The Lonely Place
Joe Albright

The Lonely Place

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In his book, Out of Solitude, Henri Nouwen writes about the importance of finding time apart for prayer and silence – which he talks about as a “Lonely place”. He puts it this way:

“Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our lives are in danger. Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening, speaking no longer heals, that without distance, closeness cannot cure…When you are able to create a lonely place in the middle of your actions and concerns, your successes and failures slowly can lose some of their power over you…It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having and that we are worth more than the result of our efforts…” 

I wonder what that might look like for you to carve out that time apart?

For some people it might mean sitting quietly first thing in the morning, becoming aware of God’s presence around you and in you… maybe even setting a timer for two minutes… working your way up to five minutes… then maybe up to 20 minutes… (Be patient with yourself. If you’ve never sat it silence it can be difficult at first).

Some people will try to focus on their breath… and the life-giving, healing Spirit of God that is all around us. When their mind drifts, they come back to that breath. Others will simply try to be in touch with all that is stirring inside them and offer it back as a prayer.

The world inside us is a very complex, often troubled, place. Isn’t it? That time can allow us to sort through some of what’s inside, and to listen again to the still small voice of God.

In Matthew chapter 6, in the Message version of the Bible, Jesus talking to his own disciples, says, “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you possibly can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” May it be so. 

Let us pray. God of Grace, help us to set apart even a few moments each day of quiet. Meet us in that place. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hope That Cannot Be Contained
Joe Albright

Hope That Cannot Be Contained

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Beth Knopik was the keynote speaker at a Dial Hope event that we sponsored in Sarasota last month. She and her husband Steve lost a daughter at age 16 to a rare heart virus. It is hard to even begin to imagine the pain of that loss. Beth wrote a book about her experience with the idea that she might help others. And it is really quite touching. It’s called, Beyond the Rainbow.

There was one particular moment in the book where Beth describes a turning point. She writes: 

“Little by little, there began to appear in my dark, dismal cave a tiny sliver of light. One evening, several months into our loss, Steve and I sat at the kitchen counter, having dinner. There was nothing remarkable about that day or that moment, but suddenly, out of nowhere, a mysterious feeling began to wash over me. My body warmed. I felt the hair on my arms and the back of my neck raise. It was as if my heart, grown so heavy these last few months, felt lighter. Every cell in my body breathed a moment of total, utter calm.”

“At the time, I had no idea what was happening. Now, I know that what I felt was the pure presence and gift of grace. A moment of true clarity. I turned to face Steve. My voice firm with conviction, I declared, ‘We are going to be okay. We are going to get through this. I knew it with everything in me.’”

Reflecting on Beth’s story, I’m reminded that I’ve heard other stories too about how just when life seemed to be falling apart, something deep inside started to grow: a hope that couldn’t be contained, a hope that they would see a loved one again; hope that tomorrow doesn’t have to be the same as today – things can change – that there can be a new start. 

I’ve had others tell me that just at that moment when they thought they were just about beyond their ability to cope, a strange peace came over them, or an inexplicable sense of joy that arose out of the darkness…

I’m reminded by these stories, that God is a God who can bring strength out of weakness, a God who can use our brokenness, even our failures and our shortcomings to make something new – even something beautiful. 

I’m deeply grateful to Beth, and her willingness to share her story. Even in the midst of all she has gone through, God has given her a heart to help others.

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for your grace that sustains us, and compels us. I pray today that you would draw near to those who need you most. Bring healing, comfort, and hope. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Does God Know?
Roger Kunkel

Does God Know?

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

A little boy was going with his father up to the top of the Sears building in Chicago. The express elevator shot up at a speed that was literally breathtaking. When the elevator zoomed past the seventy-fifth floor, the boy said to his father, “Does God know we are coming?”

We smile at that, but it does give an opening for a profound truth of our faith. God does know all about us. We do not skip out of his mind or notice. He’s got the whole world in his hand. That is a great truth to lean your heart and mind up against.

Listen to these words from Psalm 139: “O God you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O God, you know it completely. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the outermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. When I awake, I am still with you. Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Let us pray: God of Love, we thank you that you know we are coming. And thank you for the beautiful surprises you are planning for us today. So often our days look like they will be dismal, depressing, and dark – then an unexpected burst of sunshine explodes through a dark cloud sending inspiring shafts of warm, sunshine into our lives. Lord, it is happening now! We can already feel the power of your love and acceptance, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

People Change People
Joe Albright

People Change People

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A member of my church Sharon Hartsell has been involved in a mentoring program for students in our county who are classified as homeless. A few years back, Sharon was telling me that her student invited her to a “Character Counts” banquet. In our county, it is quite an achievement and honor for a student to earn this award – any student really, but much more so for someone who lives under tremendous uncertainty and stress. Sharon had been working with this student for almost a year at that point.

At the banquet, each student was allowed to bring someone up onto the stage with them and say a few words. When they arrived, they noticed that all the other students had parents or grandparents with them.  

Sharon’s student invited her to come up with her, and she said to the audience, “I didn’t have a mom or a dad to bring up here with me, so I invited my mentor, Ms. Sharon. And, she really is my mentor… and I’m glad she is here.”

As they were walking off the stage, the Superintendent of the schools, leaned over and said to Sharon, “We save one at a time.” 

We save one at a time. 

This reminds me of something that my friend Rev. Bob Gamble says. He says that people change people. Yes, education is important – but it takes a teacher. Yes, faith is important, but it takes someone to share that faith and someone to nurture that faith. It is ever people who change people. 

I wonder whose lives you are impacting… I wonder whose life God may be calling you to touch.  

Let us pray: God of Grace, thank you for sending Jesus to touch and change our lives. May our relationships with other people bring grace and peace to them; and to us. Amen. 

Aisle, Altar, Him
Roger Kunkel

Aisle, Altar, Him

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

Have you heard the story about the bride who was extremely nervous on her wedding day? She confided to the minister that she was not sure she could make it down the long aisle without shaking or crying. So the minister, a seasoned veteran of weddings, gave her a bit of advice: “When you begin your walk,” he said, “just remember this three-point formula: First, look straight down the aisle; second when you get about half-way look straight up at the altar; and third when you get near the front of the church, look straight at your groom. First, the aisle, then the altar, then him. I think this will help relieve your nervousness.” 

The trembling bride agreed to try his advice. And it worked beautifully. She walked with a radiant glow on her face and poise and confidence in her step, with no sign of nervousness. However, there was one small problem. Imagine the surprise of the congregation as they heard her rhythmically repeating three words over and over as she performed her bridal walk: “Aisle, altar, him. Aisle, altar, him.” 

“Aisle, altar, him!” Well, the truth is, most brides don’t have a lot of luck in altering their husbands. But the good news of the Christian faith is that God can alter us! God can change us. God can redeem us. God can turn our lives around. As a matter of fact, the change God can bring in our hearts is so amazing that when Jesus talked about it and described it, he used dramatic language. He talked about “new birth” about “new life,” about “new beginnings,” about being born again.” He said, “Unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Friend of Dial Hope, this is the good news, the TA-DA! for today. Believe it and claim it!

Let us pray: God of love, How great Thou art! We thank you for the good news that we can grow and change; we can rise to higher plains of personal living; there is hope in the midst of our despair; there is joy in spite of sadness. Now fill us with the radiance of this day so that your love may stream in and through us, bringing light and life to a world that often walks in shadows and death. Through the risen Christ, we pray. Amen. 

Created for Community
Joe Albright

Created for Community

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John Ortberg tells the story of a friend who made his first trip south of the Mason-Dixon Line from Chicago to Georgia. On that first morning, he went into a restaurant to order breakfast. It seemed that every dish included something called grits. Not being familiar with this southern delicacy, he asked the waitress, “Could you tell me, exactly what is a grit?” Looking down on him with a mixture of compassion and condescension, she said, “Sugar, you can’t get just one grit. They always come together.”

In the book of Kings, chapter 19, the prophet Elijah is running for his life. He lies down under a broom tree and he prays, “It is enough now, O Lord, take away my life…” When God responds, “What are you doing here, Elijah?,” Elijah responds, “… the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left…”

Elijah feels alone. So much so that he despairs of life itself. 

Later, God shares with Elijah that there are 7,000 left – who are with him. There are others.

In the book of Genesis, near the very beginning of the Bible, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” God created us to be in relationship with others. God created us for community. 

My prayer today is that you would come to see the people around you as a gift. May you cherish them and share your life deeply. 

Let us pray: Loving God, I pray today, especially for those who are feeling isolated or alone. May they know your presence with them – even now. Help each of us indeed feel the love of those we love. In your time, bring us together again. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Sheep Know His Voice
Joe Albright

The Sheep Know His Voice

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Over the past couple of days, we’ve reflected on Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10), and his challenging statement, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” I continue those reflections today. 

Who are Jesus’ other sheep?

I remember years ago worshiping at an Evangelical Church in Mexico right on the border. The service must have lasted two and a half hours. You could see the desperation and the faith in people’s eyes as they sang songs of praise, and pleaded for mercy in prayer… 

Whenever I think about the crisis on the border, even today, I can’t help but remember them…

And then, I think about the Christians I knew in Jamaica. And I think about how the churches of Jamaica and the Caiman Islands came together and created these ministries of compassion that made such an impact – feeding the hungry, and caring for orphans.  

Who are Jesus’ other sheep?

I think again about the conservative Southern Baptists and the ultra-liberal More Light churches. I think about Christians who love Trump and Christians who love Biden. I think about Catholics and Eastern Orthodox and Lutherans and Methodists… 

He calls the sheep by name and they know his voice… We know his voice…

 What’s he saying to us? What is he saying to me?

Is he saying: Expand the walls of your heart… Expand the boundaries of your prayers… expand the bounds of your compassion. Is he saying: Just as I need a shepherd, so do they need a shepherd? Just as I need to be led, so do they need to be led? Just as I find myself in dark valleys and face enemies and get lost in the wilderness, so it is with them? Just as I belong to you, O Christ, so do they.

Let us pray: We remember today, O God, that we have deep ties and even a spiritual kinship with people across the globe… With all the forces that would seek to divide, we ask for your healing grace. Begin with us; through Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Amen.

Global Sheep
Joe Albright

Global Sheep

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Yesterday, we reflected on Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10), and his challenging statement, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Who are the other sheep?

On one level, Jesus words are a deep challenge to all denominationalism. On another level, I think about Christians around the globe.

When I was in Sarasota, every year we sent mission teams to Nicaragua. One year we helped rebuild houses destroyed by a hurricane. Other times, we worked with a local community group with farming, or whatever they needed.

The coolest part about this was that we would stay in people’s homes. We’d live with them for the entire week. These homes were pretty basic – dirt floors, often, no glass windows, no a/c, no indoor plumbing. Cooking was often done over a wood-burning stove outside. The people were very poor. And yet they were extremely hard-working, and very generous. There was a tremendous sense of hospitality and welcome.

But I think what surprised us the most, was that these folks were all people of deep faith. They trusted God’s providence from one day to the next… They had to…

I think what surprised us, was that initially, we thought we were somehow bringing the gospel to them… But actually, through our time together, it was our own faith that grew…

And then I think about a missionary our church supports in Indonesia, Farsiana, and another one, Bob Gamble in Ukraine. I wonder also about churches in China and in Afghanistan and churches in Kenya and Korea. I can only imagine their respective churches and styles of worship. I have to believe they would be very different. It is truly amazing to think that we all share that same compelling faith that touches hearts and lives.

Let us pray: We remember today, O God, that we have deep ties and even a spiritual kinship with people across the globe… With all the forces that would seek to divide, we ask for your healing grace. Begin with us; through Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Amen.

Other Sheep
Joe Albright

Other Sheep

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Yesterday, we reflected on Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John, chapter 10). I find a lot of comfort in that passage. But I also find there is a measure of challenge. In verse 16, Jesus adds: I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

And herein lies the challenge… Who are the other sheep?

Well, it would be very easy and comfortable, for me to think the other sheep are the other Presbyterian (USA) Churches… 

I think about an encounter I had with a young Pentecostal pastor years ago. I was on a plane coming back from Atlanta, and he sat next to me. At that time, we were about the same age and had kids about the same age as mine. We were both pastors in Jacksonville. We shared a lot of commonalities – and really, we could have been friends. 

But as the flight went on, it became clear that because I didn’t speak in tongues, I was somehow lesser – maybe not really Christian in his eyes… And I left feeling a little hurt – put off…  

Am I the other sheep? He might not think so… Are Pentecostals the other sheep?

On one level, Jesus’ words are a a deep challenge to all denominationalism: “There will be one flock, one shepherd.”

I think about Jesus, gathering his flock. Bringing in those who see, hear, and believe in him… I think about how in the Bible, Jesus brings in the outcasts of his day… sinners, lepers, Samaritans, tax collectors… He had this concern for the individual welfare of each and every sheep. He knows each one by name… And he gathers them in… And he’s gathered us in…

I think about the conservative Southern Baptists and the ultra-liberal More Light churches. I think about Christians who love Trump and Christians who love Biden. I think about Catholics and Eastern Orthodox and Lutherans and Methodists… 

He calls the sheep by name and they know his voice…  

We know his voice…

What’s he saying to us? What is he saying to me?

Let us pray: We remember today, O God, that we have deep ties and even a spiritual kinship with people across the globe… With all the forces that would seek to divide, we ask for your healing grace. Begin with us; through Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Amen.

The Good Shepherd
Joe Albright

The Good Shepherd

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Psalm 23 is much loved. 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.

Powerful imagery isn’t it? Even though the realities of shepherding and sheep are far removed from our suburban setting, it still resonates.

In the Gospel of John (chapter 10), Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The shepherd calls the sheep by name and leads them out… He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

He calls the sheep by name and they know his voice… 

There is an intimacy to that. 

I’ve never been to the Middle East, but I understand that outside of the fertile valleys, there is a lot of desolate rocky land. In the Bible, that desolate, rocky, dry land is referred to as the wilderness or the desert. And so you can imagine shepherds leading the sheep across the wasteland to find the green pastures for food, and still waters for drink. And I think about all the dangers along the way: wild animals, thieves, injuries. On top of that, sheep are notoriously dumb… and are prone to wander off. They clearly need a shepherd!

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find myself in the wilderness… Sometimes I’m there like the stupid sheep because I’ve wandered off in the wrong direction…. I find myself confused or lost. Made a bad choice. Made a bad turn.

And other times I’m there in that wilderness by no fault of my own… As life unfolds, we don’t have to travel very far to learn that much of it is completely out of our control.

One of the things I really appreciate about these passages of scripture is that they don’t deny reality. Yes, the Lord is our shepherd. But that doesn’t mean that we won’t still have to travel through dark valleys, face enemies, or find ourselves in the wilderness.

But it does mean that we do not face them alone…

Let us pray: Jesus, you are indeed the Good Shepherd. And you have laid down your life for us. We praise you. Lead us, and guide us, we pray, as we seek to follow you all of our days. Amen.