Faith and Politics – Ultimate Hope
Joe Albright

Faith and Politics – Ultimate Hope

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I think it was just before the 2004 elections, I remember hearing about a church up in North Carolina where the pastor told his congregation – if you are not going to vote Republican, you’re not really Christian, and you may as well leave this church now. Can you imagine? I mean is God a Republican? Or, is God a Democrat for that matter? Can you reduce God to a political party? 

I remember a time in seminary when almost the opposite happened. Someone posted a note on the community bulletin board that asked, “Can you be a Republican and still be a Christian?” 

Someone wrote back, “All things are possible with God.”  And then someone else wrote, “Be careful, my friend. You are making an awfully small god. 

Have you ever noticed how we do that sometimes? We try to make God in our own image. Or we try to line God up with our own agenda. We’ve got to be humble enough to know God is bigger.

I like what Methodist pastor James Howell wrote due to his commitment to Christ: “I cannot stake out some dogged allegiance to any particular political arrangement, Republican, Democrat, conservative, or liberal. All these are human, fallible lunges by fallible people, trying to cope with chaotic life in a fallen world. No party, no candidate, no political line of reasoning can command my absolute zeal.”  

Amen to that!

We are blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to worship, the freedom to vote, the freedom to serve others, and we have the freedom to speak up, to critique, and to engage.  

My prayer is that you would embrace that freedom…without ever denying it to others.  Absolutely let your faith inform your politics.  Pray about it. Spend some time reading the Gospels. Keep an open heart. Pray again about it! Get involved in the process, vote, debate, discuss, engage. But may you do it in a way that God would be glorified!

Let us pray: We pray O God, for our country in this election year. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another, help us listen deeply to you. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love. May we, who seek to follow you, be the salt and the levain and the light that reflects your gospel. By the way that we live, by the way that we speak, by the way that we work and play and interact – use our very lives to bring hope and mercy and joy to a world desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Faith and Politics – Humility
Joe Albright

Faith and Politics – Humility

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Over the past few days, we’ve raised the question: How do we, as followers of Jesus, engage the culture and politics of our day?   

Yesterday we reflected on the need to listen to one another with basic kindness. Today, I’ll simply add the need for humility. 

There’s a great story about the famous Georgia football coach Vince Dooley.  He was in his kitchen, musing out loud one evening, “I wonder how many truly great college football coaches there have ever been?”  And his wife shot right back, “Probably one less than you think!” 

It is important to have people in our lives who keep us humble. 

We are broken people. No matter how much we think we know, no matter how much we’ve studied or prayed, and no matter how well intended – we often are wrong. 

There is no doubt, the Bible is crystal clear about the need for followers of Christ to remain humble. 

1 Peter 5:5 reads, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 

Proverbs 16:5 says, “Arrogance is an abomination to the Lord.”

It’s written in Philippians 2, “Let the same mind be in you, as was in Christ Jesus… who humbled himself…”

Our prayer today was written by Thomas Merton. Let us pray:  O God, we are one with You. You have made us one with You. You have taught us that if we are open to one another, You dwell in us. Help us to preserve this openness and to fight for it with all our hearts. Help us to realize that there can be no understanding where there is mutual rejection. Oh God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely, we accept You, and we thank You, and we adore You, and we love You with our whole being because our being is in Your being, our spirit is rooted in Your spirit. Fill us then with love as we go our diverse ways, united in this one spirit which makes You present in the world, and which makes You witness to the ultimate reality that is love. Love has overcome. Love is victorious. Amen. 

Faith and Politics – Listening With Kindness
Joe Albright

Faith and Politics – Listening With Kindness

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Over the past few days, we’ve raised the question: How do we, as followers of Jesus, engage the culture and politics of our day?   I’ll offer three basic thoughts, and I’ll start today with this.

First, can we at least agree on the need to listen to one another – with basic kindness?

People on the outside are supposed to be able to look at us and say, “See how they love one another…” Yes, they have convictions. Yes, they have a backbone. But look at these people. They are kind, they are compassionate. And they listen. Because how we handle our differences on these issues definitely affects our witness to the world. While the end result is important, the means are just as important. Because they affect the way the gospel is heard or not heard by the outside world.

Have you ever been around someone, when a controversial subject comes up,  and they have a strong opinion on it – it’s like there’s no air left in the room? They’ll shut you down immediately. And you know that even if you could get a word in edgewise – they’d never hear a word of it. 

I hope that’s not us!

Charlie Munger has this great quote: “I will not allow myself to hold an opinion on a topic that I can’t articulate the opposing view better than those who hold it.”

If you could get to the point where you could argue the issue from either side – then you’ve truly heard. Doing this will either change your heart – or it will strengthen your belief. Either way, if you understand the issue from both sides, it will help you love and empathize with the people you’re talking to. From a Christian perspective, nothing could be more important than that. No law, no program, no agenda… nothing…

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three. But the greatest of these is love.” 

Let us pray: We pray O God, for our country in this election year. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another, help us listen deeply to you. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love. May we, who seek to follow you, be the salt and the levain and the light that reflects your gospel. By the way that we live, by the way that we speak, by the way that we work and play and interact – use our very lives to bring hope and mercy and joy to a world desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Faith and Politics – Part II
Joe Albright

Faith and Politics – Part II

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Yesterday, we began to reflect on faith and politics. No doubt, dangerous waters! It would be easier to try to keep the two separate, or just not talk about it.  However, as followers of Christ, we can’t just throw up our hands and say, I’m not going to engage.   

I think about how beautiful it is to read about churches that stood up against slavery. But to do that they had to bring their faith into the political arena. They had to stand up and say, we think selling human beings is wrong.

I remember my friend Rev. Herb Meza telling me that back in the late 1950’s he published an article called, “The Agony of a Southern Preacher.” The agony was that as a pastor, he felt strongly that God created and loved all humans equally without regard to race. And in his heart, he knew how vital it was for the church to push the culture, and to push our country to move towards civil rights. And yet, when he preached on it, many in his congregation said, “Hey – you’re preaching politics. Keep the politics out of the pulpit.”  But he preached anyway… And people threatened his life.

Sometimes the church has done this really well. And other times, we have to admit, we have not had that great a witness.  Part of the complication is that there are times when just don’t agree with one another – and we come down in different places on the same issue.

Even some of the most basic tenants can cause friction. For example, while most Christians would agree that central to our faith is caring for the poorest most vulnerable members of our society – Jesus said whatever you have done to the least of these – the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the foreigner – you have done it to me. However, we just don’t always agree on how to go about that.

And then what about some of the more controversial issues? Capital punishment, abortion, just war, gun legislation, and on and on… Good, honest, faithful people – people who know their Bible, who know their theology – who love the Lord somehow end up interpreting the scriptures in different ways – and ultimately end up with different convictions. 

Why is that, God? What do we do with that? 

I’ll continue the reflections over the next few days. For now, I leave you with this prayer…

Let us pray: Let us pray: We pray O God, for our country in this election year. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another, help us listen deeply to you. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love. May we, who seek to follow you, be the salt and the levain and the light that reflects your gospel. By the way that we live, by the way that we speak, by the way that we work and play and interact – use our very lives to bring hope and mercy and joy to a world desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Faith and Politics
Joe Albright

Faith and Politics

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So if you’re at a dinner party, what are the two topics that most of us always try to steer clear of? Of course, as a pastor, I find myself in the middle of these topics all the time – especially at social events. It’s funny. A lot of times, once people find out I’m a pastor, they either think I’m the faith police and they immediately start apologizing for not going to church. Or, they want to talk about faith. And sometimes not only do they want to talk faith – they even want to talk politics. 

And it’s so interesting. There is an assumption out there that all Christians come down in the same place when it comes to politics. Of course, being the pastor of a church, I know that’s not true. Our church is all over the place. Half are red, half are blue, so we’re purple! It’s actually more complicated than that… some are deep red, some deep blue, and every shade in between. So we’re more like brown – or grey!

But it is tough no matter what these days to have a deep, meaningful conversation around political issues. And when you mix faith in there, it can make for some dangerous waters. It always has.

In Jesus’ day, it was widely believed that when the Messiah came, he would be a political figure.  Messiah literally means king. And while he never aspired to a real political position, he represented an alternative kingdom – the kingdom of God – which was very contrary to Rome. And there is no doubt that his life, ministry, and teaching were intended to have an impact on the culture around him.

All of this raises the question: How do we, as followers of Jesus, engage the culture and politics of our day? 

Over the next several days, I’m going to offer a few thoughts. For today, I leave you with this prayer…

Let us pray: Let us pray: We pray O God, for our country in this election year. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another, help us listen deeply to you. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love. May we, who seek to follow you, be the salt and the levain and the light that reflects your gospel. By the way that we live, by the way that we speak, by the way that we work and play and interact – use our very lives to bring hope and mercy and joy to a world desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

God Is Faithful
Joe Albright

God Is Faithful

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Today, I am deeply grateful for those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. Hope reaches others because of you. Thank you!

In his book Orthodoxy, GK Chesterton wrote, “The thing I mean can be seen in children when they find a game or joke they especially enjoy. A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess – not absence – of life. Children are abounding in vitality of life because in spirit they are fierce and free – therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, ‘Do it again,’ and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead – for grown-up people are not strong enough to exalt in monotony.” 

“But, perhaps God is strong enough to exalt through monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, ‘Do it again to the sun.’ And every evening, ‘Do it again to the moon.’ It may not be an automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike. It may be that God makes every daisy separately but has never gotten tired of making them. It may be that he has the eternal appetite of infancy. For we have sinned and grown old and our Father is younger than we.”

There is something telling about the cycles of the seasons, the cycles of nature, even the cycle of a day – when the evening gives way to dark and the night then gives way to dawn – and it happens over and over. There is something about that consistency that reminds us that God is faithful.  We may stray or fall short, but God is always there – ever calling us back.

Let us pray: Eternal God, we praise you today for the beauty of your creation, and for the way you so faithfully provide. We want to be fierce and free. We want to be fully alive and abounding with hope. Help us to be faithful as you are faithful. Help us to hold fast to your promises and to your word to your guiding, loving hand; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Where is God?
Roger Kunkel

Where is God?

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

You know, when trouble comes into our lives or when tragedy strikes, we ask, “Where is God?” And the answer is – God is in the same place he was when his son was on the cross. God does not abandon us; God is with us every step of the way. He is with us even closer than our hands and feet. And as we keep moving forward, living one day at a time, trusting in God, and doing the best we can, he moves with us; he brings us through the valley. In the fiftieth chapter of Genesis, this is what Joseph referred to when he said to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20) What had happened was bad, but God brought good out of those terrible events. That is the good news of our faith. God is with us, and nothing, not even death, can separate us from Him. “Lo, I am with you always,” – this is God’s most significant promise, and when we claim that promise, it changes our lives. Now make this day a masterpiece for you are blessed to be a blessing to others. 

Let us pray: God of all time, come into our lives and make us whole. As you entered time in Jesus the Christ, be born in us today and lead us to the light of your love. Be with all those in need of warmth and life and hope. Be with those who grieve. Be with those who are sick. Be with those who are afraid, that they may find themselves held in your strong arms. Lead us to your light, for we pray in the name of the light of the world, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Unfinished Business
Joe Albright

Unfinished Business

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The Reverend King Duncan once told about a letter that appeared in The Catholic Digest. A mother wrote that she was just finishing up a load of laundry, heading back upstairs when her kindergarten-aged daughter presented her deepest theological question. “Mommy,” she asked, “if it were the end of the world, and everyone was getting ready to die…” The mother stopped, shifted the basket, and said a quick prayer for wisdom to answer this question. “Yes?” The mother encouraged her daughter. The little girl continued: “Mommy, if the end of the world came, would you have to take your library books back?” 

Duncan reflected, “Obviously, that young lady did not want any unfinished business in her life.

“How about you? Is there some unfinished business in your life that needs to be taken care of? Is there someone you need to forgive? Are there amends to be made? A letter written? A phone call you need to place? A visit you need to make or a word or two that you need to speak?  

The late humorist and author Lewis Grizzard once told about a time when he was being visited by his minister in the hospital. Grizzard was scheduled to have open-heart surgery the next morning, and he confessed to his pastor that he had not exactly led a virtuous life. He asked if there was still time to repent. The minister looked at his watch and replied, “Yes, but I’d hurry if I were you.”

Let us pray: Loving God, thank you for loving us exactly as we are – right now in this moment. But we also thank you that you love us so much that you invite us to change and grow. We want to live healthy, whole, meaningful lives, and to that end, we ask for insight, courage, and strength.  Be especially close to those who feel the weight of the world on their shoulders; and with those who are in pain and suffering today. May your Spirit rest on each one of us bringing us your peace. Amen.

Second Chances
Joe Albright

Second Chances

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Yesterday we talked about Jonah. Another passage in Jonah really challenges me. Jonah was called to preach to the people of Nineveh. They were a particularly brutal, bloodthirsty lot. But, when they heard Jonah preach, they repented.  

In chapter 3, we read, “When God saw what they did… God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it.” 

God changed his mind. 

Whenever we think we’ve got God nailed down and figured out – whenever we think we know who God is going to condemn or who God is going to save – we need to remember this passage.  God is a God of surprises and a God of Grace. 

 I’ve often heard it said that when I get to heaven I’ll be surprised at who I see there. If I’m honest with myself, I have to imagine there will be some there who will also be surprised to see me!

Let us pray:  O God, you are a God of second chances. And for that, we praise you. We praise you for your mercy, your forgiveness, and for your amazing grace. Help us today to forgive as we have been forgiven. If there are broken relationships in our lives, give us the courage and strength to work for reconciliation when possible.  In all things, help us to trust you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jonah
Joe Albright

Jonah

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I love the book of Jonah. I especially love how real and human Jonah comes across. He runs from God. He repents only when he finds himself in deep deep trouble. And, he gets mad when God forgives his enemies! Jonah claims that he is mad enough to die!

Not that Jonah is the kind of character we want to emulate. In most cases, he’s not. But, if we are honest, at some point in life, we can all relate to him. The best part about the book is that God never gives up on Jonah. God continues to love him and work through him, in spite of his obstinacy.  I take that as a good sign!

Let us pray: God of grace, we do fall short. From time to time we run from you. Like Jonah, we also nurse grudges. We don’t like to forgive. We’re human. So today, we thank you for your grace. We thank you for your relentless love. We thank you that you can and do work through us in spite of our imperfections. I pray especially today for those who need to hear your gentle, loving voice, calling them back once again. Amen.