The British monarchy has been followed by millions of people around the world for decades. Their lives captivate us with romance, drama, and intrigue most likely from the fairy tales of castles, princes, and princesses since we were children. Many have adored Prince William as they’ve watched him grow and prepare to become a future king. One thing he has had to do to train for this position is learn to defend his country from the front lines, like kings have done in millenniums past. Even David marched out in front with his mighty men before and after he became king.

Tune into a fascinating, hard, and eye-opening conversation as Sammy interviews Carl Teichrib about his book, “Games of Gods, The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-Enchantment.” They dive into discussions on climate change, what the enemy looks like in various cultures, and how we as Christians can have Gospel conversations in places that might make us feel uncomfortable, but open doors to people hearing about Jesus who may never have before.

Let’s pretend I come for a visit. The long wait for children has left you feeling broken. There is safe space for you to share your deepest heartache about it all with someone who understands. Then comes a blessing which gives you hope to carry on, and a plan to find Jesus’ beautiful gifts in the waiting.

The Passover was a grand celebratory reminder of God’s deliverance and independence for Israel from Egypt. It reminded them of His provision and protection, which carried on through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. Over a thousand years later, the Israelites had mixed feelings as they journeyed towards the festival once again. Israel lost their independence and were now under the control of the Roman empire. Their hearts weighed heavy because they knew what they were supposed to be – a privileged nation under God’s rule alone. Yet, as they travelled toward Jerusalem for the yearly Passover, they held onto hope that the words of the prophets of Yahweh would soon come true. Little did majority of the people know that year that the Deliverer was already in their midst.

It’s Hope Through Hard Times’ fourth birthday! Celebrate with us by discovering the exciting things in store this year. To find out what’s coming, look for all the green highlighted sections in this post!

Happy New Year! Explore this year’s theme and the joyful account of where it began.

Much like everyday life, and the ebb and flow of your assignments, the space between Christmas and New Years finds you in the mix of sorrow and joy. Perhaps this year was mostly filled with joyous memories and it’s hard to think about turning the calendar to a new year and all the unknowns of the future, producing a tension between joy and anxiety of the unknowns. Or, for you it might be that this year has been more sorrowful so the thought of turning the calendar brings you a bit of joy in anticipating that things will be better. You want to hasten closer to New Year’s and you’re doing anything you can to prepare for that new day. But the reality is that you can’t hold on to the past as it will always be just that: the past. And you can’t dictate your future. Only God can.…

As the hustle and bustle grows quiet, there’s this sweet spot of time between Christmas and New Year’s where you can take a deep breath and rest. Sure, there may be gatherings to attend, but overall, there’s a general sense of calm that comes with the holidays; a transition between the end of one year and the beginning of another. Before the expectations and wishes of the new year begin, come before the Lord with thanksgiving. Lay all the unknowns of the future and the memories of the past at His feet, and embrace the present with Him. The lyrics to the song, Bigger than I Thought by Worship Initiative are powerful:..

Christmas can be a blessing or a challenge depending on your circumstances. But there’s one thing that can make it special regardless. There’s a gift available to you that can change your difficulties and make them beautiful. Would you like a special gift this Christmas? If so, tune into this episode to hear what it is and how it has impacted both of our hosts!

During challenging periods, the true spirit of humanity often shines through as people come together to support one another. For many the acts of generosity can provide a glimmer of hope and a sense of unity to both the giver and the receiver. The question is how do you continue to give when you are faced with challenging times yourself?