Holy Ground – Beethoven’s Piano
Today’s message was written by Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.
A young woman stood before Beethoven’s piano in a Vienna museum. Presently she struck a few discordant notes. “I suppose,” she said to an attendant, “that many noted musicians have inspected this instrument.” “Oh, yes,” replied the man. “Recently Paderewski was here.” “Paderewski!” exclaimed the visitor. “Certainly, he must have played something wonderful.” “On the contrary, he did not feel worthy to touch it.”
Friend of Dial Hope, wherever you are, this very moment – in a hospital bed, driving to work, your home, your place of business, a payphone, a helicopter over Iraq – you are on holy ground. It is holy because God is with you! Whether your heart is smiling or sad, whether you are lonely or afraid, whether you are hurting, whether you are celebrating – God is as close to you as breathing, nearer than hands or feet. Remember, God loves you just the way you are, but God refuses to leave you there. God wants you to have a heart like his. God wants you to be just like Jesus. Let today be a day filled with joy, hope, and contagious enthusiasm.
Let us pray: God of love, we await the miracle of your grace in this time of prayer. Change the chemistry of our doubts and discouragements into a willingness to live the venture of faith. Give us the spontaneous emotion of a child of faith. In the name of the risen Christ. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Roger Kunkel
(November 24, 1934 – June 29, 2011) Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel was a native of Parsons, Kansas, graduated from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, where he received an award for “Outstanding Student and Citizen”. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, and went on to serve as Senior Pastor in Duluth, Minnesota, and Riverside, Illinois. He served as Chaplain of Heritage Park Rehab Center in Bradenton, Florida, after retiring from his pastorate at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota in 1998. Full Bio