The Church is like a lighthouse in shining in the dark. 

257 steps from ground to balcony. This is equivalent to climbing a 12 story building. The guidebooks say that it is a strenuous climb. 

I’m talking about the Cape Hatteras lighthouse on the outer banks of North Carolina. A few years ago I climbed to the balcony of the lighthouse. The view was amazing. There is a picture of the lighthouse, painted by an aunt, hanging above the desk in my office. I have it there to remind me what it means to be a group of people who decide to take Jesus seriously, to encourage each other to live Another way, the Jesus Way. 

Lighthouses warn ships of danger in the night. Jesus called those who would walk in His Way—the way of Truth and Life—to be a light to the world warning people of the dangers inherent in the world’s values. He never called His followers to be comfortable in their homes, church buildings or country clubs.  

Jesus continuously challenges us to go where He went and to touch those whom He touched. We “give themselves away” and in order to find “our very selves”. 

Only the Church is called the Body of Christ here on earth. When we live into our call we become tiny glimpses of Grace. 

Lord, make me Your instrument. Send me where You will to do what You would have me do. May I find my true self in serving You. Amen. 

“Forrest in his element…back at the Williamsburg church”

It’s nice to be remembered. 

Over 20 years ago I served as the minister of a smaller church in eastern Iowa. As a part of their 100th anniversary celebration I was humbled to be invited to deliver the morning message and to co-officiate at the sacrament of communion. 

As I began to greet people before the severice I found myself chocking with emotion. This surprised me. I’m not a very emotional person. And I began to fear that it would happen again when I began to speak. It did. Those people

Came into my life at the right time and touched me in ways that still resonate today.  It is good to be remembered. It is better to be well thought of, too, especially as a person who invested fully in others. 

Every day we are writing the pages of how we will be remembered, our obituary,  if you will. When we touch the life of another without guile or thought of self, we make a deposit into Eternity’s bank. I speak a lot about love and service and respect and kindness because I believe those things to be the building blocks of God’s Kingdom. Each are a glimpse of grace.

Lord God, help me invest my life wisely in those things that are eternal significance. Amen. 

For All the Saints 

“For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confess, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia”

For many followers of Jesus, today is “All Saints’ Day”, a day set aside to remember the faithful who went before us. For me it is a day of reflection as I think of the individuals know longer with us; those who touched my life and helped mold me into the person I am today. 

There was, of course, my parents who sacrificed much, said prayers with me every night of my childhood, and gave me unconditional love. A grandfather who chewed Day’s Work plug tobacco as he pushed me on a swing and another who would sneak chocolate covered raisins to me as we laid down for a nap. A coach who challenged me, Sunday school teachers who didn’t laugh at me when I stuttered as well as a minister who prayed for me and once spoke about a “vision.” 

There were so many others. Each was a glimpse of grace. I know that you had them, too. Pause for a moment today, in the spirit of gratitude, and remember their touch–God’s touch–on your life. 

“O blest communion, fellowship divine, We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.” Thank you for showing me the way. Amen. 

From the hymn, “For All the Saints” 

For All the Saints 

“For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confess, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia”

For many followers of Jesus, today is “All Saints’ Day”, a day set aside to remember the faithful who went before us. For me it is a day of reflection as I think of the individuals know longer with us; those who touched my life and helped mold me into the person I am today. 

There was, of course, my parents who sacrificed much, said prayers with me every night of my childhood, and gave me unconditional love. A grandfather who chewed Day’s Work plug tobacco as he pushed me on a swing and another who would sneak chocolate covered raisins to me as we laid down for a nap. A coach who challenged me, Sunday school teachers who didn’t laugh at me when I stuttered as well as a minister who prayed for me and once spoke about a “vision.” 

There were so many others. Each was a glimpse of grace. I know that you had them, too. Pause for a moment today, in the spirit of gratitude, and remember their touch—God’s touch—on your life. 

“O blest communion, fellowship divine, We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.” Thank you for showing me the way. Amen. 

From the hymn, “For All the Saints” 

For All the Saints 

“For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confess, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia”

For many followers of Jesus, today is “All Saints’ Day”, a day set aside to remember the faithful who went before us. For me it is a day of reflection as I think of the individuals know longer with us; those who touched my life and helped mold me into the person I am today. 

There was, of course, my parents who sacrificed much, said prayers with me every night of my childhood, and gave me unconditional love. A grandfather who chewed Day’s Work plug tobacco as he pushed me on a swing and another who would sneak chocolate covered raisins to me as we laid down for a nap. A coach who challenged me, Sunday school teachers who didn’t laugh at me when I stuttered as well as a minister who prayed for me and once spoke about a “vision.” 

There were so many others. Each was a glimpse of grace. I know that you had them, too. Pause for a moment today, in the spirit of gratitude, and remember their touch—God’s touch—on your life. 

“O blest communion, fellowship divine, We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.” Thank you for showing me the way. Amen. 

From the hymn, “For All the Saints” 

For All the Saints 

“For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confess, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia”

For many followers of Jesus, today is “All Saints’ Day”, a day set aside to remember the faithful who went before us. For me it is a day of reflection as I think of the individuals know longer with us; those who touched my life and helped mold me into the person I am today. 

There was, of course, my parents who sacrificed much, said prayers with me every night of my childhood, and gave me unconditional love. A grandfather who chewed Day’s Work plug tobacco as he pushed me on a swing and another who would sneak chocolate covered raisins to me as we laid down for a nap. A coach who challenged me, Sunday school teachers who didn’t laugh at me when I stuttered as well as a minister who prayed for me and once spoke about a “vision.” 

There were so many others. Each was a glimpse of grace. I know that you had them, too. Pause for a moment today, in the spirit of gratitude, and remember their touch—God’s touch—on your life. 

“O blest communion, fellowship divine, We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.” Thank you for showing me the way. Amen. 

From the hymn, “For All the Saints”