Finding Hope When Things Look Hopeless

One of the greatest hurts that can ever be experienced is living without hope. Hope is the spiritual force that keeps us moving forward. It fills each day with anticipation, excitement, and joy. With hope, there is life, but when hope is stolen and our dreams are crushed, we are left with emptiness. Hopelessness brings the pain of loneliness and despair. The feeling of failure becomes almost unbearable. The Bible says hope deferred makes the heart sick. However, there is hope for your life. You can break free from the heaviness and fog that is trying to pull you into darkness. Like sunshine flooding a room when the curtains are pulled back, hope will flood your soul and you will see the possibilities that the light exposes when you discover the truth that has been hidden from you.

Poetry is the language of the heart. Poetry has been used throughout the centuries to express the innermost thoughts of the heart. The poetry in this book is meant to encourage and inspire the reader. The poems in this book are original poems written by the author and given by inspiration on different occasions. Poetry is a powerful tool used to express thoughts and ideas.

Thirty biblical meditations for women that offer hope in times of suffering. Thirty biblical meditations for women that offer hope in times of suffering. Hurt is real. But so is hope. Kristen and Sarah have walked through, and are walking in, difficult times. So these thirty biblical reflections are full of realism about the hurts of life-yet overwhelmingly full of hope about the God who gives life. This book will gently encourage and greatly help any woman who is struggling with suffering-whether physical, emotional or psychological, and whether for a season or for longer. It is a book to buy for yourself, or to buy for a member of your church or friend. For anyone who is hurting, this book will give hope, not just for life beyond the suffering, but for life in the suffering. Each chapter contains a biblical reflection, with questions and prayers, and a space for journaling.

Anniversaries are a time of celebrating unity in marriage if both spouses are on the same page. Jami Wilcox is a hard-working, dedicated husband and father who adores his wife and children. After years of slaving on the job, Jami vowed to show his wife, Harper, how much he appreciated her commitment to their marriage. With a surprise trip to the Smokey Mountains prearranged, all Jami needed was the woman he pledged to love forever. Unbeknownst to Jami, Harper had other plans. Although he requested her time, he hadn't revealed his intentions. Harper's refusal to cancel her arrangements sends Jami to a blissful, romantic getaway, alone. Standing firm in her decision, Harper takes a vacation with her girlfriends. Sipping mojitos, lounging on the beach, and enjoying the tropical island of Jamaica was what Harper needed until she meets a man who wants to be more than her friend. Testing the strength of her vows, Harper must make a choice. Does she choose the man she knows like the back of her hand, or will she leap into uncertain waters with a man she wants to get to know? Will Jami and Harper celebrate their anniversary once reunited? Or will the events that unfolded while they were apart separate them forever?

#1 New York Times bestselling author of It Starts with Us and It Ends with Us held readers spellbound with her novel Hopeless, the story of what happened when a troubled girl named Sky encountered a long-lost childhood friend, Dean. Now, in Losing Hope, we finally learn the truth about Dean Holder. Haunted by the little girl he couldn’t save from imminent danger, Holder’s life has been overshadowed by feelings of guilt and remorse. He has never stopped searching for her, believing that finding her would bring him the peace he needs to move on. However, Holder could not have anticipated that he would be faced with even greater pain the moment they reconnected. In Losing Hope, Holder reveals the way in which the events of Sky’s youth affected him and his family, leading him to seek his own redemption in the act of saving her. But it is only in loving Sky that he can finally begin to heal himself.

The world is full of mysteries. Many are intrigued by earth's mysteries — UFO's, the lost city of Atlantis, the pyramids, the Nebula of Orion, etc. God knows the answer to every mystery. However, as interesting and captivating as these mysteries are, they pale in comparison to the revelation of the deep secrets of God. The Holy Spirit may seem a mystery to some people, but God’s desire is for His believers to know and understand the deep things of the Spirit. "God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10). Because of fear or tradition, many have chosen to ignore teachings concerning the Holy Spirit. In this book, Dr. Larry Ollison sets aside religious political-correctness and digs deep into the mysteries of the Holy Spirit. Remember the final words of Jesus as He ascended into heaven from earth: "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (Acts 1:8).

Fresh Hope is a FANTASTIC and much needed resource for the church! I particularly appreciate the emphasis on the wellness versus medical model, as it empowers us to be active participants in the pursuit of healing. I would have given anything to be part of a group like this years back. Now I am so excited to help bring this ministry to the Chicago area. Jon Press MA Christian Education blogger for BP magazine A well written book that is concise, easy to understand and free of psychobabble. I highly recommend Brad Hoefs' book, Fresh Hope, for those suffering from mood disorders. Fresh Hope is an excellent resource that is informative and enlightening. It will bring insight to family and friends wanting to increase their understanding of their loved ones' mood disorders. Definitely a must read. Encouraging, explicit, resounding in truth...begin your own journey and allow God to redeem your pain and suffering into trophies of His wonderful grace. Allen L. Minnig LMHP, C.P., Omaha, NE, 2012 Brad has provided a great resource for the faith community in their effort to serve those who struggle with mood disorders. As a "wounded healer" he has provided a theological framework and philosophy of ministry for the church in partnering with the medical community on behalf of those who live with a chemical imbalance. Brad's story of recovery and growth brings hope to those who are not satisfied with merely coping with the challenges of a harsh medical diagnosis and medication. It is an invaluable resource for the church in coming alongside the millions in our communities who struggle with depression and anxiety. Brad's story of integrating faith in his recovery will bring hope to all who battle with depression. Dr Wendell Nelson Pastor of Spiritual Formation Christ Community Church Pastor Brad Hoefs was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder in 1995, after experiencing a very public and painful manic episode. This episode led to him being asked to resign as the senior pastor of a large growing church. After his resignation a group of people formed Community of Grace Church and provided the Hoefs with a safe place to heal and find hope. It is out of this experience that Brad started Fresh Hope in 2009, a Christ-centered support group for those who suffer from mood disorders, as well as for their loved ones. Fresh Hope has grown to numerous locations throughout the US, with new groups starting all the time. Brad serves as senior pastor at Community of Grace in Elkhorn, NE and is President of WorshipOutlet.com, which provides creative worship resources. He also serves as a member of the State of Nebraska's Advisory Committee to the Governor on Mental Health Services. Brad is married to Donna, his sweetheart since college. They have two married adult children, Noah and Noelle, and two grandchildren, Ava and Jayden, who bring them great joy! You may contact Pastor Brad by emailing him at [email protected].

When we are in the darkness--whatever that is in our own particular story--the temptation is to believe that it's over, it's always going to feel this way, we will never be anywhere else or feel anything other than we do now. We fear the darkness, and for good reason. But it is in the darkness that new life begins. With an openhanded spirit and openhearted vulnerability, Leeana Tankersley reveals the darkest chapter of her own story, the thing she never thought would happen and could do nothing to prevent. Along the way she shares how waiting patiently in the darkness allowed something incredible to take root within her: a defiant and hard-won hope that is not dependent on happy endings. If you have lost your faith, your family, your health, your home, your security, your business, or your very self, Leeana wants you to know that you are not alone or forgotten. You are not doomed to stagnation or stasis. You are not worth less than you once were. Against every last odd, you can hope anyway.