H O P E ! I love the sound of that word. H O P E ! You gotta have hope. You can't live without it.I like what Max Lucado said about hope in his marvelous book, God Came Near.
"Hope is not what you expect; it is what you would never dream. It a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending. It's Abraham adjusting his bifocals so he can see not his grandson, but his son. It's Moses standing in the promised land not with Aaron or Miriam at his side, but with Elijah and the transfigured Christ. It's Zechariah left speechless at the sight of his wife Elizabeth, gray-headed and pregnant. And it is the two Emmaus-bound pilgrims reaching out to take a piece of bread only to see that the hands from which it is offered are pierced."
"Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reaction."
Wow...those words touch my heart!!
ReplyDelete"a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be ther in the flesh to see our reaction."
Thankyou Clif for sharing this with us on the SS
Bless you my friend
Hi Clif,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful writer is Max Lucado. He is always inspirational. There is not much left if we do not have HOPE! I'm so glad we serve a God Who loves to surprise us with good things. Thank you for sharing and have yourself a wonderful and restful Sunday.
Blessings,
Sandi
Sometimes Hope is all I have and I know I have everything because those scar-pierced hands offered me the Bread of Life and I said "Here I am Lord" everyday an adventure. Blessings Meg
ReplyDeleteThat took my breath away! I have never heard Hope described that way. Gives me new life! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all of your insight, Clif!
ReplyDeleteM.L.'s writing reflects how close he walks with the Lord for the wisdom is extraordinary! Thanks for sharing this! God bless.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it odd, we each reference "Hope" today?!
ReplyDeleteAh, but I love Mr. Lucado's explanations!
Have a peaceful evening,
Myra
I hadn't thought of it that way...hope is unpredictable and more than we could have imagined...that's so true! Our hope in the Lord isn't just for what we want or need, its for being showered with HIM. I love this...its excellent...Max Lucado has a way with words, a gift he has been given as a teacher and writer. Just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mary
Looking forward to the "cult" book!
Oh I really like that statement God likes to surprise our socks off! A beautiful inspirational post.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile! I'm always looking to see how the Lords going to surprise me.
ReplyDeleteGinger
Such an inspiring post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh what wonderful truth!!!
ReplyDeleteSusan
I LOVE his books. Such a gifted by God writer. This was especially good!! Hope really ISN'T a granted wish or a favor perfomed... it is SOO much more...Thanks for sharing this. Have a wonderful Sunday. Blessings, Debbie
ReplyDeleteHi Cliff, I always enjoy anything Max Lucado writes, I especially enjoyed the last quote, how true and how wonderful to know that God loves to surprise me out of my socks,and then likes to see me react. What an Awesome God!!
ReplyDeleteAnd as always I am truly blessed by your post.
Commenting on your last post. Two great men you mentioned. I must check this book out!! I so miss Paul Harvey's voice And if God does not intervene we may not have the Mike Huckabees on TV for long.
Blessings,
Sue
I have always loved to read the words of Max Lucado, he has a special gift for communicating God's love for us. I love this post for "Hope", especially now as my sister undergoes her cancer treatments, thank you! I had to smile at your comment on my post, don't know if I've ever encountered a Minister at a loss for words. lol
ReplyDeleteThank You for "HOPE"
ReplyDeleteI hope all christians are praying for our country at this time--
for more insight
www.worldviewweekendrally.com
incase you have not heard what the current government administration is planning to do.
KDC
I love those illustrations. I wrote a hymn "Hope of Glory" on my Wordsong Collections website (or blog).
ReplyDeleteI'm often amazed at the never-ending goodness of God.
ReplyDeleteThese are encouraging words!
ReplyDeleteWhen we are without hope, we are called depressed... so glad God has much more in store for us...and so much so we may need more socks! : )
ReplyDeleteAmen. I love these words that seem to hold a bridge from our hearts to His ♥ HOPE
ReplyDeleteHi Clif~
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for these very uplifting, encouraging words about Hope...
Let us all as Christians continue to pray for more Hope, Faith and looking toward God as a Nation...
Thank you also for stopping by my blog today..your visit is most appreciated.
Blessings,
Lynn
Hi Clif..
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!!! Boy this ministered to my heart today, Hope is truly something I cannot live without, Jesus is my hope and I surely cannot live without him in my life. Thank you for your encouragement Clif. I am always blessed when you come to visit and share your heart with me.
Bless you!!!
Our hope is in the Lord. Let us, His children, be messengers of hope to this dark world!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. Have a blessed week in the Lord!
Hi Clif! Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm glad you liked the song I shared by David Crowder Band. It is one of my favorites...for now, LOL
ReplyDeleteI love your collection of book! WOW! I have read a few Max Lucaddo book. He is a very good writer. I'm SO glad that Jesus gives me hope!
Clif,
ReplyDeleteWhat can I add to what has already been said? Without hope we are nothing. I read Max Lucado everyday online...he's a great encourager.
I just received the book, "Good Morning Sunshine." Thank you...it looks really good.
~Jean
Oops! I mean, "Morning Sunshine!"
ReplyDelete