Turning Off the Phone
Joe Albright

Turning Off the Phone

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There is a Peanuts Comic where Lucy and Linus are getting ready for Church. Lucy asks, “Have you studied your Sunday school lesson?” “I’m working on it.. I’m practicing doing three things at once,” Linus responds as he tries to get dressed. “All it takes is balance and coordination of which I happen to have plenty of both!” He continues, “See? I can read the lesson, button my shirt and slip my feet into my shoes all at the same time…” Just as he says this, he slips and falls – shoes and Sunday school lessons all go flying. In the last frame, Lucy says, “Lesson for today: Second Samuel, first chapter, verse 19, ‘How the mighty have fallen.’”

In today’s world, we try to multi-task all the more. Our smartphones, ipads, and tablets allow us to connect with friends and colleagues all over the world at any given moment. There is a lot of blessing in this – however, I am more and more aware that we have to be careful. While it is completely possible to work or socialize online while we’re on vacation, or at the dinner table, or while hanging out with other friends and family, it can be detrimental to those relationships.

I am constantly reminded that one of the best gifts we can give to people that we love is to listen to them. But it is impossible to be present to them, and with them, if we are at the same time, somewhere else online.

Today I invite you to join me in making a conscious effort to set down the phone, turn off the TV, and move away from the screens when I am around people I love.

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you today for the gift of technology. But, even more importantly, we thank you for the gift of family and friends. We know we couldn’t make it for very long in life without them. When in their presence, help us to be present, and to show them our love by our attention. Amen.

As Love Is Offered to Us, We Can Offer to Others
Joe Albright

As Love Is Offered to Us, We Can Offer to Others

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This past week I heard this interview with Father Greg Boyle who is a Jesuit Priest. Very early on in his ministry, he was placed in inner-city Los Angeles to work with gangs in the roughest part of the city. It was a fascinating interview – and so moving.

He ended up starting several businesses in the inner city to employ these kids who had been in gangs just to give them jobs – some kind of hope – some kind of way out. These kids, as you can imagine, come from the worst kind of life situations – they often drop out of school – very few opportunities. And he’s there building relationships with them.

And in this interview, he said, “Lately, the homies have been asking for a blessing. Though they never say “Father, may I have your blessing?” They always say, “Hey, G, give me a bless, yeah?”

“And they always say it the same way. So this kid, Louie, I’m talking to him, and he’s complaining about something. And finally, at the end of it, he says, “Hey, G, give me a bless, yeah?” I said, “Sure.” So he comes around to my side of the desk, and he knows the drill, and he bows his head, and I put my hands on his shoulder. Well, his birthday had been two days before, so it gave me an opportunity to say something to him. And I said, ‘You know, Louie, I’m proud to know you, and my life is richer because you came into it. When you were born, the world became a better place. And I’m proud to call you my son, even though’ — and I don’t know why I decided to add this part — ‘at times, you can really be a huge pain in the ass.’”

“And he looks up, and he smiles. And he says, ‘The feeling’s mutual.’”

He went on to laugh and said, “Sometimes we do have this opportunity to help others find belonging, love, and acceptance. Sometimes we do have these opportunities to help others glimpse their true identity. As it offered to us, we can offer it to others.”

“Alice Miller, who’s the late, great child psychologist, talked about how we’re all called to be enlightened witnesses: people who, through your kindness and tenderness and focused attention of love, return people to themselves. And in the process, you’re returned to yourself.”

Again this week, I wonder if there might be people in your life who need to hear a blessing from you…

Let us pray: Gracious God, may we know your unconditional love for us in the very deepest part of our beings. And may we share that gift with a world desperately in need. Amen.

God’s Creative Activity
Roger Kunkel

God’s Creative Activity

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

One of my favorite baseball stories is about three umpires who were discussing how they did their jobs, especially when they were working behind the plate, calling balls and strikes. The first umpire said, “Some of ’em are balls; some of ’em are strikes. But I calls ’em as I sees ’em.” The second one said, “Some of ’em are balls; some of ’em are strikes. But I calls ’em as they are.” The third one said, “Some of ’em are balls; some of ’em are strikes. But they ain’t nothin’ until I calls ’em.” 

A sermon is in that story because it’s a parable about life. Each of those umpires tells us something about our relationship to the truth. (Read Matthew 16:13-16, 21-25; John 8:32). The third umpire is my favorite. Here is a man who creates truth by his word. When we create truth or meaning or relationships, we are sharing in God’s creative activity. Made in God’s image and likeness, we are all artists and creators. The Bible uses the metaphor or speech to describe God’s creation: “God said, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3) The parable of the umpires teaches us to never be afraid to call life as we see it, to express our love for God and our fellow human beings.

Let us pray: How great thou art, O God, without whose spirit nothing grows, without 
whose love, we wither and fall away. We thank you for Jesus of Nazareth who leads us 
in this way… 
where to be great, one has to be humble, 
where to be exalted, one has to serve, 
and where to find life, one has to lose it. 
Teach us that great truths are great simplicities. Awaken us today that we hear the 
singing of trees and watch morning and night changing guard. Through the grace of 
Jesus. Amen. 

Each New Day
Joe Albright

Each New Day

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In an old Winnie the Pooh comic strip, Pooh and Piglet take an evening walk. They mostly walk in silence. Finally, Piglet asks, “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh, what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”

“What’s for breakfast?” answers Pooh. And then Pooh asks, “And what do you say, Piglet?” Piglet responds, “I say, I wonder what exciting thing is going to happen today?”

I wonder what you say first thing in the morning. 

I once heard it said that there are two kinds of people in the world, those who either wake up and say, “Good morning, Lord!” Or, those by saying, “Good Lord, it’s morning.”

Whether you are a morning person or not, in those first few moments of the day you have an opportunity to set the tone and attitude for the entire day ahead. Spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hahn suggests we start each day with a smile. He claims, “Smiling helps you approach the day with gentleness and understanding.” Others recommend beginning with prayer, meditation, quiet time, journaling, or even writing a short gratitude list.

How we start out each morning, really sets the course for the day. Small rituals can really help us center and stay centered. They put us in touch with our own hearts and minds. They grant space for God and enable us to approach each new day with wonder, expectation, and joy.

Let us pray: Loving God, no matter how we began this morning, no matter what stress or burdens we may be carrying, grant us a new beginning to this day. From this point on, we will expect to see your hand at work in our lives and in the world around us. Amen. 

Living the Promises
Joe Albright

Living the Promises

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Pastor and author, Tom Long tells about a time while he was at Princeton when he attended a nearby Presbyterian church that prides itself on being an academic, intellectual church. One evening early on, he went to a family night supper and sat down next to a man, introduced himself, told him he was new, and asked, “Have you been here long?”

“Oh yes,” the man said. “In fact, I was here before this became such a scholarly church. Why I’m probably the only non-intellectual left. I haven’t understood a sermon in over 25 years.” 

“Then why do you keep coming?,” Tom asked.

“Because every Monday night a group of us get in the church van and drive over to the youth correctional center. Sometimes we play basketball or play games. Usually, we share a Bible story. But mostly we just get to know these kids and listen to them. I started going because Christians are supposed to do those kinds of things. But now I could never stop. Sharing the love of God at that youth center has changed my life.” And then he made this profound statement. “You cannot prove the promises of God in advance, but if you live them, they’re true, everyone.”

That’s beautiful, isn’t it? I pray today that in your own life, you would continue to live the promises of God. And, may you find that they are indeed true – every one.

Our prayer today was written by Swiss diplomate, author, economist, and Secretary-General to the United Nations, the late Dag Hammarskjold. Let us pray: Great and good God, give us pure hearts that we may see you, humble hearts that we may hear you, hearts of love that we may serve you, hearts of faith that we may live in you, reverent hearts that we may worship you, here and in the world out there, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Are You Up for the Job?
Joe Albright

Are You Up for the Job?

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Have you heard about the confidential report on several candidates being considered for a pastorate at a local church? Let me share just a few with you:

Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with not even one convert. Prone to unrealistic building projects.

Moses: A modest and meek man, but a poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier church over a murder charge.

David: The most promising leader of all until we discovered the affair he had with his neighbor’s wife.

Jonah: Refused God’s call until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore near here. We hung up.

Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper – even had been known to curse. Aggressive, but a loose cannon.

Paul: Powerful CEO-type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact and has been known to preach all night.

Timothy: Too young!

Methuselah: Too old… WAY too old!

Jesus: Has had popular times, but once his church grew to 5000 he managed to offend them all, and then this church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long. And, of course, he’s single! 

This just reminds me never to be too quick to judge! God works through all kinds of people – even people we’d never expect – even people like you and me.

Pastor and scholar Eugene Peterson once wrote, “God, it turns out, does not require good people in order to do good work. As one medieval saying has it, “God draws straight lines with a crooked stick.” He can do work with us, whatever the moral and spiritual condition in which he finds us. God, we realize does some of his best work using the most unlikely people.”

Our prayer today comes out of my tradition’s book of common worship. Let us pray: Eternal God, you call us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Life Resource
Joe Albright

Life Resource

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Many years ago, we had two foster children join our family for a short time down in Sarasota – two sisters ages 4 and 6. These children came from a very rough home, and church was not a big part of their lives. The first night at our house was traumatic. After being removed from their parent’s home, you can only imagine the tears. I remember when we finally got them settled down in their bedroom, I heard these two little voices praying together the Lord’s prayer – in the old King James Version.

Somewhere along the line, somebody had taught them this prayer. And it was for them a lifeline in a time of incredible stress. 

I wonder if you have prayers or scripture that you have memorized and that you say in times of need. For some people it is the Lord’s prayer, for others, it is the twenty-third Psalm, for others still it is a short passage from a Gospel or letter.  

It is the experience of many during troubled times, that drawing upon the tradition of prayer and the promise of scripture is a source of comfort and hope. 

Our prayer today is the Lord’s prayer. Feel free to say it along with me. Let us pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And, forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

You Are Exactly What Is Needed
Joe Albright

You Are Exactly What Is Needed

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Yesterday I shared a story told by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen about the birthday of the world. The story relates how we, as human beings, are here to look for the hidden light in all people and events. And in doing so, help restore the innate wholeness of the world God created. 

Dr. Bremmen went on to say, this is “a very old story; it comes from the 14th century. And it’s a different way of looking at our power. It opens a sense of possibility. It’s not about healing the world by making a huge difference. It’s about healing the world that touches you, that’s around you. The world to which you have proximity. That’s where our power is. We heal the world one heart at a time.” 

She said, “Many people feel powerless in today’s situation….I think that we all feel that we’re not enough to make a difference, that we need to be more, somehow — either wealthier or more educated (younger/ older) or, somehow or other, different than the people we are. But according to this story, we are exactly what’s needed.” 

And to just wonder about that a little, what if we were exactly what’s needed? What then? How would I live if I was exactly what’s needed to heal the world? 

Maybe the idea here is not just to pray for peace… but to learn to forgive, and to live in peace within my own house, within my own neighborhood, my own church… Maybe it’s not just to pray for the lonely neighbor, but to visit. Not just to advocate for justice, but to think about what I buy and what I don’t buy… Not just to pray for unity, but to seek to understand the other.

And maybe it’s to ask: Where are the tears that need to be dried? Where are the divisions that need to be bridged? Where are the fractures within my grasp? In what ways can I be a minister and priest to those in my own life? How can I draw out the light, bring out the light right here, right now?

So one last story. A man was having trouble with his car late one evening. He made it to a small garage. A mechanic was there and he popped the hood and began to examine the engine. A helper stood by, directing the beams of a powerful flashlight into the recesses under the hood.

However, at one point the helper got distracted and turned away and in doing so inadvertently turned off the light. The mechanic looked up, and with good-humored impatience exclaimed: “Shine your light! What are you here for anyway?”

There’s something to think about in that question. What do we think we are here for?

Let us pray: Help us, Holy God, to notice the in-breaking light, to lift it up, to name it, to rejoice in it, and to reflect it. Amen. 

The Birthday of the World
Joe Albright

The Birthday of the World

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The other day, I was listening to an interview with the author and doctor Rachel Naomi Remen. She is a fascinating person of deep Jewish faith. She has done groundbreaking work with cancer patients, and she herself has had a lifelong struggle with Crohn’s Disease.

In the interview, she shared a story that was related to her by her grandfather on her fourth birthday. It is the story of the birthday of the world. And it goes like this…

In the beginning, there was only the holy darkness, the Ein Sof, the source of life. And then, in the course of history, at a moment in time, this world, the world of a thousand thousand things, emerged from the heart of the holy darkness as a great ray of light. 

But then, something happened… the vessels containing the light of the world, the wholeness of the world, broke apart. And the wholeness of the world, the light of the world, was scattered into a thousand thousand fragments of light. And they fell into all events and all people, where they remain deeply hidden until this very day. 

She said, “Now, according to my grandfather, the whole human race is a response to this accident. We are here because we are born with the capacity to find the hidden light in all events and all people, to lift it up and make it visible once again, and thereby to restore the innate wholeness of the world.”  

I think one of the reasons why I like this particular story is because sometimes the weight of the suffering and need around us can feel completely overwhelming. But here it is actually very practical – look for the light in the world you can see and touch – to look for the good, the beautiful around us at any moment. This calls us to shift from judgment mode – to curious mode…to ever ask: Where is the light in this? 

And yes, sometimes we actually have to draw it out… sometimes we have to reflect that light ourselves… 

It seems our brains are hard-wired to always look for the darkness. Endless news cycles and social media don’t help that. But the truth is, we don’t have to look far to see this other reality.

Today I invite you to take a second look at the people and events in the life around you – even the ones that appear on first blush to be particularly troublesome. See if you can’t find the hidden gems of light in each one. See if you can’t draw them out and perhaps reflect them a little further. 

The gospel of John tells us that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness is not able to overcome it. 

Let us pray: Help us, Holy God, to notice the in-breaking light, to lift it up, to name it, and to rejoice in it. Amen. 

Heart of Gratitude
Roger Kunkel

Heart of Gratitude

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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.