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.

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

In John 1:5 we read, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not over it.”

Friend of Dial Hope, many of you are groping in darkness right now. Separation and divorce come, but they always seem to happen to someone else, never to us. We have desperate times with our children (including adult children) that seem to last for weeks or months or years. Some of you are grieving over the death of a family member and you find it especially difficult at this time of year. And life is plunged into darkness. The good news of the gospel is that the light of Jesus outshines all darkness. So, we need to get in touch with the Light.

I love the story of a small church in a rural area that met for worship in a basement, where the room allowed for little natural light. It was often dark and murky when the people gathered. The pastor of this little congregation decided it would be nice to buy a chandelier for the room. He announced his hope to the congregation and called a special meeting for a vote. When the congregation came together, he told them he desired their vote on whether to spend money for a new chandelier for the worship space and asked if there was any discussion on the matter. One old guy stood up and said, “Yes indeed! I want to discuss it. I am against this purchase for three reasons. First, no one knows how to spell the thing; so we couldn’t possibly order it. Second, even if we did get one, no one knows how to play it. And last, what we really need around here is more light!”

Darkness comes. It creeps into life. But the Light of Jesus Christ outshines the darkness.

Let us pray: O God of all precious things, who hears our pain even when tears block our words, create in us a heart of laughter and hope. May your Spirit comfort those who are having a tough time right now. Surprise us with your grace and light in unexpected places. Through Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Amen.

Yesterday I reflected on the letter of 1 John (1:8-9) we read, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” In other words, be careful not to deny your own need for God’s grace. Because what happens when we deny our need?

One: If you think you have to be perfect, there is a temptation to role play: to act like everything is going fine even when it’s not. If you have to act like everything is perfect, then the first things to go out the window are honesty and vulnerability. These are the very things that make human relationships possible. 

Second, It is very difficult to have grace and compassion for others if we don’t recognize our own need for God’s grace and compassion. There is a real temptation to judge others. There is a real temptation to decide who’s in, and who’s out, who’s acceptable, and who’s unacceptable, and who is worthy of God’s grace. Who is unworthy?

Yesterday, I quoted Eugene Peterson’s book, The Way of Jesus. Peterson goes on to write, “Perfectionism: a (terrible) deviation from the way… of Jesus. It is unlikely that it will plunge us headlong into damnation, but it certainly makes us most undesirable company with others on the… way… (Any) attempt to impose perfection on either oneself or another, whether parent on child, pastor on congregation, CEO on a company, teacher on student, husband on wife, wife on husband is decidedly not the way of Jesus.” 

Finally, he writes this: “…perfection is not an option but a seduction…”

Sometimes we get this idea of the “perfect church” in our minds: just the right mix of ages; perfect music; perfect pastor; everyone gets along. When I was preparing to take my first call, I was looking for the perfect church, and my friend Rusty said, “Hey Joe if you find it, you better not go there because sure as you show up - you’ll ruin it for all those other perfect people!” He was right!

There’s no such thing as a perfect church, just as there’s no such thing as a perfect family. This is the case simply because there’s no such thing as a perfect person.

May you and I, as we strive to follow Jesus, as we strive to get it right, as we strive to do the right things and say the right things, may we never lose sight of his grace. There is grace enough for you and for me. May we share that grace with a world desperately in need.   

Let us pray: Wash over us again with your grace, O God. Help us to accept and love ourselves and others as you love us; through Jesus our savior. Amen.

There is an old legend about a faraway land ruled by a cruel king. This king exercised control over every aspect of his subjects' lives - with one exception. As hard as he tried, he could not destroy their belief in God.  

In his frustration, he assembled a group of advisors. One suggested hiding God on the far side of the moon. This idea was debated but was ultimately turned down because the other advisors feared that science would one day discover a way to travel into space and God would be discovered again. Another suggested burying God in the deepest part of the ocean. But there was the same problem with this idea, so it too was turned down. One idea after another was suggested and debated and rejected. Finally, the oldest and wisest advisor had a flash of insight. "I know," he said, "why don't we hide God where no one will ever even think to look? If we hide God in the ordinary events of people's everyday lives, they'll never find him!” And so it was done. The story goes that people in that land are still looking for God - even today.

The truth of this tale is that God is present in the events of our everyday lives. However, in the midst of our daily tasks and routines, we often fail to notice. 

Today, and throughout this coming week, as you go through your ordinary habits and routines, may you pay attention to God’s loving presence at work in subtle ways. Look particularly for moments of grace - encouraging words, kind deeds, or even a sense of peace in the heart of a storm. Pay attention also to moments of unknowing, mystery, and transcendence. And when you notice, may you give thanks. 

Let us pray: Loving God, grant hearts to know you and eyes to see you in the ordinary people and events of this day. Even as we reflect on these small blessings, empower us to be a blessing to others. Amen.

I member of my church once asked me, “What will heaven be like? Will I see my wife again? Will I be able to make up for things I said or did not say, things I did or did not do?”

It’s a hard question because only one person has ever survived death - and that is Jesus. And really the Bible says very little about it. But we do get glimpses.

On one occasion when Jesus tells the parable of the rich man dying and going to Hades and Lazarus dying and going to heaven, it seems pretty clear that Lazarus knows and recognizes Abraham. We do get the sense at least from that passage, that we will know others and that they will know us. 

In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul says we will have perfect spiritual bodies, and we will bear the image of Jesus. When I think about that, being in the presence of the unconditional love of Christ - and somehow each one of us bearing that image, I have to imagine that the past wrongs and hurts each of us has suffered - and inflicted - will long be forgotten; that that separation and loneliness that all of have felt in this lifetime will be healed… and that longing in each us for connection and love will ultimately be fulfilled - overcome by the mercy, forgiveness, and grace we know in Jesus. 

In an Easter sermon, my friend Herb Meza once reflected on life after death. He wrote this: 

“I believe that one day every bruise, every cancer cell, every blind eye, every limp, and every lump will be set right. One day every embarrassment and every rejection and every hurt we have suffered will give way to glory. I do not know how God will deal with all the shabbiness, failures, and betrayal. It surely must hurt God, but I know God is loving and forgiving. And I believe that one day, every moment of hoping against hope will be rewarded.”

Let us pray: Gracious God, none of us knows for sure what heaven will be like, but we do know it has been promised. We do trust that you are as good as Jesus promised you are: loving, forgiving, full of mercy and grace. Help us to live in light of this promise as your loving, forgiving, merciful people. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Early one December morning, I was down on the beach just before low tide, and I noticed something written in the wet sand, just above the tide line. It was a prayer that read, “Jesus, please, please fix our marriage.” I looked up and down the beach to see if I could identify the person who had written it, but no one was in sight. So, I found myself praying anyway for the person who wrote it, and praying for his or her marriage.

I guess we'll never know how Jesus answered this prayer. But, through the prayer, I felt deeply connected to two lives I'll probably never meet. 

I believe in the power of prayer, and in the power of asking others to pray for us. It binds us closer to one another and to God. Today, maybe you have a request you need to write in the sand. Or, better yet, ask a friend to pray for you, because then, however, God answers the prayer, you will know you are not alone. 

Let us pray: Today, Loving God, we lift up to you the person or people who wrote their prayer in the sand that warm December morning. And for all who are struggling in their marriages, we ask for healing, forgiveness, and grace upon grace. Others, Lord, are carrying burdens and feel as though they are at their wit's end – just about beyond their ability to cope. Give them the strength they need to reach out for help – to you, and to others. May they know they are not alone. May we know we are not alone. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.