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Dial Hope's Daily Messages

Dial Hope's Daily Messages

By: Dial Hope
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 Touching Lives with HopeDial Hope Spirituality
Episodes
  • We All Need a Little Light

    We All Need a Little Light
    Sep 30 2023
    There’s an old apocryphal story about a boy named John who entered his first science fair in second grade. His Mom had a green thumb, so they decided to experiment with the growth of plants. They took two small green plants and placed one on a sunny windowsill and the other in a cardboard box. After a couple of weeks, John noticed that the one on the windowsill had grown a couple of inches and had vibrant green leaves. The other in the box had actually grown a bit, but it had lost all of its green color, becoming almost white and its leaves were drooping. Thinking that the plant might die, John cut a hole in one side of the box. He set the box, with the plant inside, by the windowsill with the hole facing toward the incoming light. Of course, we can all imagine exactly what happened. Over the next couple of weeks, the plant began to grow out through the hole. A few weeks later, it even blossomed! The truth is, we all need light in our lives. Jesus once said, “I am the light of the world.” It’s worth considering: where do you find Jesus’ light shining most brightly? Are there certain people who radiate that light? Is it through time volunteering, time at church, moments of quiet, or moments of action? It is worth paying attention to those spaces and people where Jesus’ light shines brightly. And may you carve out time to sit in that light so that you might grow and even blossom. Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for the way your light shines even into the darkest times in our lives. We thank you for the people we know and love who reflect the light of Christ. It is in his name we pray. Amen.
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    2 mins
  • Life Is a Gift

    Life Is a Gift
    Sep 29 2023
    As a pastor, I have the privilege of being with people at the end of their lives. This is always a reminder to me that life is short and that our time here is just a breath. Sometimes near the end of life, people will want to talk about what’s been most important in their lives. It’s interesting, I’ve never heard anyone say, “I wish I had spent more time at the office,” or, “I wish I had earned more money,” or, I wish we could have had that bigger house.” In the end, those things count for very little. What I do hear are things like: “I wish I’d spent more time at home.” “I wish I had told her I loved her.” “I’m so thankful I had those last six months with him – what a gift!” “I’m so thankful I finally worked things out with my son.” I have to believe that's why the psalmist prayed, “Lord, teach me to number my days...” (Psalm 90:12) Because when I remember that I have a limited time on this earth and that I - like everything else – will one day be here no more, it definitely raises some deep questions: If my life ended tomorrow, would my wife know how much I love her? Would my children? What would people say about what kind of person I am, today? Am I building the kind of life that makes a difference? Today may we pray with the Psalmist, “Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) Let us pray: Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. We remember today that we are here only for a brief moment. Empower us, Loving God, to make the most of each moment of every day, to be present, to love deeply, and to live closely with you. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
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    2 mins
  • Finding Purpose

    Finding Purpose
    Sep 28 2023

    In his book, Deep-Rooted in Christ, Joshua Kang wrote, “The abundant life comes when we live a life of mission; a life that serves others has meaning and purpose.” Kang further encourages us to reflect on our lives and to evaluate them based not based on their length, or by how face-paced they are, but by their content.

     

    Even secular philosophers like Will Durant remind us that to give life meaning, one must have a purpose larger than oneself. 

     

    There is something about reaching out to help others that gives meaning and significance to our own life. There is something about caring for others that brings healing to our souls. That’s part of how God created us. In the words of Genesis, we have been blessed to be a blessing to others!

     

    Our prayer today comes out of the Presbyterian Common Book of Worship. Let us pray: Everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being: You have made us for yourself so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Give us purity of heart and strength of purpose that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, no weakness keep us from doing it; that in your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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    2 mins
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