forest Gump” which came to the theaters over 10 years ago. It literally took America by storm! Do you remember these Forest Gump sayings: “Stupid is as stupid does,” and “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.” If you’ll pardon the pun, I want to suggest that we need more Christian Gumption. The word Christian means Christlike, and the word gumption means boldness, courage, wisdom, resourcefulness, strength. Forest Gump has a simple faith in which he lives boldly. He lives life unselfishly. He loves people unconditionally. He trusts God unreservedly. That basic outline is not only a summation of Forrest Gump’s life, it also is a pretty good synopsis of the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

When Jesus says things, such as “Be humble-minded,” “Be obedient,” “Be merciful,” “Be pure in heart,” Be peacemakers,” “Be the salt of the earth and light of the world,” “Turn the other cheek,” “Go the second mile,” “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” he means “Have Christian Gumption.” Be bold and confident and courageous and strong. Live boldly in the spirit of Christ and trust God to bring it outright. In other words, live life unselfishly! Love people unconditionally! Trust God unreservedly! Trust God.

Let us pray: Loving God of song and saga, of earth and history, we thank you for the rich heritage of our nation; for pilgrim’s feet and patriot’s dream; for fruited plain and purple mountains majesty, for universities and churches; for Indian and Scottish and Irish and Italian and Chinese and Puerto Rican and Slavic and Greek; for Protestant and Catholic and Jew, and Mormon, Amish, Mennonite, and Muslim. We pray for the dedication to keep the dream alive, the dream to deepen the sense of communication among races and individuals. Let the spirit of Christ unite our hearts and minds that we may praise you forever. Transform our attitudes, so that we live in excitement and expectation. Teach us to stand on tiptoe, listening for your voice and looking for the evidence of your presence, yes, even in our pain, our hurt, our illness. Anoint every listener with unexpected grace, especially those struggling to be whole. Bless us now so we may be a blessing to others, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

There is an old story about a man who was stopped by St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter said, “Not so fast, my friend. We’ve got a new policy now. You have to tell us that you’ve done a very good deed.” The man replied, “I have done a good deed. I once saw a gang of skinhead bikers picking on a little old lady. I went up to their leader and told him he ought to pick on someone his own size. I punched him in the stomach and then kicked over his Harley.” St. Peter was impressed, “That is a good deed. When did you do this?” The man replied, “Oh, about three minutes ago.”

It is true that sometimes our good deeds don’t pay! Sometimes it feels as though they aren’t appreciated, or that they don’t really make a difference.

There is a line of theology that teaches that by doing good deeds and by being generous, we share in God’s work of healing and redeeming the world around us. I like that thought. I like the idea of working alongside God for a better world.

Sometimes our best efforts are met with resistance or frustration. However, I have to trust that they do matter. I have to trust that they do add up. And I have to trust that ultimately, they do make a difference.

Let us pray: Today, loving God, we ask you to speak deep into our lives. Help us to know beyond any doubt that you are with us, that you know us, that you care. Empower us again to share in your loving redemptive power. We pray for your kingdom to come on earth, and in our lives, as it is in heaven, even now. Amen.

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

Some time ago, someone placed this ad in a Kansas newspaper. “I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5. We smile at that, maybe laugh. It sounds like a stunt, a hoax. But the person putting the ad in the paper was serious. Did anybody call? You be they did! It wasn’t long before this individual was receiving 10 to 20 calls a day.

The pain of loneliness was so sharp that some were willing to try anything for a half-hour of companionship. The truth is that every one of us encounters some person, probably daily, who would be willing to pay someone to listen. The tragedy is, we are not sensitive enough to identify them, or we don’t care enough to respond. Will you start looking for those people, and will you listen to them?

Isaiah said: “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Let us pray: Loving God, walk with us this day, and by your grace enable us to see possibilities rather than problems, windows of opportunity rather than closed doors, persons rather than things, and life rather than mere existence. Thank you, God, for being our Creator, our Guide, and our Friend. In Jesus’ name. Amen.