Have you ever had a time in your life when you seriously questioned the goodness and mercy of the Lord? Perhaps it was illness, some disappointment, financial loss, confusion, relational issues, or a sense of depression or discouragement that caused your hope in God to decrease. It is in these times of crisis and darkness…… Continue Reading
Author Archives: Marilyn
HOW SAFE ARE YOU? – Intro Lesson 5 -February 11 – 18
What makes you feel safe and secure? We have bank accounts, IRA’s, insurance policies, and retirement plans in the hopes that there will be enough money for our retirement years. We have medical tests, pills, and regular checkups with doctors and dentists so that we can avoid at least some health problems and take care…… Continue Reading
OPTIMIST or PESSIMIST? – Intro Lesson 4 – February 4 – 11
Remember what Eeyore said to Winnie-the-Pooh when it was snowing outside? First, he observed in his gloomy voice, “And it’s freezing.” Then he just couldn’t help himself and added, “However, we haven’t had an earthquake lately”. Why is it that some people choose to see problems where others see possibilities, criticize where others express gratefulness…… Continue Reading
WHAT DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE? – Intro Lesson 3 – January 28 – February 4
“When tragedy strikes, when life caves in, when your plans are dashed on the jagged rocks of reality, when you find yourself in a place you never wanted to be, that’s when you discover what you really believe. As long as things are going smoothly, you don’t really know what you believe. It’s all theoretical. …… Continue Reading
WHAT DOES “HOPE” LOOK LIKE? – Introduction Lesson 2 – January 21 – 28
Who is your favorite character in the stories about Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends? While most of us would likely name that friendly bear or Christopher Robin himself, there’s something about Eeyore that draws us to him, isn’t there? Could it be that we identify with his outlook on life all too often? On a scale…… Continue Reading
WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO? – Intro Lesson 1 – January 14 – 21
Remember the story about “Chicken Little”? When one small acorn fell on his head, he immediately assumed “the sky was falling” and he was the one who should go to warn the king of the imminent disaster. On his way to the palace, he warns his many friends – Goosey Poosey, Cocky Locky, and several…… Continue Reading
Something Better Than “Fast Food”
These days people want their physical food precooked, prepared, processed, and packaged. Quick, easy and convenient is a priority. Tasty and delicious is a bonus. Has it ever occurred to you that we have similar preferences when it comes to our spiritual diet? We so easily turn to a book, a video, or a devotional…… Continue Reading
HOW ESSENTIAL IS HOPE?
It has been said that “we can live 40 days without food, 8 days without water, 4 minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.” What is it about hope that makes it so essential to our lives? Surely it is not simply the capacity that we have for wishful thinking such as…… Continue Reading
“May the God of HOPE . . .”
To View or Print Study Guides Would you agree the word “hope” has an enormous range of meanings? It can suggest anything from wishful thinking to an expectation that has a great degree of certainty. For example, one might say, “I hope that my friend in India will be able to come and visit me…… Continue Reading
LOOKING AHEAD – “May the God of HOPE . . . “
What is it about HOPE that makes it so essential to our lives? Would you like to discover how to experience the kind of hope that gives you real peace and confidence in your present circumstances and for your future? Week by week this winter, we’ll explore the New Testament epistles to discover what it means…… Continue Reading