Let’s imagine… We’re dragging our discouraged, defeated, and bruised bodies into the locker room at halftime. Nothing has gone the way we planned. Everyone is doubting our chance at victory. All hope seems gone. Then Jesus steps into the stinky, sweat-filled room, establishing Himself at the center of our sulking circle and slowly starts toContinue reading “Reigniting Hope: His Banner Over Us”
Tag Archives: Hope
Reigniting Hope: These Three Remain
If we only ever look at the world and our lives with limited nearsightedness, hope plummets. We don’t see a way forward when our lenses are scratched and smudged with despair and cynicism. We fail to believe that how we feel or what we see will ever get better when our vision is hindered –Continue reading “Reigniting Hope: These Three Remain”
Reigniting Hope: Flames of Faith, Hope, and Love
The summer heat brings with it dry conditions that ignite like kindling. Just this week, my brother and his family were at the ready to evacuate on three occasions because forest fires raged near their home. When my brother sent me a video of one of the fires, my heart sank. Then my mind gotContinue reading “Reigniting Hope: Flames of Faith, Hope, and Love”
Women of Hope: Unnamed Women
At the Well My feet cannot carry me fast enough! A weight has been lifted, and I am free! Free to run toward the people I’ve hidden from for years. Free to tell them who I am – because HE told me everything about me. And extended fellowship, truth, and love anyway. “Everyone, listen! Come,Continue reading “Women of Hope: Unnamed Women”
Women of Hope: Joanna and Lydia
Financier Number One The damp air cools my tear-soaked face. The silence of the early morning deafens my senses, and my heart sinks as I see the garden, the tomb. More tears. Filling and spilling. Oh, how could He be dead? How is Messiah no longer with us? Wait. The stone is moved. The tomb,Continue reading “Women of Hope: Joanna and Lydia”
Women of Hope: Martha
Surely my eyes deceive me. Lazarus lives! Jesus spoke the word, and Lazarus walked out of the tomb. Even with the wrappings still hanging from his limbs, I could tell he was healthy. Whole. Alive! Jesus told me Lazarus would rise, and I thought He spoke of the Last Day. But Jesus meant TODAY! Oh,Continue reading “Women of Hope: Martha”
Women of Hope: Mary of Bethany
Everything in my body pulses with anticipation. My breath comes quickly. My hands shake. My heart is sure to burst with gratitude and love for my Lord. The jar in my hand warms at my touch and dampens with my tears. Father in Heaven, may this gift be acceptable in your eyes… Eyes. They boreContinue reading “Women of Hope: Mary of Bethany”
Women of Hope: Mary Magdalene
My feet seem not to touch the ground as I run toward the brothers. I’m very nearly flying… HE LIVES!!! My Lord lives! The One I love has risen from the dead. HE HAS DEFEATED DEATH! Like Lazarus, He has walked out of the grave. My eyes have seen Him. My arms have held Him.Continue reading “Women of Hope: Mary Magdalene”
Women of Hope: Mary the Mother of Jesus
Oh Father, I have tried to understand what Simeon meant all those years ago when he told me that a sword would pierce my side too – I had no idea what depth of pain he alluded to. But, as I watched that soldier unsheathe his sword to puncture Jesus’ side, Simeon’s words came floodingContinue reading “Women of Hope: Mary the Mother of Jesus”
Women of Hope: Shiphrah, Puah, and Anna
The Midwives My entire adult life these hands have held Hebrew babies, but now to carry my own child seems too good, too great. How faithful Yahweh is! When Puah and I went before Pharaoh – afraid for our lives – I didn’t expect to leave his presence with my life, yet we not onlyContinue reading “Women of Hope: Shiphrah, Puah, and Anna”