Comfort comes from many different sources, doesn’t it? The smile of a child or a note from a friend. An encouraging word from a stranger or the lyrics of a song. The silent beauty of a flower or the pounding sound of the ocean waves. The recollection of answered prayer or the assurance of…… Continue Reading
Author Archives: Marilyn
Sharing An Insight – Lesson 5
At the conclusion of a very helpful sermon about the relationship of faith and hope, John Piper prayed the following prayer. It has been an encouragement to me and so I send it on to you. “Lord Jesus, I believe in my heart that you were raised from the dead, and that this guarantees…… Continue Reading
Lesson 5 – Intro – May 10 – May 17 Encouraged Through HOPE
Promises. Promises. It is often said that “they are only as good as the people who make them”. While that may be true, there are certainly other reasons that a promise may be broken. There are circumstantial and unexpected events that can make it hard or even impossible for people with the best intentions…… Continue Reading
Sharing An Insight – Lesson 4 – Secure in HOPE
What do you picture when you hear the word “secure”? The first scene that comes to my mind is a sweet little baby, wrapped in a soft blanket, resting contentedly in the tender arms of his/her mother. Perhaps you pictured a family safe in their underground shelter waiting for the tornado warnings to pass…… Continue Reading
Lesson 4 – Intro – May 3 – May 10 Secure in HOPE
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…… Continue Reading
Sharing An Insight – Blessed By Hope – Lesson 3
Why is it that when we hear the word blessings, we are so prone to think about our money, health, protection, and success? In fact, the dictionary defines that word as “anything promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity; a boon.” It seems to me that the apostle Paul’s definition might be quite…… Continue Reading
Lesson 3 – Intro – April 26 – May 3 Blessed by HOPE
Remember what Eeyore said to Winnie-the-Pooh when it was snowing outside? First, he observed in his gloomy voice, “And it’s freezing.” And 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…… Continue Reading
Sharing An Insight – Lesson 2
Have you ever read through the Psalms and underlined the verses that speak about God’s “unfailing love”? In the New Living Translation, you’ll find it 74 times! It’s a reality that I want to feel and experience deeply because out of it comes the unshakeable assurance that gives me HOPE and STRENGTH. His…… Continue Reading
Lesson 2 – Intro – April 19 – April 26 Strengthened by HOPE
“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 good, you don’t really know what you believe. It’s all…… Continue Reading
Sharing an Insight – Lesson 1
What words come to your mind when you think about the opposite of hope or hopefulness? Some obvious ones might be hopelessness, despair, pessimism, and dejection. But what about doubt? It’s a subtle enemy of hope, isn’t it? It creeps in and takes the joy of anticipation away. It sneaks in and destroys my confidence. It dilutes my faith in God’s…… Continue Reading