2009 Archives: Hope for Life
by Bill Brant — Dec 30th, 2009
"Must, must, must -- all of us get in our minds that this world is not our home, and that life, at best, is transitory."... (
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by Tim Archer — Dec 23rd, 2009
In the maelstrom of emotion during this holiday season, let God surround you with his peace. Cast all of your worries on him and focus on the things that will truly bring you peace.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Dec 16th, 2009
Programs end and buildings collapse in time. But the people in my church family never end.... (
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Older Articles from 'Hope for Life'
by Tim Archer — Dec 9th, 2009
To illustrate the mixed-up values of his day, Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard told a modern day parable about thieves who broke into a jewelry store at night. Instead of stealing anything, they merely switched the price tags, putting high-value ticke... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Dec 2nd, 2009
When you make that decision to fully commit to Jesus, he provides valuable resources to help you be His person in this world.... (
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by Tim Archer — Nov 25th, 2009
In the New Testament, we read about a church that was very hard-working and careful to defend all the correct teachings. They were quick to expose those that tried to teach mistruths. They had maintained their faith during difficult times. They had done a... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Nov 18th, 2009
The list of my sins can never be reconstructed.... (
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by Tim Archer — Nov 11th, 2009
Late in his life, the apostle John finds himself in a prison of sorts, exiled to the island of Patmos. The island is tiny, only 25 square miles (64 square kilometers). It is a barren place where political prisoners are sent to contemplate their actions. J... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Nov 4th, 2009
Jesus did not call us to live as "hidden" believers. ... (
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by Tim Archer — Oct 28th, 2009
Near the end of his life, the apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos, sent there because of his faith in Jesus. While there, John received a vision. That vision contained a message for his fellow Christians who were also facing persecution. That ... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Oct 21st, 2009
... if God’s plan for His people is like a puzzle ... we do not want our piece to be missing. ... (
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by Tim Archer — Oct 14th, 2009
"Jesus wept." That verse, John 11:35, is the shortest verse in the English Bible (in the original Greek, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is shorter). Two words. Three syllables. But that verse conveys a world of meaning.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Oct 7th, 2009
They only dream of a life of purpose, glory, and immortality. ... (
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by Bill Brant — Sep 30th, 2009
"I know a little boy who is dying today." Those words written by a Hospice chaplain in Northwest Arkansas got my attention.... (
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by Tim Archer — Sep 23rd, 2009
There's an old story about an elderly woman who was told by her physician that she probably wouldn't live too much longer. Soon thereafter, she called in her family to discuss her funeral arrangements.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Sep 16th, 2009
Jesus intends for his followers to live in community: to help each other, to hold each other accountable, to encourage each other, and to be family.... (
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by Tim Archer — Sep 9th, 2009
They dragged the woman to the temple. Caught in the very act of adultery! Her cries for mercy went unheeded.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Sep 2nd, 2009
most of us will choose to live as tourists in a society absent of those emotions, never looking up to see that there is a different life to choose.
... (
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by Tim Archer — Aug 26th, 2009
This time of year brings the beginning of the school year here in the U.S. It always reminds me of a story I heard from Stanley Shipp, a man who worked with Herald of Truth, where I now work.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Aug 19th, 2009
Being mistaken about God is not a decision without real consequences.... (
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by Tim Archer — Aug 12th, 2009
If you're much of an Internet user, you've probably become acquainted with what are called social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Aug 5th, 2009
So here is the point: when my family needed help and care, our Christian family was there for us.... (
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by Tim Archer — Jul 29th, 2009
They were fishermen, men who worked the Lake of Galilee in northern Israel. The lake was full of fish, and a man could make a good living working there, especially if he knew what he was doing.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Jul 22nd, 2009
So the decision to be baptized into Jesus is not an act you do. It is not a step you take. It is not a doctrine you believe. It is a death you die. ... (
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by Bill Brant — Jul 15th, 2009
It doesn't say if he ran or how far he went or whether he was out of breath when he got there. It does say, "The first thing he did" was find his brother. ... (
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by Tim Archer — Jul 10th, 2009
My back hurts today. A reminder of yard work done a few days ago. My left heel hurts, the result of a heel spur that has developed over time.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Jul 1st, 2009
Countries just do not last. They never have ... and evidently they never will.... (
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by Tim Archer — Jun 24th, 2009
My computer has a folder of Temporary Items. It's full of data that was once needed, but isn't currently necessary.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Jun 17th, 2009
I am wise to pay attention to the "life signals" given me by my Creator. ... (
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by Tim Archer — Jun 10th, 2009
Dr. Arthur John Gossip was a minister who had preached many sermons, but none like this one. The day before, his wife had collapsed and died suddenly.... (
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by Bill Brant — Jun 3rd, 2009
Maybe it’s a symptom of age. Maybe the experiences of accumulated years have magnified sensitivity.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — May 27th, 2009
Everyone operates with a world view that enables them to "make sense" of what happens in this world. Some believe in luck; others call it fate. I believe in God. ... (
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by Tim Archer — May 20th, 2009
I don't like paying taxes. I especially don't like the whole process of filing taxes here in the United States.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — May 13th, 2009
I trust God more than science, money, or luck. ... (
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by Tim Archer — May 6th, 2009
Jim Eliot had decided to go to Ecuador, seeking to take God's good news to indigenous tribes who had never heard of Jesus Christ.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Apr 29th, 2009
Just focus on Jesus and everything else will begin to make sense.... (
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by Kay Talley — Apr 22nd, 2009
As the shadows lengthened and the sun began to hide itself behind the distant edges of the lake, the crowd lingered on its shore.... (
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by Tim Archer — Apr 15th, 2009
Someday, when we're gone, somebody is going to have to stand up and say a few words about our lives. When they stand up to talk about us, will it be an easy task or a hard one?... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Apr 8th, 2009
My faith does not depend on what scientists decide. ... (
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by Tim Archer — Apr 1st, 2009
here are some words that I consider to be "churchy" words. They are words that religious people use that rarely come up in other settings: sanctification, atonement, grace, evangelism, gospel. Sometimes even Christians don't have a good grasp on what such... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Mar 25th, 2009
He sent his Son Jesus into the hard place to find me. ... (
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by Tim Archer — Mar 18th, 2009
When I was a kid, I hated splinters. Not that I enjoy them now, but I really hated them then.... (
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by Bill Brant — Mar 11th, 2009
Promotion Sunday is an annual tradition in most of our congregations, usually taking place in the fall but occasionally at another time of the year. Somewhere around middle school you don't get promoted anymore, you just go to your age appropriate Sunday ... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Mar 4th, 2009
The purpose of the Bible is not to just get the answers right; it is to help me see God.... (
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by Tim Archer — Feb 25th, 2009
I like to try new foods. When I travel to another country, I'm always interested in sampling the local fare.... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Feb 18th, 2009
Television programming, psychological theory, folk lore, literature, art, and many other things in our culture reflect the words of God.... (
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by Tim Archer — Feb 11th, 2009
The cries were faint, barely audible in the early morning air. There was no air conditioning in our cabin at the youth camp, so we had all the windows open. One of my friends heard the sound about the same time that I did. We bounded out of bed, threw on ... (
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by Steve Ridgell — Feb 4th, 2009
It is prudent for the non Christian to spend some time “shopping” for Jesus. Examine what he said, study how he lived, spend time around his followers. Find out if Jesus really does give hope, peace, joy, and purpose to life. ... (
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by Bill Brant — Jan 28th, 2009
Have you ever wondered how he can stand it? Isn't there some point when He says "Enough is enough"? ... (
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by Tim Archer — Jan 21st, 2009
December 31, 2008 was a long day. It was one second longer than every other day of the year.... (
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