hope – 300 words a day

The danger of being captivated by fear.

I was talking with a friend about fear I have. It was a good conversation. He helped me think it through. And I’m not going to talk with you about it. He prayed for me, asking that I wouldn’t be “captivated by fear.” I confess, I took out my pen and wrote the phrase on my hand […]

by Jon Swanson

An evening of hopeful stories.

Becky and Rich wanted to get some people who needed to hear stories about hope together with some people who needed to tell stories about hope. When I write that sentence, I realize that means just about everyone. But you can’t invite everyone, not to the same living room at the same time. The dream […]

by Paul Merrill

Hope.

Hope is the best way to live and breathe. Hope is also the name of Jon and Nancy’s daughter, but you knew that already. (And there’s a great story behind her name.) Hope is big in the Bible. Something close to 189 mentions of the word turned up when I did a search. The strongest […]

by Jon Swanson

A litany for the last Monday in July

Leader: Our God, it’s Monday. All: Hear our prayer, O Lord. A: I’m empty, O God, as empty as the heart of the widow walking next to the coffin of her only son. Do remember her, Jesus? No options? No hope? You healed her son. Please raise my heart. All: Hear his prayer, O Lord. […]

by Jon Swanson

do you want to get well?

(Today is a guest post from Rich Dixon, a new and frequent commenter here. I asked him to help me understand this text. He did. ) Jesus sees a man sitting beside a therapy pool. The guy’s been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. Jesus asks a surprising question. “Do you want to get well?” I wonder […]