Category Archives: Hope

When Hope and History Rhyme: A Christmas Eve Meditation

“Peace on Earth” has been called U2’s most agnostic song. Recorded as part of the 2000 release, All That You Can’t Leave Behind, the song’s lyrics were inspired by the Real IRA Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland in August 1998. … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Disappointment, Eschatology, Faith, Gospel, Hope, Jesus, Music, Social Issues, Video | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Hope Is Not Optimism

In a Rolling Stone interview years ago, American professor and scholar Cornel West made the following statement about optimism and pessimism: The categories of optimism and pessimism don’t exist for me. I’m a blues man. A blues man is a … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, Hope, Kingdom Values, Missiology, Social Issues | 1 Comment

The Enemy of Hope

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Paul begins his letter to the … Continue reading

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Hope Against Hope

It was a Saturday. We were planning to go to Nashville that day to see her. She’d been hospitalized there for several days and we’d planned for me to finish up the school week and then go see her on … Continue reading

Posted in Blessings, Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, Hope, Kingdom Values, Mom, Scripture | 6 Comments

A Pessimist’s Take on Hope

My Dad was a pretty negative guy. When I was growing up, I could never go to my friends’ swimming parties. When I asked why, my Dad would say, “Because you don’t know how to swim.” “How am I supposed … Continue reading

Posted in Dad, Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, God, Hope, Kingdom Values, Theology | 5 Comments

Hope for Today

These are hard days we’re living in. The economy is on everyone’s mind. Words like “bailout” and “corporate bonuses” have caught our ire. I have several friends and loved ones who are looking for jobs right now; even those who … Continue reading

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One Word

On his blog, Mike Cope once commented that each year he tries to choose a “theme word”, a word to focus on over the course of each year. A few years ago, he chose the word “listen”. Great word. Great … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Hope, Kingdom Values, Scripture | 4 Comments

The Intersection of Hope

It’s easy to look back and see that 2008 was a difficult year. The economy is on everyone’s mind; each day brings news of more corporate scandals and massive employee layoffs. But 2009 is upon us and with the new … Continue reading

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Abounding in Hope

I came across a verse in my study today that I’ve never fully absorbed before. But it was one that especially resonated with me. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that … Continue reading

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And yet…hope

Life is most difficult when it seems most hopeless. Our global landscape has changed drastically in the last few years. September 11th brought the reality of terror to the forefront of our collective consciousness. Scarcely a day goes by when … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Hope, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Theology | 1 Comment