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
Category Archives: Lessons
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
Lesson 1 – Intro – April 12 – April 19 Filled with HOPE
Remember the story about “Chicken Little”? When one small acorn fell on his head, he immediately assumed that “the sky was falling” and that 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,…… Continue Reading
New 6 Week Series for Spring
“There’s HOPE for You!” What’s your definition of “hope”? Brennan Manning explains it this way. “Hope is reliance on the promise of Jesus, accompanied by the expectation of fulfillment”. Join us as we study the New Testament and discover why hope is one of the fundamental aspects of the Christian life, along with faith and love.…… Continue Reading
Hope? or Hope!
Hope is one of those words that has an enormous range of meanings doesn’t it? It can mean 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 some day”. …… Continue Reading