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- Apr 25, 2006
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9 March 2008
A week of Lent Reflections taken from "Hope in Word, Hope in Action" - storiesofhope.org.uk
Word on the Web
Hope is... untangling the rope
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
My challenge in ministry
Many of the 20-30 year-olds we meet on a Friday night appear to be out for a good time, but this is not true for all. Some are there to 'drown their sorrows', to escape the realities of difficult family and home life circumstances. The squaddies we talk to are in the process of burying their 'war experience', or full of 'apprehension' if due to go on tour. We pray openly in the streets with people, many of whom seek us out. Some come back, time and time again. Why - because they sense hope, and feel personally valued by God.
A reflection for Lent
Hope for the future. Have you ever tried to unravel a knotted rope? You grab it and pull it from all ends, and the knots get tighter and tighter. The secret is to gently shake the rope, and in time the knots loosen and the rope unravels. Sometimes people's lives can be like a knotted rope, bound and hopeless. Into those hearts God speaks of a prosperous and planned future - a horizon of hope, lifting the person beyond the now and creating expectation of what can be. God, as big as He is, is skilled at gently unravelling hopeless situations.
Heavenly Father, I thank you that whoever puts their hope in you will never be ashamed. Waiting for you to act we are assured of your help and protection. Show your love to me, as we put my hope in you. Amen.
A week of Lent Reflections taken from "Hope in Word, Hope in Action" - storiesofhope.org.uk
Word on the Web
Hope is... untangling the rope
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
My challenge in ministry
Many of the 20-30 year-olds we meet on a Friday night appear to be out for a good time, but this is not true for all. Some are there to 'drown their sorrows', to escape the realities of difficult family and home life circumstances. The squaddies we talk to are in the process of burying their 'war experience', or full of 'apprehension' if due to go on tour. We pray openly in the streets with people, many of whom seek us out. Some come back, time and time again. Why - because they sense hope, and feel personally valued by God.
A reflection for Lent
Hope for the future. Have you ever tried to unravel a knotted rope? You grab it and pull it from all ends, and the knots get tighter and tighter. The secret is to gently shake the rope, and in time the knots loosen and the rope unravels. Sometimes people's lives can be like a knotted rope, bound and hopeless. Into those hearts God speaks of a prosperous and planned future - a horizon of hope, lifting the person beyond the now and creating expectation of what can be. God, as big as He is, is skilled at gently unravelling hopeless situations.
Heavenly Father, I thank you that whoever puts their hope in you will never be ashamed. Waiting for you to act we are assured of your help and protection. Show your love to me, as we put my hope in you. Amen.
