Thomas Chisholm was not a formally educated man. But in 1941 he wrote in a letter, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness."* You will not be surprised to learn that a man who writes such a letter … [Read more...]
A Free 6-Day Devotional: Jesus Revives Hope
You're familiar with the YouVersion Bible App, right?More than likely, it's on your smartphone right now because it's used by more than 361 MILLION devices. I use the app almost daily to look up a verse, listen to scripture, or participate in one of their daily devotional reading plans. It's all free. That's why I'm thrilled to tell you that my 6-day devotional is available on YouVersion now! It's called Jesus Revives Hope in Disappointed People, and it's based on scripture and stories … [Read more...]
How to Color with Hope
I’m not sure if it’s a hobby, or a habit. Maybe it’s just how God regularly reminds me of his creative power and reliability. I’ve grown fond of taking photos of the sky, and particularly the sky over our nearby lake. My camera fits in my pocket, no fancier than a smartphone (which now that I think of it, is pretty fancy). But before my smartphone days, I’d comment to my boys as we drove to school, “Wow, you guys! Look at the sky!!” They’d stare through windshield, squinting into the sunrise, … [Read more...]
The Family Behind Bars
Two years ago I had the privilege of speaking to an extraordinary church. Like many churches who find themselves meeting in borrowed buildings, this little group met in a cafeteria. Folding chairs were arranged in rows in lieu of church pews. A long line of stainless steel counter-top stretched behind the congregants where a sound booth ought to have been. The words to Christmas hymns were not projected onto a flimsy silver screen, but onto stark white painted cinder blocks. Congregants … [Read more...]
Where is the Bright, New Day?
If your personal suffering has you straining into the distance aching for a shred of hope, or if national conflicts have you wishing for a better country, read on. I've invited my friend Glenna to be our guest this month. She's a singer, speaker, adoptive mom, and a survivor of several long-term trials. She knows a little something about finding hope, and like an experienced guide, she leads us to the certain hope of our bright new day. Every Sunday night we have movie and charcuterie … [Read more...]