"The Believers in Haiti are not optimistic about their future at all. They were not optimistic, but neither are they pessimistic. Strangely, they were some of the most hopeful happy people I have ever met." Said Dennis McGowan, who has served on 5 mission trips to Haiti.

These are people who make under $1.00 per day— just enough money for that day's living expenses and sometimes not even enough for that. The money is meager, but they simply do not have the opportunity to make more. And yet, they are generous.

They give their time and their labor and their food and their appreciation and their love. About forty of the locals helped McGowan's mission team finish building their church building. When they were helping, they were not earning any money working at their jobs. And yet, they worked side-by-side with the mission team for ten days.

Why? They had no reason to be optimistic. They were not optimistic that their children's lives would be easier than their lives, that they would receive medical treatment if they fell ill, or that they would always have enough food on their table.

How could they volunteer their time knowing the bleakness of their situation? McGowan asked one of them why he was working with them instead of working in the fields to earn some money to help support his family. The man replied, "Because it was my church, and because I am serving Jesus."

"These were some of the most hopeful people I have ever met," McGowan said, "because they placed all their hope in Jesus and Jesus had not disappointed them." No, the Haitians aren't optimistic about their future, but they do have an incredible hope. A hope placed firmly in God.

Romans 5:3-5 NIV "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

A recent study indicates that those who are not "hopeful about the future" are more likely to die than those who have hope for the future. Over a four-year span, from 1992 to 1996, researches asked 795 people aged 64 to 79 whether they were “hopeful about the future.”

Around 9% responded, "no." Five years after the survey, the researches found that 11% of the hopeful died, contrasted with 29% of those who were not "hopeful about the future" died.

—http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010529/hl/hopelessness_1.html Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Hebrews 6:18-19 NASB "God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. [19] We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,"

In his book, Ray of Hope, Kimsey Wade writes about Gabriella, a little girl placed in an orphanage at the age of six months, who was later adopted by a missionary couple.

The father, a poor Mayan Indian farmer, tried to take care of the baby and scratch out a living in the jungle after the mother died during childbirth. With no family and no governmental programs to assist single parents, he left the six-month old infant with the missionary couple and their daughter Yessenia.

Gabriella and her sister never knew any other home than the Big House at Children's Ranch in northern Guatemala. They were typical sisters - arguing; making-up; scheming; playing their parents against one another. They gave little thought to the ongoing civil war that had raged for nearly five decades because neither side had ever threatened the orphanage. Neither did they worry about Gabriella's adoption, which remained a hostage of the Guatemalan Courts.

The tragic circumstances unfolded at the beginning of the rainy season when the girls were sixteen. Six months later, the girls and their parents found themselves in Guatemala City seeking a way to evacuate to the United States. Without the finalization of Gabriella's adoption, she would have to stay. The girls vowed to never be separated. But, within three months the government ordered the family to leave the country without Gabriella.

The girls ran away and Yessenia nearly died in the process. In the longest night of her young life, Gabriella relived the events and heard the Spirit's gentle whisper - follow Me. Gabriella would later say "the one miracle we witnessed daily at Children's Ranch was the miracle of hope; the hope that only God gives."

Faced with uncontrollable life circumstances, Gabriella's faith in God gave her the courage to make one of the toughest decisions anyone could make; she took Yessenia back to their parents so the three of them could escape the hostilities.

Jeremiah 29:11 New Century Version "I know what I am planning for you says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future."

For more information about Ray of Hope, go to: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1553953681/fm082-20

Residents of the island of Guam are putting their lives back together after a typhoon struck the tiny Pacific island in early December. Typhoon Pongsona hit the tiny U.S. territory with sustained winds of 150 miles an hour, which essentially flattened parts of the island. The typhoon also disrupted the broadcasts of Trans-World radio’s shortwave operation located on the island.

Trans-World Radio operates five shortwave transmitters on Guam. Though the antenna array suffered severe damage, the supporting towers were left standing, apparently undamaged. Trans-World Radio worked hard to resume their broadcast service to Northeast Asia (China) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Southern China) as soon as possible. They rearranged programming to maximize the use of available transmitters to continue providing hope and encouragement over the airwaves.

Authorities say the long-term outlook on Guam is not hopeful. The commercial power grid may be down for more than a month, and the island’s infrastructure in totally inoperable with emergency services hampered.

In 1990,Typhhon Russ struck Guan with 145 mile and hour winds. That storm caused a five-day interruption of Trans World’s broadcasts. During that time, a listener in China wrote a letter, which said, “When we can’t get these broadcasts, we’re very upset because thousands of Christians depend on radio for God’s word.” Trans World officials say they plan to strive to ensure listener’s “daily ray of hope” returns soon.

—http://www.prnewswire.com, December 10, 2002, Devastated but not Defeated, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Romans 12:12-13 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

When Payne Stewart's plane went down on Oct. 25, 1999, he wasn't the only one that was immediately ushered into the presence of God. Several of his traveling companions were Christians too. One of them was Bruce Borland.

At Borland's funeral, his Jewish neighbor came to faith in Christ. Though the plane crash was a tragedy, God used it to bring good.

Borland's neighbor isn't the only one that found hope through the plane crash. According to PGA Chaplin Larry Moody, several PGA golfers have come to faith in Christ after the accident.

Romans 8:28 NASB And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

For more information on Payne Stewart: The Authorized Biography go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805423966/fm082-20

In The Lord of the Rings, one character is facing terrible evil, and suddenly he looks at a star in the sky. "Like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach. His song in the Tower had been defiance rather than hope; for then he was thinking of himself. Now for a moment his own fate…ceased to trouble him…putting away all fear…" Hope is not the same as defiance. Many people will turn to defiance to deal with their grief and pain rather than to hope. Hope comes from a certainty that there is a Judge and a Redeemer. The Cross proves that God is both.

With the arrival of spring, a lone American elm tree in Oklahoma City, received its yearly examination and pruning. A tree care expert climbed the tree, snipped off some dead wood, and after an examination, declared the tree healthy. Officials who know the story of the tree say it is at least 80 years old. They hope with proper care, the elm will stand as a symbol of hope and courage for many years to come.

This particular tree has thrived with little care for decades. Black and white photos taken in 1946 show the tree was already big when it stood in the backyard of a private Oklahoma City residence. As time passed, the neighborhood was torn down and the tree became a fixture in a parking lot outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. In April 1995, when a bomb destroyed the building, killing 168 people, debris was lung into the top of The tree located 75 yards from the building. Burning cars in the parking lot singed it, but when the smoke cleared, the tree stood firm.

Today the elm tree has become a symbol of resilience and its image is part of the logo for the Oklahoma City Memorial. The designers of the memorial took special care to ensure the tree would not be harmed as its surroundings took shape. They removed portions of the old asphalt parking lot and added water, aeration, and drainage systems. A raised walkway was constructed around the tree to protect it. The piers supporting the walkway were placed in holes dug by hand to make sure none of the roots were damaged by a stray shovel.

The tree and its seeds have become a symbol of hope. Seedlings grown from the tree have been given to bombing survivors, rescue workers, and even to people affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Some of the trees offspring now grow on the grounds of the White House in Washington D.C. Oklahoma State Forestry official mark bays said, "Any kind of pruning or spraying, we just make the request of the tree care industry and they come. They want to do what they can to make sure this tree is going to be around as long as it can."

—http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=100896. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Psalms 1:1-3 (NKJV) "Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. [3] He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper."

A young boy who was previously diagnosed as being in a "persistent vegetative state" has awakened from a 22 month-long coma and has started breathing on his own. Devon Rivers suffered a seizure in a phys-ed class in 2004. Though his condition was never explained, doctors agreed he had little hope of recovery. His mother Carla, visited Devon regularly and talked to him in the belief that coma patients can retain their hearing and some understanding.

Earlier in the year, Carla noticed Devon was turning his head to follow movement. A few days after he began reacting to his environment, Devon was breathing without a respirator. Despite the gloomy prognosis, Devon is now being prepared for occupational therapy to help him re-learn motor skills. He is already able to play with his siblings. Though doctors cannot explain the reason behind Devon's awakening or steady recovery, Carla says the changes have renewed her hope. She said, "Everything that happens in Devon's life is a gain. There are no losses." She recognizes the gravity of the situation adding, "Devon may make a full recovery or what we see today may be what we get. God's plan is greater than ours. There's nothing we can do to force it any sooner or hold it back."

http://www.fli.org.nz/?sid=34&id=2677. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Psalms 34:18 (HCSB) "The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit."

George Will says "The pleasures of pessimism are that pessimists are often right—and are delighted to be proved wrong."

Being right much of the time and happy to be proved wrong the rest of the time is too small a reward for living life without hope. I'd rather be right less often, and keep my hope, than to live my life always looking at the dark side.

Lament. 3:24 (KJV) "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."

During the dog days of summer, the Olympic Games, terrorism, and the upcoming election are on the minds of most people. In one English store, shoppers can come out of the hot humid weather, and buy colored lights, ornaments, and other fixtures of the Christmas season, more than four months before the big day.

Though consumers complain that the frenzy of Christmas shopping starts earlier each year, the store says the real business begins in November, and they plan another more traditional opening for the portion of their store, which has been a holiday fixture in London for years.

—http://news/yahoo.com. Christmas Comes (Very) Early to London, August 10, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Those of us who know the real meaning of Christmas could learn something from this shop. It is never too early to begin celebrating what God did for us by sending His son into the world!

John 1:14 (NASB) "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Vince Papale was a thirty year old with nothing to lose in the summer of 1976. He overcame tremendous odds and fulfilled his dream of playing in the National Football League. Papale lived under the cloud of discouraging words written by his ex-wife months before. She left him a note, which read, "Vince, you'll never go anywhere. You'll never make any money and you'll never make a name for yourself." The Eagles had lost every preseason game, and the first game of the season. Before their home opener against the New York Giants, Papale and the Eagles had to decide where they would find the heart to help the team win again.

When Papale made the Eagle's team, the team was headed by new coach Dick Vermeil and was desperately hoping to turn things around. Coach Vermeil encouraged the team. "A team with character will find away to beat a team with better talent." He reminded the Eagles they were not short on talent, or character. He listed a line-up of great Eagle players of the past saying the new team needed to get back to the soul of the team. Vermeil said the city needed them and added, "You are what gives them hope." Reflecting on the coach's words, Papale's character goes to his locker and tears up the discouraging note from his ex-wife, choosing to let the coach's words and the example of past players become his inspiration.

—Invincible, Chapter 15—Giants Vs. Eagles, Time: 1:26:58 to 1:28:18; Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Papale had to decide which vision of his future he would follow—his wife's or his coach's. He chose hope over despair.

Hebrews 12:1 (GW) "Since we are surrounded by so many examples (of faith), we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up."

Shirley Kennelly was returning from a hunting trip near Houston, Texas when she saw something moving in the breeze. When she investigated she found a balloon with a green envelope attached addressed to "The Three Magic Kings."

The Christmas season in Mexico continues through January 6th. On the holiday known as Three Kings Day or Epiphany, children wake up to finds presents left by the "Reyes Magos," or Magi. The balloon contained a piece of paper inside with photocopied pictures of toys the sender wanted for Three Kings Day, which is celebrated in many Hispanic cultures on the 12th day following Christmas each year.

The balloon came from Xalapa, Veracruz and was dated January 2, 2003. Officials believe the sender was not used to writing 2004 and wrote the wrong year, because the envelope was in good condition, and there was still helium in the balloon. Staff Meteorologist of the Fort Bend County office of Emergency Management, Ron Stago said it's possible the balloon made the 700 to 800 hundred-mile journey in two days. He said, "The balloon probably got up to about 10,000 feet or so. At that altitude, traveling about 40 miles per hour, it was transported northeast to the upper Texas Coast."

—http://news.yahoo.com/news, 'Spongebob' Toy Balloon Flies 800 Miles, January 9, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

I don’t know if the child who sent the balloon will get his gifts from “Reyes Magos” or not. But I am drawn into his story, hoping that he does. There is something inside me that loves a dreamer, who will fill a balloon with helium, attach a “wish list” to it, send it up toward heaven and then hope for a reply.

That’s certainly a preferred response than resigning yourself to a life of hopeless desperation. Is there the spark of the dreamer inside you? Do you still have a bit of sparkle left in your eye, or has the harsh reality of what is, drained from you to possibility of what could be?

Psalm 31:24 NASB “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord.”

A new study conduced in Great Britain suggests that a people’s spiritual beliefs affects the way they grieve the loss of a loved one. The study set out to explore the relationship between spiritual beliefs and the resolution of bereavement by following relatives and close friends of patients who died of terminal illnesses at a London Care facility.

The main finding of the study was that the strength of spiritual belief was an important factor in predicting the outcome of bereavement. People with a low strength of belief resolved their grief more slowly during the first nine months, but by 14 months had caught up with people who expressed strong spiritual beliefs. Participants with no spiritual beliefs had a higher grief scores than the remainder at one month and 14 month follow up points. The study also found that the degree of closeness to the person who died and the level of emotional distress before the death increased feelings of grief, but neither affected the rate at which grief was resolved.

The researchers concluded that spiritual beliefs provide a framework in which grief is resolved more readily. Whether these beliefs are associated with religious practice or not, they contain tenets about the course of human life and existence after death. People with stronger beliefs were able to adjust to a loss better, and suffered less psychological distress.

The result of this study suggest that the absence of spiritual belief is a risk factor for delayed or complicated periods of grieving when a loved one dies. Ultimately, not just any belief brings comfort, only a belief in the One who conquered death.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NIV “Brothers we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose gain and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”

In 1963, 18-year-old Gulli Wihlborg lost her red wallet while riding her bicycle in the southern Swedish town of Trelleborg. After four decades, she was stunned to open an envelope and find that someone had anonymously returned the long forgotten wallet.

Wihlborg said, "It's fantastic." She said the wallet still contained old photographs and receipts, and all the cash she remembered losing. She told a local newspaper that the equivalent of six dollars and change was a lot of money to her then. The sender did not provide any clue about their identity.

Along with the wallet was a note reading, “Dear Gulli, you should never give up hope. Here's your wallet that was found on (the street) many years ago. Greetings from Trelleborg." Wihlborg hopes the sender will come forward, so she can learn the rest of the story. "It would be fun to know," she added. "You wonder why it hasn't been sent until now."

—http://news.yahoo.com, Lost Wallet Returned After 40 Years, Monday, February 03, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Titus 2:11-13 NIV “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

When times are tough, people begin to look anywhere for relief. Apparently, one of the places our fellow Americans are looking for help are state lotteries. “Twenty-five of 42 states with lotteries have experienced higher sales of scratch-off and daily lottery games since July 2008, according to Scientific Games.” We are gambling millions of dollars on the hope we can hit the jackpot and end our financial concerns.

While we may grasp at many solutions for our help in times of need, we should remember that our only real hope is in the Lord.

--USA Today, January 12, 2009 p. b1. Illustration by Jim Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 Timothy 1:1 (NASB95) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,

HOPE

A recent survey by the Gallup organization found the recent economic hardship in America has not had much effect on the number of people attending religious services each week or the number of people who say religion is an important part of their daily life.

The Gallup study conducted in March 2009 found that 42 percent of Americans said they attend a religious service of some kind almost every week. The figures were down slightly from 46 percent in December 2008, but basically the same as 41 percent in March 2008. A similar study by the Pew Forum attempted to track church attendance compared with the Dow Jones Average, also found little change. The Pew Report said though the Dow in January 2007 was twice as high as March 2009, reported church attendance figures were unchanged.

The Gallup organization report was quick to point out although the recession did not appear to impact church attendance, they could not say it had not affected religious behavior. The Report said it is possible Americans are praying more, and people who are already religious may be more intense in their commitment due to the economy. The summary of the report reads, “It is not an unreasonable conjecture that the current recession would cause Americans to increasingly turn to religion as a surcease from their
economic or personal sorrow. But that does not seem to be the case.”

--American’s Religiosity Not Impacted by recession, http://www.christianpost.com/Society/Polls_reports/2009/03/americans-religiosity-not-impacted-by-recession-23/index.html; March 23, 2009. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

These results could indicate a bigger problem in America. The Lord often uses difficulties to bring us to Him.

Psalm 62:8 CEV Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.

HOPELESSNESS

What do you do when life totally falls in on you? With no money, no car, no place to live, and no way to care for her little boy, Tiffany Toribio chose the dark path. She placed her hand over her 3-year-old son’s mouth and suffocated him, twice. The first time she performed CPR to restore his breathing, then she suffocated him a second time. She buried him in the playground sand and left.

No one would believe you if you made this story up. It shows the evil that comes from hopelessness. Tiffany, having no place to turn, chose the wrong way and little Tyrus paid with his life. When life is hopeless, we can turn to the Lord.

-- Albuquerque Journal, May 22, 2009, p. A1. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Psalm 38:15 (TEV) But I trust in you, O Lord; and you, O Lord my God, will answer me.

In their new book, Hope in the Age of Anxiety, Henry Biller, University of Rhode Island-Kingston and Anthony Scioli, Psychology professor at Keene State College in Keene, N.H. express the need for hope. “Hope brings a special kind of happiness, a more permanent form. Hopeful people are sustained by the belief that there are always options.”

--USA Today August 6, 2009: p. 2D Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

What if you were yelling for help and no one could hear you? You could see them right there in front of you, but they could not hear your calls. Such was life for Rom Houben, a Belgian man in a coma. At least they thought he was in a coma. He said, “I was shouting, but no one could hear me.”

In 2006, after 23 years in this ‘coma,’ doctors using new scanning techniques found that Rom had normal brain function. Now he communicates with the world using a special keyboard.

I can’t think of a more hopeless feeling, than being completely aware of your surrounding and totally unable to communicate with friends and family, doctors and nurses. Unless, perhaps, it is the feeling of those who, five minutes after they die having rejected Jesus Christ, realize that they have sealed their own eternity by rejecting the only Hope.

John 3:36 (NASB) "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Don’t find yourself in an eternal spiritual coma. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Hope is powerful. Perhaps the most powerful thing we have. Sometimes, it is all we have.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the island of Haiti in January 2010, destroyed buildings, and killed or maimed tens of thousands of people. As hope for victims began to fade, the discovery of a survivor in the wreckage of a hotel grocery store, renewed the resolve of many. Rescuers pulled Wismond Exantus from the rubble eleven days after the earthquake. Exantus told reporters from his hospital bed that the first thing he wanted to do was find a church to give thanks. He said he spent the time praying, reciting psalms, and sleeping. He summed up his experience saying, “I wasn’t afraid because I know they were searching and would come for me.”

--150,000 Haiti quake victims buried, gov’t says; http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100124/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_earthquake;
January 24, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Romans 15:13 (CEV) “I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.”

It has been a tough six months at Cornell University. Over that time, six students have taken their own lives. With the reputation of a “suicide school,” school and mental health officials have launched a massive effort to find the problem and stop it.

--The Week March 26, 2010 p. 9. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

College students and others need something to live for. The Bible teaches that our hope for the future is in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:5 (NASB77) “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Louie Zamperini was an Olympic class athlete, running in the 1936 Berlin games as a youngster. He was looking forward to the 1940 Olympics, first scheduled for Tokyo, then Finland, and finally cancelled completely because of World War II. His story of crashing, surviving the ocean only to be captured by Japanese sailors, is fascinating. Louie spent the war in POW camps.

One guard was his personal tormentor, subjecting him to beatings and other de-humanizing, de-grading punishments. After the war, back home in Southern California, Louie could not sleep without dreaming of this guard. He filled waking hours with plans of vengeance, how could he kill this man. This obsession consumed him. He began drinking to numb the pain. His wife took their little girl and left for her home. Life was spinning out of control.

When his wife came back to California to settle the divorce, she happened upon the Billy Graham Los Angeles crusade and had what the book calls, “a spiritual experience.” She begged Louie to go with her. He went the next two nights and after the second evening, he surrendered his hate and his desire for vengeance into the hands of a loving God.

The hatred went away. He never dreamed of the guard again. He dumped his liquor stash down the sink. He made his marriage work. Jesus Christ made a difference in the life of Louie Zamperini.

--Hillenbrand, Laura; Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. New York; Random House; 2010 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

A writing contest for schoolchildren in Arizona asked them to send a note to aliens. The students could mention anything they liked, and many mentioned problems on earth such as war, plants and animals, religions, and even nuclear meltdown. Lucy Hawking, daughter of renowned astrophysicist Stephen hawking had the idea to create the contest. Though entries started slowly, Hawking said the number of total entries she received surprised her. She said, “The entries were fantastic. They were quirky, endearing, and funny; some would even bring tears to your eyes.” She said the warmth and compassion the students showed towards the aliens was touching.

The winning entry, written by a seventh grader from a Phoenix area school, was bounced into space on radio waves. The letter said, “Dear Aliens: Please help us save our world. Not from you, from ourselves. We are destroying our planet and need help from more technologically-advanced beings.”

--Contest entrants reach out to aliens for help on earth, http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=186157 ; April 8, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

The contest is both cute and troubling. Why do we seek the help of aliens when the Lord has already told us what to do?

2 Chronicles 7:14 (CEV) “If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again.”

Famed cosmologist and author Stephen Hawking has asserted his belief that there is no heaven, and stated that he dismisses the idea of an afterlife as well. Hawking has challenged religious beliefs in the past, and affirmed his philosophy in a recent interview with the U.K. Guardian. In the interview, he said he was not afraid of death since he had faced the possibility of an early death for the last 49 years. A doctor diagnosed him with an incurable neuron disease at age 21, and he is now almost completely paralyzed.

Hawking classifies himself as a Deist, a person who believes in the existence of an impersonal god based on the evidence of reason and nature. He believes the universe and human beings exist due to coincidences and “spontaneous creation.” The famed author has said that science can explain the universe. He told a reporter, “I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail.” He explained, “There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people in the dark.”

--Stephen Hawking: Afterlife is a fairytale, There’s no Heaven, http://www.christianpost.com/news/stephen-hawking-afterlife-is-a-fairytale-theres-no-heaven-50262; May 16, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (CEV) (13) My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't have any hope. (14) We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died.

In 1931, a young mother died suddenly. Her two children, ages seven and four, were sent to separate homes and raised apart. After 80 years, Doris Petre discovered that her older brother was alive and well, living in Brunswick, Maine. 80 years after the separation, Doris and Richard Watrous met each other for a great reunion. “I just want to get talking to him, mend all those years for whatever years we have left,” said Doris.

--The Week, December 23, 2011, p. 4 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Some people give up when faced with impossible odds and stop looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. Others enjoy the fruit of perseverance.

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2) Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (5) and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

A Bible that was used to minister after the terrorist attacks of September 11th is ministering to others who are dealing with tragedies in their lives. A chaplain originally gave the Bible to a first responder in 2001 to help him deal with the devastation he saw and felt at the World Trade Center. A charity group recently brought it to Aurora, Colorado to use during a prayer vigil for the city and to lend to area churches to help them spread the news of hope. The Bible was used to offer encouragement to the family of shooting victim Ashley Moser.

Moser was paralyzed in the shooting and her six-year-old daughter was killed. The family has set up a fund to help Moser with expenses during the long process of recovery. Some of the family visited the memorial site while the Bible was there and thanked the group for bringing it to Colorado. Moser’s cousin Heather Dearman said, "I think it's a symbol in healing in that something so tragic could turn into something beautiful and good; and support in not only the community, but the country and the world."

God’s Word is a source and symbol of hope. – Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell
Ground zero Bible brought to Aurora memorial; http://www.cbsnews.com/2102-201_162-57496262.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody; Accessed August 20, 2012

Isaiah 61:1–3 (HCSB) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the LORD to glorify Him.”

Jose? Ca?rcamo once though hope was found in being a communist rebel and social activist. He studied in Chile, Cuba and Russia, and then fought to change the political course of his homeland. When the fighting ended in 1989, Ca?rcamo, known as Pepe, discovered that he had lost everything. His marriage fell apart and his plans evaporated. He was discriminated against because of his radical views and felt very much alone. The crisis in his life caused Pepe to reconsider the God he had left behind as a child.

After some searching, Pepe found real hope in Jesus. He started taking classes at a seminary, and now uses his job training athletes to tell others about his new faith. He says the man who used to depressed and agitated now lives with a joke and prayers of thankfulness on his lips. He adds, “After Russia and Cuba and everything else, the thing that made me the happiest was just knowing that God loved me exactly as I was.” – Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Ex-communist rebel shares Christ at Olympics, by Ava Thomas, http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38480; Accessed August 10, 2012.

Psalm 42:5 (HCSB) “Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

When Ellie Hasbani lost his leg to a land mine during the civil war in Lebanon in 1975, he had no idea what he Lord would do with his life. During the war, Hasbani saw death and destruction all around him, and ended up hating his life because of what he had become. When the mine exploded, Hasbani was faced with the reality of death and facing God. He asked Jesus to save him, and his life was spared. He lost his leg but gained eternal life.

Today Hasbani serves as a staff pastor for a church in Milwaukee. His goal is to equip the church to effectively serve cross-culturally. In the meantime, the Lord gave him a bigger vision. A few years ago, he started a city wide marathon called, “Running for Hope” which raises money to ship wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers to those in need in other countries. Hasbani hopes to inspire others to run the spiritual race no matter what they can do physically. He says, "My main inspiration is Jesus. That's why I'm doing this and, of course, He changed my life." "He was there for me when I was dying on the ground," Hasbani continued. "It is written in the Bible, He will give us a new body." "Not only eternal life, but I will have a new body, and I can run and I can fly, and I can enjoy this body. That's my hope."--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Amputee Inspires to Win Life's Spiritual Race, by Gary Lane, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/September/Amputee-Inspires-to-Win-Lifes-Spiritual-Race, Accessed September 14. 2012.

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

When Hurricane Sandy moved through the Washington DC area, the wind and rain toppled a tree in front of Samantha Friedman’s home. The tree smashed an unoccupied car and blocked the road in front of her home. The next day when Friedman came home from work, she was glad to see that someone had removed the tree from the street, but was surprised to find new patio furniture on her front porch. She found a table and four stools made from what appeared to be the remnants of the tree. Someone had even placed cups, saucers, and a teapot on the set to complete the look. Though she asked several people, no one knows who made the unique furniture, and the urban cleanup team from the city claims they were far too busy that day to make furniture out of a downed tree.

Most of the people Friedman contacted expressed appreciation for the bright spot of hope in the midst of such a serious situation. Friedman has decided to keep the new furniture. She said, “It’s very quirky and adds this welcoming environment to the front porch.” She noted,” It’s a very cute little mystery. I wish I knew who made it so they could get the credit.”
— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Mystery patio set possibly made from fallen tree turns up on Wodley Park porch, by Rachel Karas, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/mystery-patio-set-possibly-made-from-fallen-tree-turns-up-on-
woodley-park-porch/2012/11/01/3a8489f0-244b-11e2-ac85-e669876c6a24_story.html?tid=pm_local_pop, Accessed November 2, 2012

James 1:17 (HCSB) “Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.”

A New York family didn’t know they had bought a rare heirloom, when they purchased a ceramic bowl at a garage sale in 2007. They paid three dollars for the item, and displayed it in their living for several years. Eventually, someone get curious about where the bowl came from, and then discovered that the bowl was a 1,000 year old relic from the Northern Song Dynasty which ruled China between 960 and 1127. The bowl is white, 5 inches in diameter, and has a saw-tooth pattern engraved on the outside. The auction company said the only other known bowl like it has been in the collection of the British Museum for the past 60 years. Initial estimates valued the bowl at around $300,000, but the bidding process was so heated that it finally sold for $2.2 million.— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Rare Chinese Bowl Picked Up for $3, Sells for $2.2 Million at Auction, By Cathy Rainone, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/199152731.html, March 20, 2013.

Matthew 13:46 (ESV) who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

After a huge fire destroyed his home near Colorado Springs, Ted Robertson went to inspect the damage with the hope of finding one very special small item. Robertson didn’t expect to find much when he saw that the fire had stripped the pine trees of their needles and colored them black and only the brick fireplace remained standing. Still he went to the corner of the garage where the family used to store Christmas decorations. He hoped to find a small Jesus figure his wife had made for their nativity scene. Every year, his wife would hide the statue and the Christmas celebration could not begin until it was found. Though the small figure was no bigger than a postage stamp, Robertson began to search the pile of ashes. After a few minutes, he was elated to find the small figure intact. Robertson described the figure’s survival as a miracle, and said the small statue is a symbol of hope to the family now. He said, “We thought we would never see a thing that we owned again and we are finding things that are important to us. (We’ve) gone from apprehension to hope now that we are going to recover some parts of our lives that we thought were lost.” — Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Fire victim makes remarkable discovery in pile of ash, by Emily Allen, http://www.krdo.com/news/fire-victim-makes-remarkable-discovery-in-pile-of-ash/-/417220/20634060/-/15smbtz/-/index.html?hpt=us_bn9, Accessed June 19, 2013.

Psalm 43:5 (CEV) Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.

Frank DeAngelis, the principal at Columbine High School in Denver has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2013 school year. DeAngelis spent 34 years at the school, moving from being a social studies teacher to administrator. After the April 20, 1999 shooting at the school, DeAngelis promised the 9th grade class that he would not leave until they graduated. Going beyond that promise, the principal actually stayed to see students who were in kindergarten at the time of the shooting graduate. DeAngelis has been open about the impact the shooting took on his personal life. His marriage fell apart and he suffered some ill health effects. He says he is healthier and very positive now. He said the name “Columbine” will always be associated with the tragic shootings, but he hopes people will also remember the victims and the lessons they left behind. DeAngelis added, “Hopefully that’ll be inspiration for others to know it doesn’t matter how much tragedy enters your life, there’s hope for a brighter future.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Long-time Columbine High School principal Frank DeAngelis announces retirement, http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/long-time-columbine-high-school-principal-frank-deangelis-announces-retirement, Accessed August 13, 2013.

Psalm 33:18 (CEV) But the LORD watches over all who honor him and trust his kindness.

In Washington State, Vermont, Oregon, and Montana it is legal to for a physician to assist a patient commit suicide. Under this law, 83 Washingtonians died in 2012. When a person despairs to the point of having no hope suicide can look like a reasonable solution.
Grace calls us rely on the sufficiency of God. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 Kings 16:18 (CEV) When Zimri saw that the town was captured, he ran into the strongest part of the palace and killed himself by setting it on fire.

Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech says hope plays a big role in her life. The name of her church is Hope Unlimited Church, and its mission branch is called Hope: Global. On top of that, Zschech recently wrote a song for an upcoming outreach in America called My Hope America. Zschech said she wrote the song for the national effort because the purpose is to encourage people to pray for and build relationships with their friends. She says she decided to follow Chist after a family tragedy when she was 15 years old. Her life has not been the same since. Zschech added, “Hope is a person, and His name is Jesus. It’s all about the cross, all about the finished work of Christ.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Darlene Zschech: 'Hope Is a Person', by Tiffany Jothen, http://www.charismanews.com/culture/41329-darlene-zschech-hope-is-a-person, Accessed October 10, 2013.

Psalm 42:5 (NASB) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.

After Typhoon Haiyan battered the Philippine city of Tacloban, residents cheered a bit of good news in the midst of the debris when a baby girl was born. 21-year-old Emily Ortega gave birth at the Tacloban airport after surviving the storm herself. Ortega was in an evacuation center when the storm surge flooded the city. She had to swim and hold on to a pole before finding refuge at the airport terminal. Despite losing their homes and property to the storm, others in the airport and the military medics who assisted the delivery all cheered when Bea Joy Sagales was born. Medics said the baby was in good health and in the midst of everything else that was a miracle too.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Birth amid typhoon debris cheered in Philippines, http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24497755/birth-amid-typhoon-debris-cheered-philippines, Accessed November 11, 2013.

Proverbs 23:18 (NKJV) For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

A California waiter who may have been the recipient of a “Tips for Jesus” customer says he is now hoping for a miracle. Ron Kinney was not aware that someone was giving large tips, so when he received a gratuity of either $4,000 or $7,000 on a bill of less than $50, he thought it was a mistake and threw the paper away. By the time he or the other wait staff realized what it was, the receipt was gone. Kinney contacted a local paper than has been documenting the large tips, in hopes that the person might see it and come back. Kinney said he could use the money for his retirement, and although he doesn’t know who the mystery person is, he hopes they return.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Waiter who tossed 'Tips for Jesus' hopes for a miracle, By Dylan Stableford,
http://news.yahoo.com/tips-for-jesus-waiter-denies-135941610.html, Accessed February 19, 2014.

In Shattered Dreams, Patrick Mead writes, “God doesn’t just want to restore your shattered dreams and broken lives—He has so much more in store for you. He doesn’t just want to make your live whole; He wants to use your pain to bring hope to others.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

For more information on Shattered Dreams, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1505351596/fm082-20

20 year-old Sharista Giles was four-months pregnant when she was involved in a car crash in December. Afterwards, doctors told her family, she only had a 10 percent chance of recovery because of the injuries to her brain. A month and a half later, Giles give birth to a premature baby boy, but still did not wake up from her coma. Then three months later, Giles opened her eyes for the first time. Her family was there and says she has since acknowledged her father and seen a picture of her son, who has been gaining weight and growing stronger. Giles’ aunt Beverly said the family had remained positive even though the doctors had a grim prognosis for her recovery. She added, ”They already gave up hope. We never gave up. She’s fought this hard.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Tennessee woman awakens from months-long coma, learns she gave birth,
http://news.yahoo.com/tennessee-woman-awakens-months-long-coma-learns-she-193355266.html, Accessed April 10, 2015.

Lamentations 3:24 (HCSB) I say: The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.

Hope

In his book, Thanks: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make you Happier, Robert Emmons writes, “Hopelessness and despair can adversely impact the endocrine and immune systems, even hastening death. Conversely, being an optimist may help reduce your risk of dying from heart disease and other causes. A thirty-five-year longitudinal study of male Harvard students found significantly less disease at midlife in the optimists, after taking into account their health earlier in life.” —Jim L. Wilson

Romans 5:5 (HCSB)“This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Hope

The nation of Nepal was shaken by several events in 2015. The first was a devastating earthquake in April, followed quickly by a heavy monsoon season. Later in the year, Nepal passed a law declaring the country a secular nation and instituted a new constitution. This triggered protests and arguments that left the nation even more troubled. Baptist Global Relief began responding to the needs by building temporary shelters and providing food, water, and other supplies. Jeff Palmer who works with the ministry in Nepal says they are continuing to help as the situation starts to return to normal. Palmer says the relief organization plans to help the people rebuild their permanent houses as well. He says over the years the people have been resistant to the Gospel, but hearts and minds have been opening due to the events of 2015. Palmer says there is a renewed hope in the land. He says, “There’s a huge amount of physical needs to meet. We want to do well in that, and we will do well in that, by the grace of God. But at the same time, one of the neat things is we’re working through local believers and partners that are there who have a heart for helping people, but also helping people hear the truth of the Gospel.” —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hope

Tornados that struck the Dallas, Texas area the weekend after Christmas 2015 left a trail of death and destruction have become a symbol of hope for one church. The Oasis in Garland lost their building in the storms, but the pastor, Barney Huie, says the disaster that struck the church is going to be a launching pad for evangelistic outreach. Huie says no one hurt because regular Saturday events had been cancelled due to the holiday. The building was a total loss, however. Huie says they had insurance and will look for a temporary location while they rebuild. He says they are working to serve their community and praying for revival to come out of the rubble. He added,” “Everything that comes out of this will make us into the church that God has destined us to become. We are extremely optimistic about the future and the impact we can make in this community and neighborhood.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Psalm 147:11 (HCSB) The Lord values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.

HOPE

Police solved a mystery when they returned a stolen purse to a New Hampshire woman years later. Police in Seabrook, New Hampshire found Lisa Mazzaglia’s purse in a garbage can at a local market. Mazzaglia thought the police had made a mistake when they contacted her because the purse has disappeared so many years before. At that point, she had no hope that she would ever see the purse again, but when she got it back, Mazzaglia found the contents much the way they had been when someone took the purse from her car in December 2002. Her credit cards were all still in the purse, along with her old cell phone, receipts, and four dollars the theft did not find. Mazzaglia said, “Such a strange thing to have happened. But thanks to the twists of fate and thoughtfulness of a Good Samaritan I got to open a 14 year old time capsule.” —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Purse stolen 14 years ago found in garbage can and returned to owner, By Daniel Uria,http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/04/29/Purse-stolen-14-years-ago-found-in-garbage-can-and-returned-to-owner/2611461944984/?spt=sec&or=on, Accessed April 29, 2016.

Hope

In his book, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller writes, “In Jesus Christ we see that God actually experiences the pain of the fire as we do. He truly is God with us, in love and understanding, in our anguish.”

Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)“Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Timothy Alexander was a star football player with dreams of playing college football and perhaps going to the NFL. In October 2006, he was paralyzed as the result of an automobile crash. Since then, Alexander has battled his way back and recently was able to stand by himself again. He said prayer and hard work has given him hope to work toward his dreams. Alexander plans to work as a motivational speaker and let his story inspire others not to give up hope.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Paralyzed Former Football Star Stands Unassisted for the First Time After 10 Years in a Wheelchair, By Catherine Thorbecke,http://abcnews.go.com/US/paralyzed-football-star-stands-unassisted-time-10-years/story?id=40775555, Accessed July 21, 2016.

Psalm 33:22 (HCSB) “May Your faithful love rest on us, Yahweh, for we put our hope in You.”

HOPE

Italian police investigating drug crimes discovered two Van Gogh paintings that vanished in a 2002 robbery. The paintings were found in a farmhouse where police seized over $22 million dollars’ worth of assets. The director of the Van Gogh Museum Axel Rueger said investigators had contacted them so that art experts could determine whether or not the paintings were authentic. He said the paintings were stolen in December 2002. Although two suspects had been arrested, the paintings had not been recovered. Rueger said, “After all these years, you no longer dare count on a possible return. The paintings have been found! That I would be able to ever pronounce these words is something I had no longer dared to hope for.”–By Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

Hope

After floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew filled her home, Jodi Gaddy prayed that someone would find her before the alligators swimming outside came into her home. Gaddy said there were helicopters overhead, but despite her attempts to contact them, no one noticed her signals. For three days, she lived in fear, but was finally rescued when her son drove from Texas and then climbed through the downed trees in her yard to get to the house. Afterwards, Gaddy said her memories of the home she lived in for 27 years were replaced by trauma. She added, “It was the worst thing. I don’t wish that on anybody. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to that house.” –By Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

A North Carolina woman details her escape from alligator-infested flood water, by holly yan,http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/12/us/north-carolina-flooding-victim-joni-gaddy-trnd/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool, accessed october 12, 2016.

Romans 8:31 (HCSB)“What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

The World Health Organization released a report identifying depression as “the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide.” They estimate that more than 300 million people around the world suffer from depression, compared to 212 million suffer from malaria, one of the most prevalent diseases. Research also indicates depression and anxiety lead to $1 trillion in global economic losses each year and contribute to other physical problems like heart disease and diabetes. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

2 Corinthians 4:8 (HCSB)“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;”

After the Cleveland Browns finished the 2017 NFL season with zero wins, some fans in the city organized what they called a “no victory” lap. The parade consisted of 80 vehicles making one lap around the stadium to make a statement creatively expressed their outrage over a season many wanted to forget. Christ McNeil, a season ticket holder, became the unintended organizer after posting a sarcastic remark on social media saying the winless team deserved a parade.

McNeil says the day was not a total loss even though no one from the team showed up. He donated nearly $15,000 raised by the event to a local food bank. He said other cities enjoy their NFL teams and he remembers the excitement when the team was a wining franchise years ago. McNeil said, “To get that, we have to create this parade. It just says so much about the character of this city, the character of the people here. This is all positive and fun.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

On a routine call in September, Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets noticed a man and woman doing heroin behind a convenience store. The woman was not only injecting a needle into her companion's arm, she was also eight months pregnant. As Holets warned her of the damage she was doing to her baby, Crystal Champ broke down in tears. She recognized her desperation, and the hopelessness of her situation. She said "…what a horrible person I am and what a horrible situation I'm in,” and that she desperately hoped someone would adopt her baby. Ryan was moved by her story and her situation. During the conversation, he showed Champ a picture of his wife and children, and offered to adopt her baby. "I was led by God to take the chance," Ryan said. "God brought us all together. I really don't have any other way to explain it." On October 12, 2017 Crystal Champ gave birth to a baby girl and the Holets family named her Hope. Although Hope was born addicted to opiates with a bleak future, she is now the loved daughter of the Holets family, who gave her the hope and possibility of a different future. —Jim L. Wilson and Phil Olson

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

A New York man received what he termed his “future car” eight years after he left a note in the window of a blue Volkswagen bus. Kyle Cropsey was 16 years old when he saw the van and left a note for the owner letting him know that that he really liked it. When the owner of the bus passed away, his son Cris Mead found Cropsey’s note stuck in the VW’s log book while cleaning out the car. Mead said his family called Cropsey and give him the van, which his father had named Matilda, on the condition that Cropsey update them on its restoration and ”go on plenty of adventures.”Reflecting on the events, Cropsey, who is now an English teacher in New York, commented, “it was fate.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

The Los Angeles Lakers have a proud and decorated history. After being at the bottom for years, the Lakers brought in one of the best to ever play the game: Lebron James. Talk swirled of going deep into the playoffs and even being able to contend with the defending champions. It was time for the Lakers to return to relevance.

After a 2 win - 5 loss start, columnists published articles looking to Tyson Chandler as the new savior of the Lakers. —Jim L. Wilson and Jonathan Sheng

Just like the fans who moved from one source of hope to another, our search for hope will continue until we realize Christ alone is the true and lasting source of hope.

Galatians 5:5 (CSB)“For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.”

Judy Sanborn’s pet cat, Bandit, disappeared from her Michigan home. The woman had no idea what happened to her 2½-year-old tabby. Two months later 1,100 miles away in Florida, Bandit, was brought to the Blue Pearl pet hospital in Tampa by a local woman he’d followed home. How he made the cross-country journey remains a mystery, Ms. Sanborn, speculated he stowed away on a Florida-bound vehicle. It was a microchip embedded in Bandit that helped them reconnect. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Wouldn’t you like to have seen Judy’s face when she got the call? It is a reminder than when things seem hopeless; there is still reason to hope. I would like to be known as a person with eternal hope.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The anonymous street-artist Banksy is still “at-large” and world renown. His works easily sell for half-a-million dollars.

On October 6, 2018 one of Banksy’s most famous works, “girl with balloon,” went up for auction. Bidding started at 200,000 Euros but eventually sold for 1 million Euros or 1.37 million American Dollars.

The auction concluded with the bang of a gavel. But, not even a moment later, People watched in shock as the picture passed through the frame like a shredder. Banksy later revealed that many years ago he had embedded a shredding mechanism which would be activated by a remote control if the painting ever went up for auction. —Jim L. Wilson and Eric Espinoza

Could you imagine watching a million-dollar painting being shredded? We even can’t stand the thought of our brand-new car getting dented, or even a new cell-phone getting cracked. How easily the precious things of this life are destroyed. Sometimes we need an artist shredding a million-dollar painting to remind us of that.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (CSB)¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. ¹⁸ So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

A Hawaii woman said she dropped to the ground and started crying when she realized a rescue helicopter spotted her after she has been missing in the forest for two weeks. Amanda Eller said other rescue craft had failed to see her and her hope meter had started to decline. Eller had planned to take a 3-mile hike in Makawao Forest Reserve, but did not take a cell phone or compass. She was not able to find the path back to her car and had not taken any extra supplies or food with her on the hike. For 14 days she stayed alive by eating plants and drinking stream water. She said he kept thinking about her family and was determined to keep hope alive despite cold, lonely nights and scarce food. Talking about her rescue later, Eller said, “I knew in the grand scheme of things, I’m on this tiny piece of rock on the top of a waterfall, and how the heck are they going to find me? It was a miracle.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Lamentations 3:24 (CSB)I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.”

After Chastity Patterson lost her father, she continued to test his phone every day to update him on her life. On the fourth anniversary of her father’s death, she received an unexpected answer. Working through her grief, Patterson sent a text that recapped all the highs and lows of the four years, including her battle with cancer, her graduation, and a lost relationship. To her surprise she got a message from a man named Brad who told her, he had lost his daughter in an automobile accident four years earlier, and her daily texts had kept him alive. Brad said he wanted to text her back, but did not want to break her heart. Brad said he had listened and watched her grow for four years and he considered every text was a message from God. Patterson shared the messages with family and friends and said, “I shared my messages for my friends and family to see that there is a God and it might take 4 years, but he shows up right on time.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Sandi, a pit-bull-boxer mix is a 12-year-old dog who had been living at the Marion-Grant County Humane Society shelter longer than any of the current employees have worked there. The staff said Sandi had been there so long, no one knew much about her past. They only knew she had been in the shelter for six years about her past and now has the hope of a forever home. A couple whose dog had passed away became interested in Sandi and finally decided she was the dog for them. Shelter staff said they were happy to care for the dog as long as needed, and were happy she found a family. They said with this family they know they did not have to worry about her coming back. An employee named Christy said they held a big celebration for Sandi and walked out to her new family on a red carpet. She added, “We did this one more special than normal, because she had been there so long.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

While the whole world reels from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many feel hopeless as a result, Queen Elizabeth issues her first ever Easter message in 2020, filled with hope for her subjects during this time of crisis. She reminds us that Easter is not cancelled this year but remains “a symbol of faith as the world mourns.” The Queen goes on to say, “This year, Easter will be different for many of us but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn't cancelled. Indeed we need Easter as much as ever. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this. We know that Coronavirus will not overcome us. As dark as death can be—particularly for those suffering with grief—light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future. I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter.”

The Queen, as important as she is as one of the world’s great Statespersons, understands as we all do, that our true hope and assurance is in Jesus Christ, the Risen King! Let us find our hope, assurance, and peace in Him, no matter what were are facing! —Jim L. Wilson and Derick Wilson.

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Clemency, a film that won the 2019 Sundance Grand Jury Prize for drama is about death row, dealing with some of the social issues involved. When the priest quotes Romans 8:38-39 for comfort, he omits the most important phrase, the last one.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Without that phrase, “that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” it loses all its punch. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Some situations just seem hopeless. Sports fans in Cleveland and Cincinnati believe they have been suffering for over 30 years. “Everybody’s got the blues,” Vincent Morano told the Cincinnati Inquirer.” Thirty years without a championship in the state has led Morano and other fans to petition the Ohio State Medical Board to consider their fandom of the Browns and Bengals as qualifying condition for the use of medical marijuana.

There are more significant reasons to have the blues and there are better solutions than medical marijuana. Where can we turn when we have lost hope? Whatever has us trapped in hopelessness; our hope is in the Lord. By the way, the board denied his application. — Jim Wilson and Rodger Russell

2020 will long be remembered as the year that there were 1.7 million worldwide deaths due to COVID-19. Amid this horrible statistic there are a couple of medical bright spots worth noting. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the last Ebola patient was discharged. The Ebola virus is the second most deadly outbreak in history. Another bright spot was that “Polio was officially eradicated on the African continent.”

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.

Andrew Eberhart lost his mother to cancer when he was 13. To cope with the pain, Eberhart turned down the dark road of drug addiction to cope with the pain he could not understand. 16 years later Revive Ministries helped him change direction and get clean. Eberhart and his wife wanted to help others on the same path, and opened Monos Coffee Shop in Nicholasville, Kentucky. During the renovations they invited several people from Revive Ministries to help, and the coffee shop became a labor of love for them. The shop faced a lot of restrictions during the pandemic, but everyone worked hard to serve people, and make their space available to organizations like Revive ministries. Though the shop, the Eberharts hope to build relationships with the entire community. Explaining their vision, Eberhart said, “They’re going to be utilizing the space for some education and awareness within the community and they’re got some big plans for that.” His wife added, “We just love connecting with people over coffee and spaces like this that bring people together.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Officials in the state of Louisiana reported that a moon rock given to the state in 1972 was returned by a Florida man who purchased the plaque to use the wood to repair guns. The man said he frequently buys old plaques at garage sales to use the wood to repair the stocks of guns. He said he was looking through one of his boxes when he noticed and plaque with an odd-shaped rock attached. He saw an inscription about the rock coming for the moon, and knew he needed to return it. He told officials at the Louisiana State Museum that he did not know how long he had had the plaque, not how much he paid for it. He believed the rock was so valuable that he hand delivered it to make sure it went to the right people. Museum officials said they had no idea how the plaque got to Florida and admitted it was an important piece of history because the inscription on the plaque said, “This fragment is a portion of a rock from Taurus Littrow Valley of the Moon. It was part of a larger rock composed of many particles of different shapes and sizes a symbol of the unity of human endeavor and mankind’s hope for a future of peace and harmony.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/09/28/moon-rock-Louisiana-Apollo-17-Florida-gun-collector-garage-sale/3341632852203/