Stories of Hope

Often we think that a Story of Hope will have a Happy Ending.  Doesn’t it make sense that with God walking with us through our journey of life, we can have Hope within our hearts, even in the midst of huge loss and pain?  This episode of Stories of Hope brings to life the reality of a dear friend who suffered the unimaginable…..the loss of his daughter and son-in-law.  In the middle of his worst nightmare, God was not absent but very present to help give Art the strength and will,  to take one step at a time.  God was there in the middle of heartache, questions and loss.  Hope was to be found in some of the most simplest of ways, even though the Happy Ending that was dreamed about when his daughter was a child, was never going to be realized.  Hope is a gift from our Lord.  It can reside in our hearts even in the most disappointing of circumstances.  As you listen to Art’s story of loss, disappointment and sorrow, let the words of his story plant a seed of Hope in your heart, even though it may feel as though you are surrounded by darkness with no ray of light to shine on you.  God will walk with you to give you a reason to get up every morning, and to fulfill the very reason He created you.  He is the reason for Hope.

Sometimes in life we have run out of options... Our legs no longer have the strength to hold us up... We need answers and directions, but there doesn't seem to be any. This is where Shawn Jones found himself. His life always had opportunities and options, and then the unthinkable happened... He was unemployed. Listen to his story of surviving the emotional turmoil of going many months without employment and how, in the end, he discovered that there was more line at the end of the line.

Most people have had to deal with the aftermath of betrayal.  When trust and confidence have been violated, psychological and emotional conflict can begin to dominate our thoughts and lives.  When betrayal happens on the heels of a life threatening event, it is easy to think “There is no Hope.”  This was the place that Kristi Peterson found herself in.  Yet her story brings Hope to anyone who has felt the pain of betrayal.  Yes, betrayal is painful, and yes, there is Hope and life after betrayal, if we will choose the road less traveled to arrive there.  Her story encourages us to Never lose Hope

Have you ever had the thought that says “That will Never Happen” or “What are the Chances.”  Mark Petty’s story of a One in 8 Billion chance, shows us that No matter the Odds, Jesus is the Great Equalizer.  God will always do things that are above our ability to comprehend…..Are we still willing to live in that place of Expectation and Hope?  If what you are facing, seems to be an insurmountable obstacle, then let your heart embrace the Hope that Jesus can bring, even though your mind might be saying “How could this be?”

We all love good news….But what about when we get dreaded news, especially from our Doctor.  How do we not lose all Hope when the sun no longer seems to be shining?  Hear how Angie walked into her “Amazing Future” and let “Hope Spring Eternal” into her Heart and Soul.

Sometimes we can do all the right things and not receive the results we anticipated.  What then?  Bjarte Ystebo tells his story of simply being faithful to do the right things and then trusting in God’s goodness to bring about what is best for us.

Help will often come from the strangest places and in the most unlikely forms.  Keith Tucci was given a “Do Over” as a kid from the streets of Pittsburg, and became a world wide influencer for good and philanthropy.  

Sometimes we think that our life is completely determined by our environment, training and heredity.  My good friend David Foy, tells a different story.  From Foster Care to successful Businessman and how it happened.

Perfect Parents and Perfect Homes don’t exist, but there is a Perfect God who can give us a Future and a Hope.  Some of us start the Race of Life ahead of most others but then squandered all of those Blessings.  There are others of us who were kicked to the curb before the race even began.  The good news is:  There is Hope on every path with Jesus.