Book Review Let Hope In By Pete Wilson

Let Hope In presents us, the readers, with choices that are geared to improve our outlook and our lives. The author presents these options to mull over as we consider allowing our lives to recover from so many hurts thrown at us by the world.

The best way to describe the thrust of this book is to say it deals with healing. We tend to hang onto our pasts with all the mistakes we made, in spite of the fact we want our pasts to be just that- our pasts. Pete Wilson says in this book that when our past keeps going to the forefront of our minds, it happens because we allow it to.

In one chapter, Trusting vs. Pleasing the author concludes with: “I want to live a life where I have to lean on God’s grace rather than trying the journey alone to reach him.”

I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with letting go of past hurts. This book would be a great study for small groups. I also see it being utilized in a counseling ministry by Christian counselors.

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through its Booksneeze program. All they ask of me was that I read it and give an unbiased review.

His Joyful Presence

  

       “You have made known to me the path of life;

You will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11(NIV)

When I opened my copy of ‘Jesus Calling’ as I do each morning, I found this nugget of wisdom:

“Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity.”

As I reflect on what I initially write here, I am thankful for God’s presence in my life.

His presence with His children gives hope for even the direst circumstance we have. Even when we don’t realize it God is present with us. As God’s children, we have many things to give Him thanks for: for Jesus, for our salvation, and especially for His presence.

In our nation, we celebrate a holiday called Thanksgiving. One way people celebrate that time of year is to practice the act of remembering the many things that they are thankful for. I have read online where people say we should practice thanksliving. I try to do that every day by reflecting on the good things that happen to me each day and look at them as a gift from God.

When I have a questionable day-a day that has something hard or distasteful happen- I have to look to see how God was there. Was there a way that the event might have been worse?

 I keep a list on my portable word processor. I started keeping this list when I read 1,000 Gifts Devotional Book, by Ann Voskamp. A few years ago, I kept a praise list. By keeping a thankful/praise/gift list, we learn to thank God for all things. Most of all we can thank Him for His presence.

Dear Lord God:

Thank You for being with us at all times—even when we can’t feel you with us. Thank You for your protection when we go through troublesome times. I give You praise. In the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN

Praise Hymn:In Your Presence

Graphic: freeimageslive.co.uk

HOPE -RJD January 2014

“Christ in you, the hope of Glory” Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

From May 24, 2010:

Definition: Hope- reliance on God’s blessings and provisions; the expectation of future good.

When we rely on God’s blessings and provisions, we possess hope. People who live their lives for Christ walk through their days following His leading. The verse, Colossians 1:27, speaks of {the presence of} Christ being an expectation of future good.

When we have Christ in our hearts, we become His instruments. We become the hands, the feet, the voice He needs to reach those who need to find Him. God uses us, His children, to demonstrate His love and care to those who need Him—the hurting, the displaced, the impoverished. We become His hope when we yield to Him. As we mature in Christ, we learn from Him the exact nature of His will for our lives.

UPDATE:

My word for 2014 is Hope. We, who rely on God, demonstrate hope for those around us. We become Christ’s hope when he presents us with a ministry, a task to do for the kingdom. As I wrote this in mid-December, I had a decision to make. Had I had to give an answer on this issue two weeks ago, I believe I would have said I couldn’t do the job. But, what I saw told me that I may be able to do this task.

I made my decision on December 30, 2011. I am not able to do what someone asked me to do. Praise the Lord, she understood. While I wanted to do what the person asked me to do, I had to listen to God in light of some health issues.

Then, I re-read what I wrote back in 2010.

I am humbled by the thought, “We become His

hope when we yield to Him.” I want to be used by Christ this year. How do you feel about this thought?


Linking to: beneaththesurface-dawn.

In God’s Presence

  

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, 

who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.”

 Psalm 89:15

The act of praising God is a learned response. As we learn of his goodness to us, we feel the need to give back to God. We don’t say “praise the Lord” to impress those around us. We say it because we feel thankful to Him for what He has done for us in our time of stress- emotional, as well as financial- a need, or physical illness.

As we go through life, we walk paths assigned to us. We are not alone as we are on our path, God is with us. Even when our ‘path’ diverts to trying circumstance, God’s presence makes those circumstances easier for us to get through them. However, we don’t have a pass that allows us a life with no problems.

As an experiment, we should mentally ask God if any person we pass in our daily activities- grocery shopping, going into the pharmacy to pick up something, getting gasoline, people we deal with in our jobs- needs to be in His presence.We might find that those people we see are dealing with deep hurts or an illness of a close family member. Then, we should add that person or persons to our prayer list. By doing this, we take those people into the presence of God.

Sandi Patty sings:" In Your Presence"

Graphic: youtube.com

The Wise Men

            “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?’” Matthew 2:2 (NIV)

            “When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:10

The Magi travelled a great distance to see the Christ child. They had studied scrolls and watched the heavens for a sign that the scrolls foretold of the birth of the one who would save men of their sins.

The Magi came to the place Joseph, Mary and the child were staying. Their purpose was to worship the king. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   They received a warning in a dream to take an alternate route back to their homeland.

God protected these wise men. They made a journey to get to Bethlehem. They encountered King Herod on the way.  When they got to Bethlehem, they might have been very tired. They bowed down and worshipped the babe and chose to heed the guidance of the angel. He will protect us as we go through times of uncertainty and insecurity. We can depend on God to protect us as we go through life.

This is a song that has a few surprises in it. The lyrics speak of what the three gifts are and their meaning.

I found a place that refers to this carol as an Epiphany   carol.

We Three Kings

Graphic: biblepictures.net

Christmas Prayer for Two States

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I am joining in the 50 states of Prayer movement. Each of the participants has been asked to pray for their home state. I asked permission to also pray for the state where our son lives.

Prayer for Indiana

Lord Jesus;

I bring before You my home state of Indiana. We will be celebrating our state’s bicentennial birthday in 2016. I give thanks for our being able to observe the date. We love the way You have given our state the privilege of having four seasons in which to see your beauty.

Please, dear Jesus, let Your Spirit fall on all the leaders of our state, all 92 counties and all the cities. Our city still faces severe economic trials and has for almost a decade. Small businesses have had to close their doors because the people can’t support them. Our children graduate from high school or college and have to relocate to other localities in order to have work.

Lord, we know there are things that are not as You would like them here in Indiana. I ask that You work through these many issues and allow Your glory to be seen. Please let your Holy Spirit fall on each city and town in our state. Do this out of Your grace and love for our state. AMEN

Prayer for Kansas

Lord Jesus;

I bring before You the state where our son lives, the Sunflower State.  I ask You to help the farmers who grow the wheat for our nation. I ask You to protect them from harm when the weather conditions create storms, tornadoes and snow storms. Protect the farmers as they plan for their crops and care for their animals.

Father, please guide the citizens who are unemployed. Please help their families. Grant them mercy and love on this your season in which we celebrate your birth.

Lord, please guide the leaders and the lawmakers through their days. Help them as they try to decide what is best for their people. Protect the small children as they grow and mature. Remind them of Your great love for them. Do this out of Your store of grace and love for the people of Kansas. AMEN

Graphic:www.tumct.org

The Shepherds

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

“. . . the shepherds said to one another,   ‘Let us go to Bethlehem

 and see this  thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’”

 Luke 2:15 (NIV)

God sent angels to the poorest of the poor-shepherds out in the fields tending their sheep. The artisans, the merchants, and priests considered the shepherds as persona non grata. The others didn’t want the shepherds or their families around.

But God honored the shepherds by having the angels bring the good news of Jesus’ birth. The news excited the shepherds. They decided to quickly go into Bethlehem to see the new-born King for themselves.

Does our 21^st Century have people who look down on others due to circumstances in life? I’m afraid we do. In our local newspaper this past week, a head line and story caused me angst for two reasons. Someone had vandalized the air-conditioning unit at an area shelter for women who were trying to get away from abusive situations. These ‘people’ took the copper tubing from the unit. One of the women who was interviewed felt that situation could have been worse- they could have taken the tubing from the heating system. One good thing was someone working there that night heard noises outside and called the authorities.

Several years ago, I read a collection of Karen Kingsbury’s books entitled, “The Red Glove Series.” At the end of each book she lists projects that families can do to help others during the Christmas season. Some of these were very simple ideas. I wish I had made a list of them for future reference.

In a sense, we all have needs. Take a look around your area, see people whom you pass by and then ask God to care for those people’s needs.