Entries by Joe Albright

In Response

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 […]

Who We Will Serve

Some time ago, I was reading back through the story of Joshua. When the Israelites were finally settled in the land that God had promised them, Joshua gathered the community together and he retold the story of God’s providence, God’s deliverance up to that point. Joshua ends his speech by encouraging them to make a […]

Our Refuge and Strength

Psalm 46 is one of the most beloved in the scriptures. It begins, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with […]

Behold the One Beholding You

Over the past two days, we reflected on God’s unconditional love and grace. I continue that theme today. Not long ago, I heard Father Gregory Boyle talk about his friend and spiritual director, Bill Cain. A number of years ago, his friend took time off of his own ministry to care for his father as […]

A God of Love

Yesterday we reflected on God’s unconditional love and grace. I continue that theme today. Thomas Merton says, “Nothing can change God’s love for me, since my very existence is the sign that God loves me and the presence of his love creates and sustains me…” Some people have a hard time accepting that. They have […]

The Beginning and Foundation

One of our greatest needs as human beings is to be accepted; to be loved, to be valued. In the world, it’s true, that we often have to earn that acceptance. We have to earn that value. Sometimes we even feel we have to earn that love. It’s not often just handed to us.  But […]

Today Is a Gift

I remember an old Family Circus comic that I saw years ago. The young boy was talking to his little sister, and he shared these simple words of wisdom, “Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, but today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.” Today is a present. Today we […]

Christ of the Depths

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! The Rev. Mark Trotter tells about an underwater statue of Jesus in the port of Genoa that is called the Christ of the Deep. It is a […]

May the Evidence Grow

Some time back, my friend Rev. Peyton Hopkins shared with me that one of the families in his church had been audited by the IRS three times over the course of several years due to their generous giving. Apparently, extraordinarily high charitable giving is a potential red flag. This reminded Peyton of an age-old question, […]

Sacred Space

Over the past couple of days, we’ve been reflecting on the idea of sanctuary. In many religious traditions, there is a gathering place, where the community comes together to hear and experience God’s presence. I love the way the Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue frames the importance of this simple act. He writes: “When […]