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. 

People Who Make a Difference
Joe Albright

People Who Make a Difference

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There is a legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. There were four people, each in turn, who were presented to the king. 

First was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because he had given much of his wealth to help the poor. The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honor because he had provided faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years. The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.

The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there, because she was quite humble, in attitude and in dress. People wondered whether she had any chance at winning when compared to the other three. However, there was something about her. She had the look of love on her face, understanding in her eyes, and a quiet confidence.

The king was puzzled by her presence, and he asked who she was. The presenter responded: “You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge. Well, she has something in common with each of them. She was their teacher.”

You might guess who the king chose. 

In life, good teachers make a big difference. And the truth is, we all need role models. We need good leaders, mentors, coaches, people who have traveled the roads we wish to take.  

Two things:

First, no matter what stage of life you are in right now, I hope there are people whom you admire and from whom you are still learning.

Second, it’s worth reflecting on who it is who is looking up to you.

Let us pray: Gracious God, we thank you for great teachers – for all those who have helped us along the journey of life. Give us humble and open spirits so that we may continue to learn and grow. And, grant us generous hearts that we share our own wisdom and experience with others. Amen.

Puzzling But Possible
Eric Wogen

Puzzling But Possible

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Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Eric Wogen.

My wife enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles. So do I, but I try to stay out of the way when my presence is obviously not her preference. Assembling a 1000-piece puzzle can be quite an undertaking, but never, not once, has she not completed a puzzle she started. Her persistence regularly results in beautiful scenes emerging from a box of random, strangely shaped pieces.

There may be moments when our lives seem like a huge puzzle, a puzzle that is tough to get together, a puzzle that confuses and confounds us, a puzzle that defies us to make sense of present circumstances. Sometimes, the puzzle pieces of our lives may appear to be from different boxes. Other times, we may sense that key pieces are missing, gone, no longer there. Once in a while, unexpected pieces rudely appear, compliments of unwanted realities, undeserved intrusions or uncaring persons. What was already challenging becomes even more so.

For me, God’s word has a lot to offer, a message I find to be most encouraging and helpful when the puzzle pieces of life just don’t seem to fit together. I predictably discover that needed message in words like these and many others: 

   God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

   We are often afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair. (2 Corinthians 4:8)

   I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

To be honest, uplifting words like these and, many more, continue to speak a reassuring message I need to hear even after life’s present puzzle has been conquered. May the same be true for you, friends of Dial Hope.

Let us pray: Gracious God, you have promised to be our companion and guide, a source of strength and support as we cope with whatever life brings our way. Thanks for being with us, always. In our Lord’s name, we pray. Amen.

No Way!
Eric Wogen

No Way!

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Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Eric Wogen.

My daily, morning walks regularly produce some memorable moments and fascinating lessons on life. Permit me to share one.

While traveling my predictable route a while back, my aging eyes were attracted to something I had not previously noticed. It was a barely visible, ever so tiny little green sprout, struggling to gain root in a downright inhospitable environment, a wall, a wall constructed from landscaping bricks. That two-foot-high wall separated a neighbor’s yard from the pavement.

My first reaction to this one-sided battle was, NO WAY, no way would that potential plant stand a chance. Conditions for growth appeared less than minimal. No soil was to be seen. The concrete bricks, separated by slim cracks, challenged much of anything to grow there. My walk continued.

As the days became weeks, I was amazed to see that little green spot begin to increase in size. Day by day, I watched new life take root and when dainty, white blossoms eventually made their debut, it became readily apparent that an impatiens plant had been given birth. Before long, that once struggling youngster matured into a rather sizable, truly impressive, flower-laden, fully developed, thriving plant.

A Dial Hope meditation illustration had been born and you are reading or hearing it this very day. While you can draw your own conclusions about this recollection, here is what it says to me:

  1. God has packed unbelievable potential into all that lives.
  2. Be patient and allow time for desired outcomes to develop.
  3. Never give up on what can be.
  4. Make God’s gift of HOPE your constant companion.

And, the next time you feel like throwing in the towel, remember the wonder of that determined, tenacious impatiens plant that made a brick wall its home.

Let us pray: Lord God, life can be tough. When promising possibilities seem to be improbable and hope appears to be on vacation, remind us that you are a God of new beginnings. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Drenched But Dry
Eric Wogen

Drenched But Dry

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Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Eric Wogen.

I recently came across a devotional message I had written for our congregation’s newsletter shortly after coming to Florida over two decades ago now. I smiled as I read and re-read what I had written, concluded the words remained timely, and decided to share them with you. May you find what follows to be timely, too. 

I continue to be intrigued by the unpredictable and rapid way the weather changes during the summer months in this slice of creation. A recent experience illustrates my observation.

The incident to which I refer took place a few weeks ago. I returned to the office in the early afternoon after making a visit to a member of the congregation. The sun was blazing. A handful of billowy clouds dotted the heavens. I decided to leave my driver’s side car window down. Later that same afternoon, while engaged in an appointment, I noticed a few dark clouds making their appearance on the horizon but quickly concluded they would go elsewhere- a foolish conclusion. A torrential downpour appeared out of nowhere and was the producer of two wet seats that day, one in the car and the other…use your imagination.

Gratefully, both seats eventually dried out. 

From my absorbing experience, I gleaned these insights. The unexpected will come to all of us. Storms appear whether we are ready for them or not and sometimes we will get drenched. We may ask “why”, that eternal question that yields few satisfying answers. We may lament “ if only” but discover that changes nothing. Our inevitable questions rarely connect with helpful answers. We may even wonder if God has moved away from us or if he no longer cares.

The good news is we will dry out. The good news is we can face whatever comes trusting God’s love in Christ will surround and sustain us both during and after life’s storms. What a difference that makes. Soaked though we may be on occasion, the Son’s love has a renewing way of drying us out. And even though more unexpected storms may come our way, we can affirm our Creator’s reassuring word and dependable promise: 

 

               “ Lo, I am with you always…………”

 

Let us pray: Lord God, storms will come and storms will go, but your loving care is a constant upon which we can truly depend. Drenched or dry, may we know your sustaining love always and do our best to share it with each other. In our Lord’s name, we pray. Amen.

Repair, Rebuild, Restore
Joe Albright

Repair, Rebuild, Restore

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Yesterday we reflected on a passage from the book of Isaiah, chapter 61:

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me;
 he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,
 to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor… to comfort all who mourn…”

What is interesting is that if we continue reading, by the end of verse 3, Isaiah has shifted the voice from the first person “I” or “me” to the third person plural – “They.” The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… But then Isaiah says, They… “They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities….

And then, by verse 6, it shifts again from “they” to “you.” You shall be called priests of the Lord; you shall be named ministers of our God…

In other words, this empowering Spirit has fallen not just on the prophet, not just on Jesus, but on you…

Build up the ruins… raise up the devastations… repair….

There is a lot of repair that needs to be done right now, isn’t there?

When I think about this text, I can’t help but think about the suffering of the world around us… the ruins of Palestine, the heartbreaking loss in Israel, and the antisemitism that has resurfaced even in our own country.

I think about how a friend was telling me that at the Thanksgiving dinner this year his wife and her sister got into a huge argument about politics. And she got up, stormed off – left right in the middle of dinner…

And then, over this past month, personally, I’ve become acutely aware of a true crisis of mental health in our country… and how it has touched so many of us. And beyond that, I think about addiction and loss… broken families… and hungry children…

Build up the ruins… raise up the devastations… repair….

Today, I wonder in what ways, in your own personal life, God may be empowering you to be a minister and priest, to rebuild, restore, and repair the world around you.

Let us pray: Anoint us again with your Spirit, O God, that we might indeed be your servants, and join you in this holy work of redemption; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Anointed Servant
Joe Albright

The Anointed Servant

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In the book of Isaiah, chapter 61(1-2) we read these words:

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me;
 he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,
 to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor… to comfort all who mourn…”

Throughout the book of Isaiah, we find these passages that describe a servant who would be empowered by the Spirit of God to bring healing, hope, justice, and peace to a people in desperate need. 

Sometimes it’s kind of hard to decipher who is this person that Isaiah describes. Was it an individual person, a prophet – perhaps Isaiah himself? Or, perhaps, was the servant Israel as a whole – the community? 

For the first Christians, as they reflected back on these servant passages, they thought about Jesus’ life, they thought about his incarnation – God stepping into the world in the flesh… They remembered his first sermon recorded in the Gospel of Luke (chapter 4) when Jesus read this very text and said, “This prophecy has been fulfilled in your hearing…”

It is a promise of salvation in the broadest sense… It is not just something that happens when we die and go to heaven… No. Here we see God’s deliverance is real, tangible, and this-worldly. It can be seen by others. God’s salvation is meant to transform the world here and now. And as we follow Jesus, we are invited to participate. His Spirit empowers us to take on this servant role so that as we are being healed, we are at the same time enabled to heal others. 

Let us pray: Gracious God, there are many of us today, even now, who need to hear your good news. Our broken hearts need to be bound up. And there are aspects of our lives from which we need to be freed. Heal us, O God. Grant us your mercy and your peace. And then use us as instruments of your grace; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

I Need You!
Roger Kunkel

I Need You!

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

One of the greatest compliments a person can give is to say, “l need you!” The words melt our hearts and impel us to want to help. We all need to feel needed. A crucial part of friendship is to be able to admit our inadequacies and say to others, “l need you!” We can be sure that if we can’t say that to others, they will probably never say it to us. 

Actually, confession of our needs is an expression of healthy self-esteem. We value ourselves enough to believe that we are worthy of another’s care. Those who cannot express their needs usually end up unable to help others. Sadly, a man I knew committed suicide; he did not share his needs. What a loss! We were created for fellowship with God. There will be restlessness, an emptiness within us, until we rest in Him and allow Him to fill the God-shaped vacuum. 

Let us pray: Loving God, without you, we are truly scared stiff of making mistakes, of being ridiculed or rejected or missing out in our always fumbling uncertainties. So today we pray that your Spirit will hover over us to enable us to separate the light from the darkness. Encourage us to keep getting up and going on no matter how many times we have tripped up and fallen down crying. So move in among us that we may grow in your Spirit and live with passion in this amazing life. How wonderful are your ways, O Lord, how marvelous are your gifts of grace. Straighten the backbone of our beliefs and deepen our commitments to your way so that the roots of faith will reach the center of our hearts. God, we need you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fill Us with the Light of Day!
Joe Albright

Fill Us with the Light of Day!

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The much-beloved hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee was written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke. He had been speaking at Williams College in Massachusetts and was inspired by the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains. Later, speaking about the hymn he said, “These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings… hymns of today may be sung by people who know the thought of the age and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the Kingdom of heaven.”

I love the majestic verses of the hymn, and I also appreciate van Dyke’s thoughts. I agree that the more we understand the complexities of the world through science or observation, the deeper our love and respect for our creator should be. And, though throughout the ages, the times are often plagued with war, hardship, and strife, we worship a God who is more powerful than all of it.

Today, our prayer will be the first verse of this beautiful hymn. Let us pray: Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love. Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness. Drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day! Amen.