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Challenges to hope come from many different directions.  Some are unexpected and some are cultivated, perhaps not intentionally.  Such seems to be the impact of abuse and alcoholism.  We don’t realize the increasing grip it has until it has that firm, almost unbreakable hold.

But there is hope!  My guest on this podcast is a remarkable woman who is winning the challenge to her hope from alcoholism.  Her name is Abi King and she lives in New Zealand.  Abi shares her story and how she not only defeated it herself but is not helping others in their fight.

Abi has a podcast to help folks with their challenge.  It is called The Sober Connection and is available through most podcast outlets.  She addresses a range of topics to help us understand and overcome addiction and it’s related challenges.  I encourage you to listen as she shares insights and information from her own experiences and from others as they overcome this challenge.

For more information you can visit Abi’s web site and podcast at:  https://www.levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz/

Remember!  No one walks alone, especially through the challenges of overcoming addiction.  Be the person to be there for someone.

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If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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Suicide is such a tragedy in families and others.  It seems to leave us with a sense confusion and if we are part of the problem.  It also is often very difficult for us to move on.

My guest in this episode experienced the tragedy of their father taking his life when they were teenagers.   Loosing a family member always remains a part of our existence.  It is even more so when it was from a tragedy.  

Heather and her sister Jennifer have found a way to help others by creating a wonderful podcast that discusses this subject.  In it they seek to help others discover, sustain, or regain hope and to let them know that we are not alone.  

I encourage you to listen to their podcast.  It is called, "New Actions Show Healing".  By the way, the initials of this are Nash.  That was their father's last name.  So their show is also a way to honor his memory.

If you are dealing with life situations and have your hope challenged to the point of ending your life, please don't give up hope.  Remember that you are not alone.  Reach out to someone.  There are those who love you and depend on you as a part of their life.  

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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I've posted a lot of episodes on my podcast and there have been many that shine above the rest. This one shines very bright.  I have a wonderful conversation with James Early about what it means to love like Jesus and how we can do this.  We share insights and perspectives on how it draws us closer to our Lord and grows our hope.  We share our devotion and service to our Lord through whom we find true and lasting hope.

James is a fellow podcaster, author, and Bible teacher.   James was gracious enough to develop a link to a web site that invites listeners to find out more about him and his podcast, The Bible Speaks to You.

Here's the link to follow:   https://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/journey/

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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Those of us that have children know how much we hurt, even physically, when on of our children suffer.  Even the childhood mishaps and scrapes woult tear my heart apart.  I wanted to take all the suffering off of them and bear it.

My guest in this podcast, Tracy Ripley lived through the drama of a child with congenital heart disease.  Through it all she relied on her faith in the love of our Lord.  Tracy knew she was not alone.  This helped her deal with the issues and grow spiritually.

I invite you to listen to her story and her deep faith in a God who is always true to His promises.  Listen to the hope she holds dear in her heart.

Tracy is an author, life coach, and advocate for children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).  She wrote a wonderful book called, "Prayer Warrior Mom".  You can learn more about Tracy and her ministry by going to:  https://subscribepage.io/PrayerfulWarriorOpt-In

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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If there is anything we share it is that all of us have experienced suffering at some level.  I often marvel at the resiliance and grace others express as I know the suffering they are enduring.  

A question that is often asked is why God allow suffering.  Isn't He all powerful and all loving?  How then can He allow suffering to happen to His greatest creation.

In this episode I try to present some thoughts about this question.  I don't have all the answers.  In fact, I continue also to have questions.  But this I know.  I serve a loving God who gave His Son Jesus to suffer so that one day I and others can see an end to all suffering as we stand in His presence.

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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In the book of James in the New Testament, he states in chapter 1, verse 27, that caring for orphans and widows is one indication of pure relition.   My guest in this podcast is living that life as he and his staff provide invaluable services for children and their families.  Shawn Hull is the director of the Cherokee Home for Children in Cherokee, Texas.  He and the staff have dedicated their life to providing care for children to overcome amazing challenges to their hope.

I encourage you to listen to this wonderful story of the home.  Listen to the love and compassion of Jesus coming through his words.  Listen to his passion for helping children and their families overcome their challenges to their life.

You can learn more about the Cherokee Home for Children and listen to wonderful stories from some of their children by visiting their web site at: https://www.chc4kids.org/.  

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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The word special is a wonderful word.  It communicates something set aside for a focused purpose.  It elevates someone so we are made aware of their qualities.  Such should be our view of children with special needs.  We can focus on what they contribute to our life.

We often, and rightfully so, marvel when someone adopts a child with special needs.  My guest on this episode went far beyond that as she and her husband adopted three children with very special needs.  They have given these children hope for life when they likely might not have had any.   

I invite you to listen to the joy in her voice as she describes her children.  Listen to the love and comfort she experiences as she realized how they fulfil what James describes as true religion in James 1:27, 

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this:  to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

I invite you to listen to Valarie’s story.  I invite you to look to see what you’ve been graced with and how you can use it to bring hope to your life and to the life of others.

Valarie also speaks to two special agencies.  The links are below:

Lipscomb Academy Solly School

https://www.lipscombacademy.org/academics/solly-school

Reece's Rainbow

https://reecesrainbow.org/

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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It is a joy to interact with those that have a passion for their field.  It is even better when that field is helping others.  Then, on top of all that, it is about helping those that are among the most vulnerable and needful in our society.

My guest in this episode is such a remarkable person.  I am having a wonderful conversation with Sharon Dunlevy.  Sharon is an education advocate for foster children.  In our discussion she explains why this often-overlooked need is so important.  And you’ll hear that it is all about making sure these children have help overcoming the challenges to their hope.  Sharon also provides some practical insights into how all of us can help foster children and those that care for them overcome their challenges.

 You can find out more about Sharon and her interest as well as some valuable resources through her web site. It is worth your time visiting.

 https://sharondunlevy.com/

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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My guest for this podcast episode is Ben Bethel.  Ben started life much the same as many of us.  He continued with hopes and dreams like any of us.  He was a part of many of the same life activities.  But because of choices he made, his life took a detour and he began to be caught up in addictive substances and associated behaviors.  As this detour continued and his hopes were challenged, he did not give up hope.  Fortunately, Ben rediscovered the lessons he learned from his youth of true and lasting hope being found in our Lord.

He has now been clean from drugs almost three years.  He is part of the Home of Recovery and Restoration located in Winnsboro, Texas.  He not only successfully graduated from the 9-month program but is now part of the staff.  Ben learned what many of us have discovered.  We know that when we’ve been through challenges to our hope, we feel an intense desire to help others facing similar challenges.

I invite you to listen to this compelling story of rediscovering and sustaining hope.  

If you know someone in a similar situation, please share this podcast with them so they too can rediscover hope.

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.

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I once heard someone say that the only constant in the universe is change.  That's a great way to look at change.  It happens whether we want it to or not.  Nothing stays the same.  There are times when we want change and times when we don't.  Regardless, change happens.

There are many reasons why we don't want change.  Sometimes we do want and need change and have a sense of hope that things will be better.  

In this episode I breifly look at the hope we have in change.  I explore some thoughts about change and then look briefly at the relationship of hope and change.

I invite you to join me and to share this episode with others.

Support the show

If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5.  I truly apprecite your support.  All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. 

 This podcast is made possible by Come and See Publications. I invite you to visit comeandseepublications.com, where you'll find additional resources on a varity of topics about hope and other areas of interest.  I invite you to visit us.

Please, be the person that helps touch someone whose hope is challenged by sharing this podcast. Also, please leave me feedback using the "Send us a text" link at the top of the description.