We can see traces of Spirit — Spirit sightings — in the same way as we see wind rustling through the leaves or propelling waves to the shoreline. Everywhere and acting in various ways, intimately tailored to our openness and life situation, the Spirit addresses each of us personally. Often, however, we fail to see…
From Messy Incarnation by Bruce Epperly: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the…
Easter Sunday represents hope fulfilled, but also the promise of hope to all for all time. A Message We have a message to tell the world – a message of undeniable hope that will explode with power when it is lived out in day-to-day life. Deborah L. Roeger, The Power of Hope, p. 244 Faith,…
Saturday is sometimes called Silent Saturday, a day of waiting, of shattered hopes, of finding a way to cope. Just like the disciples, we often experience our silent Saturdays. Endure for the True Power of Hope The key to every hope-er’s overcoming victory is stated clearly in Hebrews 6:12, “[Be] imitators of those who through…
The cross reveals the fullness of Jesus’ love for humankind in all its ambiguity and sin. Willing to embrace his destiny as God’s beloved child and healer, Jesus faces the agony of Calvary. He did not want to die, nor did he wish to suffer excruciating pain. Still, Jesus placed his suffering and abandonment in…
Today is Good Friday. It’s important to remember, however, that we see it as Good Friday by looking back. The disciples saw it as anything but good. For them, hope was dying with their Lord on the cross. But hope is for the difficult, devastating times. Hope Looking Forward Hope allows that which is “not…
Foreword to Running My Race Though I don’t identify myself in the book itself, Dave Black asked me to write the foreword to his book Running My Race, published in 2016. I reproduce it here. Since my embrace of the gospel commission along with the often disparaged words “evangelism” and “mission,” often draws criticism, I’ll…
Belief, Trust, and Hope … [T]o believe is beyond intellectual agreement to something. It undeniably denotes a sense of firmness, certainty and reliability. To believe is to firmly entrust yourself to reliable God. This entrustment serves to motivate a person’s action based on their reliance on God’s faithfulnessand His promise(s). Deborah L. Roeger, The Power…
What happens after the celebration, but before any fulfillment? Can that feeling be kept alive? Hope in Our Identity It is our identity in Christ that gives us the privilege of being confident in God’s faithfulness and fidelity to keep His promises. Because that is true, maintenance of our peculiar identity in Him is inseparably…
This week we’re going to post a series of quotes and notes here from our authors regarding hope. Holy Week in the Christian calendar is a time both of expectation and trial, of hardship and hope. There is the joy of Palm Sunday which turns out to be temporary. The friendly crowd is nowhere to…
