Hope-Full Living

Life contains a series of plans that we always hope will occur. When we were born, our parents looked forward with hope and plans we would grow into a healthy, productive child. But life on earth has no guarantees. There may be bumps on our life path that can arise such as sickness, failure at school or work, or a marriage that is a failure for our sons or daughters. In other words, there is absol...

A favorite song of mine is “Friends” by Michael & Deborah Smith. It starts, “Packing up the dreams God planted in the fertile soil of you — I can’t believe the hopes He’s granted means a chapter in your life is through.” A new season is approaching in the life of our church in Glen Cove. As we say good-bye to our Pastor of ten years who accepted a Call to another church, our hearts are breaking to...

Like many people, I enjoy doing crossword puzzles. One thing I’ve noticed, puzzle after puzzle, is that sometimes when I’m stumped on one section of the crossword, if I can get ONE word, the rest suddenly falls into place. Life can be a little like this too. We can be going through a hard phase: loneliness, grief, sickness, betrayal; and one word, JESUS, can put everything into perspective! Once w...

Jesus tells you and me that; we should not place expectations just on earthly things, but instead put our hope and trust in God. Doing this will lead to true contentment. We should find fulfillment with God and our relationship with Him instead of relying on earthly things to be satisfied. Expectation is a belief that something might happen, or a belief about how something should happen. We are to...

After miraculously turning five barley loaves and two fish into more than enough to feed thousands of people, Jesus withdraws. His disciples launch their boat and soon spot Jesus walking on the stormy sea. He assures them, “It is I; do not be afraid” (John 6:20). Then another miracle — the boat immediately reaches land. That was quick. Once the disciples recognized Jesus, heard His words, and welc...

This is the season for graduations. For young people, it is a time for closing a chapter in life and moving to another. At these ceremonies and celebrations, we often reflect on our own stepping stones in life as we looked to the future. We remember the plans and dreams we had as young people — hopefully with a smile rather than regret. God promises that no matter where we are in life, we can coun...

Human beings, even Christians, struggle with expectations, hope, and contentment. Saying “I expected more,” “Wish I had a bigger house,” or “I’m useless,” shows how the devil constantly drags us into a life of despair rather than life in God’s love, grace, and mercy. Yet, hope springs eternal! “According to [God’s] great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurre...

William Hanes was a man in prison for forty years, for a crime he did not commit. He died in prison in 2021. Yet in all the years of his incarceration, Bill never faltered in his faith nor decried his plight. Bill knew that, not only did God know he was innocent, but that God was with him, strengthening and using him, for God’s purpose. Bill was usually full of joy, which was seen in his attitude...

Years ago, I remember watching astronaut John Glenn go up into space. At the words “3-2-1 blast-off!” his rocket took off with a powerful thrust. The announcer said, “May God bless you, John Glenn!” So, we may be surprised how quietly Jesus ascended into heaven: “As they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” Jesus’ “lift-off” may have been quiet, but it sure...

When we are young and beginning our journey in life, we are filled with possibility. We are hopeful our dreams will be fulfilled. However, throughout each season in life, challenges and obstacles emerge and unfulfilled aspirations and dreams take root. These disappointments potentially can cause us doubt and uncertainty about the future and make us feel disheartened. Among all believers, there is...

How do we feel when we face uncertainty? Anxious, agitated, or are we at peace? As I experience the uncertainties that come with aging, peace is hard to find. Anxieties and agitations get the best of me when I slack off in prayer. The busyness of the day gets in my way. I forget that for every reason, season, or circumstance, our good Lord wants us to turn to Him. There in our relationship with Go...

Kevin worries his retirement income won’t cover expenses. Margaret, a widow who moved to live near her daughter, has no friends in town. Susan’s anxiety surfaced when her doctor ordered additional tests. How can we find hope in our challenges? When I face problems, my friend Karen reminds me the Holy Spirit infuses us with hope when we study the Bible and take our needs to God in prayer (Romans 5:...

When my grandchildren were babies, they were content if mommy or daddy were in their line of sight. If their parents left the room, they cried, calling out “mama” or “dada,” until their parent returned and comforted them. Children know, from a young age, how much their parents satisfy their needs. They feel safe and content in their care. Likewise, we, as children of God, can find no true contentm...

Hope motivates us to keep going. Without hope we don’t want to do anything. In a Peanut’s cartoon: Lucy and Linus are watching TV when Lucy says to Linus, “Go get me a glass of water.” Linus replies, “Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for me.” “On your 75th birthday,” Lucy promised, “I’ll make you a cake.” Linus gets up, heads to the kitchen and says, “Life is more pleasant w...

Have you noticed that the word “content” can be pronounced and used differently? For example, “I felt content when I’d gathered enough content to write this devotion.” Contentment and content (the things) are definitely related. If I have things to do, I’m not bored. If I have enough friends, I’m not lonely. If I have enough savings and health, I’m not anxious. But often we don’t have enough of th...

Hummingbirds delight me! They can hover right in front of my face, look at me, and then zip away in a breath. One day as I was hosing flowers, a hummer stopped midair to watch. Then, he darted into the mist and sped back out. I stood rooted. Again, that quick dart in and out, in and out. He’s playing! Birds play! Astounding! What astounding experiences has God sent your way? A rainbow in front of...

Scientists tell us that human beings can survive for three weeks without food, but only three days without water. As we work or exercise, our need for hydration increases. For plants, animals, and people, life without water cannot exist. What if we could have water that would cure our thirst forever? Jesus promised the Samaritan woman that whoever drinks the water He gives will never be thirsty ag...

There are parts of the Divine Service that I especially love to sing. One of those parts is the Nunc Dimittus. In Latin, “Nunc Dimittus” means, “now lettest thou depart.” Simeon’s words of awe, joy, and peace fill my heart with elation and expectation. It gives me goosebumps to think that he was holding the Christ, the baby Jesus, in his arms. What an incredible moment; to see the face of the Rede...

Stanza three of the hymn, Children of the Heavenly Father, is: “Neither life nor death shall ever, From the Lord His children sever; Unto them His grace He showeth, And their sorrows all He knoweth.” These lyrics resounded in my heart after hearing the unexpected news of a close friend of ours who found his wife, Jennifer, lying in bed one morning — she had passed on to her eternal home in glory....

I’ve fallen twice in the last couple of months, and I have the remnants of a black eye to prove it! But it made me realize that spiritual falls can be MUCH worse than physical falls. My falls were partly due to my surroundings: an uneven boardwalk and a low curb in the dark. We need to be aware of environments that can pose spiritual risks, too: unsavory movies, questionable friends, and salacious...

We must admit that these are not always harmonious times. There are rigid opinions, disunity, and even tribalism. We stand in desperate need of goodly and Godly leadership. The Father often chose His leaders to be from simple backgrounds — those who had a genuine servant heart. Leadership is not lordship, but rather bringing out the best in everyone who follows. Some wisdom does come with age, and...

What changes will I see today? I’m hopeful as I head out for my morning walk around my neighborhood. It’s been amazing to watch three new structures form on open land. A new city park was built to honor a fallen firefighter, including firefighter-themed playground equipment. Near the park, a new elementary school is being built on donated farmland. Toward the end of my walk, stand the walls of a n...

Recently, we decided to remove all the wallpaper in our house. As the workers removed layer after layer of wallpaper, it became harder and harder, requiring more and more scraping and soaking. Watching the workers, I started to feel “Wallpaper Guilt” for putting them through all the extra work. The many layers of wallpaper reminded me of the many layers of sin people accumulate over their lifetime...

Our toddler grandson loves to get behind his stroller and push it. He can’t see where he’s going, and sometimes the stroller gets out of control going down the driveway, or it gets stuck on a curb or crack. Of course, unbeknownst to him, I have my hand on the stroller handle. I can see the way forward and keep it under control to help him over the rough spots. Jesus walks beside us and has His han...

I watched my father make decisions. I learned from him that the key to contentment is knowing what matters most. During his military career, my dad was offered a commission by the U.S. Air Force as a Captain. He was a senior non-commissioned officer at the time. The increase in prestige and pay were tempting. There was, however, a concern that he had. The position would require that he attend many...