A Moment of Hope

"You are not what has happened to you." Another lesson my dad taught me. This lesson is so important, especially in today's culture. We live in a world where people love to be the victim. In fact, it's much easier to focus on being wronged and live under that identity than to pursue healing and strength after experiencing pain and opposition. The Bible says that through Jesus, we are more than con...

Here is another lesson from my dad:  The most important shot is the next one. I have a very tender heart and tend to beat myself up when I make a mistake. Any time I would miss a shot while playing basketball, Dad would see me get down on myself. After each game, Dad would sit me down and remind me that the shots I missed were gone. Done. Could not be recovered. Then he would urge me to collect my...

I have so many lessons from my dad that have marked my life. Today's lesson: It's not how you drive, but how you arrive. Dad loved to play golf. I did not inherit his passion, but grew to appreciate the many life lessons in golf. One lesson he taught me is key. You can hit a bad shot off the tee, but quickly recover the lost shot by putting well. We all want to finish the journey well. Dad's princ...

Lessons from my dad changed my life. He gave me so many insights into life, marriage, fatherhood, leadership, and character. I want to share several of these lessons with you. If you were never fathered by a loving father, I pray these lessons fill the voids you may have felt. Here is the lesson for today: Don't look at what you've lost, but what you still have. Dad knew that life meant loss. Life...

I learned so much from my dad. He was a pillar of strength, wisdom, and perspective for me throughout his life. I collected so many lessons from him and used them to guide and lead me. I believe now, more than ever, our world needs sound wisdom from fathers who are deeply connected to the Father in heaven. We are living in days where people everywhere are perishing for lack of knowledge ( Hosea 4:...

Our "Hearing God's Voice" series is adapted from "Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars" by Marilynn Chadwick. To request a copy of this book please  go here . by Marilynn Chadwick I'm always watching for signs of God at work. Looking for insights from His Word. Watching closely for His "fingerprints." I often ask God to open my eyes so I may see Him more clearly. I am convinced that abiding in...

Our "Hearing God's Voice" series is adapted from "Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars" by Marilynn Chadwick. To request a copy of this book please  go here . by Marilynn Chadwick Consider the miracle of speech. Our voice sets us apart from the animals. It allows us to communicate with each other. It connects us to God. A voice is a powerful tool. I believe our most important task is to train...

Our "Hearing God's Voice" series is adapted from "Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars" by Marilynn Chadwick. To request a copy of this book please  go here . by Marilynn Chadwick Have you discovered that every voice in your head is not from God? The enemy of our soul often tries to sneak in his lies, sometimes disguised as our own voice. So how do we recognize when it's really God speaking to...

Our "Hearing God's Voice" series is adapted from "Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars" by Marilynn Chadwick. To request a copy of this book please  go here . by Marilynn Chadwick "What do I do when God seems silent?" The question came from a good friend and a sincere follower of Jesus. We were on a weekend retreat where I had just delivered a message about learning to hear God's voice. Her qu...

Our "Hearing God's Voice" series is adapted from "Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars" by Marilynn Chadwick. To request a copy of this book please  go here . by Marilynn Chadwick God is always speaking. The question is, "Will you listen?" It's a question I ask myself every day. Will I take the time to listen in our busy, noisy world? I have discovered that if you truly commit to listening to...

Forgiveness is "the act of pardoning an offender and letting them go." It is not a feeling, but a command by God. While forgiveness is required by God for anyone who is a follower of Jesus, reconciliation may or may not always take place. Remember that forgiveness and reconciliation are different. Forgiveness is not reconciliation. Forgiveness takes one person. You and you alone. As a Christ follo...

The Bible says we are to forgive "70 times 7." What does this mean? In Jesus's day, to forgive seven times was seen as the ultimate victory in forgiveness. So, Peter asks Jesus if that is sufficient, forgiving seven times in  Matthew 18:21-22 . Jesus says no. We must forgive "70 times 7." And that does not mean that on the 491st time we get to seek revenge. No. Revenge solely belongs to God ( Roma...

Forgiveness is so important to the heart of God. This week we are exploring this topic more in depth and hopefully growing in practicing forgiveness in our everyday lives. Why forgive? Is it really that important? Does it even matter? Our forgiveness seems to be directly connected to God's grace being poured out to us. In the Lord's Prayer in  Matthew 6:12 , Jesus says that part of how we should p...

One of the biblical definitions for forgiveness is "the act of pardoning an offender and letting them go." For followers of Jesus, forgiveness is not a feeling, but a command. When we have been hurt, we often do not feel like forgiving the person who hurt us. But we must. It is not for his or her benefit, but much more for us. It sets us free. But choosing to forgive someone might also end up sett...

by David Chadwick Today is Memorial Day. It started as a way to commemorate Civil War soldiers and the countless ways they sacrificed for our country. We want to make sure that we stop to acknowledge and remember all soldiers who have fought for the tremendous gift of freedom we all enjoy. This is a very special day to remember. Remember all of those who gave their lives for our freedom. Remember...

by David Chadwick This is Memorial Day weekend. A time to enjoy family, fun, food, and friends. But don't forget the true meaning of this upcoming Monday: freedom. May we never forget the price so many have paid for us to be free. Freedom has a cost. Throughout the years, countless people have actually given or have been willing to risk their lives for our freedom. Freedom to worship. To speak fre...

by Marilynn Chadwick After I made the leap from unbeliever to believer in college, I began to catch glimpses of God's work all around me. The Bible calls these "signs." The word literally means "evidence, working, or even fingerprints." Signs reassure us that God has our life—including our problems—in His hands. This is especially comforting when we're fearful or anxious. Nowadays, smartphones mak...

Today's Daily Moment of Hope is adapted from  Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars  by Marilynn Chadwick. To receive a copy of this book, please  go here. An ordinary penny taped to a greeting card in my Ebenezer Box reminds me of the time God answered my prayer in a way that left me in awe. For months I had been noticing pennies in the strangest places. Sometimes I would discover one at my fe...

by Marilynn Chadwick I don't know about you, but my faith grows when I hear stories of God's power. And when I personally experience a miracle, my faith seems to soar! Over the years, I've collected spiritual mementos to remind me of my victories—I call them my "Ebenezer Stones." Photos, small artifacts, scraps of paper, pages of my journal, little bits of "this and that" point me back to times wh...

by Marilynn Chadwick The Bible tells the story of how the children of Israel came back to God after many years of wandering away from Him ( 1 Samuel 7 ). They began to copy the evil behavior of the pagan people around them and even started to worship the demon gods of their enemies — sometimes even sacrificing their own babies! Finally, they'd had enough. They were sick and tired of the consequenc...

A marriage vow is made on a foundation of covenantal love. An unchanging, unbreaking, unconditional promise to remain faithful. "In plenty and in want." "In joy and in sorrow." "In sickness and in health." The final part of traditional, covenant vows is this:  "As long as we both shall live." Jesus's covenant vow with us is forever. Nothing can separate us from his covenant love ( Romans 8:38-39 )...

Traditional marriage vows are full of covenantal vows. A Christian marriage union, while not perfect, is a beautiful display of the love between Jesus and the church. A marriage is rooted in a binding promise and agreement between two people, much like Jesus has with us. "In plenty and in want." "In joy and in sorrow." "In sickness and in health." Yes, every marriage has both: times when your belo...

David and Marilynn Chadwick join Jenn Houston in a discussion about today's blog.

Marriage vows are rooted in the word covenant. It means a vow that cannot be broken. The significance of covenant is seen in the Old Testament through the covenant God made with Israel. In the New Testament, it is seen in the covenant Jesus makes with his church and followers. Whether you are married or not, the expression of covenant love and covenant vows through marriage is a real life depictio...

God takes vows very seriously. Biblically, a vow is a pledge, promise, or commitment. When made, God expects them to be honored. Jesus, in speaking of vows, said not to swear a vow by heaven, or earth, or on the name of Jerusalem (the holy city). He said,  "Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil"  ( Matthew 5:37 ). Jesus did not want people to emphasize t...