A Place Of Hope

"No man can stay alive when nobody is waiting for him," writes Henri Nouwen. "Everyone who returns from a long and difficult trip is looking for someone waiting for him at the airport. Everyone wants to tell his story and share his moments of pain and exhilaration with someone who stayed home, waiting for him to come back."

"Don't confuse God with life." Phil Yancey quoting 'Doug' in Disappointment With God

When Van Halen toured for “1984” they had a T-shirt with “Western Exterminators” on it. It was a picture of a man with a huge hammer held behind his back looking at an innocent little mouse. The mouse is in trouble. Some of us see God that way…especially if we’re struggling with difficult life circumstances. Especially if the church has wacked us before.

"If all this is true and the power of God is available to heal the sick, to care for the broken, to comfort the sad, to encourage the broken the defeated and so forth, then what else would one want to do between now and the return of Christ?" John Wimber

One day while standing on a bridge, Winnie the Pooh noticed Eeyore floating below in the river.

Pooh yells down, "Did you fall into the river, Eeyore?"
"Yes, silly of me, wasn't it?" replied Eeyore.

"Is the water cold today?" asked Pooh.
"Yes, the dampness, you know," said Eeyore.
"You really ought to be more careful!" warned Pooh.
"Thanks," responded Eyore.

After a moment of silence Eyeore asks, "Pooh, if it wouldn't be too much bother, would you mind rescuing me?"

The world is full of people crying out to be rescued from meaninglessness, brokenness, emptiness, low self-esteem, and so many other needs. They're waiting for someone who will love them enough to share a word of Hope and encouragement with them. They're looking for a church that will believe in them enough to reach out to them- a church willing to take whatever risks necessary to lead them into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.