Westwoods

   I sat in this chair at the lake yesterday and pondered HOPE. I don't know how to explain it. Hope. It is ELUSIVE to those who see things 'realistically and practically'. Often these are the two words that pop into a conversation one might have concerning an especially hopeless situation.  If you are in what feels like an ongoing difficult situation remember these facts:  Hope is mentioned 129 times in the Bible.  49 times are directly from the original Hebrew.  It is mentioned alongside faith and love and other virtues like peace and joy.  God is a God of hope. Romans 15:13 NIV 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. To me it seems like too many times we are like Garrison Keillor's Lutheran hometown. If ever someone is too positive or happy or joyful they are due for a reality shock and probably not living in victory. Because being a good Christian makes you cautious