During my time working in New York City, USA, I would regularly attend midday prayer at St. Thomas Church. Its Anglo-Catholic style is very high church even by Episcopal Church standards. The priests faced the altar when performing the eucharist. Evensong was sung three evenings a week. The altar would be blessed with incense — "all the smells and bells" as a colleague at work once described it. Initially, all of this was a bit off-putting for one raised as a staunch Presbyterian with a good dose of Dutch Reformed Church lurking in the background. However, over time, I learned not only to tolerate the ritual, but to realize that it could be a guidepost to a fuller worship experience. Besides, the Episcopal Church was the only alternative for weekday Protestant worship in midtown Manhattan. All the other Protestant denominations closed their doors, often literally, during the week.

As I settled into the routine of midday prayer at St. Thomas, I became more and more conscious of the variety of those worshipping. There were all types of people: Asian, Latino, African, Afro-American, etc., as well as the archetypical white Anglo-Saxon. Overalled janitors knelt next to pinstriped tax attorneys to partake of the common cup at the altar rail. It was a perfect picture of modern-day diversity that would have warmed the heart of any human resources manager. Yet, during my whole time at St. Thomas, I do not remember the rector or any of the other priests ever using the word "diversity", much less dwelling on the topic. Instead, their singular focus was, as they said, "to vigorously preach Jesus Christ without stammering".

We live in a world that increasingly and shrilly insists on dividing us by race, gender, economic status, historical grievances, and religion — all supposedly in the name of celebrating our differences but, in fact, serving to divide us and, all too often, to set us at each other's throats, figuratively, if not literally.

As Christians, rather than focusing on what separates us from one another — race, gender, economic status, pedigree, degree of victimhood — may our sole emphasis be on the faith that unites us all and allows us to truly call one another brother and sister.

Prayer: Father God, grant us the wisdom and courage to reject calls for division, however artfully they may disguised, and to boldly proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ as the one thing that trumps all else and truly unites us as a single people in Christ. Amen.

I was assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 860 in the Shawondassee District, Virginia, USA, from 1996-2002. Those were probably six of the best years of my life and definitely the best job that I ever had. My son was an enthusiastic Scout and responsible for my getting involved. Scouting provided the vehicle for us to grow close as a father and son at a time when most parents and their children grow apart. It definitely made my son the fine young man that he is.

I was also a part of the Shawondassee District Training Staff, which held excellent monthly roundtable sessions. I was tapped to teach the Finance in Scouting segment of the Scoutmaster Fundamentals Course — not one of the most inspiring segments of the program. Since Scouting has traditionally been a faith-based organization and there was no specific place in the curriculum to talk about Religion in Scouting, I decided that this was the perfect place to "steal ten minutes for the Lord", as I described it, and talk about the importance of regularly holding the appropriate religious services during campouts and other occasions. For many Scouts, this would be their first and perhaps only exposure to God's Word. The talk was received with a respectful silence and a slight puzzlement by some, since it was not part of the announced programs. Over the years, as I repeated the talk and it became a part of the program, I couldn't help but wondering just what impact, if any, I was having.

Oh, me, of little faith. A couple of years after the first talk, I was stopped by another Scoutmaster at summer camp, who, after introducing himself, asked if I was the instructor who had talked about Religion in Scouting at his training course. After saying that I was, he proceeded to thank me for "stealing ten minutes for the Lord". Those stolen minutes had inspired him to make sure that his troop did hold services during its campouts. He also mentioned that the Spirit had filtered down to his Scouts, since they called him out for his failure to hold services on one campout.

In this increasingly secular age, so hostile to Christianity, it is important that we not only keep the faith but have the courage to proclaim it when the opportunity arises and the Spirit speaks to us. There is fertile soil out there waiting to receive the seeds of faith — all that is needed is the sowers!

Prayer: Gracious Lord, give us the courage to obey the great commission and proclaim Your Word when the Spirit calls us. Amen.

One morning as I was walking from Penn Station in New York City to the 8th Avenue subway, one of the free newspaper vendors interrupted his normal patter and cried out, "Smile, you woke up today! Think about the alternative!" The crowd's reaction was most interesting. Approximately one-third just trudged on, oblivious to the world around them. Another third looked around, shrugged, and continued on their weary way. But the last third paused, pondered the words of God's unexpected messenger, and smiled. Some even chuckled as they acknowledged God's gift — a gift that is "fresh every morning". (Lamentations 3:23 NET)

As I hurried to catch my train, I could not help but be reminded that God can speak to us using many different and unexpected voices. If asked, how many of us would mention a subway newspaper vendor as a potential angel of the Lord? More important, however, was His message. I was reminded of just how special the gift of each day is and the blessings that it can contain, especially the small and unexpected ones, such as the reminder that "this is the day the Lord has made", and it truly is something to rejoice and be glad in.

Each day is a gift from God. Each day, we have the choice of either acknowledging the gift and sharing it with others, or else, like too many of the crowd, simply trudging through the day oblivious to God's gift. What will we choose?

Prayer: Gracious God, deliver us from ears that do not hear, eyes that do not see, and hearts that are hard. Help us always to be conscious of Your many gifts, to enjoy this day that You have made, and to share that joy with others, like Your messenger — an anonymous newspaper vendor. Amen.

Several years ago, I wrote a cheque to help fund a mission team going to Honduras. When they returned, the team leader, Joe, presented me with a small wooden cross from Honduras as a thank-you for the donation. I placed the cross on a shelf in our den, where, over the years, it was joined by other mementoes from various mission trips we had donated to in one fashion or another: a wooden bell from Haiti, a nativity scene from Guatemala. Each time I looked at the shelf, the hanging figure on the cross seemed to reproach me, as if to say that writing a cheque is not that the same as giving of yourself, of serving Christ with your own hands.

Two years ago, Joe announced that he was organizing his team to go Honduras in the coming year. The same voice that had chided me over the years, spoke again, saying, "David, it is time to do something more than writing a cheque; it is time to go." After much hesitation, I did, and will do again and again, for the actual mission trip turned out to be the easiest thing I have done.

Whether it is through a symbol, such as the cross, or the words and actions of another, or through the Holy Spirit speaking to us directly, the Lord calls each of us to step outside of our comfort zone, and to serve Him as He served us. The path of service is different for each of us. For some, it is the mountain-top experience of a mission trip to minister to the poor in far-off places; for others, it may be teaching people, young or old; or it may be something as simple as taking time to visit those who are alone and otherwise forgotten. Whatever our mission, the Lord knows, and calls us to it — not just once, but many times, until we answer.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, we thank You for Your persistent calls to service. Open our souls so that we may heed Your call and be your obedient servants. Amen.

As I was preparing to go on a mission trip to Honduras, I commented to my wife about how much it meant to me to go, because, for at least one week this year, I would be living the kind of life that Christ expected of me — a life involving some degree of personal sacrifice, ministering in His name to others, as He had commanded us to do. In her typical, quiet way, she reminded me that not all of us are called or are able to go on mission trips, and to experience the fulfillment that comes from this type of service. However, it is just as important, and often much harder, to live a Christian life as we go about the routines of our daily life.

Proverbs 19:14b – But a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord (NRSV)

She was right. In many ways, it is easy to be Christian when given the opportunity for the grand gesture. The real challenge comes in responding to our mundane, everyday life — the life we tend to live on automatic pilot, not considering how our actions are seen by others. My mission trip will last one week. The other 51 weeks of the year will be spent, by and large, going to work, puttering around the house, shopping, and doing the 101 other ordinary chores of daily life. As Paul reminds us, being a Christian is a long-term, lifetime calling. It is during those 51 weeks, year in and year out, that those who know us will see us and will decide, by our actions, whether or not we are truly following Christ.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, help us to understand that our faith calls us to a lifetime of service. Enable us to let Your Spirit guide us in all our actions, both great and small, so that, by all our actions, people may know that we are truly Your disciples. Amen.

Several weeks ago, I had tentatively agreed to go on a mission trip to Honduras. As is often the case in such situations, after having made the commitment, I was assailed with second thoughts: "Since we have just moved, would it be proper to leave my wife alone so soon? Would it be prudent to take so much time off from a new office situation?" — all the typical reasons we can come up with for not leaving our comfort zones. The next day, while attending mid-week services, the text was from Matthew 25:31-40, which includes these words: "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'". (Matthew 25:37,40 NIV)

This was the very scripture passage that had convinced me to go on the mission trip in the first place. Here indeed was a sign from the Lord to dispel all my doubts and remind me of what was both proper and expected of me. In this disbelieving age we have created for ourselves, the Lord is still giving us the signs we are constantly asking for. They are there for us to see. All that is required is for us to open our eyes and ears to notice them.

Matthew 11:15 – He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV)

Prayer: Lord, give eyes to see, ears to hear, and, above all, hearts to respond to the signs of Your presence and Your will that You continue to give us. Amen.

Over the years, as I have been teaching Sunday School or conducting worship services while camping with my son's Scout troop, I have noticed a curious phenomenon. I would spend many hours researching, organizing, outlining, and even drafting whole paragraphs beforehand, to make sure I covered all the important points and said just the right thing. However, once I started speaking, I would find myself saying something entirely different, something that I had not planned to say, but nonetheless, something much better, more insightful, and more meaningful. It was as if someone else had taken over my mouth and was using me as their mouthpiece to speak for them. When I mentioned this to our pastor, he confirmed what I already believed: it was the Holy Spirit making His presence known by speaking through me. It was something he had experienced as well.

To experience God's presence can be a frightening thing, even today, even if it is only acting as His mouthpiece upon occasion. It means that God is real. He truly does exist, and with that existence comes all the consequences of His existence — an existence that cannot be ignored. There are consequences if we choose to ignore His voice and do what we want to do, rather than what He would have us do. However, with this knowledge also comes the reassurance of the promise of His love and gift of grace. If God speaks to us, if He speaks through us, it is by the gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes through Christ's sacrifice, and it is through that sacrifice that we have the hope for our salvation.

Psalm 15:1-2 – O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart. (NRSV)

Prayer: Lord, open our ears so that we may hear Your message; open our mouths so that we may speak Your message; and open our hearts so that we may be obedient to Your message — today and every day. Amen.