HOPE is Here

Faith During Trials

Greg finds HOPE in the following scriptures:

1 Peter 1:6-7 New International Version (NIV)

⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield;   my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy,  and with my song I praise him.

Colossians 3:23-24 - ²³ Whatever you do, do your work ^[a]heartily, as for the Lord ^[b]rather than for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward ^[c]of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Do You Feel Like Giving Up?

If you are feeling discouraged lately know that you are not alone.

Gain some encourage with Greg as he shares these scriptures:

Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:19 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Honest Confessions

Founding Minister of Catalyst Christian Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky, David Kibler, shares some honest confessions about PRAYER after the death of his 10-day old son.

One and Only Life

Greg continues his conversation with David Kibler as he shares about making the most with your “one and only life.”

You Never See it Coming

It’s one of those things you never expect to happen to you; the death of your newborn child.  David Kibler joins Greg to share his pain about the loss of his son.

Fill Your Mind and Heart with Things that are GOD-Honoring

Greg loves reading books that fill his mind and heart with things that are GOD-honoring and help grow his relationship with GOD and Jesus. Today he shares wisdom from two of his favorites.

Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People
By Bob Goff

Killing Kryptonite: Destroy What Steals Your Strength
by John Bevere

 

GOD Forgives You, Will You?

Today Greg shares inspired words written by Minister and Author, John Eldredge about GOD’s forgiveness and reminds us to be GOD-honoring by our kindness and gratefulness. And to remember to take care of yourself!

Eph 1:1-8 - ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us.

Heb 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

https://www.ransomedheart.com/

Walk by Faith Not by Sight

Sherry Mathely continues sharing wisdom she gained as she processed the grief of having been shot and left to die by her husband.  Grief is the normal and natural emotional reaction to loss or change of any kind.  She had to learn that accepting the loss or a change is the first step to healing.  It’s okay to hurt.  It’s necessary to grieve. 

2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we live by faith, not by sight. 

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

When Your Mason Jar Breaks the Shelf

Sherry says it well:  “Imagine you continue to take your grief and stuff it inside a Mason jar, tighten the lid and place it on a shelf.  Eventually, the jar will break the shelf.”  That’s what Sherry found she had been doing.  It was time to start dealing  with it before the shelf broke.

Resources that helped Sherry:

My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging
by Rachel Naomi Remen

Bluegrass Care Navigators (formerly known as Hospice of the Bluegrass)
https://www.bgcarenav.org/

Genesis 16:11 - . . . for the Lord has heard of your misery.

Exodus 3:7 - The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out . .

Psalms 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 23:3 - . . . he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Sherry's Grief

On August 6, 2003, Sherry Mathery’s life changed forever.  After removing herself from an abusive husband and home, things were looking more positive.  Until that fateful day when she returned to her husband’s home requesting he sign the divorce papers.  He had been drinking heavily and did not want to sign them, nor did he want her to leave.  So, he tried to stop her with a bullet to her head.  When he saw what he did, he turned the gun on himself.  The shot to himself was fatal, but not to Sherry.  She survived and shared her story with Greg in January 2018 (Click Here to Listen to Her Previoius Interview).  It has now been 15 years.  How did she grieve?  Listen to Greg’s interview as she discusses her journey of grief.

The First Honest Prayer

When you reach bottom, do you finally pray for Help?  If so, it’s the first, great prayer; the first honest prayer that anyone can pray.  Today Greg shares encouragement about surrender to God and allow him to take care of things.

The Power of Being Thankful

Greg talks about the importance of being thankful.

A Story of Forgiveness

The University of Louisville has a residence hall named Bettie Johnson Hall. 

Steve Flairty shares the story of Bettie L. Johnson and why a building was named for her.  He also talks about “The Can Man,” a truly ordinary person doing extraordinary things for people in his community.  These are just two of the many amazing stories from his book, Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things.

Using Scars as Salve for Others’ Wounds

Steve Flairty shares the beautiful story of Teresa Oechsli, the founder of Hosea’s House in Louisville, Kentucky (www.HoseasHouse.com).  This and other stories can be found in his book, Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things.

A Special Bicycle

Joining Greg today is the author of Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things, Steve Flairty.  His book is chocked full of incredible stories and start today with the story of Kendell Harvey and his special bicycles.

 

Finding HOPE when Feeling Hopeless

Greg talks about what we can learn from recent Suicide of Anthony Bourdain and how to find HOPE!

Pslams 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Romans 5:3-4 New International Version (NIV)

³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

Greg Talks Suicide

Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people under the age 44?  Listen as Greg shares encouragement for those who have lost HOPE. 

Romans 15:13 New International Version (NIV)
¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 13:12 New International Version (NIV)
¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

Overcoming Obstacles in New Zealand

Nate shares some of the obstacles they’ve had to overcome to plant churches in New Zealand.  Learn more about Nate’s project  at www.churchplant.nz

Rethinking Church

Greg continues his conversation with Nate Hutchison about planting churches in New Zealand.  Learn more about Nate’s project  at www.churchplant.nz.  Learn about Nate & Whitney at www.n8andwhitney.com

HOPE in New Zealand

Greg talks with Nate Hutchison who took his wife, Whitney to New Zealand to spread GOD’s word and help build churches.  Learn more about Nate’s project  at www.churchplant.nz.  Learn about Nate & Whitney at www.n8andwhitney.com