My Hope

It’s been wonderful seeing family and friends. I feel like the time is passing too quickly though and I haven’t had a chance to see as many people as I’d hoped. I feel like we’re close and yet so far away up in Clarkston. Always know you’re welcome anytime you’re up in Atlanta to come on over and see us- we’d love to have you and show you everything going on!! We’d taken two cars to church and the girls got back slightly earlier than the boys. After unstrapping H and letting both out of the car, M started to dash for the garage door. As she started I could see my father-in-law driving down the road and about to pull into the driveway. I called out a quick ‘whoa’ to M and she immediately stopped. I smiled at her (happy that she’d obeyed the first time) and explained I hadn’t wanted her to get squished by Poppy’s truck (which is my usual speech in parking lots or near roads). Her reaction wasn’t usual though- she burst into tears and came running to me for hugs. Unlike previ...

I had an amazing time seeing family and friends recently and am looking forward to seeing everyone next week too! I was grateful to be able to share at our church while in Bainbridge and a friend asked me to post part of my message. Much of what I said I’ve also written about in these three posts http://hope535.blogspot.com/2015/09/fleeing-home.html , http://hope535.blogspot.com/2015/11/part-2-world-divided.html , and http://hope535.blogspot.com/2015/11/part-3-call-to-acts.html so I won’t bore you with repetition. I asked everyone to imagine the following situation- I ask you to read through them slowly and let each sink in: A man and his father discuss the raging war and lives being lost. They both agree that it’s best for the man to leave his home and now is the right time. He gets to a new and foreign place only to be whisked away from his host family because they’re afraid of the danger that may befall him simply because of where he’s from. As time passes he makes f...

How often do we allow ourselves to be vulnerable? To bear our souls and admit when we don’t have it all together or all the answers? Our society doesn’t encourage it, instead we arm ourselves and put up fronts both individually and as a country. There are times I understand it. What is the purpose of showing your weaknesses to someone who may turn and use it against you? 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [a]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with [b]insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Last night I had the privilege of talking to someone who allowed himself to open up and be vulnerable at the risk of disappointing others. He didn’t grow up in a Christian home, but got to know Christians and ...