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One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Hannah and Samuel. That’s partly due to the fact that my wife and I have lived the story…there was a time that we were waiting on God for a child of our own. But it’s also because I love how Hannah came to God with her heart’s desire and what we learn about God through this scene. 

We learn that it’s ok to go to God with your heart’s desires—it’s ok to cry out to God—we don’t need to be afraid that we’re bothering God—we can trust that He listens. That’s what we see Hannah doing—there is one thing in life that she wants and she can’t have it. She knows that only God can change her circumstances and so she cries out to Him. Look at the connection between Hannah’s suffering and her prayer: she has every reason to be bitter but instead of giving into her emotions, she lets her circumstances drive her to prayer. Her pain leads her to an abiding faith. 

Remember the Springsteen classic, 'Glory Days'. The song paints the picture of foks caught in the prison of the past. Their only antidote for dealing with the pain of the present and the loss of hope in the future was to look back. "Glory days, yeah great going back, glory draws out he ain't never had, glory days, glory days" . A great song that keeps replaying the past but points out the hopelessness  I can't help but hear these lyrics being sung throughout this land these days as the heavy wet blankets of apathy and despair wear down the soul, and  fear has gripped folks like a pit bull refusing to let go. I hear some singing 'glory days'. But were they really so glorious? Sadly, the message has been preached that young folks today will never experience glory days. A whole generation has been told since 9/11/01, that it will never be the same. I appreciate the discernment of the artist, John Mayer ,who noted that we have raised a generation to live in fear. Go down to the airport, take off your shoes because you must live in fear.Live in distrust of your neighbor.

Now, with the financial meltdown, there is a double portion added to the fear reaching a level of panic. Why? We have worshiped ourselves! American National Religion based on individualism, narcissism, and greed has come crashing down. I wonder if Tom Brokaw could write a sequel to the Greatest Generation and call it a Generation of Greed.

I know that this sounds like a downer...but there is hope! There is one in whom we can put our trust. One whose glory days are not in the past only also in the future. As we come to the watershed moment of a change in a calendar as well as an administration, there is hope. This hope is not found in the market, or a new leader, or the idolatry of technology. Rather this hope is found in a people who seek to take their shoes off because of a reverent fear of a great and gracious Creator and Redeemer and Restorer of this world who longs for a people to partner with in the pursuit of justice and mercy for a global world.  I'm hopefilled about a new generation who refuse to live in fear and who have grown nauseous of American religion and are pursing the Christ and His Kingdom with their lives.

Is there hope? Absolutely! As I look back this year and consider the happenings in our world, I also am reminded of the prophets that God is raising to dream of His kingdom. Particularly, I am thankful for those who are raising the prophetic vision through their books. I am firmly convinced that leaders need to be readers. Readers of culture and trends but also readers of God's vision for this world that He loves. As I think about the top 5 that I recommend, they include, The Shack, Jesus for President, Colossians Remixed, Surprised by Hope and at the top of the list, I recommend Hope in Trouble Times: A new Vision for Confronting the global Crisis. I encourage you to read it, live it, and take off your shoes and get on your tiptoes in the presence of the Holy One whose glory has come and is coming with all the power and beauty that one can imagine.  Glory days are on their way.

We’re in the midst of a financial crisis in our country right now.  Many who are reading this have lost half of their investment portfolio.  Some have lost their jobs.  Others are in foreclosure or near it.  It’s already a financial crisis greater than most of us have ever experienced.

And from all reports, we are only experiencing the beginning stages of the crisis.  Many expect this crisis to last another year or two at minimum.  And that’s the part that creates the most anxiety.  Most people have had their lives changed in one way or another but most are still hanging in there.  And yet, if this crisis continues on for several years, many of us will struggle to “hang in there”.  It’s the not knowing how long it’s going to last that causes so much of the fear.

Ask any marriage expert and they will tell you that the key to a marriage lasting (read: surviving) is how the couple handles conflict. Everyone knows that conflict in marriage is a reality…really, conflict in any human relationship is a reality. If you are married, you will experience some conflict from time to time. The key to a marriage lasting is how that conflict is dealt with. If it is dealt with in a healthy manner, that marriage will most likely last. If the conflict consistently results in unhealthy exchanges, that marriage is much less likely to last.  But if you were to ask a marriage expert what the key to a happy, fulfilling marriage is (read: thriving) and many will tell you the key is empathy. Drs.

I had run this course hundreds of times in my life. It was one of my favorites. At nights, when I couldn’t sleep, I would imagine the run and it had a way of settling my mind and soul. It was only 4.1 miles in length composed of a rutted, graveled road. Yet it had grueling roller coaster hills, fast stretches for speed work, tree shrouded curves, plus there was always something to see as its concourse followed the outskirts of a glacial lake. For this reason, there were always sights, sounds, and smells of this region called the Great Plains.